Blue Shadow Pony

Sue Ross Workshop.

2009-07-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

The past two days have been somewhat of a revelation for me... I have officially entered the world of Sue Ross... that's Sue in the photo with one of her many quilts "Blazing Stars" need I say I now no longer look @ a bolt of fabric in the same light ??? A Workshop with Sue introduces you to a world of Contempory meets Tradition in the best possible of ways... Oh... &&& I am hand piecing...mind you that requires a tad bit more practice as yet. If you have taken the opportunity to subscribe to Down Under Quilts free for 6 months... @ this Link you will be able to read more about Sue's Quilting Journey in Issue # 133 { that's the issue with the really cool crocheted edge Quilt on the cover } and see some of her wonderful quilts... &&& you should see what Sue is working on @ present !!! One block has 101 pieces alone & looks totally stunning in two different colourways... can see I will be a regular attendee @ Sue's Workshops every 2 months in Toowoomba as I have truly fallen in love with just Soooo... many of Sue's designs... maybe I should get another job too just for my materials... one of course needs to be supportive of such addictions !!! Lol...

Oz Rose.

2009-06-29T05:06:00.000-07:00

I gotta admit the generosity within Blogland brightens your day ! This week I have been exceptionally lucky to win Oz Rose's Giveaway to celebrate her 50th Post and my parcel arrived in the mail this week... don't you just love collecting the mail when you now there could be something special... ??? For my Stitchin' Get Together tomorrow my mug will be able to travel in style &&& of course I will be showing this cute little Mug Bag off to just everyone ! Thank You Soooo... much OzRose just Luv it to bits &&& I might add here that the Haigh Choccies are Long... Gone Lol !!!

PS. Don't forget Jackie's Birthday Giveaway over @ Canton Village Quilt Works.

Sunrise.

2009-06-26T21:00:00.000-07:00

Trying to be really good and go for a walk each day just a tad tricky in the Winter so I find !!! But just this week one of my friends sent me an Email with a 92yr old lady's lessons in life... One in particular resonated with me in every way !!!

" No matter how you feel... Get Up, Dress Up &&& Show Up !!! "

So from the mouth of Babe's I sure can take a hint... Lol

But also urging me out of my Oh So Cosy bed is the tantalising Sunrise's of late just thought I would share...

Designer Blog Hop.

2009-06-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Now this sounds like a bit of fun for sure... with lots of great designers sharing a little about themselves plus great Demo's & Patterns for us all to enjoy... with the Blog Hop beginning today over @ Gudrun's from GE Designs you won't wish to miss out on any of the fun so quickly hop on over for a visit... I believe someone may have mentioned Giveaway's & Prizes Too... Smiles :0)

Misty Morning.

2009-06-19T20:25:00.000-07:00

Just some shots of "Nureyev" aka Twinkle Toes... My resident Manee for the weanlings... first thing this AM with my Blue Dog getting in on the Act. Such unusual weather today getting a bit chilly now so off to Rug Up "The Girl" who is home spelling for a bit... looks like a shower coming... Then I can settledown for some Stitchin'.

Piano Cello - Jon Schmidt.

2009-06-18T06:14:00.000-07:00

This fellow is just beyond magic... For Pure Listening Pleasure....

New On Line Store.

2009-06-18T04:59:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already discovered Sarah's New On Line Store "Patchwork 's Plus" can I suggest a Visit... I Promise you will discover something which makes your heart sing !!! I certainly did... Smiles... Sarah also has a Blog over here @ Sarah's Prim Treasures ... Enjoy Your Visit ...

Great Giveaway.

2009-06-14T21:00:00.000-07:00

Really Great Giveaway over here @ The Fabric Shopper... Hippie Chicks from Marcus Fabrics ... Very Cool !!!

Paper Bag Swap Parcel.

2009-06-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

My Paper Bag Swap Goodies have arrived safely in the Mail... Much Fun !!! Luvin' the colours & Giant Ric Rac Yummm... Now !!! Decisions... Decisions...

And... these are the contents of the Paper Bag I sent off to my Swap Partner... hopefully waiting patiently in the Posties Bag ready for delivery tomorrow ! Plus a little last minute tiny white Ric Rac too boot...

Sewn's Blog Party Giveaway Winner !!!

2009-06-08T22:00:00.000-07:00

So... Here We Go Now !!!

The numbers generated by this widget come from RANDOM.ORG's true random number generator.

#12 Jeannette has left a new comment on your post "Sewn's Launch !!!":

Congratulations Jeanette The Random Number Generator has selected you as My Sewn Giveaway Winner !!! Shall be in touch Via Email for your Addy Details for your Winnings to find their way to you !!! Way to Go... Now if you have not been over to Sewn's New Website to Visit as yet... you are missing out on one truly Savvy Site... Slip on Over *Do Not Pass Go !!!

Sewn's Launch !!!

2009-06-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

Today is the day for Sewn's Launch a great new innovative site for Sewer's orchestrated by Sarah Fielke of Material Obsession Books 1 & 2 Fame !!! *** On My Wish List... ***

Sarah has come up with an awesome idea which you can read more about @ her Blog right here... to launch her new Website with a Blog Party Giveaway which I along with 150 !!! other Blogs have joined in on &&& this is my mightily late... Oh why do I do this to myself..... Groan... posting for My Giveaway. Better Late than Never as my Grandma always used to say !

&&& OMGosh... I have just had a look @ the Prize Pool... Be Still My Heart !!!

Now for My Giveaway ... I have A Bronwyn Hayes Stitchery Kit with a little parcel of Fabrics & Lace...

Then... I also have one of my Pincushion Of The Month Kits including the Pintopper !!! This was the hardest decision because I had to decide which of the Months would be featuring in My Giveaway !!! Good Luck Everyone... &&& Thank You Sarah for such a fun thing to do !!!

Blogland Giveaways.

2009-06-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

Bloghopping such a wonderful pastime... Especially when cold & wet !!! Now as I have accumulated some great Giveaways to visit over the past few days I had better make a start...

The cutest dresses on earth or so I believe anyways can be found over here... Slip On Over for a Visit...

Grosgrain: SHABBY APPLE Marseilles Dress GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Then over here @ Rae Gun...

Rae Gun: Giveaway: Citrus Summer Ruffle Diaper

&&& One More Here...

http://laniejane.typepad.com/see_jane_run_go_jane_go/2009/05/a-sunburn-and-sand-in-my-pockets.html#comments

Enjoy Visiting...

More Than Shabby....

2009-06-03T04:12:00.000-07:00

My Apologies Everyone in being so Shabbily behind time in posting the winner of my Blogoversary Giveaway... With so many lovely comments received I've discovered Giveaways can be just as much fun from the Giving side of things !!! That's the Joy of Blogland. So Thank You to Everyone for Joining in on the Fun with me.

Now the result caused me to chuckle some ... But .... when you are on a winning streak & the Angel's are on your side & well that's all there is to it ...Lol A Big Congratulations to Stina !!! Your Surprise parcel will be popped into the mail to you ASAP if you could contact me via Email with your Addy Details that would be great.

I will post Details & Pics of Stina's Surprise on Arrival in Sweden 'cause otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise now would it ??? Thank You once again to all the Super Bloggers who joined in... Such a Fabulous Fun way to meet Amazing people !!!

Precious Time Well Spent.

2009-05-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

WOW !!! I received the loveliest of Surprises this week when I visited my Favourite Shop for Stitches Therapy... Just has to be therapy when you come away feeling so inspired & motivated to achieve new dreams & desires... { I strongly feel adding to your stash falls beautifully into such a classification also } Big Grin... But I digress ! The surprise being that the shop was totally empty...bare... more to the point shifted altogether !!! Big Excitement then...

For you see... Precious Time have relocated to their fabulous New Premises @ 29 David St Toowoomba QLD & well... not much stitching happened that day for this little black duck as there was Soooo... Much to see !!! Add in Friends, Laughter, Stitches, Fabric, Coffee & Cake... & well it just doesn't get any better than that...................................

So if you are visiting Toowoomba or in the area treat yourself to a visit@ Precious Time

& say hello to Lisa & Majella... for I believe we

Quilters & Stitchers

have indeed been indulged with yet another

enticing " Playground " to visit ! Do Enjoy...

My Very 1st Blogoversary !

2009-05-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

Good Grief... It's that time already !!! Wow time sure flys by when you are having Fun... Now I know this because Teena from Toronto congratulated me on my Milestone today... not because I was watching my Counter... Lol... I kinda knew it was not too far off but yeah I sorta dropped the ball there... Time Management not being one of my finer set of skills.

So what to do ???

A Giveaway ???

Sounds good to me !

So if you would like to leave a Comment on this Post I will draw the lucky person's name on Sunday... & Pop something Special into the mail... don't forget to leave your Email contact for me.

Blogland Giveaways.

2009-05-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

Wow there are some absolutely super Giveaways out there in Blogland @ the moment & some super generous people as well ... I believe it's the Sharing & Caring that you find out there in Blogland in such abundance is what makes this All Soooooo deliciously .... Addictive !!!

The Crafty Girls over @ Crafty Girls Workshop have these Fabulous packs from Moda & the decision is such a hard one... The giveaway is in support of Sewn's Launch Party ! You really need to go visit...

Robyn over here @ Daisy Quilts is offering this wantable little package... Yummm ! Have always admired Aggie from afar... Better head on over & visit to join in on the fun ! Robyn has also just had her very first quilt published in Down Under Quilts... Such Excitement for Robyn !!!

Then~~~ over here @ Pigtails & Snails is Lizzie Anne with her Cute Azz Quilt "Pink - A - Boo" how sweet is that ! Hurry now mustn't be late...

@ The Breaker's.

2009-05-15T06:04:00.000-07:00

The Sequalo Colt is @ The Breaker's... The first step forward in his education as a racehorse & the boy is coming along nicely. We visited him over there just this week to see how he was going. These shots tell a story I Believe like in " Man I've been doing this all My Life... " after only a handful of rides... he is just such a laidback colt. Guess you could say I'm one proud Mama !

Mother's Day Lunch.

2009-05-13T04:47:00.000-07:00

Meeting My Mum today for her ' Mother's Day ' lunch in town as for my mum Sunday was totally booked out already ! In a small country town for the Local Show it's all hands on deck & Mum had her troops to organise ! So today will hold a piece of her Special Day instead...

PIF Challenge.

2009-05-11T05:42:00.001-07:00

My Turn Now...

It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange. It’s based on the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on. So here’s how it works. I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on the blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month, probably not next month, but it will be sent (within 12 months) and that’s a promise! What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog...

Would love to have you Join In !!!

As You Do...

2009-05-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

Visited my favourite store * Precious Time * last week to catch up with my Stitching Friend's... such a long time since I had last sat & stitched with everyone... twas lovely to be back chatting although not a lot of stitching happening... Lol Just being there amongst friends made the world a far brighter place for the day. I had so much fun discovering all that was new in the store during the day !!! These fellows followed me home... I'm yet to find a reason for them other than some Fabrics just talk to you... simple as that !!! DDH is still a WIP on that particular theory... LOL.

Maree's Paper Bag Swap.

2009-05-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

Flowering in My Garden right now is this sweet little pink rose rambles somewhat & whose name I do not know... Sorry... A bit of a Favourite with me & Soooo... tough !

Have just come across Maree's new swap @ On My Verandah & it sounds like a lot of fun especially for you More... creative types Lol. Will be terribly exciting to see what everyone comes up with... I'm all signed up & Brainstorming already.............

They say Ironing is the very best of thinking time ... Hmmm could put a new slant on that *** HUGE*** too big to jump over kinda huge... basket I have lurking out in my laundry !!! So Quick what are you waiting for ??? Slip across to Maree's & check this Swap out. Now what's in my stash.................... or maybe a trip to Ye Olde Quilt Shoppe of choice... now there's a thought !

Now this fella fascinates me... does anyone know what he is @ all cause so many visitors to My Garden ask & I just have Nooo... idea !!! Guessing... a type of Salvia but I could be way out there Lol.

Marica's Pay It Forward Gift.

2009-05-03T20:50:00.000-07:00

Look who arrived in my PIF Parcel... Just how Cute is My Angel that Marica Stitched for me ??? Those wings sure must have come in handy for such a long trip all the way from Sweden... You sure do meet some super lovely people in Blogland... Thank You so much for each & every heartfelt stitch with which you created my new little Angel Friend Marica I feel very blessed to have her in my Home.

PS. Oh & Marica... DDH has devoured each & every last one of the sweets with great pleasure !!! He says Thank You too...

Happy Stitches Helz.

Pay It Forward Gift.

2009-05-02T05:23:00.000-07:00

On Friday I recieved the most lovely surprise in the mailbox... something I had clean forgotten all about with everything happening of late with DDH illness & also due in part to my lack of visits to Blogland of late... working on the remedy to that problem ! So Marica Thank You ever so much for such an unexpectedly lovely surprise... you totally made my day... so much so that I could not even bring myself to open it for the first 24Hrs... I just kept glancing over @ it with a silly smile on my face each time I walked by... Lol.

Back On Track...

2009-05-02T04:52:00.000-07:00

A Good Friend Once Told Me... Just Start ! So Start I Shall...

My DDH is recovering well following major surgery @ the end of Feb & our lives have once again begun to gather momentum which feels ever Soooo... Good............... I wish I could tell you all that I have done heaps of Stitchin' but when I worry Lots... I need to keep busy & on the move all @ the same time of course... As You Do...

But I knew All would be OK once again when DDH suggested visiting our local Tree Farm this week to purchase some new trees for our garden... Instant Smiles... right down to digging thru all of our lovely * Not... rocky soil for the planting of each & every one with the criteria being good deep... wide... holes to give them the very best of starts !!! One exceptionally weary yet strangely contented Gardener @ the end of the Best of Days.

My SSCS 2008.

2009-01-22T22:30:00.000-08:00

Firstly... A Huge Apology to my SSCS partner Margaret for not having posted earlier but to be totally truthful coping with my everyday has been somewhat of a challenge for me of late... but I'm finally here to make amends Margaret and I can only hope there is still lots of wonderful Christmas Spirit to spare within your heart...................

When Margaret's parcel arrived in the mail from Spain there was one very excited girl believe me & then I had to wait... How Many Sleeps ??? Tantalising to say the very least as I strived to remain a good girl & wait for Santa !~!~! LOL....... But @ last....................... Xmas Day arrived & I excitedly scooped up my SSCS parcel from under the Xmas tree & raced off to join my DDH in opening our Chrissie Presents on the bed of course... where else ??? Upon opening my SSCS Pressie my DDH & I found it absolutely unbelievable that a total stranger would wish to put in so much time & effort for someone unknown to them... TRULY AMAZING to us & totally gave our Christmas morning an extra special sparkle !!! Thank You Sooooo much Margaret for your SSCS generosity ...

Here is what I discovered within my lovely Pressie all the way from Spain... the most gorgeous Wallhanging with the sweetest stitches which immediately found a prestigous hanging position for all to see when visiting and I'm still unable to bring myself to store it away with all the other Chrissie Decorations just yet !!! Need to find just the right hanger for my New Treasure is the latest excuse Lol...

Then also the cutest little notions holder & rotary cutter case not to mention the Choccies & Chooky tissues way cute but no... not Blue... lol

All of this made possible by one Very Special Christmas Elf ... Chookyblue !!! We **All** in Blogland have been blessed with a very fine friend indeed ~~~ Thank You So much for creating such a wealth of fun & friendship within Blogland Chookyblue you truly are a special lady...

Take Care Helz .

This Will Never Do...

2009-01-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

OK... Now where to start for I have been away from Blogland for such a while now... lets head back to November when my DDH & I found out we were in for a bit of a fight during the next few months ... they say when Cancer enters your life to have No Expectations & No Plans this took a little adjusting to ! But Thank Heavens I married a fighter & following 2 rounds of Chemo *** No Walk in the Park this one... the tumour is now 1/10 the original size & all is on track for Surgery in late Feb... pretty darn good to see that glimpse of light @ the end of this tunnel... At least we are breathing again !!! Please accept my apologies for my absence it's just that this sorta life experience does not come with an Instruction Manual... Darn It All. Right now DDH is home from hospital which feels awfully good 'cause we were starting to settle in there right down to sharing Christmas Lunch/Dinner on Xmas Day ----- Not Planned ! But you get that..................... Hey? What we both need now though is some normalacy in our lives... We both crave it !!! Hence DDH working on the Fergie Tractor this afternoon doing maintenance & I tackling the way too tall weed population with my trusty Brushcutter then evening rounds with the resident equine population...Of Course LOl. Life is Back on Track & Feels Good..................................

Ethereal Morn.

2008-11-07T23:35:00.000-08:00

Sometimes rising early pays off !!! This is what greeted DDH & I when up @ 4am to feed the youngsters before "Dragon Boy " had to leave on the Horse Transport to start Sale Prep... Big day for the youngster & owner need I say ??? His mates are missing him terribly... Honestly though I did feed up first before racing to grab my camera - it was just all too much as the Fog & Sun fought for supremacy!

The cobwebs after the rain were Enchanting... So Many ! Amazing what goes on whilst we sleep @ night... No wonder designers get so much inspiration from nature...

As you can tell... with such unreal conditions for photography... waiting for the Horse Transport to arrive certainly not a hassle...

My youngster loaded beautifully for a first timer also I might add... { more like an Old Stager...} ***Proud Parent*** LOL Off to play with the Big Boys now !

I'm... Back...

2008-10-22T04:30:00.000-07:00

Hi & Hello Everyone !!! Two... yes ie.#2... Months since I last Blogged... hard to believe ... Outrageous how Life can take you over... Yes ??? As to the Where How & Why... Many Stories in that there three words... will get round to some of those one day - Hey? Meantime just craving to create in real life colour & reclaim My Blog all @ the same time of course as is my want... Shall pace myself...LOL ! Have spent most of my evening trying to catch up in Blogland but boy do I ever have a way to go... you guys have been busy !!! But Hey 'tis Way good to be back... Oh & someone else wanted to say Hi ...Hello... too !

Happy Stitches Helz.

Wee Spin Playmat.

2008-08-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Have been working on a Wee Spin Playmat for my GD Tia from Moda's Wee Play... not too sure if I fell in love with the Fabric or the Jelly Roll Tin as I Sooo... love both ! So much so that I found it really hard to even take them out of the tin to start my Quilt - yeah I know Way Sad... but they just look so darn good in that Tin !!! This is where I am at for now must get some more done tomorrow as Tia Jane @ 4 months is growing so fast on me...

Syverkstan Grand Opening.

2008-08-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

Over @ Syverkstan Helena is Celebrating the opening of her new Quilt Studio... A Longtime Dream for her... how exciting that must be !!! So please pop on over to say Hello & share in the fun with Helena for the Grand Opening Celebrations there may even be some Giveaways...

Lurline's Blogoversary.

2008-08-19T05:23:00.000-07:00

Just had to quickly post as Visitors are keeping me out of mischief for a bit but will soon be returning home & I Sooo... do not want to miss a moment of their visit !!! But Lurline is Celebrating her Blogoversary & has made this absolutely stunning Cathedral Bag to Giveaway to one very lucky person in Blogland & I just had to tell you because Lurline just creates absolutely gorgeous handmade items & I know how much she would love to meet you 'cause just like me she adores having visitors call in...

Blogland Giveaways.

2008-08-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Heaps going on in the Land of Blog lately... Just a few Giveaways & Celebrations Happenin' !!!

Melly @ Melly & Me has a New BOM Celebration & it's rather Sweet...
Cheryl @ Polka Dots & Ric Rac is celebrating her 1st Blogoversary !!!
Candace @ Wraggedy Patches also has Posted for the 100th Time...
Inger Lise @ Lises Hobbyblog is celebrating her 100th Post Too...
Rosie @ Rosalie Quinlin Designs has a New Pattern & it's Xmasie Cute Azz...
This Lady @ Confessions of an Apron Queen has weekly Apron Giveaways... Such Fun !

So don't delay some Fantastic Blogs to Pop on over & Visit & some Fun too Boot !!!

Daily Smile - Sunday.

2008-08-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

AND... Also @ THE EKKA my dear SIL spotted a sign for this Display from Atop the Ferris Wheel... Thank Heavens !!! I Sooooo.... could have missed seeing these *Not Good *Gasp.... I would have been totally devastated had I read of the Quilt Show titled "Quilts Across Queensland" on my return home - I live for these !!! So Yes The Ekka was an awesome day out Indeedy... (((Many Smiles Here))). I hope you all enjoy them as much as I...

Quick Note : I have matched Quilts with known #'s from my other shots to Catalogue Information... will make sure I get All the #'s Next Time !!!

#2 " Forest Fire" - D Grant * Foundation Pieced in the Colours of a Forest Fire

#21 " Hexabolic" - RL Hale * Design by Yoko Goto

# 62 " In A Garden Dreaming" - DP Dixon *Quilting Pattern from Original Design

#10 " New York Compasses" - CH Hamlet *Designed & Pieced by Maker

# 19 "Hatz " - GR Wogan. * Stargazy Quilts Design.

#70 " Lazy Sunday" - LH Carthew *Impressionist Landscape

#82 "Squirrels & Crows" - CA Bonney *Blackbird Design.

#149 "Geoff's Crazy Quilt" - RD Mansfield * Original Design

#48 " Abundant Love" - WM Cadoo * Original Design for Eldest's Grandson's Marriage

#105 " Star Gazer " - KB Mersiades * Designed & Pieced by Maker

#15 " Charlotte's Quilt" - M Rowlands * Traditional Hexagon Quilt

Daily Smile - Saturday.

2008-08-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

*** THE EKKA*** as it is known to us Aussie's is a Tradition @ Best... also known as the Royal Queensland Show & is held @ the RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane every August. Well guess where I was over the weekend !!! I have not been forever... & I would line up to go back for another day as it was that much Fun !!! I still cannot believe how quickly the day went by & there was just so much more to see & do still... Here are some shots of a Fabulous Day out with Family.

The Petting Zoo as you can see here was a huge drawcard... never seen so many littlies, parents & grandparents in one spot !!! Surprised myself how much I found myself enjoying it just by watching the expressions on some of the Littlies faces totally priceless...

And of course we all lined up for the Ferris Wheel... A Must !!!

From Great Big Heavy Horses to Absolutely Cute As A Button Pint Size One's on Show.

But next Year I am Sooooo.... wearing my most comfortable walking shoes... NOT my Boots... My Feet will never be the same !!! How good was it to arrive back @ the car ready for the trip back home .................................................................... !!!

Daily Smile - Friday.

2008-08-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

My Toy Boy !!! My DDH is always threatening to sell my Favourite Boy { Gasp... !!! } but thus far I have managed to steer My Boy clear of this fate... His Racing name was "Pat And Pay" because as Pop says this is all MOST owners ever get the chance to Do... !!! Oh & Pop gave him his racing name too... Nowadays he has the Cushy job of Chaperoning some of our Weanlings each year & keeping them out of trouble... Mind you we do tend to get more than our fair share of the feed @ times so we most definitely are NOT perishing !!! This Poem Sums up Perfectly how much I appreciate PatN's being part of my Life... Smile Territory Indeed.

THE HEART OF A HORSE.

When your day seems out of balance And so many things go wrong When people fight around you And the clock drags on so long…

When most folks act like children And fill you with remorse Go out into your pasture Wrap your arms around your horse.

His gentle breath enfolds you As he watches with those eyes He may not have a PhD But he is, oh, so wise!

His head rests on your shoulder You embrace him good and tight; He puts your world in balance And makes it seem all right.

Your tears will soon stop flowing Then tension will be eased. The nonsense has been lifted You are quiet and at peace.

So when you need some balance From the stresses in your day, The best therapy you can seek Is out there eating hay!

Author unknown

Daily Smile - Thursday.

2008-08-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Taking Pop for Lunch... This week @ Platform 9 which is just like stepping back in time with the restaurant mirroring Olde Worlde Queensland Railway Dining Rooms which Pop @ 91yrs just loved !!! The Memories came flooding back for him as we enjoyed a lovely long... unhurried lunch with lots of stories about trips & meetings during Rail Travel throughout his life... the ones during wartime the most colourful of All !!! Lots of Smiles & Laughs over Lunch today...

Daily Smile - Wednesday.

2008-08-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

Just recently I was the Lucky Winner of Cath's Giveaway over @ Willow Valley Store & this is what arrived in the Mailbox today... Amorella's Chatelaine. (((Big Smile's))) How adorable are those Buttons ??? Thank You So Much Cath... Gotta Luv Giveaways !!!

Daily Smile...

2008-08-05T21:00:00.001-07:00

Come along for a walk in the Garden with me this is a daily occupation of mine just in case I miss something ... You Know how it is ... Almost always with a coffee in hand... telling myself I Will Not Weed at all until I finish My Coffee First !!! Inevitably half empty coffee cups are found on a regular basis throughout My Garden LOL. Tis just the best way to begin the Day & brings a Smile to my face without even trying...

Things That Make Me Smile.

2008-08-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

Just last week I read A Blog that had a Magic idea by posting Daily for a Week just what made her Smile for the Day & well if I could just remember where I read that so as I could Link... because I have spent the majority of this week searching for that Blog would you believe !!! Don't you just hate that... Whoever... Wherever... just want you to know I think it's a great idea & so sorry I could not find you... Bloghopping tends to do this to me I'm afraid !!!

But here goes...

Every Evening right @ the same time each day *My Boys* come up to the water trough for a drink & then linger hoping for scratches on the butt... something they just adore to Bits & Pieces so much so the bottom lip even wobbles as you vigorously scratch the butt of their tails !!! We always warn any new trainers about their love of scratches as swinging their butts around for a scratch can very easily be misconstrued !!! A fair bit of jostling for best position goes on too ... Just love the expression of complete & utter Bliss on their faces...

Secret Santa Swap 2008.

2008-08-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

Much Excitement... Chookyblue is having another Secret Santa Swap !!! Slip on over to Check it Out here but be quick though as there are lots of Bloggers just like me that adore the thought of giving & receiving from an unknown Swap partner @ Christmastime... Just Too Much Fun. As I'm always on the lookout for Christmassy projects I always have a few in mind so now to decide which one... that's half the fun of course! With Much Merriment & Jingles I now have the perfect reason to order that gorgeous red Christmas fabric I spotted Online just this week !!!

More Giveaways...

2008-08-03T02:00:00.000-07:00

Maree over @ Farmyard Crafts is having a Giveaway to celebrate her 50th Post & the prizes are a Mystery just Luv a good Mystery ... Pop on over to say Hello ! Then over @ Kate Quilts a copy of Christine Book's 'Stitched Verse' is Kate's Giveaway Prize sounds lovely ! While Lindi is hosting a Winter Giveaway @ Quilty Threads & would like you to share your Favourite way of getting warm... Have Fun !!!

Strip Club.

2008-08-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

Friday Night was Strip Club preview night with Lisa @ Precious Time when we girls get to see all of the latest creations for Strip Club from these clever ladies along with fruit punch & yummy nibblies... My Wish List invariably has Add Ons before the night is out...LOL. A lovely night out filled with fabric... colour... patterns... friendship & laughter ... Food for the Soul indeed.

Happy Stitches Helz xx

Meg's Giveaway.

2008-08-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

Meg a fellow Mamma Mia movie goer... from over @ Boutique Nutmeg Designs is having a Giveaway with one of her Gorgeous bags as the prize... drop on over to say Hello !!! Some beautiful bags to See...

Mamma Mia !

2008-08-01T18:57:00.001-07:00

A visit to see Mamma Mia this week has been a most welcome diversion from real life... strange how a movie can help you cope with the harsher aspects of this life of ours... Need something good for the soul then slip along & check out Mamma Mia ! Laughter truly is Good for the Soul !

Thankfulness.

2008-07-31T00:45:00.000-07:00

Recently a very dear old friend of mine has been diagnosed with Lung Cancer @ 77yrs & pretty much everything has gone on hold to be with him & his wife during this very confronting & testing time of biopsy's, scans , x-rays & furthur testing because simply... this magic couple have been there for me thru thick & thin over the years & now it's my chance to give with an open heart as they have taught me so well over the years... A Special Friendship I'm truly grateful for. He's always been a glass half full kinda guy So... we are ahead already @ this point !!!

May Britt's Giveaway.

2008-07-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

May Britt of Abyquilt is celebrating her 200th Blogoversary with a Giveaway & would like to know what your Favourite Quilting Technique is ... Pop on over for a visit & say hello to this talented & creative lady. Happy Blogoversary May Britt !!!

Take A Look...

2008-07-30T01:00:00.000-07:00

Just found this Awesome Giveaway... Pop on over to Lila's for a looksee...

You won't be disapointed.................................. While Lindi @ Quilty Threads is also having A Heartwarming Winter Giveaway & would love you to visit !

Time for Bed... Night Night...

Lovely Award.

2008-07-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

A few days ago now I recieved this lovely Award from not only Farmchick over @ Fresh from the Farm but also from Lurline over @ Lurline's Place Thank You So Much Farmchick & Lurline... sorry I have taken so long to post it but I now have time to play... The rules for receiving this Award are :

1) Put the Logo on your Blog.

2) Add a Link to the person who awarded you.

3) Nominate 7 other Blogs.

4) Add Links to those Blogs on Yours.

5) Leave a Message for your Nominees on their Blogs.

So here goes.................

Marian - Marian Edwards DreamWeaver * Weaver Extroidinaire.

Lenora - Lenora Jenkins Designs. * Multi Skilled Designer.

Narelle - Country Roses. * Heart of the Country Woman.

Donna - DONNA'S In The Attic. * Talented & Inspiring Long Arm Quilter.

Nicky - The Little Needle Case. * Creative & On The Go Young Lady.

Dana - Old Red Barn Co. * Extremely Generous Crazee Lady.

Maree - On My Verandah. * Most Organized Stitcher.

Now for me that took some doing let me tell you..........................................................................

There are just Sooooo.... Many Fabulous Blogs which I Bloghop across to on regular visits all the time... very hard to choose only seven !!! But I tried..................................................................

Country Roses Giveaway.

2008-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

On arrival home from my Campdrafting weekend @ Midnight on Sunday night there was a very interesting parcel sitting waiting for me on my dining room table... Had to open it of course I'm absolutely Nooooo.... Good @ waiting at all............. & this is what I found Blogging Goodness !!! The photos I took the next day when I could actually focus properly LOL. I was lucky enough to win these goodies in Narelle's Giveaway over @ Country Roses they truly completed my weekend perfectly... Thank You So Much for your generosity Narelle & I did share my Choccie with DDH !!! I have one of your Mug Mats here on my desk right now with Hot Chocolate & Marshmallows... Yummmmmm !!! Speaking of Giveaway's slip over & visit Debbie @ Debbie's Quilts & More ...

Quick Trip Away.

2008-07-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

Life Happens... YES ??? Cannot believe that I have been away from my 'puter that long !!! Where to start... DDD arrived with her Mother's Day present on a float late Thursday night following a 12Hr trip with problem's in his fetlock so off to the Vet for X-Rays & Scan... verdict being Arthroscopy required as an infection had made itself right @ home - Not Good. So DDD's Stallion gets to spend a minimum of 10 days @ the Vet Surgery all fingers crossed for the best possible outcome. But as DDD's other horses & family were already on the road to the weekend's campdraft we had to play catch up to be there when they arrived & help Set Up Camp so a rather hasty 5minute pack & we too were on the road for the next 7Hrs. Great weekend though spent on Grammie Duty whilst DDD & SIL jostled for position amongst the best of them @ Paradise Lagoons Draft. If ever one would like to see Campdrafting @ its best then I suggest a visit to this Campdraft for it will not disappoint... wish I had more photos to share but I'm yet to get the hang of juggling a 4mth old... 2yearold... stroller & camera !!!

Raining Outside.

2008-07-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

We had the foggiest of mornings today rather gorgeous actually & then later in the day we had some lovely rain I have a real thing about rain I just absolutely love the stuff... makes an ordinary day pretty darn GOOD! Narelle from Country Roses has just Emailed me to say I have won some of her pretty Mug Mats... Big Smiles here!!! As I have said before Blogging Goodness abounds in Blogland Thank You so Much Narelle... Will post a Pic when they arrive! I also follow Stephanie's Blog A Year Of Crockpotting & I just Luv it because of the extra stitchin' time it buys me!!! Pop on over for a visit as Stephanie is having a Giveaway with 10 Crockpots up for grabs..... Much Fun!

Donna's Quilt Show.

2008-07-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

Head on over to DONNA'S - in the Attic who is holding a Quilt Show today! Some beautiful quilts to be seen & admired... The above Quilt is the Turning Twenty Quilt that Donna has just created for her Giveaway just so feminine & Olde Worlde one very talented lady... Drop On By for a visit you won't be disappointed...

Ladies In Waiting.

2008-07-12T23:45:00.001-07:00

These are My Ladies in Waiting... they are both heavy in foal & due to foal down around September/ October this year because of the Equine Influenza outbreak we are a little behind this year but we are just so pleased they are indeed in foal with all the restrictions & hold ups endured during the breeding season last year!!! Fingers crossed we have seen the last of EI here in Australia. I love it when they get to this stage of their gestation because they always seem so serene & content grazing away in the paddock... Then of course @ this time of year DDH has the Stallion Directory close @ hand studying & selecting in readiness for this years breeding season... It's all about the Cycle of Life...

Blogging Goodness.

2008-07-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

Never fails to amaze me just how generous & from the heart Bloggers are... Catching up on my Blog reading tonight I've come across many things to share... A Christmas in July Giveaway @ Blue Bird Quilts... Not Just Yet But Soon A Quilt Giveaway over @ Old Red Barn Co. ... Then over @ Hugs from Helen the Stitcher's Angel Swap... & DONNA'S in the Attic has a gorgeous Wall Hanging to Giveaway @ her Quilt Show on Monday... the warmth of giving is truly alive & well in Blogland tis the equivalent of Blogging Goodness..........................

Visit from Pop.

2008-07-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

Friday today... Pop is visiting for Morning Tea ! A carer from the Villas where Pop lives drives him out to home about a 45min drive after taking the long way out through all the good farming & horse country which he so loves to see during the drive out. Even @ 91yrs he loves to get out & about still - Big Time ! Today being a bit trickier than usual though as Pop's dementia tends to run the show occasionally & needs some talking around... once achieved & all is settled we are on the road & travelling. We count ourselves extremely fortunate in having the assistance of Pop's male carer as he is just so understanding of Pop & his needs very often prempting behaviours before they arise... As always on his arrival @ home he is ever so pleased to see us & to be home again for the morning but by 11:45 am without fail starts to check his watch & says we must be going now... Routine these days is everything & we make every effort to help him achieve this as there is far less confusion for Pop as a result. So yes we had a lovely visit with Pop today...

PS. Shadow met Pop as a little pup so they know each other... All's Good!

Biccy Baking.

2008-07-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

The exceptionally empty looking Biccy Barrell needed to be addressed ASAP this morning as the Big Kid in the house DDH was clean out of Favourites & that is soooo... not on! We end up on a mission we do... going thru each & every Biccy tin on the counter otherwise... & we have a few... So the *New Favourite being one of Kris's recipes from Tag Along Teddies with sultanas thank you... but me I like the Choc Chips! I have rediscovered my love of baking after reading so many great Blog's with a true passion for baking not to mention the recipes that are so generously shared across Blogland. Kris! - DDH says these are just like the ones his Mum used to bake for him... he was in boy heaven @ the first bite !!! Accolades indeed. Now if I can only keep that Biccy Barrell FULL...

Precious Sewing Day.

2008-07-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

Today I earmarked a full day of sewing & to dodge being sidetracked @ home which does tend to happen with Me... I headed into town to spend the entire day @ Precious Time one of my Favourite Quilt Shops where Lisa keeps me On Track... to build some Butterflies & I actually made some progress on my WIP !!! This particular one *yes I have many... being my Grandaughter Tia's quilt which really should be finished well & truly by now but that stuff called life keeps butting on in... @ least now I have far more to show after my day of uninterrupted creative Bliss - you have no idea how good that feels!!! LOL Or maybe you do...

Morning Walk.

2008-07-08T23:00:00.000-07:00

The 5 o'clock club it's called... up & off on my morning walk all @ my own speed no time restraints ... no record setting ... no where to be unless I make plans to be... energizing ... music to go...crisp fresh country air... time to think... watching the sunrise... Blue Dog patiently stays & waits by my water bottle... Helluva way to start the day with the rest of it beckoning... All is good.

Birthday Girl.

2008-07-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

It's my DDD * Dear Darlin' Daughter's * Birthday today... Absolutely something I have precious memories about... Just wish we lived closer to enable us to celebrate together rather than just a phone call but early morning Birthday call it was... Then of course we did our usual thing & nattered on for an absolute age holding the phones to our ears with our shoulders & doing our morning chores @ the same time!!! DDD feeding Tia Jane & I washing & wiping up most definately both female & multi skilling... Luv It. Also 'tis Raining here beautiful soft gentle rain gotta Luv that... Oh & did I mention Rosie is having a Giveaway... Pop on Over & Check it out very Christmassie... Many Blessings to Count Today...

Colicky Colt Foal.

2008-07-06T22:00:00.000-07:00

Woke this morning to one of our young colts with a pain in the Tum totally not into feeding at all - not good! So after observing him for a bit we decided to play safe & call the Vet on a Sunday !!! Luckily the Vet is also a fantastic friend of ours... We all spent the morning with him medicating & treating him until all was back to normal & we were able to tip him back out into the paddock where he was able to move about under his own steam more rather than the confinement of the yards. Ever tried to stomach tube a weanling to deliver activated charcoal & oil to the problem area - Lots of FUN!!! But all is well again & we are flying about the paddock as if nothing happened... KIDS!!! More than grateful this is the way things turned out for as we have experienced in the past that is not always the case...

Happy Stitches

Helz.

Lunch With Pop.

2008-07-05T23:00:00.000-07:00

Today Pop & I went for a long leisurely lunch @ one of our favourite cafes "The Chocolate Cottage" in Highfields we had a lovely sun soaked time out on the verandah all to ourselves beautifully quiet... We try to have lunch together somewhere each week 'tis a good escape for Pop from his Villa accomodation & one he truly looks forward to ! I so appreciate spending good quality no rushing... time with Pop these days as @ 91yrs we don't have forever up our sleeves... My aim during our lunches together is to cheer him up & get him laughing out loud as I know then when he is back on his own @ his unit all is not so bad after All... Luckily the staff @ the Villa's are just Magic & make Pop's everyday pretty darn good but that's just not the same as Family arriving to take you out for the day... We are just so fortunate to have Pop with us still & after 4 Yrs of active service overseas during the War all the more special still. So yes... most definately one of my Positive's for July...

Bit of a Favourite.

2008-07-04T23:02:00.000-07:00

As with our children... we are with our equine friends in this family... So when the day arrived for Grandee to leave for her new home we found ourselves being quite retrospective about her departure @ 12 yrs of age she has been with us since foaling & they grow on you I Tell You!!! But we know that her new home is the equivalent of Horse Heaven & that Grandee will be treated like royalty for the rest of her days spent in lush paddocks full of other broodmares for company. So the plus/positive here is that she will be well looked after in her new home & we are so grateful & appreciative of this being so - as all in all we are a Bit of a Favourite...

Beautiful Sunset.

2008-07-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

Colour of all sorts catches my eye... this evening no exception when I glimpsed the setting sun in all it's glory... The end of day jobs came to a screaming halt as I raced for the camera & caught these shots... The Colours! A beautiful sunset is one of the true joys shared by us all... As I walked back to finish my jobs for the evening all was right with the world...

The Ironing Faeries.

2008-07-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

To know you are not alone in the Catch Up... Today I received much appreciated HELP... in catching up with my Ironing Basket's *plural ie. Sometimes in life you come across Speed Bumps well this was mine in action - no matter how I tried... just could not get to the bottom of those Basket's !!! My Dear Darlin Mum & My Niece arrived & set up shop so to speak with Me being the runner for the day... meal maker... chocolate fairy... coffee barista... Hanger Upperer... & I could keep going... How GOOD does it feel to have those baskets EMPTY?!?!?! Oh Yeah..................... Just Luv My Family & so grateful to them for being there for me. It's the little things that make a difference - I Find. A Fresh Start for tomorrow.

A Positive Challenge.

2008-07-01T23:30:00.000-07:00

I visited Merete's Blog and joined her challenge. A positive challenge for you in July : A Photo every day, A Thought, An Experience. There are a lot of positive thoughts in the pleasure of sharing memories... This photo is a very real favourite of mine... My Grandson welcoming his baby sister into the world 3mths ago a truly heart warming moment & the gratitude felt for the safe arrival of Tia Jane was exceptional...

Favourite Keyring.

2008-06-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

Lynette from Lynette Anderson Designs has asked do we have a Favourite Keyring? Attached to a Giveaway of course!!! This is mine & until I went to take a shot of it never realised how truly aged & worn it is... but I still Luv it! At least I can actually FIND... this one in My Bag!!!

Shadow the Blue Dog & I have just had another impromptu Vet visit tonight... the stitchin' effectively went on hold... with his recent past history of rat poison no chances were being taken no evidence of a flinch to be seen when told of the $100- Call Out fee... * could be a delayed reaction there LOL... but all is well as it turns out his immune system is not quite back to normal as yet following his last Overnighter & a bump to the eye out in the paddock becomes quite something else... without all the gorey details! Back home with tablets & eye ointment to be taken with Chipolata Snags... Will be fun or Not... Vet still intact... Just! We are soooo... not the friendliest Blue Dog with strangers only leaves home if in a bad way & needs a Vet so all those Big Trucks & their lights were an experience on their own for him tonight but the dried liver treats @ the Vet Surgery totally worth IT!!! Or so Shad's says...

Mosaic Game.

2008-06-29T23:55:00.000-07:00

For when you just cannot sleep............................... Found here on Flickr.

The concept:
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd's mosaic maker).

The Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Your flickr name

Answers: 1. Helz 2.Chocolate 3.Surat 4.Cream 5. The Eagles 6. Red Wine 7. Canada 8. Pavlova 9. Quilt Designer 10.The Simple Things 11.Curious 12.Boheme.

Night Night...

A Positive Challenge.

2008-06-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

There is definately one Blue Dog Back On Deck & Large as Life as the Meter Reader for Ergon discovered today. LOL. Luckily "Shadow" has Star Billing on our Ergon Account & they Beep Beep Beep... on arrival !!!
Busy Stitchin' but nothing to show just Yet... Have just found Merete's Positive Challenge one I have decided to share in as I tend to be the Glass Half Full kinda gal & our Pop well he tends to be the Glass Half Empty kinda guy so yes this is a good Challenge for me... Now if you call in @ Mrs Martin's Quilt Shop Karen is having a Giveaway with two lovely New Quilt Patterns... While over @ Sarah's Crafty Nook there is the cutest Tidy Bin in another generous Giveaway... drop on by & say Hi ! Back to that Stitchin'.

Beautiful Morn.

2008-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well everyone I just had to share... this is what greeted me this morning... too good an opportunity to miss a shot of... so raced out in the PJ's & captured these prior to my battery flatlining... maybe I should consider an extra in my camera kit ! Now... I have some Stitchin' to do...

Quilt Giveaway Party.

2008-06-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone just before I head off for some much needed beauty sleep I just wanted to let you all know about Donna's Quilt Giveaway Party which starts today with some great Door Prizes!!! Pop on over & say Hello... Looks like lots of Fun! Some Brotherly Love above - can you tell I'm missing these guys terribly already!!! Goodnight...

I'm In... Peg's Challenge.

2008-06-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

OK... Have bitten the Bullet & going for it. Commitment such a dead set scary word... For Me Anyway!!! Yet as Chookyblue so eloquently said " Whatever it takes to Kick My Butt..." You can read all about Peg's Challenge here but right now I need to choose 5 to complete @ least there will be no problem finding that many... That's gotta be a start. Now which of my WIP are closest to completion............??? Off to find out.

The Mailman.

2008-06-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Mailman has just been & take A look @ what arrived....... A Willowberry Designs Pattern Just Because I left a Comment... Oh don't you just Luv Bloggin'... This is like winning a raffle only better... Thank You ever sooo.... much Cheryl truly a lovely thought & I am just so rapt to recieve my *Cute As A Button pattern! Next trip to town will be to find the really cute Perambulator fabric! Now Lenora is having an Awesome Giveaway over here @ Lenora Jenkins Designs please call in & say hello...

That's Racing.

2008-06-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Girl started @ Eagle Farm on Saturday finishing well back in the field after being ridden @ Breakneck pace 2nd from the lead... most certainly not the instructions given & very disheartening to say the least because she is just such a genuine mare & gives 100% everytime she races. We will send her for a decent spell now & give her a chance to be a horse as only she knows how! Thank Heavens DDH knows racing inside out & does not allow these kind of set backs to deter him from enabling the mare to achieve her full potential...

Pop came out home to visit & watch the race with DDD & I great photo opportunity with Tia... Pop is sooo... not into having his photo taken but does it for us luckily! The Eldest @ 91Yrs & The Youngest @ 3Mths of our Family...

Just a couple of Shots of the Sun Setting here @ home the other evening it was just so pretty but still have some learning to do in this area must read up in the Manual about Sunset's...

Meant To Be Stitchin....

2008-06-21T23:55:00.000-07:00

Mrs Martin's Cyber Stitchin' Day today... All well laid plans of mice & men can go to pieces !!! But Hey it's all good still... My DDD is down for a few days from out bush & has a shopping list a mile long... as you do when in town @ last!!! The littlies & I tagged along for 2 days but come this morning we unanimously voted to stay @ home while Mum finished the Shopping & collected Pop plus DDH is down in Brissie @ Eagle farm to watch The Girl's race & I'm it to Feed Up & hold the fort... & Maybe find a minute or two to Stitch??? So here is My Morning in Photographic form @ least!

My offsider for the morning helping me to Feed Up... we did have the camera taking Smilo's Grammie... for the entire feed round very helpful indeed... That was when we were not actually swinging off gates or climbing them that is! Back inside to the woodfire after this as Ole Trigger the work ute bailed us up this morning refusing to start & just a bit of a chill factor out & about! I think someone's beanie had made it's way into a feed bin @ this point... Then it was time for little sister's feed - felt a bit like a Tag Team sorta Day actually... & Hey... I'm a tad out of Practice @ all this! But Luv every Minute ...

So Yes... Mrs Martin's Cyber Stitching Day for Me will be after these guys head for home... So @ this point I'm really thinking maybe I should join Peg's Challenge... As today was totally a Recovery Day after finding space amongst the shopping in the Landcruiser for the Grandchildren. Not the girl I used to be!!!

Lorenzo.

2008-06-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

Still Have not quite worked out how to Embed a video... Battling to figure that out !!! But if you love horses like me then you may enjoy this as much as I... Just click on Lorenzo for something Special ... Lorenzo

Mailday.

2008-06-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

I Got Mail!!! Mrs Martin's Cyber Stitching... to be specific - ran to meet my DDH @ the door to collect my parcel!!! Of course I'm hopeless @ waiting till the Day... so made us a cuppa & settled in to the opening - Much Excitement! Absolutely Luv everything. Cannot wait to start... already prepping to get going early on the day. Most unusual for me to be this organized - but Hey... that has to be a Plus+! Now before I forget to tell you in all my Mailday Madness make sure you pop over here to see this fabulous lady's Giveaway - Pretty Awesome I think!!!

These Shots are of my Standard Pink Seduction Rose which is Very... close to being my Favourite! A vase full of these are just Bliss... Very much the Less is More theory... Which is why I'm thinking of putting another shrub one in... Shhhhh! don't let on to DDH... Happy Stitches!!!

Sunbaker.

2008-06-16T17:00:00.000-07:00

This Fella was sunbaking in the glorious winter sun today down in the garden... he is my resident Blue Tongue Lizard & every time I come across him he has grown again! I think he is just gorgeous... "Shadow" the Blue Dog very sternly gets told * Not To Touch... whenever we come upon him out there in the garden! Today luckily I had my camera @ hand... as he doesn't hang about for long once he knows he has company...

And off he goes back under the daisy bush... How Australian is this little fellow??? More to be found out about Blue Tongue Lizards here.

What Kind Of Blogger Are You?

2008-06-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary.
If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofbloggerareyouquiz/">What Kind of Blogger Are You?

Sunday Papers.

2008-06-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Jackie from Canton Village Quilt Works is having a very generous Giveaway... Great Blog to pop over to & visit! Perfect weather for reading the papers in front of the Woodfire today... Jolly cold outside! Sunday's Racing Retro... Some Bloghoppin... A little bit of sewing on Tashie's Quillow... Then some time spent chasing Dust Bunnies as I have visitors coming this week... Not a lot happening all in all - kinda nice for a change!!! This is a shot of my Brilliant Pink Iceberg Rose looking very cheerful in today's chilly weather.

The Girl.

2008-06-14T22:00:00.000-07:00

In This Racing Game you learn to count your Blessings very early on in the peace... In The Girl's race today 4 horses & jockeys came down in a bad race fall just inches away...My Heart goes out to everyone involved... My Counted Blessing being that The Girl came back to the enclosure A -OK & anything else surely a Bonus...

Pop & I had intended to head down for the day of racing but Pop just was not up to it today ... so instead we went for lunch @ a favourite Pub & then called in @ the local racetrack to watch the race before dropping Pop back just in time for afternoon tea which he was rather pleased about - routine is a big player @ this stage of things! We both had a good day...

Raceday

2008-06-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

Raceday for The Girl Saturday@ Ipswich... All Fingers Crossed once again Butterflies are already happenin"... So to take my mind off that... I have been Bloghoppin' & I found Melly & Me having a Giveaway... really cute new patterns! Petunia Pig's skirt is to die for... Baked today... Biccy Tins needed a Top Up... Have been busting to try Chookyblue's Anzac Slice & it's every bit as good as I thought! Yep... Still walking - total necessity these days in Blogland!!! The shots are of My Boggie's * Bougainvillea's - the top one is fairly well established whilst the other is a new addition to the garden & as I just could not make up my mind I took them both home & planted them together & here they are thriving with protection thru Winter - Luvin' those two colours together! Have just realised I forgot to mention Lynette Anderson's really cute New Redwork Stitchery Giveaway - totally sidetracked into Blogland!!! Yeah I know it's Addictive...

Favourite Shop Visit.

2008-06-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

Had to duck into town yesterday to take Pop for Lunch & just happened to be going past My Favourite Quilt Shop... " Precious Time" [NB. I have a few of these favourites...] One - well this one anyway, cannot Just Visit without looking... & I was trying really hard to be good! 'Till This Layer Cake Talked to me ... As they do... Moda of course always my weakness - Harvest Home - Blackbird Designs not to mention the delicious pattern & then these 2 yummy balls of thread ! One very contented female left that Shop I tell You... I believe I have a few in line prior to this one getting a start though for a bit !!!

Red is Day # 5.

2008-06-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

Finally... My Red Day - Luckily I sorta kinda thought this would be Natalie's Day 5 colour... An Inkling - Let's Say! So today I kept an eye out for Red as My Camera & I wandered here & there... This has been such Fun Nat... Thank You So Much for the Challenge! Now to get back to my Stitchin"...

Chocolate & Cream.

2008-06-10T21:00:00.000-07:00

OK. Now this Chocolate & Cream's Colour Challenge has been able to happen in... tween ... Drenching each & every Equine in residence including Boyz to colts... Ladies in Waiting... & Favourite Toy Boys - All of which I don't have shots of as I was a Tad busy dodging cheeky - Full Of It - Colts! Very pleased with each & every one of them though as Our Manners certainly shone thru on the day & we are now safely back in our paddocks... Though we were ALL galloping around like Crazee's just on nightfall... Maybe it was the drench!!!

Green & Blue Days.

2008-06-09T21:00:00.000-07:00

Well today will be My Green & Blue Days for Natalie's Challenge... I had to put my thinking cap on here... Pink was a snap & I didn't think that I was really into pink... There you go! After a Full On day in town today... searching for my green bits & bobs was a welcome release... & of course The Blues... Mind you come tomorrow it will most definately be Go The Maroons!!! State Of Origin Football... Gotta Luv It... born & bred into this code there is no way out!!!

Pink & Pink.

2008-06-08T22:30:00.000-07:00

Natalie from * Cinderberry Stitches * has a Colour Challenge Happening...I had been looking on for the Pink & Green Days & it was looking & sounding like a bit of Fun... Maybe because today was a pretty bleak ole day - I found My Camera & headed off... Lets go find some colour!!! I had so much fun with Pink alone that tomorrow will have to be *MY* Green Day... Here are my Pinks.

Today for Smoko * Morning Tea * we had Julia's @ *Camilles Place* delicious Vanilla Slice & this time I took some shots before... they were all gone! Julia did warn me that they were Moreish... Oh Yes! I have started my early morning walks... Not missing out on all the delicious recipes I find in Blogland - No Way!!!

We also put a new yard in place today using portable panels for The Ladies In Waiting... Needed an extra temporary holding yard @ times. Why is it... that the Male & Female of our species see any task/job in two totally different scenarios!!! Yes DDH... "Harmony" = Lots of Giving... & All is Good with the World. Tomorrow I get to Stitch & Sew - YES!!!

Coffee Morning.

2008-06-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday an excellent excuse to catch up with an old friend for coffee in town... Just so good to spend some time catching up... Everyone is Sooooo Busy these days! After Coffee we wandered about our small country town shopping here & there - found a lovely book for one of my future projects in the garden - I Luv It! Such an enjoyable relaxed morning that I came back to earth with a bit of a thud when confronted with a Ute load of Hay that needed unloading & stacking into the feed shed on my return home!!! Such is Life...

This beautiful Zygo Cactus belongs to my friend how gorgeous can you get??? The colour is amazing... more brilliant apricot/tangerine - just so eyecatching! Of course I had to bring some cuttings on home to pot up now as you do ... Although I am in two minds as to which way to go about this??? Options Being - straight into soil... allow to take root in a jar of water then pot up or let the severed ends dry first & then pot up... can anyone help me out here @ all???

What City Do You Belong In...

2008-06-07T07:36:00.000-07:00

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and expressive, you were meant for Paris.
The art, the fashion, the wine!
Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park...
You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

http://www.blogthings.com/whatcitydoyoubelonginquiz/">What City Do You Belong In?

Shadow On The Mend.

2008-06-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

Shadow is definately coming back on deck today... having not eaten for the past couple of days... even roast lamb didn't tempt... we are lining up for our tucker now & heeling me to get to the fridge faster... A Good Sign when I have a forceful if not pushy Blue Dog! DDH has introduced Egg Flip for Shad's brekkie to help get him back to being himself again. Oh Yes & Little Chipolata Sausages to take his daily tablets in also... Are we pleased to have him back home... Oh Yeah!!! Enforcing the Rest & Take It Easy part is tricky @ feedtimes as he normally bowls along beside the ute which just putters out to the paddocks to feed up in a rather steady as she goes manner - So Tis the Chain & Bed = Enforced Rest!!! But Yes we are on the Mend. Thank You Everyone who has enquired after Shad's Progress... But Hey what can I say - He's Tough.

To The Vet !!!

2008-06-05T22:30:00.000-07:00

Woke yesterday morning to find my Blue Dog "Shadow" looking out of sorts - Not like him @ all... Thought we might have an infection so into town & picked up some antibiotics for him but when he wouldn't eat his raw chicken wings that night... I became pretty concerned enough to be up early in the AM to check on him first thing to find he had begun to bleed - Not Good! Into the ute & off to town ASAP where the Vet diagnosed poisoning from the Rat/Mouse Baits out in the feed shed. Not that he could get to any of the baits but had been eating some of the poisoned mice apparently & the amount of toxins had built up over a # of days. The Antidote was given immediately on arrival & a blood transfusion too boot - we had lost a heap of blood by this time... That day was a tough one for all concerned - you don't realise how much an integral part of your family they have become until they are not there to greet you on arrival home... Thank Heavens for "Shadow" & us that he is one tough Smithfield Blue Cattle Dog - A True Drovers Dog.

This is Shad's back home this afternoon in his favourite place on the doorstep to my Studio - still has the Wobbley Boot on a bit... but so long as we keep the Antidote up to him over the next month all will remain well. Needless to say there has been a rethink on brands of poison being used in the Feed Shed - no more TomKat... now using Racumen which bowls the mice not the Dog! Our Vet tells us that there is another new Rat/Mouse poison just onto the market & this new one has no Antidote @ all - definately no 2nd chance with that one... Frightening!

Another Rainy Day.

2008-06-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

This very talented Lady is having a Giveaway for reaching 100 Posts on her Blog. Please go say Hello... Likes Horses Too... - Must be OK! DH & I enjoyed a lovely roast leg of lamb for lunch with these delicious potatoes - I was informed Not... to throw away any leftovers!!! They were rather Yummm... Now I am off to try making this inviting slice from Camille's Place who is also having a Giveaway - only hope I can get mine to look half as good as Camille's picture... Honestly I have not wanted to cook & bake like this in years - DH thinks it is just MAGIC! A Big Thank You to all the girls for the motivating inspiration to get back in the Kitchen once again I truly am having Fun... Mind you I had best start on that Early Morning Walking Plan sooner rather than later!!! Must go collect the Eggs & feed my Chooks before the rain comes across again! UH OH Thunder I'm Off...

Luv My Computer.

2008-06-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I just Luv My Computer & Broadband...?!?! Especially on Foggy, Rainy, Cold & Windy days in particular! Thank Heavens for Blogland it totally opens up My World & Fascinates ME... @ any Given moment. Just last night I kept recieving Server Error Messages as I tried to Email & Blog Hop - Annoying..... this morning Candace Emails me to tell me all about a fire over there in the States which affected about 9000 servers Just... Guess that would about Do It! Made me feel a whole lot better to realise that maybe it wasn't JUST the operator... Here is another Website that I Luv to Visit daily - I might miss something! Adore the way that Ree is always Keepin It Real!!! A Whole Other World - But I guess that is what I like so much about Blogland... Perspective... Think Tornadoes!!!

Actually DH is putting on a roast Leg of Lamb as I type so I'm off to check my Pantry for the ingredients to Ree's *Crash Hot Potatoes... They sound Just Soooo... Good! A new Jill Dupliex cooking book has just been added to My Wish List on the strength of that recipe alone... Out & about in my garden after the first light shower I found this bloom on my ...??? You see I tend to update without much mucking about when a rose just isn't doing in my garden - My Local Nurserywoman would be horrified @ this but I just figure... you only get X amount of time in this life & there are some absolutely gorgeous roses out there to give a Go!!! So Ok @ this point I am about to go find ALL... my Rose Labels & catalogue them 'cause I think I might be needing them - Just Luv My Roses... I can hear DH muttering in the background 'bout my roses but he'll be right LOL. Have A Lovely Day!

The Girl's Raceday.

2008-06-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

Racing... as I said before there is no such thing as a sure thing in Racing... Luckily for us though the rain held off for the day after delivering 2 inches @ the track & we raced on a Heavy track in the end - every bit helps in this game... Well we totally missed the kick by 3 lengths & No... that is not good & still finished on a game 5th placing in a field of 17. My SIL reckons she was busy doing her hair!!! My Girl gets a bit agitated when they load her 1st & make her stand & wait for the rest of the field to load ie. the other 16... she is female after ALL! So we regroup our race strategies & put together Plan B... Shall keep you all posted. As you can see above The Girl really does mean business when we get to the track on the day!!!

Oh & it has been raining here all day long which is just Magic!!! My little niece Phoebe took these shots for me while I took Pop to watch the race @ the local track @ 91yrs + dementia we don't go far afield these days - but we do still love our racing!

Miserable Sorta Day.

2008-05-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

Bit of a Miserable day here today - Great Day to stay indoors!!! Woodfire is stoked up tis lovely & warm... Rain is on it's way & that is almost all good... Just not too sure about how *The Girl handles "The Wet" shall find out soon enough... So A Baking Day it has been... after all that Blog Hoppin I've found some Enticing recipes here & here & here& here so it was all too much today had to make them! The Apple Slice is just Yumm, DH says they are his sort of Biccy's with the Sultanas & The Lemon Tart is still in progress because I & camera went to collect the eggs & Got Sidetracked... I do this... 'Prolly why I find it tricky to finish things!!! LOL - You Get That. With the little bit of rainfall we have had the garden just looked So Pretty - Cold but Pretty... I did eventually get back to collect the eggs but not quite back to the Tart as YET... Even called in @ The Studio on my Garden Tour & decided I really should finish this Quillow for my Niece Tashie - Now if my friend Pat is reading this she will be horrified as I was finishing this 'bout 4Yrs ago... I'm doing it Pat... I'm doing it... Shall even post when complete with label!

After such a dull overcast day these colours just seemed to speak to me when I came across them in the Studio this afternoon - So now is the time to pick you back up & finish off where I started - How Good is that going to feel???

Dance Girl Dance.

2008-05-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

Much suppressed excitement here @ home... Our little Mare " Dance Girl Dance" has just made the field for a big race in Brisbane this Saturday - so we are now officially bubbling away with Anticipation... Fingers Crossed!!! DH & I are not Gamblers so to reach this point with one of our progeny is very special to us... But if you have been in this game long enough - you know there is No Such Thing As A Sure Thing in Racing - but you sure can Hope!

This is "Dance Girl Dance" or Mischief... as I have always known her from a little foal... following a Barrier Trial in her first preparation @ the Wash Bay with the stable strapper. Go Girl!!!

Blogland.

2008-05-27T23:05:00.000-07:00

Computer & Blogging Day... I know I really should not admit to this... But I have pretty much managed to spend most of the day @ My 'Puter - not that I have a lot to show for IT! Still on that Steep Learning Curve........ So it kinda went like this - Race off ...get 1 Job done & race back... you know how it goes when you still need to get Something Done! Catch Up Day happens tomorrow - Promise! With my head spinning from All of that New Info I went in search of My Boys with glass of red in hand... Very Necessary by this stage of the evening! Here are some shots as the sun went down............

The Mexican Standoff...

This is Nureyev... Anything But Twinkle Toes!!! He is my "Manee" for the Weanlings. DH named him - Very Tongue In Cheek... We are a Belgian Draft Cross & I think He's Just Gorgeous totally biased of course... Does a Magic job looking after our youngsters out in the paddock.

Mustard or Blue...

2008-05-26T05:41:00.000-07:00

And this is the Mustard Cupboard... Sally's dad Trevor does a Magic job doing these Old Cupboards Up - no doubt with input from the Girls too I'm Sure - Me? I Just Luv 'Em! Sometimes Sally has these cupboards *as they become available ie. on her Online Shop Gottabee Country. Of course now all I keep doing is finding excuses to Duck into the studio just to look @ My Cupboards & nothing else seems to be getting done!!!

New Cupboards...

2008-05-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

My Sewing Studio has been unearthed & Dust Bunnies sorted!!! Amazing what reappeared ... Buried Stash I forgot even existed - Luv It! My wonderful friend Sally from Gottabee Country asked me @ one stage as we were rearranging all my Stuff... what's in this box??? - No idea... I reply opening the lid to see... Ahhh Pastel Buttons - Rusty Bell on Fabric - Xmas Notions... Like rediscovering Old Friends & All this because my new cupboards were arriving this weekend = Storage!!! They have been a bit of a Long Term Project... but finally they have taken their positions in My Studio & My... how good does that feel!!! Also having such fantastic friends as Sally & Janet helping me to rearrange & put away So Creatively...!!! was just Heaven... Very Blessed Indeed.

I am always TORN between Mustards & Blues - So I kinda went for both & I Still...need more storage space... As You Do!!! But it Just feels so good now when I walk in & ALL* Well almost All.... MY STUFF... has a place..........Now I have Absolutely NO EXCUSES... not to SEW!!!

Chookyblues Challenge.

2008-05-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

Chookyblue Has issued a Challenge this week to take your camera & Really Look... Not just walk past the Everyday... & try some new settings on your camera - as much fun as this has been I Believe the Dust Bunnies have taken up permanent residency!!! I even found myself today screeching to a halt... jumping off the Ride On & running for my camera - definately Addictive Fun !!! These are some of the shots I came up with & Tomorrow I will catch up with my new Temporary Residents... & unearth My Sewing Spot once more... Cause there is this really cute quilt I have been working on.

Then there were these when I went out to hang the washing & collect the eggs...

Umbrella Grass has taken on a Whole New Light over the past Week!!! Till Next Time...

Umbrella Grass...

2008-05-20T23:40:00.000-07:00

Thank You Everyone for making me feel so Welcome here in Blogland... Shall need to call on the Housework Fairies soon though as the Dust Bunnies are moving on in! TV... What's That??? Ahhhh Chookyblue Never Ever have I looked @ Umbrella Grass with such Interest in My Life!!! I had camera in hand today when I went down to the yards to let my young colt out after his Breakfast & 2 Hrs later!!! - wandered back into the house - this Photography Thingy can get you In - Hey???

Initial Attempt @ Umbrella Grass Artistry shall see what else I can discover over the following days to come...

Here are two of My Girls wondering what on Earth... she is doing !!! Each & every one needs their very own Good Morning around here - My FIL reckons he is coming back as one of our Horses or Dogs when the time comes - LOL !!! Till Next Time...