Catching up!

Has it really been 3 weeks since I was last here!.... well, time to do a bit of a catch up....

A week's holiday was on the agenda early September which started off with a visit to the theatre with mum and my sisters to see Les Miserables...

... which we all thoroughly enjoyed... mum for, I think, the 4th time! (Dad stayed home to garden on this occasion). 
The following day one of my sisters and I headed out of Sydney and 2 hours later arrived at Katoomba....... where we had this delightful cottage booked for a mini-holiday in the Blue Mountains.....

Of course there were shopping trips to the inevitable 2nd hand shops - of which there are many in the area.....

 ...discovered that Morris & Sons (Wool shop) have an outlet in Katoomba called The Granny Square.... a lovely shop that we spent time in... couldn't resist a little purchase ....

Then, how could you go to the Blue Mountains and not have high tea at The Hydro Majestic!

... a couple of hours spent gazing out over the amazing views as we enjoyed a delicious high tea!..... and the tastefully decorated foyer!

Another day - morning tea at The Paragon in Katoomba - an "institution" that can't be missed........

Then with a very willing sister in tow we made the (short!) trip to Bathurst.... and 1  1/2 hours later arrived at The Home Patch !!  A couple of hours on (!) with a few purchases tucked under my arm we made the return trip back to Katoomba! ...and, yes, my sister did enjoy Anni's shop leaving with a little shopping bag of her own! 

My purchases - now to find time!

 Not all our time was spent shopping and eating! - we spent nights being creative in our cosy warm cottage..... note my Natures Journey quilt and crochet and my sister's knitting on the lounge...

An afternoon spent in Leura.....

.... before heading back down the mountain leaving behind a very relaxing 3 day break and plans being made of a longer stay next time - with perhaps a bush-walk thrown in (did I actually say that!).

A day back in Sydney and it was time to head home, un-pack, re-pack and head off to my annual embroidery weekend retreat just outside of Canberra! "Stitching in the Hills" organised by Fiona and Sylvia ... Friday night - greeted by our "project" bags.....with a lovely gift tucked inside!

Our projects & Materials

Sunny, warm weather tempted us outside for lunch.....

.... and some for a bush walk

..... Saturday night's theme was "rainbows"!

A great week's holiday filled with all the things I enjoy!

Then last week Hayley flew down from Burleigh Heads and with Megan travelling in Europe I took a few days off work to give her a hand packing up their dad's house which both girls now, a year after his passing, have decided to rent out ....

Once she had flown home it was back to my stitching and I have finally finished the August "homework" on the Nature's Journey quilt!! 

 Well, that about covers all I have been up to lately.... it's time now to start some serious gardening, Spring cleaning and finishing off my Nature's Journey quilt!

Back soon.... till then....

Happy Stitching

Asta