A big Update!

 WOW!! It really has been some time since I was here - didn't quite realise it has been as long as it has been! So, some catching up to do......  Shortly after Dora "crossed the rainbow bridge" I was in Canberra for an operation - nothing life threatening but was followed up by a few weeks of rest back at home spent reading, stitching and catching up with friends dropping in. 

Before I knew it Christmas arrived which our family was once again celebrating in Bundanoon. Hayley and Megan drove down for a week - unfortunately due to work James was unable to join us, hence, an "all girl" Christmas this year. 

Together with Mum we all enjoyed a relaxing Christmas Day........

Mum had a big day out with us on Christmas Day so on Boxing day we took in platters of leftovers and had lunch with her at her aged care home where they had kindly set up an area just for us.......

We all had time to relax - a lot of time spent reading as the whole family are avid readers!

A trip to the movies - always a tradition throughout the Christmas holidays!

A visit to Ngununggula Art Gallery in Bowral for an exhibition of the 2024 Archibald finalists and included the winning portrait of Tim Winton.... 

......followed by lunch and book purchases at Berkelouw Books near Berrima......

All too soon the week of Christmas was over and we farewelled Hayley and Megan...

And about a week later, Linda was also on her way back home.....with a lovely photo taken of me (in the middle) and both sisters before she left.

I stayed for a further week.... visiting Mum, reading and generally "having a holiday".  Would you believe not one patchwork or embroidery shop was visited these Christmas holidays - must be a first! But.... look at the books and one jigsaw puzzle that came home!! All were either gifts, op-shop purchases or books borrowed from family!

Secret sewing was finished by Christmas...... Thread Pods (pattern by Weny Williams) for my sisters.....

Two cross stitches, after many years of being "works in progress"were finally finished . I gave these to Hayley and Megan unframed as Hayley is a picture framer so they can frame them as they wish - hopefully I will get a photo back of them framed!

And a more recent finish for Linda's birthday.....  a little pincushion from "Calico and Stitch" - a book with lots of lovely projects!) 

And surprise, surprise......look who has come to live with me......

While up in Bundanoon for Christmas the vet's surgery rang to say that they had a ginger female kitten they were looking for a home for and of course..... they thought of me! So... on my return early January she moved in!  Miss Phoebe is now 4 months old so slightly bigger than these January photos and has settled in well  -  taking over the house....the number of kitten toys seem to be mutiplying! Some of her favourite's being Dora's favourites. 

So here we are finally caught up! Lots of photos but a lovely way to remember everything. Next ''yarn" will fill you in on some more stitching, what I've been reading, anything else of note.... and of course what mayhem Phoebe is getting up to, after all she is a kitten!! 

Farewell Miss Dora

 

A few days ago (9th October) my beautiful and affectionate Miss Dora left on her "forever journey"..... she had been a part of my life for the past 14 years. Dora was my shadow, my companion and as my daughters referred to "Mum's little flat mate". 

I will forever miss my much loved Dora

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us"

(Helen Keller)

A bit of this and that......

August and September have been a couple of quiet sort of months..... just doing the usual - a bit of stitching, reading and out and about walking.......

Only after reading Jeffrey Archer's "Only Time Will Tell" way back in June did I discover it was the 1st of 7 books called the Clifton Chronicles so have been binge reading the remaining 6 with the exception of a couple of other books in between.... 

Photos are not in order of reading and forgot to take a photo of the 1st book called "Only Time will Tell"..... supported our local library by borrowing all except 2 and those were bought from a book fair. 

On the creativity side of things I have so many projects on the go I would have to dedicate a whole blog to just those so here's just a few that I am currently taking to my various patchwork and embroidery groups to work on as they are portable......

Another project using embroidery and felt....

Rows are gradually coming together in this EPP project....

A x-stitch project started quite some time ago but soon to be finished!! 

I have had a finish  -  somewhat small but a finish it is.... these glasses cases made for the trading table at our patchwork groups Spring Fair and Morning Tea.

As the days have been warming up - though there have been some very cold snaps in between - I have been adding beach walks into my weekly activities.......

I recently headed up to the Southern Highlands to catch up with my sister and Mum but also to attend the 70th birthday of a long-time friend, Alison  - we have known each other for about 50 years having started work together. Our other friend, Debbie,  also came and she had a photo of the 3 of us from 1978! 

Alison, me, Debbie - 1978

Me, Alison (right) and Debbie sitting - 2024

And that's about all for the last couple of months - just to end with a picture of Miss Dora asleep in her usual afternoon sunny spot ......

.....and some "happy" flowers that greet me everytime I head out the front door.... a definite sign that Spring is in the air!! 

July

 July! Time to celebrate Mum's 95th birthday .....

Unfortunately neither Linda or I could make it to Bundanoon this year to help Mum celebrate (and enjoy the lovely birthday cake!) but with Vivien and her computer in place we all enjoyed catching up via zoom - including Hayley from Queensland - Megan had to work so had a phone date with Nan. 

I have been reading......an Agatha Christie murder mystery I didn't have was found in an op shop and Perfect North was an interesting read based on a true story. 

Some stitching has also been happening..... an embroidery for a needle case. Not sure if I needed another needle case but am enjoying doing a small project and finally after SO many years I can't quite remember, all 44 stars and 88 hexagons are finally finished - this is what happens when one retires - you actually get to those UFOs that have been "hiding" in the numerous plastic tubs that seem to multiply!! 

Hopefully soon there will be some rows of this quilt also completed.....and who knows what else. I do have a "charity" quilt nearly finished but no photo yet.... perhaps for my next update? 

So that's been all for July - a rather quiet month - and now heading into August and more importantly Spring will not be far off!! Bring on the warmer weather!!