T'is BOXING DAY

 WHOOPS............where did December go?

My very cute Xmas tree made from old pallets, popped into the front garden & lit with a string of fairy lights.  Very simple decorations this year with only my door wreath (you've seen before), as well as my little filled sleigh on a patchwork Christmas runner on the table.

The lights on the tree, in the dark     -  below.

I have been quiet, I know, as late November, we had a quick trip to Canberra, Sydney, Gosford & Orange to see our two boys and grandchildren, my young brother and my oldest friend.  

Coming home seemed to be filled with never ending washing, cleaning the caravan, tidying the yard & planning for Christmas and now that is all over.................aaaaaaaaaaaaH!

After my fall in October I still did a little sewing on one of my own designed quilts and although the big  machine hasn't done much hopefully it will all be go in the New Year apart from another quick trip to N.S.W. to have a "bon voyage" get together for my beautiful eldest grandchild, Miss A.  who is off to live in UK for a couple of years with her partner Mr. M.  She already has a job lined up and he is working his way through a long list, I believe.

Below is a photo Miss A and her Dad, our eldest son on her graduation in early December with a diploma so she can now look after 0 to 5 years olds at a Child Care Centre as they are called here in Oz.

We will miss her badly.

The quilt below is the one I talked of in the above blurb.

DECO DELIGHT

Whilst away I took very few photos, as when we are pulling the caravan it is very hard to pullover  for a photo opportunity.  I took a few in Bathurst at the caravan park as we were departing of a few cute bits'n'pieces.

Veg beds ready to be planted above & a very Australian "loo" from days gone by.

There was also  "mini golf" for a few hours of fun.

On our way home we pulled into Cowra for a look at their well known rose gardens, then pootled on and arrived home, content to have seen so many of our family after such a LONG few years.

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas as we did at our DD's yesterday and can look forward to a happy & prosperous New Year.

I hope to get back into a bit more blogging, sewing and fiddling with garden etc. as 2023 emerges.                 Going to find a cool spot as it has reached 36℃ now & I'm now sooooooo hot.

Take care all and hugs from Susan.

FRIDAY PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT - ORNAMENT.

 OK, I'm running very late due to life getting in the way, but here goes.

As we have hot Christmases here in Oz, I don't go to town on decorations, but do have a few favourites that come out each year & I'm still debating as to having a tree up or not.

Atop the wood burner a small tree DH fashioned for me a couple of years ago & I painted.  The little figurine is also timber & I've had it for a long time.  The lovely candle arch was purchased in an arcade in  Skipton, Yorkshire back in 2016 & always has pride of place somewhere prominent.

Many moons ago I purchased the gold filigree sleigh & popped this bundle of goodies into it and it comes out each year to grace the diningroom table and of course on a table mat I made from Christmas fabric.

My lovely Madonna vase that I've probably had since the early 80's and definitely needs a nicer arrangement to brighten her up a little.  If we are able to find somewhere local with bits'n'bobs I'll attempt something prettier.

Nothing wonderful for the front door in the way of fresh greenery as if we have "very" hot days, they completely wither & wilt, so a little something I made to be a bit festive.  A closeup below.

Now Jak prompted me to take a photo of my printers' tray with a lovely handmade Christmas card sitting on top and even though the printers' tray has been on before, I thought it looks good with the 3D card and it's small items.

My lot done hurriedly I'm afraid and hope I can still link this up.  Thanks to Astrid for hosting these and I'm already trying to work on this Fridays.

Take care all and hugs from down under.

Susan.

SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS..................

MERRY  CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY LOVELY BLOGPALS.

 Yesterday was spent with DD & family for our celebration as her hubby had to work today, so it was just the two of us at home today.  It dawned sunny, but very cool for this time of year (jumpers were in order for most of the day) and we decided to take a picnic lunch to our favourite spot when we are alone.

JINDIVICK CRICKET GROUND.

         The view over the cricket pitch towards the Strzelecki hills in a rather hazy distance.

            The undercover picnic tables & barbecue area with the play area in the background.

                                   Keith eating his lunch, but notice we still have warm tops on.

After eating our lunch we wandered across to the Community Garden & had a leisurely stroll around, with me taking lots of snaps, some of which I've put on this post.

                                Some very colourful large flowers residing in part of the garden.

Mosaic stepping stones with a lovely rabbit & duck & not so lovely spiders.  Note the second one, a huntsman which are quite large.  A little story following.................

This morning 2 of my magpies came for some breadcrumbs, so I went inside to get them & when I came out they were looking at something on the underside of our verandah roof.  To my horror, there was a big Huntsman spider up there & roaming around.  We then sprayed with insecticide as this is one spider that scares me.  Most smaller spiders I can deal with & the really little ones I talk too & put outside if they are in the house.  My trusty magpies do look after me.

         At the end of the community garden there is an outdoor gym & we took advantage & used it.

                 Just a little....... & have decided to try & use these more often, when we get up that way.

The view from the Community garden looking back across the cricket pitch to the clubrooms & picnic shelter.

Next we took the long way home via Blue Rock Dam.  Again a few snaps were taken.

                                          Many tree ferns among the tall trees in the forest.

                     Trying to capture the height & straightness of the trees along the roadside.

A view of the very back end of Blue Rock Dam with the Great Dividing Range looming in the                                                                                           background.

                                                 Looking down the length of Blue Rock.

Home again this afternoon & I ran around with the camera to finish off the day.

Keith's Christmas present.  A new thicknesser planer.  He'd purchased a second hand one a few years ago & it decided to die on us & the cost of having it fixed was nearly double the price of a new one on special till the end of December, so it became his present this year.

                                           Doing a quick bit of painting on the extended shed.

               I've another 2 flowers on my water lilies.  I did think they'd finished for now.

A lovely gift left on our doorstep today.  I'd given a punnet of blueberries to everyone in our court as a little gift, as we'd had such a horrible year & a couple of have thanked us with a card, some shortbread & this strawberry plant.  I've still got 2 more to catch up with as they haven't been home when I've called in.  There are only 14 houses in our court.

                                             This was my lovely gift from DD and family.

Talking of blueberries..............picked this morning & weighing in at 850gms.  Total so far is 8.5kgs with lots more to be picked & ripen.

And can you see the cheeky blackbird in the right hand corner trying to peck through the net to get a                                                                                    feed.

Well just thought I'd pop through a post wishing you a Merry Christmas & to show what 2 oldies get up to when on their own for the day.😉

Also a very Happy Birthday to our son-in-law today.  Pity you had to work.

That's all folks.  Take care, stay safe & huggles from Susan.

CHRIMBLY COUNTDOWN 18TH DECEMBER 2020.

 Linking with Kate from I live, I love, I craft, I am me once again for December & the word for today was Christmas Tree.  As I missed last weeks due to I'net problems, I was determined to join in this week.  I must admit to still not feeling very festive, so have had to go to my archives.

Here are a few from past years and yes, they have all probably been shown before at some time.

The floating Christmas tree on the bay at Geelong and which comes out each year for display.  I took this photo in 2014.

                                                                     Making Do...............

Trying to celebrate Christmas while renting  in between house moves and all decorations are packed & stored away.

Two of DH's woodwork creations depicting trees.  The one on the left as decoration  for the Christmas tree & the one on the right to stand atop the desk or dresser.  I painted it green, then added glue & glittered it, to represent tinsel.  

My lot done for this part of the countdown.

Take care all, stay safe & hugs from a mild down under.

Susan.💖

CHRIMBLY COUNTDOWN 4TH DECEMBER.

     Today I'm linking with the lovely Kate at I live, I love, I craft, I am me, instead of our usual Photo Hunt and am hoping I'm not too late.  We've somehow or another had a busy week in some funny ways.  Shed finishing, picking blueberries, having a day out to visit someone & now car club newsletters which were running late & threw me off course completely.

OK here goes.  Today's lot are DECROATIONS...............................

The wreath I crafted & I know it's simple (been told a few times), but in a country that can have scorching weather around this time of the year, I think it's sensible.

The wall hanging I put in the hallway near the front door which I designed & made many years ago, called Criss Cross Christmas Geese.  I should think about another one that I could put up on alternate years. 

My sleigh which I bought then filled with Christmassy bits and comes out each year to grace the table, except it was being used yesterday for the newsletters, so is shown atop the piano.  I realised later that the baubles have all moved around, so must remember to fix.

Seeing our woodburner doesn't need lighting at this time of year, I've placed this beautiful timber ornament on top with a lovely red rose from my garden.  This particular item was bought in an arcade in Skipton, North Yorkshire back in 2016 when we were over visiting family & friends.  I was surprised to see Christmas decorations out in September for sale.

My lot done now and off to "hopefully" still be able to link.  I think I've already visited everyone & really appreciated all that have joined in with their lovely decorations.

Take care all, stay safe & huggles from down under.