Those missing months...

Sometimes when thinking about events that happened months before, it can seem as though it were only weeks ago. So then I look at the date, usually from a photo taken on my phone, and am genuinely surprised at how swiftly time has passed by. 

Here at home, during the many months between my 'goodbye' post in June and last week's return blog, life carried on with many of our normal routines, in spite of the physical ailments. I thought today I would share a kind of 'catch-up' post for you. xxxx

During the long blogging absence I still baked bread, made cordial, jams and preserves...

Spent time with the grandkids... 

(Charlie is always the one that makes us laugh!)

(Cully May is the happiest 9yo I have ever known. We spent a day designing cards and she chose to create her own Christmas cards. In the process she learned about using a light box, scanning her design, and printing it up on cardstock - brilliant!)

(Rafaella loves to cook and sew. We spent a day sewing Christmas ornaments in felt with beads, and learning very simple recipes such as trifle that she could make without assistance for her family - and she did make it that following night and her mum and dad were very impressed!)

Hubby and I still took long country drives with the Kelly-dog every weekend...

I continued doing what I could in the garden, and absolutely loved making notes in my garden diary and gathering fresh herbs each day for teas and seasonings.

(diary entry written before the knee injury)

(diary entry written after the knee injury)

I continued working on deep Bible studies, and in the past six months have loved digging into the books of James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1 and 2 Timothy, Revelation, and am currently in Titus. The most wonderful helps have been the in-depth studies from David Pawson which I purchase on Kindle for just $5 each (the paperbacks would be wonderful, but are out of our budget at around $30 each). Still, the Kindle versions are excellent for highlighting texts and making notes, so I feel VERY blessed to have this option. Hubby is currently delving into Isaiah. 

(There are Youtube videos of David's teachings, but they are not like the books - the books have SO much depth and truly draw you closer to the Lord and living a life more worthy of Christ's sacrifice)

I tried a few new things when making gifts, such as this oval pot holder from a free pattern by Ali of Arabesque Scissors...

...and the knitted tea cosies I showed you last week. One thing I did this week was crochet around the bottom edge of the tea cosy I made for my daughter Kezzie, and it really added to the overall effect!

Also this week, I decided to use up some smaller fabric pieces, wadding offcuts, and scraps of yarn to make coasters. Simple, but lovely as these were some favourite fabrics once...

Today Blossom and I took the kids to Bunnings. They have fun at the indoor playground while Bloss and I have coffee, and then we wander around to see what we can find for the garden, or home repairs. I got some zinnia seedlings, and she got new rollers for the back screen door. 

Then the kids did crafts...and I say kids collectively because Blossom is my big kid. ;-)

Update on my nerve pain issue. Mmm...this was incredible, and totally not expected. After a long list of tests my excellent doctor sent me for on Monday, it turns out that as well as the radial tunnel syndrome (tennis elbow), the peripheral neuropathy in my hand is not caused by it. It's caused by a B6 toxicity, with a magnesium toxicity thrown in for good (bad!) measure. It may take many months to rectify this and get my levels back in normal range so that my fingers return to normal, but what a relief to have this diagnosis. It answered so many questions, and has opened the door for healing. Praise God! :-)

THANK YOU for every single comment last week, for the emails, the advice, the love, care and prayers, and just for 'being here' to welcome me back to blogging. I prayed for everyone, and I shed more than a few tears from the kindnesses offered. YOU are amazing women, a blessing in anyone's life, but especially in mine. 

I did not respond to anyone as after that long post, my numb and tingly fingers needed days to improve, though just barely. Again, I know blogging will affect my fingers, but its truly worth it to be 'back in touch' with you all. 

So, I shall sign off now, and go water the front garden, which is parched as the wet season still has not arrived...but I'll be back next week with some thoughts from my Bible studies. Hope you enjoyed today's catch up. God bless your dear hearts, and may He show you every day that while you still have breath, He has a plan for you...you will never be without purpose, sweetheart. How precious you are!

PS: That design on the cover of my garden diary is still a free pattern here on the blog. Just head HERE to download it. x