PEAR TREE COTTAGE!

2011-12-18T08:57:00.004+11:00

Yes this is the season!

This photo was from our first years event and this year is our third event and they are bigger!
but I would never say better because the effort everyone puts in is amazing!

And this year the season of joy has been filled with such wonderful moments that I wish such wonders to all!

Santa found the time to visit Kyneton three times this year and yesterday he saw over 300 children and mums and dads.

Santa's cave was filled with "Wonder and Joy" as they came in, The smiles on their faces and the many parents who found just little bit of the child in themselves was a wonder in itself to see.

Santa spent lots of time with each child and then the elf scribe would check the naughty and nice list for their names, The elves were all busy making wooden toys and the fairy was busy too reading wonderful Christmas stories to children who sat with their eye open wide with amazement.

There was the wonder of the elf decorating our big tree going up and down a ladder as fast as elves do! then there was mother Christmas who insisted on taking the photos "O! so just right" for parents and children to take home with them to remember this special day.

Why! some of the children were even lucky enough to hear the reindeer's waiting on the roof in their very magic way! but they didn't fool the children who would say YES! they could hear them.............There were many elves and miss elves and fairies and all the other helpers of course dressed in red who came to help the children have a wonderful day......I even saw the "Queen of hearts" Yes I am sure I did! she came through with a tray of cookies for the children to try!

Yes smiles of joy were in every corner of "Santa's cave!"

I would love to share a few photos with you my dear blogger friends and will add New ones from this year later.

O! AND!

This was our charity stocking and we sold tickets to raise money to help those children in our district who needed a little bit of help. the nice thing about this years winners (were announced last night at our Christmas party) is that they were going to give all the pieces in this HUGE stocking to their Church's charity Christmas appeal so we are very pleased.

But as Santa takes a day of rest here today AND I am sure the elves are still busy filling his big red bag!

I wish you all the joy of this season and may all your hopes and dreams come true in the new year!

This is my day!!

What not another birthday!!

2011-11-20T18:41:00.003+11:00

Yes ok! it is my birthday today!

Great breakfast out with husband!

Great look around a food festival!

Great gifts of organic soaps!

great phone calls from family!

and now a great dinner cooked by my husband!

Yes a great day to be "whispering!!!!!!" 59 years old.

This is my Sunday 20th Nov 2011

We love Genealogy!

2011-11-19T17:19:00.004+11:00

Putting meat on the bones!

That is what my husband Rob calls it!

It is so wonderful to find something interesting out about a family member from long ago and learn just a little more to add to your family tree!

I know it has been said before but asking the oldest members of our families about anything they remember is so! SO! important.

But just lately I have enjoyed finding families that are part of pieces of history We have that may be unknown to them before today!

Like this piece!! about a month or two back I went for the annual "Woman in our family!" get together and this year it was in Tasmania......looking around the antique stores I found this beautiful remembrance card.

Myrtle Olive Carrie Commons became so real to me and as I hunted down her family I started to wonder what her short little life must have been like. Similar I am sure to those who in my own family back in the 1800's had their lives cut short for many reasons we now would not understand if it happened today.

Well I have found Myrtles family and they now have the copy of this beautiful card and she is once again back with her family and on a family tree that belongs to her and is part of her life and line.

It felt so good connecting them Myrtle and her family together again.

My day is always full of wonder!

If you want something badly enough it will happen!!
this is part of my Saturday!

It is the season for change!

2011-11-17T20:50:00.007+11:00

Yes it is time to change my large sideboard in my little kitchen to this lovely Johnson brothers friendly village design.

It is my favourite pattern and it goes so well with the season of joy and hope!

When we moved here from a huge 65 square home to this little vintage miners cottage that is lucky to be 10 squares I isisted that I must keep my sideboard that is made from vintage pine and redgum and is so beautiful.

So here it is the start to a season that brings much joy to my heart.

May this day be yours! as well as mine!

This is My Thursday!

Hello everyone!

2011-11-11T23:33:00.005+11:00

Today I remember a great grandfather I never knew!

William Hamilton

1866 - 1915

who lies at the bottom of the sea going down with his battle ship along with many others

in the Dardanelles campaign during world war one.

Leaving behind a young wife and four small children.

Lovely to touch this! my little place to blog! again!

damaged myself "Again!"

2011-07-24T21:37:00.005+10:00

I am the worst for cutting myself..........no not intentional but one would think so.

Here is the latest happening about two weeks ago my husbands lodge was having a funeral in their hall and us ladies were doing the wake.

I got there very early in the morning and was rushing about making lovely scones to have halved and topped with jam and cream and made sponges the night before to cut open and use that day.....

Well the scones went well and instead of stopping for just a moment while I waited for others to arrive to help and make myself a cuppa......I decided to rush over to the cupboard and grab a very sharp knife to cut open the sponges and as I put my hand in the box remembering and reading all the signs "sharp knives" be careful I slowed down a bit to get the right knife and took it out of the cupboard and as I turned the handle of the knife got court in the hing side of the door and as it jammed in there My hand slid down the knife blade and yes!! I almost cut off my little finger!!

I looked down to see the blood going in all directions and yelled for the men to help me so what do they do they are all rushing to find a band aid to put on it, I said nope!! bit worse then that and one of them almost fainted while rob gets the car and takes me to the doctors.....now I feel like fainting. An hour later and 12 stitches I am back there in a supervisory roll only until the funeral is over then I collapsed and needed a good strong cup of tea!!!

The stitches are out but I nicked my tendon and cut all the nerves and have very little feeling in most of my finger so now I may have to have an operation to repair that why will know in a few weeks.

This is just a moment in my week my friends! but it could have changed my life for sure.

Hugs to you all on this very wet cold and windy night in Victoria Australia

From March to July!.............

2011-06-30T21:42:00.003+10:00

Here it is the end of June..............So much is happening here and being a blogger over the past months has way to far from my touch of a keyboard.

I have missed all my friends but knew that just a click or two and I would be able to see what was happening in your day.

So here I am again to blog a little, to share a little and to see a little of your blogs.

Winter is here as you know so the open fire is lit and the fire wood this year was so expensive that we went into the bush with friends and a trailer and got many loads to share so we would all be warm in our homes.

Work has been busy and for many of you who know I work in an opportunity shop trade has been brisk, and truly needed with all the disaster's around the country and world that they help ever day.

My husband is doing well and is again working, while he is still very tired and has the tremors in his left hand and arm they (the doctors) are trying to work through that issue now. His cancer has been gone now for months and we are very happy about that.

Our Grandchildren (11 of them now) are all well and happy and their parents are too!

"The hooghly" the sail ship that brough my family to Australia in 1839

"The Rutt family" is were I begin. (on my mums side)

Our passion for genealogy has fueled many trips to cemeteries and hunting down of documents to continue the search of our pasts.

We have almost come to the end of our 12 months as the king and queen of the Kyneton daffodil festival and what a great 12 months that has been. We have taken both our wonderful trips given to us as part of our gift for being the king and queen. The trip to Tasmania was wonderful with our stay on the Hobart wharf being so perfect. The trip to Adelaide on the train (the second gift) we just did last weekend and combined a wonderful time with our genealogy and spent most of our trip searching cemeteries for "family' connections.

This is my day! being it boring to some is wonderful to me.......a simple life filled with treasured moments that come from the heart of knowing how lucky I am.

GOSH! is it the 1st of March??????

2011-03-01T07:45:00.003+11:00

Gosh were did January and February go!

No please I want to know!!

one day we had floods the next it was so tropical we could have grown bananas, then it was and it getting so cold too quickly and darker in the mornings.

But were did our summer go? did I sleep through it?

I did none of the things I planned or dreamed about before our summer started.

I was going to go to the beach this year!

I was going to visit friends and stay for long chats!

I was going to re-do our front garden to show the world that drives past just how lucky I am to have a garden at all.

I was going to get some chooks! and we were going to build a chicken coop!

I was going to have grandchildren for sleepovers.

I was going to go to the movies and

wear summer dresses!!!

None of these things happened.

Instead I worked almost every day, and all of the above will have to be saved for another time because it is now getting cold! wet! (well it has been most of the time) and winter is on its way. I wouldn't be surprised to see us go straight into winter and by-pass Autumn as well.

So I must go and order some fire wood for our open fire!

hugs to you all.

O! goodness one thing I did do! I made jam.............beautiful berry jam from our organic berries we grow at the back of our yard!

now if I could just get the photos off my new phone I would show you just how!

O! goodness again one other thing that happened was my beautiful vintage decorations were on display at the front foyer of the Melbourne museum. it was a thrill to be asked if they could display them and an even bigger thrill to share the display with all of the visitors who went to the museum and who looked in on them as they walked past.!

Floods in Queensland

2011-01-12T09:51:00.005+11:00

The floods in Queensland are moving ever south and have left many missing and lives lost. there are now over 16,000 homes and businesses either washed away or filled with water.

These photos need no comments just looking seeing is enough!

Our hearts and prays go out to our neighbours in the northern states

of Australia.

waiting and watching!

2011-01-09T01:46:00.003+11:00

You know it is now well over two months since my last post and while there is much to "show and tell"

Now is simply not the time to do that, you see we are waiting to see the specialist again as we have found another "lump" and Rob is unable to swallow well, chocking is a daily thing here.....it could simply be scar tissue and we pray it is! but he will need another operation to fix it we feel...........but we will not jump to any conclusions until we have all the tests and all the "looks see!" have been done.

Sadly we have not seen much of our grandchildren this Christmas holidays and have not had many visits from them and their parents as well. Life gets very busy for All I know but often we go days without even a phone call...............I would love for once them to fuss over us instead of us always fussing over them.

We have been making jam this summer and it is good too! if we do say so ourselves. it is rich in colour and full of lovely berries. We grow them out the back, blackberries, loganberries and raspberries along with others and with all the rain we had they are plump and sweet.

"Happy New Year" to you all may your new year be filled with the hopes and joys that fill your hearts always.

Hugs to you all on this my Saturday!

Lee-Ann

Australia's first Saint - Sister Mary Mackillop

2010-10-20T07:38:00.002+11:00

Blessed Mary Mackillop

Australia's first Saint

Saint Mary was born to Alexander and Flora Mackillop at Brunswick street Fitzroy Victoria on the 15th of January 1842. The oldest of eight children.

As she is called now Saint Mary of the Cross.

this photo is of her siting and her sister Annie Mackillop to her right and her brother Donal Mackillop in 1897

http://www.stmarysbungendore.org.au/page4.html

Just a wonderful woman who is now our first Australian Saint.

Pink breakfast - grand lodge style

2010-10-18T18:26:00.003+11:00

Sunday, get up early!

get dressed in Pink!

YEP! THE PINKER THE BETTER!!

drive for just over an hour!

And then enjoy a "Pink breakfast" with friends and other Masons and their wives Knowing we are making money for such an important charity

Breast cancer!

May the cure be found and may all those who are touched by this disease be cured for life!!

The breakfast raised over $13,000.00 dollars and $15,000.00 was added to that by the grand lodge.

This was our Sunday! O! yes and that is us Rob in full bloom! on his tie and me in full bloom on my dress.....................all very pink of course!

Happy 1st Birthday - hugs nanni & poppi

2010-10-11T07:46:00.004+11:00

1st Birthday - Happy Birthday our little Em.

Our little grandchild's birthday was a couple of months ago but with all that has been in our lives I just could not put this post up so here she is her 1st Birthday a very special little girl loved by all.

She has a big brother and two big sisters but when it comes to being the smallest in this family of four she knows how to "hold court" with them all.

Her smile melts her nanni's and poppi's heart always!

She is a beautiful gem and we love her "So much!"

This is my Monday hit the floor today running! next Monday the ladies from the Melbourne Museum will be here........................but that is another story I will share with you all next week!

off now to do lots and lots to get ready.

hugs to you all! always

A sad week end.

2010-10-05T09:41:00.003+11:00

Our dear friend and pal "Makita" our blue heeler dog was killed on the road out the front of our home Friday night and we are very upset to think such a horrible thing could happen to our dear dog and family member.

Many of you will not know that she was often my ears...............I am quite deaf and she was my ears if there was a knock at the back door.

We tied her up at night but for some reason she broke her chain and we found her next morning were she was hit on our very quiet road in our very quiet town.

Bless you dear friend 14 years of friendship will never be forgotten.

Kyneton daffodil & arts Festival - wow! it is huge fun

2010-09-20T07:33:00.007+10:00

Rob & I went to 58 events in 12 days so forgive me if I just pop photos here to show a little of what we were doing but catching up on sleep! rest! and family at the moment (smiles)

winning artists work for this year......it is truly stunning!

flooded river during festival

on parade day our coach!

walking the streets of our town

visiting the alpaca show at the show grounds

giving out prizes

some of the parade festivities

daffodils still bloom every spot you can see in Kyneton

golden joy!

the flower show.....and the winning bloom is!

SO! many to choose from

windows done up for the festival

night of the crowning of the us all

floats in parade

checking out the displays in the streets

king waling the streets with one of the prince and princess

my display at the church - celebration of flowers show

a kyneton street

More to come - photos that is and a good long chat soon.

this is my Monday! loving that I am about to leave to go visit grandchildren today.

GOOD MORNING! World..........O! yes its me.

2010-08-30T08:07:00.006+10:00

The very moment you feel good about your day is the very day you want to Blog! again, so here I am feeling rather good and with so much to tell you all and so much to see and read on my friends blogs I am sure.
I have missed blogging and my blog friends!

Working backwards My husband is back to work now and he has had a very good report from his professor of thyroid cancer and we are looking forward to a long happy life together.

He does have a little depression but this is bought on we are told by the medication and is under control "psst I watch him like a hawk"

*************************

But I do also want to share with you all an event that is starting in about three days. Each year our small country town have a daffodil and arts festival and they have antique shows and art shows and children's plays and of course they daffodils are in full bloom with gardens open to see their displays.

There is also on the last day a parade through town with schools and clubs and churches all involved it finishes at a carnival where everyone has a great time.

But there is one more thing that is very special and that is each year the town picks a king and queen and two princesses and princes to represent the town and they are honoured for their contribution to the town over the years.

The honour in being a King or Queen is huge and each year the town waits to see who it will be.........

Well this year with humble hearts and with huge honours the king and queen were crowned last week and they were.....

DRUM ROLL PLEASE.

YOUR BLOGGER FRIENDS "THAT IS RIGHT!"

Lee-Ann & Rob

We were in shock for a few days and could not believe that we had been honoured like this but are so proud to be chosen to do this job of a year and especially over the daffodil festival so until the 12th (the day of the parade) we are going to be visiting 0ver 35 events in 11 days.

This is king Rob...........Queen Lee-Ann photo later heheheheh!

This is our Monday with SO! so! much more to share with you all I promise to do so soon.

Hugs to you all.

I am here! but JUST NOT HERE!

2010-05-02T21:59:00.002+10:00

Dear friends.

My computer has blown up!!!

WELL IT FEELS LIKE IT HAS!!

It was hit by lightning a few weeks ago and the insurance company are dragging their feet to get me a new one.

I am not happy!!

BUT I AM HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME!!

BECAUSE.........

Rob has been given the "all clear" of cancer and is well on his way to a full recovery.

I believe it was all the love of friends out there that got us through.

SO! will share more with you when I get back onto my own NEW!! COMPUTER.......the tech..simply said O! I smell smoke! when he took the side off the hard drive......and from there it has been all down hill.................I miss it but am taking a moment to let you all know I am here! but JUST NOT HERE!

This is my day! my week! my month!

See you all soon via a shiny New! computer!

I HAVE STARTED BREATHING AGAIN!!!

2010-03-14T16:08:00.002+11:00

O! my gosh!

could it be possible could it almost all be over and!!!

COULD WE BE SO LUCKY!

Rob is home now he has been in the Austin Hospital in isolation for a few days while the radiation he swallowed did its job. We must have talk on the mobile phone for about 22 hours of the 24 in a day while he was there.

The scan looks good but we will know in a few days if we are truly free of this disease that is taking over (WAS TAKING OVER) his body.

What wonderful doctors he has working with him and what wonderful staff there are in the hospitals.

I just feel like I can breathe again and it must be months since I did that..........I didn't know you could hold your breath for so long.

*******************************

I look forward to Rob getting back to good health I look forward to him smiling and laughing again and I very much look forward to taking a long slow walk on a beach, with him holding my hand like we used to do.

We are truly blessed, truly joyful and happy knowing we may just have beaten this head on!!

I cannot thank you all enough for your blessings your prays and good wishes of hope I am so lucky to know all of you and very soon as life takes on its "normal" again I will be visiting and blogging with a rush to catch up on EVERYONE of your posts.

*****************************

Gina I wish your dear darling good wishes on his road to better health.

Gabrielle I wish you wonderful moments with your first grand child and pray her fight to begin her life will see her a happy child and woman.

Denise dear USA Friend your photos of your second darling grand child put smiles on our faces here and how proud of their mothers (those little girls all those years ago who came to Australia to visit us)

Life truly is a WONDER! AND A BLESSING.

This is my dear day wish my dear husband.................I do have so much to tell you all but that is for another day.

Dear Blogger Friend:...........

2010-01-29T08:46:00.003+11:00

Yes Dear Blogger Friends.....

Our world is a little topsy! turvy!

BUT.............We see sunshine at the end of our long tunnel.

Rob goes into hospital on the 25th Feb. for radiation treatment and will be there in isolation for several days.

The doctors have been worried because he has had two little strokes since Christmas but as they effect only his speech for several moments they have not put him in hospital these times.

We try to make our days busy as anything and have goes leaps and bounds ahead with our family tree..................Genealogy is a wonderful thing to spend some many hours researching together.

I am still at work and in fact are there at the moment 5.1/2 days a week while the boss is on holidays.

Rob is also back at work (some of the time!) He feels the need to do that and his new car is helping the travel ( a real smooth ride)

We have had grandchildren here for sleep overs and have been to birthday parties of them too. Gosh they are all growing far too quickly, why the oldest grandchild will be ten this year. and if that isn't bad enough for this grandmother his father will be 40!!! goodness me.

I have thought of my many Blogger friends over the past two months missing your Christmas displays and the wonderful table settings or even just who is doing what.........But I think of you all often and we know here things will be back to normal very soon and so will my blogging I am sure.

Below are some photos of our searching for family and it is amazing how many family members tell us O! yes I have a photos someplace of old auntie Lilias!! etc. Also the photo of Rob at the cemetery finding were the family are is were you will find us most weekends at this time it has been a wonderful discovery journey.

James Albert Hamilton (Rob's grand father)

Saville Hamilton (Robs Uncle)

Were an auntie is resting!

Another relatives resting place.

(This is a sad one) his great grand mother on his dad's side, his grand mother, and three unmarried aunties rest here with no marker or note to say..........we are going to fix that! straight after Rob has been in hospital.

Blessings to all on this Friday! a windy summers days in Victoria Australia!

Shiny Baubles hang on our tree!

2009-12-16T07:45:00.003+11:00

Dear Friends - dear blogger friends.

There is so much to tell you yet I am sure in your hearts many of you know how it is here at the moment.

We have many days were the sun shines in our hearts and many days were the grey clouds form above.................my darling had to go again to Hospital last Friday they are trying to work out why he is choking and coughing all the time.

Between hospital visits he is trying to do normal things and below you can see Rob being Santa at Zetland masonic lodge for the children of our town. It brought tears to our eyes to see his gentleness with the children who watched his every move with big wide eyes.

The members of the lodge were all dressed up and put on a great 4 hours for the children to remember forever.

Dear Friends - I think of you all often and Thank you ALL for your lovely notes and huge hugs over the net.........there are so many of you and you have all touched my heart.

After the radiation in February for Rob all things we pray will be back to normal here.

I wish each and everyone of you a truly wonderful Christmas, filled with the blessings of Family and friends and as we celebrate the birth of Jesus may your hearts once again be touched by the wonder of such a joyful celebration.

Love and Hope to you all

My dear friends!

Update on our lives - the road we travel

2009-10-20T22:20:00.007+11:00

Hello dear friends Yes!!

We are still here!!!

I know it has been awhile but with all Rob's tests happening and his constant lack of energy now, sitting and chatting for hours on end is all we feel we are doing at the moment.

Rob's Second operation is on Thursday and he will be in hospital for several days. The doctors are very positive but he is coughing a lot lately so me being me I read the worst into it.

Last Sunday we did however go out with our lodge to Melbourne for the morning to the Grand lodges Pink Breakfast for breast cancer and it was a lot of fun (I was even in the paper the next day)

See how bossy!! I am - moving everyone around so we can see them all! (smiles) Yes that is me in the pink hair!!

Right that is better!! say cheese everyone!! - O! know were did Rob go? lets try that again!

Does anyone know were Rob is Yes! everyone yells (behind the camera) oops! red face to match my hair - sorry honey!! (smiles)

You will find us here beside the bus all looking "VERY PINK!"

That is better here we all are!!

We also went to a wedding, we could not stay too long but it was so nice to share the moment with the young couple, and here is my darling and the groom our new partner in our business - One of our apprentices who has just come out of his time and is now part of our family business. This will help Rob to do just a little less and worry a little less too while he is in hospital.

Thank you dear friends for your lovely comments and emails and I am sure you understand why I have not been around to visit lately but I think of you all often - with blessings and good wishes to you all always. I will add a little post here as soon as the operation is over to let you all know.

This is my Tuesday - with anticipation and hope in the air!!

Spring in our part of the world - brings art to life.

2009-09-15T21:40:00.003+10:00

With the coming of spring and the daffodil festival comes not only the beautiful bulbs popping their heads out of the soil but also art springs up all over the town and so today my darling husband and I decided to enjoy a little walk in the sunshine by the creek and see the art that has "popped" up in the last few days.

Here it is and we are happy to share it with you all

BUT!

Not before I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your messages of hope and good wishes and prayers.

As I sat in Church on Sunday many of you came to mind and the prayers that have reached us from around the world. THANK YOU ALL!

My husband Rob.

Blessings to you all on this Tuesday - on a spring day! with a feeling of true hope in the air!!

With swords drawn "Let the battle begin!"

2009-09-12T22:59:00.006+10:00

Rob Has been told his biops have come back positive for cancer and after the shock of the news we decided that the battle was on for a full recovery.

So my darling husband now after he has recovered from his last operation has to go back into Hospital for another operation to take out the other half of the thyroid. Then they hunt down any thyroid cancer cells.

We know there will be a battle but we also know we will win!! the war.

Thank you all for your kindness and good wishes, it helps truly it does.

I leave you with some spring colour that is finding its way into our garden & that has to be a very good sign to this family.

An emergency at our place!

2009-09-05T08:07:00.002+10:00

Just a little update to tell you all my dear husband was taken into surgery On Thursday in a bit of a rush - He was chocking on Tuesday night and on Wednesday so they quickly got him in to do the surgery.

I must go now but wanted everyone to know he is doing well and we now wait for the results of the tests. His surgeon was concerned when we did see him yesterday and Rob is so very sore but it is over unless they need to go in for further work.....I pray not!

Must Go love to you all my dear friends from around the world!

We have a date!!

2009-08-31T22:26:00.003+10:00

Dear blogger friends "We have a date!" with the surgeon now it is either the 15th or 16th of this month.

Rob is having a lot of trouble sleeping and feels like he is choking all the time - these next few days cannot come and go quick enough until his operation.

On another note I truly wish we could send a little of this heavy rain we are having to the fire effected areas of America - we are thinking of you all.

Rob and I had a wonderful day today looking after four of our grandchildren wow! did they give us a workout!! no wonder Rob had to go straight to bed he was so tired. Just simple things happened like taking a gradson to school or a grand daughter to kinda, like holding the baby in your arms until she falls to sleep, or like the number three darling following poppies every move and copy cat action (puts a smile on my face as I see it in my mind)

BUT they are wonderful memories we will keep in our hearts forever.

This is our Monday - shared with a husband! I love!

"Just the two of us!"

2009-08-23T20:48:00.004+10:00

It is "Just the two of us"

For the past three weeks something very strange has entered our lives here at Pear tree cottage.

Rob went to see his local doctor for the results of his last lot of tests.

She is a nice enough lady but does not know us well and is new to the surgery - anyway His results on looking at them looked bad - very bad "life threatening" she said. As she kept on reading the computer screen THEN SHE SAID!

You have cancer you have to give up work and get your "things" in order because you do not have long. "do you need councilling?" all that in the one sentence - If I was there (Rob was on his own) I would have slapped here well and truly across the face IF she had taken her eyes off the computer screen.

Then Rob just got up and left and as he got to the door of her room he turned and said "you are wrong! VERY WRONG! and then walked out".

I was at work and he came past and put two thumbs up all is ok!! there I was thinking it is ok! and there he was thinking is it or am I going to die soon.

Sunday was like any other sleep in and sip coffee in bed on a winters morning chat about this and that and all the while Rob has hidden deep inside him the words of a Doctor that touched his very being and me thinking all is OK! IF ONLY I HAD KNOWN.

Monday morning comes about and I go off to look after some grandchildren and he goes to Work just like any other day.............but come 9am he starts making phone calls first to his specialist, the answers came think and fast "Rob you may or may not have cancer I do not see the results here yet BUT let me tell you you will die first from old age other then thyroid cancer we will chat after you talk to the surgeon. Then he calls the surgeon and he does have the test results. come and see me this FRIDAY Rob.............but let me tell you, you will be ok!

I went with Rob to see him last Friday still thinking that the operation was going to be all that would be needed and as I sit there it dawns on me that something is not right..............it is all to knowing from one man my man and the surgeon they are chatting as if they know more about the last week then I do and then the moment came. Well Rob your Local doctor is wrong you may or may not have cancer but you will not die from it you will be operated on and you will have 5 weeks off work and you will rest and we will fix this problem so do not worry................................OK! what is going on.

Then as we sat in the car in the car park I was told how my dear husband felt and how he did not believe what the local doctor had said and that he just needed time to work through it all by himself and while he should have shared it with me on that very first day "he was not sure what he was sharing so waited to share the truth!

I was so angry and upset even now (forgive me!) I still just want to go and slap the face of that lady doctor for putting my man through the pain and the feelings he could not share until he knew what TRULY was happening.

So here I am sharing this with you all and feeling as if I too can now let go of this horrible week or two and once again know

Rob and I are "Just the two of us"

This is my Sunday! a blessing YES! But it is so hard to understand just what has happened! or what it could have been!

Now we wait till next Friday to get the operation date.

Were have the many days gone since my last post?

2009-08-03T07:36:00.009+10:00

It is so typical of us here - the days rush head on one into another, and before you know it a new month has arrived and my blog looks like I have left the planet..................well the busy days have been filled with new babies, high teas, and my darling husbands health. If you have a moment I will share it with you now.

First and most importantly my Husband has not yet had his operation but has had several ultrasound and scans and needle biopsy on his thyroid and they even took out over ten mils of fluid from the thyroid but it is now all back and looking very large again. He feels very tired and we are still waiting for the results, then the surgeons visit is on the 21st to make the operation time.

Husband feels fairly well other then being tired and had three days off work this last week after the two days of many tests.

Rob just said tell them about the "vintage rose high tea" so I will...............It was beautiful!

Setting up the day before!

one must always have a "taste tester!" this is my sisters darling grand daughter

My mum helping to sort out all the china - she cooked over three hundred scones for the day!!

The day before my husband Rob giving me a hug "you can get it done! He said!" no I carn't I was saying!! it did done!!

All was ready just in time while the ladies over 140 of them gathered out the front of the building being served by the men of the lodge bubbles and chocolate dipped strawberries and catching up with those on their tables.

Because we "the lodge" are celebrating our 150Th year all year. Some of our ladies once again dressed in the Victorian style - representing those ladies who had gathered in this lovely old building all those years ago. As they worked towards its future and here we now represent them on this day. We stand here because of them! those ladies from the past. I loved the thought that they may have also held a high tea all those years ago and that fine china was used as it is today.

When the doors to the hall opened this is what the ladies found.

The ladies were asked to have a vintage rose in their hair or hat and these ladies looked lovely with fresh pink roses in their hair and beautiful smiles all around the table.

As the host of the day I told the ladies a little bit about the reason for the high tea the charity "Starlight childrens foundation" and how it helps to make a wish come true for children who are very ill. each lady was given a vintage hankie and on the hankie was a tag with a word on the back these words were to remind them that children who are ill have the same dreams and hopes as us all. JOY! HOPE! SMILES! HAPPINESS! FUN!

I then showed them my outfit and how it is put together traditionally wearing the corset laced up and all, it was a nice way to chat with ladies while their teapots were arriving at the tables.

This is our future daughter in law and she had a lovely day with us all - she is now part of a BIG! family and loves it!!

The men of our lodge and those around here helped put on the auctions to make a little more money for the charity and here is one of the men in his gardening outfit "roses gumboots" as well and the ladies bid on each auction with laughter and fun and "THAT! my friends is exactly what the day was all about"

O! here I am again telling them a little about their teacups the trios 140 of them I am afraid to say belong to me and I adore that they are being used and tea is being sipped from them. They were a little nervous that two ladies in the hall were sipping from teacups that were made in 1880's I wouldn't tell them who had them on their tables.

Here are our "men in black" as they escorted out the auctions of wonderful glasses that were donated by my sister from here optometrist store in Hobart...........thank you sis!

Some tables had four generations on them one table a lady cuddled her 5 week old baby and another one the ladies listen to the stories from the oldest lady in the room about days gone bye.

I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to put together such beautiful

"moments in time"

It was a wonderful day and the hall was filled with chatting and laughter and that is what I feel is the most important part of the high tea. a celebration of life, touching another's heart with your own hopes for their future happiness and we all feel we did this simple yet richly rewarding thing on Saturday25th of July at Zetland masonic lodge in Kyneton.

My Mondays blessing is for more tea to be drunk with much laughter to follow!!

Re-dressing my sideboard summer to winter!

2009-07-10T11:50:00.005+10:00

Wouldn't you think that will all that is happening in our lives here at the moment that I would just not even think about changing my kitchen sideboard..............but it is always a way to relax for me......but THEN it leads to other things like the cutlery draw and the pots & pants cupboard. O! yes very good for the soul doing a kitchen change around.

The summer look on my sideboard was Johnson Brothers Jamboree dinner set that belonged to my grandmother. She only had a few pieces left when she passed away but still I just loved them so much and had to add to the settings over time, until now I can seat at my summer table ALL! the family each with their own favourite colour. My colour growing up and growing to grans to visit was the Burgundy and still to this day I simply must eat from that colour.

Today all that has changed and now I look at my sideboard and see the most wonderful scenes from the pattern called Johnson Bros Friendly Village.

I was shopping on line one day and looking at pieces that had covered bridges from New Hampshire on them and I came across the friendly village set "well! was I hooked" the different scenes and the beautiful snow scape's showing the bridges covered in the winter snows of New Hampshire................I started to collect and now also have enough to serve my whole family that is 21 settings, I may have to still add to that but gosh! I will just have to do it!! couldn't have a grandchild missing out on a "covered bridge"

So my sideboard for winter looks like this! (smiles)

I could have a Spring and Autumn change as well! I have them as well BUT! that is another story for another day.

My darling husband is doing well we are however waiting to see the surgeon next week as the school holidays are on here at the moment and he apparently went away with his family. Rob is feeling very uncomfortable but is looking forward to next week and the time the operation will be set for.

Our new darling grand daughter and her family are doing wonderfully and she is a good little sweetie for her mum, her smallest big sister is only 19 months old so is taking this all very well. Our daughter is back home and putting into place a routine now for her big family. We are so proud of them and Love them all.

This is my Friday! Not at work! not even made the bed yet!!!

but loving being "home" pottering!

Thank you all for the kind comments and wonderful emails in the past week I adore hearing from you all very much.

A darling has arrived into this world!

2009-07-05T12:13:00.004+10:00

My dear blogger friends

Emerald Dawn our beautiful grand daughter has arrived into this world.

at 4.25pm on July 3rd 2009

Both mummy and baby are so well and we are the grand parents of another beautiful little girl. How wonderful.

I am going down today to help look after the other three so will share with you some of the photos that have been taken of this beautiful little girl and her big sisters and brother.

Big brother!

Biggest sister!

Mummy and her four!

Poppi Rob and his darling grandchild!

And proud Nanni and her grandchild and daughter

what a blessing!

this is our 10th darling and we love them all SO! MUCH!

This is my Sunday - blessed from head to toe!

We are having a new grand child tomorrow!! (smiles)

2009-07-02T22:12:00.003+10:00

Yes!

Our darling grandchild is being born tomorrow

We are all very excited and look forward to the safe arrival of this little darling into our family.

Our daughter and Her husband are having number four! and the new little darlings big brother and both the big (little) sisters are sure it will be fun to have another sister or brother in the family.

We are so proud of our daughter and her husband they are both beautiful parents and are bringing their children up with so much love in their hearts.

We are so lucky to be the grandparents to such lovely children and are very blessed AND! so thrilled this will be number 10!

Also thank you to everyone who has left a comment about my darling man Rob, we are waiting now for the surgeon to see him and then he will be operated on quickly after that.

Rob is doing well and we pray for a full recovery.

This is My Thursday

filled with hope!! for the future

A little bit of bad news!

2009-06-28T21:24:00.005+10:00

(here we are at the 1859 victorian evening)

Look we are not worried

Well we are trying not to worry

Ok!

I am more worried then my darling man!

The doctors have found three lumps in his thyroid

One is rather large and he is feeling unwell.

He will be visiting a surgeon this next week and the specialist wants it out straight away thyroid and all.

Please think of him when next you have a moment to spare.

I truly cannot think of anything else to talk about on this

My Sunday!

Stained glass of life

2009-06-12T08:07:00.004+10:00

Today started in a very special way even, if it is telling you there is ruff weather on its way.

Its winter in Australia

So with it comes frosty mornings and cold days.

BUT!

I love the start of today especially and had to share it with you - this my Friday!

Looking through the beautiful stained glass to another day beginning

Mother natures church windows

6.47am

6.52am

7.03am

7.08am

7.14am

7.19am

Now you can see our day unfolding and how beautiful it is!

Life is filled with adventures some huge and some small but the simple ones are the most important of them all.

So getting up early and rushing out to view the beginning of this crisp cold day through the stained glass window of nature is such a wonderful feeling.

This is just beginning!

Of this my Friday!

A drip in a bucket.

2009-06-09T08:38:00.003+10:00

O! what a wonder of the world.

Here it is just 8.42am on Tuesday morning in Australia

and this small drip of rain fallen into my bucket.

Then just two minutes later it is being seen around the world on my blog.

Yes as I said the wonder of the world.

This rain were did it come from? and once it has been greatfully splashed over my plants were will it go?

I know the world goes around and around but so do many things within the world, like the rain that now falls here could have very well touched your umbrella as you rushed to work all those months ago or splashed your feet on the footpath.

I like to think this very drip landed in your bucket where ever you are and it was used to quench the thirst of your garden before it arrived here for me.

so thank you for this "drip of rain"

NATURE IS A WONDERFUL THING!

If you are wondering yes it took me over thirty photos to capture this one drip!!

And this one too!! It could have fallen in the ocean or in the dry lakes of Australia but it didn't it fell right here for me to use as I wish!!

And this one! much smaller!! but just as important as them all!

Just a little fun today on my blog something I should do more often and something that is so important to us all, water (one drip at a time)

sharing! a wet Tuesday in Australia! with You! my friends!

A day at home...........with husband

2009-06-08T13:39:00.010+10:00

Today is The Queens Birthday public holiday here and so this winter Monday is the end of a three day holiday for us AND! it is the first time in such a long time since my husband and I have done nothing!!

It is very cold now and the rain has been falling almost all weekend, so it has been sleeping in weather, open fire weather, walking around our jungle we call our garden weekend, but most of all doing nothing other then relaxing and making plans for our future.

I thought I would show my blogger friends some of our "doings" for this weekend. Nothing exciting but ever so much fun.

We went for a walk only across the front of our property.

and
Here is the view across the road to the elm trees now all bare and waiting for spring.

This photo is looking west with the grey clouds filling the sky and the rose hedge looking very sad. But the fresh air fills you with hope of the new seasons ahead. I do love winter and still enjoy walking in wet grass.

Yes! this is looking East along the front of our property yes! that is my husband sadly looking over our fence with the must cut the paddock look on is face. He thinks the picture makes him look like he is........well! he wasn't!! (smiles) The old abandoned hotel behind him is the edge of our property and it is looking so run down now and in danger of falling.

Here is a photo of it out the back. It has a wonderful history and has been part of the town for over 150 years but is in private hands and is simply left to fall down.

Our children when they were young used to get in there and look around and bring home all kinds of "bits" it was such a simple time back then when fun was made by the children not offered to them.

At least the sheep still get to play in and around the old "pub" as we call hotels.

Can you see the little lambs enjoying a search in the old out buildings watched by their mother.

I just love living in the country! how many of you have sheep for neighbours?

Here is my husband getting some more fire wood to put on the fire. He doesn't want me to but this photo in but it is part of our day and I am not sure why he doesn't want it in my blog other then the fact he feel he looks so old!!! His orchard is behind him looking sadder then the roses out front but you know having an orchard is very special and we know in a very short time the little buds of new leaves and fruits will soon appear.

Now I think I should even introduce you to our dog.

Please Say hello to "Makida" (named after Makita tools)

She is a lovely blue healer and has been part of our family now for about 10 years and still acts like a puppy..................with no manners and a lot and lots of loyal love especially for my husband Rob.

She was on her lead today because we have no fence out the front of our house at the moment and when we walk around she goes crazy running onto the road so here she is looking very upset with us because she had to stay put and be on her chain. Sitting up on her box is her form of a lounge chair I am sure.

I know exactly what she was thinking "came a little closer mum and I am going to put mud all over you!!!!"

This is a nice photo but she was giving us her "best side" to take a photo of just before we let her back off her lead.

Blue healers are very strong dogs and so her leather collar has to be strong and big and her lead looks like it would hold and elephant put but it has been broken before today by Makida.

Many will not come into our property with her barking because she would protect us and our home with her life that is what blue healers are very loyal dogs. but gentle as lambs around their family.

So now you have met our dog Makida.

I want to today also give many hugs to a dear friend Gina from patra's place I have not seen her for such a long time and wish I could just rush on over to hug her in person. She sent me a lovely gift, a book mark that is in use as we speak and the most beautiful cupcake soap I have ever seen. I don't think I could ever wash with it. Thank you Gina dear friend thank you. I will put photos of them both on my blog next time. It was a thrill to get them in the post, it truly was.

On a very sad note;

To our friend and Masonic brother Gus

On a much sadder note this weekend we were very upset to hear of the passing of the dear wife of one of our lodge members.

As he would often say when he introduced her to new friends "my beautiful wife"

So Gus please know your beautiful wife is in our prayers now and always. She is at peace after a huge battle that she tried so hard to win

Teressa will be remembered always.

This is My Monday "Queens birthday! Holiday!"

May your day be filled with the joy of the simple things in life!
Please hug your family and friends tonight!!

150th Birthday success!!!!

2009-05-29T07:37:00.006+10:00

It took two years to plan and two weeks to recover! (smiles)

But it was everything We wanted it to be and more.

Many ladies of the lodge including myself dressed up for the day to represent those who had walked this same path as we now do, all those 150 years ago.

The men always look lovely in their dinner suits (gosh I could tell you a story or two about these old and young blokes!)

SO!

Who turned 150 years old this year you say!!

Zetland Masonic Lodge no.25

in Kyneton Central Victoria.

Grand lodge came and re-enacted the consecration ceremony of the lodge and then we all witnessed the placing of a corner stone in the north east corner of our building noting the importance of this special day.

The history is fascinating!

The building is a gem!

"But it is the people who walk its floors that makes it a treasure to behold"

Margo and me gosh her outfit was lovely suited her purfectly.

The ladies and men of the lodge dressed in re-enactment outfits Gave the whole day an air of caring for the past while taking a big step into the future.

With many lodges closing due to lack of interest from both the men and woman or their building not being upgraded to head towards a new era in freemasonry, this lodge finds its strength in not only the men and their work in the lodge room but in the ladies comfort and contribution to making the south not just a house but "A Home" and if a man feels that his wife is not left home each month to sit alone while he visits his lodge, but that we can come too and visit with other ladies and enjoy an evening of friendship there is harmony in knowing that both the wife and husband will enjoy each month when the doors of the lodge are opened.

So with this in mind the Ladies and the men of this Zetland masonic lodge equally looked forward to the efforts they had put in over the many months for this day, sharing with many visitors and friends of the lodge "our home"

Me and two lovely members of our team!

The day started with a morning tea and lunch for members and friends of the lodge in a marquee out the back of our lodge.With plenty of room for grand lodge to enjoy a quiet moment before a busy days ahead. However they decided to dress in another building further down and we did not have an opportunity to entertain the grand lodge ladies at this time. But it was ok! because we had a lovely luncheon and many laughs.

This was followed buy the re-enactment and and then placing of the corner stone. pre-dinner drinks again were held in the marquee and so much champagne was consumed it was a wonderful start to a lovely evening.

One of our members Gordon has a beautiful and very successful winery and so we enjoyed his lovely wine during the night. Knights Winery will always be Gordon's and Heathers legacy to this area long after they have gone. Knights winery.

I must now take this moment to mention that our next big event at the lodge is the "high tea" a charity event and this year will be bigger then last years I am sure. last year the theme was "cup cake heaven"

This year it is "Victorian Rose" and is setting out to be a lot of fun!

I will put up some more photos of our wonderful 150th as I get them but you know I never took not one photo and thank goodness everyone else took hundreds to share.

This is my Winter! Thursday!! Hello to all dear blogger friends.

With saddness - he was called home

2009-05-15T15:33:00.007+10:00

As the bagpiper plays Loch Lomond!! to call his home

It is with a heavy heart that we tell you that our dear friend Bill (the Scots man) Has passed away.

it was too quick and many of us never knew how quickly it was to be and that we would never get a moment to say goodbye.

Here he is with my Short husband at a night we all enjoyed very much.

He was a wonderful Husband, dad and grand dad, but too young to be leaving them all. It took just a short few weeks from the moment he found out he was so very ill.

A truly wonderful man and brother to all masons has passed away on Monday 11th May 2009 now with the great architect of the universe.

I am sure he would not want too much fuss but just a little! So dear friend it is with a very Heavy heart that Rob and I wish you many more trips over the highlands of Scotland and may you forever hear the bagpipes so you can find your way home again.

Dear friend we will miss you!

and wish you were here to enjoy a whisky or two with us right about now!

God bless a Great Mason and a member of Zetland lodge.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post.

By yon bonnie banks And by yon bonnie braes,Where the sun shines bright On Loch Lomond

Oh we twa ha'e pass'dsae mony blithesome days, On the bonnie, bonnie banks O' Loch Lomond.

Oh ye'll tak' the high roadand I'll tak' the low road,An' I'll be in Scotland before ye', But wae is my heart until we meet again On the Bonnie, bonnie banks O' Loch Lomond.

I mind where we parted In yon shady glen On the steep, steep side O' Ben Lomon' Where in purple hue The highland hills we view And the morn shines out Frae the gloamin'

Oh ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak' the low road, An' I'll be in gloaming before ye',

But wae is my heart until we meet again On the Bonnie, bonnie banks O' Loch Lomond.
The wee bird may sing An' the wild flowers spring; An' in sunshine the waters are sleepin' But the broken heart It sees nae second spring, And the world does na ken How we're greetin'

Oh ye'll tak' the high road and I'll tak' the low road, An' I'll be in greeting before ye',

But wae is my heart until we meet again On the Bonnie, bonnie banksO' Loch Lomond.

HIGH TEA! - Its on again!!

2009-05-01T08:21:00.007+10:00

YES! last years High tea was a great success and a huge amount of fun!

We raised over $6000.00 with the help of the Grand masonic lodge of Victoria and in doing so we were able to help two darling children have a happy moment in their very short lives and help their wish come true.

SO! yes it is on again this year and while the theme last year was "cupcakes" this year it is "Victorian rose"

Seeing as our lodge Zetland lodge in Kyneton is having their 150th birthday and seeing as we the ladies of the lodge are having such a lot of fun putting together the lodges special day we will be continuing the theme of stepping back in time and so the "high tea" will be the Victorian rose.

We will be giving all monies to the Starlight children's foundation again this year and hope to put a smile on a child's face if just for a moment or two.

This year I hope my mother again and my sisters too will all be coming from interstate to join us and help a little too! (smiles)

Last year mum cooked over 250 scones on the morning and they were delish!

We made hundreds of little cupcakes and they were enjoyed along with all the other goodies found on the tables.

some of the ladies having a bit of fun!

some more enjoying the day.

A couple of grandchildren!! too

My mum helping me ice cupcakes late into the night.

Now it is like this dear friends, I need idea's lots of ideas for the high tea. What to eat and what to have as raffles and auctions all in the theme

"VICTORIAN ROSE"

High tea on the last Saturday in July 2009.

I hope you can all help with a suggestion or two and this time I truly need it and as you know I love things to be very decadent and special so am looking for some great ideas to make it so!

HELP!! Please!! (I know you can)

This is my Friday - looking for help and advise!!

The wedding!

2009-04-21T20:26:00.006+10:00

To have and to hold for ever and ever!!

A beautiful couple and they are making a beautiful life together.

My little sister's daughter was married last Saturday

and my other little sister and I along with our husbands did the wedding supper for about 130 people and it was hard work and a lot of rushing about but I think in the end the effort was worth the rewards of the smiles of delight from our other sister (mother of the bride), the bride and even our mother, who was simply "proud of her girls" I heard her say to someone.

we loved every moment of the afternoon.

The wedding couple and their two beautiful darling daughters.

Our sister and her husband and their daughter and son-in-law.

Sis you look lovely I was so proud of you!! what a wonderful day.

The bride (our niece) and her husband already have two beautiful daughters and so it was a wonderful family wedding and the happiness was everywhere. As the event unfolded on a beautiful Autumn day in Adelaide it was enough to make me want to hold onto the moments forever. So here are some of those moments that we share with you now and I will hold onto forever more.

A darling little girl who was so beautiful and like her mother (the bride) stunning! and a happy dear great niece.

And their second daughter is a beautiful little darling as well and looked so cute in her "wedding dress" as well.
The bride and my mum her grandmother mum is a great gran to many now and looks good don't you think!!

A beautiful bridal party with such as happy life ahead of them. they are truly blessed.

There will be more photos I am sure at the reception we were to get out of our working clothes and get out of the kitchen but it just never happened, there was so much to do. So the bride insisted she come into the kitchen and have her photo taken with her aunties and uncles as they were so busy.....so I guess that photo will show up soon (smiles)

This is my Tuesday ! a blessed family for of joy!!

My Easter wish

2009-04-07T08:18:00.006+10:00

I truly wish that this Easter no matter how you believe in a supreme being, that you will hold my hand and all the hands next to you and that we will show forgiveness and love to each person around the world.

Could we believe another has a right to be different then ourselves. to hold dear to them their own faith, Is it possible?

Yes I believe so!

Could we all hold hands around the world - making a circle that goes on forever, could we not only believe in our own faith but also that another have a right to believe their way in safety and hope.

Will this (could this) happen? Well is should!

As I sit in my church on a Sunday morning I think not of myself but of others around the world who do not have the right to believe in the safety of their own beliefs

Again this very special Easter weekend I will be thinking of you!!

Dear blogger friends "Happy Easter" May the Easter bunny roll an egg or two your way!!

There will be much family gathering much eating and many grandchildren with chocolate covered faces in our life this weekend for us, As well as the hope that always fills my heart.

A day off! A day all to myself!!

2009-03-30T08:19:00.007+11:00

It is one of those day's!

The washing is done!

The ironing is hidden!

The bed is made!

I pulled it us quick this morning!

Aah!

But a nice pot of tea has been gently brewing

and now here I am to take a moment to visit my friends and sipping tea in a very unhurried way!

Yes I made dark chocolate spiders late last night and I know it is early in the day but well what the heck! there is no-one here to see me nibbling them so early (hips forgive me!!)

but I am home alone!!

ALL DAY!!! on my own!

and; Just a bit of news from here too:

My husbands masonic lodge in May is having its 150th birthday and while it is a secret (I know you won't tell) the girls of the lodge on the very full day of events and at the very Victorian Dinner are all going to step back in time and will all be dressed in outfits from the year 1859 how much fun that would be and as the masters wife I came up with the idea at the time thinking it would be easy but it is hard to choose what to wear but here are some photos of some ideas you may be able to help me make up my mine as to what would look best (smiles)

I believe this last photo was taken very close to the year 1859 and the bustle dress was what they dressed in here however many outfits were continued to be used from the previous ten years and I think they were the more full Crinoline skirt. Most of our ladies are going to get the fuller style because they will feel more comfortable on such a busy day seeing as we are going to serve morning tea, light lunch and the afternoon tea followed by pre-dinner drinks and then the formal meal will be served by a catering service.

However below..........this is my outfit below and the bonnet as well I got them all from America but that is another story and also this is just one of my outfits for the day I think......and that is still another story. (smiles)

I hope this post finds all my dear friends happy and well as we are here.

My dear friends

2009-03-20T08:33:00.005+11:00

Yes! It's me

Well its me just rushing in and rushing out again.

I wanted to first spend a moment to thank everyone for their kindness to our country and to those who have lost loved ones or thier homes.

I have been so busy over the past weeks that coming in to write a blog post or even just to visit has been so hard to do but I am sure you all understand that life just gets in the way!! at times.

But I would like to share with you some good news and some joy that fills our family.

We are having two weddings in our family this year - both my sisters children are getting married. They live interstate so that will be a trip back to my home town for me, and I look forward to that very much.

Rob and I are having our tenth grandchild this July and it is going to be a little girl. It will be number four to one of our daughters and her husband and their darlings are all very happy to be having another sister.

What a true blessing grandchildren are in my life.

I do hope all my dear friends are happy and well and I look forward to visiting you all again very soon.

Many blessings to all who have left beautiful comments on my last post for my fellow Aussies and to the many emails asking me about "Black Saturday"

Love to you all.

Words could never describe the past two days...........NEVER!!

2009-02-09T07:52:00.013+11:00

A VIEW FROM ABOVE OF OUR STATE VICTORIA BURNING

108 confirmed dead - many more missing

(NOW ITS 131 CONFIRMED DEAD)

NOW 173 DEAD............

over 230++ lost...........

we are all so sad.
750 houses lost - many more yet unknown

1300 homes lost now.

2800 homes were lost.
31 fires still burning
Many towns GONE! - nothing left

Bushfire disaster - many fires lit by firebugs.

There are too many stories too sad to put words to!!!

but I keep thinking about the young man, skin falling from his body holding his little baby child and looking for help telling the story his older child and wife have been killed in the fire.

May the fire bug Rot in hell!!!

Or the father and husband this morning asking if anyone has seen his family. His wife and three children still missing.

The television shows nothing but town after town now gone!! home after home destroyed!! family after family missing!!

In Bendigo our son's home missed the fire by just one street. He cannot believe all that beautiful bush around him and 65 homes and a life lost and his home still stands.

More news at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/

"A week or almost two" Is that all it has been!!

2009-02-01T22:03:00.005+11:00

Fires near my little town.

500 hectares burnt and we must put into place our fire plans. Do we stay? or do we go?

The road to the north is blocked - cut off by the fire!!

But it is OK! was ok!!

The fire came within 1.5 kl of our little town.

Rushing forward enough to have many friends phone me "get out" they would yell down the phone. but you know while it was very hard to see your hand in front of your face it was OK! I felt safe.

They worked very hard, the CFA, and many others to stop it dead in its tracks, as it rushed towards out little town. Helicopters whirl overhead looking for dams to fill from.

All I could think of was not my grandmothers beautiful clock or my husbands family treasures but the trees that have stood in the main street of our town for over 100 years.

But in the end many very tired CFA men and woman saved our town and................then it all started again, in another spot further away. But this time it did take 29 homes, destroyed so much history those walls held within. 64 sheds were lost too, farms. and homes all destroyed only to find that arson was the reason, is the reason many stand before their blackened homes.

The heat of the past days has been more then I have ever known. Hot beyond anything I have ever felt. The sun would rise each morning and bring with it a sting that lasted all day and into the night, first reaching 44deg.C (111.2F) the first day then 43deg.C (109.45f) the next and yet still another day of 45deg.C (113F).....................but out the back under the hot tin roof it reached to top of the thermometer 60plus (149F) and beyone.............................O! how I hope the cool Autumn weather could come rushing up to great us many months earlier then it should.

A possum died falling from the hedge..............there is no water for them, Animals come almost begging at your back door even field mice and rats take chances, they just need a drink.

There is not enough power to go around so as we sit watching the fires on the other side of our state................it becomes very dark, we sit there hoping the fan will start whirling around again but it doesn't happen...............they turned off the power to us from Melbourne and beyond to save others. We must sit here in the dark waiting................in the end we waited for over 8 hours.

The fridge................my gosh don't open it! keep the cool in, everything will melt like we are if we open the freezer.

Lets see our elderly friend is he OK? lets go for a drive in the car its cool and take him with us. So for three hours we drive around, him sitting in the back relaxed in the cool breeze that flows around the inside of the car but knowing when we get back to our homes it will be like walking into a hot dark oven again...............for now lets just enjoy!!!

As it gets dark and the streets and homes are all just dark shadows, it feels very strange and very! VERY! quiet almost as if we all just sit and wait but cannot find words to say how we feel and if we do talk its with hushed tones.................why I am not sure.

As the poem starts;

"I love a sunburn't country.........................Yes this is Australia sunburn't and warm beyond anything we have ever known.

AND........We are the lucky ones Adelaide still is in the 40's +++

To all my Aussie friends keep cool and take heart knowing that Autumn WILL!! arrive one of these days.

Looking good my friends!! Yes this snow filled street is looking real good. (smiles)

How proud Am I ?

2009-01-09T08:55:00.010+11:00

A little post today about my mum!

How proud I am of this lady who is my mum and an artist.

So I just want to show off some of her latest paintings that went into a huge art show and sale today and I am sure her paintings will sell first!! (smiles)

This is a set of three poppies and they are quite large O! mum these are so beautiful you have truly excelled.

And this one is also at the exhibition and while it is so different to the poppies it is so very much the kind of art I associate with my mum. She and Ron live by the sea and so these beautiful Victorian style painting are so popular always. Well done mum.

She also did a pair of Roses and no one can paint rose like "my mum" even if I do say so myself. Hers always feel like you could just touch them and expect to feel the softness of the petals and the depth has you looking inside the beautiful flower..............but you will have to take my word on that because a picture of her roses I will have to show you all another time.

In this my art filled Friday - I wish you well!

A LITTLE NOTE HERE TODAY : The poppies have sold on Mon.12th "mum is thrilled"

Happy NEW YEAR!!!

2009-01-01T12:11:00.006+11:00

THANK YOU ALL MY BLOG FRIENDS AND FAMILY:

For listening to "Danny boy" its now time for a change to my music.

But if you want to listen to it again just go to bottom of my blog page and there it is!!

The music that I am playing is a sentimental journey that I go down every New years.
It's a journey with my dad, for my dad, who we lost to cancer several years ago.

This was his song - This is how we my sisters and brothers remember him. singing his song on New years eve.

O! how he loved us his family, his grand children and O! how we loved him.

Coming from Scotland all those years ago and not only falling in love with Australia but also with our mum. Their love brought into the world 5 children and now there are also 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren as well as loving daughter & sons in law. Our path (his path) is set forever in the books of history.

So as we (our family) listen to this his song, Danny boy and a tear rolls down our faces we remember New Years days from our past - and New Years days forever with you singing 'Danny boy" dad.
So to the best! singer we knew who always sang his song Danny boy! as the clock chimed

12 o'clock the beginning of a new year and a new chapter would begin in our lives.

Cheers!!! To all!

May your year be blessed with all those things that make your hearts sing.

May you find wisdom and joy under ever door way on your paths journey in 2009.

So!!! Cheers!!! Dad!! William Roger Hamilton Goodfellow

(now don't you get upset sisters)

This is my New years day Remembering those gone before me making ready my place beside them.

For my friends who are snowed in~knitting fun!

2008-12-30T18:06:00.007+11:00

For those of you who are simply snowed in and winter is knocking at your door.

For those who love knitting........well here is a little knitting fun!

Now you would be forgiven if your thought these little things were two little hand made purses, that is exactly what I was thinking when a dear lady that I know gave them to me for a gift.

Well they are not purses but......................

Slippers............you just slip your feet into the little things hand knitted darlings and there you are running around the house in comfort when you get home at night from a cold and frosty day.

Now don't look at those legs the model was all I could find!! (smiles)

Aren't they so cute (the slippers not the feet) and I think I am going to knit myself some for next winter here in Australia but for now I am happy to run around the house with them on to let you know how super comfortable they are.....

Ok!! I will share the pattern with you so you can make them too!!

Slippers with soul

1 ball of 8ply wool, 4.55mm needles

Cast on 5 stitches, knit 6 rows. Increase in 2nd stitch of each row to (22 stitches)

Next row increase in each stitch across row (44 stitches)

Knit 2 Pearl 2 across every row for 6 inches.

Decrease in 2nd stitch of each row until 5 stitches left , knit 6 rows and cast off

Fold in half sew rib sides together as well as 5 stitches on top together for form strap (bag look)

There you have it!! a lovely little handbag that is in fact a slipper.

SO!! EASY!! Love to you all dear blogger friends!!

My day - Tuesday!!! 30th December 2008

Koala hugs to all on this our "boxing day!"

2008-12-26T23:23:00.007+11:00

A big Koala hug to you all

for Christmas

May all the blessings of This Christmas now past, be yours and may your New year be filled with joy.

Some photos from my kitchen

These are some of my cute Christmas decorations I put up in my kitchen. Kangaroos and Koalas are a big part of an Aussie's life.

I bake for days and now we eat!! for days! (smiles)

A little display on our drinks trolley!

Below are some moments from our Christmas here. We know there are several missing from these pictures but our darling grandchildren and their mums & dads we will visit you all soon.

I am reminded each year how blessed we are and how much the love of a grandchild means to us when they hug you and tell you they love you!

I am blessed every day of my life, in so many ways I simply did not know possible until a small child came into the world.

Today is "boxing day" here in Australia a wonderful day to rest and eat more!! food.

Love to all!!

Do you remember the Vintage high tea? "Well"

2008-12-11T07:54:00.006+11:00

Well Yes! the high tea "Remember this"

My Friends, mum, daughter and grand daughter at the high tea. It was very grand and a lot of fun.

105 ladies made this possible today and with thanks to Grand Lodge for helping us dollar for dollar we were able to hand over a cheque for $6,000.00

Yes yesterday we happily handed the Starlight Children's "make a wish" foundation A CHEQUE!!

Here is Annabel (from starlight) and me with the large cheque.

AND it was the best feeling knowing that all that fun and good spirit of the vintage high tea is now going to help make a wish come true for a very ill child.

They said we had made a wish come true for a child for Christmas but in fact our wish is the one that first came true and that was to do the very best we could to "help children adding a little happiness to their lives"

There is nothing more important in this world then our children and this has been an adventure of a life time.

So God bless the child who's wish we could grant for them!!!

Captain starlight's had a little fun with the photos as well!! There is at right Brian our lodges treasure, Rob my husband and master of Zetland lodge, Barry Grand lodge secretary, Annabel from Starlight, Captains and myself

Here we are in the Starlight room, a place if you are a child in Hospital or just a sibling of a child who is ill to simply escape for awhile and have a lot of fun!!

Thank you to Freemason's Grand lodge of Victoria and here we are those who can be proud to say "We did it!"
Annabel myself and Barry.

I also wish to thank every Member of Zetland lodge no 25 in Kyneton every man and woman associated with the lodge for their help, hard work and encouragement, it was fantastic to have you all by my side to help with my dream of a High tea! raising money of ill Children.

Now all there is to do is unpack these vintage trios and start planning the next one....(SMILES)

This was the best Wednesday I am sure of my life!!!

Deck the halls with bells and holly....tra,lul,lar!!!

2008-12-08T07:47:00.006+11:00

Ti's!! the season to be jolly!!

Tra,lul,lar...............

Oh! yes back to blogging instead of singing!!!

It is time to dress our tree and our home.............Vintage style!!! we only have vintage decorations and a few treasures from our past, like the ones from dear friends in Michigan or the darling pieces from our friends in Maine.......all dear to our hearts. Then there is the ones made by grandchildren they take pride of place on our tree!!

Our tree topper from the 1940's

We also have a friendly village scene my husband puts out (this is when it we in the Melbourne museum)
We have so many boxes of shiny brites and other vintage baubles it is awash with colour on our floor as we choose what to use.

O! my vintage Santa's hang always proudly on our feather tree.

my collection of chenille and other vintage pieces made in Japan.

more beautiful Japan pieces

Then there is the Santa, long tall ones short fat ones tiny ones and big ones!! Ooh! I look forward to putting them out again.

I will add some photos as we "Deck the halls" here at our place filled with our summer Christmas good cheer!!

This is my Monday off to have lunch with some local blogger friends now that is a nice way to spend a Monday!!!

Our Miss A 1st.Birthday & Christening Sunday!!

2008-11-25T08:58:00.010+11:00

A very special day! filled with much joy!! & Happiness.

Our darling grand daughter was christened Sunday and it was such a beautiful day because it was also her first birthday.

Her big brother and sister stayed very close to her while the service was held.

What a joyful moment

Then our daughter and son had us all go to a restaurant to enjoy a family gathering and great food as well as a very special cake. Miss A liked very much the balloons. (smiles)

O! yes a special day full of happiness for this little girl.

Cake that was fun it was all over the place but lots got into the mouth and it was delish!!

Four generations photos - My mum, me, my daughter and birthday girl my grandchild.

Our son Robert and Shelley

Their children our grandsons

The oldest in their clan

***********************
BUT the day begun with a very special rehearsal's and photos for big sisters ballet class so we rushed off to that first before the little sister had her christening.

Here is Miss F with her great grandma ready to go in to have photos taken, little miss riding hood for the ballet concert next weekend. (Her very first!!)

Here are some taking a tiny break to see how they should be placed. Miss F is the one with the hands folded at the back.

Her great gran was so proud as she had not been to ballet before.

My mother lives in South Australia and it was wonderful to have her and Ron over for the weekend they have gone home this morning and I miss my mum very much.

Love always dear mum you are the reason I smile, the reason I laugh and you I am proud to say are the reason I am who I am.

Our family loved being together this weekend and with son's daughter's grandchildren and great grandchildren all around it was wonderful.

This is my Tuesday!! compared to the weekend it is Nothing!!!

Our First Grand daughter

2008-11-14T21:56:00.008+11:00

No.5 in my tributes to our grand children.

This is a tiny tribute to a beautiful grand daughter our first! and she gives such love to her nanni & poppi we treasure every moment we spend with this happy, funny and full of life darling.

Our Miss F

When she was born I am sure all the angels above were playing their trumpets for joy!! this angelic darling came into the world with so much love to share with all those around her and with all the cheekiness and fun of life that one could possibly have.

She has always been very quick to find a way to have a little fun and learnt those knock!! knock! jokes I think before she could walk (smiles)

This little darling is a ballerina and dances to the music not only she hears but also that that fills her heart. I could hug her and hug her some more each and every time I see her, her smile captures your heart easily.

beautiful photo of her and teddy, her friend!!

When her little sister came into the world she was there to always give a helping hand and was a gentle little soul trying hard to sooth her little sisters worries.

We are so proud of you Miss F ands know you will grow into a beautiful woman who's life will be filled with much joy and even more laughter!!

This is number five of my memories of our treasured Grand children and while they are all totally different they are loved by their Poppi & Nanni with arms open wide and heart only for them.

********************

Just a little note to my dear blogger friends to firstly thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the prayers and good wishes I believe you helped my darling husband and me to get through a very troubled time and I am so pleased to tell you all he is doing wonderfully at the moment and we are waiting for the results of further tests. He has all his speech back and has just a little trouble with a few words. His memory is not as fast returning but he will remember all We are told.

Thank you to all! for simply just being!! beside me and my darling!!

This is my Friday!!! and yours Too!!

Just a little update

2008-11-06T08:05:00.003+11:00

Hello dear friends - first thank you all SO MUCH!! for your kind comments and I know it has helped us having so many family and friends beside us.

My husband is home - I don't believe it either but they Have no beds to keep him in hospital so they felt the best place was to have him home going back for many other tests and results of earlier ones.

So we are here, me following him around like a little puppy watching his every move not wanting to let him out of my sight.

He is such an "I'm ok!!" man and has always had trouble letting others know exactly how he feels. But the doctor has said he is going to be ok! and your prays and mine I am sure have had much to do with that result.

The question the doctors are asking is "WHY" so there is much to be done to find out why. They do think that a blood vessel ruptured in the memory part of his brain and that it recovered very quickly.

I am still so worried and last night just watched him as he sleeped - I have taken for granted that my darling would always simply be there. I will not take anything for granted ever again.

Thursday at home!!

My heart is breaking! But all will be ok!

2008-11-03T22:45:00.004+11:00

Just a very quick note to my dear blogger friends letting you know my dear heart, My husband is in Hospital. He was rushed there on Sunday because he has had a stroke............Its not a bad one but they think that it could come.

So He is still in Hospital tonight and I am going to be crying myself to sleep...............it will not help the pain in my heart I know but I was so scared. I was so VERY scared on Sunday afternoon when my darling man came out of his office unable to put words in order or say anything straight. I knew at once there was a problem and the look in his eyes told me he did too.

On the trip to the hospital he could not even remember all the names of the children and g.children in our family either, I was rushing to get there and was so scared for him.

I rushed him the 60 klm's to the nearest emergency Hospital and we waited and waited and waited for help after some 8 hours they looked at him and I had to return home on my own and that was a very hard moment for me...............I cried on the phone to my sister who was lovely to accepted my phone call at 2am in the morning. ( It sounds like I have been crying a lot but I am trying to be strong)

I have just come home from the hospital and because he had a tiny similar one about 4 years ago they are doing many tests on him and want to find this rare reason that it would happen in the same place in his head twice.

Anyway I am so tired and so unable to sleep but know you will all spare a moment to send out a prayer for my man, My darling husband who as my daughter and grand daughter said today is a big softy bear.

Monday a day to be thankful because it could have been a 1000 times worst but a sad Monday because there is so much unknown about what is happening.

2008-10-31T18:31:00.004+11:00

Happy Halloween from down under!

These very scary! witch and skeleton are grandchildren who have taken a little walk with their mummy trick @ treating.

Two very scary grandchildren (I mean witch & skeleton)

Their baby sister went too!!

Happy Halloween to all!

2008-10-27T19:42:00.005+11:00

This is our first grandson darling Mr S

When this little man came into the world our world changed..........we became grand parents and discovered what it was like for the very first time have a darling grandchild to love and to hold.

So this moment in time is for our first born grandchild.

Darling S is the most gentle of them all and We know he will be a sole worth knowing, and will be loved by many as he grows to be a young man, who's love of life and family are so important.

He would be unset with his nanni if I forgot to also mention that he loves football and barracks for the Kangaroo's.

What a beautiful child we adored the pattern of little feet in our home. A feeling beyond description.

He could play for hours with his toys enjoying his own company but always willing to have nanni and poppi get down on the floor and play too.

Those very thinking eyes would get me every time and I being the nanni I am the camera was out every moment and like the others he was always happy to "say cheese" for the camera.

Here he is with his cousins and brother Little man S is in red - look at those smiles and all those teeth.

Christmas at nanni & poppis is a special time and he loves it all the tree, the decorations and the food why even nanni's cushions are Christmas.

Perhaps he will be a gentle musical star. Whatever his path is, he will be adored and loved always by his nanni & poppi!

This little soul is a treasure to his nanni and poppi and he brings a smile to my face every time he starts running when I tell him I am going to give him a big bear hug but he never runs too far or too fast and I always catch him.

We love and adore you dear grandson S

Dear friends I hope you all do not mind me putting up the grandchildren one by one but it is fun looking for a few photos and telling out loud just how I (we) feel in our hearts.....it is good for the soul to yell it to the world.

I may be out of action for a few days - would you believe I have Jury duty next week and am working right up to the day even Melbourne cup day. I had Jury duty two years ago and cannot believe my name came up again.

So this is my Monday and may your Monday fill your heart with joy too!!

Thank you! Sandy.

2008-10-27T07:54:00.005+11:00

Sandy at Flip flop floozie has kindly given me an award..........an award is like getting a gift.

You know the person who has a blog like yours and you hope they love to come on over, to drop in & chat awhile, as you like very much going over to see them.

So Sandy thank you for my gift of friendship.

Sandy I chose this award just because I do like to think I am here to give a helping hand to anyone who would need it.

Thank you for my dear little award.

Memories in no particular order loving them all!

2008-10-26T19:08:00.011+11:00

This is darling grandson number 5

This is the second of my treasured memories.

and this darling is our grandson C

Darling C "the fisherman" He just loves the water and anything to do with it.

How proud we were when you came into the world and how proud we are now having you darling C in our family.

In your poppi's arms that hold you with such love always.

Swimming lessons have started for C this year, and we just know this little man will enjoy every moment of splashing around in the water.

As he grows up his love for the fun of doing things just that little bit different shows and I am sure he will amaze his Nanni & poppi with just what he will achieve in his life.

O! MORE WATER POPPI!!
last years summer fun.

Poppi he loves so much "how much" This much!!!

You can tell I am always the one taking the photos but that is so ok! because he is so like poppi in such similar ways..............both like doing things different to the rest, and at top speed!!

We are truly blessed to have you our darling number 5 grand child in our family.

This is my Sunday! blessed once again and always!

To all my lovely blogger friends, I am sorry but I have changed the way I get comments now.

I have had two very strange comments made on my last post and to tell you the truth I could not get into the profiles of both.

After all this time on blog to see rubbish comments like that was upsetting, so please understand YOUR comments MY FRIENDS COMMENTS I look forward to very much and love getting them so will be posting them as soon as I get them.

Thank you for understanding

2008-10-24T14:07:00.006+11:00

A little trip down the lane of memories.

As many of you know we are gran parents to 9 lovely little ones and so that means such a lot of photos to keep and to hold in our hearts as they all grow older and the bond between us changes and becomes stronger as each year passes.

Grandson J

I have been sorting some of those photos and wanted to share a few today of one of the little boys who now has almost finished grade one at school and we, his grand parents nanni and poppi could not be more proud of this little man.

This is just a few of our photos of our lovely grandson J.

I will share some other photos of EACH of the other eight during the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The mysteries of the ocean shared with nanni & J on a hot summers day.

Learning to write on his chalk board with nanni.

A visit to the Christmas cave. (eyes wide open)

Bringing cows home on a winters day. (his first look at real cows)

Always a cute smile for nanni's constant "look at the camera darling"

THEN.........His first sister arrives into the world and it was love at first sight for little J

The first missing tooth!! (how we found it in the pool I will never know but we did!!)

Love that big smile that We always get when we visit.

Darling Grandson a photo taken before his very first day at school.

Like all nanni's around the world the place in my heart is huge for all of our nine.

This is our second grandchild and just a tiny trip down memory lane. I am proud to say he is our's!!
grandson J

May this Friday be filled with both New! & Old! memories for you all as it is for me!!

My Favourite cream apple slice!

2008-10-11T13:49:00.004+11:00

***************Cream Apple slice*****************

Just love the idea of sharing this recipe with you all and seeing as I am making it today, today is a good time to share this very easy and very popular slice!

Warning!!! they will eat it before it has even cooled (believe me!)

1 plain Packet cake mix in bowl

Mix in 4oz melted butter. Then press into greased slice tin. cook in mod. oven for about 20 mins. till light golden brown. then cool.
then you will need 425g tin of pie apple or your own cooked apple cooled. Along with 1. 300ml carton of sour cream.
Place chopped pie apples over the top of the cooled base.

Then Spread the sour cream over the top of the apples.

Sprinkle lightly with a cinnamon & sugar mix and then bake for 8-10 mins in mod. oven. This is what it should look like when it comes out of oven.

Now best served very cold but as you can see the men in my life today could not wait for that!! now could they.

It is a beautiful dessert but a beautifully enjoyable slice when served cold........but you will have to take my word for that I think that has happened only once in all the time I have made it.

This is a lovely day in my life a Saturday with family!!

Sharing - vintage embroidery & my day.

2008-10-07T15:43:00.004+11:00

A little bit of spring

I am having a few days off work and am already feeling better. I could feel myself getting slower and slower since my illnesses, so a few days will let me take time to smell the roses as they say; but in this case the last of our spring bulbs, here are the last of my tulips with flowering rosemary from "our paddock"

They go beautifully in my kitchen of green & yellow and they add a little freshness to my sideboard. and bring a beautiful rosemary fragrance to the day.

I want to share with you a few photos of two beautifully embroidered table cloths that belong to an elderly friend of mine they were stitched many! many! years ago by her mother and auntie I think she said some 60/70 years ago.

My friend insisted that I use them at the high tea we had last July and I am just freshening them up before I give them back she was in no hurry for them so I have taken my time touching and feeling them often they are so beautiful, so much more then what these photos offer.

Stunning work aren't they? they must have taken many long evenings by the kero lamp.

Please note also that I have been playing with my blog trying in my simple way to update it and just cannot get it right so forgive me if it looks a little ratty!! I will have to take my time on this one.

Blessings to you all dear blogger friends ~ this is my Tuesday!

Rushing around the world!!!

2008-10-04T22:45:00.005+10:00

Hello friends you will never guess what has just happened to me! (O! ok! dear husband too)

We just got broadband connected.

Yes I know it is no big deal but for us who have neighbours who have had it for over a year now and with us still struggling on dial up all this time being told "No sorry!" you cannot get broadband for one reason or another but none making much sense we kept trying and kept getting knocked back......................until some new friends in the computer industry at Kyneton Computers solved the problem and dear Wendy was like a bear with a ball she would not let go until they gave her the right answers and well here we are tonight

Speeding around the world looking at all the photos on all the blogs I want gosh I feel like a new woman and they say speed is nothing!!! it is everything to us here tonight.

So off I go to look at your blog and all the photos and all the back posts and all their photos too......heavenly!! fun!!

See you soon.

Big changes!! well a hair cut is for me!!

2008-09-25T08:20:00.003+10:00

Hello dear friends just dropped in for a second or two to see how everyone is and to let you know I am still alive (just) no really I have a huge cold again and I am beginning to think is is going to be a part of life now for me always (well that is how it feels).

There has been some big changes loosing weight and A HAIR CUT!!

Now that is going to make me feel a little better.

I have been having some great fun at swapbot.com and have been sending out some swaps to very nice ladies around the world.

Will be back for a long look around tonight I again!! miss you all and have myself and my silly cold thing to thank for that....

I just love!! being a nanni This princess and her sister and brother are the love of my life along with the other nine darlings God has blessed me and this family with..............But look at that haircut on that grandmother very "roll on summer!" don't you think?? (smiles)

Little sister growing so fast.................sitting on big sisters bed with Nanni. What a darling laugh you have sweet one.

This bedroom is filled with 120 year old french furniture that is stunning!! AND BIG SISTER let us in to have some photos taken by their mummy. When you are 4years old your room is very special and permission is needed to come into this room lol lol lol! smiles!!

This is my coughing!! sneezing!! Thursday....Blessings to you all.

Catching up! what a busy couple of months

2008-09-10T07:53:00.005+10:00

This last month and so far this month we have been ever so busy. I think it must be the coming of spring, there is something about the buttercup yellow of a beautiful daffodil to bring out the best of you!

Many of you know my husband is the master this year at his masonic lodge Zetland lodge no.25 in central Victoria......well first of all you have to know a little bit of my man and his passion for the art and the beautiful building that hides behind the facade at the front of this building it is the last of its kind in Australia with its Egyptian style and the works of art are the largest you will ever see of the famous artist Thomas F.Levick an accomplished teacher & artist and the Zetland Lodge Egyptian decoration is Thomas Levick's most comprehensive artistic project known to exist in Victoria or elsewhere. So my husband passion is to share with as many as possible the beautiful works and so while we are having our 36th Kyneton Daffodil & arts Festival, it was decided to open the Temple to be viewed by all masons and visitors.

Here are some visitors long with the King & Queen of the festival taking a look around in the lodge room.

My husband telling all he knows about the art and the room in general and one of the elders of the lodge Brian helping out also on the day.

Daffodils fill every corner of our part of the world they are on the sides of the roads and in most gardens it is so lovely to see and it fills our hearts with joy!

Some in my front yard.

a few more just to share!

*******************************

We also had a fantastic American third degree demonstration held at the lodge and many of the men and their partners stayed over night in town. The evening was wonderful and we had a great meal in the south with much fellowship....................this however are the photos of the morning after all the members friends and vistors came back to the lodge for breakfast and we had a great time all over again with so much food it was yum! and had not been done before like this and everyone felt that Zetland Masoic Lodge had gone all out with their country hospitality.

After breakfast we all went to church together and it was so nice to see us all arrive Rob my husband read one of the lessons for the day.

A good chat over breakfast

David one of the lodge members checking sausages for the breakfast table.

Mmmm! what to have it all looks very nice.

*********************************

Also during last month we at Zetland Masonic lodge hosted a very honoured event

"the cup of hope"

a week or two back and that was so interesting as this cup left its own lodge sent on it journey in 1972 and still it has not return to Keystone lodge in America but continues to travel from lodge to lodge bringing with it universal passion faith hope 7 charity to all masonic men.

below are some photos of that night.

My husband the beard at the back centre and a few other men of the lodge.

The cup of hope.

************************************

Another welcome sight to my front door.

********************************

We also had a social night at out lodge and it was a silent movie night and many members, their families and friends all joined in to enjoy some great very old movies.

Gordon McKenzie and his movies he played the organ to the movies.

We feed everyone after every event at this lodge and here we had supper after the movies you can see Gina Patra's Place and her husband in this photo they are dear friends and enjoy the music of Gordon very much.

So that has been our month or two and it looks like I ate too much but enjoyed much friendship with all.

Mmmmmm! Now I have to organise the supper dance, the rump & red night and the wine tasting.............better get going! lol lol lol lol

Love to all my dear friends and thank you for your kind comments on my last post.

Our little orchard springing to life

2008-08-26T07:58:00.004+10:00

The Sun was peaking through the branches of the plum tree this morning. It is trying so hard to warm us, but the clouds and rain still come. It is so wet and soggy out in our little orchard, yet I can see the promise of plums, pears and apples even in these branches already.

It is trying so hard to shine and bring warmth to my little tired orchard.

The grass is high but the bulbs can find their way through, and they reach out higher to put on a lovely spring show.

The trees look very tired but they will be fine when the sun warms their branches.

This pear tree was planted in the early 1900's. I think it is beautiful and it gives us some lovely pears each year.

It's branches, gosh! if only they could talk. I wonder what they have been witness to over those many years. The town had grown around it and then died back and changed and now here it is again without the trucks and many cars rushing past but peacefully resting in our little orchard ready to start life again and to produce its beautiful pears.

I just took a little look around our sad little house today it cannot wait for spring, as we also cannot wait. then our home will be once again worked on and the building part of our renovations (that have gone on for forever) will begin again and that window I planned to look out to the orchard will show me a garden filled with age and new beginnings and how good is that?

why its wonderful!!

This is my Tuesday - blessings to you all

Spring is Juuuuust! about here "yipee!"

2008-08-20T07:27:00.002+10:00

SPRING!!! WONDERFUL!!!

Spring yes how wonderful it is trying ever so hard to peak through the clouds to let us know she is on her way.

This morning I noticed...............it's like a feeling you have. When I walked with my husband to his work van to see him off to work, it feels much warmer and lighter of course.

The days are getting longer and the birds are testing their songs. We noticed the fairy wrens are returning and its great to know they have come home to the same spot they do every year, Their nest in the little weeping tree outside our office door.

The rain is still falling but it is not that bitter cold times we have had, but now spring rain is falling right now as we speak.

But its also the garden were you notice it the best, The spring bulbs are getting ready to burst into flower with their purples and yellows and a few Reds. Then there are the weeds popping up they would like to take over I am sure, but I am going to try and get them before they get me this year. With the rain we have had in the past month or two they are I am sure going to be stronger this year.

The vegetable garden, as sad as it looks, is going to be dug over for the summer vegetables to go in, as soon as we are sure the frost is gone we will pop in tomatoes as well as the rest. There is nothing like fresh salad from your garden in the summer months.

Inside my home too it feels like spring is almost here, I think it is the colour I like to put out and the need to display my vegetables and fruits in bowls again. For me it must be my internal clock taking over knowing winter is almost gone. I have cleaned and polished almost as much as I can, in a home that I am sure will never have it's renovations finished after these long years.

Here is some beautiful irises I got from my boss & my friend this week, they bring a little of spring into the lounge room.

On the 4th of September is our Daffodil festival and it always! shows us that spring has arrived. People of the town get out and about more, they are again happy to stand in the streets and chat with a friend, not bundled up in those heavy coats, but out enjoying the festivals great events.

I will share some more of spring with you as the days grow longer here in Australia, but until then may your day be filled with the happiness of life.

Well I think I need it!

2008-08-15T12:37:00.013+10:00

Mum two closeup's you wanted me to send. Hope this is ok!

Edited post for my arty! farty! lovely mum to see the artwork on this apron she painted for a dear swapper friend of mine in USA. I do hope she likes this one and the other six I sent.....I know but I decided seven days of aprons was so much more fun to pack & send then just one Vintage apron swap....................and you all know how Vintage is so much a part of my life!!

I am sure I need another jug!

Wednesday I went down to see some of our darling grandchildren and while I was down there I went into an op-shop on Sydney road looking for a vintage apron for a swap I am in......I did find a couple of aprons and will show you them too...............washed and on the line along with the one my mum painted on the end there!..

However I also brought home a very cute Jug (Well I think I need it!) that is the words I said to my husband as it came out of the warm suds in the sink and me lovingly drying it.

I explained it had many things going for it.

Me: "its very cute"

Hubby: "you have many cute jugs"

Me: "its green"

Hubby: "you also have many green jugs"

Me: "well yes! but it also has spots"

Hubby: "well yes! you have got me there we have green jugs with cherries and flowers and even animals but no spots!"

Me: "See I told you I think I needed it"

Hubby gave up and laughed and just walked away. (smiles)

Now what do you think???? I like my new, old, vintage, little, dear, & beautiful jug!

Can you see it up on the shelf?

Can you see it now?

O! yes I agree I needed a green jug with spots didn't I.

BUT!!! HEHEHEHE!

I also got a a few other little pieces. a bit of embroidery, a truly lovely little maling pudding bowl and a great old like new pot holder, but best of all another (one must have a spare) of the BEST! older can opener's in the whole world. "Never give me one of those fancy new ones" I tell my family just look for these darling's they work so well.

SWING-A-WAY is what they are called and I believe they come from USA.

I am sure I needed all these pieces too. But you know what that is "this woman's secret" OK!

I wish you all a wonderful Friday, it is cold here but with the open fire burning things feel just right........you know what I mean!

Two of my indulgence - Coffee & Country Living.

2008-08-11T08:05:00.004+10:00

Friday I was enjoying two of my very favourite things a Coffee (Latte') and a magazine I gave bought since 1983 and I still have them all too! (smiles)

The American Country Living was one of the very first things that helped me visit those vintage loves I have in America, the homes, the Antiques, the stories and the summer when it is winter here.

The magazines take a long time to get into the store but when they do I am always the first to get one and you will find me reading every word of every page.

The latest arrived on Friday and well with a cafe' next door and the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans how could one not just have a need to sit and read awhile.

So I enjoyed this coffee at Cafe' 101 in Kyneton Victoria, but as they tell me the coffee is grown in Brazil by farmers who have grown the coffee beans for generations. The green bean is then roasted by Segafredo to its own standards to produce the classic Italian arabbatic flavour.

They then will make you a delish!! coffee here at cafe' 101 but if you close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you you could be in Milan, Orvieto or Marseilles but here we are in a tiny little town in the middle of Victoria Australia a very long way away from Italy, enjoying the art of coffee.

Why the seahorse?..........I hear you ask well I too asked the same question it was explained to me that like the seahorse out in the ocean the men in this cafe' do "ALL THE WORK!" (smiles) Well I am glad because their work comes to you in the form of a great moment in your day "great coffee at great cafe"

Now I am going to read some more of my magazine and daydream I am there.

Love to all.

A tiny look at were I work ~ an op-shop

2008-08-09T17:37:00.004+10:00

Hello to all!!

It is so cold here tonight and with the wood fire burning away and a warm meal on the stove and well watching some of the olympics tonight I just felt it would be nice to share some photos with you all. these I took last Thursday at the op-shop (thrift shop) I work at in Kyneton.

I enjoy very much doing the displays.

Have a lovely evening everyone ~ it may snow here tonight we are told.

A day for only us! ~ now that is different.

2008-08-05T17:16:00.006+10:00

Let me tell you how it all began............we woke up Friday morning and Rob did not rush out to the shower at 5.30am but rushed out to the kitchen next thing I know we are sitting up in bed Electric blanket on chatting drinking hot tea, I was so surprised because there I was thinking the day was as normal rushing to do this and that but NO! we had the day off I was told and so what would we like to do?

So after a lovely hot breakfast we it was decided we would take a drive but were too.

I said lets go for a drive to Shepparton and then I can get some tinned fruits from the SPC cannery and that is what we did. It was SO COLD! and it rained all the way but we did not care we chatted and watched the green countryside rush on bye while we enjoyed a day together talking about anything and everything on the way.

We took a drive around Shepparton and I simply had to go and say hello to the Salvos girls and then it was lunch time. Well who's bright idea was it to have a barbecue outdoors in the freezing cold............well both of us decided that was a good silly thing to do. so we bought some sausages and bread rolls and had a great time cooking up a storm while a huge rain storm came over us and we huddled around the electric barbecue under cover but I know people going past looked at us and said "look at those silly idiots out in the weather!"

They were the nicest sausages we had ever eaten and we laughed about it all the way home.

While the snags! cooked we checked out the cattle on the lawn.

Rob liked this cow he said it matched his jumper Mmmmmm! I am not sure.

I liked this cow because it reminded me of our open fire at home all nice and warm. lol lol lol!

On the way home we found the spot were many people were detained at this camp called Greytown it was a POW camp and its history in not known much.

Its hard to read but it tells you that even the men on the German ship that sunk the HMAS Sydney were here as well.

This is a picture of the camp as it was way out here in the bush Camp no.6 it was.

And this is my husband Rob and the fence from the picture above or what is left of it. It was so interesting out there and until a short time ago we did not even know Australia had prisoners of war camps.

Then I had to take a photo of a lovely old slab hut that we found a true Aussie piece it looks so nice in the vary rare sunshine that came out just for this photo.

Before we knew it we were home again but yes to a warm open fire and a nice big mug of hot dark chocolate yum! it was so good to get away for the day just the two of us and you know I think we will just have to do it again real soon.

Love to all

Thankful Sunday ~ On this Winter day

2008-08-03T13:39:00.005+10:00

The weeks since the high tea are a bit of a blur ~ truly they are.

But now that life is getting back to normal you would not believe how long those cloth napkins took to wash, dry & iron but that is another story.

Today I so very much wish to say THANK YOU! to two very dear ladies and these words should have been said many, many days ago.

I never stopped thinking them but never once showed them how much I adore the thoughtful gifts they gave us at the time of the high tea.

Firstly Gina from Patra's Place This dear friend has been in my life now for a couple of years and I mostly think of her as not only a dear friend but a sister too. friendship comes in all shapes and sizes and this friendship while at times we find it hard to catch up our there with our husbands she is always in my thoughts.

Gina and I met firstly on the chat boards of eBay and I loved her comments and idea's. I loved that her passion for collecting embroidery pieces was so strong and it was she who told me I too could show my passion for china at the Melbourne museum's community collections show. We then met up at the "Antiques roadshow" her with just a few of her beautiful Australian embroidery pieces and Rob & I with some of his masonic treasures.

Now I want to thank her from the bottom of my heart for a beautiful cross stitch she made for Rob & I and gave me on the day of the high tea it is so beautiful and every stitch she has put on this lovely piece unknown to her shows us (Rob & I) how far our marriage has come.

But Were have the 25 years gone! why wasn't it just yesterday we stood in that huge church with family and friends giving our love forever to each other. 25 years my gosh! there have been many moments when it was a tuff day! and there were many moments when nothing but love and laughter got us through the day but we would not change one moment of all those years and pray our next 25 years are as eventful and happy as the first.....................and for the reminder of what life is all about I thank my dear friend Gina.

AND.....

There is another dear lady who showed much love on the day of the high tea and a very quick "thank you" was all I could find to show her how much I was thankful for her gift on the day.......but you know I was so pleased to receive such a lovely lot of books because it showed me that while we had never met but had only read each others blogs she already knew me so well.

The cook books are wonderful and the writing note paper and two vintage programs from the Royal Ballet and the Opera are such beautiful gems that while ill I read them over and over again. Gosh Bridget from miss eagle if only I could wear my hair in the styles of the ladies of the opera~ how stunning they look.

I thank you for being in my life and hope that as times goes bye there will be many more times were I will have an opportunity to visit with you and chat about all things important to two ladies of this world. (smiles)

How lucky it is to know I have friends like these.

Blessings to all this Winter Sunday in Australia

YEP! its official "WE HAVE TWO TEETH!'

2008-07-15T22:43:00.005+10:00

Two TEETH! YIPPEE!

Our darling little grand daughter now has two tiny teeny little front teeth.

This is the photos of proof.

What a cute picture from her mummy & daddy we got today and her big sister and brother are so proud of her too.

Doesn't time go so fast it feels like just a few short weeks ago Miss A came into the world and now here she is getting up on her knees and showing us her very first little teeth.

It is not that often we get great photos of daddy and his children so here are some lovely photos our daughter sent us and her husband, one very proud dad in these photos with all three of his wonderful children our grandchildren.

His youngest and her first two teeth! - so cute.......yes I know I am Nanni so I would say that but look at that little smile.

And look at these two, his darling first born his very special son and his oldest daughter a beautiful princess gosh I love them so!!

Tony is a great dad and wonderful to our daughter and his family. We are proud of him and love that he chose our daughter to spend all the days of his life with.

I am feeling ever so blessed tonight which is a good thing as I have been so very ill over the past two weeks with a chest infection and still cough like it is my last breath but getting better all the time.

love to all my dear blogger friends around the world.

"high tea" was SO! MUCH! FUN!

2008-06-30T20:04:00.007+10:00

High tea for 104 dear ladies

After all this time it feels so good to be "normal" again I am going to get back into blogging and to visit and sit here for days and days to catch up but right now I want to show just a couple of photos of the high tea we had last Saturday.

My mother, daughter and grand daughters

The sun was shining and the ladies were full of good cheer when they came into the hall.......champagne (bubbles) were served as they arrived and fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate were offered to them. Then as they gathered the double doors were pushed open and into the hall all decked out for the "Vintage high tea" they came with much Oohs & Aahs they found their tables and their seats.

some of the tables almost ready for the ladies.

My dear mum came all the way from South Australia to help and cooked me over 250 scones now that is a lovely mum.......................mum I love you!

Ladies arrived in hats and families of ladies some three and even four generations came along so grandmothers were with daughter and their daughters it was so special.

A table of lovely ladies

The event as I have said before was to raise money for the Starlight children's foundation hoping to grant a very ill child a very special wish! not all the monies have been added up yet but so far it looks about $3400.00 plus is the amount.

some of the cupcakes all dressed up for the high tea.

So here are a few photos I will share tonight and will add more as I get back to normal blogging again this week (yippee!!!) I love that my world is getting back to normal.

All my china (all 104 trios) were vintage and a discussion was had about styles and likes at the end of the day.

Love to you all

Lee-ann

O! my! it truly is going to happen (smiles)

2008-05-08T12:09:00.005+10:00

Hello dear blogger friends

Yes at last the days of a few short weeks are coming and going very fast until the "Vintage English high tea" on the 28th of June will arrive.

We are supporting the starlight children's foundation they help a little child's wish come true and put a little fun in their lives.

some of the vintage china trios for the high tea.

I am putting on what I hope will be a lovely afternoon for many ladies of the lodge and the town and family and friends as well. (only ladies of course)

I wish you could all come on over and join us you know each and everyone of you would be welcome. here is your invitation.........

front page.

Inside page

(click on to make bigger to read)

The invitations are now all out and I hope they were pleased with them, then there is the entertainment and the drinks (lots of tea = lots of teapots) then there is the food and the tablecloths and the vintage tea sets, the raffle prizes and so on and so forth!! (its ok! she Say's I can cope)

I look forward to the day and having lots of fun it has been a big job taking up much of my already busy days and nights but to have my dear friends and family and the dear ladies from our small town all gathered in the one spot being served by the men will be a good thing and a happy time.

I have found many wonderful raffle prizes and gifts from around the world over the past months and all I can say is "bless the Internet" it helps hunt out the best of the best.

We are all well here one of our daughters and her husband and the three grandchildren are in Fiji on holidays and are having a wonderful time, our oldest son and his two sons are enjoying Aussie football at the moment and look forward to each weekend. they play like chaps. Our other daughter and her husband and two grandchildren are getting ready to renovate their home it will be stunning she is a very modern lady, and the youngest son and his partner and our two darling grandchildren are doing fine working hard and the children are growing fast.

I must say one more thing here today: last Tuesday was my dear fathers birthday he would have been 78 so I want to share that I whispered "happy birthday" to him many times that day and I know he could hear from heaven he just couldn't tell me so!

I love you dad - I miss you!

I Do hope this finds your hearts singing and your days filled with love.

Just A moment in time!

2008-04-05T22:31:00.006+11:00

There are many reasons why blogging is missing from my life at this moment in time!

Some reasons are selfish! and others are beyond my control!

But for the most part it is simply life!

I have so much I want to tell you dear blogger friends and so much to share, there's the time our newest grand daughter laughed for the very first time for her nanni and the special moments had with the other eight little ones over the school holidays, that will soon be finished.

Very cute! 4 month old darling

Poppi showing how to blow bubbles look at Miss F now that is how it is done!

There is the wonder of going to work each day to the thrift shop not knowing what will be found in a box of donations will it be treasure or trash! & the wonderful people I get to meet and chat with - just what I love to do! (smiles)

Then still more great times with another of our grandchildren's family - why there were to many fish to catch in Mr C's back yard!

Mr C's a fisherman!

Then there was the recovery from an illness that simply rushed up to me and before I knew it it had a good hold!

O! Then there was the wonderful Masonic Installation my husband is now the master of a lovely old lodge that will celebrate its 150th year next year.

My husband and his team for this year that my dear heart center top!

These are but a few "moments in time" that keep me from my blog at the moment but I think about all of you every day YES!! "believe it or not! but I do"

I wonder how Sue is doing after the sad loss of her grandfather and the Art being created by Janet, along with joy that darling little New grandchild of Helen's will be bringing to her life, Why I also ask myself how is Annie doing with her writing and her crochet and How is Alice and her gardens after the rains. Just to mention just a few! but I think about such a lot of my dear friends around the world and wish you my good wishes always.

I have taken the time tonight to spend "Just a moment in time!" to touch my blog with my thoughts so you will all know I am still here. Because you see a cousin's funeral was yesterday A reminder of how short like and time can be, He died of a heart attack in his sleep - just a young man with a little child and wife and a huge family filled with kindness and love and I got to thinking How yes time rushes past us at such a speed and who knows when it is our turn to pass over, so we must take ever opportunity to send our love to our family and friends and to reach out to those we care about always.

So here I am today simply reaching out to you all with "Just a moment in time!"

Lee-ann

This Friday!

2008-03-07T09:40:00.003+11:00

Just wanted to say hello! to all and catch up on everyones news today.

I may even do a "Show & tell" too but for now I just want to say hello!

I have been unwell and until this week the doctor was thinking I had pneumonia and seeing as the cough was a problem only for a week I was not so sure.

During this past three weeks I simply had nothing in my head to say and the energy was gone but am feeling back on top of the world so here I am at my computer today and looking forward to catching up with all.

Blessings to those who have wonderful news and to those who find sadness filling their lives and to those also who's lives are as happy and busy as when I last visited you.

Lee-ann

O! the wonder of a "Birthday party"

2008-02-17T23:08:00.003+11:00

And the wonder of a grand daughter who has just turned 4 years old.

A lovely party and a special day with family and friends at a fun park.

going down the slide together!

Hugs for birthday girl from the (what was it again!!) O! yes a scary! thing!!

O! and the room filled with balls is ALWAYS! FUN! just ask me! it was "nanni get in with us and then we can cover you with balls". (right! I'll give it a go!! and I did!)

Birthday girl Miss F and her cake.

Big puff! well done all four candles At once! how beautiful.

Why thank you miss F Yes nanni will have some delish!! birthday cake.

Big brother and his friend were there too! but being big 6 years old boys they came for the biggest slides and the biggest piece of birthday cake ~ but Mr J loves his little sisters very much.

This is my Sunday - Yours I am sure is filled with happiness too.

Lee-ann

PEAR TREE COTTAGE!

What not another birthday!!

We love Genealogy!

It is the season for change!

Hello everyone!

damaged myself "Again!"

From March to July!.............

GOSH! is it the 1st of March??????

Floods in Queensland

waiting and watching!

Australia's first Saint - Sister Mary Mackillop

Pink breakfast - grand lodge style

Happy 1st Birthday - hugs nanni & poppi

A sad week end.

Kyneton daffodil & arts Festival - wow! it is huge fun

GOOD MORNING! World..........O! yes its me.

I am here! but JUST NOT HERE!

I HAVE STARTED BREATHING AGAIN!!!

Dear Blogger Friend:...........

Shiny Baubles hang on our tree!

Update on our lives - the road we travel

Spring in our part of the world - brings art to life.

With swords drawn "Let the battle begin!"

An emergency at our place!

We have a date!!

"Just the two of us!"

Were have the many days gone since my last post?

Re-dressing my sideboard summer to winter!

A darling has arrived into this world!

We are having a new grand child tomorrow!! (smiles)

A little bit of bad news!

Stained glass of life

A drip in a bucket.

A day at home...........with husband

150th Birthday success!!!!

With saddness - he was called home

HIGH TEA! - Its on again!!

The wedding!

My Easter wish

A day off! A day all to myself!!

My dear friends

Words could never describe the past two days...........NEVER!!

"A week or almost two" Is that all it has been!!

******How proud Am I ?******

Happy NEW YEAR!!!

For my friends who are snowed in~knitting fun!

Koala hugs to all on this our "boxing day!"

Do you remember the Vintage high tea? "Well"

Deck the halls with bells and holly....tra,lul,lar!!!

Our Miss A 1st.Birthday & Christening Sunday!!

***********Our First Grand daughter***********

Just a little update

My heart is breaking! But all will be ok!

Thank you! Sandy.

Memories in no particular order loving them all!

My Favourite cream apple slice!

Sharing - vintage embroidery & my day.

Rushing around the world!!!

Big changes!! well a hair cut is for me!!

Catching up! what a busy couple of months

Our little orchard springing to life

Spring is Juuuuust! about here "yipee!"

Well I think I need it!

Two of my indulgence - Coffee & Country Living.

A tiny look at were I work ~ an op-shop

A day for only us! ~ now that is different.

Thankful Sunday ~ On this Winter day

YEP! its official "WE HAVE TWO TEETH!'

"high tea" was SO! MUCH! FUN!

O! my! it truly is going to happen (smiles)

Just A moment in time!

This Friday!

O! the wonder of a "Birthday party"

How proud Am I ?

Our First Grand daughter