Saturday, January 16, 2016

Family, and a finish...

It's been the most wonderful blessing to have two daughters and two granddaughters close by to hug and love this week.
Aisha and her family arrived on Tuesday and though we only had about 40 minutes together at the airport before they continued their travels across the waters to Magnetic Island, they returned by ferry on Wednesday for the best ever family dinner with Blossom, Ross, Mr E and I.
I had spent two days cooking a feast and had wondered at the time whether I'd made too much, but three men around the dinner table assured me there is never 'too much' food! Actually, the girls did a mighty fine job at clearing their plates as well. 
After dinner we walked by the beach and enjoyed ice cream on deck chairs overlooking the ocean until it was time for their ferry ride back to the island.
The funny thing is that we had such a wonderful time together that nobody remembered to take photos. The next day I lamented this, but only for a short while. We like to keep special moments a bit private, you know? And that evening was indeed a very special and memorable sequence of moments we each cherish.

Thursday I was sick. Migraine, body felt like it had been slammed into a wall, and tired like I couldn't remember being in years.  
Friday my body felt a wee bit better but the head continued to pound and my eyesight wasn't the best. A planned ride on the ferry to visit my girl and her loved ones had to be cancelled, and because my sweet Blossom was also unwell she could not go either. 

It's now Saturday and I'm on the mend, but Mr E has confined me to home so I can be 100% well for our final hours with the family on Sunday before they fly home again.
This wasn't what I'd planned or hoped for during their holiday in our region, but life often takes you on a path you'd rather avoid and I'm okay with that because I trust God knows best and can sort life out for us if it needs to be different. 
They needed a break away from home, from my son-in-law's six day work week, as a family unit with no distractions...especially as baby number three is due in April. They have rested, done lots of swimming, and today have a hire car to roam the little island and see different beaches and the markets before sitting back and watching the moon rise above the water from their harbour side balcony for the last time.

Tomorrow we'll pick them up from the ferry and head back to the beach for ice-cream and a cruise around the shoreline before their plane trip home.
I might even take photos.
 With so much happening this week, and then my mystery illness, I've been very slow at getting the final work completed for this month's Stitchery Club. In fact I'm still writing the last pages, but I shall put my nose to the grindstone this afternoon and get it ready to email Club members on Sunday afternoon.

The project sheet this month is a quilt pattern for displaying all twelve "A Year in the Garden" blocks...





The quilt top is still a flimsy but I shall endeavour to quilt it over the coming month or two. 
I'm thinking a mix of hand quilting and ties as I've never made a tied quilt before and I love the look of hand quilting, so using both techniques will be interesting. 

Hope your weekend is a happy one,
hugs



24 comments:

Victoria said...

A very nice quilt!!! Your colour choices always appeal to me.

Maria said...

Do hope you are over your illness and can enjoy the time with your lovely family...

A very pretty flimsy Jenny.

Guida said...

Hoping you feel better soon. Love the quilt. Take care, Guida

Ondrea said...

Good to know that you had such a lovely time before you became ill. I hope you are on the mend now. Life does throw things at us. I spent 12 hours in 2 hospitals yesterday with my parents. Mum had to have emergency surgery so the next few days are completely chaotic. I love that quilt top and am enjoying my 3rd stitchery from the first lot. I have made a table runner top for myself with January, April is stitched to make into something for a gift , and I am currently stitching February for myself which came in handy last night at the hospital to stitch while waiting for mum to come out of surgery. They are quite addictive LOL. Keep well. Angel healing hugs coming your way.

Unknown said...

Breathtakingly beautiful. Honestly, it is superb!! Love it so much!

cucki said...

Wow love the quilt..it's so beautiful
Big hugs x

Nanna Chel said...

I hope you feel better tomorrow so you can spend time with your family before they leave, Jenny. I have been to Maggie Island a few times when my girl lived in Townsville. It is a lovely trip in the ferry. We fished from the old jetty over there and the whiting just jumped onto our fishing lines...or so it seemed. I have some very happy memories of Townsville especially of The Strand which is such a great place to go for a walk or sit and look at the ocean.

Annerose said...

Wunder wunderschön. Liebe Grüße Annerose

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Love the top ... You take care Dear Jen xx

Águeda said...

I wish you recover quickly. And you enjoy your family. Have a blessed Sunday.

Brenda said...

Good Morning Jenny! I will keep you in my prayers! You are right in that our Lord knows the plan that is right for us and it sounds like the other part of your family may especially have needed this time for themselves and relaxing. I do hope that you and your daughter are feeling better and enjoy thoroughly your final visit with everyone before they depart.
It has been quite some time since I have tied a quilt, but at a Project Linus Guild meeting yesterday a woman and I were discussing the method and how the two together would make a stronger, yet more personal quilt. Which, I have to share the news, our guild has about 15 members and we donated a total of 134 quilts to be given out throughout our community in the remaining month of January to children ages birth to 18. I just think that is awesome!
Looking forward to seeing your pictures of this lovely quilt! Have a fantastic time with your family and I will keep you in my prayers!

Paqui Galán said...

Precioso!!! Me encanta ♥

Anonymous said...

All things work for the good of those who love the Lord. =) What a wonderful dinner that sounds, and even if there are no pictures for you, you have mental images that won't fade with time. I'm sure you've written about the funny moments, the tender moments, in your personal journal. Enjoy your final time with them for this trip, and you can look forward to the next one. I love the quilt you designed for the embroideries, but you should take your time. If it doesn't go out on Sunday, then any day it's ready is good enough. You get to have a life, too!

Farm Quilter said...

Having your family around is truly a blessing! I'm so sorry you suffered with a migraine - those are no fun at all!!! Have you figured out what triggers your migraines? Beautiful new quilt - totally you!!!

Melody said...

So wonderful you have had some special time with your family and I.m sorry to hear ill health got in the way of some of your plans but it makes the time you shared even more precious.

As always your stitching and designs are sublime.

Kathleen said...

You must have been burning the midnight oil in preparation for your family and it all caught up to you Jenny. And no photos? That just means you did things the old fashioned way, in the moment instead of from behind a camera lens. Nothing wrong with that. Hope you are feeling better and I'm happy you had such a nice time with your loved ones.

Createology said...

So sorry your migraine hit and spoiled a few days of family time. Enjoy the balance you will share together. Love the red and white quilt. Please do not stress or rush the Stitchery Club emails...your health and fairly are first priority. Healing Energy Dear...

Anonymous said...

I hope you're feeling better. Migraines are awful.

I am looking forward to the continuing gentle domesticity emphasis!! I believe you hear the Lord and have hit on an area that women would love to deepen in their lives.

I've discovered another blog with similar emphasis you may enjoy, too.

http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Thanks NanaJan - Jes's blog link is already listed in my sidebar under 'coffee break reading'. She's lovely.

Anonymous said...

Melody says it well Jenny - as you say things happen for a reason, all that preparation and family excitement, yes indeed some moments private, it is wonderful for you and family to have Aisha and family on another visit in your area, and enjoying lots of hugs and play with the little ones, very special, as a grandma myself know too well. I'm sure all your stitchery members will be very understanding and patient plus you need to allow yourself to get well enough to enjoy the last precious time with your holidaying family, enjoy and soak it all in, making memories eh. Have a wonderful family time tomorrow Jenny, your plans sound wonderful, wish you well and Blossom, Judithann :-) xx

Cath said...

I can't wait to start this one Jenny! I just love it! How did your meal planning go this week?

Christine M said...

Your quilt looks lovely, Jenny. How wonderful spending time with your family, even if it was only for a short visit. I hope you are feeling better soon. xxx

Baa. xxx said...

So happy you had a super special fun with family - those times are the best!

Leanne said...

I have my designs all printed out and ready to go Jenny, I love them all.
Have a wonderful week