Celebrating Christmas 2020.

In spite of the year we have had, our restrictions allowed us to have guests in our home so we made the most of that situation. We welcomed friends to celebrate Christmas lunch, enjoying their company, the festive food, along with much chatter, lots of laughter and beautiful gifts. I love Christmas time with all it denotes, the decorations, music and special food. It is usually hot in the southern hemisphere, thankfully we were very comfortable in air conditioning.  I also chose to limit hot food preparation apart from the Christmas pudding, steaming away for most of 4 hours from early morning and roasting turkey.. Considering it was the first Christmas pudding I have every made, it turned out superbly. So much so that I have another prepared, for our New Year's Eve celebratory dinner.  My Mother used to make me one every year, then my MIL and then SIL.  In subsequent years I made deserts that were delightful, looked spectacular for this special occasion, along with being more suitable to our hot climate

                                                 

                        A Prawn and Avacado salad above , a Beetroot and Citrus salad below.

 

                                 A mixed Tomato and Dill salad, below followed by Ham and Turkey. 

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Before Christmas I made several gifts for friends and family, those below I remembered to photograph.

I made 16 of these , which are phone rests and decorated the gift bags with Christmas themed fabric.

Soon it will be time to dismantle the Christmas tree, the lights and all the decorations. However, for me, not until after New Year and twelfth night.

I hope you have enjoyed reading a little about our Christmas Day lunch. With 2021 only a week

away,  I hope this coming New Year for us all,  will bring wonders and joyful times, once again to our lives.

Current Book Reading.

 I'm really enjoying this tale,  well researched and definitely captivating. I can't wait to read more from this author, who is an Australian. K.

TODAY'S ENCOUNTER.

 Wee turned out of our avenue today to find a line of traffic in both directions, We live in a very quiet area near a forest corridor along with a beautiful lagoon, sporting many blue water lilies, so we were somewhat baffled at a traffic holdup. My Dear Husband said there appeared to be a cat waddling across the road and everyone was waiting, so as not to startle the animal. We could see some small movement at the pedestrian crossing, of all places. As the small bundle of fur came closer toward our position, it was obviously not a cat. There,  walking, no waddling towards us, was a Mother Koala with baby on board her back.  How wonderful to see so many folk stopped to allow her and her babe, safe passage across the road and further up the rise of the road.

DH quickly parked our car into the verge, grabbed his camera and followed the Mother and babe up the rise. There were several trees, gums and others, along the opposite verge area.  My DH talked to the Mother very calmly, she allowed him to pat her, gently reassuringly guiding her away from the traffic on the road, before leaving. She paused after she climbed the correct variety  of Gum tree to watch him walk away. When he turned to see if she was content in the tree, she stopped to look him in the eye, so he took another photo of her and her precious cargo.   After watching the process of her and her babe along the road, what a thrill for me to see the photos. It was certainly very uplifting,  especially after this time last year, with so many of these amazing animals lost to the raging bush fires along Australia's east coast regions.

 A pause with eye contact, before she headed up the Gum tree to safety.

Well done Mum! Of all the different gums  in the area, she knew exactly which one was the correct one to choose.

An Evening at the Beach.

  It was a hot afternoon, when we met up with a group at the beach, for a picnic-barbecue.

When we arrived, we parked looking out to sea while waiting for other members of the group to arrive. While we watched,  there appeared much splashing and spraying  a wee way out in the deeper water. Sure enough, there were frolicking whales, probably on their way back down south. My camera shots were n't fast enough to capture any great photos, however it was fun to watch.      

About an hour later  my DH noticed smoke from the dashboard of  recently parked car. A young Mother was frantically trying to remove her children, belongings  and baby equipment.  Several folk ran to help, within less than a couple of minutes or so,  the car became a major fire

Many folk, ran to remove their vehicles which were parked nearby, ours included. There was an onshore wind so the black acrid smoke was billowing across the picnic area and up the face of the coastal  foliage  cliff to the  coastal road. Our car windows were covered in black soot when it was time to drive home. Such a small vehicle, burnt for a very long period of time. It was sporting an aero dynamic roof compartment when the car arrived. It just melted completely. there were many small explosions, probably airbags or electrical components. Several of us were watching from behind a massive trunk of a Norfolk Pine, using it as protection as we anticipated an explosion from the petrol tank. Thankfully, that did not occur. 

The fire brigade arrived about 15 minutes later, to extinguish the blaze that was still burning furiously. We also noticed the police, interviewing the young mother, at the other end of the picnic ground. The fire brigade said it appeared to have started from the air conditioning vent.

However, we did enjoy delightful company and delicious food  after such an alarming incident. We washed the windscreen of our car so we could see out and drive home safely.

K.

Ten Months of 2020

 It has taken many months to deliver this post. Shall we call it 2020 and remember how life has changed with all that has come with this year. Thankfully, we  have been very well throughout the preceding ten months, as always, even before. Our area has had very few problems, only those in the early stage as folk returned from a particular cruise. Our lockdown was very reasonable with most  doing social distancing, obeying the rules and wearing masks. We have plenty of sunshine and fresh air, for which, one is very grateful, with no resemblance to the air quality of this time last year.  We ventured out only for walking and food shopping, Being at home is never a problem. We are always creatively inclined, so have plenty on our "to do" lists. Life seems to be back to some normality, for many of us, living in this region. However in other parts of our wonderful country, life has been very cruel in many ways.  One can only feel sadness, for those who have lost family members and loved ones. It is concerning to think of the many folk who are no longer employed, who are homeless,  alone, or destitute because of the restrictions that have been enforced.

I hope these photos can lift your spirits.

  Other photos of completed stitched items in the next post,  for now, just a few photos of small stitching necessities that have been collected over the years.

Some of these have been hand made over time, others purchased, along with gifts and those handed down from family or friends. My collection keeps growing.  It is a constant source of joy and stitching inspiration.

Enjoy.

 

Overdue Post.

I didn't realize I hadn't posted since Christmas,  such a long time ago, well so it seems. I hope to rectify that over the next wee while.

Happy New Year, 2020..

It is hard to believe it is a week since we celebrated Christmas and today we celebrate a New Year and New Decade. In most instances time flies so fast, while other times it drags. Not too much of the dragging of late. Life has been so very busy, with fun and pleasurable experiences.  We were  invited to share the festivities with family and friends, however we declined this time because of the travelling,  opting to be at home.   

The celebratory season  in the southern  hemisphere, is summer time.  Warm days  and of course the end of the school year, so many folk enjoy a long holiday break.

I  love Christmas and this time of the year. One can usually feel the excitement in the air and for many,  it is normally contagious. This year has had a very different atmosphere.  Sadly our country continues to suffer further widespread, raging bush fires, loss of property,  also loss of lives. Both gallant fire fighters and some who have lost their lives, after choosing to stay, to try and protect their property.  No Joy for these folk, their loved ones,  their towns and communities. We were blessed with gentle rain on our way home on Christmas Eve, What a delight to see it caressing parched ground, gardens and lawns. It fell softly through the night with a very heavy downpour at 6am Christmas Day. Not a drop of rain since, with none forecast anytime soon. The drought continues.

We had a delicious Christmas Dinner of ham, roasted stuffed turkey breast,
roast pumpkin, potato, local fresh king prawn and mango salads and dressings.

 

Our climate does not bode well for traditional Christmas Pudding. This year  I chose to  make a cold treat for our Christmas fare.  

 

A White Chocolate Cheese cake with  raspberries and shards pf pistachio, and pepita 

praline.

                    Only 357 days till we celebrate this event once again. Let's hope our scorched and blackened land, will soon be rejuvenated with cool and refreshing rain, to enhance regrowth and greenery. I wish for you all a Happy New Year with many joyful blessings.

A Week Before Christmas and a Wee While Before.

Speaking of Christmas, how did it arrive so soon? I know I had a slow year accomplishing anything in needlework.  I was unable to concentrate on any stitching,  any counted cross stitch, or patchwork, without reverse stitching. By the end of September things had taken a turn for the better. It allowed me to  accomplished more than I thought, although not the major item I had in mind. It is what it is, onward from here.

 I managed to do some stitching for our quilt show 'Sale table"for next year. Tote bags, baby items Christmas decorations and such. There will be more to do before June next year, so I need to make progress with hand quilting on my king size quilt, before making more items to add to this project.

We established a rose garden earlier this year, in Springtime. The rose bushes are rewarding us with beautiful blooms, some of which are pictured below. The pink and white one, was a "ring in" in my order. I didn't much care for the look of it in the catalogue. I chose one listed near to it, the nursery folk must have decided it needed to come live at our home. In a bunch, in a Lalique bowl, it looks quite pretty.

We have had extreme and extensive bush fires around our country this year so far. Only 18 days into summer for us in the Southern Hemisphere, right now.  Our airport is located  in a peat area and a fire started there in late July. It has continued to burn, with flare ups,  still now.  There have been 55 days of smoke here, like the photo below, in the highly dangerous  category, equivalent to smoking a packet and a half of cigarettes a day. Thankfully we have been blessed with good lungs, hopefully they are not damaged


Years of unrelenting drought have taken our area to water restrictions at level 3, with the threat of moving, to level 4 early in the new year.  The view below is looking down the hill and across to the city, some 4-5klms away.

 

On November the 8th we had a very scary afternoon. the fires were only 3 klms from where we live. The smoke, combined with the red dust from the dry interior plains and the heat from the flames  caused such an arid atmosphere, leaves descended over all properties nearby. The leaves were black, although still very much intact.

Obviously all moisture from the stems had been evaporated, causing the trees to shed their foliage. The wind blew the leaves across the city, with green lawns covered with an odd looking black carpet.

  

These photos were taken at 2:30pm, from nearby, looking out to sea.  We needed the lights on indoors, the smoke and dust made everything very dark. Below are some of the leaves we collected from our front garden. They reeked of  burnt eucalyptus forests, even weeks later.

We have had a week clear of smoke. What a relief for us all to be able to breathe freely and not have stinging eyes.  Not so for those wonderful fire fighters, who have done their utmost to keep most of us from harm, although sadly, 750 homes and buildings have been lost so  far. We are very grateful for all their efforts and are indebted to their selfless service.


Once again I participated in the international Christmas Ornament Exchange

 I've done so for over 12 years.  Prior to this group was one, 5 years ago, when I started exchanging . Below is my Ornament for this year along with two gifts I included. Enjoy.

Hello again,

Seems I haven't been here for such a very long time.

Over the last 2 years, life has been very confronting, presenting several challenges. Sadly some, one never wants to experience ever again.

. Moving countries, to return home to Australia, was an ambivalent experience at the time..  "There's no place like Home" is so true for me, however leaving loved ones, friends, special encounters and locations behind,  required some acceptance.  Selling our home,in New Zealand was somewhat distressing.

Several urgent  factors determined our new location in New South Wales.. However, this location has turned out to be very pleasant, apart from the high humidity of summer. Some of the many beaches along the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, are  truly beautiful.

 

Horse Shoe Bay

South West Rocks NSW

                             Parking at Tacking Point Lighthouse, looking to Lighthouse Beach .

               Looking South to Laurieton, with the three mounds of Big Brother, Middle Brother                    and Little Brother, just visible in the distance

Tacking point Lighthouse.

                                         Looking North at Port Macquarie Harbour Entrance.

                                    Lake Cathie entrance, to the South (pronounced Lake Cat Eye).

Our lovely back garden, is filled with Palms, Frangipani , Cycads,  Buxus hedging, as well as a great, flat,  Buffalo lawn.  It is a blank canvas, since removing the many Agaves Yukas and others, not wanted.   There is much to do, now the weather is cool enough for gardening outdoors.  

 

To the left.

                                                                        To the right.


We espaliered  five  citrus trees along the eastern fence just after we moved in last year, in May.  They were laden with small fruit soon after,  which we removed, to strengthen the trees. We have since harvested a number of blood red Grapefruit.

 In spring  two climbing roses were planted, one on each pillar at the front entrance. These have now grown to reach up to the next floor. They grow very quickly, love the northerly aspect and have prolific blooms with an exquisite fragrance.

 

My stitching has been a non event of late. I've not been able to concentrate on counting threads and stitching over one, on a special project, that was meant to be finished by November last year. After a   large quilting luncheon, down the coast last week, I was inspired to look at my abandoned,  current patchwork project. Hopefully I will remain enthused, to keep working on this quilt.

Photos next time.

 

Lucy's Birthday Gift..

`

I knitted  a scarf for Lucy's for her birthday gift. She telephoned to say she really liked it and the wee silver ear rings that were included in the gift bag. It was a fun knit, with  yarn called Circus. I purchased the yarn some years ago with both girls in mind.
I was so thrilled to receive a call from Lucy to tell me how much she loved her gift. Lucy's sister received hers,  a lemon coloured scarf of the same yarn,last year..

Commemorating the Beginning of Our Wonderful Nation.

 
  

Australia Day is celebrated on January 26th each year. It is the commemoration of the time that the Union Jack was first raised on the shores of Sydney Cove. This is where European settlement began, to bring us to the wonderful, accepting , multi cultural, nation, that we are today.  Sydney was settled as a penal colony back in the 18th Century, with the declaration of British sovereignty. At that time in human history the way of the world  operated very differently.  In that period of history, those who were the local indigenous inhabitants of this beautiful land, along with those other wretched souls, the convicts, times were indeed very cruel and despicable.

 The painting above , is by  an English artist Algernon Talmage 1872-1939. it was painted in 1937 and is held by the Mitchel Library, the state Library of New South Wales. One would assume it is held in perpetuity for  ALL the people of Australia, with accompanying information for the world to read. See below.

• Copying Conditions

Out of copyright: Artist died before 1955
Please acknowledge: : Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

• General note

This work was offered for sale in 1999 by Hordern House, Sydney in their Rare Books, Manuscripts, Paintings & Prints catalogue, item no. 35. It had previously been in the possession of the late Douglas Hope Johnston. In 1937 Hope Johnston issued a printed version (ML ref. V1/1788/3). Another version was also published in 1937 by the Medici Society, London (ML ref. XV1/1788/3, 3a).
The Hordern House catalogue notes that: 'The selection of the artist and the responsibility for the historical accuracy of the picture were borne by Douglas Hope Johnston, the great-grandson of Lieut.-Col. George Johnston ... Hope Johnston was the founder of the Australasian Pioneers' Club and a keen student of Australian history.'
There are two finished versions of the painting, for which this is the preliminary oil sketch: In the Tate Gallery, London, dated 1938 and measuring eight by ten feet, presented as a Coronation Year gift to Great Britain by Mr M.F. (Frank) Albert of Sydney. It was loaned to the Australian Government for the 1938 Sesqui-Centenary Celebrations; the second large version, dated 1938, hangs in Parliament House, Sydney (colour transparency at ML ref. FM2/1803).
A tapestry based on the version of this work held by the Tate Gallery, London was unveiled in 1996 at the Royal Military Museum (Old Wardroom), Eastney Barracks, Portsmouth. The tapestry was woven by the Victorian Tapestry Workshop. (Information from Mr R.O. Albert, January 2001.)
Digital order no:a128112

• Signatures / Inscriptions

Signed, dated and inscribed in black brushpoint lower left by the artist 'A. Talmage 1937 Sketch for Founding of Australia'.
Frame label lower edge centre with title and identification of (left to right): '1st Lieut. Newton Powell (i.e. Fowell)'; Lieut P.G. King R.N. H.M.S. Sirius'; Lieut George Johnston A.D.C.'; Capt. Arthur Phillip R.N.; 'Capt. David Collins Judge Advocate'; 'Commdr. H.L. Ball R.N. H.M.S. Supply'.

• Name

Phillip, Arthur, 1738-1814

• Subject

First Fleet, 1787-1788.

• Place

Sydney Cove (N.S.W

Australia has  become one of the most desired countries  for folk wanting to change their allegiance  and start a new life.  Australians are known for their friendliness, generosity and openness.  We welcome those who wish to share our culture and way of life, our fabulous country with exquisite scenery and our remarkable Fauna and Flora.

I am forever grateful for those folk be they aboriginal or, convicts who were transported to this far away land, and even those who were the custodians of that time. I am grateful, dare I say, for the cruelty, sacrifices,  for their collective hard work,  brave spirits and amazing ingenuity, which is instilled in most of us as part of the "Australians" we are today.


Our beautiful Australian flag, is an apt reminder of where we are in the world. The fabulous colour of our skies and oceans, the beautiful stars of the Southern cross, the Federation star to mark our unification as one land, along with the Union Jack to remind us forever, of our harsh and cruel beginnings for both  18th century Indigenous and European folk'

Nothing like Blue & White in Most Treasures.

I found this photograph in my emails this morning, from the Quilt Jane website.
It brought to mind someone, who I think, likes chocolate very much. So the only thing to do was to encourage her with this picture. Enjoy, Marilyn & all those who  think chocolate is one of the major food groups. Not me, I prefer savoury items.:):) Fabulous dish 'tho. K.

My Beloved- Song of Songs.

I managed to complete this piece  last week. It is my first cross stitch completion, for  2018. It was a relatively quick finish, although it was started 6 yeas ago
. I enjoyed stitching it and using the lovely hand dyed threads from Crescent Colours, known now as Classic Clourworks, Weeks Dye Works, along with Gentle Arts Sampler Threads and a DMC white.

Classic Colourworks were, Dandelion Stem and Blue Beadboard, which I substituted for GAST Morning Glory.
Weeks Dye Works, Kadzu.
Gentle Arts Sampler Threads,  Cidermill Brown.

The fabric is  28 ct, Country French Latte from Wichelt Imports.
Enjoy.

.

A Christmas item from the 2018 "to do' List.

This is one of the three, Just Nan items, from my current Stitching 2018 Goals.
I hope to get it started later in the week.  It is not the  Christmas item I planned to stitch  first.  It is the one to hand for now and it has been waiting for attention for some many years.
I thought it might be too much however, on reflection, it is made up of small parts so not too daunting.
Kay.

First Stitching for 2018

This year I have decided to have a goal plan for my stitching projects. I have a few  projects that  have been started & filed in the "to do" folder. Maybe that should read the "to Complete " file.
A collection below for both files.

First & foremost I have a large quilt to be hand quilted.
Two, a small sampler see below. started years ago.
Three, a large Moira Blackburn Sampler,  fabric gridded only, threads organized.
Four, a Just Nan, Halloween,  3D piece, not started.
Five,  a Just Nan, Halloween, 3D piece, started 10 years ago, 30% completed.
Six,  a Just Nan, Christmas 3D piece , not  started.
2 small Halloween ornaments yet to be chosen for exchanges.
2 small Christmas ornaments, yet to be chosen,for exchanges.

 It seems like an ambitious list,  so  nothing better than a challenge to see how one travels.

This is 'My Beloved' from Country Cottage Needleworks. It has been waiting for completion for some years. Why it was abandoned way back then, I can no longer remember.   As I work on it,  I am thinking it is a quick stitch. I hope to have this one completed and removed from my "to complete" list  by the end of the weekend. Enjoy, Kay.

First Day of The New Year, 2018.

This is the day to reveal one's efforts for the ODW Challenge for December, 2017.  It was once again my choice for the theme. I chose a Christmas theme, for others who maybe don't celebrate Christmas, whatever December theme appealed.
This is my stitched piece for December. A Shepherds' Bush Christmas stocking. Yet to have trinkets & beads attached, then made up into an actual stocking. I was keen to get this posted, so it was not  pressed before the photograph.

This is the final of the ODW Challenges, for me.  It has been an interesting time, sharing

 alternative months with another stitcher. It is now time for us both to move onto other challenges for 2018.  Enjoy.