Moving along.....

Now that the trees are made, it's time to take another look at the Neighbourhood.  It was coming along really well but last year's broken arm pushed it to the back burner where it has stayed and stayed - but now it's time to make a start on the borders.

The inner borders have been cut....black cat prints on a white background....the outer borders will be a mix of random green prints cut three inches wide.  First, though, the edges need to be trimmed because, as you can see, they are far from even.  The Cunning Plan is to get this out of the sewing room and off to the long armer early next year.

Don't worry, though, those trees haven't been forgotten.  They are percolating away in the back of my brain as we speak.

There is also a top which needs fixing, the elastic in the neckline and sleeves has to be replaced with the casing re-sewn in some places.  That won't take long but now that the warmer weather is well and truly upon us it is needed as it's light cotton voile, in a favourite red/brown colour. 

This is our poor tree which didn't fare too well in storms two weeks ago.  See the gaps on the right?  That's where some very large branches broke off, and spoiled its lovely shape.  Another large piece broke off in the storm a couple of hours ago after this pic was taken.

Social media posts indicate that most damage has occurred on the south side of town; we're on the north, so although there was wind and rain it wasn't as bad as in the previous storm.  It has cooled down by nearly 15 degrees in a few hours, too.

Once again it's mango time of year!  Our young neighbour, the youngest of three children, is still in primary school so we joined in their mango fundraiser again, a whole box of delicious mango-y goodness, all of which is now sliced, diced and packed in the freezer.  She still has a few years to go before she is off to high school, so the annual mango box will continue for a while yet.

Many schools hold fundraisers which are a long way from the lamington drives of my children's primary school days - 'primary school' is called 'elementary school' in some countries - thank goodness the fancy doughnut drives passed us by.  Fresh mangos are so much better than fried cakes laden with cream and sugar and all that unhealthy Stuff, aren't they.

Not that I'm averse to the occasional creamy treat, you know.....

Words have been read.  Stitches have been sewn and a small amount of knitting done, too, although it's not quite cool knitting weather.  Songs have been plinked and sung; choir is on its annual break until the first week of February, so there hasn't been as much singing as there would normally be.  We hunted, gathered and foraged.  The physio tells me that my sore foot is doing well, it certainly hasn't fallen off and is less painful than it was, so we are thankful for that.

"A doubtful answer.

Nothing can be more unfair or more unjustifiable than a doubtful answer given under the plea of sparing the suitor's feelings.  It raises false hopes.  It renders a man restless and unsettled.  It may cause him to express himself or to shape his conduct in such a manner as he would not dream of doing were his suit utterly helpless."

Indeed.  One should be decisive in one's answer.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Stormy trees

This week has lived up its reputation as being the time of years for storms......thunder, probably lightning too (I wasn't getting out of my warm bed to find out), and quite a bit of rain for which the garden is thankful.  The tree in our front garden is now missing several branches, too.

Never mind.  The trees in my sewing room are safe.

A blue-grey print of eucalyptus buds and blossoms, with a bright contrast.  Eucalyptus flowers come in many colours, even this bright pink/red.

A gold tree, just because I like the colour.

Two contrasting trees this week, taking the total up to - 94!  Five more to go.

Gold trees really do exist - taken in Bayfield, Canada, on an overcast autumn day.

This is the pink apron which is no longer in our house.  Melissa likes it, and it suits her vintage style.

The cross stitch design would have been easy, and quick to work up with just three colours, pink, green and deep dark blue; the trim on the pocket is nylon lace.  It is pretty but being pink it's just not "me", so it has gone to a more appreciative home.

A visitor has been lured back by the recent rain and storms.  Monsieur le Frog is back in the drainpipe and the garden croaking his little heart out, as he lives in hope of finding an inamorata with whom to share his life.  He was fairly quiet during the storm last night and this morning, though, so perhaps he has already found a nice Mademoiselle la Frogette to warm his clammy bed at night.....or perhaps he wants more than one, as he's just started croaking again.

You might be familiar with at least one version of the song 'Frog went a-courting', but did you know that the first printed version was published in Scotland in 1549?  That's getting on for nearly 500 years ago; it may have been sung for many years before that, but without printed proof we don't know.  Nevertheless it's a much older song than many people realise, and you could spend much time researching it should you wish.  Or you could take my word for it.

How has everyone been this week?  We've been busy here; stitches have been sewn, but not many knitted.  Words have been read.  Songs have been plinked and sung.  Another visit to the physio for some ongoing treatment for my troublesome right foot....it's been broken twice in recent years, has a bunion and now is suffering from plantar fasciitis which is not much fun, but the physio is helping so I will keep going.  At least all the problems are in one foot - the other foot is amazingly fine.  A veritable princess of a foot, one which deserves its own tiara.

Something about the rain has brought out the somewhat *rural* aroma emanating from the hill behind us, thanks to the herd of cattle which roam freely.  We wouldn't mind if they buggered off to from whence they came and stayed there, taking their smelly deposits with them.

Our hopeful suitor is still waiting.

"No lady worthy of any gentleman's regard will say "no" twice to a suit which she intends ultimately to receive with favor.  A lady should be allowed all the time she requires before making up her mind; and if the gentleman grows impatient at the delay, he is always at liberty to insist on an immediate answer and abide by the consequences of his impatience."

I wonder if that also applies to green tree frogs?

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Gone gone gone......

Those Christmas blocks have moved out of our house and are now residing at the craft centre, where my quilt group meets, awaiting a new owner.  They were taken along on Tuesday but, as no one put up a hand to take a block or two (or maybe more), they have been stashed in Our Box in the cupboard and will be brought out again in a couple of weeks.  There is another Saturday quilt group so, if no one in our group wants them, someone in the other group might.

Either way, they are no longer in my possession.  Gone gone gone.

This week's blocks were made in between storms.  Butterflies flitting around a contrast print of eucalypt blossoms and leaves......

....and a tree whose rich colours put me in mind of trees seen on autumn trips in Canada.

Numbers 91 and 92, so now there are only seven to go; the end of this month will see the last trees made, just three more weeks.

One of many autumn trees photographed in Canada, this was huge - so big that it took a while for the colour changes to happen, depending on how much sun different parts of the tree were getting.  

The colours brightened up a dull overcast day which later turned to showers, but you can see how those leaves inspired one of this week's trees.

Fort York was an interesting place to visit.  You can read about it here - Fort York - we missed out on the re-enactments which happen because we visited in autumn, and they are mostly in summer.  That would have been fun.  It's an oasis which sits quietly among the tall buildings and bustle of a modern city, something which makes it all the more peaceful by contrast.  The style of many buildings is similar to that of early Australian buildings built in the same era so there was an unexpected familiarity, although we had never been before.

A copy of the Magna Carta was on display in the newly finished visitor centre, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of that document.  Our guide was suitably impressed when she found out we were Ozzies because Australia has its own copy, dating from 1297, while Fort York's was on loan from elsewhere.

How have you all been this week?  We managed to survive some stormy weather....being kept awake by loud rumbling thunder rolling around the hills behind is not my idea of fun but we did get some welcome rain from it, and there was repeat albeit on a lesser scale yesterday afternoon after I arrived home from lunch.  Words were read, stitches were sewn and knitted; the second sleeve on the probably-a-jumper is proceeding well now.  Songs were plinked and sung.  We hunted, foraged and gathered comestibles to keep starvation at bay, and that was about our week, folks.

Yesterday was the first seasonal function, an end-of-year/Christmas lunch for members of the historical society.  It's interesting to be able to sit and chat to folk usually seen briefly.  One woman rocks a vintage look which suits her, and the talk turned to aprons because she wished she had one; she was our drinks server, and is also in charge of supper at the monthly meetings.  This morning it occurred to me that there is a pink gingham apron in our linen cupboard, part of a long-ago raffle prize, which I have never worn - it's pretty but it's pink, I don't do pink - it's been taken out, and will be gifted to Melissa if she would like it.  The pink gingham is used as a base for a cross stitch design in deeper pink, green and navy, and there is white lace trim on the pocket.

My mother's Aunt Emily would make items such as tablecloths and aprons in gingham, using the grid for what is now called 'chicken scratch' embroidery - Aunty Em didn't call it that, she used a different name which has since flown out of my brain because it's been so long; I was but a child at the time.  It's a technique I have never tried and probably never will because, even though I like the result, there are so many other things I want to try while I'm still around.

Our suitor is still hoping.

"Though a gentleman may repeat his suit with propriety after having been once repulsed, still it should not be repeated too often nor too long, lest it should degenerate into importuning."

'Importuning' means to harass repeatedly, something I am sure no gentleman worthy of the name would do to a woman for whom he professes to care.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

A sunset tree

An Aussie sunset tree, at that.  This is the only batik fabric in the Big Basket which has an Aussie design, of eucalypt leaves and blossoms.  The colours are 'late afternoon/sunset', aren't they?  The contrast is a deep creamy colour.

Another fabric used in Summertime Blues.  The contrast is a smokey grey/green with more colours than it shows here; it reminds me of some species of eucalypt leaves which are grey/green colour rather than bright green.

An interesting pair, taking the total up to 46.

The knitting's progress.  The back of whatever it is going to be - jumper probably, cardigan possibly - is now long enough that decreasing for the armholes can start.

I like the colours, but am not sure that I love the stripes - I was hoping for more random patterning.  Never mind; it will probably be worn at home rather than out, as when one is no longer in the first slenderness of youth (not like I was once.....sigh......) horizontal stripes are not flattering. This blue/purple/green colourway is not as green as I thought it might be, to judge from the sample yarn in the colour card, but I can live with it.

I remember when yarns with more than one colour first appeared on the market, and what a novelty they were!  Most were variegated shades of one colour, but some were multicoloured; many was the child in those days (late 1960s/early 70s) who wore bright multi-coloured jumpers, so much more cheerful than the single coloured yarns previously available.  I remember making and wearing a sleeveless crocheted buttoned vest, in variegated mossy green.....it went very well with a white shirt with a big wide collar (also made by me, as were most of my clothes in those days) and a long dark green woollen skirt made of woven fabric, not knitted or crocheted.  Long woollen skirts were The Very Thing back then, as was crocheted clothing, and I certainly made and wore my share. 

One of my 'makes' was a crocheted top in good quality (read: expensive) bright red wool yarn, .  The body was plain crochet with a lace work yoke, and the tops of the short sleeves were the same lace design.  It was pretty, I wore it with pride, until one day it needed to be washed and the bloke to whom I was married at the time threw it in the washing machine with everything else.....I wasn't home at the time to throw up my hands in horror and say "fergawdssake don't do that!"......and, of course, it shrunk and felted.  It still fitted - just - but had lost the crisp stitch definition.  As you can probably guess, I wasn't impressed.

Many of those patterns came from women's magazines of the time.  In later years those same magazines were derided by feminists for their recipes and knitting and crocheted patterns, and while many of them are still around they now seem to be filled with rubbish articles on so-called "celebrities", people we neither know nor care about.  At least those magazines of years gone by were useful.

Last week's rain has resulted in the garden looking lush and green, and the weeds doing amazingly well.  More is forecast for the coming week, enough to keep those weeds growing higher and higher.  Now it is June, winter is lurking around the corner, and those warm jumpers of mine will come into their own.

Words have been read.  Stitches have been sewn and knitted.  Notes have been plinked and words sung.  We hunted and gathered and ran around a bit, and so another week passed us by.

"In assisting a lady to enter a carriage, a gentleman will take care that the skirt of her dress is not allowed to hang outside.  A carriage robe should be provided to protect her dress from the mud and dust of the road.  The gentleman should provide the lady with her parasol, fan and shawl, and see that she is comfortable in every way, before he seats himself."

Taking a carriage ride in those days was quite a business, wasn't it?  All those things to remember, although most of them are just common sense.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

In which we had rain

Fortunately, however, nowhere near as much as some areas.  Folks over at the coast, just a few hours east of us, have been flooded out of house and home, many businesses have been lost and farmers have lost livestock.  Sadly, there have been fatalities.  We had *some* rain but not enough for major flooding; the river is flowing well with water from further upstream, enough to tip over the shallow banks, not enough for bridge closures but many roads were closed for a few days.

It's been good weather to stay inside and make trees.  

This uses two of the fabrics from 'Summertime Blues' - there are many different shades of blue in that quilt.  This is almost but not quite purple, although it looks lighter here.

A golden brown tree with turquoise contrast.  The brown was used in another autumn quilt, the turquoise was also in 'Summertime Blues'.

A interesting pair.  That makes 44 trees.

Several years ago I was lucky enough to win a giveaway on a Canadian blog, and these were the goodies which duly arrived.  Every one of these fabrics was used for 'Summertime Blues' - plus, of course, many others - and they are also making interesting trees.  This week's blue tree was one of the fabrics, second from the bottom on the right, while the contrast on the golden brown tree is second from the bottom on the left.

Last weekend's vintage quilt display prompted me to get out my antique orphan block, bought many years ago when we lived in the Big Smoke.

I don't remember where it was bought - probably at a quilt show.  The antique shop is no longer in business.  The diamonds were sewn 'on the line' rather than over papers, which is also my preferred method.  Life is too short to fuss around with papers when you can just sew a seam.

I also have an antique quilt which uses a similar green/yellow print, it was evidently a popular fabric at the time.  It needs to come out of the cupboard for a photo.

Diamonds have been joined into hexies this week, and more cut.....on the line, no papers.  Stitches were knitted, and trees were made.  Words have been read.  Notes have been plinked, and songs sung.  The usual running around filled our days, we avoided most of the rain, and so passed another week.

This morning's temperature was the coldest of the year so far, a little taste of what is to come.  Time to dig out the warmer jumpers and scarves; after all this is the last week of May, soon it will be June, then the cold weather really starts.  Despite that, I don't think I could live in a tropical climate....the humidity would be very unpleasant.

One of the current fashions which apparently offends some people and makes others defensive (usually those who wear it) is the fad for almost-barely-there bikinis, especially the bottoms.  Yes, you can wear whatever you like.  Yes, those of us who don't like it are probably old out-of-date fuddy-duddies.  Personally I don't think it does you any favours, and I can imagine in years to come that many of you will be getting skin cancers cut painfully out of your bums.  Same with many of the garments worn on the red carpet; just because your stylist said you should wear it doesn't mean to say we think it looks good on you.

Gawd....I must be getting old.

"Assisting ladies to alight.

A gentleman must first alight from a carriage, even if he has to pass before a lady in doing so.  He must then assist the ladies to alight.  If there is a servant with the carriage, the latter may hold open the door, but the gentleman must by all means furnish the ladies the required assistance.  If a lady has occasion to leave the carriage before the gentleman accompanying her, he must alight to assist her out, and if she wishes to resume her seat, he must again alight to help her to do so."

Well, yes, he should.  He could be in and out like a jack-in-the-box, but he should do as he is told.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Frustration and annoyance

Is what I am feeling right now.  The physio treatment for my arm, hand and wrist, which was to have started on Tuesday, has been postponed by two weeks due to staff being absent.  Hopefully when it does eventually get under way it will help with the stiffness; there is still quite a lot of bruising anyway, so I am telling myself the delay is a good thing.  Even though myself is not convinced.

Ah well.  Onward and upward.

These are the last of the pics taken during our holiday, from Mount Ainslie.  Canberra is ringed by hills, many of which can be ascended to admire the view.  Looking over the city....

Looking away from the city.....

Some of the Ozzie native plants, many of which are not lush and green like those in other parts of the world.

I love the muted colours.....makes me think of an impressionist painting.

Words have been read.  No medical appointments have happened.  Hunting and gathering did, however, and songs were sung.

The bruise under my eye has not yet gone, I have forgotten what my face looked like before the fall nearly eight weeks ago.  One day it won't be bruised any more, and then - oh, how happy I will be!

The coming week may - hopefully will - bring a chance to sew on a machine.  Pinning may still be beyond my right hand but one never knows, does one?  The fine motor skills required may not be there yet, but will return one day.

Some of the sights seen around town make one chuckle.....recently there was a young bloke who was wearing shorts, tee shirt and thongs.  (That is thongs for the feet, called flip flops by some people, but 'thongs' by Ozzies)  It was a mild day, hence the bare legs and arms......and.....he was wearing a knitted beanie.  That is somewhat akin to the young chickies we sometimes see in mid-winter who wear. shorts and a skimpy top with fleecy boots and a chunky scarf wrapped round the neck.  When I was a Sweet Young Thing we wore mini skirts, yes - but we wore a slip or lining under it, and thickish tights, and a warm jumper.  Never did we wear a top with spaghetti straps in winter, makes me shiver just to think about it.

I am waiting until the day when the brace can come off my arm so I can wear a warm jumper without the velcro fastening on the brace catching on the knitted fabric.  Several years ago I made a warm mohair cardy jacket which has been Very Useful these past weeks, and which fitted over (first) the plaster and (now) the brace on my arm without snagging.  Eye make up remover pads are helpful where the brace presses on my bruised wrist and hand; they provide just enough softness to cushion the pressure without being bulky, a tip passed on several years by a nurse.

Continuing on with Conduct in Opera, Theatre or Public Hall:

"In passing out at the close of the performance the gentleman should precede the lady, and there should be no crowding or pushing."

Indeed.  There is no need to crowd or push.  Everyone will make it outside eventually.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

Ta da!

Or should that be - Tra la!  

Finished is a good feeling.

Now to decide where to hang it....I have a spot in mind.  The edges are straight but it is lying on a bed, hence the wavy look.

Now to decide which of the many projects in the sewing room will be picked up next.  There are a couple of tees needing sleeve hems re-stitched, which will be an easy job.  On Friday I finally collected my blue and green quilt from the quilter who has had it for a few months - just as well I haven't been in a hurry, isn't it? - so now it can be bound.  Quilting is not her only job (she also works in retail) but this one wasn't urgent, so I wasn't hassling her for it.

How have you all been this week?  We have been enjoying slightly milder temperatures, but the forecast for the coming week is more heat.  There are those - not me, I hasten to add - who believe that by some miracle the new season suddenly arrives on the first of the month.  This is not so.  The forecast for 1st March, next Friday, is hot-hot-hot.  Definitely not autumn-y.  I am so over this summer heat.

When I was at school (many many years ago) we were taught that the winter and summer solstice, and spring and autumn equinox, marked the turning of the seasons about three weeks later than the arbitrary "first of the month" change.....which makes more sense.  This year the autumn equinox will be on 20th March, the date we set off from home for our annual trip south, so we can truly say it is 'an autumn trip'!

A few diamonds have been sewn, but none cut; many diamonds need to be cut for the trip away as it is an ideal portable project, so it looks like the cutter will be busy for a while.  Some stitches have been knitted.  Words have been read.  Notes have been plinked and sung.  Hunting and gathering has ensured that we won't starve.  My knee complains from time to time, but I am trying to be nice to it; so far it hasn't fallen off, and I keep doing the physio-recommended exercises.

The annual Show - much like a spring or autumn fair in other parts of the world - will be held again next weekend, and I have decided to enter my Canadian quilt in the wall hanging category.  Last year I won a blue ribbon (!) but I doubt that such luck would come my way two years in a row.  Still, it will be good to see it hanging in public.

My goodness, the awards season still drags on....oh, those fashions......many look as though they are held up with a prayer or two and some sticky tape, and they look quite uncomfortable and unflattering.  Definitely a lot of boobage on display, isn't there?  At least some of the blokes are getting a little more daring in their clothing choices, although the no-socks look with formal wear is a bit....ew.  Please don't, fellers......

Concluding Etiquette of Public Places, Conduct in Church:

"In visiting a church for the mere purpose of seeing the edifice, one should always go at a time when there are no services being held.  If people are even then found at their devotions, as is apt to be the case in Roman Catholic Churches especially, the demeanor of the visitor should be respectful and subdued and his voice low, so that he may not disturb them."

No doubt there are those who forget that a church is indeed a place of devotion and worship, rather than an empty building for their entertainment.  I'm sure none of us would do that, would we?

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

A day for the wombats of the world

Because today is International Wombat Day!  It does seem a bit silly to have an 'international day' for an animal which lives in only one continent - Australia - unless we count the small number in zoos around the world, but wombats are wonderful and deserve a day of celebration.

The first wombat in my collection was bought in my home town (where we moved in 2010, and where we still live) while on a visit to my mother, back in the late 1990s.  There used to be an interesting shop which was part plant nursery/part café/part gift shop - gone for many years now - and we took ourselves there for a ladylike morning tea.  On a potted plant there was a cute little wombat which appealed to me, I bought it for not many dollars......and the rest, as they say, is history.

Here it is, posing on a daffodil fabric from my stash.  It is slightly creased, but wombats don't use irons.

It has since been joined by many many more.

My blue and green quilt has been booked in with a long arm quilter, and will be delivered a week from tomorrow.  It occurred to me the other day that no decision had been made on binding - woops!  These are a couple of options:

The green swirl used as backing, and a dark blue/green/edging toward purple Fossil Fern which has been in my stash for some time, and which is richer in real life.  The swirl would be interesting in a narrow strip but I am leaning to the dark fabric, which I think it would make a better 'frame' around the quilt.  Thoughts will be thought on the matter over the next few days, and the cutter will be taken to the chosen fabric.

Words have been read, diamonds have been cut and sewn.  Notes have been plinked and sung; our U3A ukulele group leader is away for a couple of weeks so I led the group on Thursday and will do so again next Thursday.  We blundered through without descending into total anarchy; I am not a trained teacher and many people (including, I suspect, the (now ex) DIL) (who is a proper musician herself) would consider that I'm not a proper musician either, but we managed.  I had the heeby jeebies on arrival and breathed a sigh of relief at the end, let me tell you.

The heat of summer is upon us, and it's not pleasant.  If we were to set foot outside this afternoon we would probably be blown to kingdom come, so apart from hanging out washing this morning and bringing it in at lunchtime, we are staying inside.  We are promised a few more hot days with cooler relief by the end of the week, which will be welcome......and rain would be even more welcome, as we are tumbling headlong into another drought.  However - that's Australia for you; if it's not flooding it's on fire, or it's in drought, or it's flooding again.

Despite all the weather throws at us, though, I can't imagine living anywhere else.  Except perhaps Canada, in autumn......but definitely not in winter.

On Friday I had a foray into a new-to-me op shop (although it's been open for some time, I just hadn't been before) and came away with two tops, one dark blue with orange/red flowers, brand new with tags, and another bright yellow with tropical flowers and an interesting double flouncy sleeve.  I have also removed a few shirts/tops from my sumptuous wardrobe; unfortunately I have inherited the thick neck that comes from my mother's family, and now prefer shirts without collars.  Both my brothers have/had it, until a few years ago I hoped I had escaped......but alas, no.  If I have another chance at a life after this one I will pick parents who have slender swan-like necks.

The term 'op shop' - short for 'opportunity shop' - is, it seems, unique to Australia.  It was coined in Melbourne by Lady Someone-or-Other to reduce the stigma that was around at the time for those who bought second-hand goods, but an opportunity shop....who can resist an opportunity?  My Posh Melbourne Grandmother used the term 'opportunity shop', but somehow I don't think she ever shopped in one.  These days, of course, we're all about recycling and being environmentally aware, so opping - or thrifting, or whatever you call it - has become quite popular.  So...someone else will like my collared shirts, and my neck will be more comfortable.

 Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street, Some General Suggestions:

"A young lady should, if possible, avoid walking alone in the street after dark.  If she passes the evening with a friend, provision should be made beforehand for an escort.  If this is not practicable, the person at whose house she is visiting should send a servant with her, or some proper person - a gentleman acquaintance present, or her own husband - to perform the duty.  A married lady may, however, disregard this rule, if circumstances prevent her being able to conveniently find an escort.

Funny how that little gold ring suddenly renders one safe on the street alone at night, isn't it?

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

All bagged up

Finally - the second bag which was started on my treadle machine last month is finished!

The blue and yellow floral bag was made on Spring Fair day at the house museum, and the tan and brick bag started.  (The solid fabric was called "Brick" on the cardboard roll, so "brick" it shall be.)  Today it was finally finished, so they can be ticked off the imaginary-in-my-head list of Stuff to do.  The tan fabric was a lucky door prize several years ago and, while it's nice enough, it's probably not something I would choose were I to go fabric shopping; those squares don't lend themselves to being cut into smaller pieces, but it's fine for a bag.  The blue and yellow floral has also been in my stash for *ahem* quite a while, and now there is a much smaller piece of it.

The lavender and pink bag was made yesterday on My Lovely New Bernina (24 years old and still going strong).  It too was already cut out and pressed; in my optimism I took three bags with me, but in the end managed to make one and a half.

The floral fabric is a blend, poly/cotton, possibly 65/35% - I have no recollection of when or why it came into my stash, but it was a very long time ago.  Some has been used for small projects in the meantime, but now it is all gone.  Used up.  Finis.  Done.  It was slightly sheer so a few different colours of solids were tried with it, and much as I don't really care all that much for pink I had to admit this particular shade of  pink suited it best......so, pink it is.  

These bags will go to a group which assists women in hospital, so it's a Worthy Cause.  I don't mind supporting the occasional Worthy Cause.

Words have been read.  Diamonds have been joined, and more cut.  Notes have been plinked and sung.  Hunting and gathering was indulged in so we may eat, which is probably a good thing.  My brain and the clock are once more in synch with each other, so life proceeds along.

Our weather is in the 'warm one day, cool the next' time of year; a lull before the more extreme heat of summer, and we have been warned by 'Those Who Know' that the coming summer will be hot and dry.  Oh well.....we have survived hot and dry in the past, and will no doubt do so again.  The children next door are already using their pool, to the usual accompaniment of squeaks and squeals.

When out and about a few days ago we stopped for coffee, and while sipping and watching the passing parade - always an entertaining activity, no matter where one is - I was taken by a woman wearing a bright orange tee shirt teamed with loose orange and purple pants and orange footwear.  Her tee shirt read:

                                        I don't want to

                                        I don't have to

                                        You can't make me

                                        I'm retired!

Isn't that the best ever?  I commented on it, and she told me it was a gift.  I don't usually stare at other women's chests, but that was definitely worth a look.

Continuing with Etiquette of the Street, Some General Suggestions:

"Never turn a corner at full speed or you may find yourself knocked down, or may knock down another, by the violent contact.  Always look in the way you are going or you may chance to meet some awkward collision.  People are very rude and vulgar who do not look they way they are going; it annoys others."

Words as true today as when they when they were written in 1885.

Enjoy your days!

Jennifer

In which we have an unwelcome visitor

Another busy week in which not much was achieved beyond the necessary hunting and gathering.  Unfortunately a visitor, the Dreaded Lurgy, popped in for a few days and left me feeling tired and fragile.  Things are now on the mend, however, and soon I will be back to jumping out of my skin.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Dreaded Lurgy, it was used in 'The Goon Show', a radio program that many of my generation grew up with.  The Dreaded Lurgy is an illness with vague symptoms that leaves one with a general feeling of lassitude, but probably nothing that can be medically defined; it's not the flu, or even a cold, it's just......The Dreaded Lurgy.  "I have a lurgy", we say, and people know what we mean.

Consequently not much has been achieved, although some diamonds were joined.  A little knitting was done - that neckband might be finished soon - many words were read.  Some notes were plinked and sung.

A couple of pics were taken to aid in sewing the blue and green quilt together, something which will be started this week.  It is laid out on the spare bed and, as I am happy with the placement of the blocks, I have taken a couple of pics to make sure they are joined correctly.  First, the right hand side....

....then the left.  These will be the first two rows.

More pics will be taken as the next pieces are made.  Not all the blocks came from my sewing room; it was a BOM for members of my Tuesday quilt group, so some fabrics are not mine.  However as the Tuesday group is quite small, not many blocks came back - indeed, we have made the decision to do away with the Tuesday BOM due to small numbers, although there are still one or two optimists who hand out instructions and get a few blocks back which they use for charity quilts.  The Saturday group is much larger.

We have had some quite freezy frosty chilly weather this week, certainly enough to remind us that we are still in the coldest month of the year.  Many places hereabouts have had record-breaking morning temperatures recently, the coldest for many years or even since records have been kept, so it's not just us complaining about the chill.  Never mind; it will be back to summer's dreaded heat before we know it, won't it.

On Tuesday afternoon I was at the volunteer desk at the Gallery when a couple came in to browse the exhibitions.  The bloke was, I thought, suitably dressed for the weather, but I'm not sure about the woman's choice of attire; she was wearing long pants (good idea), a puffy jacket (personally I don't like them, but they are currently popular), gloves (so, obviously feeling the cold), shoes that you and I would wear to walk around the block (better than bare tootsies in this weather), and - bare ankles.  No socks.  I screamed to myself as I tucked my sock-clad feet under my desk.....I mentioned it at sewing group the next day and the consensus of opinion was, ankles get cold too.  

When we were in Canberra in April, however, I noticed that many of the Trendy Younger Folk did not wear socks.  Long pants - usually tight leggings, which I don't consider pants - and shoes with laces, and bare ankles.  Canberra is even colder than here in winter, I wonder if they have discovered their sock drawer yet?

Speaking of tight leggings.....when I become Queen Of The World, leggings will be banned outside the walls of a gym.  It can't be healthy wearing tight synthetic fabrics over one's nether regions all day every day, surely?  Actually, when you look it up (as I just did) - it's not.  

Concluding Etiquette of the Street:

"Whispering in a shop is rude.  Loud and showy behaviour is exceedingly vulgar."

It is.  When I was a child we were taught that whispering was not done.

Enjoy your days!

We are back - but the caravan is still on holiday

We had a great time, marred only by a mechanical problem with the van the day before we were due home.  However.....the necessary part has been sourced which we will be taking back over the highway this week, and hopefully it will be home with us where it belongs later this week.

It was lovely catching up with family and friends.  Our son is doing well; we were able to attend one of his performances, something which, living so far away, we can't do very often, and which we enjoyed.  The One And Only Grandkid is shooting up like the proverbial weed and already up to (possibly even slightly past) my shoulders; mind you, I'm not very tall!  To me, however, the joy of playing and sharing music again with friends at the folk festival, some of them not seen for four years, was the highlight of my time away.....but, after so long, everyone looks so much older and several people were missing.

Over the years, on our annual trips to Canberra, we have seen many of its attractions, including the autumn colours - which, this year, were more beautiful than we have seen for many years.  Perhaps that was helped by their mild cool summer.....April was certainly cool this year!  One place we hadn't been before was the National Rock Garden.

Although the sign says "proposed future site" there are already several large rocks in place.  We counted 11.

This is from Western Australia, such a rich red.

A little information which hopefully can be read.

Doesn't it look like a bird?  But no - it's a large chunk of grey norite, some of which has been cut away and polished to show the beauty inside its craggy exterior.

Adelong is a small town south of Canberra.

This is a view of The Warrumbungles, such a rugged interesting place, that we will pass again on our way to the van.

Our van is waiting for us at Tooraweenah, in the valley to the left in this pic......as the article in the link says, it's a very small town!  However it's in a beautiful area, and at night the stars have to be seen to be believed; not far away is an important observatory which is interesting to read about if you are into sky Stuff.  The drive from here is about three hours.

Of course a little fabric shopping happened.....a few blues, and a gorgeous yellowish-green that just jumped into my hand.....

There is a blue and green project in progress in my sewing room, and my stash of blue fabrics needed a boost.  These will help nicely.

Some knitting happened while travelling, the second sleeve of my jumper is finished and the front is started.  A few diamonds were joined, words were read.  Crosswords were completed.  Plinking and singing were indulged in.  Once we return with our hopefully fixed caravan on Thursday, normal life (such as it is) can resume at Chez Wombats.

Some new-to-us clothes were bought in Canberra, their op shops are excellent.  Those elusive black cropped pants, however, are still out in the wind somewhere.  Perhaps one day......one of the tops bought on a Canberra op shop foray has already been worn.  It was donned yesterday afternoon for a farewell to a much-loved member of our choir who is moving several hours away to be closer to family, and who will be much missed.  

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"Two gentlemen walking with a lady.

When two gentlemen are walking with a lady in the street they should not both be on the same side of her, but one of them should walk upon the outside and the other upon the inside."

Yes indeed.  That way, she should feel protected on both sides.

Enjoy your days!

Those elusive black pants....

....are still nowhere to be found.  A few days ago I called in at the store where I hoped a pair in my size would have miraculously appeared on the rack, but no.  Doomed to disappointment once again.  However I have High Hopes of perhaps just possibly finding them, or something like them, when we go south in April.

I suspect it will be the last time I pop my head inside that store, too.  When one is greeted as one walks in by "hey darl, how are ya" one thinks to one's self......hmmmm, do I really belong here?  One is far from being a snob, one does not expect to be greeted by 'Madame' these days (in truth, I don't think one ever was) but 'darl'?  To say nothing of the music of a type I never listen to voluntarily (I'm not a musical snob either, my musical choices might surprise you) played at a volume guaranteed to wake the dead, and the rough cement floor which at one stage in its life may have been carpeted but now lies waiting to trip an unwary foot, it's not a pleasant place to shop.

Ah well.  I have enough clothes that I'm not walking around naked or cold, so that's something....but those pants, when and if I eventually get them, will fill a gap in my sumptuous wardrobe.

Something pretty....more of Auntie Laura's beautiful tatting.  It has been previously shown, but it's so lovely we can look again.

The linen centre is surrounded by a very wide lace border.

I'm fairly sure my mother never used it - perhaps for very special occasions, which were very few and very far between when I was young - but I have displayed it with a vase or pretty bowl in the centre.  A darker wood table such as ours shows the lace to perfection.  Despite its gossamer appearance it's surprisingly heavy....there's a lot of thread used to make all that lace!

Diamonds have been sewn, and more have been cut.  The plan is to cut a lot to take away in April; our little caravan doesn't have TV (it's not missed either) but stitching makes the time pass nicely.  Words have been read.  Notes have been plinked and sung.  

Stitches have been knitted, the first time for some months, and now the second sleeve on my jumper should be up to the armhole; it will be measured later this afternoon to check.  A decision also needs to be made about the cable pattern on the front.  I have found a cable design I like but am wondering - should it run up the centre front to the round neck, or be placed to one side or the other?  Or should there be two cables, and if so, how should they be spaced so as not to make me look as though I am wearing braces to hold up my pants?  Perhaps three, one in the centre and two spaced evenly at the sides, would be good....or would it be a bit much, bearing in mind that I am no longer as svelte as I once was?

Decisions, decisions......

While on some of our peregrinations during the week I noticed that leaves are now not as green as they were, indeed a few trees look as though their leaves are starting their autumn change.....or perhaps they are just stressed by our lack of rain and warm-ish temperatures, much as we ourselves are.  However in a few days it will be March, and while that doesn't mean the end of summer heat - it is the start of the winding-down of summer.

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"Answering questions.

A gentleman will answer courteously any questions which a lady may address to him upon the street, at the same time lifting his hat, or at least touching it respectfully."

I suspect that these days a gentleman, on being asked a question, will look up the answer on his phone.  He may or may not - probably not - be wearing a hat which he can either lift or touch respectfully.

Enjoy your days!

Best wishes for 2023!

Well, we made it......another year done and dusted!  It will be interesting to see how it develops, won't it?

Did you all have a good Christmas?  Ours was very quiet, just the two of us this time.  Who knows what a year may bring?

As usual there will be no resolutions made in this house, but there will be hopes; hopes that a few projects will be closer to being finished by the end of the year than they currently are.  That will do me.

A new project has been started, a gift from a friend in Canada.

This was a block from a 'shop hop' back in 2018.  My music notes didn't fit on the lines without being too crowded, so one fell off.  Which sometimes happens, as many musicians will tell you.

Rather than using a dark brown or black for binding, this deep yellow from my stash will do nicely.  There may be just enough.

The applique is fused to the background; stitching it down will be done as it is quilted.  It will make a fun table topper.

Several diamonds have been cut, and quite a few joined.  It's about time that the finished blocks were counted, although there are nowhere near enough made for a quilt top.....even a small one.

Words have been read.  No stitches have been knitted as it's getting a bit warm to have wool on one's lap.  No notes have been plinked, although that will change tomorrow as the uke group has a rehearsal for a gig in a couple of weeks.

Recently a women's clothing shop, one of an Aussie chain, closed its doors here as a stand-alone shop and moved into a 'mega outlet' shared with other brands.  It's a brand I have been wearing for a long time as their clothes are suitable for those of us of the more mature years.  However, I don't think I will bother with them again; before Christmas I was able to find crop denim pants (the style worn by the older woman when she doesn't feel comfortable wearing shorts in public any more) in deep blue.  The same style in black - actually, a deep charcoal - would also be useful, I thought to myself, as my black pants are getting to the not-fit-to-wear-out-any-more stage....but alas, the black in my size was not to be had.  Any more out the back, I asked the assistant.....oh, I don't know, she said with a shrug.  A few days ago I called in again just on the off chance that luck might be on my side,  but once again drew a blank.  Blow it, I thought, so when we arrived home I ordered the very same black pants from their website.  Yes, I will have to pay postage, but that will be offset by the much-reduced sale price.  

I have never been much of an online shopper, but after being so disappointed by the alternative I can see the attraction.

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"Do not lack politeness.

Never hesitate in acts of politeness for fear they will not be recognized or returned.  One cannot be too polite so long as he conforms to rules, while it is easy to lack politeness by neglect, to them.  Besides, if courtesy is met by neglect or rebuff, it is not for the courteous person to feel mortification, but the boorish one; and so all lookers-on will regard the matter."

Politeness must be the oil with which the wheels of interraction with others are greased - yes?

Enjoy your days!

Alas....it was not to be

The Cunning Plan to have all the binding sewn down on my Canadian quilt didn't happen in time for show and tell yesterday....but that's all right.  It can be shown at the meeting at the end of January so I don't have to rush.  It is more than half done, anyway.

So now my thoughts have turned to houses.  To be specific, the box of house blocks and sashing strips and setting triangles.  And backing fabric.  And Stuff like that.

Very merry and cheerful and bright, yes?  It's going to be a fun quilt.

Gorgeous fallen leaves in the car park at Butchart Gardens in autumn, taken just because the ruby and garnet colours were so lovely.....a good reason to visit Canada in fall.

The cone is one of the lights found throughout the garden.  We have been lucky enough to visit in summer when the roses and other flowers were in bloom, and also in autumn with foliage colours.  On our last visit the annual display featuring the twelve days of Christmas was being set up, which was fun to see.

What a busy week, I'm glad to draw a line under it!  Two ukulele gigs and a choir concert, all of which went well, plus the usual weekly rehearsals, and hunting and gathering, and socialising.....next week is looking (slightly!) less hectic, thank goodness.  An end-of-year dinner with the choir on Thursday night will be the highlight; I always enjoy a meal I haven't had to think about, prepare, cook and clean up afterward.

Words have been read.  No stitches have been knitted, no diamonds have been cut or sewn.  More had better be cut soon, the waiting-to-be-joined stack is perilously low.  Notes have been plinked and songs sung.  That's about it.

Here in Australia the concept of 'Black Friday sales' has never been big but over the past couple of years its popularity has, as they say in the media, soared to new heights.  Our traditional big sale day is Boxing Day but if one is shopping for Christmas pressies it makes more sense to shop a few weeks earlier, doesn't it?  To that end we betook ourselves out a few days ago and I was able to find some cropped navy pants to replace a pair which are still fine for wearing at home, but less so for wearing out.  That's probably my not-very-major purchase for the year done.

Last of the big time spenders, me.

It has not rained all week!  Today is quite warm and sunny, a foretaste of summer.  A couple of days ago Kevin rolled the outside blinds down to shade the windows on the north side - our sunny side - if the sun doesn't hit the windows so fiercely, the rooms inside stay cooler.  They were a purchase several years ago, and we are so pleased we did it.  It won't be so hot after tomorrow so we will enjoy the cooler weather before summer really hits hard.

Continuing on with Etiquette of the Street:

"Intrusive Inquiries.

If you meet or join or are visited by a person who has any article whatever, under his arm or in his hand, and he does not offer to show it to you, you should not, even if it be your most intimate friend, take it from him and look at it.  That intrusive curiosity is very inconsistent with the delicacy of a well-bred man, and always offends in some degree."

In other words, don't be nosy.  If your friend wants to show you the article, she/he will do so.  If she/he doesn't wish to do so then, in the immortal words of Kath and Kim, "mind your own beeswax".

Enjoy your days!