Happy New Year!

Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead.....heavens, 2012 already!  Seems like only yesterday we were worried about the millenium bug, remember that?  The world was going to end because all computers everywhere would suddenly freeze.  But they didn't, we are all still here and so are our computers although I suspect there wouldn't be many of us still using the computer we had in 2000.

We had a relaxing family time over Christmas, sitting in our beer garden.......

..........looking at the view over the back fence.

Even New Year's Eve was quiet for two Olde Phartes like us.  We enjoyed an entire whole bottle of a rather good bubbly wine - Australian, of course - washed it down with some nibbles, and stayed up long enough to see in the new year.

Santa was good to us too; we received a weather gadget that tells you what temperature it is outside, and inside, and how much rain has fallen.  Nothing, yet.  As part of our Christmas present to each other we have ordered ourselves a new TV, so we will really then be part of the 21st century.  Other gifts were chocolates, some scrumptious fabrics, a calendar all the way from British Columbia.....I like to have a scenic calendar or two around the house.....a scrumptious hand-dyed scarf, and some gorgeous smelly things from Fenella Jane.  That was for me.  I was also sent a wombat calendar!

Here in the Small Smoke we don't have a humungous fireworks display, although we did hear a cracker or two go bang.  When we lived in Sydney we never went to the NYE fireworks display, the crowd is a frightening size - last night it was expected that one million people would all sit around the harbour and go ooh and aah over the pretty bangs.  One million!  All those noughts!  What a scary thought.  The idea is all those people will spend lots of dollars while in town for the fireworks, so that is the justification for sending the equivalent of the gross domestic product of a small country up in smoke.  While I don't wish to be a party pooper, I would like to ask - how is it that so much money (we are talking many millions of dollars here) can be found for fireworks, but not for our hospitals, schools, and other places where it could make a difference?

Our local paper yesterday had a story about the Catholic priest from a small town north of here who has a pyrotechnics licence and stages fireworks displays in some of the small towns and villages hereabouts, with the profits going to the church.  He calls his business "Holy Smoke"....isn't that a hoot?

This year, as last year, I do not intend to make any Resolutions although I do have Plans.  Those Plans include finishing off a quilt top or two which are languishing in my cupboard waiting to be quilted (believe me there are more than a few, but we have to start somewhere), make one or two more and quilt them straightaway, and make more clothes.  The new scrumptious emerald/jade/teal green skirt is wearable as is although I have A Plan to trim it before it's worn, and the top which will be worn with it is in progress.  It looks a wee bit small......let's hope the stretch factor is right......when it's done there will be a picture but not of me wearing it, because there are some things for which the world is not yet ready.  While I was never a raving beauty when young I'm certainly no oil painting now and cannot pass a mirror or shop window without shuddering, so there is no way the world is going to see a picture of me in all my glory or lack thereof.  There are a few pictures of me out there on the interwebz, but be assured they weren't put there by me.

Now that summer is here and today is hot and sunny, we may need to make use of this recipe just as our foremothers did......or if they did, they were braver than I would be.

"To remove sunburn.
Take two ounces of borax, one dram of alum, one dram of camphor, half an ounce of sugar-candy, and a pound of ox-gall.  Mix and stir well for ten minutes, and stir it three or four times a fortnight.  When clear and transparent, strain through a blotting-paper and bottle for use."

Enjoy your days!

Happy Christmas Wishes

A while ago I made myself a Christmas apron from fabric which has been in my stash for......oh......a hundred years, at least.  It would have looked even lovelier had it been ironed, now you all know what a sloppy housekeeper I am.

 The pattern is in a book bought on our last trip to Canada in 2009, "Canadian Heritage Quilting".  As soon as I saw this pattern I knew it was for me, isn't it great?  It's a lovely book, a very interesting read about the history of quilting in eastern Canada, and has wonderful patterns.

Here's a basket of pretty Aussie wildflowers for you all for Christmas, as a 'thank you' for reading my blog and sticking with me.

This afternoon I have been making some yummy goodies in preparation for our older son's visit, and some more will be made tomorrow.  Nothing like chocolate and nuts at Christmas, is there?  A pork roast (won in a raffle at the local lawn bowls club - meat raffles are a great thing here, and we are lucky enough to win from time to time) is defrosting in the fridge and tomorrow evening will be rubbed with a mixture of sage, lemon rind, garlic, oil, salt and pepper ready to be roasted for lunch on Christmas Day.  There is also a small rolled turkey breast roast with cranberry and apple stuffing because the aforementioned son likes turkey, and they will be served with roast potatoes, roast sweet potatoes, caramelised onions, and fresh asparagus.  And gravy.  Mustn't forget the gravy.  To be followed by traditional Christmas cake, pecan brownies (also to be made tomorrow), chocolate nut slice (made today), rosè wine ice (currently being made), cherries, and ice cream should your little heart desire.  It will be served with sparkling wine.

I won't think badly of you if you refuse seconds.

While our older son is visiting we hope to spend a little time on the computer chatting to our other son, who lives on the far side of the known universe from here i.e. Toronto, Canada, and to his lovely partner our girl-in-law.  We miss them and are sorry they are so far away, but glad they are happy.

We have been hearing lots of Christmas music on the radio, fortunately not much has been of the "Winter Wonderland"/"Let It Snow" variety.  They are songs about winter, not songs about Christmas, and Christmas in Australia is not in winter.  By all means play them until you are tired of them (and you may already be so, for all I know) on the other side of the equator, where they are more appropriate.  While I quite enjoy most Christmas music....for a while.......by about tomorrow it will all start to sound a little too familiar.

Before I leave you with the quote from my 1885 etiquette book without which no blog post would be complete, I would like to extend my greetings to you, dear readers, and your families, for a happy and peaceful Christmas.

"Praising Dishes.
A hostess should not express pride regarding what is on her table, nor make apologies if everything she offers you is not to her satisfaction.  It is much better that she should observe silence in this respect, and allow her guest to eulogize her dinner or not, as they deem proper.  Neither is it good taste to urge guests to eat, nor to load their plates against their inclination."

Have a wonderful Christmas, and I hope the fat man in the red suit is good to you all!

Some pretty orchid goodness

Today while digging in the garden we managed to keep intact some clumps of these beauties....Aussie native rock orchids.....this was taken at Mount Annan before we left Sydney.  We will see if we can get them growing and flowering.  They were almost hidden under some plants that we didn't like, so all had to come out together.

Aren't they gorgeous?  Wish our green thumbs luck.  According to my 1885 etiquette book, in the language of flowers orchids stand for beauty.....a bouquet of these would indeed be beautiful.

At present the radio is playing a tribute to Spike Jones who would have celebrated his 100th birthday a few days ago, if he were still alive.  Did you know he played drums on Bing Crosby's original recording of "White Christmas"?  Neither did I until a few minutes ago.  My generation grew up with Spike's recording of "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth", and of course "William Tell Overture", as well as other gems, and I still enjoy them.

Speaking of "White Christmas"......during World War II my father spent time in New Guinea and never ever spoke of his wartime experiences, but my mother once told me that the soldiers sang a parody "I'm dreaming of a white mistress", which was considered a very risque thing to do at the time!

The clothes sewing is proceeding along nicely.  One skirt has been made, and was worn to a Christmas party last night.  When I am in the mood the next skirt will be cut out; it won't take long to make.  It will be green, lovely dark green, gorgeous green.  

Unfortunately last night's Christmas party wasn't enjoyed as much as we had hoped it would be.  The company was fun, the food was excellent, but the music was loud.  Way too loud.  Loud to the point of pain.  The musicians, a duo who played guitars and sang, were asked to turn the volume down - but didn't.  We gave up trying to talk (it was more like lip reading), and left early, in company with many other people.

"When a color is chosen which is favorable to the complexion, it is well to associate with it the tints which will harmonize by analogy, as to use contrasting colors would diminish its favorable effect.  When a color is used in dress, not suitable to the complexion, it should be associated with contrasting colors, as they have the power to neutralize its objectionable influence."

One suggestion for harmonising with green is crimson, blue, and gold or yellow.  All at once.  Oh dear......

Enjoy your days!

Today's post is brought to you by the letter J

This bird is a Black Neck Stork, commonly called Jabiru in Australia.

Several years ago I recall seeing an Australian alphabet in cross-stitch, and the Jabiru represented J. Don't those legs look fragile to bear the weight and height of the bird? Unfortunately we couldn't get closer to get a better picture.

Speaking of better pictures the quilt I won last week is still un-photographed because the weather has not been kind; strong winds for a few days, followed by rain, rain and more rain. The quilt is too large to get a good picture inside but never mind, outside will improve soon. We hope. Summer may be a little late this year but that's OK, the hot weather will come soon enough. I don't mind if it stays away for a little longer.

This week the sewing room has been in use for making some clothes. I have been digging into my Retirement Stash of fabric and out came a few pieces which will be used to make summer skirts; the one currently under the machine needle is a white faux (that's a fancy word for fake) broderie Anglaise, but instead of the fabric being embroidered it is printed with yellow around the edges of the holes. Because of the holes it is fairly sheer, and I am past the age of wanting the world to see everything I own, so it is being lined in deep gold solid. Last summer I bought a gold tee at a local op shop which matches beautifully, so that and the new skirt will be my Christmas outfit this year.

The next piece to be made will be a gorgeous solid green, not quite teal, not quite jade, a lovely rich cotton fabric bought in Toronto, Canada, in 2007. (Have I ever mentioned that I really like green?) Here in the Small Smoke I was able to find a matching green and white knit fabric for a top, so that's another new outfit. The last piece in this sewing session will be a skirt in a border print which shades from deep blue at the hem to pale aqua at the top, overprinted in black - there was no way the colours in this fabric could be matched, so its top will be black.

I am enjoying the process of making clothes. When I was a sweet young thing of 18 or so I bought a second-hand sewing machine, a pattern for a little top, and a yard of fabric......cut it out and sewed it up.......and was so proud of myself. The only sewing I had done was at school and that wasn't very much; my mother didn't sew, so I just blundered along on my own. Over the past umpteen years I have clothed myself, and my children, and even my husband. I have made wedding gowns, and 19th century-style ball gowns for myself (until just a few years ago I used to do vintage dancing, and made all I needed - gowns, hair ornaments, everything) but now I only sew for myself and just everyday clothing at that, because it suits the life I lead. Have you noticed how many quilters are dismissive of those of us who use our machines to make clothing? "Oh", they say, "I used to do that but now I can't be bothered". That's their choice, just the same as making clothing and quilts is mine. Over the years I have gained many skills in sewing, and how I choose to use them is my business.

"Indifference to dress.

Indifference and inattention to dress is a defect of character rather than virtue, and often denotes indolence and slovenliness. Every woman should aim to make herself look as well as possible with the means at her command. Among the rich, a fondness for dress promotes exertion and activity of the mental powers, cultivates a correct taste, and fosters industry and ingenuity among those who seek to procure for them the material and designs for dress. Among the middle class it encourages diligence, contrivance, planning and deftness of handiwork, and among the poorer classes it promotes industry and economy. A fondness for dress, when it does not degenerate into vain show, has an elevating and refining influence on society."

Correct taste, deftness of handiwork, and economy.......all sound like me.

Enjoy your days!

Lucky lucky me!

What a lucky time I have been having! Today my reward from Sara arrived for choosing Daisy's name, and Sara made me this pretty pillowcase....lots of stars in this galaxy, aren't there? I do like these fabrics.

Yesterday my name was pulled out of the hat, or the box or barrel or whatever was used - I wasn't present so didn't see - and I won a quilt! Pics will be shown, a few were taken today but they didn't turn out very well; it's not easy pressing that little button while balancing on a ladder. It has embroidered blocks (one of which was worked by me) bordered in blue, lots of bright fabrics joining the blocks, and is backed in green. Have I ever mentioned that I am very fond of green? It's a lovely quilt made by the quilt group at the local craft centre, and I am very fortunate to be its owner.

The quilt shown in my last post, 'Windmills of My Mind', has been entered in Quilting Gallery's weekly contest because this week's theme is "stars". You can see the quilts, and vote for your choice, here. Stars are a popular quilt design, aren't they? I have a book entirely about star quilts by Mary Elizabeth Johnson; it was one of the first quilt books I bought many years ago and it's still one of my favourites.

Next week 'Windmills of My Mind' will be delivered to the local gallery as it's going to be in an exhibition of works by gallery volunteers, of whom I am one. We were asked if we painted, or photographed, or knitted, or quilted, or just about anything else, and if so would we like to have something hung in the volunteers' exhibition "Time to Shine 2011". Isn't that something?

This coming weekend will be somewhat busy: Monday night choir practice tomorrow afternoon, Thursday night choir Christmas party tomorrow night, Monday night Christmas carol concert on Sunday evening, somehow need to find time in there to do some baking for contributions to both the party and the concert........I thought retirement meant sitting around and doing not much at all........

"Dining should be ranked among the fine arts. A knowledge of dinner-table etiquette is all important in many respects; but chiefly in this: that it is regarded as one of the strong tests of good breeding. Dinners are generally looked upon as entertainments for married people and the middle aged, but it is often desirable to have some young unmarried persons among the guests."

If dining should be ranked as a fine art.....I wonder if it would be the subject of an exhibition?

Enjoy your days!

All has been revealed......

......and this family of Tawny Frogmouth looks as though they are eagerly awaiting the result. They were a few of the locals we met at Port Macquarie recently.

Ribbons and swirls in the quilting, to give an impression of movement.
The only things bought for this quilt were the gold binding and spotted background fabrics, the wadding, and the off-white Wonderfil Konfetti thread used for quilting the centre panel. All other fabrics and threads, including the backing, are from my probably-larger-than-it-needs-to-be stash.
It's quite bright and cheerful.
The gorgeous variegated Aurilux thread used for quilting the border is such a good match, it's almost not there.
"Windmills of my mind" in all its finished glory.

It was a fun exercise! Ten members of the group joined in this challenge, and ten very different quilts resulted. Four of the makers used their pieced blocks as background for applique, and some of the quilts were muted or dark colours. Mine was the brightest, much to my surprise. There are no prizes, it's all about having a go and perhaps trying something different. Next year's challenge was handed out yesterday and is quite a loose theme - I already know what I will make.

Something to report to my Canadian friends: at a trivia night a couple of weeks ago, guess who was the only person in the room who knew the name and rank of the author of "In Flanders Fields"? That's right.......moi.

Here in the Small Smoke today the locals are indulging in an orgy of clothes washing, and lawn mowing, because for the past week or so we have had a lot of rain - so much so, that our town was on a flood watch until today. But today is gloriously sunny and gently warm, with a little breeze to dry out anything still soggy. While it has not come at a good time for farmers who are waiting to harvest wheat crops, most domestic gardens are smiling. Smaller towns downstream from here will be cut off for a week or so but the floods are moving slowly enough that food can be stocked up and if necessary, people and animals moved to higher ground.

"Assisting a lady to alight from her horse.

After the ride, the gentleman must assist his companion to alight. She must first free her knee from the pommel, and be certain that her habit is entirely disengaged. He must then take her left hand in his right, and offer his left hand as a step for her foot. He then lowers his hand slowly and allows her to reach the ground gently without springing. A lady should not attempt to spring from the saddle."

Considering the amount of water still lying around from our recent rain, this is probably sound advice.....because in springing from the saddle, a lady could well find herself springing straight into a puddle.

Enjoy your days!

To my American friends......

.....best wishes for a happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend!