Ramona's Home Place

Holidays & Fences

2012-01-27T22:07:00.002+11:00

We've just got back for our holiday to our usual and favorite camping spot Inverloch.(2 weeks is not long enough)

Back into the swing of things. First up Friday's Fences. This year, I looked around with different eyes, Fences!!

And there were some really fabulous ones...........that I've never noticed, but I'm sure have been there forever.

This fence is along the track that leads to the Bluff.

It must cop a real beating when the southerly hits it and the tide extra high.

View from the top of the bluff. I walked (I now HAVE to walk daily) with my friend Kristine some days to the top of the Bluff and we would do the 'circuit' 4 times (all up about 4.5kms), this was the view each time we reached the top........ the inlet, that was reward enough for me!!

Going out in the opposite direction was this view (that's the Bluff in the distance). We camp somewhere

in between

As usual the sunsets were........, well I couldn't help myself, I'd have to drag myself down to the inlet and have a look, it's one of those things in life that just has to be done...........mmm hmm!! Yep, just like that!

I'll be back with more soon.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

A New Year

2012-01-06T08:33:00.001+11:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

I can't believe we're already six days into 2012 and I haven't done a blog entry to say Hi!

Not much happening in the sewing room as I'm still working and catching up on other bits and pieces, but at the end of today that problem will be rectified....its Holiday time for the next 3 weeks. We'll be going down to our usual camping spot at Inverloch, just to really unwind where I hope to get a bit of stitching and reading done. And also time at home to sort out things from when we did the extension and renovation, which btw I'm still tickled pink with!! I walk into my home most days and just think 'mmmmmmm" that was a good decision!!

Friday Fences, here's one of my favorite trees down at my parents place.

Linking with Friday's Fences

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Friday's Fences & Happy New Year

2011-12-30T20:19:00.001+11:00

The fence that divides the house paddock and the back paddock at mum and dad's.

Linking with Friday's Fences

Happy New You to you all.

See you all next year.

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Christmas Wishes & Friday's Fences

2011-12-23T21:03:00.000+11:00

We have a big conifer decorated out the front of our house, it also happens to be behind the front fence.

So I've combined my post.
To each and everyone of you, my family, my friends, and those friends I'm yet to meet,

I wish you a Loving, Peaceful, Blessed and Happy Christmas time.

Linking with Friday's Fences.

Hugs to you all

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Friday's Fences

2011-12-16T20:05:00.000+11:00

This fence where I go to have a walk some mornings at Birdsland.

Linking with Firiday's Fences

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Christmas Baking

2011-12-13T08:16:00.000+11:00

We know when Christmas is just around the corner, whe we do our Christmas Cookie baking day

It's a full day at mum and dad's house, measuring, sifting, grinding, stiring, talking, laughing and the occaisional little argument, but hey! when there's four women, a 7 yo girl AND dad who has to put in his 5 cent worth, what do you expect in the the kitchen. But Oh the fun!! We wouldn't change it for the world.

Baking smells

Rose and Julia, the next generation has joined in

Here they are all baked and cooled

and will be put away till Christmas

Hermy, our 'adopted' sister at the end of the day!!

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Friday's Fences

2011-12-09T18:44:00.000+11:00

Mr Magpie who lives in a nearby tree with his family came to visit

Linking with Friday's Fences

Friday's Fences & Graduation

2011-12-02T20:36:00.000+11:00

One of the neighbours at the farm in Lockwood

Linking with Friday's Fences

Last week was Justin's Graduation, and though I fought the tears with the fact that I no longer have children in school, that our lives will start to change over the next few years, I sat as an extremely proud mother of not one, but two children that have turned into wonderful, loving, caring, respectful young adults. Oh! they're not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but I could not have asked for more. So here we are, all scrubbed up, feeling extremely happy.

DD Laura and DS Justin having a dance, (not often you see bothers and sisters doing this sort of thing!!)

I'm going to be in so much trouble for putting this photo up!!

Whatever you are doing this weekend

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Fridays Fences

2011-11-25T08:23:00.002+11:00

Even though the drought is officially over my BIL's back paddock still looks dry under the gum trees.

Linking with Fridays Fences

Sorry I've not posted lately, things have been busy with life, hopefully I'll get a little sewing done next week (that's the plan anyway). Off to work now and this evening I get to get dressed up, we have have Valedictory(Graduation) night tonight.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Friday's Fences

2011-11-18T22:34:00.000+11:00

This Crimson Rosella was having a feast on all the grass seeds, he was there when we went on our walk, and he was still there 40 minutes later when we came back.

Linking with Friday's Fences

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Friday's Fences

2011-11-11T08:26:00.000+11:00

This my front fence. It needs a lick of paint, that should be happening soon.

I am soo addicted to this fence thing, everywhere I go I look at fences, think of the stories behind some of them, fences never looked so interesting!! Thanks Jan for the wonderful meme, and thanks everyone for dropping by.

Linking with Friday's Fences

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Friday Fences

2011-11-04T08:33:00.002+11:00

This is such a cute fence. This fence was owned by my BIL and SIL. Paul made the cut outs of teddies becacuse Cass just loves Teddy Bears, it ran the whole length of the front of their property(which is on a main road, needless to say lots of photos have been taken by passers by)

Linking with Friday's Fences

Till next time

Enoy It, Live It, Love It

Spring Blooms

2011-11-01T18:52:00.001+11:00

I have finally finished my version of Gail's pattern Winter Blooms, though I've called it Spring Blooms. It is my first full project completed out of my new sewing room, cut, sewn and quilted.
I'm really pleased with it. The range of fabric was Whittier Crossing, plus a few bits that I added.

And I have to add, to Everyone who visits my blog Thanks for stopping by,

and those of you who leave a comment, Thank You so much, it makes it all the more worth while when you know people are enjoying something you've done, seen, made, accomplished.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Friday Fences

2011-10-28T17:52:00.000+11:00

Sometimes a simple fence is the proud owner of something big. Not sure if this tree is a Jacaranda or not. (I'm not so great in the tree department)

Linking with Friday's Fences

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Fridays Fences

2011-10-21T17:40:00.000+11:00

The Bottlebrushes are just beautiful this year.

Linking with Friday's Fences

Till next time
EnjoyIt, Live It, Love It

Garden, Sewing, Cooking

2011-10-16T01:08:00.000+11:00

Isn't this Mollis Azalea stunning. It's grown heaps this year thanks to all the rain we've had.

It glows in its little corner of the garden.

The amaryllis is amazing too this year

I've managed to do a little sewing, this disappearing 9 patch table topper, I went to a class at Foothills, more to just get something done and the great company you get when you go to a class.

Last Wednesday I had a visit from my friend Hermione, she happened to turn up just as I started cooking a huge pot of spaghetti sauce, so while we chatted, I chopped and she stirred. We had a lovely time

The end result was pretty good too.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Fridays Fences

2011-10-14T08:39:00.001+11:00

Daisy's are my favorite, and this one down the road is just lovely.

Linking with Fridays Fences

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love it

Friday's Fences

2011-10-07T22:33:00.001+11:00

I'm back and have discovered a new meme, Friday's Fences. I think it will be fun.

This photo was looking out from my verandah to the side fence just a few weeks ago. It only lasted a couple of minutes

Linking with Friday's Fences

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Sick...

2011-09-28T09:51:00.001+10:00

My computer is sick, I'll be back soon.

Till then

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Cupcakes and Ponies

2011-09-14T09:46:00.002+10:00

A few weeks ago I kindly offered to make cupcakes for my nieces 7th birthday this last weekend (my sister is without a kitchen at the moment due to renovations) thnking that would be an easy task, i was thinking along the lines of packet mix?? ummm not, my friend Sandra said I should make them from scratch, they were'nt hard, (at this point you're probably thinking what's the big deal, well, I don't do cakes/sweets very well at all, I love to cook food, not sweet) anyway..... She gave me her cupcake book, gave me some pointers,

and the results....

Chocolate cupcakes with purple butter cream icing and pretty sprinkles.

Far from perfect, but they tasted yumm. I was quite chuffed!!

Julia the birthday girl with one of the ponies that came to visit (the party was at mum & dad's)

for her Pony Party Birthday.

There is one pony that they get to ride

another one they get to pamper.

It was a fun afternoon.

Till next time whatever you do

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Rainbows

2011-09-09T22:50:00.000+10:00

Rain and Hail, very very wintery today, but in amongst all that were bursts of sunshine, and a few rainbows. I missed most of them because I was at work and inside, but luckily for me I got the last one for the day when I pulled up outside home at the end of the day. I have a bit of a reputation with the family as been a 'rainbow chaser'. What is it about rainbows that just grab a hold of me???

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Blissful Weekend

2011-08-28T21:25:00.002+10:00

I should have done this during the week, but as usual the week vanished. No matter, now is just as good.

Last weekend we took ourselves off to the country for the weekend. Theo and Justin went up on the Friday night by train, apparently a lovely trip, just over 2 hours, and I drove up on Saturday afternoon after work, which was actually quite nice. I turned up the music and off I went.

It's been nearly a year since our last visit with Frank and Raeleen(my BIL & SIL) everything was in drought, brown, dry and very sad too look at. Now.........well it gorgeous. Green and lush.

There is Wattle growing everywhere, these gorgeous tiny pompoms with the most delicate scent telling you that spring really is just around the corner

Even the weeds are pretty!!

We went to the local footy game where Matt (the nephew) was the star of the game, (Well, we thought so) He kicked the winning goal!!
Here's the cheer squad, Justin, Raeleen and Frank

Back at their place, what do I find sitting on my quilt??,

yep!! Lacey the cat!!

What is it with cats and quilts??

Sadly it was time to go home, we had a beautiful sunset to finish off a perfect relaxing weekend.

Whatever your week brings

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Productive...ish

2011-08-20T00:16:00.004+10:00

Goodness, where did those two weeks just go???

I can tell you that the house renovations are pretty much done!! Yay!! Just a few touch ups and lots of sorting, sifting, giving away and throwing out!! That is more daunting than actually renovating and extending!!

Finally finished this quilt for my sister. It's called Hills and Mountains, I started it about 18 months ago and it was a bit of playing with 60* triangles. I'm really happy with the result.

This is the beginning of my next long term project.

The quilt is Life Is Beautiful by Helen Stubbings, it will be a quilt-as-go, you can see the full version on her blog here

First block stitched, 31 to go.

Off to the country in the morning to visit some family, bit of time away from it all.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It,

Around The Corner Is....

2011-08-10T16:48:00.000+10:00

SPRING.....well signs of it anyway. Last week we had a couple of magnificent days around 23*C (73*F) beautiful and sunny AND confusing my garden!! Blooms have gone mad, they really think it's Spring.

But this week it was back to the bleak grey skies and rain(which really don't bother me at all and the daffodils aren't fussed either)

It's amazing how the gloomy weather takes it's toll on people.

But, having said that, I think we ourselves have all needed a dose or two of sunshine. Here's to more Spring days!!

Till next time
Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Where does the time go???

2011-07-25T15:15:00.000+10:00

I cannot believe that July will end this week! What is happening? Where is the time going.

I have been a little productive in the sewing room, the renovations are nearly done (thanks to GtB, and my wonderful DH). And I had a sewing/stitching weekend away with a group of wonderful ladies.

This is the view as I stepped out of the room on Saturday morning, it was VERY chilly, but so beautiful.

Then after brekky I took a little walk around town (Rawson)........

and then back to the sewing room for some.........sewing ;-D

Thanks for a fun weekend girls!

Sunday was a bit of a miserable day, perfect!! More sewing,

then on the way home we decided to take a detour up to the Thompson Dam, a bit foggy, but then.......

this........

J & J getting all the info

The view from the spillway was breath taking, and then a thought occured to me.......

"what a ride that would be"!!! It was just a thought!

And then the drive back home, just as well I didn't drive.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Allsorts....

2011-07-03T13:57:00.000+10:00

......Licorice Allsorts ;-D

This post is a little like that.

The other day while sewing in my sewing room I looked up to find I had company.....

one of the had a bread roll!!!

I went out the side door to find them everywhere.

I think everyone was waiting for this fellow to drop his bread

They are stunning these cocky's, but very distructive when food is scarce.

We had another one of those foggy mornings last week, I felt like I was sitting on top of the world. We've had some stunning days this week. Freezing cold nights and gorgeous sunny days. Today is a grey windy rainy day..........

....perfect for some quilting.

This is my first (start to finish) project to come out of my new sewing room.

I have not hand quilted for over 2 years, so these cold winter nights are just perfect for it

Whatever you do today

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

xxx

Winter is Here

2011-06-18T17:12:00.002+10:00

Last weekend I had to go down to the hardware and buy some bits and pieces that the men needed for the ensuite and WIR. Driving down my view to the left was this.....

and this........

(you must be sick of viewing this same area) but I just can't seem to get enough of the ever changing same view. And we've lived just up the road for nearly 10 years and in the same area for over 35!!

It was about 5 degrees Celsius ( i know its not as cold as it gets in other parts of the world, but cold by Aussie standards, and I love the cold!!) and the fog was just leaving the valley. I had to rush back home and get the camera, it was just beautiful

2 years ago these hills were ablaze, though they are still scarred, they are beautiful especially with mornings like this!!

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Surprised Revealed

2011-05-26T22:02:00.001+10:00

I was so excited this afternoon when I got home from work,
because I could open my BMT Secret Sister box.

Wow!! Have a look at these beautiful gifts.

There's a gorgeous blue (my favorite colour) Ceramic travel mug, and Latte coffee to go in it, beautiful Cottage threads, some sparkly hair clips, a yummy recipe for cookies and cream cupcakes, some refills for my glue pen, a hand stamped note pad, sparkly pencil and some yummy cheese sticks. I'm sooo spoilt

Thank you to my Secret Sister and Friend Bev, that just made it all the more special.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It , Love It

Suprise for me.....

2011-05-22T14:51:00.001+10:00

Look what arrived at my door yesterday. One of my online quilting groups was running a swap called

Biggest Morning Tea Secret Sister Mug Swap(bit of a mouthful). BMT is an Australia wide fundraiser for the Cancer council during the month of May.

While I was out yesterday, a certain someone(Justin wasn't very forthcoming with information about the person who delivered it!!!) arrived at my door with a box of goodies, we're not supposed to open it till Thursday, so I'm (trying) being good.............

But I did peek..............

The trees out the front are nearly bare, yesterday we did another clean up of the leaves, that should be about it for this year.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Ramona

I spy......

2011-05-15T10:49:00.002+10:00

Driving home from work last week something bright caught the corner of my my eye, but I was going a little fast to actually see what it was, and I was on the wrong side of the to road where it wasn't safe to stop. So on the way to get Justin from school a few hours later, I drove a little slower to make sure I didn't miss this thing saw earlier. I stopped where I though it I had seen it, walked a little way down the road and there it was...........ONE lonely bright red apple, it was just beautiful. I drive this was way to and from work, take Justin to school etc, but I have never noticed an apple tree. But, there it is, One apple still hanging there.

Living in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges and there are some gorgeous places. Puffing Billy is just up the road and occasionally you get lucky when driving past.

A couple of weeks ago Laura asked me to make her a pocket for her laptop for when she needs to take it to uni. Very simple and in just a couple of hours I made her this. Nice and bright, just like her!!

This weekend I am totally on my own, Laura and Justin have gone on an adventure to Sydney, Theo has gone one a golfing weekend with one of his mates, which leaves me all alone. And thoroughly enjoying it.

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It.

Ramona

Look what I found

2011-04-26T19:07:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I started the chore that I have been dreading for ages...........Cleaning out the old craft room!!

So far so good, I'm pacing myself (with DH's help today - He's holding the rubbish bags!!!) I will continue and finish this.

And good things happen when you have a clear out, I found this table cloth thing that my sister Rose and I made for mum when we were 15. I remember doing a new topic at school, patchwork, and English paper piecing was the thing. Well, I just wanted to do something worth while, not just dabble. So we embarked on this project, all hand stitched together, it was huge!! Well we thought it was.

The colours are accecptable-ish for that time,

But the backing - what were we thinking, orange gingham!!

we machine zig-zagged it all around, so I guess that was a good effort considering we didn't get any help from mum and we were only 15.

And that was the last I was ever going to do with patchwork!!!

Who in their right mind would do such a craft, all that hand sewing!!!!

Well 20 years later my best friend Sandra re-introduced me to this craft, but I wasn't going to succumb!!

she mentioned you could machine piece, Well maybe dabble a little................. maybe a lot.............now I do a bit of everything!!

Looking at it now I have to say it was was a fantastic effort on our part!!

Back to it

till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love it

PS. My sister has absolutely nothing to do with any sort of craft!!!

It's finished........

2011-04-20T11:55:00.000+10:00

......well nearly finished, but it's together. My Butterfly Garden quilt is put together and I just love it.

I now have to get it basted and then it will be my hand quilting projsect for this winter. There's nothing like sitting under a quilt on cold night and quilting. So hopefully this year it will be completed.

Autumn is well a truly here, the old oak out the front is slowly changing,

I took this photo this morning, the top is red with some yellowing further down. we'll see how it changes over the next few weeks. There are some really spectacular colours out around the hills, I'll try and make it a point to put the camera in my bag and take some shots this Easter.

I have 5 days off over Easter, i am going to try to spend at least 2 of those organising/sorting/culling the old sewing/craft room. Also a couple of family get togethers which are always fun.

Have fun with whatever Easter things you do.

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Weekend away

2011-04-10T13:13:00.000+10:00

Last weekend I had the privilege of going away with a couple of girlfriends for a 'girl’s' weekend (Thank you J & J). It was soooooo relaxing, doing what we girls do best!! Talking, sewing, nibbling, watching chick flicks, no cooking, sewing, talking….you get my drift. I actually managed to get one of my quilts together, but silly me didn’t take the border fabric so I couldn’t finish it.

Next update, I hope to have it done.

While hanging out a little washing I could hear a Lorikeet, and then I spotted him way up in the tree.

The colours are just so pretty.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Quilt Hanging

2011-03-23T12:20:00.001+11:00

I'm all excited. Yesterday I managed to hang my 'Journey of a Quilter' quilt in my sewing room. It was such a lovely feeling to see it hang up in my own room. I started this quilt in 2006 and finished it in 2008. Its been tucked away in a cupboard since (never a spare wall to hang something) until now. The rod i put up has these little clips called 'cafe clips' so I can change the quilts I put up. I think this one will be up for a while.

Here's a little glimpse of the ensuite and WIR as they are at the moment, more on that when it happens,

the ensuite is straight off the bedroom, and off that, the WIR, which is on an outside wall. These will now be swapped around. YAY!

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

Another one comes and goes

2011-03-16T10:09:00.000+11:00

How fast does the year go!! Rose and I have just had another one of those.... yes, a birthday, and though they are still quite painless, one has to wonder where the years go. I can at least vouch for the last 12 months,

I have an entire half a house to show for it! But what of the ones before that??? Where did they go???
Well, after a little ponder I have worked out that I have spent hours cooking, cleaning, washing, going to work, making, searching, shopping, amongst other things.

I have wasted hours sitting around talking, laughing, eating, drinking, thinking, loving, watching a movie, reading a book, amongst other time wasting things. But you know, those time wasted hours are the ones that make life..........life. They are the ones that I will remember when I am old and frail(if my mind decides to play along lol). They are the times that were spent with my family and my loved ones, with my friends, with acquaintances, with a good book, over a soppy movie. They are the times that when I am old and grey I will be able say, 'remember when we broke that tree and had to sticky tape it back together so we wouldn't get into trouble'. ;-D

We have phase 2 is about to happen in our 'new' home(it feels new!!), the

en suite and walk-in robe are getting done, a new window in our bedroom, a bigger pantry in the kitchen, and just generally finish of what we planned to do. So today I'll spend a bit of time in the wardrobe and then maybe have a bit of a sew (or sort) in my sewing room.

Till next time

Enjoy It, Live It, Love It

After the party......

2011-03-09T10:25:00.000+11:00

Justin's 18th party came and went last Saturday, we had a a fantastic evening........very quiet for a bunch of 17 - 18 year olds.

I did a spot of baking last week too, I had to make some morning tea to take to SCQuilters, I decided to make a Lemon syrup cake. It was really yum!,

but it had a bit of a problem....aarrghgh

it totally sunk in the middle! And I mean a total collapse. I now know the cause/s to sinking cakes. I think I'm a really good cook - mains and entrees, but the baking/dessert department - putting it mildly - I suck!!

I'm finding it hard to get back into things, but today I'm off to the sewing room :-D, it's my day off and I have planned nothing, well, the plan was to have a bit of a day to myself. So hopefully I'll have a little bit of show and tell next week.

Till next time

Love it, Live It, EnjoyIt

Autumn is here.

2011-03-01T17:26:00.000+11:00

My favorite time of the year has arrived. Yes, As March arrives so does Autumn.

It can bring those perfect warm sunny days and pleasant evenings, and also cold nights. But the best part is the colours. Hopefully this year i can take some photos around the hills here and share this beautiful time of the year with you.

Life is moving along, and you know that things are speeding up when your youngest is now legally an adult!!! Yes, Justin is now 18 and he celebrated his birthday with a simple family birthday dinner, and his favorite cake - homemade ice cream honeycomb cake!!,

then with a bit of style.

He escorted his friend P, they've been friends since grade 4, to her school's formal.

(Grandpah's car is always used for special things)

And have a look at this. I came home from work 2 weeks ago to find the front garden looking like this...

Beautiful!!. DH (Theo) had spent most of the day spreading out mulch

The hibiscus is looking lovely, and we were really really happy when it started budding in January. It was one of the plants that had to get moved from around the back to make room for the extension.. It was carefully pulled out by the bobcat and transferred to the front garden. we gave it lots of TLC and hoped for the best. Best won!

Here's DH enjoying a little relax time on our new verandah. I have a project planned for the table and chairs, but that will be later.

Till next time

Enjoy it, Live it, Love it

Grumpy.....

2011-02-09T22:58:00.000+11:00

No....not me......Mother Nature.

Last friday we had the tail end of cyclone Yasi, and boy did it rain.

My heart goes out to those who were lashed by it. Here in Victoria, those on Queensland and New South Wales. Not to mention the fires in Western Australia. What a country!!

In the words of Dorothea Mackeller from her poem "My Country", how true they are!!

I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, Of droughts and flooding rains. I love her far horizons, I love her jewel-sea, Her beauty and her terror - The wide brown land for me!

Thankfully we survived with no damage. Our wonderful new roof fixing the leaks and internal water features we used to have!!!

We had about 140mm(5 1/2inches) of water in 12 hours!!

Down at Mum and Dad's the creek overflowed, though not as bad as it could have been. I took this photo about an hour after it stopped raining.

The creek at mum & dad's which is usually just a trickle or dry!!

The Birdsland car park where only 2 years ago we had bushfires!!

The water logged streets the day after the rain.

I'll pop some of our R&R photos next time.

Till then

Live It, Love It, Enjoy It

Holidays are over.............

2011-01-30T21:51:00.000+11:00

The summer holidays are over for yet another year, but oh the fun we had.

We went on our yearly camping trip to Inverloch, though the weather was not totally on our side this year, we did have a beautiful and relaxing time.
Speaking of weather, we've had the most unusual weather throughout January. Melbourne is renowned for its '3 seasons in one day', but this year the whole of Australia is copping it. Here we've had cold days as low 18C, very cool considering it is the middle of summer, today a scorcher at 40C, we've had humidity at 97% (that outdid Singapore), rain that flooded 1/4 of our state(Victoria), not to mention the devastation it has caused in Queensland.
So, I think I can safely say we've had a very interesting start to 2011.
Back home for 3 days, had heaps of washing, Theo finished painting the new verandah, I set up the new study, and caught up on some other bits and pieces.
Then Theo and I went away for a few more days, we spent some time with friends that we may as well call family. Theo and Colin spent lots of time on the golf course and Hermy and I had 'quality' girl time (lots of talking!!).
That's all for now, I just wanted to say hello to you all, I'll post some photos next week.
I'm off to bed, big day tomorrow.................back to work...hmpf :-(

Whatever your day brings
Enjoy, Live, Love

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T14:29:00.001+11:00

Another year is upon us, and I would like to

Wish you all a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous, Safe,

Love Filled and Peaceful Year in 2011.

Take a little time for yourself to enjoy the things you love, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem.

I'm going to start my first project for 2011 in my new room, (New room, new Project, there's plenty of time to finish things off later)it's not totally set up, not even close, but I figure if I start the year off in there, it can only be a good thing! ;-D

I bought this gorgeous range of fabric, plus a few extras last year, so I'm starting with this. I have a gorgeous pattern by my friend Gail called Winter Blooms which I think will suit it perfectly.

Off to start now

Till next time

Enjoy it, Live it, Love it

Our Christmas (Long)

2010-12-28T12:08:00.002+11:00

What fantastic festive fun we've had the last few days.

It all started on the18th Dec with Theo's family here for Christmas.

We managed to fit everyone into the new family room (it's so great to have room for everyone)so we could all sit together for Christmas dinner. It was lovely. I decided on a roast dinner and that was no small feat, but with all the family pitching in, it went very smoothly.

Laura came up with the idea that we should have real crockery and cutlery and she remembered that my SIL Helen and her family had made everyone a dinner plate that was uniquely theirs when they had Christmas at their house 4 years ago.So an email or a phone call went out to everyone to bring their plate. Our niece made mine and because I love patchwork, that was what she painted on my plate. I also made a little bauble name holders for everyone.

Gifts under the tree for the children (right) and one for the adults (left).

For the adults we buy one gift, we then play a game to swap the gifts.

There was plenty of room on the new verandah for everyone. We played a few fun games through the afternoon.

Sitting down together for dinner.

The finished Gingerbread house looked fantastic

The makers of the gingerbread house.

My DD Laura, niece Philippa and her BF Michael.

The girls didn't want the house 'smashed' so they carefully removed one side of the roof the reveal a surprise.

Some fingers got in very quickly.....

not much left after everyone has a piece!!!

The 24th of December sees my family get together for our Christmas festivities. Every year we sit the children in front of the tree and take a photo.

Below was 5 years ago, haven't they grown!!

We all sit together for dinner on Christmas Eve

Christmas day is a little more relaxed,with a simple lunch,

we then help mum later in the afternoon to prepare for the next round of festivities on the 26th. Mum makes a traditional turkey,

here's my brother with the finished result. This one was about 7.5 kg (15.5lbs) plus stuffing!!! We have very close family friends come for lunch.

I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas with those you love.

Today sees me doing not much, pottering seems like a very good idea. I might venture into the sewing room later, but for now, pottering it is!

Till next time

Christmas Wishes

2010-12-24T18:15:00.000+11:00

With the next three days to be filled with Christmas festivities I'd like to wish you all a Loving, Peace filled, Exciting, Healthy, Dream filled

Merry Christmas

Enjoy every minute

Getting ready for our Family Christmas

2010-12-14T08:24:00.000+11:00

Things have been happening here, and the excitement is building.

We have Theo's family Christmas here this saturday for a fun afternoon and Christmas dinner.

It's our turn this year, it only happens every 7 years!! We have heaps planned, and not a lot of time.

So far the trees have been trimmed (thanks to my family), we love to do some simple outdoor decorating too .

Laura has had a go at making a gingerbread house. Looking good....

And I've spent a little time in the sewing room turning this........

into these

Yes!! there are 45 in my DH's family. It's going to be a fun day, I'm really looking forward it.

I still have heaps and heaps to do. As a friend of mine always says,

"If it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would get done!!" I'll be banking on 'that' minute!!!!

So whatever your week holds

Love it, Live it, Enjoy it

Exciting times

2010-12-05T13:05:00.001+11:00

We have have had some exciting days here, the furniture has been moved back into the main rooms, and it's just wonderful. It feels fantastic to have this wonderful space. DH(Theo) & GtB(Graham the Builder) have just put so much 'everything' into it. I just love it!!!! I know there are still a few things that need to be done , but so much has been finished, I can't help but still be excited!

New Family room

Renovated dining room

AND look at this...........its not much at the moment, but it's all mine!!!

My new sewing room.

I've put some essentials in, as I have things I want to sew up for Christmas.

We've had visitors from Queensland, our gorgeous niece Jenny, her DH Terry and their darling little daughter Paige, our great niece. They had the pleasure of being our first guests in our new and improved home.

Play with a peg is sooooo much fun

Open wide........

It was our 22nd wedding anniversary about a week ago, (I have been married 1/2 of my life!!!) and my gorgeous DH brought me this beautiful bunch of flowers. Aren't they just spectacular??

Now the next round of activities, hype and fun begins, and I'm not even the tiniest bit organised. There are so many things I want do, but no where near enough time to do them all. I knew things were getting really serious, when the Advent calendar came out last week. I made it back in 1997 ( I think), when folk art was my hobby. The kids love it, and each each year it comes out, they bring it out. I can't believe that at 19 and 17 they still expect it to be filled. (It's these little things that make it special). I did mention to them something about making a new different one, but they weren't impressed, so it stays!

till next time

Whatever you are doing or will be doing

Enjoy it, Live it, Love it.

Oh how time flies,

2010-11-23T19:28:00.001+11:00

I have so much to show & tell you!! For now I'll do this one then get my self organised for the rest.

Life has been, as usual, busy, with a few other bits of **** thrown in. The main one being Laura in a car accident(someone pulled out in front of her), but thankfully she is OK, though her confidence will take a while to return. Those of you who have have kids driving, make sure they take care and watch for others doing silly things, it takes just a second to happen. She was very lucky.

The house has come to a bit of a stand still, simply because time has run away from us. We are at the tale end of things, now, just details more than anything else need to be done. The new extension is completely finished, our niece, her DH and their little daughter came to visit from Queensland for 4 days and they we're the first guests, they stayed in my sewing room. I'll be moving into my sewing room soon, when I get a bit of time to do something about it. It's a wonderful feeling actually been able to offer someone a decent place to stay.
We had a wonderful with them, I'll put up more photos next time. For now off to do dinner

What ever you are doing
Enjoy it. Love it. Live it.

Happenings, bit of a mixture

2010-09-26T16:36:00.000+10:00

The new floor is down and it looks fabulous,

and in just over a week it will be polished.

I can't wait, it's going to look great.

The dining/family room is getting a fresh coat of paint.

The kids bathroom was finished yesterday and it looks fantastic.

I had to laugh when all their 'stuff' was put into the vanity.

You can tell which side belongs to the boy!!

On Friday I swapped my work day to have a day of sewing. My local shop Foothills had a workshop with Sue Daly from Patchwork with Busy Fingers. The workshop was on English paper piecing, it is something I have avoided as I put myself off when I was about 16, my sister and I made a hexagon tablecloth for mum(will show it to you when I find it).

Sue had some gorgeous quilts all done using different shapes.

This is the start of my new loooooong term project, its called Antique Sampler. I'm going to have a go at making with reproduction type fabrics. Very different for me, but I have found that over the years I have really enjoyed playing with things out of my comfort zone. I am no longer stuck in the 'whatever I do HAS to match my house/furniture etc' rut. I am quit happy to try new colours and styles.

Here's Dianne with her first finished block.

Spring is definitely here, today is just gorgeous. The cherry blossoms have today 'popped' a few blooms with the warm day we have had.

And the Azalea is more than happy.

The washing on the line has dried very quickly, which is a lovely change from days! So I'm off to bring it all in and enjoy the last of today's sunshine.

Till next time, whatever you may be doing

Enjoy it, Live it, Love it

This is sooooo cool!!!

2010-08-30T18:14:00.003+10:00

I am soooo impressed with my niece Jenny and her SIL Madonna.

But hang on a tick, I have to fill you in first.
Remember last year I made a Mrs Perkins (see my post from December 2009 'I've been Busy')aka Mrs Jenkins for my new great niece Paige,
Well she recently turned 1 and had her Christening at the same time,
so her mummy, Jenny and her Aunty Madonna made her a cake!!!!

Let me just tell you Jenny is VERY gifted in a lot of areas, not necessarily in the crafty department ;-D

So what do you think????

I just love it!!!

It's Brilliant!!

Who would have thought to make a cake out out of a softie!! Definitely way out of my league, I don't do cakes very well. Actually, I don't do cakes at all, I do 'food' but not cakes.

What ever you are doing today, Enjoy.

Let's Continue......

2010-08-21T18:46:00.000+10:00

It's been a few weeks since a progress report, but, things are again happening.
We had a couple of weeks there where things had slowed a little, GtB(Graham the Builder) had other jobs to go to and DH had to go back to work for a couple of weeks.
Now that the extension part of the project is finished-ish, just a few trimmings to be done, we've ventured into the old part of the house, so that means renovations. Mainly the dining room, the floors were...........ugh.......beyond description.
In a nutshell, what we thought were beautiful baltic pine floors, were in fact, all bogged up baltic pine floors. Not to mention the wavy factor!!

Over the years the bog has been vacuumed, swept, mopped out, to leave a floor which is quite thin and rotten, not to mention ugly. Laura and I have even managed to put our heels through the floor!!! So DH pulled it all up. GtB confirmed our suspicions that the stumps were totally..... blaah, my good dinner set and crystal that were in the dresser used to clink every time someone walked through the room. I had to put cardboard between all the plates to stop them clinking. So he and DH replaced all the stumps. 40 of them, that took the best part of a week, geez, I'll tell you what its a 'blaah' of a job!!! Anyone who does that for a living, YOU deserve a medal!!

So, with the particle board down

it was time to put the new floor on top........Tassie Oak and they look just gorgeous! Can't wait till they get polished, but that's still a few weeks down the track .

Looking good

When I was looking for something a few weeks back I found this.......

Bring back memories?? Well, I decided to plug it in, and it still works, and I can hear it ring over the noise of all the banging etc. The kids think it's hilarious!!! putting your finger in the holes to dial!! And the fact that it actually works.

Till next time Enjoy it, Live it, Love it!

Sewing??

2010-08-02T20:08:00.000+10:00

Sewing??? YES, I have done a little sewing and boy did it feel good!!

I went away with a few friends for a weekend of stitching, relaxation and fun. It was everything. Three of us loaded into one car, the boot was full!! And we still had room to spare......

I finished the Bedford Mystery quilt I started back in April, I'm not really into scrappy, this was my first, but I was happy with the result.

Also finished stitching two blocks of the

Advent Angels Quilt by Rosalie Quinlan Designs. I'm not doing this quilt,

just sampling a couple of blocks in a different colour way

for the girls at Foothills.

I was too lazy to unpack that night we arrived back(MasterChef final was on.....priorities??), so the suitcase was just left, and this is what one would call an opportunist??...... the photo speaks for itself!!

Looks like he needs a holiday too!!

On the weekend, DH was been watched while he was painting outside.

This cheeky kookaburra didn't even flinch when I walked past, I didn't even notice him till DH said something.

As you can guess we're still ticking along slowly with the renovations, the extension part is sort of finished, just a few more details to be done, but renovation side is a bit more time consuming. It's starting to look great, the new floors go in in the next 2-3 weeks, the kids bathroom should get done too. I tell you what though I am sooooooo over dust!! The plaster dust gets into everything, no matter what you do to cover things.

That's it from me for now, till next time

Enjoy it, Live it, Love it.

Still going.....

2010-07-19T17:44:00.001+10:00

Things have slowed down a bit here, it's now the small things that are keeping us busy. Painting doors, finishing off walls, fitting things out, etc. We still have a few big things to do, redo the floors in the exisiting(they are really bad), railing on the decking......But, It will be done and it will be FANTASTIC!! I just have to be patient!!

Below is a photo of the house 2 winters ago, yesterday I thought I'd go out and take another from the same spot. I love my new roof!!!

Justin has sort of moved into his room,

Laura too,

DH (Theo) doesn't like the colour of the loo, I thought I'd get adventurous!!!

The front garden has been trimmed back, so it really looks bare, but on closer inspection I've noticed that the bulbs are starting to push through, which means spring is just around the corner. No rush though, I'm really enjoying the winter weather.

Hopefully this coming weekend I'll get a little sewing done. I'm running away with some friends for a patchwork/stitching retreat,....... yes, that means sewing ALL weekend!!! Something I haven't done for months.

Whatever you do this week, Enjoy!!

Progress.....

2010-06-22T22:08:00.000+10:00

Yes we have progressed, the new roof is just about finished, we redid the whole roof and it looks fabulous. DH just needs to finish the painting up there, (when the weather is a bit finer). We have the new deck too. Just have to decide on the railing now.

Here is Michael (BIL), he did some of the plastering for us.

This is the new family room. The opening at the far end will open to what will be the walk through study when its finished.This will be the connecting room between new and old, currently its Justin's bedroom. The rooms on the left are Justin's room and the laundry which goes into the loo. On the right is my sewing room and Laura's room. I'll put up a floor plan of the old and new.

DH sanding and undercoating the plaster

Adding colour.....Laura has chosen a purple feature wall and very very light mauve walls. I'll be sponging the wall tonight.

Justin on the other hand has gone for a very vibrant and loud ORANGE. Not quite what I would have chosen but........

He'll be very bright and cheery every morning!!!

Below the old laundry which was off the kitchen. It was very narrow and small, it was just an add on. It was referred to as a hutch!!

The loo used to be off that too. Now the laundry has also been demolished.

Tomorrow the carpet is going in so that's exciting, then we move into the next phase, breaking into the dining room and doing the kids bathroom.

Whatever you will be doing,
Enjoy!!

I forgot to tell you what it was

2010-06-02T21:44:00.000+10:00

I put this little thing up in my last post and told you I'd tell you what it was.

You all probably knew what they were any way.

They're Toadstools. They grow in circles where my parents live.

I've also been told it IS where the fairies live.

The house is moving along nicely, things came to a little standstill for a couple of weeks, but are now moving along again. Will do an update for you later.

Till next time,
Enjoy whatever you are doing

Things are happening..........

2010-05-16T15:48:00.001+10:00

......yes they are. We've had a lot of work done on the house and the excitment is still there.

The roof trusses went up.....

....the roofing started going on.....

.....the weatherboards started going on......

.....so did a fire wall (the pink wall, that's regulation stuff).....

.....and Hey Presto!!! We're ready to paint outside.....

So now we're ready for Michael (BIL) the plasterer.

This is what I got myself for Mother's Day.....

time to get rid of the pile of rubbish.

and I also got this,

I can't wait to get a peacful moment to start.

Also a beautiful brekky with my family which we had that at mum's, so it was just lovely. While we were there (at mum's) my nephews and neice said there was something special I had to see in the front paddock.

This.............Do you know what this is???

I'll tell you later in the week!! :-D

I have also managed to partake in my bi-monthly postcard swap. This month "Stars" were the theme, I had fun creating this one.

And I just can't let it slip by, Autumn is finally here and as usual its just magnificent. This is looking down the front path to the front gate.....

and the front garden

Whatever you are doing today,

Enjoy it, Live it, Love it!!

Finally an Update

2010-04-09T23:42:00.002+10:00

Where does the time go???
Again, it's been weeks between posts, they should be at least be each week.
Heaps has happened since my last post.........
I had a birthday..............44

Things are really moving along with the house, I'm totally thrilled with the way things a going.
I did say that this was going to be a no stress project, and so far ....... fabulous!!
Here are some more progress photos.
the floor got put down................

the frame went up......................

We had a wonderful Easter, just spent the time with family.
Good Friday we had at the park with Theo's family, it was our turn to host Easter, but our home is not up to it yet so we, went to the park which is about 200meters up the road. We had a wonderful time........

After Easter the roof started to go up..................

and this week I even managed to do a little sewing on Wednesday when I went to my monthly SCQer gathering.
I had a wonderful time, and my sewing machine and I got re-aquainted.
There were about 11 of us doing this project, which made it so much more fun.
It's a Mystery quilt , so I only have a little to show...............

For now that's it. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Whatever you do, Enjoy it, Live it, Love it!!

We have progressed

2010-03-18T22:27:00.001+11:00

Things are really starting to take shape.
Really feeling excited here now, its wonderful.Can I just say though, I never realized how physically demanding those first stages are. I watched a little before I went to work in the morning, the hole digger, by the time I left there were 56 holes in my back yard :-) That was the easy part!!

When I arrivede home they had just started putting in the concrete and stumps into the holes.
I watched a little and then went inside, feeling odd. The weather was warmer than expected, Our friend and builder Graham and my DH labourer worked like mad men to get those stumps in before the concrete set. 50 of them!!! When they were done I didn't know how to feel, excited, yes, because this project was really happening, but at the same time I was a bit emotional, because there were these two absolutely exhausted men, blistered hands, and I didn't know what to say. Talk about being wrecked.

Anyway, here are some progess photos.

This is Graham.....THE builder.

And the walls arrived today too (thanks for remembering to take a photo Laura)

DH Theo, the labourer.

Whatever you are doing, Enjoy.

Busy times ahead

2010-02-23T09:22:00.001+11:00

Goodness me!!! Where has the time gone?? Its been nearly 4 weeks since my last post and I was going to try and do one a week!!

With our holiday well and truly behind us things are really happening around here. Justin is back at school, Laura starts Uni this year and a new project has begun, so my stitching will be taking a back seat for a while .

The NEW Project...............An Extension to our house!! And I am the Project Manager??? roflol, DH Theo is labourer and our friend Graham is builder.

We've already started taking down/demolishing the back patio and deck and last weekend Laura's room and the study were demolished!!

All this will be replaced with two new bedrooms, Justin's existing room will become the study, I get a new little sewing room, a new family room and a new laundry and loo. And out the back a new deck area too. I am very excited.

Here's how the back looked about 4weeks ago, the deck and Laura's Room back wall.

Patio and part of the garden.

Laura's room!!

So now, just waiting for the real construction to begin. Hopefully the stumps will go in this weekend???

Just waiting for the surveyor now.

Whatever you do today, ENJOY!!

Holidays are over..........

2010-01-28T22:43:00.003+11:00

The holiday is over, and we had the most wonderful time. We've been home for a couple of days now, the washing is done, most things are put away, but I have beautiful memories.

The weather was not on its best behavior for us this year, but we still had a ball.

We've been going to the same spot for 14 years now, its our little piece of paradise, sadly

our 'neighbours' of as many years are opting out next year, and it won't be quite

the same (won't you reconsider, pleeeease :-( ).

We have lots of fun, did lots of reading, sewing, walks along the beach, played games in the evenings,

went to a couple of markets, The best thing is we don't take a TV, so we have plenty of family time.

I frittered away many hours on the beach some evenings, there were some absolutely divine sunsets.

I took heaps of photos, but I'll just put up few.

This is the view that for the last 14 years I can't get enough of, it just hold my breath as we drive up over the hill and then ............... that first glimpse of the beach/ocean that tells me, it's holidays. BLISS, no matter what, for the for the next 2 weeks!

a few km's further along at Kilcunda, this. When the weather is moody you should see the waves through here!!

Steven, one of our friends with our daily visitor, a blue tongued lizard.(I wouldn't be picking it up!!)

This is what makes Barney (another camping neighbour) happy, he goes fishing!!!

aaaah bliss!! It was a beautiful evening.

Little gifts scattered along the beach for us to admire,

maybe be inspired??

The end of the first week brought us a couple of cold, wet windy days.

We went out for dinner to the local pub, and this is the view I had right in the middle of dinner!!

Even on the worst day there was something beautiful.

Hubby tells me that there is definitley the pot of gold at the of the rainbow, this photo prooves it!!! lol

These next photos are taken just a few minutes apart, but the change is just breath taking.

(The shadows belong to Millie, Eoin & Laura)

the evening before we left

Simply beautiful ......

this taken directly over our campsite, quite scary don't you think??

I'll leave it at that for now. I hope you've enjyed them. I have a few more to share with you, but I'll leave those for another day.

Whatever you do in the meantime, Enjoy it, Love it, Live it.

Holiday Time......soon

2010-01-06T14:46:00.000+11:00

Its that time of the year............HOLIDAYS, Well half at least. I'm on holidays form my supermarket job at the moment, and as of the end of the week from the Post Office too. Then its off to the beach for a little R & R. I've tried really hard to catch up on some sewing - mainly Butterfly Garden, but I can't get motivated. Justin is working on some jigsaw puzzles and I can't help myself, I have to join him. It's a 2000 piece and I just have to have a little dabble. Even DH can't keep away.

and as I had a stroll around the garden this morning, look what I found, a ??Tiger Lily. I'm not a gardener by any stretch of the imagination, but I do so enjoy a stroll around it.

That's it for me for a week or so. Hopefully I'll have lots of photos for you when I get back.

Whatever you do in the meantime, Enjoy it, Love it, Live it.

Happy New Year

2010-01-02T18:30:00.000+11:00

Happy 2010 to everyone.
I wish everyone, all that's wonderful, happy, healthy and peaceful.

2009 went out a little bit damp, we had a lovely evening, spent it with wonderful company (Thanks Sandra & Graham and Happy 18th to Millly!! we did that too) and we welcomed in 2010 with some lovely well needed rain. Hopefully its a sign of things to come and we won't have a repeat of last summer. I personally like the cooler weather, it keeps everything fresh looking........me included :-D

I've started the year with a little sewing, but I know its not going to last long as there will be a big project happening this year. We're going to extend!! Yep! BIG project!! And I'm going to get a little sewing room just for me too. The kids a new bedroom each, a new family room and a new laundry. I'll do some photos soon before it all starts some time in March/April. I'm going to hold on to the wise words my friend Glenice
said when I mentioned what we were planning in an email.
"Extensions are fun, exasperating, fun, drag on forever, fun, messy, fun and you will be so glad when it is done." I'm going to focus on the word 'fun'.

That's it from me today,
Hope whatever you are doing today is lovely.

Its over again

2009-12-29T11:21:00.001+11:00

Well Christmas has once again been and gone!! How fast was that. All the hype, running around like loonies, the preparing and everything else that sent us mad.............But it was fun wasn't it. I wouldn't have it anyother way.

We have all the Christmas festivities at Mum and Dad's. It starts on Christmas Eve, my brother and his wife who live overseas (currently in Sri Lanka) were here too. Though this year my sister and her family were at her inlaws as they too celebrate on Christmas Eve. We have a special dinner, I would say this tends more to the Swiss side. A fondue with special sauces, dried fruits and nuts, a salad and a few other yummy bits and pieces, not to mention lots of Bubbly. We then open our pressies and towards the end of it all, usually midnight-ish we try to fit in a coffee and some of those yummy cookies.

Christmas Day we have a simpler day, Rose (my sis) her DH and the kids mid morning and we do the rest of the Pressies with them. We then have a much simpler lunch, this tends to lean more towards the Spanish(mum) side. Starters is Huevos Rellenos (translation- filled eggs, a tomato, tuna and boiled egg filling). Main is some Spanish ham (Jamon) and smoked ham, spanish chorizo (the cured variety), spanish tortilla and a salad. Then coffee served with some Turron(Spanish nougart) and of course the cookies. (I'll get some food photos next year!!)

The rest of the day is usually spent playing cricket playing with the kids or just plain out doing nothing.

Then on Boxing Day we do it all again!!. This year there were 24 of us, as we don't have any 'real' extended family here, we do have some friends that are close it. We have been celebrating Boxing day with them for as long as I can remember. And on this day we do the Turkey!! Mum makes the bestest Turkey and filling in the world...........well we think so!! My brother is in charge of basting while the rest of us prepare all the other yummy things. Then the everyone relaxes, watching or playing cricket or both, or just relaxing with a glass of bubbly.

So that is Christmas with me, 3 days of festivities, family and food and I love it. I hope yours was special too.

Now I'm one holidays from one job, that gives me a little sewing time, which I

am off to do now. Might do a little project first and then I may work on my Butterfly Garden quilt for a bit.

See you all in the New Year.

Have a wonderful New Years, stay safe, and above all Enjoy.

Counting Down.....

2009-12-20T09:19:00.000+11:00

Only a few more days to that wonderful day we know as Chistmas. Why do so many thngs need to be done BEFORE that day?? We have a whole year to do things, but no, it has to be done BEFORE Christmas.

No matter, I'm as guilty as the next person, but for some reason all this hype makes me Happy.

I work in 2 areas (a checkout chook at a supermarket & at a Post Office) and I can assure you they are both absolute mayhem at this time of the year.

My life at this time of the year is no different, I've been busy too. I managed to do 2 stitcheries for swaps,

this one for my Patchwork group CottonTales our theme this year was Santa's Helpers.

It's a Natalie Bird Design that I rearranged.

This one was for the swap at my local shop Foothills Fabric and Threads.

It's from a stamp I had, I don't know where it got to, but I blew it up ages ago with the intention of doing a stitchery one day!

We've managed to put up the Christmas Tree, decorations and lights,

and I mustn't forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

I bought this Manger when we were on our honeymoon in Europe 21 years ago.

My Grandma gave us some money as a wedding gift and I wanted to buy something special,

back then you couldn't find a decent manger scene here so that was what we bought.

I tuck it into the fire place with some lights put some real straw around it, i'll get to that this week..... I hope.

As our family is very multicultural (Swiss dad, Spanish mum, Dutch my hubby's family, my sister is married to Polish/Czech, brother is married to Japanese) we try have a few different Chirtmas traditions. My family do Christmas Cookies as one our traditions. We spend an entire day baking a few weeks before, we turn on the Christmas carols to get right into the spirit of things, the kitchen starts to smells amazing and we have loads of fun.

Here is Rose, my sister with a load of Totenbainli (Dead Men's Bones) dough.

Dad and Julia grinding up some nuts, and Hermi a close family friend who has been part of our family for years doing the Aniseed cookies

Mum and Rose shaping the Aniseed.

And after an entire day of baking this is the final result.

At the back left to right

Dead men's Bones(hazelnut and cinamon), Aniseed, Chocky(dark chocolate and almond),

Mailanderli(lemon and butter cookie), front Cinamon stars(Almond and cinamon), Coconuts(Coconut and almond)

Wishing you all a Happy, Blessed, Peacful and Memorable Christmas with those you love.

I've been Busy

2009-12-06T14:49:00.002+11:00

Yep, I've actually done a little sewing. Life has been busy as well, work takes up too much time, but it's something that must be done.

I'm a lot behind in blogging, and have things to show and tell you,

I'll do it gradually over the next few weeks.

I must begin with my Mother-in-Law Helen. She turned 80 2 weeks ago. She's had an incredible life and to celebrate her 80th year the family got together to celebrate. I would just like to mention that Helen has 9 children, 20 Grand kids and so far 4 Great Grand kids! It was a wonderful day.

It was also a chance for everyone to meet the lastest addition to the family, Paige. Paige is our great niece and lives in Queensland, so we won't see her very often. Here she is with Laura. Isn't she cute!

Here is a Mrs Perkins, I had a wonderful time making her for Paige.

She came out really wonderful.

Enjoy the rest of your day, whatever you may be doing.

Finally! I can Show & Tell

2009-10-28T15:35:00.002+11:00

It's been a while between posts, and I do apologise. Things are happening around here like you wouldn't believe. Remember my daughter who turned 18 a few months back, well she now has her licence....and a car....and is ending her school year. She starts final exams on Friday!!! WOW!!! As one of my lovely customers at work said, "when they are little, they are heavy in your arms, and when they grow up, they are heavy on your heart". Where did the last 18 years go!!???

We've also got some other things happening around here...........exciting house things, but I'll leave that for another time.

I do have quilty show and tell for you though.

I can finally let you in on what sewing I have managed to do.
I have had a mystery quilt planned for quite sometime and I finally got around to making it, putting it together, geting it quilted and and teaching the class.

Here is a tiny peek at what the girls saw before they started.

Here is the lovely Renee on left ( thanks for the dumpling recipe) and Yanneke (sp?) from Holland,

Willy,...... was she having trouble with her machine???

Nooooo............she was hiding!!! I can't wait to see her quilt, its Red and White, Willy is very much a blue girl like me, but, like me she too is venturing out of her comfort zone.

And here we have Michele (left) and Robyn.

We had a fantastic evening with Pizza, Bubbly and lots of chatting and laughs, Sandra from Foothills was a wonderful hostess check out Foothills blog with more photos, she even got to participate in the class which was great

(sorry all the photos of Sandra and more of the group are on her camera).

I can't wait to see the finished tops. Everyone's colours were totally different. I will try to contact the girls in a few weeks and see if anyone has it ready for me to take a photo to put up on the blog.

OH!! Here is the Quilt.

It's called Starwheel and its for my Dad.....'cos I think he's a star!! and he likes things that proportional.

Till next time, enjoy whatever you are doing

Finally a little bit of sewing

2009-09-16T10:23:00.002+10:00

Last Friday my beautiful niece turned 5 or was it 25?? .
She is an avid little cook, loves to help her mum,

her grandma's and aunty(me) in whatever we are doing, especially the kitchen.

My sister said she was going to buy her a heap of cooking things - real stuff, not toys,

so I decided to make her an apron. This is Julia with her absolutely gorgeous apron.

It's fully reversible and has a pocket on both sides! I had heaps of fun making it.

I have also finished the Mystery quilt that I am going to workshop in October at Foothills, its at the quilters at the moment so it will be finished in time.
It will be school holidays here next week, DD Laura is in her final year, so exams are just around the corner.
So a bit of a stressful time coming up. I have taken a few days off work so I might get a little bit something new done, I'm really feeling deprived on the creative side of life.

Till next time, Enjoy whatever you are doing

Grrrr.........

2009-08-31T19:45:00.000+10:00

I'm very annoyed!!!! Can you tell?? I have a frown and this is driving me insane!! WHY can't anyone leave a comment? Where did the thingy go that says 'leave a comment? No-one can answer me cos you can't leave a comment.

!!Stamping foot in frustration!!

And please accept my apologies, my blog is also boring while I'm trying to fix this.

Hope to be back on track in the next day or so.

So till then, enjoy the First day of Spring tommorrow.

Ramona

Busy in my kitchen

2009-08-26T10:17:00.004+10:00

Over the weekend I spent some time in my kitchen. One of my favorite veges, red capsicums were in season and in abundance at a very good price, so I decided to buy 'quite a few kilos' of them.

They get washed,

they get roasted till they char a little,

they get peeled, seeded and torn into strips,

then they get put into containers and into the freezer.

They are fantastic in sauces, dips, as a side done with a little olive oil and garlic, in salads. The whole process is a little time comsuming, but well worth it.

I'm off to get my sewing machine, as last week i had to take it to get fixed, it was sewing awful. The thread was all loose, I did everything i could think of to try to get it to sew right, but to no avail, so off to the hospital with it.

In the meantime enjoy they day

Ooops!!!

2009-08-12T15:08:00.002+10:00

I decided that I didn't really like the way my blog looked with the back ground I had, so I started to play around and move a few things around make it all pretty .............and ugh!! I've lost a few things, mainly my links to other blogs, my clock and I can't remember what else was there!!
SO, my apologies, I'll and try and fix it all up in the next few days.

Enjoy whatever comes your way today

Ramona

Little Show & Tell

2009-08-11T08:38:00.004+10:00

Yet again the weeks are just racing by, I'm sick of asking where does the time go!

Work is one, but the rest???

I have very politely been 'prodded' by a dear freind about a bag I made.
Yes I made a Stable Bag while I was away for my weekend in Rawson. We had a really wondeful time, very realxing, a bit productive, made some new friends, had lots and lots of laughs.

We're already planning a project for next year!!

Here is my bag, I was really pleased with how it came out, and I've been using it heaps, its my hand bag at the moment.

And have a look at what has popped up in my garden...............

Which means that Spring is just around the corner. I can't wait, it's just beautiful around here when everything starts blooming and the trees start greening up.

I'm off to work, and whatever you are going to do today, ENJOY!

Something different???

2009-07-14T21:44:00.003+10:00

What do you think??

I've had a little play with the blog this evening, though I could have been doing a million other more important things, but hey! I wanted to chill a little. Not sure if I like it, I'll give it a few weeks and then decide.

I've done a weeny bit of stitching, nothing to show off, but hopfully while I'm away this weekend I'll do some real sewing and have some show and tell for you next week. I'm off to the mountains, well mountains in my books, with my friends Gail and Sue. It should be a wonderful weekend, I'm hoping it will snow, I love the freezing cold weather, you can rug up and it's sooo lovely to go for a walk in, then come in from the cold and have a nice hot drink while your nose and ears thaw out!!! ;-D

I know a I'm mad!!!

Whatever you'll be doing this week and over the weekend......Enjoy!!

New Toy........

2009-07-12T13:32:00.004+10:00

This is our old GIZMO, he has been a reliable friend for the last 18 years.

He's done lots of kilometers, taken us to many and varied places, watched the kids grow up and even done a few driving lessons. But sadly he has had to go. Too many things to fix now,

he has a terrible cough, he smokes too much, has a terrible rumbling in the tummy area, I think his get up and go, got up and went!!

So, i'd now like to introduce you to the new GIZMO.

Yep, a new toy...........zip zip!! Yep he's zippy!!

Hope he lasts as long as the other fellow.

I'm still trying to get some sewing done, but that's not happening.

So, till next time, enjoy whatever you are doing

It's been a while, so this one is long.........

2009-06-17T09:15:00.001+10:00

Goodness me, Where does the time go. Its already June, winter has finally arrived, the nights are really cold, great quilting weather, but I haven't had a lot of sewing time.
I had meant to put these gorgeous photos up quite a few weeks ago, but time ran away, I've put them up anyway beacause the colours are so spectcular, unbelievable almost that nature can create such intense colour. All these pictures are from around here, where I live in the Dandenongs. I tell you, one of these days I'm going to have an accident, because I'm too busy looking at what's around rather than concentrating on the road!!!

And this is what I had looking out of the lounge room window.

I have had a little fun too, by way of a little getaway with my girlfriend back in April. We had a little road trip to Adelaide to a quilters retreat, well not really that little, Melbourne to Adelaide is about 750 km's, 9 hours, with a few stops and lots of talking. We stayed in Glenelg at the Grand Stamford, where we met up with 150 other like minded ladies! We had a ball.
This was the view we had to wake up to each morning..............bit hard to take don't you think!!??

We were totally spoiled for 3 whole days. It was so much fun meeting up with friends from all over Australia, that we only ever "see" online.

My stitching/sewing has been a bit of a non event, I now officially work 4 1/2 days so my sewing suffers terribly. But, I have been planning a mystery quilt that I will be workshopping sometime in July, August or September at Foothills Fabric & Threads. It should be fun.
I'm still working on Friendships Garden and Butterfly Garden, though not a lot of progress there.

The other thing that I want to show you, is how beautiful 'just down the road' looks. If you remember the bush fires came very close here and as the weeks have passed we've watched nature start to repair itself. The hills that looked like this in February/March

now looks like this.

Wonderful isn't it.
Well that's about it for today, I hope to be a bit more 'bloggy' in the next few months.
I'm going to experiment with dinner in the kitchen now, if it turns out, I might do a blog entry!

Enjoy whatever you doing

Ramona

What a week..........

2009-04-09T08:22:00.007+10:00

It's here!!The day I've been dreading !!

We officially have '3' adults in our house!!!

Laura is officially 18 today, and can I just say I think we've done a pretty good job.

We have our moments, but all in all she's turned into a beautiful, caring, intelligent young woman.

We had the party last weekend and it went off beautifully. All the young ones............can I just say....'the' best behaved kids ever!!!

Here's the Birthday girl.............

and the cake..............

Have a beautiful day, whatever you are doing, Enjoy!

Ramona

Good Intentions???

2009-03-22T16:43:00.007+11:00

My good intentions have gone out the window.

When I started this blog I had every intention of doing a post at least once a week, maybe every fortnight, but this is ridiculous.

I have been doing a few sewing odds and ends, I have something planned but its a secret at the moment, apart from that nothing really exciting. Today for example, I have spent my Sunday cleaning the oven, the stove, the range hood, kitchen cupboards and I mean clean! I pulled the range hood to pieces, that sort of clean, thank goodness that sort of thing only happens once a year. I have to confess though, I have DD's 18th coming up and I thought was a good time to do it. OK onto something interesting...........

Have I told you that occasionally I participate in a postcard swap? It's soooo much fun. It happens every two months and the topics vary. I am in a group with the ladies that I used to do calligraphy with, there are also some other, the basket weavers, some patchworkers, a few other crafty ladies, even a couple of talented young ones.

Below are the postcards I have received. They are all from different people, each one unique.

I keep forgetting to take photos of the ones I have done, except for the patchwork theme. This quilt is 4inches x 3 inches!!! on a 6" x 4" postcard

I've also had a birthday in the meantime, a few weeks ago.............. I share my day with my sister................my twin actually, Rose, I had a very quiet day which was lovely, and in the evening we got together at mum and dad's with our family's and had a lovely dinner. No presents, just getting together and mum's wonderful cooking is enough. I love family time.

I have done a tiny bit of stitching, this particular one is Friendships Garden, by Blackbird designs, I'm getting there, no rush, I have made myself a deadline so I know it will be finished,

I am supposed to be keeping up with my friend Gail Pan, but I have fallen behind, I really need to get a move on, or she'll run away with it.

My absolute deadline is my 50th Birthday, plenty of time!!(it's more than 5 years away!! ;-D)

Here's a photo of what I've done so far................. very different colours for me, but I love them.

I'm also working on Butterfly Garden, by Leanne's House, but I'll leave for another time.

That's enough from me for now, have a beautiful week, whatever you'll be doing, enjoy.

A bit of Relax time........

2009-03-05T11:26:00.003+11:00

What a time we've had over the last couple of weeks.

We've had the fire's not too far, down the road to be precise.

We were evacuated on Monday last week and went down to my sisters house in the suburbs where there is lots of concrete. Thankfully the fire fighters and water bombers were all on hand and kept the fires away from homes.

The smell of smoke has gone through everything, but I've had a few good ideas from people to get rid of it.

All Last week we were on tender hooks, I have had all our important things in the boot of the car for nearly a month. Now I can unpack, the cool weather arrived on Tuesday night, oh!, what relief to hear the sound of rain.

We haven't had a lot, but enough to dampen things down a little, settle the dust and clean the air.

This is what we could see from our back verandah, I wasn't game to climb onto the roof just for a photo.

This is about 200 meters down the road, the day after, there is actually a house just to the left. All the hills you see in the background were burnt.

So now over the next few weeks I'm going try to get a few things done, not necessarily sewing,
but catching up on life.

Whatever you are doing today
Enjoy.

Ramona

What a week... no sewing

2009-02-12T12:50:00.004+11:00

What a week we have had here, the worst bush fires in Australian history.
Where I live here in the Dandenong Ranges, most people were prepared on Sunday for fires, as the temperatures reached 46 degrees. Fortunatley they never happened, but sadly in other parts of the state they did, only an hour or so away entire towns have been wiped away by these massive fires, thousands of families have been left heart broken, not only at the loss of their homes, but loss of loved ones. My prayers are with each and everyone of you. If anyone would like to help go to the Victorian 2009 Bushfire Appeal Fund http://www.redcross.org.au/.

And to those of you in Queensland, my prayers are with you also.

What country we live in, fire and floods all at the same time!!!

Maybe I'll get a little sewing done this weekend......

Ramona