too many works in progress

quilt in progress

the discipline that I have tried to exercise, that is not to start a new project without finishing the one at hand, has gone out the window. I currently have three quilts in progress, one cross-stitch, and now this tapestry.

noah's ark

And although I might have been disciplined in not starting new projects without finishing the one at hand, I have never been disciplined in the purchasing of kits, or materials for projects. I have dozens of cross-stitch patterns waiting in the wings, half a dozen quilting kits lined up, in addition to an assortment of crafty projects, and thanks to today's visit to Prints Charming's new store in Annandale, I have a few more crafty bits.

Prints Charming

birds

rocket ship

Topped off by a visit from Special P this afternoon bearing gifts and I am truly gone in keeping my golden rule.

fabric gifted

thursday thirteen #5... holiday destinations!

Thirteen Things about our holiday destinations Been too... 1…. Tokyo, Japan (2004 & 2005)! 2…. Copenhagen, Denmark (2004 & 2005)! 3…. London, Bath, Bristol, Liverpool, UK2004 (2004)! 4…. Aalborg, Denmark (2004)! 5…. Llandudno, Nth Wales (Loved it, 2005)! 6…. Manchester, UK! 7…. Auckland NZ(2006 (Ellerslie Flower Show))! Where we would like to go... 8…. Singapore! 9…. Hong Kong (to see Pako from Uni & visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club)! 10…. Dubai (for the shopping)! 11…. Shanghai, China (again, for the shopping (for 'L')! 12…. Anywhere in Vietnam! 13…. More time in Tokyo, Denmark and the UK! That's my lot, what about you? Please tell me where you have been, and where you most would like to go... Links to other Thursday Thirteens! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! thursday thirteen

I am going BACK to work for a rest, WHAT a weekend!!

On Friday, L and the M.I.L went to a Quilting show in Sydney Exhibition Center (whilst I worked) and then we stayed over for dinner, Indian Curries.

Saturday, I had pre-arranged to take the F.I.L to get his new printer, an ex-lease PC (his CD rom drive had died, and it cant be replaced so I found a very cheap ex-lease one for less than IF they had the parts...), and a new graphics card for our old desktop. This ended up being an all day event, that had me going back to the store with his new (old) as they had forgotten to load XP before they close at 4.30!!

Then on Saturday night, we went to a Sri Lankan festival event, my god, what a night! Heaps of food, and the music was great. We had a ball, but a very late night and still no graphics card installed!

L&B

Sri Lankan Festival

To much food

Dancing

Entertainment
Sunday morning had me off to complete an early morning task and to return with breakfast. I was home for all of 5 mins and finally installing the card. This was a very easy thing to do. By the time this was done however, we were off to L's favourite brothers place (he has just moved in) and then for some Yum Cha. We finally got home around 4.30pm and I could finally start playing with my new toy...

Friday, I got a new toy, a Canon EOS 400D, and a Navman as well (although, this will save mobile calls from L asking how do I get from here to where I'm going... I am LOST).
Here they are, taken with old camera:

New Toys

And the old toy, taken with the 'NEW' toy:

Old Toy

This was actually the first photo taken with the new toy...

Macc

So, with one of these, I off to work in the morning for a rest...

Coffee

thursday thirteen # 4... why I love where I work...

Thirteen Things about why I love where I work... 1…. When it looks this good, wouldn't you? BGT-Aerial-View 2…. In one Garden, we have a bog, and in another, we are almost in a desert! 3…. We have remnant Cumberland Plains, and also show Cold Climate plants! 4…. Showcase Plant Diversity, whilst researching Conservation! 5…. We entertain with Events, and educate through our Education Department! 6…. We maintain the long dead (Herbarium) yet breed (in the Nursery)! 7…. Australia's OLDEST Garden! 8…. We tell the stories of our Indigenous people! 9…. We have a great Shop! 10…. Not to mention a good Restaurant! 11…. Sydney Gardens:- It's Harbour views! RBG12…. Mount Annan: - Showcasing Australian Native Plants! MABG 13…. Mount Tomah: - Picturesque Mountain views across the valleys! MTBG

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

thursday thirteen

pa's birthday

pa's birthday 2007

at thirty seven I am extremely lucky to still have my maternal grandparents. It was my grandfather's ninety second birthday on the weekend and of course we celebrated on Sunday, with an afternoon tea at their home. And for a sweet tooth this was the perfect picture of him surrounded by sweet treats and my grandmothers china tea cups.

BGT stalker...

Last Thursday, in between a meeting at work and a site visit within our Heritage Glasshouses, we came across this little critter. She is an Echidna and is only young. Needless to say, that it took a little longer to get up to inspect the Glasshouses!!

BGT Stlaker

She was a visitor from the Zoo to our Education department, and was one of two that had recently been attacked by the Zoo's resident Ravens...

Isn't she cute?

thursday thirteen # 3 'my dad'

Thirteen Things about my dad

1. 'nevertheless' is one of my dad's words


2. my dad has been married to my mum for 38 years


3. he is the youngest of 5 children


4. he has a passion for traditional bookbinding which he has learnt to craft through TAFE


5. my addiction to shopping and collecting is to a good part in genes I have inherited from my father


6. I look like my dad and his side of the family


7. if you need a pep talk you can count on dad


8. dad is a master handyman, he fixed all the broken panes of glass in our house when we moved in two years ago yesterday


9. he is also the master provider; when we needed curtain rods he miraculously came up with enough for every room in the house and for the neighbours too if they had wanted them. The rugs in the loungeroom, dining room, bedroom were also supplied and come to think of it quite a bit of the furniture. I think this reinforces number 5


10. he likes to watch Home and Away, although when we were growing up he would call it Far and Away


11. he still closes the door to the car for my mum when they go for a drive. If you are female he will also see you safely into the car and close the door for you


12. he is the most careful driver I know


13. my mum is responsible for one of his passions, the family tree, she wanted some photos of our ancestors to put into an album for my 21st birthday. I never got the album because dad is still working on it.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

thursday thirteen

would you look at this

Vicki now has a website, and isn't her art great? Vicki and B used to work together and became friends, and I am proud to say I am the owner of 'walking the dog' which you can view in the gallery on her website. The trees are collaged (not a word I know) and the man in the photo is B walking Macc (our dog). These last two aspects are my interpretation. But that's what art is all about isn't it?

There is a nice little story about how I came to own this picture, B had taken me to Vicki's exhibition at the glasshouse in the Botanic Gardens, he was supporting his friend and knew I would love her work. A lot of the artworks were sold but this was among those left and I loved it. I am a bit of a procrastinator and couldn't really justify buying art, what with a mortgage and me being the home financial nazi. Crazy really because we have a lot of art on the walls, I have a real weak spot for it. But I wasn't really expecting to be be buying art this particular day.

Anyways, B had a quiet word with Vicki that I didn't know about, and back at work made arrangements to divert his superannuation payments for a period of time to pay Vicki for the painting. This was particularly sneaky because it would not affect what was being banked from week to week. I was given the painting for my birthday that year, and I was sooooo surprised.

joining in

given the fathers day celebrations that seem to be taking place in the USA and UK, here is a photo of my dad taken recently.

Dad enjoying High Tea in the tearoom

I really love this photo it was taken a few weeks back at the tearoom in the QVB when we were celebrating B's graduation with High Tea. My dad looks so well, handsome, proud of our achievements, and pleased to be treating us to tea and cake.

So even though it is not fathers day until September here in Australia, I thought I would share and join in on the celebrations nevertheless*.

*'nevertheless' is one of my dad's words

TT # 2... l's thursday thirteen

Thirteen Things about 'L' 1…. My family home was number 13! 2…. I love chocolate, if you leave it in my presence for too long I will eat it. Sorry! 3…. My favourite colour is blue, although currently in a pink period! 4…. I am a 'Magazine Aholic', we have thousands...! 5…. I will NOT barter for a better price at market stalls. I have 'B' to do that! 6…. I procastinate too often and for too long! 7…. Anxiety and me go hand in hand! 8…. I'm additcted to eBay! 9…. Eldest of 4 children, and last to become pregnant (but working on it...)! 10…. I am a sucker for something marked as reduced or SALE! 11…. Although I say it now, I have finished doing any more study (until my next degree..)! 12…. Celebrating International Webloggers Day on 14 June! 13…. It has taken me three days to put this list together and I needed B's help to finish it (he knows me better than I know myself)!! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

thursday thirteen

Like father (my favourite brother) like son.

Like father (my favourite brother) like son.

I love this photo of my favourite five year old nephew. After a day of x-box with a bit of gardening thrown in, it was time for a nap whilst watching ABC kids.

What I really love about this picture is that it is a bit of history repeating. His dad, my favourite brother, always made sure his toys were comfortable and taken care of before he went to bed at night, even if this meant there was no room left for him in the bed. I am sure this is an indication of a caring and gentle personality.

My favourite nephews were spending the day with me whilst renovations were being carried out on their new home, so whilst the terrible (tongue in cheek) two year old was napping I planned to sew on the binding of the little boys quilt that was inspired by him and his lurv of cars. However, the five year old nephew decided it was right just as it is, and who can resist such admiration of your work. Not me.

i saw a circus

circus in central park quilt top

I have spent the day with mum and dad. It would have been a good day to spend at home as it was unbelievably stormy, and in typical me fashion, I got us real lost right from the get go. Thank god, I have a navman, he is called a husband on speed dial.

I had planned this day to get dad out of the house and as a bit of a distraction. Anyway, I totally distracted him, I think he was a bit incredulous that I had got us lost only 15 minutes into the trip. The destination for the day was Dural, where we could take in a couple of antique shops, and lunch at Greenshades in the warmth of their open fire.

If we hadn't got lost we wouldn't have seen the red and white striped circus tent at Silverwater that has provided me with the inspiration for the backing fabric for the Circus in Central Park quilt top that is now sewn. I shall just have to find it.

thursday thirteen...

Thirteen Things about burntofferings (L & B) 1. We own a Greyhound (Macc), a cat (Jasmine), an inside fish (Fighting Fish that Jas drinks from) and fish in the bathtub/lilly pond up in the back garden. 2. We are both keen gardeners, but only one has a qualification. 3. L enjoys any sort of craft (Quilting, X-Stitching, Knitting…). 4. L has finally finished her studying (for now). 5. How stupid am I, as I am doing another degree! 6. I have 3 scars from two operations. 7. Both L and I have a combined age greater than our house which was built in 1928. 8. On average each day, both L and I, we do in excess of 150klms to get to and from work! 9. When L smiles, she does not have any dimples in her checks. 10. The longest time away from L was in July 2005 when I went to Nth Wales for 3 weeks. Not bad in the 10 years I have known her! 11. I would like to get a new car (Suzuki Vitara of course). 12. I love it when there is the smell of fresh cut grass and a thunderstorm is approaching. 13. I love you L.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

a point in time...

I know, so it's a little bit silly, but hey, we need a laugh about now...
Date/time of post:
12.34 on the 5/6/7!

the week that was... a review!

Well folks, let me update you all on the week that was.

As you will remember, last Monday, the F-I-L-M (Father-in-Law) went in for (using his words) a small procedure on his heart. 49 burns to his heart & 10 hours later, a very heavily sedated FIL returned to the ward and all concerned family were around his bedside. Tuesday, which was to have been his return home, found the MIL in a very distressed way, so I left work no sooner after arriving (and not to return all week mind you, thanks for a caring boss...) so it was me dashing off to pick her up, down the M2 and to the hospital. At this stage, FIL was in considerable discomfort in his chest.

We left the hospital that afternoon so as he could rest and to get some lovely Lebanese food for lunch, returning a couple of hours later. A very late night after visiting the FIL, we were exhausted and L had to pack as she was going to Melbourne the following day.

Wednesday saw me taking the MIL again to the hospital as the FIL was still in pain. More tests were required today and by the evening, he was being ventilated and another drip was put into his arm for IV antibiotics. That night, his AF heart rhythm had returned and sent him into depression and in a phone call to the MIL, he was quite upset as this procedure was to have helped, even though it was experimental. So, off again I go to pick up the MIL, off to the hospital, sit there all day with them whilst tests are being performed... yikes, it was a long day, and have you ever noticed that hospital food is not that great!! Even the FIL was not impressed, come on, your in Coronary Care, of course you can't have SALT with your dinner!!!Whilst L was in Melbourne, I was trying hard to keep her informed enough so as not to be distressed, not that there was anything she could do, but she almost was going to fly back home, I was also either at the hospital, at the in-laws, or getting to bed very late! Needless to say, NO study was done during the week for my Uni.

After what seemed an eternity, we finally got discharged and off home we go along the M2. After dropping the FIL at home, I took the MIL off to the shops as there was going to be a roast pork for dinner, YUMM!!! During the evening, L calls to see how everyone is going, and I couldn't resist so I put on the nephews on to say hello, then the FIL, then the MIL and back to me. Then found out that she was rushing between a meeting and for the business dinner that she was there for so I was only able to say a quick HI!!

Friday saw L busy all day in Melbourne and on a return flight home in the early evening of which we stopped by to say a quick hi to the FIL and home about 10pm...

So, that was the week that was. The FIL is continuing to get better, although, bitterly disappointed in his heart operation not being a success. So it was a weekend back to the books, or in the case of this subject, to the PC as it is all on-line about Global Environmental Systems: - Climatology!

new finds

Flinders St Station Clocktower

as is mandatory on a trip to Melbourne I raced into Douglas and Hope where I managed to find a birthday present for the next sister down, although I would really like to keep what I bought her for myself. I should have bought two. I did by myself a pattern for a cute little doll 'miss buttons', and discovered that the cute little bird I liked in the window of Husk, is by tuesday designs.

I only had half an hour to do the rush around today, but managed to make it to Little Salon where I bought a couple of knitted cauliflower baby rattles for gifts. I might post a photo of these later, as they are currently beautifully gift wrapped.

Opuntia playbunniae

I was walking past our Plant Identification department the other day, and almost fell over backwards when I saw this...

You will see the large wound in the main section of this cactii which resembles the eye, but can you see a small wound that also is the mouth of the famous Playboy Bunny?
Loved it so much, I just had to blog it...

Opuntia playbunniae

too far from home

I am in Melbourne for a few days for work, and am really wondering what the heck am I doing here. I want to be at home with my family. B rang me thi morning with the sad news that my dads procedure did not work. I spoke with my mum, which made my heart ache, and I just wanted to be with them. I am a bit of a sook anyway, and couldn't help but sob quietly for a few minutes in the workshop I was attending. I spoke with B this afternoon who once off the phone to me had taken the day off work to take my mum to the hospital. I am so thankful to have such a caring and selfless husband. My mum and dad were also grateful. I got to speak with dad this evening, he is now home not wanting to stay at the hospital any longer, and his main message to me was that I not come home, but to have a good time, and to reassure me that all was alright he sent me on a task to get the address of an antiquarian bookstore he had visited last time he was in Melbourne.

Kay Craddock Antiquarian Books, Collins St Melbourne

I found his bookstore with no problem and a shop for me.

Husk, Collins St Melbourne

necklace, Husk, Collins St Melbourne

Husk, clock and paper collage picture

Mirrored Glass Bird hooks

cute bird

F-I-L-M

Ok, so this is NOT a film review, but rather an updater on the F-I-L ... M (father in law)!

As you may have read, on Monday he went in for, what he told us, a small* procedure. However this was not the case, far from it actually!

Let me tell you a bit about its history. His heart has been beating an irregular rhythm for some time now leaving him tired and breathless. Also, extremities (nose fingertips etc) blue. After a procedure some months ago to try and 'shock' it back into rhythm, it returns back to his irregular rhythm a few days afterwards.

A return to the GP and Cardiologist and he was booked in to have an 'experimental' procedure. 'L's' favourite brother took him to hospital and after waving him off into surgery at 7.30am (told by nurse it will be about 90 min so he doubled it and came up with 3 hours to be safe) left for Westfield for some breakfast. Returned well into the afternoon (he did call throughout the day remember) and we arrived at the hospital at 6pm to find that he was still in surgery. 6.30pm came and we went to the ward to find he had just returned and was in Acute Coronary Care, wired up and heavily sedated. He still had the little pads they put on when they give the 'paddles' like in ER, Grey Anatomy, All Saints and just about any other medical show where there is a heart attack! He was very groggy and not making much sense apart from saying he was in pain.

Over night, his pain had escalated and although we thought he was due to come home yesterday, this was no longer the case and he was required for more tests. The procedure is this:

• They need to get the heart into a normal rhythm, so they shock it into this.
• They then had to identify which muscle on the heart was diseased. They will burn it off shortly.
• They then stop the heart and burn the affected area of the heart muscle.
• They then shock the heart to start it beating again, and this is where it all went pear shaped.

When they tried to restart the heart, it would not, at first, re-start so they had to increase the amount of charge. They eventually got it going (thank the lord) but left him in severe pain requiring increased sedation and medication.

We had a visit yesterday, L called me saying the M-I-L was quite distressed, so I left work to pick her up and go to the hospital. When we arrived, he seemed a lot better than the previous night, although still in pain. After a couple of hours, re-positioning and some lunch, he became a LOT better. He is under strict instructions from the doctors/nurse's, that there is to be no lifting of anything over 3kg, so the two grandchildren who have a tendancy to launch themselves at you, are out of bounds!!!

* After talking to the doctors, I do not think that this would be classed as a 'small' procedure, do you?

what were any of us thinking

there was no way my dad was coming home today. I had the day off work originally so that I could bring him home, but we quickly found out that he would not be home until later in the week. My mum was a bit of a mess from worry and a sleepless night. So the day became just as much about her as my dad. B, mum and I spent some of the morning with dad at the hospital, no visiting hour restrictions for us, we didn't stay all that long just the same, given my dad was very tired and a bit dopey on medication.

We came back to our place for a change of scene and to let dad rest. Mum made some calls to my grandmother and the littlest sister, the favourite brother had rung earlier, and I laid out the patches for the Circus in Central Park quilt. Then it was back to the hospital, where I stayed until the littlest sister arrived.

circus in central park

My dad improved tremendously over the course of the day, and we managed to gather a few more small bits of information. That: -

• the procedure was experimental,


• may take as long as three months before we know how successful it has been,


• the success rate for the operation is not very high, and that


• he may require further procedures, and if this is the case the earliest this can be done will be 4 months, as it will take three months for the healing to take place from this procedure.

heartache

it was a long day, and I am so thankful to the doctors and nurses at Westmead Hospital who have looked after my dad so well today. Whilst I fought off the anxiousness I am prone to experience, by keeping busy, and with a Rescue Remedy pastille or two, a team of medical practioners performed a 10 hour operation on my dad's heart, all without a break.

I think it was a fairly major procedure, but my dad is not one for seeking attention, so none of us really knew much of what was going on until today. If he could have helped it, I don't think he would have told any of us. He had planned to catch the train to the hospital (which would take probably an hour or more) and would get a taxi or other form of public transport home, selflessly not wanting to put any of us out. But, I can say it really put me out. I felt I really needed to do something, and there is no way my dad would have allowed any member of his family to find their way to and from an operation. Bizarre, that he would think we would not help him out.

My favourite brother took the day off work, making sure dad got to the hospital, and accompanied mum for the day, meeting up with me for lunch. I wasn't really able to keep my mind on the job so had an early mark to wait at the hospital with them. I am grateful too that I have a manager/employer that is reasonable enough to provide me with a day off at short notice to be able to take my dad home, hopefully tomorrow.

And in respect for my dad, I shall end this post now, he is not one for this level of melodrama.

Suffice it to say, we won't know the success of the operation before two weeks, but early signs are good. Yay!

love thy neighbour

it has been one of the best weekends so far:-

• Quilting class yesterday, and progress made on a couple of my quilts (if we ignore the rye neck).


• a wonderful afternoon tea with our friends A, D, 5 month old B, and nanna. It was the perfect way to be spending an autumn Sunday afternoon. And Nanna, B tried to bring her home with us, makes the most sensational fairy cakes and jam drops. Ohhhhh, so lovely.


• no mowing of lawns, one blessing that comes with the cooler weather, I guess.


• our neighbour's 26th birthday, which started yesterday afternoon and continued right through to today, so many happy sounds; laughter, squeals (crazy people went swimming today), and glass bottles.

My dad goes into hospital tomorrow for a procedure on his heart, it has been the perfect weekend to relieve stress.


And a message from Macc to thy neighbour: it has been the greatest week with meat delivered on three occassions, and I thank you and promise to try not to growl at you as you pass by the passionfruit vine.

progress

the small boys speedy quilt has progressed nicely, although I have the sorest shoulders now from crouching on the floor as I pinned the front, back and batting together. The tiles in the kitchen provided the perfect flat surface to work from although at the time it was a bit hard on the knees, and now for the shoulders.

I returned to quilting class today, this time with Judy at 'Quilt Love' in North Rocks. Two and a half hours and I managed to finish the cutting out for the 'Circus in Central Park' quilt I purchased more than two years ago and started easily two years ago when I was doing a class in Penrith.

Circus in Central Park

I am not sure I will make it next week to a class, but this is the great thing about the classes at Quilt Love, you can come and go as you please and you only pay for the classes you attend and not those that you miss. I also liked that everyone was doing a different project, not just quilting, although that accounted for about half of us, the others were doing embroidery, knitting, and crochet. Judy is a master of many crafts.

building blocks

'building blocks' fabrics with 'everything but the kitchen sink' (red)

i am on a roll now. In under half and hour I had the fabric for my small boys speedy quilting project. Not impressed, well that included the drive (five minutes each way) from the office to Fred the Needle in Penrith and back again at lunchtime.

I think all the fabrics might be 'Building Blocks' by American Jane Patterns for moda. This quilt is going to be simple, with these fabrics sewn together as is, in wide strips on one side and the golden holden fabric in a solid panel on the other, and all bound together with 'Everything but the Kitchen Sink'.

I am hoping to have it done by the end of the weekend (very quietly said).

golden holden

'golden holden' and 'everything but the kitchen sink' fabrics

i found it....

the golden holden fabric I was after to make a small boys quilt.

I was doing an internet search last night when I came across a quilting store in Leichhardt that had it listed. This was perfect timing as I had a breakfast meeting in the CBD this morning, providing the perfect detour on the way back to the office.

The red and white fabric was purchased at the same time, I believe it's called 'Everything but the Kitchen Sink', and I plan to use it for the binding. Next challenge will be to find the right fabric for the other side.

lulu my alter ego

lulu's alter ego

say hello to my alter ego, she has pink hair which I would love to have, is a bit flamboyant, likes a bit of sparkle, vintage, lace and crochet, and shares my fashion sense. Lulu is the product of one of my favourite artist's, Rebecca Cool. Until last Friday, I was not aware that Rebecca Cool made dolls, and now I have one. I have named her lulu.

Last week on Sunrise, a women with nine children was promoting her book Womenhood, and the cover was unmistakeably the artwork of Rebecca Cool. My obsessive compulsive tendencies were unleashed and I had to have me a copy which led me to Paddington Contemporary Gallery who had recently had an exhibition of Rebecca's, and were selling said book, and some of her dolls, and had one painting left. I wasn't too keen on the painting for sale, thank god, or the bank account would have required immediate resuscitation. But I did love the dolls and it was a real toss up between Lulu or a red haired one. But according to the gallery curator, the one with the pink hair looked like me.

Of course I was SOLD!

what the

as if enough km's hadn't been done this week, I spent the day with mum and we decided to head west (first though I had to head east to pick her up).

On the agenda for the day was an exhibition of recipe books at the Lewers Gallery in Penrith, and the 'Veiled Elegance, a Century of Weddings' exhibition at the Woodford Academy. First stop however, being a pot of tea, with scones, jam and cream at Mamre Homestead. The day started to unravel early however, five minutes into the drive, mum inspecting the details on the promotional postcard for the Mothers' Cookbooks exhibition, asked me "what date did you say it was?" referring to earlier when my father had asked me the date as I walked into my parents house to collect mum. In a lightbulb moment I realised we were a day early, the exhibition wasn't due to start until tomorrow. Aargh!!! Now before we get too committed to travelling west, we doubled checked the Sydney Morning Herald write up for the bridal and wedding apparel exhibition. The details were a bit sketchy ... on until June 17, so we decided to keep going, satisfied that all was not lost. And to cut a long story short, the most important piece of information had been omitted from the editorial, that is on until June 17, open the third Saturday and Sunday of the month. Well that is our guess anyway, it was not open when we had made the almost two hour drive to the Woodford Academy, as one sign read 'Open Saturday and Sunday' whilst the more permanent signage read 'Open the third Sunday of the Month'. Anyway, it wasn't open today.

Our Shop
Not to waste a precious day off work, we headed for Wentworth Falls where I discovered 'our shop' a great little shop that is closing down. What the heck was going on today? Anyhow, I bought a feltle which looked a bit like I was feeling; soft, warm, fuzzy, and a bit messed up.

feltle

With new discoveries made, the day felt slightly back on track. Next stop was Leura where further discoveries were made ...

mrs peel

and the purchase of a fine pair of vintage shoes. The day had definitely been recovered.

vintage shoes

soothing patterns

Sheep

I'm just home from a trip to country NSW and having made a quick check of the email. I have discovered tucked into a netletter, a link to a new local online fabric store, Duckcloth. Although many aspects of the site are still 'coming soon', there is enough there to soothe the senses. Any other day it would probably stimulate the senses, but after driving five and a half hours yesterday to reach Lachlan Shire (Condobolin), then doing a 3 hour plus round trip to Tottenham and returning home with another five and a half hour trip today I was feeling a little edgy. This was made worse as I have come down with yet another cold, and the cold and flu tablets have really dried me up, I can't seem to drink enough to loosen my throat and wet my mouth, add to that airconditioning and dust, so much red dust.

I had a great time, albeit brief in Condobolin, and would like to go back for a more leisurely visit sometime, The open space of wheat and sheep country, clear skies and colours, dirt roads and kangaroos, are also soothing yet stimulating.

happy mothers day

mothers day cake 2007

Happy Day to all mothers and mothers to be. Mothers Day was held at our place and we had so many mothers; my grandmother, auntie, my mum, and two expectant sisters. Everybody brought a plate which was a lot of fun, and made a lot less work for one person.

And at odds with my reputation I managed not to burn my contributions; a no cook chocolate cake, and sri lankan yellow rice which had lots of burning potential. The chocolate cake was a great success, with a couple of the family suggesting I could make this for other occassions.

Burning things on the day was however, out of the question anyway, as the newish oven kept tripping the power whilst B was cooking his sticky chicky, also causing a slight problem for the reheating process of the dishes that others might be bringing. Thank god for the microwave, it wasn't a big problem. There must be some law of nature that causes these kinds of disasters (ovens to combust, hot water systems to leak...)to happen.

all things skyward

winter hanging basket

I had planned to start a quilting class today, instead yesterday I was hit with environmental consciousness regarding the halogen lights in our lounge and kitchen which, saw me head to the lighting shop on the way home from work to purchase some megaman light globes and fittings that of course couldn't wait to be installed. They also turned out to be a bit more work than at first anticipated, requiring the existing holes to be increased.

A trip to Bunnings early this morning, because I am impatient about these sorts of things, to purchase a gizmo that would cut circles in the gyprock. A trip to Bunnings is not complete without a trip to the nursery, big mistake, this led to punnets of seedlings (pansies, lobellia, allsyum) for the hanging baskets I also purchased yesterday. Only problem I felt an extra basket was also required so next it was off to Big W, and then about a dozen other nurseries to find coloured lettuce and Miss Lou Lou pansies, the coloured lettuce because I needed some added texture and colour, and this was a great suggestion of B's except for the amount of time it took out of the day. Mind you, whilst I visited the nurseries B installed the lights, if B had been with me he would have put a stop to my obsessive compulsion after about the third nursery. Anyway, as he was preoccupied I don't think he realised how long I was actually gone for, the gizmo for cutting holes didn't work, although he found a steak knife did the trick. So many good ideas.

By the time I arrived home, going to a quilting class was out of the question, I had hanging baskets to assemble. Now on a roll, lawns got mowed, and the house name hung. We must be having guests here tomorrow.