One more day...

One more day till the end of 2012. An eventful year?  Yes! The big '7 0' birthday,  the big '5 0' years of marriage, eldest grandson engaged, so much to be thankful for with all of our family well and happy. Sadly my mother was told she could no longer live alone and was moved from hospital to her new 'home' in an assisted living facility. On the last day of this year I will be winging my way 'across the ditch' to see her.

This past month has been busy - as it always seems to be leading up to Christmas but we've spent a very lazy week since the 'big day'. Reading and eating have featured large!  Now the task ahead is to shed those unwanted kilos which have sneaked up on me. 

I've recently had a real sewing (machine) frenzy and finished making some tote bags and hanging hand towels which have been given as gifts.  Now I must get on and finish the Scottish Thistle sampler I began at least 6 months ago.

 

 

My brother turns 70 next June and I plan to make this sampler into a cushion cover for him.  The chart is by "M Designs" (Thistle Clock and Sampler) and I am stitching it on a seeded oatmeal colour #14 Aida cloth.  I fear it will be the last cross stitch project I will complete as my finger joints are now very swollen and painful with Hebeden's arthritis. 

 

As I reflect on 2012, there have been so many 'showers of blessings' which have come from God through the Holy Spirit.  Some say twists and turns of fate - I say only a loving Heavenly Father could have planned them at just the right time. 

 

I look forward to what He has planned for me in 2013 and rest on His promise -  'for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11 BNIV) My future is secure in Him.

 

May the blessings of God be with you also in 2013!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Am I ready for Christmas?

Tomato Relish is made...

 

 

Shortbread out of the oven...

 

 

 

 





Christmas pressies finished...

 

 

 

 

 

Is my heart ready to receive Him?

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Chit Chat

Last day of November!  I guess we all have a tendency to say 'where's this year gone?' and in some ways I feel that way too but I also can look back over the past few months and realise I've crammed so much into those days and weeks.

 

Today is the day I remember my youngest brother who passed away 5 years ago.  He would have been 64 today had he lived but he was a person who lived life to the fullest. He had travelled the world, loved the sea and its creatures, and was passionate about whales and dolphins and in the early '70s was an instigator of Project Jonah when the anti-whaling movement in New Zealand was in its infancy. Many times he frolicked with dolphins, they seemed to be a magnet to each other, them coming right up to him and nudging his face - wonderfully lasting memories we have on film.

 

So - one more month till we bring in 2013 - quite often so busy we reach Christmas day exhausted - but this year, I'm hoping for quieter days. Christmas gifts for the two little grandies already done - thanks to a well organised daughter - Christmas cake made 3 weeks ago - sweet!

 

The weather forecast for today and tomorrow is not so good though - we have a heatwave and no relief until Saturday night - meantime though I have a trim to my very 'out of control shape' hair this morning - and a 'Santa' beard to purchase (if I can find one). DH is being 'him' for our church again this year.  The 'suit' is one I made 30 years ago and is still in fairly good 'nick' but the beard has become rather tangled and 'itchy' to wear - so I'm on the hunt. Let's hope there's a few Christmas shops around that I can search through.

 

Blessings!

Cockatoo Island

Woke to an abysmally dull and overcast morning - disappointment - afternoon outing with our "Top of the Hill" bunch from church looked unlikely.   As time drew near for our departure from home the sky brightened so with rain jackets packed we left for the railway station. An hour's ride into the city, a 15 minute walk to the ferry at Circular Quay and the sun shone and sparkled on the water underneath the Harbour Bridge. It was cool, but the 30 minute ride to Cockatoo Island was pleasant. Alongside at the passenger terminal was the massively large white  'Radiance of the Sea' cruise ship, and  passing under the bridge with myriad of yachts and other boats of all sizes bobbing in front and past us caused large waves to send our little ferry comfortably up and down. 

 

Cockatoo Island is within the Sydney Harbour, steeped in history but retaining all its character.  It was used as a convict prison between 1839 and 1869 and was recently inscribed on the World Heritage list because of its significant convict history. The Fitzroy Dock, built for the Royal Australian Navy, was carved by convicts in leg irons in the 1850's, often waist deep in water.

 

For many years the dockyard of the RAN, some 4000 men and a few women were employed on the Island during World War 11, building some of Australia's largest ships and its first aircraft carrier. 

 

With its remarkable historical landmarks and the worlds first urban waterfront campground, Cockatoo Island has much to offer both overseas tourists and Aussie dwellers alike. Recently it has been the venue of the Redbull X-fighters final and the Southern Hemisphere's biggest Street Art Festival, with the upcoming launch of the Cockatoo Island Film Festival.

 

Another half hour ferry ride back to the main terminal set us right below the train station where we boarded our transport back home.  We arrived a couple of minutes before 6pm, armed with our bundle of hot fish and chips purchased from the local 'takeaway'.

 

All in all, a very pleasant afternoon!

 

Blessings!

 

Approaching Cockatoo Island

 

Old historic homestead

 

View of the harbour from cells

 

 Old Jacaranda tree in grounds of historic homestead

 

 Back view of Harbour Bridge

 Spectacular Opera House right at the ferry wharf

 

I seem to recall...

I seem to recall that I've said this before. In fact I'm sure I have - where has the time gone? No journal since I turned 70!  Was this just me being tardy or remiss?  Or was it a sub-conscious effort to not get any older? I'm not sure but I cannot get past the fact that it has probably just been plain old laziness that has prevented me from posting here since January.  If by chance it was my sub-conscious mind trying to prevent me from getting any older I can tell it right here and now that it hasn't been successful! (LOL)  For here we are almost at the end of another year and before I know it, I will be turning 71 - and no effort on my sub-conscious mind will ever change that.

 

I could say... where has the time gone?  But that would be rather boring and not at all entertaining for anyone who might chance upon this page - but then again, my life does tend to be fairly mundane - doing much the same things each week - but when I glance my mind's eye back through 2012,  I realise that there have been some times when life has sprung some surprises.

 

Many years ago we befriended a Korean family who had come to live in Sydney while the dad did 3 years of university studies. We have kept in touch over the years and in February they came back to Australia to be with their daughter when she married an Aussie fella! It was great to meet up with the family again and reminisce. In June, eldest grandson B22 left on a long-waited-for overseas trip along with his girlfriend and another young couple. In Venice while riding on a gondola, he 'popped the question' - and she said 'yes'! That was exciting news!

 

My mum turned 93 in May and was admitted to hospital in early July with a chest infection. She had taken a couple of falls at home during the early part of this year and it had been apparent to the family that she really should be in care. Time came when she was ready for discharge from hospital but the medical team felt she should not live by herself any longer - how sad to not be able to go back home where everything was familiar - but to be placed in a rest home where everything was strange and different. I was able to go to Auckland to close up her home and help resettle her and spend a few weeks visiting.  I am pleased to say though that she's now OK with it all, enjoys the meals and likes the staff who are very good to her plus she's now situated not all that far from where my brother lives - which is indeed is a blessing in itself.

 

Our friendly neighbourhood birds continue to come each day for their afternoon tea (or breakfast, lunch or dinner - whichever suits) and I continue to get pleasure from their visits.

 

 

Health wise, we've been fortunate this year - not even a sniffle! Life continues in much the same way - minding grandsons during school holidays - photography club - craft group - bible study - regular worship attendance - much to be thankful for - serving the Lord in my little corner - where He's placed me - and where He wants me!

 

Blessings!

The BIG 7 0

 



I just had to tell you...

It's been a dull old day - not at all like summer!  Temperature has barely reached 20C (average for this time of year around 26/27C).  For a long time I had promised myself I would sort out all of my embroidery threads and 'catalogue' them.  Today was a great day to do it.

As I was sitting at my kitchen table sorting and winding and labelling I heard a bit of a commotion outside.  Got up to look and saw the funniest antics I've seen in a long time - just had to tell you!

Over the past week or so there's been a family of magpie birds around the yard.  Mum and possibly Dad - with 3 big babies.  I say big because they look big - but they're still getting food from Mum as well as picking around the garden.

Three youngsters were having a total scrap!  I got my camera and got a few shots!  They were more like puppies or kittens than birds.  I was laughing to myself so hard!

One of them found an old corn husk in the compost heap and was playing with it like a dog would a bone.  Sibling arrives on the scene and tries to take it away.  No way, Jose!  First baby runs quickly to my laundry trolley and hops up into the peg basket.  Deposits the husk in and picks up a red peg.  All the while the other two siblings are trying their best to antagonise and get up to the corn husk.  Eventually when the three of them were back on terra firma, another little tussle ensued.  Biting each other's tails, rolling on backs, pecking, pecking!  Oh it was such a delight to watch!

I stood there at the kitchen window and hubby joined me - thoroughly entertaining!  Eventually the scuffle broke up and they continued their meandering around the garden.  I looked out a little while later as it seemed quiet and one of the babies had fallen asleep on the fence. So cute!

Love all of God's creatures!

Anyway I did manage to get all of the floss sorted and even ended up with a bag of duplicates.  Felt satisfied that the job that I'd put off for so long was done.

Blessings!

PS (sorry about the spacing of the photos. I don't seem to be able to do anything about it this time)

New Years resolutions?

What better New Years resolution could we make - Paul's words say it all!

Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Blessings on this first day of 2012 dear friends!

Up in the middle of the night!

Well, it's almost the middle of the night here - just 20 minutes before midnight. Have had a couple of those nights where I haven't been able to get to sleep - or in the case last night, slept for about 30 minutes then was wide awake for hours.  Managed to drop off about 4am then slept late till nearly 8.  I guess when  this happens, one tends to just try too hard at getting to sleep - then it never seems to happen.

Well I think the last couple of days my mind has been overly active - at least more than usual - and I was kind of 'wound up' and things were going through my head at a real rate of knots.

Yesterday I spent the day on the computer trying to sort out some information for DIL's family tree.  I did get quite a bit done though for which I  was pleased.  Today the morning was fairly quiet with watering the garden and grocery shopping but after lunch DH and I decided to go to the movies.  I had library books to return as well so we got seat bookings online to go to "The Iron Lady" which I've been wanting to see since I heard it was being released.  I really enjoyed it - and Meryl Streep's acting was superb as one would expect.  I love her movies - she is so skilled.  We talked about the movie later in the day, and about Margaret Thatcher, where she lives now and how old she is and of course  my mind stayed pretty well active until bedtime.  But despite doing a little reading to relax, sleep has evaded me again tonight. 

So after a warm drink I'm planning to head back to bed and hope I can drift off to sleep this time.

Tomorrow is the last day of 2011.  It's hard to believe, the last week has just zipped by so quickly - I guess that's what happens when DH is home from work between Christmas and New Year break.  Looking forward to seeing the wonderful fireworks display tomorrow night to mark the end of the year and the beginning of 2012.  Hopefully will stay up and see the 9pm show but it's debatable whether I last the distance for the midnight extravaganza.  We won't be heading off into the city to see it live - it's pretty good to watch on the television!  Sydney is well renowned throughout the world for its New Year's Eve fireworks display and I have no doubt tomorrow night's will live up to expectations.

Happy New Year everyone - and blessings in abundance through 2012!

Sydney Opera House 2007



Long time catch-up

Christmas Day is over!  It seems such a long time in preparation then so quickly, food is eaten, gifts are opened and it's clean-up time.  And we'll do it all again next year I'm sure.  We will have forgotten all of the negative things about Christmas and the lead up to it, but in our hearts I believe we can remember the most positive aspect of Christmas for the whole of the year. 

Yes, the fact that Jesus was born, died at Calvary and rose again is an amazing thing - the way it all happened and was planned by God the Father is something our finite minds find difficult to grasp and hold - but the most amazing thing of all I think, is that God loved us all so much that he not only planned it immaculately, but carried it out - just so that we have the opportunity of eternity with Him.  Oh how I long for that time!

Happy Christmas dear friends and a bright and wonderful 2012.

Blessings!

 Carving the turkey

 E with new camera

 L with new camera (and a sticky mouth)



C, C, L and E waiting for the turkey!

Convicts and bonnets

The craft group I belong to are making Convict Bonnets as part of a living sculpture called "Roses from the Heart".

Conceptual artist and Artist in Residence at the Cascades Female Factory, Hobart, Tasmania and Christina Henri have designed this as a tribute to the convict women of Australia.

The "Roses from the Heart" project aims to have 25,566 bonnets made, one for every woman transported to Australia between 1788 and 1846 when tranportation ceased.  To date about 20,500 have been collected from all over the world.   Many of the bonnets already made have been adorned with a convict woman's name, the ship in which she arrived and the date of arrival.

This link will give you more information. 

http://www.christinahenri.com.au/index.php?/ongoing/roses-from-the-heart/

There are 3 convicts in our family from my husband's side (must have been a bad lot! LOL) however they were all male so to honour a convict woman on my bonnet I have chosen a person with the same surname.  She was Elizabeth Double who was sentenced to transportation on 14 January 1818 and sailed in the "Maria" to Sydney in NSW.  She was in Sydney until 1820 when she was sent to Tasmania and shipped on the "Princess Charlotte" to Hobart. 

It's been a really interesting exercise for me to check out not only this woman but the three rellies who were sentenced two years apart - Joseph in 1842, Edward in 1844 and John in 1846.  Although from the same family name of 'Double's', none were directly related however Edward was a nephew of Joseph.

It's hard to imagine what life must have been like in those days - so hard - most of the crimes punishable by transportation then, would not even rate a mention today - although one of the above was charged and sentenced for arson - burning down a barn of hay! 

Some of the records make interesting reading!

Blessings!

Baby birds and birthdays

I rushed out to rescue the washing from the clothes line - it certainly wasn't dry, but too dry to get wet in the rain that was threatening.  I was casually watching out the kitchen window at the rain as it absolutely hosed down and to my great surprise I saw a brilliant flash of fire then smoke rising from behind the trees not far from our back fence.  Almost instantaneously our power went off.  The lightning must have hit a transformer supplying electricity to our area.  At a guess I'd say a good inch and a half of rain fell in the next hour.  Absolutely pelted down!

The power was restored a couple of hours later.  At least there was enough light by sitting close to the window, to read for that length of time.

But no matter what the weather, baby birds continue to feed, and birthday parties happen.  For the past three days, Mr and Mrs Scaly Breasted Lorikeet have brought baby SBL to my window.  I simply love their huge black baby eyes as they stumble around the tray trying to make out what they are supposed to do with this stuff that mum and dad seem to be wolfing down their throats.  It hasn't taken long and he/she has gotten the idea of what to do, but despite that still needs some from mum as well.  It is amazing thing to watch at such close range!

And parties!  Grandson E had his today to celebrate his 8th birthday. Daughter had asked me to make the cake so after trying to decide how to decorate it, finished up with a 'Mario' theme since the kids at the moment are all crazy for DS and Wii games featuring this cute character.  The water is really too cold at this time of the year but the new pool has a heater installed and after 12 hours switched on overnight, the kids were able to swim and play in 30C warmth!  A bit chilly getting out though! 

The storm has now gone and the skies are clear-ish but tomorrow we are promised from the weather bureau a bit more of the same - and rain throughout the coming week.  At least we won't need to water the garden or top up the pool!

Blessings!

It's Monday!

Monday - public holiday - Labour Day!  Has been a kind of 'nothing' weekend I guess - weather foul, wet, windy, cold - first time I can ever remember having the fire going in October!!

Despite the weather our Mr & Mrs Butcher Bird are still waiting each morning for a hand-out!  I hope they will bring their offspring to visit soon - they must be about to fly the nest I would guess.

Blessings!

Floriade 2011

Weather was not great!  From warm Spring temperatures a few days before, it had zoomed backward to winter - cold - windy - rainy. Still we ventured out into it, after all this is what we'd come for - to experience Floriade 2011, an annual Spring event in our Capital, Canberra.

We had  been fortunate indeed to secure an overnight accommodation booking so our first port of call on arrival in Canberra was to check the whereabouts and get keys and address of our apartment.  We were surprised and delighted to find it was in a security block, and very new.  Beautifully appointed close to all tourist attractions Canberra offers, it was all we could have hoped for.  After surfing the net for over an hour and almost giving up hope of finding anything under $400 per night available, this was amazing!

Wrapped up in winter woollies and armed with camera we joined the thousands of people all heading for Commonwealth Park.  It didn't disappoint.  The colours, sights, smells were all we'd imagined.  For the most part we stayed dry - the one huge downpour struck just as we entered a huge marquee where we sat and enjoyed a cooking demonstration for the time it took for the rain to stop. Fortuitous indeed!

So many photos taken, which to choose?  Just a few of the amazing colours we saw!

Blessings!

Would an anaesthetic do that?

I guess I'm just looking for an excuse to blame for my slackness!  I'm doing well in terms of recovery and rehabilitation - just lacking in things to say.

Have had a couple of nice outings in the last week or so however my life at present is still rather mundane.

We travelled to the city to join with about 60 others to help a very 'young in heart and mind' 80year old celebrate her birthday.  It was a 'high tea' event but held at 1pm which I guess was more like a luncheon.  We gathered in a big city hotel which was all very 'swish' and spent a couple of hours mingling and nibbling with her, her rellies and friends.  It was a very happy time and her daughter was so pleased it had turned out so well.  It had taken her 18 months to actually persuade her mum to have the celebration.  'Do you know people treat you differently when they know you're old' was her comment.  Now if ever an elderly lady didn't look her age it is this one!  So I'm sure that no-one will be treating her any differently now that they know her real age!

The Bible Study I attend on a Tuesday is run from the local Anglican church (not my regular worship place) and is held during each 4 school terms.  Towards the end of each term, we forgo our study on one morning and join at a garden centre which isn't too far away, for a social get together and morning tea.  It's really nice to just chat.  This morning was our last day until after the school holidays are over. 

Have started making some Christmas cards too.  On our recent trip to Perth our niece showed me a really nice design for a card which opens up like a shallow box.  I'm doing some to give as gifts this Christmas and will place a small remembrance inside.  Once I have some finished I'll get a photo up.  After I'd put my camera up on the shelf last week, it fell out and onto the floor.  I did check it and it seems OK but I'll have to really give it a good run soon and make sure it hasn't been damaged.  Fortunately the lens was locked! 

Many blessings! 

 

It's Monday

Despite the inclement weekend weather, the last couple of days have been good. On Saturday morning we attended a Spring Fair at a local retirement village - our real motivation was to view one of their units currently for sale.  Although we feel we are probably not quite ready for village living, we are trying to think ahead to get an idea of what it might be like, what the accommodations are like, what charges we'd be up for etc.  Although lovely and in beautifully set out grounds with so many facilities, the actual unit was very tiny.  Two reasonably sized bedrooms, small living area and two huge bathrooms. We felt the bathroom situation was rather overkill however it may be that they were planned with wheelchairs in mind.  We'll keep looking over the next few months to get a feel of values but truthfully, I'm not sure that kind of living is for me - just yet.  Ideal for a single person probably.

Enjoyed getting out to our worship service on Sunday morning - my first time since surgery.

Put the fire on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons as temps still quite chilly. This is the first September ever I can remember being cold enough for fires. Global warming eh?

This morning's U S Open win for Aussie Sam Stosur was a great feat - today was just her day!  Shame about her oponent losing her cool at one point and would certainly not go down as good sportsmanship in the eyes of many.  Good for Sam to overcome when her emotions might have easily over-ridden her calmness.

Our Butcher birds are back - cheeky as ever!  Normally a shy and fairly elusive bird, they perch themselves on the pool fence just outside the back door waiting for the ground beef I throw out for them.  They take the morsel in their beak and fly off to the next which I've discovered is in a neighbours high tree. I look forward again to the time when they will bring their babies to visit.

Have a blessed day!

Back to wheels

I'm so happy - I'm allowed to drive again!  No, I didn't lose my licence to drive but had to have a break after my surgery however I've now been cleared to get back behind the wheel and my first 'outing' today is to the public library to get more reading material.

I'm feeling really good and although I still have to be very careful and cautious of what I do - no lifting, twisting etc - I'm doing well and so grateful for such a terrific recovery.  I am confident that if I 'stick to the rules' I'll be 'up and at it' in no time at all.  Of course I'm not going to be silly about those things like vacuuming and putting washing on the line at present - especially when DH is such a darling and so willing to do it for me!

Thanks for all your good wishes dear friends!

Blessings!

Fathers Day Downunder

It has been a perfect Spring day!  Temperature warm and sunshine. Beautiful! What has made it more special is that today in Oz is 'Father's Day'!

Talk about being waited on - a visit at lunch time by son and DIL with gifts (gold pass for both of us to the cinema) plus a beautiful roast dinner for us each for tonight.  We were just finishing up lunch with them - home made chicken and vegetable soup which DH made yesterday, when in came daughter, SIL and two grandboys.  More Fathers Day wishes and chocolate cake to celebrate.

We are so grateful for such a loving and caring family.  Thank you Lord!

Blessings!

Took a little wander this morning

I'm getting stronger each day.  Took a visit to the library today - my book needed returning and I need some extra reading material.  DH drove me and did the shopping while I mooched.  Was good to get out of the house for a little while.

Thanks to those of you who have cheered me with your kind comments.

Blessings!

I'm so glad to be home

The surgery's over and I'm back home. I'm so pleased everything seems to have gone extremely well and the surgeon was happy with what he did.  I'll have a better idea what that actually was when I see him for my post op appointment in a few weeks.

Meantime I have a wonderful (DH) nurse and cook looking after me and all I have to do is now slowly get back to normalcy.

Thank you Lord for a (so far) great recovery.

Blessings!