Mason's Life Journey Quilt
Words to Live By Cross Stitch
Mum's 60th Birthday Quilt
Mels' Love Knots Quilt
Car's PIF - bag!
Siobhan's Quilt
Zoe's Dora Snuggle Quilt
Nanny's quilt
Not as many as I would have liked - in fact it was quiet on the crafting front. I fear 2011 will follow in these same footsteps but I will plod along as I can to get my fix and hope that I do complete something as some stage....
Friday, December 31, 2010
Glorious Books...
This year, again I took the challenge to get to 50 books in 2010. I did better than last year (I think it was the grand total of 39 books in '09) and reached 44 books.
Many types of books, many memorable and a couple to forget! I always have to finish a book though no matter what it is like. I love to read. I could easily cuddle up in bed, or flop on the sofa and spend the entire day lost in a good book. However my wonderful life gets in the way of this pipe dream and I snatch time here and there when I can.
A few of my favourites this year;
The Five people You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
Fall of Giants - Ken Follett
The Alchemist - Paul Coelho
The Memory Keepers Daughter - Kim Edwards
My all out favourite, without a doubt was Miracle in the Andes - Nando Parrado with Vince Rause. I did a post on it here
This is my entire list for 2010
44. Homecoming - Cathy Kelly
43. My Story - Dannii Minogue
42. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
41. Knit The Season - Kate Jacobs
40. Will Mammy Be Coming Back For Me? - Shane Dunphy
39. Beneath the Shadows - Sarah Foster
38. Breaking Dawn - Stehpanie Meyers
37. The Accidental Billionaires - Ben Mezrich
36. Fall of Giants - Ken Follett
35. Precious - Sapphire
34. Eclipse - Stephanie Meyers
33. New Moon - Stephanie Meyers
32. Twilight - Stephanie Meyers
31. The Alchemist - Paul Coelho
30. Major Pettigres Last Stand - Helen Simonson
29. Hell on the Way to Heaven - Chrissie Foster with Paul Kennedy
28. The Memory Keepers Daughter - Kim Edwards
27. Behaving Badly - Isabel Wolff
26. The Slap - Christos Tsiolkas
25. The Two of Me - Andrew Johns
24. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
23. Only Spring - Gordon Livingston MD
22. The Water Horse - Julia Gregson
21. Olivia - Tim Ewbank
20. Smokey Joe's Cafe - Bryce Courtney
19. The Lilac Bus - Maeve Binchy
18. Her Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffennegger
17. Burning Bright - Tracey Chevalier
16. The Winding Ways Quilt - Jennifer Chiaverini
15. Circle of Quilters - Jennifer Chiaverini
14. The Master Quilter - Jennifer Chiaverini
13. The Quilters Legacy - Jennifer Chiaverini
12. Miracle in the Andes - Nando Parrado with Vince Rause
11. The Quilters Kitchen - Jennifer Chiaverini
10. The Sugar Camp Quilt - Jennifer Chiaverini
9. Matter of Trust - Sydney Bauer
8. Duet - Kimberley Freeman
7. The Runaway Quilt - Jennifer Chiaverini
6. The Other Side of the Story - Marian Keyes
5. Eat Clean for Kids and The Family - Tosca Reno
4. Eat Clean Recharged - Tosca Reno
3. The Stories of My Life - Ray Martin
2. The Five people You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
1. Cross Country Quilters - Jennifer Chiaverini
I am definitely up for the challenge again 2011, and will give it a whirl to see how I go. I suspect that I won't achieve 50 books due to house renos but let's just wait and see.
Happy New Year to you!
Many types of books, many memorable and a couple to forget! I always have to finish a book though no matter what it is like. I love to read. I could easily cuddle up in bed, or flop on the sofa and spend the entire day lost in a good book. However my wonderful life gets in the way of this pipe dream and I snatch time here and there when I can.
A few of my favourites this year;
The Five people You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
Fall of Giants - Ken Follett
The Alchemist - Paul Coelho
The Memory Keepers Daughter - Kim Edwards
My all out favourite, without a doubt was Miracle in the Andes - Nando Parrado with Vince Rause. I did a post on it here
This is my entire list for 2010
44. Homecoming - Cathy Kelly
43. My Story - Dannii Minogue
42. The Notebook - Nicholas Sparks
41. Knit The Season - Kate Jacobs
40. Will Mammy Be Coming Back For Me? - Shane Dunphy
39. Beneath the Shadows - Sarah Foster
38. Breaking Dawn - Stehpanie Meyers
37. The Accidental Billionaires - Ben Mezrich
36. Fall of Giants - Ken Follett
35. Precious - Sapphire
34. Eclipse - Stephanie Meyers
33. New Moon - Stephanie Meyers
32. Twilight - Stephanie Meyers
31. The Alchemist - Paul Coelho
30. Major Pettigres Last Stand - Helen Simonson
29. Hell on the Way to Heaven - Chrissie Foster with Paul Kennedy
28. The Memory Keepers Daughter - Kim Edwards
27. Behaving Badly - Isabel Wolff
26. The Slap - Christos Tsiolkas
25. The Two of Me - Andrew Johns
24. The Lost Symbol - Dan Brown
23. Only Spring - Gordon Livingston MD
22. The Water Horse - Julia Gregson
21. Olivia - Tim Ewbank
20. Smokey Joe's Cafe - Bryce Courtney
19. The Lilac Bus - Maeve Binchy
18. Her Fearful Symmetry - Audrey Niffennegger
17. Burning Bright - Tracey Chevalier
16. The Winding Ways Quilt - Jennifer Chiaverini
15. Circle of Quilters - Jennifer Chiaverini
14. The Master Quilter - Jennifer Chiaverini
13. The Quilters Legacy - Jennifer Chiaverini
12. Miracle in the Andes - Nando Parrado with Vince Rause
11. The Quilters Kitchen - Jennifer Chiaverini
10. The Sugar Camp Quilt - Jennifer Chiaverini
9. Matter of Trust - Sydney Bauer
8. Duet - Kimberley Freeman
7. The Runaway Quilt - Jennifer Chiaverini
6. The Other Side of the Story - Marian Keyes
5. Eat Clean for Kids and The Family - Tosca Reno
4. Eat Clean Recharged - Tosca Reno
3. The Stories of My Life - Ray Martin
2. The Five people You Meet in Heaven - Mitch Albom
1. Cross Country Quilters - Jennifer Chiaverini
I am definitely up for the challenge again 2011, and will give it a whirl to see how I go. I suspect that I won't achieve 50 books due to house renos but let's just wait and see.
Happy New Year to you!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas Everyone...
The weather is freakishly cold and snowy in Dublin, and whilst we are looking forward to getting home and soaking up some sun, we are still having a fun time!
There was a visit to Santa's Cottage up in the north - a wonderful experience for us all, but the kids especially loved it!
There has been a few trips into Dublin city to meet up with Zoe's school friend and her family, who is also visiting Ireland. Dave and I also had a couple of nights in town together..and we took the girls to go into the National Leprechaun Museum and to see the Christmas windows and lights.
Of course there was the whole reason we came to Ireland at this time of year. The wedding of my brother in law John to his gorgeous fiance Sinead. A spray tan, central heating and a short one shouldered dress almost lulled me ito a false sense of security that it wasn't actually sub zero temperatures..that was until we went out into the snow for the official family photos....
Of course there have been lots of cups of tea and red wines with friends and family. To keep me sane I have read 5 books, worked on my Pies and Tarts blocks and been going to the gym a few times a week.
I was also delighted to find a Little People Nativity Set, and the girls have had a great time re-enacting Jesus' birth.
I got the best early Christmas present ever - we are the proud owners of a black AGA cooker that is ordered and will be shipped to Sydney. To buy in Sydney it was way out of the budget but with the exchange rate the way it is it was nearly half the price, even paying shipping costs and duties. I can not wait for my new kitchen!!!
Now we have Christmas day to look forward to, and Zoe's 6th birthday on New Years Eve and then a couple of days later we wil fly out to go home.
I'd like to wish you and yours peace and love this Christmas, enjoy your day and may Santa bring all your dreams true. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
There was a visit to Santa's Cottage up in the north - a wonderful experience for us all, but the kids especially loved it!
There has been a few trips into Dublin city to meet up with Zoe's school friend and her family, who is also visiting Ireland. Dave and I also had a couple of nights in town together..and we took the girls to go into the National Leprechaun Museum and to see the Christmas windows and lights.
Of course there was the whole reason we came to Ireland at this time of year. The wedding of my brother in law John to his gorgeous fiance Sinead. A spray tan, central heating and a short one shouldered dress almost lulled me ito a false sense of security that it wasn't actually sub zero temperatures..that was until we went out into the snow for the official family photos....
Of course there have been lots of cups of tea and red wines with friends and family. To keep me sane I have read 5 books, worked on my Pies and Tarts blocks and been going to the gym a few times a week.
I was also delighted to find a Little People Nativity Set, and the girls have had a great time re-enacting Jesus' birth.
I got the best early Christmas present ever - we are the proud owners of a black AGA cooker that is ordered and will be shipped to Sydney. To buy in Sydney it was way out of the budget but with the exchange rate the way it is it was nearly half the price, even paying shipping costs and duties. I can not wait for my new kitchen!!!
Now we have Christmas day to look forward to, and Zoe's 6th birthday on New Years Eve and then a couple of days later we wil fly out to go home.
I'd like to wish you and yours peace and love this Christmas, enjoy your day and may Santa bring all your dreams true. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Spoilt Rotten...
by my lovely husband. We are in Dublin, escaping from the kids and the inlaws for 2 whole nights and nearly 3 whole days. It is so nice to sleep in, have a long lazy breakfast, not to plan out they day and just wander where the wind blows us.
For those who know me, you know how I love to shop. I don't necessarily have to make a purchase, a window shop is just as good for me. Grafton St is a fabulous pedestrian shopping strip. At the moment, there is a great buzz in the air with Christmas just around the corner. There is a wonderful department store called Brown Thomas and I love just wandering the different halls and floors. I came upon a dress that I loved. As I was wearing my knee high boots, the sales assistant handed me in a pair of heels. Whilst the dress was totally awful on me, I fell in love with the shoes. Dave bought them for me, a special treat. I love them. They are totally indulgent and who knows when I will get to wear them but I am glad they will now have a home in my wardrobe! Hmmm, now about the fabulous clutch purse that was next to them, I wonder if that would be pushing it??? Perhaps...
For those who know me, you know how I love to shop. I don't necessarily have to make a purchase, a window shop is just as good for me. Grafton St is a fabulous pedestrian shopping strip. At the moment, there is a great buzz in the air with Christmas just around the corner. There is a wonderful department store called Brown Thomas and I love just wandering the different halls and floors. I came upon a dress that I loved. As I was wearing my knee high boots, the sales assistant handed me in a pair of heels. Whilst the dress was totally awful on me, I fell in love with the shoes. Dave bought them for me, a special treat. I love them. They are totally indulgent and who knows when I will get to wear them but I am glad they will now have a home in my wardrobe! Hmmm, now about the fabulous clutch purse that was next to them, I wonder if that would be pushing it??? Perhaps...
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Traditions
Reading the lovely Kirsty's blog the other day, she has listed all of her wonderful family traditions...as we are away this year there are many of our usual tradtions that we can't partake in but I thought I would list them all anyway!
1. Our Christmas Tree is put up on 1st December. Read about our tree tradition here
2. We read Christmas stories, ALL the time, not just bed time. My girls are huge lovers of books (which delights me) so at all times there are piles of books scattered through the house, this goes for Chistmas too when it is highly likely that any time I am trying to get something done or finished I will be asked (nagged into submission) to sit down and read stories. Not often do I resist them. The Little Golden Book Christmas Story is a huge favourite as well No Room at The Inn and An Aussie Night Before Christmas. But we have loads of christmas books and we try to get through all of them.
3. We have a gorgeous timber advent calendar house I bought a few years ago. This is usually filled with chocolates to have after dinner each evening. Although going forward I think I will fill it with Advent fun things to do, I have seen that on a few blogs this year and it is a much better idea than sweets every night, though the kids may disagree initially!
4. Santa photos at our local Westfield shopping centre.
5. Our local village has a fabulous community spirit. Each year we go with family friends to our local green for Fish and chips (and wine for the big kids) for the Christmas Entertainment and the Christmas Tree lights being turned on.
6. The kids choose a gift, wrap it and place it under the Kmart Giving Tree. We really feel how important it is for them to realise and understand that they lead a blessed life and that there are others who are not nearly as fortunate as they are.
7. We have a selection of Christmas movies and Friday nights in December they get to stay up later and have popcorn and a christmas movie! Always on Christmas Eve we watch Polar Express.
8. Christmas Eve Childrens Mass and then depending on how the kids are coping, dinner at the village with friends/family or sometimes just us!
9. Local Carols by Candlelight - the 3 churchs in our area come together and put it on, always a fun night. When the girls are a little older I would like to start taking them to Carols in the Domain. Perhaps next year.
10. Bus or train into town to see the Christmas windows at David Jones and Myer.
11. I make Rocky Road and attempt Mince Tarts. My granma made exceptional Mince Tarts and every year I try to equal her greatness, so far I have failed in each attempt. I will keep trying, perhaps the Aga will make a difference ;)
12. Christmas Eve - a letter to Santa is written, the carrot, beer and mince tart left out, the front door "key" is left out so Santa can get in as we have no fireplace and the Santa Please Stop Here sign is left at the letter box.
13. New traditions that I am starting - last year the very same lovely Kirsty as above sent me reindeer food to scatter outside...which we did on Christmas Eve last year, this is something I would like to do with the girls as part of our Christmas Eve rituals. When our reno is finished (that is my catch phrase to everything) we are going to buy exterior lights and decorate the outside of the house.
I am sure there are other traditions that we do but that is all I can think of. It is such a magical time of year and we love it. I am not looking forward to the day when the whole Santa thing is exposed but in our house we live by "You have to Believe to Receive". I am often the biggest kid in the house!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, enojy this special time of year and may it be filled with peace, love and laughter. Let me know if put your traditions on your blog so I can stop by and take a look!
1. Our Christmas Tree is put up on 1st December. Read about our tree tradition here
2. We read Christmas stories, ALL the time, not just bed time. My girls are huge lovers of books (which delights me) so at all times there are piles of books scattered through the house, this goes for Chistmas too when it is highly likely that any time I am trying to get something done or finished I will be asked (nagged into submission) to sit down and read stories. Not often do I resist them. The Little Golden Book Christmas Story is a huge favourite as well No Room at The Inn and An Aussie Night Before Christmas. But we have loads of christmas books and we try to get through all of them.
3. We have a gorgeous timber advent calendar house I bought a few years ago. This is usually filled with chocolates to have after dinner each evening. Although going forward I think I will fill it with Advent fun things to do, I have seen that on a few blogs this year and it is a much better idea than sweets every night, though the kids may disagree initially!
4. Santa photos at our local Westfield shopping centre.
5. Our local village has a fabulous community spirit. Each year we go with family friends to our local green for Fish and chips (and wine for the big kids) for the Christmas Entertainment and the Christmas Tree lights being turned on.
6. The kids choose a gift, wrap it and place it under the Kmart Giving Tree. We really feel how important it is for them to realise and understand that they lead a blessed life and that there are others who are not nearly as fortunate as they are.
7. We have a selection of Christmas movies and Friday nights in December they get to stay up later and have popcorn and a christmas movie! Always on Christmas Eve we watch Polar Express.
8. Christmas Eve Childrens Mass and then depending on how the kids are coping, dinner at the village with friends/family or sometimes just us!
9. Local Carols by Candlelight - the 3 churchs in our area come together and put it on, always a fun night. When the girls are a little older I would like to start taking them to Carols in the Domain. Perhaps next year.
10. Bus or train into town to see the Christmas windows at David Jones and Myer.
11. I make Rocky Road and attempt Mince Tarts. My granma made exceptional Mince Tarts and every year I try to equal her greatness, so far I have failed in each attempt. I will keep trying, perhaps the Aga will make a difference ;)
12. Christmas Eve - a letter to Santa is written, the carrot, beer and mince tart left out, the front door "key" is left out so Santa can get in as we have no fireplace and the Santa Please Stop Here sign is left at the letter box.
13. New traditions that I am starting - last year the very same lovely Kirsty as above sent me reindeer food to scatter outside...which we did on Christmas Eve last year, this is something I would like to do with the girls as part of our Christmas Eve rituals. When our reno is finished (that is my catch phrase to everything) we are going to buy exterior lights and decorate the outside of the house.
I am sure there are other traditions that we do but that is all I can think of. It is such a magical time of year and we love it. I am not looking forward to the day when the whole Santa thing is exposed but in our house we live by "You have to Believe to Receive". I am often the biggest kid in the house!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours, enojy this special time of year and may it be filled with peace, love and laughter. Let me know if put your traditions on your blog so I can stop by and take a look!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Pies and Tarts Progress
The husband is taking off to 25 degrees in Miami today, a conference. I am unable to upload pics from Grandad's laptop so no piccies until next Friday....should have a load of these pies done to report by then though......love the fabrics in this BOM.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wintery Wonderland
and then it is so lovely to come inside, almost sit on top of the radiator in this big comfy chair of Grandads, have a big mug of green tea and read my book or do some stitching!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
No More Whingeing!
The cold isn't going anywhere and we have 5 more weeks of it so...my attitude is changing!!
"Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances."
~Anonymous
"Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances."
~Anonymous
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Ciara was in the deepest sleep when we landed in Singapore. We couldn't wake her, and she remained asleep the entire stop over and about an hour into the 2nd leg of the flight. 
Flying into Dublin. Minus 7 degrees and snow. We had been laughing about how the weather was going to be when we arrived, but the reality was we were in total denial. Pretty to look at as we flew in though.
Zoe had a ball catching up with her second cousins in the back yard on the day we arrived.
I dared to venture outside at 8am yesterday morning, I couldn't believe the darkness. I lived in London for 3 years many years ago but had obviously blocked those dark wintery mornings out of my mind. Now here it is light not long after 8am and dark again at 4.30pm.
I have a fear of cabin fever. After 3 days I am feeling it. Shortly I am going to have a snooze with the kids so we can try and break the jet lag. 3am mornings are not fun. There was a fair amount of snow over night, it looks so lovely. Then I am going down to join the local gym so I can get out of the house for an hour a day. Then we are going to Bewleys Cafe for the girls to have a hot chocolate.
I realise how I have taken for granted the small things like playing in the back yard, going for a stroll in the brisk winterweather. This snow just makes things really different! Even the Irish are over it already!!!
Flying into Dublin. Minus 7 degrees and snow. We had been laughing about how the weather was going to be when we arrived, but the reality was we were in total denial. Pretty to look at as we flew in though.
Zoe had a ball catching up with her second cousins in the back yard on the day we arrived.
I dared to venture outside at 8am yesterday morning, I couldn't believe the darkness. I lived in London for 3 years many years ago but had obviously blocked those dark wintery mornings out of my mind. Now here it is light not long after 8am and dark again at 4.30pm.
I have a fear of cabin fever. After 3 days I am feeling it. Shortly I am going to have a snooze with the kids so we can try and break the jet lag. 3am mornings are not fun. There was a fair amount of snow over night, it looks so lovely. Then I am going down to join the local gym so I can get out of the house for an hour a day. Then we are going to Bewleys Cafe for the girls to have a hot chocolate.
I realise how I have taken for granted the small things like playing in the back yard, going for a stroll in the brisk winterweather. This snow just makes things really different! Even the Irish are over it already!!!
1st December
1st December 2010.
Here we are again in the fun filled Christmas season.
I can not believe we are almost at the end of 2010.
It will be a very different Christmas for me this year.
Away from Australia. No Christmas drinks in lovely summery dresses, no back yard barbies soaking up the sun with friends. No Christmas Eve Childrens Mass and dinner at the village with friends afterwards. No picnic dinners at the beach, just because we can. Visiting the local Christmas lights with kids that are too tired to do it but the big kids want to see them jsut as much as the real kids.
This year, it is cold and snowing, and catching up with family and friends in Ireland. No last minute dash to the shops with thousands of others because I have forgotten something. Lots staying close to the heaters, warming up with cups of teas. Trudging in the snow, sneaky snowballs thrown, trying not to slip when the sun shines and it gets slushy. Bus trips into Dublin to visit The Crib, a trip up to Dundalk to Santa's Grotto, a family wedding.
The same amount of memories, the same amount of laughter, the same amount of love.
Just different.
I am joining the lovely Nic (at http://nicolewood.blogspot.com/) in her blog along.
As we are away from home I can not guarantee that all posts will be craft related but I will be posting along!
For some strange reason, I can not upload photos from the memory cards or do links (hence just the link typed in for Nic's blog). i will save all the pics to the desk top later and see if they upload from there.
Here we are again in the fun filled Christmas season.
I can not believe we are almost at the end of 2010.
It will be a very different Christmas for me this year.
Away from Australia. No Christmas drinks in lovely summery dresses, no back yard barbies soaking up the sun with friends. No Christmas Eve Childrens Mass and dinner at the village with friends afterwards. No picnic dinners at the beach, just because we can. Visiting the local Christmas lights with kids that are too tired to do it but the big kids want to see them jsut as much as the real kids.
This year, it is cold and snowing, and catching up with family and friends in Ireland. No last minute dash to the shops with thousands of others because I have forgotten something. Lots staying close to the heaters, warming up with cups of teas. Trudging in the snow, sneaky snowballs thrown, trying not to slip when the sun shines and it gets slushy. Bus trips into Dublin to visit The Crib, a trip up to Dundalk to Santa's Grotto, a family wedding.
The same amount of memories, the same amount of laughter, the same amount of love.
Just different.
I am joining the lovely Nic (at http://nicolewood.blogspot.com/) in her blog along.
As we are away from home I can not guarantee that all posts will be craft related but I will be posting along!
For some strange reason, I can not upload photos from the memory cards or do links (hence just the link typed in for Nic's blog). i will save all the pics to the desk top later and see if they upload from there.
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