We were all delighted when Naomi told us she would be home for a week's holiday around her/their 20th birthday. Last year Naomi had only recently moved to Sydney and we were planning for a birthday apart - until Naomi unexpectedly turned up on our doorstep late one night!
Soon everyone was counting down the days until Naomi flew home and thinking of things to do while she was here. Being together was the primary focus and the younger girls set themselves goals to complete most of their homeschool studies by the time Naomi arrived.
Our married son and his wife came 'home' for the birthday and my mother-in-love joined us also. Grace surprised Naomi with a beautiful ukulele as a birthday gift - although I'm sure she would have loved to keep it for herself.
The two things Naomi really wanted to do while home were to have a day trip to Iluka and to set up the Christmas tree. Both of these events are family traditions rich in memories. Our day in Iluka was beautiful, complete with pelicans, seeing the Iluka-Yamba ferry, water play off the pontoon in Iluka Bay and a visit to the bakery.
It was decided that the 1st of December was the day for setting up the Christmas tree. As we unpacked our big box smaller decoration boxes, amongst them I discovered a new Australia Post box with my missing Etsy quilt carefully tucked inside! Back in May I had looked for hours for this smallest quilt (when it sold) but it seemed to have vanished! This dismayed me and sent me scampering to quickly made an identical replacement. Well at last this mystery was solved!
Most of our family photo scrapbooks (my creative outlet for several years before quilting) are stored in the top of the cupboard beside the big Christmas decorations box. Before the empty smaller boxes are returned we usually linger over these special scrapbooks for a while, being amazed at how much everyone has changed and how cute they once were. I'm so grateful to have at least a few years of memories in physical form.
Before we knew it we were farewelling Naomi as she left for Sydney. It was great to be able to say 'see you in three weeks' instead of sad goodbyes. We are all looking forward to having everyone (including our eldest Miss E) home for Christmas. :)
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Snapshots of May - most taken with my phone as my shoulder continues to heal more each day. One major events was our daughter Grace being local support and opening singer for a wonderful James Morrison concert. It was a special night to remember. James is amazingly talented musician and very entertaining with his jokes and stories throughout the evening.
My husband and I had a 24 hour visit to Sydney for a specialist appointment regarding his complex health issues. We are little closer to resolving things but every piece of the piece ought puzzle helps. (He attempted a graduated return to work early this month but he wasn't successful. He has been unable to work since early October, and has been healthy enough to work only seven months in the last three years).
While in Sydney we had the great pleasure of catching up with both of our Sydney-based daughters. Miss N collected us from the airport and we enjoyed a meal together near our accommodation. After my husband's 90 minute morning appointment we met Miss E and had a leisurely afternoon around Circular Quay before we headed back to the airport.
While waiting for our evening return flight I noticed the last remaining Simply Mini quilt in my Etsy shop had just sold. A very pleasant surprise. The first thing I did at home the next morning was go to the cupboard where I keep all my ready-to-sell quilts to parcel it up for shipping/posting. I looked and looked, pulling all the quilts out - twice - but the littlest quilt of all was nowhere to be found! I searched in every other likely spot but still no Mini quilt! After a couple of hours I decided I may as well spend my time sewing a new one. Thankfully I had enough of the same fabrics to create a replacement. I had not tried using my sewing machine since dislocating my shoulder five weeks prior, yet here was an ideal small project to test the shoulder. Over the next 24 hours I slowly and carefully worked through each stage of production in small bursts, with the last hand stitches on the binding completed at 9:03am! A quick hand wash and drying flat in the fresh outdoors before it was packaged up and sent on it's way that afternoon. I didn't mention this story to the buyer, partly out of embarrassment. One day I may well stumble upon the original in a most unlikely location!
It's very satisfying to pick and eat fruits from trees we have planted. This year the avocado, lemon and orange tree are each bearing more fruit than in previous years. The orange above weighed over 550g/19.5oz and was sweet and juicy.
Sunset walks are now comfortable again on the shoulder. Loving the colours and flocks of birds which make every sunset special. We have a pair of White-headed Pigeons nesting in the tree outside our bedroom window. My husband told me today he saw a small single egg in the nest. This variety of Australian pigeon only lay one egg and share the incubation.
Having a couple of hand sewing projects on the go have made my non-machine sewing weeks much more pleasant. I do love to be making something with my hands! Last week I slowly recommenced quilting the queen size quilt I had been working on before hurting my shoulder. My shoulder lets me know when I've pushed it too hard, like today. So tonight I rest it some while putting well-overdue words to my ever growing collection of photos.....
* If you hover your mouse/cursor over the photos above, some will have text details to accompany.
*** You can read more details about most of these photos on my Instagram feed which I add to several times a week. You don't have to join Instagram to view either - just click on the little blue square camera logo under my blog profile (top right hand corner).
Pieces of contentment with sprinklings of joy and hope, that sums up last week quite nicely. The sights and sounds of an historic steam train through town always bring an extra excitement. Flowers are blooming more abundantly and the birds singing more sweetly with the beginning of spring. There has been an encouraging improvement in my husband's health with the addition of another medication this week, hopefully a sign of good things to come.
Another SIMPLY MINI Organic Quilt in lovely soft colours is now complete and listed on Etsy.
My favourite Moody Blues fabric above is drying in the gentle spring breeze. Bought on a one-day sale at Spotlight yesterday (big happy face)! There was only a handspan of fabric left on their roll after this was measured out for my quilt backing. Perfect timing!
I'm really enjoying watching my younger three daughters choosing and colouring pages. There are so many delightful colouring books available now. I love observing how each one chooses designs and colours according to their personalities. I might just have to join in on the fun too!
Sharing at SkyWatch Friday.
