Home Again Home Again Jiggedy Jig

After what seems an age, I have again returned home.    Christmas was quiet with just "himself visiting.  On Boxing day we drove to "the farm" where I spent a very restful 2 weeks, and caught up with my friends over there. And yes I did do a  'bit' of gardening until it became too hot during the day to be out in the sun....and yes I did do a "bit" of cleaning, topping up the efforts of  'himself"

Son did not come for a visit at Christmas after all, because he had the opportunity to see his girls after  2 years of not knowing where they were.  I was so pleased for him and could not help but shed a tear of happiness when I saw the photos he sent me.  It was the best Christmas present anyone could wish for.

Since then he has been allowed to have them for an overnight stay and last Friday got them for the WHOLE weekend when they helped him celebrate his birthday.

This photo is my favourite. When I look at this and see him re-united with "his girls" my heart just swells to bursting.  There is a chance that I may be allowed to have a visit from them next weekend too......I can hardly wait.

Happy 40th Birthday son

Thoughtful Gifts

I haven't had an opportunity to say thank you to my friend Judy, for her lovely gift which I received before I went away.  Judy knows how much i am addicted to threads, so I was thrilled to be able to add to my stash.   There were also some silk cacoons, a packet of goodies which will come in so handy.  As well she  sent me a Frixion pen, which I have used and it is amazing. As well there was some overdyed velvet ribbon, which I have already used as a border for an embroidery. The blue tool for turning corners was made by her sweetie and  is something I have needed for a long time and it saves poking out corners with the scissor points.

Thank you so much Judy

cards from Sue and Judy

Among my mail when I arrived home was a lovely card with a hand painted Xmas tree on the front, from Suz.  Inside which was this gorgeous little  tatted heart which went straight on my tree to remind me of what a loving and thoughtful friend Suz has become.

Before she left for her sojourn at the coast, my good friend Di and I had lunch together, and exchanged xmas gifts.  Imagine my surprise and wonder when I opened my parcel to discover this wonderful bag.  I was so thrilled.  I have admired a bowl Di made whenever I have been to her home, and here I now have a gorgeous bag she made for me  in the same technique.

It has hardly left my side, and is such a convenient bag with pockets for things inside, and when you look in you can see everything that is there....wonderful. Thank you so much Di.  I only hope that one day I will be able to repay the love and support you have given me during all the worrying times I have had over the past year.

Quick trip Home

Well a visit to sons would not be normal without me damaging myself in some way, or catching some sort of bug.  I stayed true to form by knocking my shin on the corner of a low box and the end of a  bed.   Which, of course, being me has become a lot worse. ...everyone knows I dont do things by halves so what should have been just a bad skinned shin had to have a haemotoma form, and the whole thing become infected.....and am on heavy antibiotics.

Move over whoever has the title of "Best Drama Queen" I am coming through!

It has slowed me down, but not out.  The worst part is that I cant sit at the computer for long, (damn) and... dear me.... I cant do any ironing and stand on the leg for long either....how sad....(te he I am not silly I know how to get out of work)

It was a pity I did not have the accident before I did my motherly duty and  ironed 18 shirts and about 8 pr of trousers ....damn....got caught with that one eh.

The sore leg also meant that I could not go swimming in the pool...so sorry Maria, there will be no revealing bathing belle photos.

I did get to go to Burleigh and sit on the sand and watch the water...it was lovely I do miss living by the ocean.

looking towards Surfers Paradise in the background

The headland is called Big Burleigh.  I remember as a teenager sitting up there at night watching the moonlight over the water and there were fireflies all around it was like sitting in a magic cave....and yes I was with a beau at the time....as well as all the other friends from our tennis group.....

I am so full of admiration for my son for the work he has put in on making their back yard a lovely space.  This is what it was like when he started, and in the front the beginning of the plantings.

this is the back garden now.  The vege garden is up the top.  

I have shown the stairs he built  before, but what  I want to show you is:

he carried every piece of the heavy timber and slabs of turf up this steep slope to the deck level.    It was such a mammoth task but I am so proud of what he has achieved. His vege garden is producing and we ate lots of salads which were so fresh and crunchy, with lots more coming on.

Chloe had her 3rd birthday while I was there but was a bit shy in her birthday hat.

This post would not be complete without a picture of "The Dungeon"

Main room and floor

possible air conditioning?

I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all my wonderful friends and passers by 

Merry Christmas, and a happy and joyful New Year

and thank you for all the love and support I have received over this past year

Am away again after Christmas, so will be back in a couple of weeks.

Gadabouting Again

Have been busy packing and getting everything done before I go gadabouting again. Hence no "down memory lane" this week.

View of one of the Gold Coast Beaches

Tomorrow I am off to the Gold Coast to visit eldest son and DIL before Christmas. The bus leaves at 11am and after disembarking in Brisbane will take a train to inland of where they live.  From there it will be in the comfort of their car.  It is a long journey for me.  Although son is driving me home himself when I come back.

Son and the "children" Chloe on left and Beau on right.

I know the puppies (read horse size) will be pleased to see me. I am amazed to see how they always remember me.  I know there will be gardening, and picking of the fresh veges, and no doubt there will be ironing...there always is.  I think the amount of ironing I do for him should warrant 2 yes t-w-o  windows in the dungeon.

For some reason whenever I am there I am always relaxed.  It is a very peaceful household, and there are no pressures.  If it stops raining and warms up, I will even get to have  swim in the pool,  sorry... there won't be any photos of that!

Enjoy the rest of your week everyone, see ya!

p.s. I have been told that there is no chance of me expecting to retire with them to a house like the one in the 'garden party' post....so it is definitely the dungeon for me.... with a bit of luck though now I have my pacemaker  I will out live them and get to live in comfort in the top part of the house with the puppies.

Garden Party

I have been very fortunate to be invited to join the Toowoomba Quilters Group here, and even though I do not quilt, (but have dipped my toes in, in the past), I will be able to do my needlework, and perhaps incorporate it into smaller projects later on.

Yesterday, Saturday, was the date for their annual Xmas get together which took the form of a garden party at the magnificent home of one of the members. 

Notice part of  the magificent old jacaranda tree in the front garden

The sun was shining, there was a breeze to keep the heat away, lots of lovely company, wonderful food and friendship  to make the day complete.  The venue was a home that was built in the 19th century, that has become part of the history of the area.

A big thank you was extended to the hostess for her generosity in inviting the group to hold their Xmas function at her home.

There was ample room in the beautiful gardens for everyone to gather to enjoy each others company, the flowers and the views.

Back verandahs for morning tea.

Enjoying the sunshine

The tennis court

I liked this bird feeder near the beautiful Hydrangea.

View from above the tennis courts out to the mountains that went on forever.

Lunch was delicious with lots of choices. I was still not hungry when it came to dinner time.   Di has added a report and more pics  on the TQ Blog here with lovely photos  of the garden flowers.  The roses were beautiful and the sea of agapanthus framed the view.

I have warned the family that when  I am "old-old" and come to live with them this is the sort of home I would like them to have for me to come to where I could while away the hours stitching and looking out onto the garden.

All there is for me at the moment is what I call the "dungeon" behind the cupboard under the stairs, but as they say, at least I would be at the Gold Coast where all the "action" is, and they have promised to put a window in for me too, and.... bring the puppies to visit.....hmmmph!  Generous lot aren't they?

LOL

Tast 2012

Well I have bitten the bullet too, and joined my friends Linda, Di, Suz and Anneliese in the Tast 2012 challenge. I had planned on working on the Stitch Files next year, but maybe some of the stitches can be combined.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 2010 Tast adventure. You can see my efforts on my side bar under "Pages".  I am sure I will enjoy it again.   At least I can plan better now I know what it is all about, and maybe come up with a neater fabric book .

Xmas is Coming

Xmas is getting too close too quickly.....Why didn't I do all those jobs earlier?     Now it is getting too late. How many people are "ready".

I have been putting off looking at the tree to see that all was well, and if the decorations needed a spruce up.  Fortunately I had sealed it up pretty well in a sheet, so no little nasties from over at "the farm" were able to get in.  Each year I try to make a new decoration, but this year has got away, so maybe next year.

The designs for the ones I have made are probably familiar to many of you.

Anyway Tuesday night I "bit the bullet" and did the tree, and am glad I did. It looks nice over in the corner and there is an air of Xmas feelings  in the unit now.  I have even found a new outfit to wear on Xmas Day.  

She sits atop my tree

My "Boo Bear" for my grandson

unstiffened angel

embroidered bird from Inspirations magazine

Out of all of these the very easiest is the plum pudding which is just a circle of calico tied over a foam ball and decorated.  Although the decorated pine cones were fun to make, even though while collecting the cones I had a mother bird swooping me so she must have had chicks nearby.