SHORT AND SWEET

I know I said I'd post last Saturday, but it came and went in a whir.  I have taken photos of the border tutorial, but am having trouble wording it, so it doesn't sound garbled.  Bare with me and I'll try my hardest to get it done.

Tomorrow, we are off to Warragul, to deliver a quilt to Vision Australia for their Xmas raffle.  I didn't give them one last year as we were packed up and renting.  It was the first year I've missed in about 5 years, so at the same time I'll also hand over one of the quilts I took from my friend Val.

Magnolia quilt I made many years ago and finally quilted last year.  Hope whoever wins it will enjoy.

Next to go on my machine will be a quilt that I've been told will be a "first and last".  The customer didn't enjoy the process at all.  It is to be a gift for her fiance, so needs a masculine quilt pattern, so have chosen one by Apricot Moon.

Customer quilt hanging over Bubs.

Selected pattern

Now for a little help from my garden bloggers.  I have a tree in our front garden, which has flowered and smells heavenly, but I have no idea what it is and can't seem to find it easily in any of my books.
A couple of photos for you.

The "tree".

The flowers.

Hubby had to cut one of the lower branches so he didn't catch himself when he mowed the lawn, and I couldn't help but arrange some in a vase with some mauve on it.  This particular vase I bought in my late teens, which is also around the time I bought my first flower arranging book, although I'd been borrowing them from the library for years.  I do have quite a collection, I'm afraid.   I've loved arranging flowers since a child and received a highly commended card for a saucer arrangement when I was five.(still have it)  Strange, eh!

Not so sure it's been all that short, but will try and post more regularly and get that tutorial on for a certain someone.  Will be back with some more holiday pics too.  Brrrr!  It's going to get down to 4deg tonight and it's already feeling a bit nippy.
Now I'm heading off for the lounge to do some sewing up on my jumper, as I've bought a wool needle, though I was sure I had a couple, but of course couldn't find any and whilst doing this will be watching Building the Dream with Charlie Luxton, just one of the shows I enjoy.
Take care all.
Susan.

TOMORROW, A BIG DAY!

BIRTHDAYS

The 21st November is quite a day for us.  18 years ago, our first grandchild came into this world.

The photo above is Xmas day 1996 with Pop and our little granddaughter (belongs to eldest son) relaxing together on the lounge.  Another 9 years down the track, along came our daughter's first baby, a little boy.  So tomorrow, one will be 18 and the other 9.  A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you both.  We love you lots.

This was going to be a much longer post, but finding the photo above took an extraordinary amount of time, and it is early as we'll be out for the full day tomorrow.  I'll just finish up with a couple more pics from our holiday.  I am trying to get that finished, so I can get on with a tutorial about quilting and what we've been up to lately.

This where I went one Saturday whilst in UK.  Skipton Auction Mart played host to Yarndale, which I thought was absolutely wonderful.  I'd loved to have spent a lot more time there, but couldn't because of family time.  I didn't get to meet Lucy from Attic 24, but did meet Fi from Marmalade Rose whose work is absolutely stunning.  OK, this is all for today, but hopefully on Saturday, I'll do the post on putting borders on a quilt.  Have a great Friday everyone and take care.
Susan.

TRYING TO CATCH UP

Where has this week gone!
I'm trying to think what on earth has been happening for the last week, but just seem to know I've been busy with one thing or another and not being organised enough to do a post, so here goes.
This will be in 2 parts:-  1.  Life in the now.
                                        2.  More holiday photos.

 What I've been working on.  This is a customer quilt which I brought back with me on our visit to Warragul.  My friend V, who had the heel reconstruction passed over 2 quilts to do, so she can get caught up when back on her feet properly, with her backlog.  Then, yesterday I had a phone call and now have another quilt to do for someone here in Ballarat.  Yeah, I've not done any for customers since before June last year.

BACK TO HOLIDAY SNAPS.

Views on the road between Keswick and Ambleside.

An old Police box.

The tiny cottage spanning a brook in Ambleside.  I think it was once a tollhouse.(Anybody can correct me on that, please.)

From Ambleside, we followed the road to Windemere, to Kendal, Hawes and Aysgarth by afternoon tea.  We ate our lunch on the way and I'm not sure where it was but a few of the pics are from our stop there.  I'll do my best at remembering where they might be.

Leaving the Lakes District behind.

This must be the viaduct at Garsdale Head.

Parking in a large graveled area beside the road, we ate our lunch and I took loads of photos, as the views were all around.

Another view.

And another with sunshine and shadow.

The National Park Visitor Centre for our loo and afternoon tea stop.

We then head for home (Leeds) for tea and a well earned good nights sleep to set out with our niece, her hubby and two children on Thursday afternoon for Blackpool.  They had decided on hubby's day off to go and see the Illuminations and invited us to go too.  I'd never quite seen anything like it before.  During the afternoon, we walked along the seafront to the Fun Pier and all the way back to have tea at a fish cafe.  Then the exciting part to see all the lights.  We travelled on this very colourful tram.

I'd left my camera in the car, so this is from Hubby's mobile.  Probably not the best pic.

Next two are what I took from the car on the way home.

Street light illuminations.

Now I am feeling chronically homesick and will leave it at that for today.  Still a few more outings to post about, along with lots of other things to catch up on.  Missing those people I met and all that wonderful scenery.
BTW, the weather here has been very up and down with some very warm and windy days and then today, it is only in the mid teens, so I'm back in warm clothers.  How crazy is that.  We'll pop out for a walk this afternoon, then I must get stuck into that quilt on the machine.  Hope to post with more holiday pics very soon (I mean it) as the next few will be something special.

Take care all.
Susan.

THE LAKES Part 2

After arriving in Keswick, we did some much needed washing, explored the town and settled in for a night of rest.

Next day we headed out for a garden, only to find it wasn't open every day, so visited the Lakeland Motor Museum at Newby Bridge.  Some great transport items on display as well as Donald Campbell's Bluedbird.  Just a taster.

Isn't she a beauty.

This is cute.

What was someone thinking!!

What every little boy dreams of.

The view from the coffee shop deck.

Woops, one I forgot.  Hubby rode one similar to this whilst a butcher boy doing deliveries after school, between the ages of 13 and 16, which would probably be a no-no these days.

Next morning we went for a lovely walk from the B & B up to Castlerigg Stone Circle and although a bit misty, I did get some lovely photos.

A misty view.

The stone circle.

After our walk we set out for a leisurely, if somewhat scary (at times) drive, as we'd been invited out for afternoon tea and the weather was being a bit unpredictable.  First we drove up to Ashness Bridge, then a little further up the road, we found a wonderful view point, where I was supposed to be able to see 2 lakes, but it was too misty to see the farthest one.

Ashness Bridge.

The view down to Derwentwater.

Looking the other way, I should have been able to see Bassenthwaite Lake as well, but just look at that misty rain.

We left here to head over Whinlatter Pass where we had lunch at the National Park Visitor Centre and got thoroughly soaked going from the car to the cafe.  After lunch we drove on and took the road over Honister Pass where there is a slate mine.  This is the most amazing bleak countryside, but so beautiful in its own right.

Definitely no vegetation on this mountain.

The road disappearing into the distance from near the mine site. Notice the weather!

Next we headed towards our destination for afternoon tea and the rewards were great.  A friend I'd never met, but who started me on my blogging journey made us so welcome.  Her garden is lovely and I forgot to take any photos, as we chatted on about our loves of gardening, quilting and putting the world to rights.  All too soon our visit was over and we headed home.  But oh, wait, there is a photo.

OK, I know, that is me.  But who is that trying to be ever so friendly.  Why that is "Daisy".  Some people weren't sure about having their photos put on my blog, so I've been good and obeyed, but couldn't help myself with this one.  Thanks to you know who for a lovely afternoon.

Just a quick catchup with few odd photos from around here, being some flowers from the garden, although it's looking very wilted this afternoon after a hot and windy day, so will leave photographing that  for another day.  I also had a rearrangement in the sewing room.  I do think it is working better.

This was on the opposite wall, where I have now put my cutting table.

Daises and succulent flowers.

2 different roses and I don't know what they are, as they were here in the garden when we moved in.

Sewing table now straight and easier to access for getting up to use the ironing board and cutting table.  The cushion on my chair came home with me from UK as just the cover.  I used it in the car so I could see out the window.  After I bough it at a great sale price, I realised it came from a Kirstie Allsopp collection.  Hadn't noticed till I showed my niece.  I am a bit of a fan. (don't laugh, I am a bit odd).

I'll finish up for now and the next instalment will probably be early next week.  We still have a way to go with some great photos, but till next time, take care.
Susan.

I AM STILL HERE!

OK, so I've been a bit quiet, but have slowly started catching up on all bits and pieces that constitute our lives.  Since I posted last, hubby had a small medical procedure, and the results came back fine.  The next week, we spent 3 days back in Warragul for me to see the dentist, catch up with friends, a wonderful massage and an afternoon having a walk along one of our favourite beaches, then a coffee.  We took our caravan across, which hasn't been used since we moved and lo and behold it had been leaking.  We dried it out and I've shampooed the carpet and will have to do it again.  This past week has seen us pop along to another steam rally at Lake Goldsmith and also babysat the grandkids on Tuesday,so it's been very busy.  Along with all that comes housework, gardening etc.  I'm also struggling with being torn between two countries, with family and friends in both, but so far apart, so bear with me as I try to be normal.
In this post, I'll try and do some catching up on our trip.

THE LAKES

We left Beamish (posted about before we flew back), and headed towards Carlisle, where we stayed the night.  Next morning we traveled across to Whitehaven, where we stayed for just one night.  A few of the highlights of the time in the area.

A section of Hadrian's Wall.

Views from said wall.

Disappearing into the distance.

Next are some photos of Whitehaven.

The church at Moresby, which was originally a Roman site.

Whitehaven Harbour.

One of the many "knot" sculptures.

Looking out to sea.

After sightseeing the area, we backtracked to Keswick, where we booked into a B & B, for the duration of our stay in this beautiful part of England.

Brookfield B&B Guest House.
It is the second one from the left.

I'd highly recommend this to anyone off to Keswick, as the service was great and the owner is a mine of information on the area.

As it is getting late and I'm tired and making lots of spelling mistakes, I'll leave it here for tonight and do some more catchup with our UK holiday over the weekend, before starting on what I've been sewing, baking and growing in the next few weeks.  I do have lots of sewing to do (baby quilt and a housewarming one on the list), and a veg patch to start planting up.  Also, I do believe Xmas is on the horizon!!!  Must go before I fall to sleep at the keyboard.
Till next time, take care.
Susan.

SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh dear, I'm so sorry all my followers, to have not blogged for such a while.  First I know I explained that I was having trouble loading photos whilst away and would catch up as soon as we got back.  Well, that hasn't happened has it?  I do have an excuse though!
We arrived home Thursday, we unpacked, did some washing, had tea and fell into bed.  Friday, more washing, a little shopping, mowing lawns and weeding, fell into bed again.
Saturday, oh no, I'd picked up some yukky tummy bug and spent the day in bed and am only just starting to feel OK and eat again.  Hubby also went down with it, but has picked up better than me.
In amongst all that I've been trying to finish up Dad's affairs and sort things for my brother once again.  Next on the list is to work out where I got up to with the blog, and go through the photos and do some follow up posts.

As most of my followers know, I just love owls.  The photo below was taken at the White Rose Centre in Leeds.

I would also like to say a big thank you to the lovely "new" people I met, along with family and old friends for making our holiday so special.
Now that we are home, I must really get cracking on making Xmas presents and I've already done a little sewing on something I may tell about in a later post.

OH  &  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
These 2 greetings are belated, but we had birthdays this week for Missy Moo who turned 7 on the 15th and Little E who turned 7 on the 16th.  Our two youngest grandchildren are growing up fast and I'll see one on Saturday and the other hopefully in a couple of weeks.

Best go so I can get the day started and sort through the photos later today and maybe do an updated holiday post on Sunday.
Take care all.
Susan.

TAKING OFF TOMORROW

I am writing this in a Premier Inn on our way to London, to  fly back to Australia tomorrow.
Once we are home I will be able to update our travels around UK.  I still have so much to show in the way of photos and commentary. 
I will certainly miss the beautiful countryside, picture postcard villages and quaint cottages.  Narrow roads and huge roundabouts are something I won't mind leaving.  We seem to get continually lost on the roundabouts. 
The thing I am going to miss most though, is some of the wonderful people I met, including new blogpals, old friends and family.  Bless you all for making us feel so welcome. 

No photos in this small post, but hopefully I'll pop on a post over the weekend.  We should be home sometime Thursday afternoon. (Australian time)   I'll be washing, looking around the garden and probably catching up on sleep , but I will also enjoy doing some cooking, sewing, making lists ready for Xmas and lots of other things, including talking to our children and grandchildren.

Take care all.
Susan.