tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57381833271297230422024-03-19T21:42:16.644+10:00Jenny of ELEFANTZEmbroidery designer, pursuer of the gentle domestic life, Christian wife and mama.Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.comBlogger2541125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-44050119564590825102024-03-15T14:45:00.003+10:002024-03-15T14:45:28.346+10:00Pruning to flourish...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0zCX348LmFjbAnxAmZoUM6goj_YaaIshcXpwDXX5AwZsv-x4RkhEd1Uc9lgcAh2bvysgPWu4Y4pilY6rqkrKweqvZ63XV5NkvqyjBXLys6f50dpRcA9I77dsMRkfStiNz1D4b2qmft-wxO9cxDsVwDhlp2TJ3j-ieamYTUdg76t9xpopUHdX2UWH/s3708/ELEFANTZ%20pruning%20quote%20Jennifer%20March%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3262" data-original-width="3708" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0zCX348LmFjbAnxAmZoUM6goj_YaaIshcXpwDXX5AwZsv-x4RkhEd1Uc9lgcAh2bvysgPWu4Y4pilY6rqkrKweqvZ63XV5NkvqyjBXLys6f50dpRcA9I77dsMRkfStiNz1D4b2qmft-wxO9cxDsVwDhlp2TJ3j-ieamYTUdg76t9xpopUHdX2UWH/w640-h564/ELEFANTZ%20pruning%20quote%20Jennifer%20March%202024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>What a wet season this has been. For the past few months we have had seemingly endless rain, and with that comes soil which never dries out, grass and weeds that grow skyward overnight, and our summer heat combined with constantly high humidity just drains the body's energy so that even simple outdoor tasks are exhausting...but they must be done. </p><p>The upside of all this rain is how wonderful it's been for many of our trees, shrubs, and established plants - though admittedly a few have rotted in the sodden soil. We live on a water table, on the outskirts of town close to the city's dam, with a river just 250 metres from our door, so even in dry months if you dig down twelve inches you will inevitably hit water - and this is why (at the moment) our soil is so saturated from all the rain that it can't dry out. Hanging the washing on the line involves sinking into mud, even on the few sunny days we've enjoyed this week. </p><p>It's been ages since I shared photos around the garden, so this morning I thought it might be nice to give you an update. Last month I wrote about our pulling back a bit and choosing not to grow vegetables this winter (for those who many not have read previously, in the tropics we grow 'normal' summer crops in winter because it's too hot and humid in summer) as we are completely exhausted from years of working non-stop through every season on our quarter acre - with not much reward, but having spent thousands of dollars on soil that just didn't make a difference to the heavy clay we cannot be rid of living on a water table. We have tried 'everything' on our soil, to the point of buying tons of good soil...but it just washes away or sinks down into the clay during wet season to make more clay. Having two very high raised beds is a help with growing herbs and greens, but it has not helped with vegetables at all. </p><p>Our dreams outweighed our abilities and resources when we bought this house in late 2018 - both in the garden, and in life too as it turns out. This year we needed to simplify. </p><p>On with the garden and a lesson I'm learning...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L_JDUjRhC6tXiQm0MuMwingsFfVXjo4WdmxsjUbVnaIQ-hY7he0EiwqoXtgJsQN-2G_WD2PYhZjTN14RNZe-IPtjuTS-tw9YxcRucr_EI3QyyMAxbs0-xl7QHWU1_YoyDBFDrhT4jud9sfcbzS6dnd2jYVd0f-kF4pWQwOWuKg2uH1BWo-ayezZN/s900/ELEFANTZ%20March%20simplicity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="900" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L_JDUjRhC6tXiQm0MuMwingsFfVXjo4WdmxsjUbVnaIQ-hY7he0EiwqoXtgJsQN-2G_WD2PYhZjTN14RNZe-IPtjuTS-tw9YxcRucr_EI3QyyMAxbs0-xl7QHWU1_YoyDBFDrhT4jud9sfcbzS6dnd2jYVd0f-kF4pWQwOWuKg2uH1BWo-ayezZN/w400-h58/ELEFANTZ%20March%20simplicity.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Our four year old Poinciana tree now covers more that half the area of our main yard...<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a-EMRNGFIylsGo8G97HmOjZLxxmjpRz4cJvaqqRlXd3bsRG8_ZOrMU6nWSrmw5E593jfw1mWR5RTc3dRdqrCYAQGkvlux7xN8GJalh1zLCwAfz0Id45SuQRJgamnOFZ9YgHB__Cg1UbnsxShMFzDC2lUVAmSJg-sYJ0ywHt6OU15X7iR-_6Ym_t5/s3648/DSC07595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a-EMRNGFIylsGo8G97HmOjZLxxmjpRz4cJvaqqRlXd3bsRG8_ZOrMU6nWSrmw5E593jfw1mWR5RTc3dRdqrCYAQGkvlux7xN8GJalh1zLCwAfz0Id45SuQRJgamnOFZ9YgHB__Cg1UbnsxShMFzDC2lUVAmSJg-sYJ0ywHt6OU15X7iR-_6Ym_t5/w640-h480/DSC07595.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>...throwing so much shade that some of our plants struggled to see sun on the rare sunshin-y days, and remained soggy bottomed most of summer. </div><div><br /></div><div>It covers part of the clothesline now, and until I pruned some of it earlier this week, it covered the large raised bed at the back of the house and touched the roof. It has even grown so far over our neighbours yard that their dogs lay by the fence under its shade to shelter from the sun. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYNLpguMezbBS5jX0mSNFKGetX2FH32hRr5bmog5l3yH6-kJ8waX01Q70qncRO7GsIgFcom3Nrw1ivjwovjiLBMzkiYwzelCakKazBLO53r2df7wF29l8qHyNQLNmFtfjeorggr-snogEuQubpLyemGkIyWkdt5pIsKbTXt3VUAE9mllKNfrtMzHI/s3648/DSC07595%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYNLpguMezbBS5jX0mSNFKGetX2FH32hRr5bmog5l3yH6-kJ8waX01Q70qncRO7GsIgFcom3Nrw1ivjwovjiLBMzkiYwzelCakKazBLO53r2df7wF29l8qHyNQLNmFtfjeorggr-snogEuQubpLyemGkIyWkdt5pIsKbTXt3VUAE9mllKNfrtMzHI/w640-h480/DSC07595%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGykVlMpspa7Obu-qRWADYhT0M7Ql46CTchjw-CO1jDzXeR0tt4dLypvIdpWzoCR4g6FLNThoRtJAyGU_HsHBvGmwRhbNYYgA-wS7EoHgTSSa0WZhls5JKyDDP7JihjA0mcuCfPfr_qGqQi5xPMgwoAK4gCfDCrOFxCVk_7lEFD8yABBqfx0KHrauO/s3648/DSC07595%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSR3NIkfuh2mTHz0anCTI3v_cs26fRFWW44CNM47GmJG0aqiG8A4KT2whyLMZv-5dyjVXH0M0WwDxf-uoFS7GvmglrCFlf5DrL9XtGXFgTR_qfAgMcXPB9AzcNlBznbLcRe2Nc27dW_gyB344ksmvWHte3ZNIKiJ75BQn8aTUShAyhWOe4USfLh5q/s3648/DSC07595%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSR3NIkfuh2mTHz0anCTI3v_cs26fRFWW44CNM47GmJG0aqiG8A4KT2whyLMZv-5dyjVXH0M0WwDxf-uoFS7GvmglrCFlf5DrL9XtGXFgTR_qfAgMcXPB9AzcNlBznbLcRe2Nc27dW_gyB344ksmvWHte3ZNIKiJ75BQn8aTUShAyhWOe4USfLh5q/w640-h480/DSC07595%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The roses, which normally love the speckled sun/shade in summer here, have struggled with all the wet this season and became host to way more diseases and bugs than I'd ever seen on them before. Just as with the tree, I pruned them all right back this week, apart from two, which had a couple of nice long stems that just needed care, so I left those stems and just pruned the rest of the plant. </div><div>The Elder tree had gotten so out of control that it and the Poinciana were almost entwined high in the sky, so that too was pruned rather heavily. The rain had given us a lot of elderberries from the tree this summer, and loads extra for the birds, and for that we were grateful - but it still needs to be kept at manageable size.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHRDc-NZpsEfinfgTHfmFVeX91wSuRJJRncUiog4yG3qmm2nRKJ43PSgSmatx-sDXxyHPB53YEAoPVkW21BYRRC0D3pGQu3pEWGTVXfYY_MYUfJcOpVt6nFkQcaJAn8YuhWGHISZSiw1dG-SATXRSrnTcZC0si84UZDhQO2W6Uw_L3ygfgWUFnVph/s3648/DSC07430%20-%20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHRDc-NZpsEfinfgTHfmFVeX91wSuRJJRncUiog4yG3qmm2nRKJ43PSgSmatx-sDXxyHPB53YEAoPVkW21BYRRC0D3pGQu3pEWGTVXfYY_MYUfJcOpVt6nFkQcaJAn8YuhWGHISZSiw1dG-SATXRSrnTcZC0si84UZDhQO2W6Uw_L3ygfgWUFnVph/w640-h480/DSC07430%20-%20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Using the long pruning shears yesterday, it occurred to me that it's not just things in the garden that need pruning. We prune roses, fruit trees and other greenery in the garden by removing stems, old branches, spent blooms and overgrowth in order to revitalise the plants, encouraging them to flourish in a new season - and just like plants in our garden, our lives are a series of new seasons, one after the other through the passing of years, and in order to flourish and refresh our souls, perhaps we may need a little pruning too. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxViJgN0McqIE8hFn7RSqi8vVws12esNTlIfeb864XWIoO96WJKQZFcwxmduGEYvCNuYdalUFZeG44-om_YTdiwrqowdfDT57BlJDTZGjZisWwkzSMj-PHjytAxfJTD0kiRvOuJOHVMN9efKAfazcMPaW7HxfGzDAHU9wNgGYIv1MtBbY6ct4x5vq/s3648/DSC07554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxViJgN0McqIE8hFn7RSqi8vVws12esNTlIfeb864XWIoO96WJKQZFcwxmduGEYvCNuYdalUFZeG44-om_YTdiwrqowdfDT57BlJDTZGjZisWwkzSMj-PHjytAxfJTD0kiRvOuJOHVMN9efKAfazcMPaW7HxfGzDAHU9wNgGYIv1MtBbY6ct4x5vq/w640-h480/DSC07554.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Part of our pruning was deciding not to add anything new to the garden this year, and possibly next, but to look after what was already here. We made the decision not to grow any vegetables either. The effort, expense, and consistent failure of doing this year after year had become such a burden - physically and mentally - that we had to admit it was too much, and we needed to let it go. It was a dream we had for so very long, but hanging on to that dream was not God's plan, just ours, and once we surrendered this dream, we felt the burden lifting. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11wOxSpynotKmRihUroK1AYJbDcvsjSY3CLc08DI_b3MpYR1GIvUbDpPcKFeSZJdns4Hv3FCCW_3yRP3tlKojAo-UTmIM98BYMAj8Bp28kFcvWFJL8ZCL9PHwaGsn826gYvgB6rHLTreQlsAweyw9FOaLLM94CPTWuDZPpjFhSVQ4OfTaEglkoO-S/s3648/DSC07595%20(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11wOxSpynotKmRihUroK1AYJbDcvsjSY3CLc08DI_b3MpYR1GIvUbDpPcKFeSZJdns4Hv3FCCW_3yRP3tlKojAo-UTmIM98BYMAj8Bp28kFcvWFJL8ZCL9PHwaGsn826gYvgB6rHLTreQlsAweyw9FOaLLM94CPTWuDZPpjFhSVQ4OfTaEglkoO-S/w640-h480/DSC07595%20(11).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The surprising thing though, is the fact that we still grow a lot, and that's the fruit of our labour - the established fruit trees, many which won't fruit for a couple more years; <b>twenty different herbs</b>, and every one of them can be used medicinally as well as for food/flavouring; <b>berries </b>(blueberry, blackberry, elderberry, mulberry); <b>fruit </b>(banana, Burdekin plum, pineapple, fig, pomegranate, dragonfruit, barbados cherry, lime, lemon, fingerlime); <b>as well as</b> Spring onions, sweet potato, radishes, rocket and lettuce. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMxiwGocU_0-ZzvLQPllQ2ZAh0xlKQYydErv99ddz95SwSZQugngx2dk05baIlVdKWjVe0GmCehF1deky-dHkjZnWIH_O1Fayn1hX_dbW2wCwkfp1IUdg405nWVft4MxKsZdeHqHvLFNaWfE2CiIf6xH5cJ4g1nvnUE2bNrnCHsGTSzzmrcZhjTGl/s3648/DSC07594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMxiwGocU_0-ZzvLQPllQ2ZAh0xlKQYydErv99ddz95SwSZQugngx2dk05baIlVdKWjVe0GmCehF1deky-dHkjZnWIH_O1Fayn1hX_dbW2wCwkfp1IUdg405nWVft4MxKsZdeHqHvLFNaWfE2CiIf6xH5cJ4g1nvnUE2bNrnCHsGTSzzmrcZhjTGl/w640-h480/DSC07594.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our good raised bed is in the best spot for both summer and winter (as long as the Poinciana is pruned). We emptied two low raised beds from the front yard into it a month ago because the soil was rich with organic matter and worms, (we won't have any raised beds, or the big brown climbing fence in the front yard anymore, just fruit trees, shade trees and a macadamia tree) and I've planted out flowers, rocket, herbs and spring onions already. Later today I'll fill in the spaces with lettuce, and plant dill under one of the trees. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvnr5LYZNNSgUykdcz7fIzhQSJCy441sfSWfZAXALTy7zZ0Rp-y_Z4x1Pfy8Dp0Y4Iv5fi7rPpWXBA23PbZglYnuYx2iehtUlcLVIO2ilNYsujkr-MgpOcZ9P0ZaN5gmkfaD1Z2SR482QkT7AbuGyWNvDhOByfbO7AEwk9HvAZQhacbMV53Mv3Tw4/s3648/DSC07567%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvnr5LYZNNSgUykdcz7fIzhQSJCy441sfSWfZAXALTy7zZ0Rp-y_Z4x1Pfy8Dp0Y4Iv5fi7rPpWXBA23PbZglYnuYx2iehtUlcLVIO2ilNYsujkr-MgpOcZ9P0ZaN5gmkfaD1Z2SR482QkT7AbuGyWNvDhOByfbO7AEwk9HvAZQhacbMV53Mv3Tw4/w640-h480/DSC07567%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FULnJ-v-GB9cA6rDYO51wSOKDWmJ4hxaU9Ttc6fYy7good_UZ2dBgG_YU0z274wU2XsAL67h-W1aSHT4wjKelzZ7wjlzImeaJJ7kal4EF03AEGjH-T-HoF4czAAFMFeCbJZPJ6QBUUaNBgHkz-A4JaCc0Wuia2Dv9FCdaWJCI3A2SpD7OM7LgTNK/s3648/DSC07567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FULnJ-v-GB9cA6rDYO51wSOKDWmJ4hxaU9Ttc6fYy7good_UZ2dBgG_YU0z274wU2XsAL67h-W1aSHT4wjKelzZ7wjlzImeaJJ7kal4EF03AEGjH-T-HoF4czAAFMFeCbJZPJ6QBUUaNBgHkz-A4JaCc0Wuia2Dv9FCdaWJCI3A2SpD7OM7LgTNK/w640-h480/DSC07567.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HyM_WKXeHMi7WdS1PHLsbeitwcRIWlH5q3AfeqPJqcRKR__ITDfI-YtFv-tzcCqkChiTGeG2XqODJun6kKrKqu41NCVEWg07kcQHRd2bPNdnIlZiTxUcxFckKY15Nr0oid2fDmuZFT4R1yUo-Bc8PRxI26AoDj0Y2jE6w7eUm9JsL3lNV_pJE-vr/s3648/DSC07567%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HyM_WKXeHMi7WdS1PHLsbeitwcRIWlH5q3AfeqPJqcRKR__ITDfI-YtFv-tzcCqkChiTGeG2XqODJun6kKrKqu41NCVEWg07kcQHRd2bPNdnIlZiTxUcxFckKY15Nr0oid2fDmuZFT4R1yUo-Bc8PRxI26AoDj0Y2jE6w7eUm9JsL3lNV_pJE-vr/w640-h480/DSC07567%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This makes our garden far more manageable. I have even emptied pots that were scattered here and there, to eliminate the time it takes me to water everything in the long dry season which will begin in April sometime. In fact pots dry out faster than garden beds, so some days (when its not raining) I need to water all the pots twice, and standing for hours in that scorching sun is no fun at my age - especially when I have a home inside to care for and a family to help. By choosing what we want to grow - things that are not badly affected by tropical and garden bugs - and ditching excess work, plants and dreams we held on to for so long, we are freeing our bodies and minds to once again have enjoyment in our garden. And really, that's SO important for everything we do around our homes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>If you're not enjoying your home, ask yourself why.</b> Write down everything you do - whether it be in the garden, or in the house - and pray. What do you need to let go of, what needs pruning, what things take up precious time that could be better spent on other tasks or relationships. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-pO804QDJzVdS_H1jm7TRKOnVzWTUeIbvWEBdT0_rp9csKpXPlGZ7GzBdqfxC6_K9Newd-gv5M8_XNQ63Csl9QfqUoQuop2YUxQHhl6c2nGJ4p37gnB7WiqjMsNJnZWe_NYZdhiiAesS6OtOrQjBflT8OMxaMMh5xXtdz2WBPupuMqpBXwScxmHN/s3648/DSC07550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-pO804QDJzVdS_H1jm7TRKOnVzWTUeIbvWEBdT0_rp9csKpXPlGZ7GzBdqfxC6_K9Newd-gv5M8_XNQ63Csl9QfqUoQuop2YUxQHhl6c2nGJ4p37gnB7WiqjMsNJnZWe_NYZdhiiAesS6OtOrQjBflT8OMxaMMh5xXtdz2WBPupuMqpBXwScxmHN/w640-h480/DSC07550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiKDpMAHt2zm9Lv93Z9iXkcySMrrkd1_r6gB1EpYupcfx-BDL004FPz5On6t1hr4XcjS1TiVup4N-9lXhWGPSMOcQHRfpF6hKcEHS0Ye0Deq7uBzOtqLRr6fyoKTxPncflOhzaM6YznuGi54fFAuX6xjPTfGDwhg5r4z__09lK0wPqCMSir4QVyYJ/s3648/DSC07554%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiKDpMAHt2zm9Lv93Z9iXkcySMrrkd1_r6gB1EpYupcfx-BDL004FPz5On6t1hr4XcjS1TiVup4N-9lXhWGPSMOcQHRfpF6hKcEHS0Ye0Deq7uBzOtqLRr6fyoKTxPncflOhzaM6YznuGi54fFAuX6xjPTfGDwhg5r4z__09lK0wPqCMSir4QVyYJ/w640-h480/DSC07554%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Be honest with yourself </b>- are you getting grumpy from the overload of life? Have you committed to too many things? Have you been trying to keep up with someone else's life choices? Do you have a dream that needs to be relinquished? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBOBy4EnxhuGZ_y3nuSTiML_WWuHu-xOcFT6t57FWEoQqfHxEVXBN9-YUqsFLMOb_13erTVBC3rJFprMgAKDem6f1oawP-ObqVMQWGOx_WiCuoDtZ2wyob9ogoxAsMmXzDq5qrCqtB_-WXImtU_39kjpGjDtF8qRNiu_fnqMqnF8G7yOqvBkEyQzC/s3648/DSC07584%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBOBy4EnxhuGZ_y3nuSTiML_WWuHu-xOcFT6t57FWEoQqfHxEVXBN9-YUqsFLMOb_13erTVBC3rJFprMgAKDem6f1oawP-ObqVMQWGOx_WiCuoDtZ2wyob9ogoxAsMmXzDq5qrCqtB_-WXImtU_39kjpGjDtF8qRNiu_fnqMqnF8G7yOqvBkEyQzC/w640-h480/DSC07584%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until we clear away the things which have crowded out our mental and physical space, we can't imagine what a simpler life is able to offer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The past couple of months our family have had quite a few health issues to manage, and the more I pursued simplicity and let go of excess in my own life, the more time I had to step forward and help them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBvkJWpu7X1FhhTMwMVidfm31CbcuaEi3cWMuY2QCP8iE0I7VIPSFp9bZKmoJg1IZf6T-j68exSkOg-rD0OzIQ670FvOgi1FBY4dhobjxnxzi9VypYHPTcWcakhTG-deDIPlMo0LqsB4EyUQeLUuLqYhakXQcKyZICVjmCagiWv8WGfc_iavBK06n/s3648/DSC07595%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBvkJWpu7X1FhhTMwMVidfm31CbcuaEi3cWMuY2QCP8iE0I7VIPSFp9bZKmoJg1IZf6T-j68exSkOg-rD0OzIQ670FvOgi1FBY4dhobjxnxzi9VypYHPTcWcakhTG-deDIPlMo0LqsB4EyUQeLUuLqYhakXQcKyZICVjmCagiWv8WGfc_iavBK06n/w640-h480/DSC07595%20(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnf_-yt2vTdglVo1dzOIOpW221pxKO3FP6kD0eovn_pI51ESrGlJiG1Sn7cwH7iaIHAYy5ANvCaGijNhRDISeB8cJxLCdLcfTd7Sr2Wh8D52By9qUMrAYuW9qOQkoPBr11yy0cyS0bLfFnO3yfLjn5r44kzbeZhxzO7UysY0D0cVF7rdxJVcBp9acC/s3648/DSC07595%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnf_-yt2vTdglVo1dzOIOpW221pxKO3FP6kD0eovn_pI51ESrGlJiG1Sn7cwH7iaIHAYy5ANvCaGijNhRDISeB8cJxLCdLcfTd7Sr2Wh8D52By9qUMrAYuW9qOQkoPBr11yy0cyS0bLfFnO3yfLjn5r44kzbeZhxzO7UysY0D0cVF7rdxJVcBp9acC/w640-h480/DSC07595%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am back to loving the garden, and learning what's wise to grow and what is wiser to buy. I am spending time watching the birds again, and each day praying before removing one more thing from my garden, my home, or my life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's important to bring every decision back to the Word. Our example is dear Jesus, who had no place to lay His head, yet promised us we should never worry about what we are to eat or what we are to wear...for the Lord provides when there is a need. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I no longer want to fill my home or garden with all the lovely things, because no matter how lovely they are, they require more time to maintain than I can ever give. So I'm continuing to prune away...bit by bit, each drawer, each cupboard, each potted plant, each garden bed, each book, each coffee mug, my email inbox, saved photos, ingredients...<i>not getting rid of everything, but the things that hold no real value, need, purpose, or demand too much from me in general. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How will you pursue simplicity in your life, dear one? Perhaps you already have and are way ahead of me? How lovely if you have. Any tips to share with all of us reading here?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8tuQ9QakRX_kGJ8YY1yIxPQGyU6ww8kgDTFgbPZzdIjrka2-kr-TrhfMUnZKcg2JHZogV8f7mG_8IhDOHjLTvfgEXYDH3y33pcQ78xc_sm0qCCX9OPp7poNfp8US5RBnA0KhULeNC3O1YfkjfzfW5s1SWfhZlPxDULCSysR0llJYbEIkkU0OkvVq/s3648/DSC07595%20(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8tuQ9QakRX_kGJ8YY1yIxPQGyU6ww8kgDTFgbPZzdIjrka2-kr-TrhfMUnZKcg2JHZogV8f7mG_8IhDOHjLTvfgEXYDH3y33pcQ78xc_sm0qCCX9OPp7poNfp8US5RBnA0KhULeNC3O1YfkjfzfW5s1SWfhZlPxDULCSysR0llJYbEIkkU0OkvVq/w640-h480/DSC07595%20(12).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">NEXT WEEK...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decided to catch up with things I have promised this year, so next week there will be three separate blog posts to share * the tutorial from <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2024/02/being-creative-on-stormy-days-and-block.html" target="_blank">here</a>, * the steps for making my bacon/egg/cheese pies, * and the recipe book at last!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God bless you and keep you safe, give you wisdom to make the right choices for your unique life, shine a light on the way forward if you are stuck, provide for your needs according to His riches in glory, bring godly friendships your way if you are lonely, and enlarge your understanding of His Word as you seek truth in the pages of your Bible. May He put on your heart those who need prayer, and may He put you on the heart of others when your own life has need, and I pray His loving presence will be felt always as you go about your day and lay down to rest at night. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And let the peace of God rule in your hearts....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hugs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufxcjfcPpo1syKzBihHEIEq3goHCyezVldqN1rBdpqiyUzPjxo8u5r4DH44WsmdDMZOjXVlTKGamRenkwRlMhbR3DWquKSKrJpHxXZ0pUjXXKIa01u_2Eg39l5pzEizU82Rqq3scPW_A9fs1-kOjqaBo4Ri8yQrdBC38_NtbU07zAMZZpN38-oSnY/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufxcjfcPpo1syKzBihHEIEq3goHCyezVldqN1rBdpqiyUzPjxo8u5r4DH44WsmdDMZOjXVlTKGamRenkwRlMhbR3DWquKSKrJpHxXZ0pUjXXKIa01u_2Eg39l5pzEizU82Rqq3scPW_A9fs1-kOjqaBo4Ri8yQrdBC38_NtbU07zAMZZpN38-oSnY/w228-h73/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="228" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" data-pin-me-only="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-13648218275423192552024-03-07T10:39:00.004+10:002024-03-07T10:39:56.757+10:00MARCH...simplicity...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssxAVj6nZcpj7g6r64OsUp8Vaq7TwDXwadA1uBQr93oIihtKwEtvLj2c4kFIgekliIl7nVJHibeTsRmrE6aKFnePPaw7fA9kRgGKRFF9WUxMSuN1HMWNzCjiPFiNdaveODJcKJuPU4n1OnM0mkURAeo9QZlPkCd21zuMiW2WfmdXL_drsErmLM9j-/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20quote%20LIW%20simple%20pleasures.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssxAVj6nZcpj7g6r64OsUp8Vaq7TwDXwadA1uBQr93oIihtKwEtvLj2c4kFIgekliIl7nVJHibeTsRmrE6aKFnePPaw7fA9kRgGKRFF9WUxMSuN1HMWNzCjiPFiNdaveODJcKJuPU4n1OnM0mkURAeo9QZlPkCd21zuMiW2WfmdXL_drsErmLM9j-/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20quote%20LIW%20simple%20pleasures.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">March has made itself welcome in the tropics of Northern Australia, bringing with it loads more rain, lengthening autumn nights, and early morning kitchen tasks that begin in the dark before the heat of the sun spreads over the mountain in front of me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love March, not because it's the start of autumn as it is always very hot here in March, but because it signals the end of another uncomfortable summer and the promise of winter just three months away. It thrills me to know that in another six to eight weeks, around the end of April or beginning of May, the heat will finally subside and we can open wide all the windows and doors until October. What lies ahead is a favourite season of life in our tropics with tepid days and nights, months of enjoying every moment in the outdoors, drinking in the embrace of temperate days, the hope of cool nights and pots of steaming soup or hearty casseroles if the temperatures drop below 24 C (75 F). Some years our winter is too warm for anything more than t-shirts and jeans, or a long flowing dress...but other years we will have a month tucked somewhere into winter where we can pull on socks and wrap a cardigan around our shoulders - those are the winters I adore! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCH9tqCsFfV4SPGnBgZRpGXnBr8gZvLIjF2Sndpy7dsOmV9xgFRDRvOhCXDLq7FDr-51-ZlnWEL0-JTvwAsnxz2XLDTqSBf4mMcgq9n664ds8Nv_Kt3QBPjULAhluEfzveUtCfae-NMgxutcVi4zysW2Hy8QuU8qj2UhV-hLJs36dD_4BUDZsJFzs/s3648/DSC07519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCH9tqCsFfV4SPGnBgZRpGXnBr8gZvLIjF2Sndpy7dsOmV9xgFRDRvOhCXDLq7FDr-51-ZlnWEL0-JTvwAsnxz2XLDTqSBf4mMcgq9n664ds8Nv_Kt3QBPjULAhluEfzveUtCfae-NMgxutcVi4zysW2Hy8QuU8qj2UhV-hLJs36dD_4BUDZsJFzs/w640-h480/DSC07519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(rainbow lorikeets are daily visitors to the feeder, often sitting in the shady branches of the Poinciana for hours)</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just as natural seasons bring change with them, so do personal seasons. Rosie came to visit yesterday and as is our custom, we spend a lot of time chatting about life over a cup of tea and something sweet and delicious. I am often surprised by how parallel our thoughts are, the ones we have individually pondered between our last catch-up and this one...for we both long for simpler times, simple joys, and more time for physical and mental refreshment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I was praying through February about what the blog's theme should be for March, the word 'simplicity' resonated within my heart over and over. It seemed that wherever I looked, a verse or quote about the need for simplicity in our day to day lives would pass before my eyes, or I'd hear of such things through what I had watched or listened to that day. It was clear that the Lord was focussing my attention on simplifying every area of my life...and girls, that made me joyous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCGzzip8KGXd8In9lUx2DSE2a0c08DZQ-CapUiGGUWj8elXVeejRSRl5bA8BWskTy0LH1t9RwPTBtwaKp1nGMEzKkzEn33GOHDFEPms1Ck471LstiYISMiiDG-OJoX9ihNMmhp1z1737Ov7YU3ige3p7_YKIuGOXoICC4S8Hcrho6Zi2zDHN-jJ_o/s900/ELEFANTZ%20March%20simplicity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="900" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCGzzip8KGXd8In9lUx2DSE2a0c08DZQ-CapUiGGUWj8elXVeejRSRl5bA8BWskTy0LH1t9RwPTBtwaKp1nGMEzKkzEn33GOHDFEPms1Ck471LstiYISMiiDG-OJoX9ihNMmhp1z1737Ov7YU3ige3p7_YKIuGOXoICC4S8Hcrho6Zi2zDHN-jJ_o/w640-h92/ELEFANTZ%20March%20simplicity.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In our conversation Rosie and I talked about childhood memories, and those who raised us - Rosie had parents, and I had grandparents. We reminisced about the simpler times and lives lived without hustle, amongst people who helped each other, where kindness, laughter, humility, and a good night's rest were normal. Meals were ordinary, the kind women had been cooking for years, made from simple fresh ingredients - meals that children and grandchildren remembered all their lives as 'comfort food' because it brought back memories of love, security, familiarity and happiness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But<b> Simplicity</b> isn't just about food.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It can be how we dress, the plans we make in our day, what we grow and how we tend our gardens, how we decorate our homes, what we sew, the routines and rhythms of homemaking in all its aspects...even the conversations we have with others. Whilst pondering the various aspects of our life we can highlight the joys we experience, stirring happiness and perhaps contentment in our hearts - but what about the things in our life that overwhelm and weary and leave us at times not knowing where to start or what to do next - our minds are a blur and we feel somewhat frozen in one place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Excesses, the burdens or stressors we carry day to day, the unnecessary commitments that take away time and energy, even the overabundance of things we own, or the compulsion to buy more (often to fill an emotional need) - these can cause our lives to be and feel <i>complicated, stressful, and not at all simpler. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu46jrAWT_uUVzX4XqFtF8Hx94udec4__56U-7LdyZLoKZJz62Gqp3ZV5aZO5JbllxBnIGYaCPPXX-Vmfps6Fq5IcRHhPfgcngu7z7PuaUdbAVBPZ6T1a8I6EPywgmI2kb8iAA1rrD6Z9s4G5qqbR0XUHvRGVnA0L2pYUDxpRkuGpzAodZVrqX2JmJ/s3648/DSC07526.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu46jrAWT_uUVzX4XqFtF8Hx94udec4__56U-7LdyZLoKZJz62Gqp3ZV5aZO5JbllxBnIGYaCPPXX-Vmfps6Fq5IcRHhPfgcngu7z7PuaUdbAVBPZ6T1a8I6EPywgmI2kb8iAA1rrD6Z9s4G5qqbR0XUHvRGVnA0L2pYUDxpRkuGpzAodZVrqX2JmJ/w640-h480/DSC07526.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Rosie and I enjoyed working on our individual crochet blankets this morning - I am repairing Rafaella's old blanket)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's also a difference between individuals on how they would describe simplicity in their own life. What I may see as simple, another would think too much, and vice versa. For me it is wonderfully and satisfyingly simple to mix and knead and bake a loaf of bread - but for another, simplicity would be to buy a loaf. <i>And that is fine.</i> How we each choose to simplify our lives will depend on our individual circumstances, such as responsibilities, health, finances, lifestyle choices, hobbies - <i>and if you are married, if will include what both husband and wife agree needs to be simplified. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNwTx_S2Bu8Ya74OubqFW_xooWTvYM9XATGiNr0CzlVjCCtspxyP0yZB1CMVvtLEtcuLoI6Pg6hqoloPYfHixp4rRo5QeMxj3RTON1P8nawv9iHurb5fkEU0UAOZoD8JIWWKqsLU0J1XXxAzWHwcFRqH7_6EASLCCNmukQTa3WQutrI7KtyqZixy7/s3648/DSC07506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNwTx_S2Bu8Ya74OubqFW_xooWTvYM9XATGiNr0CzlVjCCtspxyP0yZB1CMVvtLEtcuLoI6Pg6hqoloPYfHixp4rRo5QeMxj3RTON1P8nawv9iHurb5fkEU0UAOZoD8JIWWKqsLU0J1XXxAzWHwcFRqH7_6EASLCCNmukQTa3WQutrI7KtyqZixy7/w640-h480/DSC07506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i>(I made another little slow stitched pouch last week from checked linen. It will hold my crochet hooks)</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Minimalism</b> is becoming more popular with each passing year, and this too stems from a desire to simplify life. Those who have chosen to embrace minimalism have usually done so in order to rid themselves of excess stuff and excess responsibility (for everything we own comes with responsibility to look after and maintain it), to reduce their financial expenditure, to remove visual clutter, and to eliminate too many choices which then helps with decision making. For example, the ten item wardrobe is another popular choice, especially with women. How much simpler it is to choose your seasonal clothing from such a reduced number of items. No wonder there's a growing movement towards this trend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Personally I am not minimalist inclined, but I also do not hoard things, but declutter every season. As the years pass I own less and less, choosing to have only what is or will be used, emergency items, or what I find brings a gentle ambience to my home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I prefer my home to feel warm, welcoming and interesting, so having a relatively bare home would leave me lonely and uninspired...<i>but once again,</i> what is simple to me, will not be to someone else, and the other way around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1viqouAmWSNz9G9nyFdTjvS4P8CySv17LlZFwt7JZE2BJGRuAFdcKWAc1QYavGFEIgHK_cQZs4UHsSiAjCWP5zBw8NewFCudgi3GJgIVd5DE0_eCyG_Z1nJk7wjtz4JF7MzQywZlwlgoc4AFfFeBiyWlxT3-P6IX8GbahYxN3lL7n_JHvu0ZLlacu/s3648/DSC07506%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1viqouAmWSNz9G9nyFdTjvS4P8CySv17LlZFwt7JZE2BJGRuAFdcKWAc1QYavGFEIgHK_cQZs4UHsSiAjCWP5zBw8NewFCudgi3GJgIVd5DE0_eCyG_Z1nJk7wjtz4JF7MzQywZlwlgoc4AFfFeBiyWlxT3-P6IX8GbahYxN3lL7n_JHvu0ZLlacu/w640-h480/DSC07506%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(I made <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msXqXWKsYEE" target="_blank">Oleysa's Cottage Cheese biscuits</a> at the weekend and they were yummy)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you need to simplify your life, perhaps it may be achieved by stepping away from, <i>or reducing,</i> activities, hobbies, committees, and unnecessary commitments. Going here and going there leaves us weary when we return home, and may cause stress when we subsequently fall behind in our daily household tasks, or discover we're neglecting relationships within the family. I'm sad to say that I have seen many women so often 'out and about' that their marriages, finances, home and family suffer over time...even to the point of separation. Keeping the family core solid, the home fires burning, and our hearts in their right place - that's a high priority for all of us to consider. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmg7i-4nkI8UfqhzHppy8CuWlIJl7d9ziYGqrEyxxIiBsCad4u5EIJCnufELTTm9btPgMJD9-v9t4Ijdy__TdBySHZcAR5b4nbJ7YNiGigqi_Q-4KlZxjMn0Q5ywLjkNeMRNRnsjgOrvK_1Wq2KaXUksmJpOUzlnK1NzpO5Ph-4bHbXDZAFOXvL44/s3648/DSC07526%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmg7i-4nkI8UfqhzHppy8CuWlIJl7d9ziYGqrEyxxIiBsCad4u5EIJCnufELTTm9btPgMJD9-v9t4Ijdy__TdBySHZcAR5b4nbJ7YNiGigqi_Q-4KlZxjMn0Q5ywLjkNeMRNRnsjgOrvK_1Wq2KaXUksmJpOUzlnK1NzpO5Ph-4bHbXDZAFOXvL44/w640-h480/DSC07526%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Rosie's crochet blanket in progress, so lovely.)</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Our new habit of simplifying...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apart from reducing the amount of produce we grow (due to health and energy reasons) my husband and I have decided to drop our meals from three per day, to just two. We enjoy a good breakfast, a hearty lunch, and then a small afternoon tea around 2:30pm...after that we don't eat again until breakfast the following day. You may call this intermittent fasting, but we have no dietary rules involved - we're doing this because we have noticed over the past six months or so that we're not really very hungry at the evening meal. I make it out of habit, and we eat it out of habit...but it's become a burden for my husband because he feels obligated to eat that meal I have lovingly prepared. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we had the conversation about this last week, we laughed so hard! Each of us wanting to do what we felt was right for the other - and yet neither one of us is hungry at tea time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So now I'm preparing even more nutritious breakfasts and lunches (hubby takes his lunch to work) plus a good snack to have around 2:30. It's been a few days now and we are not missing that evening meal at all. We have simplified, and in the process, we're saving money at the grocery store. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloYS9UG1xDBvFOyjwN1p5BazvFpYFW-ddtmf9H20abElLDqWxAwrRFuxH2Sq8LDJc8GbRAKzfWgujMj8l82-I4X4wgNdSg8pGkvGr28jnMih6Snd7aK-cI2E0Sr7oGfVKSQHQyNUUfGjtAZXhP1ek4IeiDGh-8AheLOofkBacvqSegE7ihSehYTe3/s3648/DSC07526%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloYS9UG1xDBvFOyjwN1p5BazvFpYFW-ddtmf9H20abElLDqWxAwrRFuxH2Sq8LDJc8GbRAKzfWgujMj8l82-I4X4wgNdSg8pGkvGr28jnMih6Snd7aK-cI2E0Sr7oGfVKSQHQyNUUfGjtAZXhP1ek4IeiDGh-8AheLOofkBacvqSegE7ihSehYTe3/w640-h480/DSC07526%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(I am currently repairing the blanket I made Rafaella five years ago, using the leftover yarn I still had. Her dog ripped the centre right out of this blanket.)</i></div></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How would you like to simplify your life, dear one? I'm ready to hear new ideas, and read of your own experiences...you never know who you will inspire. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God bless you, and may He give you more and more of His wisdom as you seek to follow a simpler life. I pray His Holy Spirit will steer you and I away from anything unnecessary, and shine a Light on the areas of our life which need the most attention. May His blessing be upon you, dear heart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Till next time, love and hugs,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40SKYLT8JkrULi6OUYzFE1pFsOHhPELJL7V4Lbn53pjCCWu3sdg399dkW2rjnyX8L10Wx6QebPfkcQevs2TOt2rhOvf8DDe907xYM3YKxt1kTPjO4G9OfIvpCiz_sTirI6dVM5r0ujX-jH8_7SxmJeskXPOqdjmFX3B4ielfoaWUqxvDeRMfj1M7I/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40SKYLT8JkrULi6OUYzFE1pFsOHhPELJL7V4Lbn53pjCCWu3sdg399dkW2rjnyX8L10Wx6QebPfkcQevs2TOt2rhOvf8DDe907xYM3YKxt1kTPjO4G9OfIvpCiz_sTirI6dVM5r0ujX-jH8_7SxmJeskXPOqdjmFX3B4ielfoaWUqxvDeRMfj1M7I/w226-h72/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="226" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" data-pin-me-only="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-82565304399736196682024-02-29T12:58:00.000+10:002024-02-29T12:58:07.434+10:00Being creative on stormy days and block 3...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvHR036uaYMkF9dyoT4BmQybl6ffKuh0XrkXAn7gcZJrRVqFS9nm0PLfzjDNBQyExIsTYmN5Th8ABDHtS8gyhefHMHfgNPy_Kgd9VYyTtssiaSu6vG3h1QbMM2LBGyPbzTre_A2utxQA-zjt-1p9tpy_p4JeG9IRe6sByCdjb_MzLf8j1Kx3J0tkO/s3668/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%20B3%20main%20USE%20copy%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3113" data-original-width="3668" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvHR036uaYMkF9dyoT4BmQybl6ffKuh0XrkXAn7gcZJrRVqFS9nm0PLfzjDNBQyExIsTYmN5Th8ABDHtS8gyhefHMHfgNPy_Kgd9VYyTtssiaSu6vG3h1QbMM2LBGyPbzTre_A2utxQA-zjt-1p9tpy_p4JeG9IRe6sByCdjb_MzLf8j1Kx3J0tkO/w640-h544/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%20B3%20main%20USE%20copy%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I've been meaning to blog for days, but life has been full of other things, mostly home and family, and so much rain that our gardens are glistening from the water in and around everything. Of course it was perfect weather for weeding, so I did that in the half hour or so before sunrise each morning (if the rain took a break). Any later and the heat and humidity was more than I could handle when exerting energy gardening. It's good to know the town dam has plenty of water so I am not complaining too much about this summer's wet season. <p></p><p>One thing I have really missed though, is hanging washing on the line. It is so rare for me to not have that opportunity, especially living in the hot tropics. We do have a dryer, but until all this rain through February I could count on two hands how many times I've used it in the past four years - it just sits in the laundry and I lament it taking up space! Ha ha! Until this summer. Throughout the past few weeks it has been used almost daily, but today the sun reappeared and I got so excited carrying my overloaded washing basket outside, my feet ankle deep in water, to peg everything on the line. </p><p>So it's quite appropriate that the little design on the March block of this year's free "Joy in the Ordinary" project is a washing basket. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9fJ6VCOPeqGHPJbFM7MPIk-2KuGFhHsrEsamk42zwCpZM6uTRzLv_dHh-1JQ2R95KqmwnELPPrZ6CBRRMAbWPN4-GEOMl5m9sH4vJula5HLEMARqupMGE1cPnQFZIs39Hc9TQm8UAueZ3m03ufkrpDKNM3eidALOdQFg7pPHUxc1slvMIBvRj0BS/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20ordinary%20BOM%20block%203%20cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9fJ6VCOPeqGHPJbFM7MPIk-2KuGFhHsrEsamk42zwCpZM6uTRzLv_dHh-1JQ2R95KqmwnELPPrZ6CBRRMAbWPN4-GEOMl5m9sH4vJula5HLEMARqupMGE1cPnQFZIs39Hc9TQm8UAueZ3m03ufkrpDKNM3eidALOdQFg7pPHUxc1slvMIBvRj0BS/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20ordinary%20BOM%20block%203%20cc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Use the link below to download the free pattern</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/19BRneqhy0Bt_jnlPSAX-PaZ8KYpVWU4G/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD block 3 Joy in the Ordinary</a></p><p>If you missed the first two blocks they are <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/p/joy-in-ordinary-bom-2024.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></p><p>What do you miss when the weather in consistently inclement over a prolonged period of time? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigU7r0Vdhq-qkR0rAUEv4Q4_e1k_UuCZNwtfxds_298qtmQlz1fGuFF_mEfNjGXzj_LGrg_EAiN1hJIZA0HlpAVWfUrzqbSx6QUkAlw6_NKLFxaoFfLnU06lqNdjyl5EAOm9RVeh7iOf59rBKRHoov_FvbQnWLgQb-s068b6WuKAaxPUnnPV1Kq5Rx/s455/divider%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="455" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigU7r0Vdhq-qkR0rAUEv4Q4_e1k_UuCZNwtfxds_298qtmQlz1fGuFF_mEfNjGXzj_LGrg_EAiN1hJIZA0HlpAVWfUrzqbSx6QUkAlw6_NKLFxaoFfLnU06lqNdjyl5EAOm9RVeh7iOf59rBKRHoov_FvbQnWLgQb-s068b6WuKAaxPUnnPV1Kq5Rx/s320/divider%202024.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Keeping busy inside is important when everything is dark and gloomy from storms, and for me I find it even more of a challenge in our summers when the temperature is still hot, sticky and humid. I'd much rather these stormy weeks be in winter when you can wrap yourself in a blanket, sip hot tea and have a big pot of soup or stew on the stove. But the reality is that we all must live within our own climate, not allowing it to get the better of us. We need to be thinking creatively about ways to add joy to our days, and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere within the home. For me this is usually done in the kitchen, and I have indeed enjoyed many hours making this and that recently, but I also worked on two small slow-stitched projects, and the larger project of a crochet lap rug. </p><p>The pattern I am using for the rug is from Lucy at Attic 24 and it's her Trellis Stripe design (she taught this five years back when making the Sweet Pea rug, which I made for my youngest granddaughter, Rafaella - you can see it <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2019/03/end-of-week.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mGPIbuFFMH_aeAzp8adGqmkUMIOZZinSwpFGccJTZ53Zl10vlsSw710asxTv-ZesNJH_dmb92hopmVk8hNChydz4uWW7lchvjl4qB2e13C0HmPI690q-oWrIwqtd92g35ftHkHlZnT4eRtbH0D56uPIb_u_7TKhMnvHGaUvK3xHHm9NBP8d91Avl/s3648/DSC07495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mGPIbuFFMH_aeAzp8adGqmkUMIOZZinSwpFGccJTZ53Zl10vlsSw710asxTv-ZesNJH_dmb92hopmVk8hNChydz4uWW7lchvjl4qB2e13C0HmPI690q-oWrIwqtd92g35ftHkHlZnT4eRtbH0D56uPIb_u_7TKhMnvHGaUvK3xHHm9NBP8d91Avl/w640-h480/DSC07495.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The colours for this version of the Trellis Stripe are more subdued than those I used for Rafaella's 1st birthday blanket. You can find Lucy's free Trellis Stripe/Sweet Pea pattern <a href="https://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/sweet-pea-blanket.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></p><p>Our air-conditioner in the main living area stopped working last Saturday so it's been a challenge to keep adding rows at night, but thankfully the fans are running on high and the air con in the kitchen allows a tiny bit of cooler air to flow through. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf6aed7bUwKR_OPLsPOz6JFX5PEx-l9iYhZ6tygq45PWxNhvJtVDX3pcDV-Wl5WB71cbPECRc3txVL9wj-1Ereeoyx108YAEtM1UVKGrBtv9DJ_HM9-ExzNU8wBOv7eX27_mV22yvgopRtTTV3dofnbLLAfHSChu0B0kyqR12ju1XXiCULl4YibVE/s3648/DSC07495%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTf6aed7bUwKR_OPLsPOz6JFX5PEx-l9iYhZ6tygq45PWxNhvJtVDX3pcDV-Wl5WB71cbPECRc3txVL9wj-1Ereeoyx108YAEtM1UVKGrBtv9DJ_HM9-ExzNU8wBOv7eX27_mV22yvgopRtTTV3dofnbLLAfHSChu0B0kyqR12ju1XXiCULl4YibVE/w640-h480/DSC07495%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The slow stitching has been w o n d e r f u l...simply wonderful. It was a quiet, almost soothing, very gentle pastime, each day for a while after lunch when the morning's household chores were completed. In fact, when it was finished, I made another...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yZ8f8tikxKyaAXz3u5VKooBClUy1R_cuKokeovJW_2t12H_DwJwUNSdWHjo43NVc7pAFbKCH8q4r0fkzSW90L_TS2GDzPa0VQRh-ClygCn4gxEGoTvxlzNC_nD2Tm156PX-0BFgY8IxW89VDTP7Sj4d0Om4pc3rPqpQQEIeO7zj_-2VX6ntysBOI/s2048/IMG_3998%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yZ8f8tikxKyaAXz3u5VKooBClUy1R_cuKokeovJW_2t12H_DwJwUNSdWHjo43NVc7pAFbKCH8q4r0fkzSW90L_TS2GDzPa0VQRh-ClygCn4gxEGoTvxlzNC_nD2Tm156PX-0BFgY8IxW89VDTP7Sj4d0Om4pc3rPqpQQEIeO7zj_-2VX6ntysBOI/w640-h480/IMG_3998%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>These are simply lovely little rolls, made from 10" squares of fabric, and very thin fusible parlan between the layers of fabric. You make a square from the fabrics and parlan, then hand quilt it. Fold in three corners and stitch them together like an envelope...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7hHVeY0TEuoJZVxuKqxRKw0BMWvIQWVrA4xcsggB1mmeHwPzWyRlzJvh0yTrDu6In8jEYAzkaG7yK_21fbHbDDfQAOz5O5qwiwZAoYFnchyphenhyphenYt9tCM_JnTJSNEdDWY6E_c7JWidsn0eVGvpXUwn8Mk2UKeMLQzD-xLNZ-e8Ihbe8MShPp1WaUqrkS/s2048/IMG_3998%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7hHVeY0TEuoJZVxuKqxRKw0BMWvIQWVrA4xcsggB1mmeHwPzWyRlzJvh0yTrDu6In8jEYAzkaG7yK_21fbHbDDfQAOz5O5qwiwZAoYFnchyphenhyphenYt9tCM_JnTJSNEdDWY6E_c7JWidsn0eVGvpXUwn8Mk2UKeMLQzD-xLNZ-e8Ihbe8MShPp1WaUqrkS/w640-h480/IMG_3998%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Make a very fine length of fabric for the wrapping tie, and sew it to the point of the open end, keeping one side of the length short and the other twice as long. </p><p>I keep my reading and stitching glasses in them. So lovely! You could make these any size, and I think they'd be lovely as a gift. I'm already working on a third. If you'd like me to do a tutorial for this pouch just let me know in the comments. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLqCaKwzWp090pksk6EKU7tDEFduqygZletwG7Juo9V4ZQvNm-x7vTnCSfCFSMvpIGeSDimCh40O7MrjyTfHj8KofPO2kMAEVT3yjaIh2xwOUFtvX_zmU__l681GDx1n52noCNh4OMqVdzvZE7i5XxZmE61j_Bz3DNYQ-IhduD8mD9gsi-DCPOzNQ/s2048/IMG_3998%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLqCaKwzWp090pksk6EKU7tDEFduqygZletwG7Juo9V4ZQvNm-x7vTnCSfCFSMvpIGeSDimCh40O7MrjyTfHj8KofPO2kMAEVT3yjaIh2xwOUFtvX_zmU__l681GDx1n52noCNh4OMqVdzvZE7i5XxZmE61j_Bz3DNYQ-IhduD8mD9gsi-DCPOzNQ/w640-h480/IMG_3998%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfuBS5SZ-DZI3ajY2u0QRl5lw5fLMFdOb-nMQh44XfbQSApJ8HBspF_cOL8TLwuL6H-mV86xKxJNCzFvJ7dG_wSDaLKRoxTvdnkTJHE36qdK6di1bZI2PV4HsqH1UdkHdNJ8zqd1e7VYjGKJM3OAE_Z-IPLEVybJl-1N5g8Q6C0JmG7pwaqpaAO81/s2048/IMG_3998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfuBS5SZ-DZI3ajY2u0QRl5lw5fLMFdOb-nMQh44XfbQSApJ8HBspF_cOL8TLwuL6H-mV86xKxJNCzFvJ7dG_wSDaLKRoxTvdnkTJHE36qdK6di1bZI2PV4HsqH1UdkHdNJ8zqd1e7VYjGKJM3OAE_Z-IPLEVybJl-1N5g8Q6C0JmG7pwaqpaAO81/w640-h480/IMG_3998.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Another thing which has brought me a delightfully peaceful heart, and something that also added to my stillness in February was watching a video each day from a wonderful homemaker in Belarus. Her name is Olesya and she lives in a small house with her husband and son. Every video she shares recipes, sewing, homemaking, and she also shares updates on the very ramshackle old house in the forest that she and her husband are working on, with the hopes of moving there one day. I have learned much and been inspired by Olesya, especially with baking and with the sewing she does for her home to make it more cosy. I'll leave the link to one of her videos, and then you can go to her channel and scroll...you will definitely find something to interest you. Oh, and there are subtitles and soothing music, but I had watched her for a week before I realised there were subtitles! Make sure to click on them so you can read her thoughts...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DWVT-bfpBVM" width="320" youtube-src-id="DWVT-bfpBVM"></iframe></div><br /><p><i>Oleysa also did a video on making Tilda dolls...I have never made one, but now I will give it a try. You will find it<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbzAUIEwrbM" target="_blank"> here</a></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the kitchen I have been baking bread regularly, roasting whole chickens, making chicken bone broth to store in the freezer for use in winter, gathering elderberries and freezing them to make tonics later, and enjoying comfort favourites from my childhood. A new sour dough starter is on the bench, and I am hoping it's not too soon to get this going as it never fares well in the high heat and humidity of our climate at this time of year...but I miss making sour dough. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea0HyXCBBDJ0m0dSp-fXXweqU5EJdG-cETleJE808_JiKGb7RVG7RzMVX8SpWs0MupEe7-YHLOCl7pAcuYpXusOLrYqdKS-rQMM3MBRO1VX12jGiWTqS27PhuXXUsfnE-RPSZzgh2rbROm-Ad9IOKdQNIqKWbbiUouYqlzt3ffvrobQF7cndm64-H/s2048/IMG_3998%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea0HyXCBBDJ0m0dSp-fXXweqU5EJdG-cETleJE808_JiKGb7RVG7RzMVX8SpWs0MupEe7-YHLOCl7pAcuYpXusOLrYqdKS-rQMM3MBRO1VX12jGiWTqS27PhuXXUsfnE-RPSZzgh2rbROm-Ad9IOKdQNIqKWbbiUouYqlzt3ffvrobQF7cndm64-H/w640-h480/IMG_3998%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I save chicken carcasses and when I have two in the freezer I make a big pot of broth using up all the older veggies and scrap ends, plus herbs from the garden, apple cider vinegar and lots of garlic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPszRs-WwqAplltwthATnWFTFmLPeSGk-uNCRWmT1iZ7AKbm58-48ESrK2Pxm5eZpZrEcDznrwcxt0CwFpKafG1pjEBddr_Dgk2zcIZFMmd0Uvwzdhmied64I4HDBLx_yfJQPtjAK-pLGMtzGXHUjsQwhj0UBRFTVJEPZiPEik5peAdI1Jqrnkvpn/s2048/IMG_3998%20(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPszRs-WwqAplltwthATnWFTFmLPeSGk-uNCRWmT1iZ7AKbm58-48ESrK2Pxm5eZpZrEcDznrwcxt0CwFpKafG1pjEBddr_Dgk2zcIZFMmd0Uvwzdhmied64I4HDBLx_yfJQPtjAK-pLGMtzGXHUjsQwhj0UBRFTVJEPZiPEik5peAdI1Jqrnkvpn/w640-h480/IMG_3998%20(11).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made 3 litres of bone broth from the batch last week. These are now in the freezer. Next week I'll roast a leg of lamb and use the bones for lamb bone brother. It's so good to have a variety in the freezer ready for soups, stews or casseroles. I am praying for a cool winter this year, not another warm one. I would love to slow stitch with that crochet rug over my knees. :-)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_bq7n5s_794qBPv-_S8Y0b6HQ6pkPu-flwSDBwFHg9K6YLQnJTaypqOYo6x1-sAs9f3GytfoWB6KasJ-VJlrg9ltwkfUcsfBrTFlhzB5_Z4bHhB7G0tKe8_KBUBqkqyjS2S_DkxWNHbq88N8o6qkTscfrxXBONPTWPXKA5kmVf9J6MJfwOoOhVuy/s4032/ELEFANTZ%20chicken%20stock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_bq7n5s_794qBPv-_S8Y0b6HQ6pkPu-flwSDBwFHg9K6YLQnJTaypqOYo6x1-sAs9f3GytfoWB6KasJ-VJlrg9ltwkfUcsfBrTFlhzB5_Z4bHhB7G0tKe8_KBUBqkqyjS2S_DkxWNHbq88N8o6qkTscfrxXBONPTWPXKA5kmVf9J6MJfwOoOhVuy/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20chicken%20stock.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>For comfort I always think of Nana's baked rice custard, so that was on our menu this week. I have shared the recipe before <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2015/01/nanas-baked-rice-custard-and-enamelware.html" target="_blank">(here)</a> but one thing I did not explain was that for every extra 250ml of milk you use, add another egg, a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and a little more cooked rice. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UCvOeAVgDaBxnX_qdyn7iQ5ATEoFeZSOvCit7AHjlAgWtfVyeeqlzloodjC6y2XK6VJcPMB1m-6Gt4uEp_DWsB7dE9VrbsRIcoDwLr4elpH3cbKBSXzeY-I2HWS7jbD_l74qxCtyaVZsia1vZL0gmS7R0-4cqUa54tkQyAlCxIkQioFclgF5imiH/s3648/DSC07483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UCvOeAVgDaBxnX_qdyn7iQ5ATEoFeZSOvCit7AHjlAgWtfVyeeqlzloodjC6y2XK6VJcPMB1m-6Gt4uEp_DWsB7dE9VrbsRIcoDwLr4elpH3cbKBSXzeY-I2HWS7jbD_l74qxCtyaVZsia1vZL0gmS7R0-4cqUa54tkQyAlCxIkQioFclgF5imiH/w640-h480/DSC07483.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigQaLQVduH5Ug9Nf00mLkg9VRtJi0W6f4M5hcm62eKDDn56MH7wseIn9RvbndsrdShJMrJgXBMUAJoSR-CoS83FxbJVR9bsOK57YirAnBFIkEX4fWHv9xk2F-MeYvcMXGhGXnDHXvMvSKLV9wp_ZWL9Ood5WzyUH9Roxx1-_5OH4J9oCbpYgUmfQG/s3648/DSC07484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigQaLQVduH5Ug9Nf00mLkg9VRtJi0W6f4M5hcm62eKDDn56MH7wseIn9RvbndsrdShJMrJgXBMUAJoSR-CoS83FxbJVR9bsOK57YirAnBFIkEX4fWHv9xk2F-MeYvcMXGhGXnDHXvMvSKLV9wp_ZWL9Ood5WzyUH9Roxx1-_5OH4J9oCbpYgUmfQG/w640-h480/DSC07484.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It was SO delicious on its own, but tonight I'll add stewed black plums on the side. I am salivating now. And my heart is full of warm and fuzzy memories of sitting around Nana's kitchen table with her and Pop, laughing and loving together as we feasted on this dessert. </p><p>I was asked to share the recipe I used for dishwashing liquid, so I shall do that today before I forget. Blossom and I have tried a few different mixtures for dishwashing but this is the best so far and we have decided to stick with it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDTsFH9GRWZnAdL42EP6ytgruOOKWyDy6hqA-KV-Ihr2t4QwOtl4qJx9qpXsuWXuj3FO9yTtdXWxhz3mgQYmeJTZxqpXCXlCQe0dqRv9K9Va_CfrBtqou2ZFVkuKTpuWb0yW3yALpT5ZEIH9p4mHd3th1KW0SCOTUYLN8bI6wzuI5ASDgQQoG2zhz/s2048/IMG_3998%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDTsFH9GRWZnAdL42EP6ytgruOOKWyDy6hqA-KV-Ihr2t4QwOtl4qJx9qpXsuWXuj3FO9yTtdXWxhz3mgQYmeJTZxqpXCXlCQe0dqRv9K9Va_CfrBtqou2ZFVkuKTpuWb0yW3yALpT5ZEIH9p4mHd3th1KW0SCOTUYLN8bI6wzuI5ASDgQQoG2zhz/w640-h480/IMG_3998%20(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Just be aware that it needs to be stored in a glass pump bottle, not a squeezy bottle (you may use too much). I got my bottles at the local TK Maxx store for about $7 each. I need to use about six pumps for a sink of water (not those big large sinks, just normal ones) because this is small pump, and not a lot comes out. Less is more when you're assessing how much you'll need. I made this three weeks ago and have only used about a quarter of the amount I had in the bottle during that time. Very economical, and also excellent for doing dishes. Lovely on hands too!</p><p>Also, the ingredients separate when not in use, so just turn the bottle upside down a few times (not shaking) when you plan to use it and everything will mix together again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHpotVU5Q7EkiSOskDgoyM4BLzuer3SgH28lshpE0fjpi2rc7yvpaSiKON_n8lX1HB1Fj7OHP3hSimE_nHA5EuFsIncAyPa0egVU5oZDralUQ4Ghxk5Ih2Zf8VLYSf4JkfieE4CEcWMZRp9BV8AEc0reZ-PDqRvkYpbZYvSEKYgM7At9Bct0Cf5t7/s2048/IMG_3998%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHpotVU5Q7EkiSOskDgoyM4BLzuer3SgH28lshpE0fjpi2rc7yvpaSiKON_n8lX1HB1Fj7OHP3hSimE_nHA5EuFsIncAyPa0egVU5oZDralUQ4Ghxk5Ih2Zf8VLYSf4JkfieE4CEcWMZRp9BV8AEc0reZ-PDqRvkYpbZYvSEKYgM7At9Bct0Cf5t7/w640-h480/IMG_3998%20(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>1/2 cup distilled water (I use iron water from the laundry section of the supermarket)</p><p>2 tablespoons white vinegar</p><p>1/2 cup Sal Suds</p><p>1 tablespoon jojoba or almond oil</p><p>10 drops of lemon essential oil</p><p>Mix together and store in your glass pump bottle. </p><p>Below are photos of the beautiful flowers I received from my husband and Blossom last week on my 65th birthday. They are glorious! It was a very special day with my family, and Blossom even arranged to have Kezzie and Dee on a video chat with all of us while she lit candles on the cake, and everyone joined in the singing. Afterwards we kept laughing and chatting - it was very special indeed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQhb647As9NkXrQDZcMKaLJSXuEIaDOhfsc3FtAuu89mh4447WV7He_W31v25loUkyGDhqOQdz8aCB6c9S0MBawcVCFsiojvSfy_tS7luT9nWbEoATZ66Ct_4_EztvsroydHps342PZydf398bYROedbGL3E7edwu7kphrRX1FGF5tU8vDOL3F1mW/s2048/IMG_3962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQhb647As9NkXrQDZcMKaLJSXuEIaDOhfsc3FtAuu89mh4447WV7He_W31v25loUkyGDhqOQdz8aCB6c9S0MBawcVCFsiojvSfy_tS7luT9nWbEoATZ66Ct_4_EztvsroydHps342PZydf398bYROedbGL3E7edwu7kphrRX1FGF5tU8vDOL3F1mW/w640-h480/IMG_3962.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64v2CMgmO2BnHEf0jAxhLwQoZdZ60XaI1-MPKkeileyK7FDE6KiuPPQzuPI3_3QZbdJZD0aDWawCSpVVMZKyZQQ-5wI5PSzqQyI7_tmAGPHRQT6xICGczTa307_UsSApOWMYJoaOG7poK1DWxkJk0zxRG1HcSk7H1t5CM-MFHO-Y2jPup8e8ohLbN/s2048/IMG_3962%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64v2CMgmO2BnHEf0jAxhLwQoZdZ60XaI1-MPKkeileyK7FDE6KiuPPQzuPI3_3QZbdJZD0aDWawCSpVVMZKyZQQ-5wI5PSzqQyI7_tmAGPHRQT6xICGczTa307_UsSApOWMYJoaOG7poK1DWxkJk0zxRG1HcSk7H1t5CM-MFHO-Y2jPup8e8ohLbN/w640-h480/IMG_3962%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I know this was a long post, but I like getting things shared in one post a week now, rather than a few shorter posts. Time is precious isn't it, and I am happy to spend a few hours writing one post from my heart each week, as a letter to a friend...but the rest of the week my heart and time belongs to family and home, exactly how God designed it to be. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBXEjOJ_BkwQnFYDyEd22IRK8P1C2HY-zuPMU0D5HfEe-sHjqgjunQCGY08qHj8QOKKdLk6AJnYA8ppzMLTVuFuSs1RALp49yNPaXZsKhkhkqwfBgcY9pElrgOxHG9hQOS4TSdg6Q1n4GM-Q3FZgN5gBoJicVqTPcYtQS0pXXOT1VD0TnjNN1I8TH/s3088/Elizabeth%20and%20Jennifer%2021st%20Feb%202024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBXEjOJ_BkwQnFYDyEd22IRK8P1C2HY-zuPMU0D5HfEe-sHjqgjunQCGY08qHj8QOKKdLk6AJnYA8ppzMLTVuFuSs1RALp49yNPaXZsKhkhkqwfBgcY9pElrgOxHG9hQOS4TSdg6Q1n4GM-Q3FZgN5gBoJicVqTPcYtQS0pXXOT1VD0TnjNN1I8TH/w480-h640/Elizabeth%20and%20Jennifer%2021st%20Feb%202024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(Blossom and I on my 65th birthday)</i></div><p>Thank you for all your comments each week - ladies, you are amazing women, living such varied lives, and yet so often quite similar. We are joined in the heart, you and I, with the same love for this God-gifted desire to make our homes a sanctuary, a place where family want to be, a place where love and welcome, beauty and warmth, fill every room. What you and I create within our walls, in this quite ordinary life, has more value than we could ever imagine...God bless you always. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Hugs</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpZQLLtJk07L2kOMbLjghZzxKms4W-AeEGtGHBhtg52qT_VhyphenhyphenbzKuo2aXvXAZNkxuhb1-7DyUchg9fsba0GecCnwfwtmuNrau1wqESQ0s-DUeECfbZEe5KZ1PMmYRgSiwsBNqsa3f8Y-jFJdtrRUDVyADfFf6TSqYSyRQGL0sLV-eUcdgtX0nKK_v/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpZQLLtJk07L2kOMbLjghZzxKms4W-AeEGtGHBhtg52qT_VhyphenhyphenbzKuo2aXvXAZNkxuhb1-7DyUchg9fsba0GecCnwfwtmuNrau1wqESQ0s-DUeECfbZEe5KZ1PMmYRgSiwsBNqsa3f8Y-jFJdtrRUDVyADfFf6TSqYSyRQGL0sLV-eUcdgtX0nKK_v/w223-h71/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="223" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" data-pin-me-only="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div><p><br /></p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-84380141502662732092024-02-19T16:03:00.000+10:002024-02-19T16:03:21.522+10:00Changing...<p> Life as we age - whether that be from teens to marriage and motherhood, from raising a young family to waving them goodbye as they move on in a life of their own making, or from middle age to the years of really slowing because your body needs the blessings of more rest than we were previously used to - is always changing, like the seasons.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9EYUEVEKry1az4r6Xdy2sL3PLV6ns6wpnOs2mxwQY47zqaOl3XEbPHzSQecqlweQzfyRp8zs4shR6-P0UrXMOC5Up3SCpz2SGX3R5QC0jAYOG2KQzxvvAWPoVLbZK7vTY7dQ0DbVtbgfD3HSzM_FHjl5RdYEVrcXJeXDCKYnr6fCwghWG-PAiRsO/s4032/Alva%20Beach%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9EYUEVEKry1az4r6Xdy2sL3PLV6ns6wpnOs2mxwQY47zqaOl3XEbPHzSQecqlweQzfyRp8zs4shR6-P0UrXMOC5Up3SCpz2SGX3R5QC0jAYOG2KQzxvvAWPoVLbZK7vTY7dQ0DbVtbgfD3HSzM_FHjl5RdYEVrcXJeXDCKYnr6fCwghWG-PAiRsO/w640-h480/Alva%20Beach%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(my husband and our Molly-dog on a quiet early morning walk along the shoreline recently)</i></div><p>Hubby and I feel this with each passing year, and especially over the last twelve months. We are learning new lessons about our abilities in this stage of life, and becoming more aware of what our bodies need, <i>and what they don't. </i>We consider what can be done comfortably, <i>but then we must count the cost of recovery if we choose to pursue a bigger task. </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKPXtW_MaIlVJnBR6NrSuFgXUzvi_EflBX7HL7ME7ypBzRcOOp5PrbpVXFkqF85QZ-5Y2tEwJ8idJKJqPlf64KDwcEI7FJ1BKBw8YSQw2U7_IO1h7bGVfxvrX03jXqIYUDxPkFeqYZuX2RyktMYK0rNJ82_9mUHTqg2zym2k9N3XJ6bXtrqvZAmb4/s3648/DSC07395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKPXtW_MaIlVJnBR6NrSuFgXUzvi_EflBX7HL7ME7ypBzRcOOp5PrbpVXFkqF85QZ-5Y2tEwJ8idJKJqPlf64KDwcEI7FJ1BKBw8YSQw2U7_IO1h7bGVfxvrX03jXqIYUDxPkFeqYZuX2RyktMYK0rNJ82_9mUHTqg2zym2k9N3XJ6bXtrqvZAmb4/w640-h480/DSC07395.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>(the last of our sweet potato harvest)</i></blockquote><p>Decisions need to be made that will allow us to enjoy our days, something we struggle with during the very long tropical summers here. Heat exhaustion takes a toll year after year trying to keep the gardens going, and then in the winter (very mild and tepid days and nights) when most of the world settles in to rest and enjoy warming soups and hot chocolate, there is no rest for us. That's the time of year when its cool enough to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini...and many other vegetables. In winter we grow summer food. And still no rest. It's twelve continuous months of planting, tending, growing, weeding, clearing, soil building and preserving. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3U2DMoiRIOsMDUy0my9XE1UaxKUdIuduuC6cBSa0YezUYAu-yozFYZCqk7viKtl5H-QZKU92-IAx13aklVc6IVDJygV04GUlhn3OfRfhDtCPSh9qpIf1dtq6ClmrqZgJMsgKVKpb0YH2hu-0YcqMAthBqQh3AatMktT8kIX-lNMG35vduMTqwXGh/s3648/DSC07397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3U2DMoiRIOsMDUy0my9XE1UaxKUdIuduuC6cBSa0YezUYAu-yozFYZCqk7viKtl5H-QZKU92-IAx13aklVc6IVDJygV04GUlhn3OfRfhDtCPSh9qpIf1dtq6ClmrqZgJMsgKVKpb0YH2hu-0YcqMAthBqQh3AatMktT8kIX-lNMG35vduMTqwXGh/w640-h480/DSC07397.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(my gorgeous $3 lined basket from the op shop)</i></div><p>We are so tired. So very tired. </p><p>Both of us have some ongoing health issues with our shared auto-immune disease, issues which become a bit more of a challenge as we age, so we have made the decision not to grow anything but herbs this year, alongside our young fruit trees. We need, we want, to look after our health, to take time to rest and be still in the short winter months. We must use the common-sense and wisdom which God has graciously given us, so that we may say near the end, as Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7 - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPmnQ1v4H-en6ib1ma2c-0v1kwHZi9hYcIeORrtIIZNYlHV8fasAedzvrWyb0L2lORXifOIjKmDMYaa4DI-jGOK_7ar64MWvQwNVZqAzNlfv3OWtmVczGbup_CMw2ygCbuHpdMwH1jKcYShVv3ZWtLezCHW0kRK1NF8_LDE2k5oG-dGrlwEsN3rz5/s3648/DSC07408%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPmnQ1v4H-en6ib1ma2c-0v1kwHZi9hYcIeORrtIIZNYlHV8fasAedzvrWyb0L2lORXifOIjKmDMYaa4DI-jGOK_7ar64MWvQwNVZqAzNlfv3OWtmVczGbup_CMw2ygCbuHpdMwH1jKcYShVv3ZWtLezCHW0kRK1NF8_LDE2k5oG-dGrlwEsN3rz5/w640-h480/DSC07408%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(lovely colours for a new crochet rug)</i></div><p>My interests are changing too, in craft, home decor, reading, meals, music - even in what I am ready to pack up and give away as I declutter (things I imagined holding on to for always). It was lovely this past weekend to pull out the yarn basket and choose colours for a new lap rug, something I can use as I rest this coming winter. Every rug I have crocheted in the past was gifted to a grandchild, but this one is for me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheCuco8nDQ4ZutvjW39LNRBhFPhTkgNL4lzTjZ8MdXjbIqTBrnKjrF1rNrgN9W1mKKfSlQkPuCln5Vqa_w846qWl5jgmqf35gv9hALSl-h9amap_XNTnw2hfVCRxYMv_hea1EQAVuKL0zcNUvJ0l64yzZxhJFZFyk4TCXZpWlb1KxhgElkVMnyWm5/s3648/DSC07408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheCuco8nDQ4ZutvjW39LNRBhFPhTkgNL4lzTjZ8MdXjbIqTBrnKjrF1rNrgN9W1mKKfSlQkPuCln5Vqa_w846qWl5jgmqf35gv9hALSl-h9amap_XNTnw2hfVCRxYMv_hea1EQAVuKL0zcNUvJ0l64yzZxhJFZFyk4TCXZpWlb1KxhgElkVMnyWm5/w640-h480/DSC07408.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(such a pretty piece of Liberty for a slow stitching project)</i></div><p>And after having a small bag of 9 tiny pieces of Liberty fabric on my shelf for about nine years, unused because I did not like them, I am finding a wonderful slow stitching project bringing me such joy as I discover they are prints which now I truly like. </p><p>Not rushing, not pushing to achieve a long list of accomplishments each day, not assessing my personal value by how much I can do...all of these changes have brought me a deep peace within my soul. And time. Time to talk more with God, time to enjoy gentle music, time to read old classics, time to listen, time to pray, time to see what is right before me, time to appreciate the very gift of living. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgxCUrWFpNxLx5qhgnBZWVzpZYVlYYRxje9HlKaxpn8idivo5xZiL_6H-fdz_AQZeoVTtRMxwhbuNxFkkg83N3PMLlbG8xGG2AMEQBhyQED5SLZlqUV2RIWl2h5FSAGs8QLmltzJTGAjA_AhvLzmMt9DpKE9m41aRUhtveKy2lbz69s41xFB2QWZp/s3648/DSC07408%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJgxCUrWFpNxLx5qhgnBZWVzpZYVlYYRxje9HlKaxpn8idivo5xZiL_6H-fdz_AQZeoVTtRMxwhbuNxFkkg83N3PMLlbG8xGG2AMEQBhyQED5SLZlqUV2RIWl2h5FSAGs8QLmltzJTGAjA_AhvLzmMt9DpKE9m41aRUhtveKy2lbz69s41xFB2QWZp/w640-h480/DSC07408%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(small slow stitches, imperfect and quietly satisfying)</i></div><p>In a world where 'rush rush rush' is almost a constant background beat which brings anxiety to increasingly hurried lives, I am relishing the quiet of my own thoughts, and the stillness which so beautifully accompanies it. </p><p>I love the softness of candles after dark, something I discovered during and after the loss of power from last month's cyclone. Reading a few pages from a gentle book before bed is soothing, as is a warm mug of herbal tea instead of the coffee we no longer drink. We sold the coffee machine which ground the beans and brewed a strong rich brew or made cappuccinos, and used the money to buy groceries to increase our preparedness pantry. </p><p>I have always sung that little hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, in my sewing room...for some reason, it always came to mind when I was in there tidying up, sewing, or designing. One line says "...and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of Your glory and grace." I reflected on this today and realised that as I sang it those hundreds of times, that it was prayer...and God is answering it.</p><p>More and more, the things of this world are growing dimmer, and they are becoming less important as I go about my day to day ordinary life. I am seeking the eternal things of God, and that's probably why I am looking with changed eyes at all I have, and feeling the need to release 'things', just keeping what we need, what we can use, what we enjoy, what we love, and what brings life to our home. </p><p>Yes, I am changing...and it's good. </p><p>Have you found yourself making changes or adjustments in your own season of life? </p><p>Dear Lord, I pray for every dear woman reading this today, that You would direct her away from unnecessary pursuits or desires or burdens, and rest her eyes and ears and thoughts on what You want for her in this very season of life she finds herself travelling along. May she know Your presence, experience Your loving hand guiding her each day, and be filled with joy in the very ordinary and beautiful moments of her life. Cover her with your grace, Father, and soften the pain of grief and loss. Put a new song in her heart, and surround her with songs of deliverance for Your Name's sake. May she rest in the knowledge that Your Word is her armour, and through Your Holy Spirit, may the Scriptures come alive as never before when she opens her Bible. Provide for every precious woman who has need, Lord, and lead her in the way everlasting...in the wonderful name of Jesus, Amen.</p><p>Love and hugs</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOsnew9lO_MFA9T2_7gNFnlFOwpeRm8ZynzmopeadYwdXYtT5TQr5hZ1E55QlG3Oh5xr7OIJpanN1B7aX7_2h834GBQM__3hUhWrC2zHqEPkNHBbhbPfMW23nNMvv56uAN3NvfkvrT96G99x1QCxsFKq2qdjCN7LyEcPOmKKVPyvJ3qUhjRnrYRRH/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOsnew9lO_MFA9T2_7gNFnlFOwpeRm8ZynzmopeadYwdXYtT5TQr5hZ1E55QlG3Oh5xr7OIJpanN1B7aX7_2h834GBQM__3hUhWrC2zHqEPkNHBbhbPfMW23nNMvv56uAN3NvfkvrT96G99x1QCxsFKq2qdjCN7LyEcPOmKKVPyvJ3qUhjRnrYRRH/w238-h76/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="238" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" data-pin-me-only="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-35750822931745867942024-02-13T17:50:00.000+10:002024-02-13T17:50:53.029+10:00Simple creative days...<p>When I think of Nana sweeping our little 3-room flat every day, there's always a mind picture of her in an apron, swishing back and forth with a millet broom - from the kitchen, through into the bedroom, and on into the living room, before opening the door wide to finish off on the tiny front verandah. </p><p>There's something so homely and comfortable about a millet (straw) broom, standing by the back door, a sense of living in a different era, a quieter time, a more respectful time, a time when hard work was normal, and life was simpler. </p><p>It's been on my mind for a while to buy one, but I really had trouble tracking one down as these days the brooms are predominantly synthetic, with long narrow rectangular heads and short plastic bristles. But then I had a thought to try a hardware store (yes, it should have been my first thought) and found one!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcFoLYSCNCyHB5lSkn8mWi6aDGKdcwlUtRqf9NUsY8iUwlMV3dYElkwjdVrx8B7I_V6AIcaoszajp71pSuzlx9_LmsnOZEiLLo9j2adq0MGjfLBzwdZKfiPAtqf5BblfvYDpk6O6u0N-vVIbZBg3AfIc_2BElDtvYrWp7jGGAmVi9HzIaWBFrk3yH/s3648/DSC07327%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcFoLYSCNCyHB5lSkn8mWi6aDGKdcwlUtRqf9NUsY8iUwlMV3dYElkwjdVrx8B7I_V6AIcaoszajp71pSuzlx9_LmsnOZEiLLo9j2adq0MGjfLBzwdZKfiPAtqf5BblfvYDpk6O6u0N-vVIbZBg3AfIc_2BElDtvYrWp7jGGAmVi9HzIaWBFrk3yH/w640-h480/DSC07327%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Very excited at spending just $22 on my millet broom with the strong and sturdy wooden handle, hubby had a chuckle and remarked "whatever makes you happy, sweetheart". Of course, at that stage he had no idea what my other plan was...for getting the broom was only the start. </p><p>With this lovely old Lecien fabric which has sat on my shelf for about nine years, and a gorgeous length of very wide broderie anglaise cotton which was a bargain find at a op-shop before we bought this house more than five years ago, I set to work on my plan. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47VU83-wu9A5juOASOvU3nG9YsLmXemVg6QSoQYfQ09Qe7HO7PpZZCB8j_ijFzIQWSOrc5UG0p5k_wWyFLpRU-W42Bzqx2rzljGm4UNKAAyRZGZfZDpz7P6TmmEQWXz61RAW1TxqfQro5_6-1DMcWwZoo2RJcKpHqGqIrF56SrnbdvfA9y5BDWPRA/s3211/ELEFANTZ%20broom%20cover%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3211" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47VU83-wu9A5juOASOvU3nG9YsLmXemVg6QSoQYfQ09Qe7HO7PpZZCB8j_ijFzIQWSOrc5UG0p5k_wWyFLpRU-W42Bzqx2rzljGm4UNKAAyRZGZfZDpz7P6TmmEQWXz61RAW1TxqfQro5_6-1DMcWwZoo2RJcKpHqGqIrF56SrnbdvfA9y5BDWPRA/w602-h640/ELEFANTZ%20broom%20cover%201.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><br /><p>How much prettier does it look now? Standing inside my front entrance it is a joy to use! I used the broderie anglaise as the lining, and let it peep out from under the outer skirt of the blue floral print.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwBKujcUXxg13UUDdD_5dpoF8FgQIY04BwRo8m4CssEi90-rns-HBX1xDnsOLHZepRu-MYzkIYyqUAEA7a3-Yl5pcOtXHeC3YyJ6JzMUujddggu8xH27mosTCr39dPpNZdr4vOWvOLjU9ntRhIrRy0XD6Ej0plOiqOjWFi8ymvNDA8Fu00ZuxkQhi/s3576/DSC07327%20(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2682" data-original-width="3576" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwBKujcUXxg13UUDdD_5dpoF8FgQIY04BwRo8m4CssEi90-rns-HBX1xDnsOLHZepRu-MYzkIYyqUAEA7a3-Yl5pcOtXHeC3YyJ6JzMUujddggu8xH27mosTCr39dPpNZdr4vOWvOLjU9ntRhIrRy0XD6Ej0plOiqOjWFi8ymvNDA8Fu00ZuxkQhi/w640-h480/DSC07327%20(10).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I made a tie from more of the floral fabric, then stitched it in place about 1.5 inches below the top rear of the broom cover before gathering it around and tying in a bow. The cover is very secure and I am quite chuffed with it!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74s2IIM3C4JYVCjtYVGUEl48VFui9_Ws7CBk44aGhyiwye8BXtj99PlTVeaJfGQk568_U0JR_gfP_OsH_P0H5CUC99Tjk5p8V74e2lH2salX_2HbTwbH-E68Sv18QBlutxhAOAro0gVwLtgTo22HdhQjPh_fqdNEi4vuEyEnNTKRf_WQk3wFJQEUN/s3576/DSC07327%20(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2682" data-original-width="3576" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74s2IIM3C4JYVCjtYVGUEl48VFui9_Ws7CBk44aGhyiwye8BXtj99PlTVeaJfGQk568_U0JR_gfP_OsH_P0H5CUC99Tjk5p8V74e2lH2salX_2HbTwbH-E68Sv18QBlutxhAOAro0gVwLtgTo22HdhQjPh_fqdNEi4vuEyEnNTKRf_WQk3wFJQEUN/w640-h480/DSC07327%20(9).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFuAH7KIqTwEFAB_bfk2_uJWL_joHhM0TZDBmXvY6uqgC7AmXyfAA6YUjlSTppH-yvufs4AkSICkHoyC1MU-KHwqSeKcnxrR8i6CEhYroCcL0pM_zB-3uLBFVUt-54QyP5PhrIbp0dLFIpOetx-zDLAT5iHV1pZ2gu9kIy8DFOkwbHJaNeKr30e_I/s3576/DSC07327%20(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2682" data-original-width="3576" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFuAH7KIqTwEFAB_bfk2_uJWL_joHhM0TZDBmXvY6uqgC7AmXyfAA6YUjlSTppH-yvufs4AkSICkHoyC1MU-KHwqSeKcnxrR8i6CEhYroCcL0pM_zB-3uLBFVUt-54QyP5PhrIbp0dLFIpOetx-zDLAT5iHV1pZ2gu9kIy8DFOkwbHJaNeKr30e_I/w640-h480/DSC07327%20(12).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Yesterday I promised hubby that I would have a very quiet week, as the past three (from before the cyclone to this past Sunday) have had a lot going on and he could see me fading. So a promise was made and must be kept, therefore I have chosen a few light overdue tasks to do around home, as well as reading, sewing, and making simple meals. </p><p>This dress has needed repair for more than a year...an easy fifteen minutes of hand work and now it is ready to wear again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSJvoBS9QhW1hjXim5Rjh4e8Dj2UEY4XdrsapCq109OAqKCAWv4-MAVzqRtKNNJwb0dZtPriwuRAinB5YHgtCtziiz9A7VwJKkHCMiX2FE1o5W1sy6NPe5atc2JiH67p5llQ7WKLxS-_feZxD92Vg7L5hRMpunuYKcw8M-gAain-9D8-YiURywJ9i/s3648/DSC07327%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSJvoBS9QhW1hjXim5Rjh4e8Dj2UEY4XdrsapCq109OAqKCAWv4-MAVzqRtKNNJwb0dZtPriwuRAinB5YHgtCtziiz9A7VwJKkHCMiX2FE1o5W1sy6NPe5atc2JiH67p5llQ7WKLxS-_feZxD92Vg7L5hRMpunuYKcw8M-gAain-9D8-YiURywJ9i/w640-h480/DSC07327%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>A book I started years ago and never got around to finishing...I'm enjoying it immensely, as it stokes my homemaker heart with old fashioned recipes and simplifying ideas around home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi5OplqKf8c0w7rWUV2CYXaHd3gniXcCIxwqW2bcZluMLH-0-pd964XL3hzXHRbEgNgurBSIDHecTNvUUJ5oe1ky7nCVP7TnSc-eAvjeEPBfbhuvHQ_OP9vO2R_IEWWNXAYsxa_tbFtt2QRoLG8642hb_aOewdmas2fId7snXV_kATU1aEn8cGCiS/s3648/DSC07375%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi5OplqKf8c0w7rWUV2CYXaHd3gniXcCIxwqW2bcZluMLH-0-pd964XL3hzXHRbEgNgurBSIDHecTNvUUJ5oe1ky7nCVP7TnSc-eAvjeEPBfbhuvHQ_OP9vO2R_IEWWNXAYsxa_tbFtt2QRoLG8642hb_aOewdmas2fId7snXV_kATU1aEn8cGCiS/w640-h480/DSC07375%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Finally, my health notes, taken when watching seminars or reading articles and books, are being transferred into one notebook...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecnybmcOKjJjP_c1NJCh8Fj9gPj2lqB0V-IUKXTgo4OWuWc7pCFLDiaqO08SkZIX1IW9CxgO4vvyxG3E8zbE3iw_OLTUPSAsfMVzN5opOv-ip6YCVFoCLedn4SkyBzloKA9SwPZ2WZRcSBiBNC_xluauEZaGvEz413tX2v-ym127K2pFovoESt6kZ/s3648/DSC07327%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecnybmcOKjJjP_c1NJCh8Fj9gPj2lqB0V-IUKXTgo4OWuWc7pCFLDiaqO08SkZIX1IW9CxgO4vvyxG3E8zbE3iw_OLTUPSAsfMVzN5opOv-ip6YCVFoCLedn4SkyBzloKA9SwPZ2WZRcSBiBNC_xluauEZaGvEz413tX2v-ym127K2pFovoESt6kZ/w640-h480/DSC07327%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>...and I'm decorating the pages with stickers and cut outs as I go along. It's so nice to pretty-up notebook pages.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BpGo0_EP7-wgr5kTb4j0yi_7U4slYdBWHxcb9HtXP-rvV7-xSnOW9JLWYiAKjsA21vffbaSKzciB7FA9aIUvkkHiKRUpCrBIMruNl2FiKFFVS8sGjsFvMcEZtMOPQTPCRSa-ppfqJL607qbvsTqrBuOLUZtqQarqZb1vUlBNN1NLRkx44FGtPuw2/s3648/DSC07327%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BpGo0_EP7-wgr5kTb4j0yi_7U4slYdBWHxcb9HtXP-rvV7-xSnOW9JLWYiAKjsA21vffbaSKzciB7FA9aIUvkkHiKRUpCrBIMruNl2FiKFFVS8sGjsFvMcEZtMOPQTPCRSa-ppfqJL607qbvsTqrBuOLUZtqQarqZb1vUlBNN1NLRkx44FGtPuw2/w640-h480/DSC07327%20(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Blossom and I are both making our own cleaning products these days. Some we like, others we try new recipes until we find one we love. Last week I made a new batch of dishwashing liquid, after purchasing glass pump bottles cheaply at TK Maxx, and this is definitely the best dishwashing liquid recipe we have tried, so it's a keeper. I added a little sticker to front of the bottle...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsWSo3j6FLes-mtQpiUPlHDl0oLqIqoghS0KWMDiR7nD8lZV5mENY_EXAvzC7501xsgGG2GN_jmCHfJ8PRVv6Fhyphenhypheng1OJ8XcF8mhlYR_6Rs_10Ov_JspVd8cWNdxmyVRj85bLPOLHaPv_G6lXO-Vhej9V0o1XD0XqiuBscjDPugElKa-N0mM6V1ZZL/s3648/DSC07361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsWSo3j6FLes-mtQpiUPlHDl0oLqIqoghS0KWMDiR7nD8lZV5mENY_EXAvzC7501xsgGG2GN_jmCHfJ8PRVv6Fhyphenhypheng1OJ8XcF8mhlYR_6Rs_10Ov_JspVd8cWNdxmyVRj85bLPOLHaPv_G6lXO-Vhej9V0o1XD0XqiuBscjDPugElKa-N0mM6V1ZZL/w640-h480/DSC07361.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The cheese & herb pie I made a month ago was such a hit, and so simple, that we had it again last night for dinner with a salad and leftover roast lamb on the side. The recipe will taste slightly different each time I make it due the availability of various herbs from the garden. Last time I had a lot of parsley, thyme and chives. For this pie I had no parsley (it all died in the garden due to the humidity and heat) but I did have sage, lemon thyme and garlic chives...it was still delicious. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdMT9n-S-U0PLLhh8ygHTUOsw0IvwkBLValrG9ZfSQDk1menZVQ6q683BiuaeHPu43YFiWWkKebVxaGtoDtnEnfUHlGgAzcnLgiAiSfpo2O0E_ax2uU1w_qh-VSTsYItZjlx3fgSAAzesJFSR8pRc6iS9_CQeOR3bT9FED3I1QOWb0zcRzZshqTxQ/s3648/DSC07363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdMT9n-S-U0PLLhh8ygHTUOsw0IvwkBLValrG9ZfSQDk1menZVQ6q683BiuaeHPu43YFiWWkKebVxaGtoDtnEnfUHlGgAzcnLgiAiSfpo2O0E_ax2uU1w_qh-VSTsYItZjlx3fgSAAzesJFSR8pRc6iS9_CQeOR3bT9FED3I1QOWb0zcRzZshqTxQ/w640-h480/DSC07363.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>One of my favourite patterns from 2016 was this little pillow I designed with a quote from Mother Teresa. It has always been on display somewhere in our home, but I discovered last week that it had a large stain across the front from one of our 40+ indoor plants growing across it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Fi7WgGbynFbVEVA11sfdLP0NTqDZGbf74A5DiuJneFd4JNWvYh5QRBFRbfLohMEF9s9AGrzfppUZI_grshJGxQgdujrkFOL7tEku1KdImtahy0Ly7TAS8IXnpk1dYkQEIEGQWpHEqtph8lnC6c56eMZw6m5QDQTRytQFRSs6qFV_kaz7icKMlDoD/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20do%20small%20things%20marked%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Fi7WgGbynFbVEVA11sfdLP0NTqDZGbf74A5DiuJneFd4JNWvYh5QRBFRbfLohMEF9s9AGrzfppUZI_grshJGxQgdujrkFOL7tEku1KdImtahy0Ly7TAS8IXnpk1dYkQEIEGQWpHEqtph8lnC6c56eMZw6m5QDQTRytQFRSs6qFV_kaz7icKMlDoD/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20do%20small%20things%20marked%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The stain just would not wash out, but turned a dirty brown instead. So...I thought, make another. The colours are different, the fabrics different, but the sentiment is still there, and as I slowly work on this for a while each afternoon, I am happy to know it will once again be on display here. Those words have been a real guide to follow when I have frustrating days or have exhausted myself and feel on edge. Fortunately, <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2024/02/stillness-and-free-pattern.html" target="_blank">now that I am embracing Stillness more, and stopping whatever I am doing before I reach my limit</a>, those times should become rare. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYX4miKKwM_wQ3KuF8vr3wABxmyYg0P4IFuyEYk_fzdTZ6_e-qjC_Ir4MDNXN54KI-PijEv2DxWlIyKhVXX5DPXJ-9JzQCbbcebe-vwq7tWp1_d6AyOQmRZXdpX4P7AHmZAa6Uqi8azGHSCOTjuz4lFdWmg-BGtXWjC8JTW_FFRfGYmI_uS5xVSMV/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20do%20small%20things%20replacement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYX4miKKwM_wQ3KuF8vr3wABxmyYg0P4IFuyEYk_fzdTZ6_e-qjC_Ir4MDNXN54KI-PijEv2DxWlIyKhVXX5DPXJ-9JzQCbbcebe-vwq7tWp1_d6AyOQmRZXdpX4P7AHmZAa6Uqi8azGHSCOTjuz4lFdWmg-BGtXWjC8JTW_FFRfGYmI_uS5xVSMV/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20do%20small%20things%20replacement.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Have you noticed that when you make a decision to pull back, and deliberately choose to slow your day, or week, or month, that there's more opportunity to complete forgotten tasks, mend something, think more creatively, read books, and cook simpler meals? </p><p>What do you do around home in quieter times? I'd love to hear what you have put your fingers, heart and mind towards lately. </p><p>Oh, and I am slowly working on the cookbook I'll be sharing with you...it's a lot more involved than I first envisioned, but lovelier too. Here's a peek at the title page...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhtuS_aLLARMAHa3lAnKF7rQHnh8UWHko_gKICwRSPIRe8xyJVTA2GMzECXi5ZbSj3p7kG5CD1mXqz1y3NlT4MELVzr2b3n2DAExFcB1EdUn3qmLplGeh0wle5Gw6l_uTzKgSldoVdiZ-0Ciz2ab-ICDWiHA-XhO-8Pq-cdSjk2A0IPod12TJMPOx/s3053/ELEFANTZ%20cookbook%20cover%20main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3053" data-original-width="2782" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhtuS_aLLARMAHa3lAnKF7rQHnh8UWHko_gKICwRSPIRe8xyJVTA2GMzECXi5ZbSj3p7kG5CD1mXqz1y3NlT4MELVzr2b3n2DAExFcB1EdUn3qmLplGeh0wle5Gw6l_uTzKgSldoVdiZ-0Ciz2ab-ICDWiHA-XhO-8Pq-cdSjk2A0IPod12TJMPOx/w584-h640/ELEFANTZ%20cookbook%20cover%20main.jpg" width="584" /></a></div><br /> Okay my friends, it's time to get the washing off the line, set the table for dinner (already made it - chicken and cous cous salad with fresh baked bread), feed the cat and dog, and await the return of my beloved from work.<p></p><p>God bless you in all the homemaking tasks you set your heart and hands towards. May you find joy in the simple, beautiful, ordinary things of life, and spread that joy to all who cross your path. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKm_q0F6myaMyYIabf8Zj4UISsvfp-vAe0QdMJWznTGgnIgI0Is0Fuod8X63OUa6F_aX1piNY_Kh_rODfXllj3gjRZ0HH6OHLyKA3Y72xcC2bwWKgH9EfoqKFadwQqDKrJKfoYrGNGJNobb7YJGVeINBndwmUDx7r0y5JvBP418Vvp0STjn6k5gwvJ/s1640/Jennifer%20sig%20cookbook%20use.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKm_q0F6myaMyYIabf8Zj4UISsvfp-vAe0QdMJWznTGgnIgI0Is0Fuod8X63OUa6F_aX1piNY_Kh_rODfXllj3gjRZ0HH6OHLyKA3Y72xcC2bwWKgH9EfoqKFadwQqDKrJKfoYrGNGJNobb7YJGVeINBndwmUDx7r0y5JvBP418Vvp0STjn6k5gwvJ/s320/Jennifer%20sig%20cookbook%20use.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" data-pin-me-only="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-12891497799005788802024-02-08T09:10:00.001+10:002024-02-08T09:10:11.139+10:00Stillness, and a free pattern...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eJxF45E1eLIRszJ6l4hOv5vgbkK6r_dQuAxNarmmA_lEWIwB4R901t3gULkPh2V6v6fOhwbwCS40u6jw4tLIPKEz6hstgi9flPuYHYn9P-zlRwMNy95WfEwuj1I0dH9bKtLoZjTprjyK5YR_rPuGryTpEyBuY2-jYcgHaMLqikikq01n0y-IScka/s3440/ELEFANTZ%20Be%20Still%20main.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2431" data-original-width="3440" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eJxF45E1eLIRszJ6l4hOv5vgbkK6r_dQuAxNarmmA_lEWIwB4R901t3gULkPh2V6v6fOhwbwCS40u6jw4tLIPKEz6hstgi9flPuYHYn9P-zlRwMNy95WfEwuj1I0dH9bKtLoZjTprjyK5YR_rPuGryTpEyBuY2-jYcgHaMLqikikq01n0y-IScka/w640-h452/ELEFANTZ%20Be%20Still%20main.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The more I ponder this month's theme of stillness, the more I observe the different ways stillness can become a part of our life. </p><p>Today I'm sharing with you a simple, sweet design to stitch. I intentionally chose to encase it inside a circle as displaying your completed stitchery inside a hoop would make a lovely way to display your handiwork. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tYpkvlZ-zKzEDwedvb_xauqJqkscBnC3rvUwW82oMmgBw1NKYHiX5fxOuuSpXLCSzMSJWK9wjCOj4ZTw4X3y8vHDkpIvRzkkQEmIdx-zrR5kVoI00IHKpHxoUHww4oCa5-ergJ7A2Vl0gUceiiGBUOyROs63ZdaOL1_0JJXkqHIpBC-SgpWxChh0/s3420/ELEFANTZ%20Be%20Still%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2411" data-original-width="3420" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tYpkvlZ-zKzEDwedvb_xauqJqkscBnC3rvUwW82oMmgBw1NKYHiX5fxOuuSpXLCSzMSJWK9wjCOj4ZTw4X3y8vHDkpIvRzkkQEmIdx-zrR5kVoI00IHKpHxoUHww4oCa5-ergJ7A2Vl0gUceiiGBUOyROs63ZdaOL1_0JJXkqHIpBC-SgpWxChh0/w640-h452/ELEFANTZ%20Be%20Still%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Do you remember as a child being told to sit still? Or telling your own offspring that very same thing? Or the relief when a restless baby or young child finally succumbed to sleep with one last sigh of surrender? My memories include all of these things, many times over. </p><p>But when we are grown up, who is there to remind us to be still? For as this world has progressed, especially in the 21st century, the idea of stillness has been replaced by a great majority, for busyness, for achieving more, for ticking the boxes on all we have accomplished in a given time frame, for applauding the over-achiever and the award winner more than the humble woman her tends her home quietly and faithfully year after year with no public recognition. </p><p>How easy it is to fall into the trap of thinking we need to do more, work faster, expand our list of to-dos, and set our sights on being more than we already are. And how exhausting it is to live with that mindset, always seeking more of ourselves so that we can feel accomplished or valuable. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkRJGsVVjmqJ6UsP7mQ7uhul-cW7kU7tTC_cdwqK-3lnr7yiHWHGgp8s_eqOE67KThmHiSr49nlT0HqPY3IXMVNj7qVPDlIoB91DA33Ch0R1QSrqhJ__NVIO4tpdkJ3orf-MTlWuPI6SOfb-z7q9Bk2-doqTWLpu9eXSf0AtHYHRvl8o5MtTzi5Pz/s3420/ELEFANTZ%20Be%20Still%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2411" data-original-width="3420" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkRJGsVVjmqJ6UsP7mQ7uhul-cW7kU7tTC_cdwqK-3lnr7yiHWHGgp8s_eqOE67KThmHiSr49nlT0HqPY3IXMVNj7qVPDlIoB91DA33Ch0R1QSrqhJ__NVIO4tpdkJ3orf-MTlWuPI6SOfb-z7q9Bk2-doqTWLpu9eXSf0AtHYHRvl8o5MtTzi5Pz/w640-h452/ELEFANTZ%20Be%20Still%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Dear one, you are fine as you are. </p><p>Regardless of how much you do or how often your name is associated with achievement, there will always be a voice somewhere, often many voices, speaking words of discouragement and failure that will only lead you to push harder, work more, be more, in the endless pursuit of reaching a pinnacle nobody can attain in this life. </p><p>The dictionary defines stillness as the absence of movement or sound, but I believe we can be still even when quietly going about the day with it's gentle rhythms.</p><p>My stillness can be standing by the clothesline, listening to the birds in the tree overhead, who being oblivious to the housewife tasks throughout my day, touch my heart with a delightful moment of rest and joy, and sometimes laughter.</p><p>As I stand at the kitchen sink with apron tied, and long pink gloves resting in the soapy suds after washing dishes, I am still. It is one of my favourite places to be. The gentle, unrushed rhythm of cleaning a bowl, is automatic, and so my mind rests on thoughts of beauty, thoughts of God, prayers of thankfulness. </p><p>Reading a book or my Bible, and a verse or phrase stands out as quite profound. I mark the page with a piece of cotton crochet lace, my most used bookmarking system, and close my eyes. It may be only a few minutes, it may be longer, but I rest in the stillness of pondering the author's thoughts, and allow the words to impart new wisdom. In the stillness we hear and see what we otherwise may have missed. </p><p>Recently, I was going about my usual Wednesday cleaning tasks - this is the day when some big chores are done, such as cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming and mopping the floors, and washing couch covers, cushion covers and curtains (not every week, but rotating rooms). It was a dreadfully hot and humid day, even for the tropics, and I wearied quickly. I spoke out loud to the Lord, "Father, I am exhausted. I have reached my limit." And I sat down, too tired to say another word, or wipe another surface.</p><p><i>Then that still small voice, His still small voice, spoke into my own weary stillness. "Jennifer, you must never push to your limit. You must be wise enough to stop before you reach it. Then you will not empty yourself from exhaustion."</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugOf7gg3_WUjMyhxwtIWwRhLusGbC7XLIqEIl51fVqA4N2CKZ7QAjAqQG0ow4CViV7LHVJtqDLaGAle-pucaiDlfjaubjZ7ow1HlCIR_J4miKE0nfUaDf7QgQnl8pjomHglZlIeOGehSIubMjC5iCTZgfReVuxK-HJ6AW59ASNTtx0-euAEioEQzj/s3420/ELEFANTZ%20Be%20Still%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2411" data-original-width="3420" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugOf7gg3_WUjMyhxwtIWwRhLusGbC7XLIqEIl51fVqA4N2CKZ7QAjAqQG0ow4CViV7LHVJtqDLaGAle-pucaiDlfjaubjZ7ow1HlCIR_J4miKE0nfUaDf7QgQnl8pjomHglZlIeOGehSIubMjC5iCTZgfReVuxK-HJ6AW59ASNTtx0-euAEioEQzj/w640-h452/ELEFANTZ%20Be%20Still%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>That idea had never before occurred to me. Throughout life I had heard the phrase "I know my limit" probably thousands of times - I had said it myself time and time again! Pushing to the limit is seen as a sign of perseverance and strength I suppose, an affirmation of personal awareness...and yet, it's not worth the badge of honour we thought it would bestow. Pushing oneself to the limit can be dangerous, and over time it can bring about health problems. It can be egotistical, and create in our minds a bar, which as the years go by is set higher and higher and higher, because we're wanting to lengthen/enlarge our personal limit. </p><p>What a burden we can make for ourselves, when really, it's not beneficial in the long term, and for me, it is not beneficial in my day to day simple life. </p><p>Perhaps you need to be reminded to be still, or to slow down, or to recognise your limits and stop before you reach them. Dear ones, life is not a race, not to be rushed through, it is a day to day gift, an experience to be lived out one sunrise to the next. It is a precious thing to have breath, and to have loved ones around us with whom we can embrace and interact 'today'. </p><p>Be still in this day, even for a little while. Go and smell the flowers in your garden, watch the birds, brew a soothing cuppa and sit in your favourite spot for a while - and don't think about what is left to do this day. Just embrace the stillness for now, and breathe. God has given you this day, not as a burden, even though you will face seasons of great responsibility, illness or hardships, but as a gift of life - for if the Father has given you breath today, He still has a purpose for your precious life. </p><p>Today I am going to Blossom's to help her clean house for a couple of hours. My task is the kitchen because it's the place I love to clean. But we have both agreed that when we feel we are approaching our limit, we shall stop. We shall sit quietly together, drink cool water from the fridge, and rest in stillness (with a nice bit of chocolate) before I return home. </p><p>I shall be 65 later this month, and what a privilege it is to be gifted all these years. But I have a choice if I want to be here for another year, a choice to slow down more than I have previously, to let my 'limit' stay ahead of me and never meet up with it, and to embrace the moments of stillness as a dear friend when it visits.</p><p>I shall leave you with a lovely video, one which when shared with my family members of various ages, quieted and inspired their hearts, as it did mine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Np-uU-tH6oU" width="320" youtube-src-id="Np-uU-tH6oU"></iframe></div><br /><p>God bless you lovely ladies. I am so very grateful for your visits to my blog, which is really a journal of life and a place to share different things with each of you...how blessed I am. </p><p>Use the link below to download the free Be Still pattern. xxx</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/181iCmf7FYse1n5D14wsI9v9oZofEA8Yk/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD Be Still</a></p><p style="text-align: center;">Hugs</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiTmIQ-NmX6beCk420M4QQuwDFRunIR31p2_67TGN3OaWkqBqWEOLx24nBwLle1HBELZNkbxuIga9MxsbU_w5FaRQ6GA9BEeZZaSwbMo7Lnvcf0gYhoSh1OzjFe-tFI2_RriFFVPzwgB4WBR8Rj__A-3QUOZKKEtG-TusNoh_Zo4FDMAXUeaUJBtg/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiTmIQ-NmX6beCk420M4QQuwDFRunIR31p2_67TGN3OaWkqBqWEOLx24nBwLle1HBELZNkbxuIga9MxsbU_w5FaRQ6GA9BEeZZaSwbMo7Lnvcf0gYhoSh1OzjFe-tFI2_RriFFVPzwgB4WBR8Rj__A-3QUOZKKEtG-TusNoh_Zo4FDMAXUeaUJBtg/w283-h90/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="283" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" data-pin-me-only="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div><p><br /></p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-9037006294566360122024-02-02T09:16:00.000+10:002024-02-02T09:16:15.394+10:00Joy in the Ordinary - block 2...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjthCD6IPbPgJrHJVEEHKOljof21HqcliBVT8BZCQrRVV1SkrxAJODZDPFZvj9NXk56tm68zWGFXNxU75HII5VYh86wEOsOFHqNHoMw2eC9KKC1cd9zAE5uQmmovGr7VpRkWPUXkqirIDPOYtzwv3kvIA8pWTMrsjoUDR5x8RkHixwXBb6pN6Kugi/s3668/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%20B2%20main.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3049" data-original-width="3668" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjthCD6IPbPgJrHJVEEHKOljof21HqcliBVT8BZCQrRVV1SkrxAJODZDPFZvj9NXk56tm68zWGFXNxU75HII5VYh86wEOsOFHqNHoMw2eC9KKC1cd9zAE5uQmmovGr7VpRkWPUXkqirIDPOYtzwv3kvIA8pWTMrsjoUDR5x8RkHixwXBb6pN6Kugi/w640-h532/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%20B2%20main.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a new day, and a new month, so I'm ready to move right on past the challenges of January and look forward in this year's blog theme of "Joy in the Ordinary". I hope you are too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today I'm sharing the second block of this year's free BOM, and the focus of the little stitchery is something we love, a place where we can rest from the busyness and chaos of the world around us, somewhere our creative skills can bloom, a sanctuary for those within to lay down their burdens and breathe in the heart restoring welcome of HOME.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Home should be our safe environment to grieve, to pray, to rejoice, to plan, to feed, to create, to hope, to bake, to plant, to harvest, to enjoy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9qVjvUghecHOl5P5j2hKArn9bkrWyCGg58NNA0CfT8MlZh2ZxOQODb-K32dAfF_1mZ54oUwkTl0_4jpwowdx9Pdssa9vzZrBhzi8C4K1ikk65s-g8dtibHInZs_-o-PZCARaiJbyytk_y-a1KG8NNDAyRFCpTubyZY1oWMZVgqxspHSSviTaa6na/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%20B2%20c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9qVjvUghecHOl5P5j2hKArn9bkrWyCGg58NNA0CfT8MlZh2ZxOQODb-K32dAfF_1mZ54oUwkTl0_4jpwowdx9Pdssa9vzZrBhzi8C4K1ikk65s-g8dtibHInZs_-o-PZCARaiJbyytk_y-a1KG8NNDAyRFCpTubyZY1oWMZVgqxspHSSviTaa6na/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%20B2%20c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This past month, well, actually since before Christmas, life in our home has been challenging, sometimes topsy turvy, and other times requiring more energy than we thought we'd be able to muster...but all along it has been HOME. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's walls surround us, offering refuge from the hard times, bouncing laughter from room to room, comfort from pain or loneliness, contentment with our lot in life, and stillness when we need to separate our minds (and ears) to hear God, and to ponder our own thoughts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What is it that you love about your home? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Use the link below to download this month's free pattern</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1De_Kxi1ub68foyYRqyiGc2h4EA8YbV-T/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD Block 2 of "Joy in the Ordinary"</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Missed block 1? Go <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/p/joy-in-ordinary-bom-2024.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEKu1GMYMUwFdvdZtQX7J0ptCElRQBlHzmAWCDxXZHUScClBfCNzjseau1_xhydnUnh-t2exgqijJycDZEW-_AOdVBme-x5lJ5t13R-JWrnMyPEJCu1xoWrIWciXqwvUgcbu-zhUOpVco70mrSJpPQpZTk8xWpX0H-J_hB1-3Bjaj5KogZXx4YXG3/s455/divider%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="455" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEKu1GMYMUwFdvdZtQX7J0ptCElRQBlHzmAWCDxXZHUScClBfCNzjseau1_xhydnUnh-t2exgqijJycDZEW-_AOdVBme-x5lJ5t13R-JWrnMyPEJCu1xoWrIWciXqwvUgcbu-zhUOpVco70mrSJpPQpZTk8xWpX0H-J_hB1-3Bjaj5KogZXx4YXG3/s320/divider%202024.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have a pile of books beside me at the moment, all with an emphasis on home, though in varying aspects. Each afternoon, and often in the evening, I read slowly from one or two, underlining thoughts which resonate with my homemaker heart, and occasionally making notes in the margins. This brings me peace, grows my confidence in the life choices being made, educates me in new skills, and inspires me to expand further my love for all things home and family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggplK9QQSkyG5WGT5UN0GmQDxv78TpFxVYrt6xwsscABT9E4A146hdC1eEtpF3aEzEFL501ndCaSl51lSW2w3nK9vbQ7Ulf_7s75ks1FqTn4WcgEHGwMRi1d_R8AQczwcvsjnThE4zVFFrn494HRYvKNJKL282OAycybRshNKJB7zh2MQ4zWzJpeN/s3648/DSC07261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggplK9QQSkyG5WGT5UN0GmQDxv78TpFxVYrt6xwsscABT9E4A146hdC1eEtpF3aEzEFL501ndCaSl51lSW2w3nK9vbQ7Ulf_7s75ks1FqTn4WcgEHGwMRi1d_R8AQczwcvsjnThE4zVFFrn494HRYvKNJKL282OAycybRshNKJB7zh2MQ4zWzJpeN/w640-h480/DSC07261.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(The books I am reading or studying at the moment, with one missing which was given to Blossom - I'm awaiting delivery of another copy for myself.)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've also been making a lot of notes from a few good videos on natural health, assessing our dietary needs and making a few changes (which have brought about marvellous results already), and continuing to work on the recipe book I promised to share with you. The cyclone (before, during and after) put a stop to that for now, but as life has almost slipped back into normality I shall return to it next week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7ODiIU7IW6ITEJq1rMsNwTlMAtBl5bu-6IfqbT8xtf3XPMbIVA1Cyoz8UvoI2EzZgMdavQQ1iYVPBYod-iRu2_xF20k3Oo-9wS1RCVme-UAhypY5vG3Prg9pywEm9oEa7FOHvZk3huxhLDhv7HqXv6w2o0mJBvltWfV-L4xmr-TPwRSgL-YFkrFY/s3648/DSC07249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7ODiIU7IW6ITEJq1rMsNwTlMAtBl5bu-6IfqbT8xtf3XPMbIVA1Cyoz8UvoI2EzZgMdavQQ1iYVPBYod-iRu2_xF20k3Oo-9wS1RCVme-UAhypY5vG3Prg9pywEm9oEa7FOHvZk3huxhLDhv7HqXv6w2o0mJBvltWfV-L4xmr-TPwRSgL-YFkrFY/w640-h480/DSC07249.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most afternoons I can be found in the kitchen, especially Sunday and Monday afternoons when I prepare things for the week ahead. This week I needed to make almond milk, coconut milk, coconut cream, almond biscuits, mayonnaise, hummus, pesto and satay sauce to use in or with meals. I'll have all these recipes for you later this month, if you're interested. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh889JAT9W-SaOpFeXJ9bNfAtTPVbd4ioIWpogD6hZI2b9uYCoBsYXiXhIc6VbjpZ7dCIvtiKx0bmc5mgyMBIuojCvGC1HCZtTUPepaeR53y9fr-ZxsS7TDp1m9fn8PggOmAAy46CXKzdKWVIemYS5SvrCeYpTg97_UPv66cUIS_czv8QSQehoa6yyW/s3648/DSC07258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh889JAT9W-SaOpFeXJ9bNfAtTPVbd4ioIWpogD6hZI2b9uYCoBsYXiXhIc6VbjpZ7dCIvtiKx0bmc5mgyMBIuojCvGC1HCZtTUPepaeR53y9fr-ZxsS7TDp1m9fn8PggOmAAy46CXKzdKWVIemYS5SvrCeYpTg97_UPv66cUIS_czv8QSQehoa6yyW/w640-h480/DSC07258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtQg6IPE-0NAVzH9fCplWUaNIWrgfYLoy7UR2B3uAdvHe3PC-98vHefCi-WO4HRXGxhB8n1V46vHOYAkcwUgTz2j1qwBvTu-xryTUFIAIMJ2u0LLCp7RYwiuUlM_xvI28a6O5bg0AX9p5GeLP7jDHQfDnh1Zhd1yOwos7anZHlJc7iwHS8ZhWQ7Kf/s3648/DSC07258%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtQg6IPE-0NAVzH9fCplWUaNIWrgfYLoy7UR2B3uAdvHe3PC-98vHefCi-WO4HRXGxhB8n1V46vHOYAkcwUgTz2j1qwBvTu-xryTUFIAIMJ2u0LLCp7RYwiuUlM_xvI28a6O5bg0AX9p5GeLP7jDHQfDnh1Zhd1yOwos7anZHlJc7iwHS8ZhWQ7Kf/w640-h480/DSC07258%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is stone fruit season in Australia at the moment, so we are enjoying them immensely as snacks, in salads, baking, and soon as chutneys, jams and relishes - I just need to get everything prepared the night before and then spend a whole day on preserving them. Most exciting prospect! Stone fruit is very cheap right now, so the perfect time to buy up and get preserving. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJT-UhBzW-VAt9CiIVSk68XdzhFlnmiFtou3SfFCKCo8csZ2c7GP91K6fsf0b-kvImAM-0Sz2l1taYGgXAgxFUhAlvfUJ16IhBj3pF7JaAMG8860rg6bSY2FKcb2acpw68IpXN4OXjIvt8QC88Cm0rLIa5P0U5VnfGa0ygWBQCzY-H2-anJuxlTuW/s3648/DSC07244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJT-UhBzW-VAt9CiIVSk68XdzhFlnmiFtou3SfFCKCo8csZ2c7GP91K6fsf0b-kvImAM-0Sz2l1taYGgXAgxFUhAlvfUJ16IhBj3pF7JaAMG8860rg6bSY2FKcb2acpw68IpXN4OXjIvt8QC88Cm0rLIa5P0U5VnfGa0ygWBQCzY-H2-anJuxlTuW/w640-h480/DSC07244.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The FEBRUARY theme...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each month of this 'Joy in the Ordinary' year, I have chosen a sub-theme for the blog. January was 'gratitude', and it helped me enormously to focus on that mindset for a whole month, especially with a cyclone and heart trouble. What about you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For February the theme will be 'Stillness'...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpagr9s9YsEXDlKYwAjNE_RXjNycsp6hDsJfW46PjeueMDJSzKm6Bn4cztU1IGMJXEvSgX8aXRfTC3TyRU5Mj33HUwwShW3my_zbFFHMosC0TZi22yBJRC0G7Zulr7YkkGuFSjR1okkf-uVvI6wNZt_u3y6v6JIFZcV0eW7AMzn_bj60s-LLv9acN_/s900/ELEFANTZ%20February%20Stillness%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="900" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpagr9s9YsEXDlKYwAjNE_RXjNycsp6hDsJfW46PjeueMDJSzKm6Bn4cztU1IGMJXEvSgX8aXRfTC3TyRU5Mj33HUwwShW3my_zbFFHMosC0TZi22yBJRC0G7Zulr7YkkGuFSjR1okkf-uVvI6wNZt_u3y6v6JIFZcV0eW7AMzn_bj60s-LLv9acN_/w640-h92/ELEFANTZ%20February%20Stillness%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friends, we shall chat quite a bit about this through February, but today I'll just share a quote from Emilie Barnes in her book Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home, who 32 years ago - <i>when life was not as chaotic, not stitched into social media, and when many women still had mothers, aunts, or older mentors to guide them </i>- recognised the need for all women to have moments of stillness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Stillness is not a word than many of us even use anymore, let alone experience. Yet women today, perhaps more than at any other time in history, desperately need moments of stillness." Emilie Barnes 1992</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This week, on Monday, Blossom came with the children after their swimming lessons for our regular brunch gathering. With a feast set before them all, we ate, laughed, heard the children's stories of the cyclone, and drank a pot of tea between us. Afterwards, I tidied the table and brought out some crafts for the children to work on, and sent my sweet exhausted daughter up to our pool for some calming, alone-time, 'stillness', in the water...for she never has time away from the children unless they are asleep. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">About 40 minutes later she returned, refreshment evident in her eyes..."Mum, it was so quiet, so still. I didn't know how badly I needed this break."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's when I knew the Lord was tapping on my heart to talk about stillness in all our lives during February. You know, later that day Blossom had some very difficult hours, but she told me that having her quiet time in the pool all alone with God in the stillness had prepared her for the trials afterwards. We have decided she will escape to the pool every Monday after brunch, and I shall have crafty things prepared for the children. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dear one, do not underestimate the need for stillness in your life. Today, pray and consider how you can make time to be in the quiet stillness, and then let the presence of the Holy Spirit wash over you as you rest from every toil or trouble, just for a while. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm working on a new embroidery pattern for you, a gift, which I shall share next week...for there's nothing better for stitching a message into your heart, than slowly and thoughtfully with needle and thread and prayer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also have an older pattern in my shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/767021501/be-still-and-know-hand-embroidery" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you'd like to stitch it as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God bless, and we shall chat again soon...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kbDr-E6r0Bp2BkiliAjS-UlF1cesJebUa1U1NckXDtGM-AG5YKQAiXFkXrdsy5xo2G1sBbAc306dlrce8tDYWrp43hwgzSuoT6MN2mfOddyb0Krj-hQ78D3vnMvcPd3Ls4U8uKAhAEHYgC2fZhANP2SklZqLZp0jBw8vZOrWoZ9ZYU3ovkvsB7Mt/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kbDr-E6r0Bp2BkiliAjS-UlF1cesJebUa1U1NckXDtGM-AG5YKQAiXFkXrdsy5xo2G1sBbAc306dlrce8tDYWrp43hwgzSuoT6MN2mfOddyb0Krj-hQ78D3vnMvcPd3Ls4U8uKAhAEHYgC2fZhANP2SklZqLZp0jBw8vZOrWoZ9ZYU3ovkvsB7Mt/w237-h75/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="237" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" data-pin-me-only="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-29428264240614467252024-01-29T05:50:00.000+10:002024-01-29T05:50:02.465+10:00Thank you...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoJfwkYcNacejv309hTvKtbTglBDQxoY88YA-B2KKm4bMRuUVsqpieK2-tOOq_OjxYaVD87yz3BxdT-c6vEAIOYFTcBM_c80DfXsOwmYt5y_4fJGSvUWvBeYvpIOfmxzDAa_Y8zVQJxjRHWqqvJjArR27IkD0n64LjGBqKI9H2_TK1B2f59HwlFdA/s3600/ELEFANTZ%20Isaiah%2026%20-%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="3600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoJfwkYcNacejv309hTvKtbTglBDQxoY88YA-B2KKm4bMRuUVsqpieK2-tOOq_OjxYaVD87yz3BxdT-c6vEAIOYFTcBM_c80DfXsOwmYt5y_4fJGSvUWvBeYvpIOfmxzDAa_Y8zVQJxjRHWqqvJjArR27IkD0n64LjGBqKI9H2_TK1B2f59HwlFdA/w640-h640/ELEFANTZ%20Isaiah%2026%20-%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Dear friends, </p><p>Thank you for all your prayers as we prepared for the cyclone, and hunkered down inside when it arrived. Praise God is was not as destructive as predicted, but with that being said there is still damage to repair, power still out across town, mental and physical exhaustion, extreme heat exhaustion (after a cyclone our tropical climate is even more heat and humidity intense), and so many other aspects of getting through the days/weeks ahead that are individual to everyone affected. </p><p>The cyclone hit around 8.30pm Thursday night, and we lost power a few hours before that due to power lines coming down. Praise God we now have power back, but so many do not...I'm praying for that situation to be resolved today as the weather conditions are beyond ghastly. </p><p>Friday afternoon my heart began to play up, and partly that was due to to the insane heat and humidity, and being without power I could not get cool or breathe 'dry' air. Saturday was worse, and a bit scary, so I've needed to rest - the power being restored to our home by then helped enormously, but I just wasn't good. I have had a heart condition since 2020, and know what it is, and what to do, but with a cyclone and the aftermath, nothing goes normally for a while. Emergency services are everywhere, working SO hard to repair, restore and bring order back to the town. </p><p>Our suburb got hit harder than many, simply by being on the extreme south edge of town where the cyclone does most of its damage, but other suburbs copped a beating too. Blossom's area did not, and they never lost power. We were so relieved for them.</p><p>Both side fences have come down around our house, and hubby (who is not well either) has been working hard to secure one of them, whilst the other must be replaced. </p><p>I'll get back to the blog late in the week, or perhaps even leave it to next week. Right now we have a lot to do here, and I must keep resting a bit longer between my tasks. I am feeling my 64 years. </p><p>The Lord gave me this two days before the cyclone as I was praying. Psalm 57:1...</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful
to me,</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">for in you my soul takes refuge;</span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,</span></span></span><br style="text-align: start;" />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white;"><span style="text-align: start;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">till the storms of destruction pass by.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p>I was never afraid of the storm itself, only concerned about losing power, and one particular tree falling on the house. But this verse gave me peace, and I knew to simply hand the situation over to God and focus on being prepared. </p><p>Perhaps you are in need of this Word from the Lord today??</p><p>Take care, and God bless...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3jrHYlyRDGlZN0_xBCEU-TBMFWyj95atPKmG1CuCmyALHu06J4C-pW2-CfIpGQ_85EzAGx9uNYoIA-Z4frl1K-bpXLwKOyxl_KdyPMGD4HpoXVTywOeLYKCHTy2tUkubds4JQ_wGCghwtyouMqD-c72jsxfIllAEum5iVo1DCJAsBTtcQXf7nunT/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3jrHYlyRDGlZN0_xBCEU-TBMFWyj95atPKmG1CuCmyALHu06J4C-pW2-CfIpGQ_85EzAGx9uNYoIA-Z4frl1K-bpXLwKOyxl_KdyPMGD4HpoXVTywOeLYKCHTy2tUkubds4JQ_wGCghwtyouMqD-c72jsxfIllAEum5iVo1DCJAsBTtcQXf7nunT/w253-h80/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="253" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-72644881192015350592024-01-24T11:17:00.004+10:002024-01-25T15:14:58.812+10:00Cyclone and sad news...<p>Good morning my friends,</p><p>If you watch the news in Australia, you've probably heard of another cyclone about to hit the east coast in my part of the tropics. Well, as of this morning <a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65002.shtml" target="_blank">the Bureau of Meteorology have the cyclone track model hitting Townsville</a> where I live. </p><p>(below, updated on January 25th...)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaii_5aNLh-E5rOkfEolwov19_x31AbpYEOAKD23DODFT1i2AkwG6eqfFRWdmvpnV57Nk2rEY2YoJjRhc38K4QSq7nPxdTNeK3hyphenhyphenIzhVcxNLHachTtriGYJnqkNT2uxywTfaPez3jXKUj6oHWSriMvgdzst09uW7TY3Zl4Zq6KblTsqDcy6NvE0BI/s640/IDQ65001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaii_5aNLh-E5rOkfEolwov19_x31AbpYEOAKD23DODFT1i2AkwG6eqfFRWdmvpnV57Nk2rEY2YoJjRhc38K4QSq7nPxdTNeK3hyphenhyphenIzhVcxNLHachTtriGYJnqkNT2uxywTfaPez3jXKUj6oHWSriMvgdzst09uW7TY3Zl4Zq6KblTsqDcy6NvE0BI/w640-h480/IDQ65001.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It could drift a bit north or south, but not much apparently. As a very slow moving system it's collecting loads of water along the way and as it heads closer to us, and apart from the wind, is expected to dump an extreme amount of rain on us with flash flooding, and possible loss of electricity according to our power provider.</div><p>As most of you know we went through a flood in 2019, just after we bought our home, and have fought a few heavy wet season deluges since then. We have four electric pump wells in our front and back yards which have kept water out of the house during heavy storms, but a cyclone is different, with an enormous amount of rain hammering the land below in a short period of time. We aren't sure our pump wells will cope this time, as even last month they struggled with a very heavy storm system. </p><p>If we lose power, the pumps won't work at all, so we have that concern weighing on our minds as well. Anyhow, there's a lot of people facing this along our coastline and further inland as well, so please keep them in your prayers. The cyclone is expected to hit late Thursday night (Queensland, Australia time) so between then and now it's all about getting prepared, moving things to safe places, tying stuff down, checking off our essential supplies list, and being mindful that we could be without electricity for days so I'm putting together a pantry of non-perishables to get us through. We are to expect ten days of rain after the cyclone, which may mean highways cut off, rivers breaching their banks, and people isolated as the water will take over. </p><p>No matter if the cyclone hits you or not, the most important thing is to prepare as though it will, because if you don't you could be in a dire situation should the worst happen. </p><p>So I'm delaying sharing the beginnings of a year-long recipe book project, and further blog posts, until the situation has passed. I know you'll be praying - <i>thank you. </i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pKgm2BBBbUjIIxYuoOKagzpbxkrJoXgICn2FOM11KkWYzuy2j1IHoVNFQlxGdzJGEOu0kSq5RKAOjFfrletmd9Redxz0Tr-rirQkgRij-LhjyE-ez0HlijVrLmj5Hn820i3v_5nYWyNDV5e_IMDpuZdjRy5UMabwsD591dvMpIO5ZFmMn7ByTK9s/s455/divider%202024.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="455" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pKgm2BBBbUjIIxYuoOKagzpbxkrJoXgICn2FOM11KkWYzuy2j1IHoVNFQlxGdzJGEOu0kSq5RKAOjFfrletmd9Redxz0Tr-rirQkgRij-LhjyE-ez0HlijVrLmj5Hn820i3v_5nYWyNDV5e_IMDpuZdjRy5UMabwsD591dvMpIO5ZFmMn7ByTK9s/w400-h61/divider%202024.png" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>BUT far more important than a cyclone...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I received some sad news last night from a very dear friend. Her husband had passed away suddenly on Monday. It's such a shock, and she is understandably deeply shattered. They were such a close couple, and I know this will be turning her life upside down. Please hold her and her family in prayer, dear ones. </div><p>My friend's sorrowful loss has caused me to remember just how fragile life is, yet how too often we take it, and the people we love, for granted. Don't hold back from saying "I love you", and make a choice to focus on the people in your life, and the joys our simple ordinary days have to offer if we just take the time to look. <i>This life is a precious gift which we should unwrap it every day and offer thanks for as we do not know what tomorrow will bring.</i></p><p>God bless you dear ones...and God willing I will be back to chat again soon.</p><p>Hugs</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5YWen_8GRVoo7n7Pw1h15FX6K8aWzxLy5lzEzIbp4JOTmZSaW8YpyDR4My07qqZfxJ3kPCHAtNMAYbbn_iA3qSnbfBzDHh-Pb7Ufe9RkE-43sa25SOKam6RwAtaytcgWRD9GCQCI1oNS3262zFib8wb6FHy7uRpLutmZSNApUg-6wPrnby4CRxYA/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5YWen_8GRVoo7n7Pw1h15FX6K8aWzxLy5lzEzIbp4JOTmZSaW8YpyDR4My07qqZfxJ3kPCHAtNMAYbbn_iA3qSnbfBzDHh-Pb7Ufe9RkE-43sa25SOKam6RwAtaytcgWRD9GCQCI1oNS3262zFib8wb6FHy7uRpLutmZSNApUg-6wPrnby4CRxYA/w256-h81/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-68390578564651581802024-01-17T17:53:00.001+10:002024-01-17T17:53:05.325+10:00Simplifying with food and family...<p> Most of our days have been dark and wet the past few weeks, though outside the comfort of our air conditioned home it's still very hot and humid...something the plants and the grass love, though hubby is weary of mowing between wet days. </p><p>During the wet season each summer, I tend to spend a lot of time deep cleaning through the house, sorting, removing what's no longer needed, and making notes about what we should invest in when we can afford it. But I also spend lots of time in the kitchen too, preparing food for family, freezing, health and fun. </p><p>Now that Blossom is a full-time homeschool mum, she is keeping Mondays free of bookwork so the kids can attend swimming lessons just up the road from my place, before stopping here for a hearty brunch, time playing in the garden and then doing some crafts I've prepared. As this week was our first Monday gathering, I set the table for a special brunch party...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2R2KVb94Hq2rzU7psltyHoHzAasGqq8hTrK-vvOifPVOjgNX0CcoHpum9q2iqTo9RdyVWTpQWQPiqdYq5M-LxHQ5tOIiLCPsw6HMacsFRXHJZdIIrHwhLLfylqbA_G6nDlGClbuYRgMyW0kOha7iBdgnyLxEs4rBawT-beCOj54pmB0OcF3DufAEr/s3648/DSC07188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2R2KVb94Hq2rzU7psltyHoHzAasGqq8hTrK-vvOifPVOjgNX0CcoHpum9q2iqTo9RdyVWTpQWQPiqdYq5M-LxHQ5tOIiLCPsw6HMacsFRXHJZdIIrHwhLLfylqbA_G6nDlGClbuYRgMyW0kOha7iBdgnyLxEs4rBawT-beCOj54pmB0OcF3DufAEr/w640-h480/DSC07188.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>...which Blossom said reminded her of our morning and afternoon teas during the eleven years of our own homeschooling season. </p><p>I baked egg, bacon and cheese pies to fill their hungry tummies after swimming...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDhlafj6W1ABn-IqOjs_HX9Nn9IfGxOYVZ_LkAfBamsYT2oZHwLi5sZXZWswB6D4DV5siQMIPqaExRCcfi3QZiNlU5ULFzEnWbsezb2frY26BkRNHGGDKmz9_7qUCtr_suJ-GYGH1fgr0x-Ox5TGTANgQTHxcz9TvpL7gm1RI72XeRMDY4DHaBBiZ/s3648/DSC07137%20(17).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDhlafj6W1ABn-IqOjs_HX9Nn9IfGxOYVZ_LkAfBamsYT2oZHwLi5sZXZWswB6D4DV5siQMIPqaExRCcfi3QZiNlU5ULFzEnWbsezb2frY26BkRNHGGDKmz9_7qUCtr_suJ-GYGH1fgr0x-Ox5TGTANgQTHxcz9TvpL7gm1RI72XeRMDY4DHaBBiZ/w640-h480/DSC07137%20(17).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbmyDs_8M4-FbELanDGemd2tnSUaTmIeRGx2GFAev2GuV3JcsaSVq34QoxqXkNwRpiHzcp59LDA_BGtdvu2aVDd1eBb7gRY3g21pS4-rzRewboWBh5CfBc5PnwjrnS7zq7BOVWpI93i9UIjbGcL5sZUD5n9bS-lpdM8QX9srrGcekxSsVaYIfKNwD/s3648/DSC07137%20(19).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbmyDs_8M4-FbELanDGemd2tnSUaTmIeRGx2GFAev2GuV3JcsaSVq34QoxqXkNwRpiHzcp59LDA_BGtdvu2aVDd1eBb7gRY3g21pS4-rzRewboWBh5CfBc5PnwjrnS7zq7BOVWpI93i9UIjbGcL5sZUD5n9bS-lpdM8QX9srrGcekxSsVaYIfKNwD/w640-h480/DSC07137%20(19).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>...plus kept some extra for Bloss to take home for Ross. </p><p>And a batch of scones, which my grandchildren tell me are "THE best" thing to make for them. Served with homemade strawberry jam, whipped cream, and pots of tea, the next hour was a wonderful time for us all to chat and eat and laugh and sip, and just enjoy each other's company. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyGUS8VKxPF39BT5GPALRGx_MXZ2R7wTL0uMtPawhq9qBbRNplpL9TisANm_ugbyMcDI4-5_EU4r0wbrlqHrSoq8etmfOg4CB6TFaRi4RFr9QrLRmQCN70aCtZWl-20fewVpDpJY5F1yr2cqGjC6lU_GIdzE3Z0LaSCVTbT-YMAykPxB4N4OV8_iy/s3648/DSC07137%20(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyGUS8VKxPF39BT5GPALRGx_MXZ2R7wTL0uMtPawhq9qBbRNplpL9TisANm_ugbyMcDI4-5_EU4r0wbrlqHrSoq8etmfOg4CB6TFaRi4RFr9QrLRmQCN70aCtZWl-20fewVpDpJY5F1yr2cqGjC6lU_GIdzE3Z0LaSCVTbT-YMAykPxB4N4OV8_iy/w640-h480/DSC07137%20(18).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>This was an easy brunch to prepare, using only what I had on hand, but to my family this was a wonderful feast, and something the children asked me to do every Monday. Which of course I shall, and it will always be a bit different, depending on what I have in the pantry and fridge. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez9BdgXlEY2OAqiQw2TrejkOhf3XSseaJjVb1nVyy9MR-btPvDARlAgqNwrNeX0HY6H-VzsCe0Iu9DZlW66DcNnD62di6LRLuKxLf9j7Tb_Yq25W_4hTgKLEt7hbJ-3CecE7uyWjx5twHC8aoz2XNSwyyYgWK_uYK02rc7fluUedn_QvgWkJyfbXp/s3648/DSC07189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez9BdgXlEY2OAqiQw2TrejkOhf3XSseaJjVb1nVyy9MR-btPvDARlAgqNwrNeX0HY6H-VzsCe0Iu9DZlW66DcNnD62di6LRLuKxLf9j7Tb_Yq25W_4hTgKLEt7hbJ-3CecE7uyWjx5twHC8aoz2XNSwyyYgWK_uYK02rc7fluUedn_QvgWkJyfbXp/w640-h480/DSC07189.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Not too many years ago, I would have shopped for special treats and ingredients to make a really big spread for our tea parties, but I have learned that simple living is about a change of attitude towards every aspect of life - even tea parties and brunches. You can see just how happy Cully May was having time over a cuppa with all of us together. </div><div>Choosing to simplify what I offer my family is not just about watching our pennies - it's about being content spending less than we used to, and making a conscious choice to use what is already on hand. I wonder if many of us have been lured into the world of Masterchef, famous chef/cooks, or Instagram foodies, and believe we need to be more creative in our culinary offerings? For quite a while I felt that way, and my grocery bill could attest to it. Initially it was fun, but over time, and after a number of expensive failures, there came a dull sense of dissatisfaction in my heart. That's when I really began to focus on the food of my youth, the simple meals that Nana made and the memories of how much I loved them. Well, that was my fork in the road, and helped me turn a corner. From that day, about nine years ago, I slowly began to draw on meal memories, and believe me, no matter how old you are, you can still remember the taste of food you loved as a child! </div><div><br /></div><div>Simplifying is also making things in the kitchen without having to leave home to buy ingredients. Yesterday I made hummus from a can of chickpeas, some tahini, parsley, garlic, Greek yoghurt and lemon juice - this is my sandwich spread for the week, in place of butter. Everything was in the pantry or fridge and it tastes absolutely wonderful. </div><div>I also made some coconut milk, and coconut cream - the milk to use in smoothies and porridge, and the coconut cream to use in a curry tonight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIegETxQwRGNo3sowoWqSJnrhrCys1iEY7yQRo1CpvvJmcZ3wdQccE2zbEklQz9OqvhncMF3GDXeJC89p7apGFwDFwvgwA7pUaAFgXdq97t9-zGXQZHMcXZOnrkcpCZxsZuV4Tc0MQ6ef5KrEFJbLGntTbC7Z2pxmGWlL5A-ZpOiTLI0C1agcU64h/s3648/DSC07196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIegETxQwRGNo3sowoWqSJnrhrCys1iEY7yQRo1CpvvJmcZ3wdQccE2zbEklQz9OqvhncMF3GDXeJC89p7apGFwDFwvgwA7pUaAFgXdq97t9-zGXQZHMcXZOnrkcpCZxsZuV4Tc0MQ6ef5KrEFJbLGntTbC7Z2pxmGWlL5A-ZpOiTLI0C1agcU64h/w640-h480/DSC07196.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>It's stone fruit season here in Australia right now, so with plenty of peaches, and some plums on hand, I made plum and vanilla jam to have on toast...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6QmvXi0114x_4L20S7vmoVRveopahr1w3BFSEebMoFzx0qhlaZv4Wwul1pL5AAZLy4qw-OTtjdYBOZuhWZvf4MN2mTRdNq7bwRqzQvMswU4UVhzMp_ksx-YUMorx6ih9KQZ848CHLhRISaDBbXDSKEOnTvaTk9rgcX3Yh62mqZrf8v3FJHzf3q37/s3648/DSC07137%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6QmvXi0114x_4L20S7vmoVRveopahr1w3BFSEebMoFzx0qhlaZv4Wwul1pL5AAZLy4qw-OTtjdYBOZuhWZvf4MN2mTRdNq7bwRqzQvMswU4UVhzMp_ksx-YUMorx6ih9KQZ848CHLhRISaDBbXDSKEOnTvaTk9rgcX3Yh62mqZrf8v3FJHzf3q37/w640-h480/DSC07137%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbpbG4MK68MSVi4QhV26Lb4edGrwxFIZ4Gk9Qbw5wKH1lXFMpyq5356ajY6DRhWxqNliWE0X9T8N-bhxg_pOx-ojOJTf217eFFqDCvsrnH9rUfORHDJ04A6l3Q-3sdN6eoQY9_HHNEgQakYiEvTIuKErUyoOA6qLQvUfHgEylSMPeOfXC3G4RDt4d/s3648/DSC07137%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbpbG4MK68MSVi4QhV26Lb4edGrwxFIZ4Gk9Qbw5wKH1lXFMpyq5356ajY6DRhWxqNliWE0X9T8N-bhxg_pOx-ojOJTf217eFFqDCvsrnH9rUfORHDJ04A6l3Q-3sdN6eoQY9_HHNEgQakYiEvTIuKErUyoOA6qLQvUfHgEylSMPeOfXC3G4RDt4d/w640-h480/DSC07137%20(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>...and a peach shortcake which will be dessert over four nights.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZFPhMkVwQN02awkwkX7kEzblu0TZSdRV5LzG-YeetiXa91sE4D_9UVwWYjfL45kRdKqMZlV8MLmGciZFuK2pQBAU-_YxCwMf9Xbq65geqJPGBs-V0XPxeN1tY21tUwKAFGuYQF58mE_h2EwBDXqPUasaViXNOBXtT1bERCPbFIUFGrqma3BskVyf/s3648/DSC07137%20(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZFPhMkVwQN02awkwkX7kEzblu0TZSdRV5LzG-YeetiXa91sE4D_9UVwWYjfL45kRdKqMZlV8MLmGciZFuK2pQBAU-_YxCwMf9Xbq65geqJPGBs-V0XPxeN1tY21tUwKAFGuYQF58mE_h2EwBDXqPUasaViXNOBXtT1bERCPbFIUFGrqma3BskVyf/w640-h480/DSC07137%20(13).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Last weekend I also baked a cheese pie using home brand puff pastry from the freezer, eggs, four different herbs from the garden, cottage cheese, grated cheese and sour cream (the only thing I had to buy was the cottage cheese). It was delicious served with a salad and lasted two meals, with an extra portion sent home to Ross when Blossom left on Monday afternoon. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEy04kyWRDn7sF02emvF3RfbP2EaXyVNmVQ2aqyynYSqlIykAoH_-xbA65dKBxB5A-R4s1EZurpVgkuvYtrac1BzaWovVMmSm6QUfpB9MNosae2dkbeBjQxPscJn8sKQpuFOYZOJWDorTXrbDuqQFEoKPihOAvL-BZz8fUfg3qGizG-P1MvAvb1mmd/s3648/DSC07137%20(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEy04kyWRDn7sF02emvF3RfbP2EaXyVNmVQ2aqyynYSqlIykAoH_-xbA65dKBxB5A-R4s1EZurpVgkuvYtrac1BzaWovVMmSm6QUfpB9MNosae2dkbeBjQxPscJn8sKQpuFOYZOJWDorTXrbDuqQFEoKPihOAvL-BZz8fUfg3qGizG-P1MvAvb1mmd/w640-h480/DSC07137%20(14).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcdsyoHHoF4ROMfvcUqube1avnvsR8yDVJO-zhjk6iRrg5cHg4IpySmld2MkPHugZNIzaieDkAj4LS_2qYDdXzjl6yn0gtCdfSbMG6_bVa3AJwgKcRYYUJRrSX2lgKFcYFC8ZmWAArZRigjA2aYMFuJG-0qGb56zIundeU0GvO3_NU3Jse6NAf3iz/s3648/DSC07137%20(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcdsyoHHoF4ROMfvcUqube1avnvsR8yDVJO-zhjk6iRrg5cHg4IpySmld2MkPHugZNIzaieDkAj4LS_2qYDdXzjl6yn0gtCdfSbMG6_bVa3AJwgKcRYYUJRrSX2lgKFcYFC8ZmWAArZRigjA2aYMFuJG-0qGb56zIundeU0GvO3_NU3Jse6NAf3iz/w640-h480/DSC07137%20(15).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6uPP-yg0puKFkV_YiCGUs5z4z5mAVipyUdfFKi5-OMHySgm0niwaLBtsQOImJeYa6mYH3uldX9uUSl2C_5gAm_vV0lhlPe8xO6fyhdEPbxZzMIlEotSdWEimp3XD9JsslxrTIzqAWXTT88omDoD6EbCX54ud9QhXmZL0KH1Vz7H56MeOMKh_9KSp/s3648/DSC07137%20(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6uPP-yg0puKFkV_YiCGUs5z4z5mAVipyUdfFKi5-OMHySgm0niwaLBtsQOImJeYa6mYH3uldX9uUSl2C_5gAm_vV0lhlPe8xO6fyhdEPbxZzMIlEotSdWEimp3XD9JsslxrTIzqAWXTT88omDoD6EbCX54ud9QhXmZL0KH1Vz7H56MeOMKh_9KSp/w640-h480/DSC07137%20(16).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Next week I shall have a file for you to download with some simple recipes, and there's a dessert recipe included which is incredibly cheap and easy that children (and my husband, AND Blossom) absolutely love. It would have been done this week but I am not putting pressure on myself. Things like that can wait until I am ready to type. </div><div><br /></div><div>You know, I would really love to hear about the simple meals you prepare, but also the meals you remember from childhood, the ones that bring a smile to your heart today.</div><div><br /></div><div>God bless you dear ones! I must sign off as I have a dinner to prepare for my beloved when he arrives home from work...may your own dinner be pleasing to the eye and satisfying to the soul. xx</div><div><br /></div><div>Hugs</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4StP_of4ACfwQ2IKI0fmSAGrWIXRt73y6VB7YSQp4gnVKi7Rkhws05YpV8_9iUqtjCze2JDDyyQ3tXuwUWJHyDeha2aC-YgkUbqp7GWYyXF_n_HYW01d_srqpNa7sRMma165XUR6aaMPFFvlnDo6O9ySPV4_ePeJPczEM4PUhfC9yrWkOemjn4yey/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4StP_of4ACfwQ2IKI0fmSAGrWIXRt73y6VB7YSQp4gnVKi7Rkhws05YpV8_9iUqtjCze2JDDyyQ3tXuwUWJHyDeha2aC-YgkUbqp7GWYyXF_n_HYW01d_srqpNa7sRMma165XUR6aaMPFFvlnDo6O9ySPV4_ePeJPczEM4PUhfC9yrWkOemjn4yey/w248-h79/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-56476558734871053822024-01-13T17:36:00.002+10:002024-01-13T17:36:45.031+10:00The gratitude bag and free stitchery pattern...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUp8-G06k1FeqDAPBKSWII_PHCcABqBNruWBWjpavl9J7ueNq0osBG3juycTO3yTpFUB-cwuFn5CDOSeQmLo0QijdIIFnCHBjA3hcltQI1BP6k6Ho5-gN7kVkTx8jaPcNtp93ZTYpumcq5986uKwkVdPCNerT6007wiByMnAND8Mnzdoc3Lb5Rk3a/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%201%20(1)%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUp8-G06k1FeqDAPBKSWII_PHCcABqBNruWBWjpavl9J7ueNq0osBG3juycTO3yTpFUB-cwuFn5CDOSeQmLo0QijdIIFnCHBjA3hcltQI1BP6k6Ho5-gN7kVkTx8jaPcNtp93ZTYpumcq5986uKwkVdPCNerT6007wiByMnAND8Mnzdoc3Lb5Rk3a/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%201%20(1)%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>What a lovely process making this new tote bag has been over the past week. It all began with an idea to remake and share one of my very old stitchery patterns from 2014 with you. From there, I decided to display the design on a pretty tea towel, cutting it up to create a simple tote bag.</p><p>But not content with 'just' a tote, I thought that adding some crochet edging around the top would definitely make the whole project a little more special. </p><p>The tea towel was 18" x 28" and I needed to unpick the hems to press it out and give me more fabric to work with, and the upside of this was that I had enough extra to make the two handles. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeqZLtJiT5jldZbkA9aYMRkLY58tOh-yQhGMSta_KkjNOOGqTzUCO1Kn-ZnGAks9izBdpDzeyseFB-BE_S-kN8UNbhkvbCTWLfm6FnK2IS4m_lcCLbkcUvfvZxkjT4cV3DBfzwnyOv6Q930DY5Z_xixSEK-YwwBkgnkucHIM7sI3hNlfE6851sThn/s3648/DSC07084%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeqZLtJiT5jldZbkA9aYMRkLY58tOh-yQhGMSta_KkjNOOGqTzUCO1Kn-ZnGAks9izBdpDzeyseFB-BE_S-kN8UNbhkvbCTWLfm6FnK2IS4m_lcCLbkcUvfvZxkjT4cV3DBfzwnyOv6Q930DY5Z_xixSEK-YwwBkgnkucHIM7sI3hNlfE6851sThn/w640-h480/DSC07084%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The stitchery itself was hand embroidered onto some pale pink linen that I bought way back when Cully May was a baby, and I'd only used it once before as a stitchery background because it's such a fine linen weave. But waste not want not! I am using everything on hand these days, which is really fun. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzhA5tJKBXrt2twawPLEvp3fbPJ0_6T-JYQCBB0jPMzvm5K5AZCoEnTj0nqKfVgC75j-2jGgOwQEChPCdgg48jAJlnsyoSvkEJ4KBmx-9pdTXyE0i44aEoXhQ3pHe0l0YKYCDxrmauK4GMlFxr3pfWn3WX536EKRfrH-qx7vOnehYtk02qIRz1pro/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzhA5tJKBXrt2twawPLEvp3fbPJ0_6T-JYQCBB0jPMzvm5K5AZCoEnTj0nqKfVgC75j-2jGgOwQEChPCdgg48jAJlnsyoSvkEJ4KBmx-9pdTXyE0i44aEoXhQ3pHe0l0YKYCDxrmauK4GMlFxr3pfWn3WX536EKRfrH-qx7vOnehYtk02qIRz1pro/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I fused some Staflex 3045 interfacing behind the fabric after tracing the design onto the linen. After I'd finished the embroidery it was needle-turned in position on the tea towel fabric. I'd considered blanket stitch applique at first, but decided it was a much nicer finish with the needle-turn. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHfOVp7JG_udQ88wRPEUmsJO1pk6PaydLnD7JdGUFXHUncjMrty1SJkm1jhT31R9idzVc70shFvDeKDaQ_0mKUoJrjk059t7AJTxBGobwLFDGkaEIylgatQcWIwLJq9ek0VkcI2ZubA2k0Jc0qLWkMVawLWm3u-hT7wl1zXElHqShHu34vdGsaeKs/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20a%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHfOVp7JG_udQ88wRPEUmsJO1pk6PaydLnD7JdGUFXHUncjMrty1SJkm1jhT31R9idzVc70shFvDeKDaQ_0mKUoJrjk059t7AJTxBGobwLFDGkaEIylgatQcWIwLJq9ek0VkcI2ZubA2k0Jc0qLWkMVawLWm3u-hT7wl1zXElHqShHu34vdGsaeKs/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20a%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a>\</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYa8b_8TECN_C89SLEOIfxS0fZRkm3bKhdLUiX6WXFXhe3SjEfrAUrU1GLgv7qVsZH6HDWtfdno5KB1sV82WbW_lBQXGQoDuIdcPeI_0PphffG8DhI5hfaMnOuzixsJESD7GExgywFcTCrecz-r3zIaI6D-tMHi73aF-EKld_XW41K3DroHbqg3Gm/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%20main%201%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYa8b_8TECN_C89SLEOIfxS0fZRkm3bKhdLUiX6WXFXhe3SjEfrAUrU1GLgv7qVsZH6HDWtfdno5KB1sV82WbW_lBQXGQoDuIdcPeI_0PphffG8DhI5hfaMnOuzixsJESD7GExgywFcTCrecz-r3zIaI6D-tMHi73aF-EKld_XW41K3DroHbqg3Gm/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%20main%201%20(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Here's the bag after I'd completed it as a simple tote...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nhvBCGknQuuNBd3tbGOawRsRs3Ei3mD91tkge9wYu6CAhPTyI268ZRVfh_AkKOn7OzBijWRnuYhezUCFGa4etutvw7dRupRY6IxbhPGoukRJr9ynoLLR2qQUUmUjfe5MVPhMaw_c7fSgZ7y6FePTY7cJgT3Kn_0efZnxn9BP8xUEhtlq4WP-wB7H/s3648/DSC07111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nhvBCGknQuuNBd3tbGOawRsRs3Ei3mD91tkge9wYu6CAhPTyI268ZRVfh_AkKOn7OzBijWRnuYhezUCFGa4etutvw7dRupRY6IxbhPGoukRJr9ynoLLR2qQUUmUjfe5MVPhMaw_c7fSgZ7y6FePTY7cJgT3Kn_0efZnxn9BP8xUEhtlq4WP-wB7H/w640-h480/DSC07111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>A lovely tote with a good message...but I knew the crochet edging would definitely lift it. Around the top edge I blanket stitched with a very pale turquoise 4ply crochet cotton, similar to the colour in my tea towel fabric. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC3-9oNWO9kuZXc1FGbbRyRweostxv0xmC2MpEtGiw0yZIEkH1UjW3PqpZUxc0BVsAmzTyh-eh61spX2YIlapvWkKvJR9vQJZIzXGg3OOpKGMeejJPqsheeCuWAPeaGuoT5nRp62s5FEBA_2ZsqEIdGggbb6GyZYadyGx7zUNl3ptEjBzkxhZYdbn/s3648/DSC07114%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC3-9oNWO9kuZXc1FGbbRyRweostxv0xmC2MpEtGiw0yZIEkH1UjW3PqpZUxc0BVsAmzTyh-eh61spX2YIlapvWkKvJR9vQJZIzXGg3OOpKGMeejJPqsheeCuWAPeaGuoT5nRp62s5FEBA_2ZsqEIdGggbb6GyZYadyGx7zUNl3ptEjBzkxhZYdbn/w640-h480/DSC07114%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Then I switched to this lovely rusty pink 8ply yarn for a row of double chain (chain in the US)...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtFYCPKhGqwTADQ77MgSlw1RSAyqiWp0SvvS72a7WrC3dDKJ0LTUuIHAhBKNBz5xaFzFWKIXGB4X4GAhyi2FzcDLwRN5N7HzOY4dhOUaEaUaR0a-eZis_M8JC9JaTuUbPlaTFgfvMmU1YuZd0OiZ_usF5rNxTcb0ysryuC9pOK6W2ad5yRSum69Ru/s3648/DSC07114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtFYCPKhGqwTADQ77MgSlw1RSAyqiWp0SvvS72a7WrC3dDKJ0LTUuIHAhBKNBz5xaFzFWKIXGB4X4GAhyi2FzcDLwRN5N7HzOY4dhOUaEaUaR0a-eZis_M8JC9JaTuUbPlaTFgfvMmU1YuZd0OiZ_usF5rNxTcb0ysryuC9pOK6W2ad5yRSum69Ru/w640-h480/DSC07114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>...followed by a final row of trebles and double chain (double chains and chain US). The pattern is very simple - 3 trebles into one stitch, then 1 dc into each of the next two stitches. Just follow that to the end. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBugjIt692iFnBSUbuPIJ1279qFeIrTWlu3hlDtFRBpxCWB1DNRKAxjkQkGgJeUvuWH0AoYTr3Lk5nouaSeH6-UakvbbcvNwX_Rwq52diQtV3ZdsPpB8Dc0M6h9v6sxcVyusqfop3BEg2SXwYtLl_XCTQ5Ltn-kME9emp_ydsA4wPOSX2orqKfMh7r/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBugjIt692iFnBSUbuPIJ1279qFeIrTWlu3hlDtFRBpxCWB1DNRKAxjkQkGgJeUvuWH0AoYTr3Lk5nouaSeH6-UakvbbcvNwX_Rwq52diQtV3ZdsPpB8Dc0M6h9v6sxcVyusqfop3BEg2SXwYtLl_XCTQ5Ltn-kME9emp_ydsA4wPOSX2orqKfMh7r/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I really love how this turned out, and it's perfect for our lazy Sunday country drives. I always felt weird taking a handbag on a country drive! <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTz41v1rzyyTaPifQv0ug7EK6z0lGGFLzJFlPvmBU1oAfbpp9ouhzhOlwwXiH3jDRdQlN7PQpXlLFJfzjO-nh6KLhyIN_QXDoL8DNnWwZ1NBiCswuF_HVOJfjehfFvw4h1dOSsN5ve6e4MeKwpuqSwQ8R6kjH02Zkq10sHttxf7xcTEjG1tViV9uM/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%201%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTz41v1rzyyTaPifQv0ug7EK6z0lGGFLzJFlPvmBU1oAfbpp9ouhzhOlwwXiH3jDRdQlN7PQpXlLFJfzjO-nh6KLhyIN_QXDoL8DNnWwZ1NBiCswuF_HVOJfjehfFvw4h1dOSsN5ve6e4MeKwpuqSwQ8R6kjH02Zkq10sHttxf7xcTEjG1tViV9uM/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%201%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAh_nxOI_6Dc1ZuKgoM0Hpjic-wL0rhc-ocKU7MGZryaVVHhhV682OMAHFHQQ5InwIZ9O1Wkp05EUd3bujpoNXuTNytcjXQyFOVHkO1ctCxAyqVECFT6IUJ64f_RzZSziWJpoE8-XU6VSJmmexcHiBfIkXRt4WrcQySsgLXXCeaNTHJ6O0t_Mn5-x/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%201%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAh_nxOI_6Dc1ZuKgoM0Hpjic-wL0rhc-ocKU7MGZryaVVHhhV682OMAHFHQQ5InwIZ9O1Wkp05EUd3bujpoNXuTNytcjXQyFOVHkO1ctCxAyqVECFT6IUJ64f_RzZSziWJpoE8-XU6VSJmmexcHiBfIkXRt4WrcQySsgLXXCeaNTHJ6O0t_Mn5-x/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%201%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The inside lining is an old Tilda print I bought back in 2009, which has been used in quite a few projects over the years as I originally had about four metres of it. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpj9BvklB9xo0heNdi8vw8LpHRoHTCeCMl5jSCmpqY4-0V06g-Jtv0Emgj1CCyE31vNeQyDT1FCe0rSP5WDKchGJ9AFWuVHXVbN4vhHE9ay_0sWR_f2_o7g86LbqRnBnscWlCiDm7Wg6nUGLcCszp_SVmd9wY7O8eS_tvicIR81wvVGZthBmQajpW/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%20main%201%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpj9BvklB9xo0heNdi8vw8LpHRoHTCeCMl5jSCmpqY4-0V06g-Jtv0Emgj1CCyE31vNeQyDT1FCe0rSP5WDKchGJ9AFWuVHXVbN4vhHE9ay_0sWR_f2_o7g86LbqRnBnscWlCiDm7Wg6nUGLcCszp_SVmd9wY7O8eS_tvicIR81wvVGZthBmQajpW/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%20main%201%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The centre of the flowers are needle-turned and then I added a bundle of yellow double wrapped French knots to help them pop. Every colour used in this project, including the crochet yarn was chosen to blend with the colours in my tea towel. That's advice I have been giving for years here on the blog and in my patterns - choose your fabric first, and then choose your threads to match. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWMWB7RzQEz0AeY-_tj5vy_-BZmr1Po13_8SiBhwB2990ag9lYPh50B8-fuseToy-Sk9CtzRBbBIGtqGqlAaUocb3csp6TBB2cioCPuNFFq7tt5BoGCK0yFSPtH96BqNex40equG5gGtP6SIdHcEqj4g7TZftREqFtVammRRiKR1fZLRlcJZ8wWlc/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%20main%201%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWMWB7RzQEz0AeY-_tj5vy_-BZmr1Po13_8SiBhwB2990ag9lYPh50B8-fuseToy-Sk9CtzRBbBIGtqGqlAaUocb3csp6TBB2cioCPuNFFq7tt5BoGCK0yFSPtH96BqNex40equG5gGtP6SIdHcEqj4g7TZftREqFtVammRRiKR1fZLRlcJZ8wWlc/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%20main%201%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>I know there's heaps of lovely bag patterns around, and if I'd had more fabric I might have chosen to make one of them, but I wanted to keep things simple, using what I already had on hand so that I do not have to spend even a cent - and that is part of finding "joy in the ordinary" for me this year. </div><div>And I am so grateful to have sewing fabrics, tea towels, yarn, threads and a sewing machine to make items with! </div><div><br /></div><div>Like the words on the stitchery, we need to keep an attitude of gratitude in our heart and mind every day. Most of us who sew have more than we need, and therefore don't need to spend money on sewing supplies. In 2024, I'm looking at what is right in front of me, and getting excited about using it to create lovely useful items for my home, myself, my family, and for gifts. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnbNyBwzaqDRIiT5zR4RD9gP0xpCgt2BblmbIB828Uq6_1Fp1Y1zcEpna-0SipxUm2yfoDKPH7_aT4U-dJbngM_ZMR1XQM820UQXHcKjelHKiarJADTRPM0hbSB6REju5fye48ZLsJGIugDr9dkpdw10ZHScsD6_pr-QjLb9GUUT4QybBNUR7DeWN/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%20main%201%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnbNyBwzaqDRIiT5zR4RD9gP0xpCgt2BblmbIB828Uq6_1Fp1Y1zcEpna-0SipxUm2yfoDKPH7_aT4U-dJbngM_ZMR1XQM820UQXHcKjelHKiarJADTRPM0hbSB6REju5fye48ZLsJGIugDr9dkpdw10ZHScsD6_pr-QjLb9GUUT4QybBNUR7DeWN/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20attitude%20of%20gratitude%20bag%20main%201%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>Use the link below to download the free pattern</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iQpgzbvl36q1sDwKkY_zvYCw6emDhh8_/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD the "Attitude of Gratitude" hand embroidery pattern</a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekIVBNdqmiZIBE82ekxLr9j4K2honJl0Y9uO4ozNSLzKfA6ER2FBmAe085692SKIQ1piDxAdtlDJ00iCWhBTAeM_Xqcru5D2IdLm5Zd7G5YBkrHS4LGoJzcQIWOYLJoIWR9-a1FsjtCsJRPk-ifQQ4bzhujSZMw9nad0oLseIWkAoBMFeryYpna1q/s455/divider%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="455" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekIVBNdqmiZIBE82ekxLr9j4K2honJl0Y9uO4ozNSLzKfA6ER2FBmAe085692SKIQ1piDxAdtlDJ00iCWhBTAeM_Xqcru5D2IdLm5Zd7G5YBkrHS4LGoJzcQIWOYLJoIWR9-a1FsjtCsJRPk-ifQQ4bzhujSZMw9nad0oLseIWkAoBMFeryYpna1q/s320/divider%202024.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This past week I have been deep cleaning the house again, baking up a storm for the family, and sorting through years of Elefantz files, but I'll share more about that in my next blog post. I have some very simple and inexpensive recipes for you to try as well, recipes my family love and refer to as comfort food. </p><p>Do you have a specific comfort food?? Mine are Nana's roast dinners and her baked rice custard...how I miss them. No matter how hard I try, mine never tastes like hers. </p><p>What have you made this week? Have you started a new project for 2024, or are you completing UFOs? Have you been baking? </p><p>Bless each and every one of you in the week ahead, and may your hearts be at peace in your home as you take each day as the gift it is, and choose to live with joy in your ordinary lives. </p><p style="text-align: center;">hugs,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFKMPI9rVjr2V2-cA3Ad0hy8q4zjV8KraAUFaSu0ABrjVD3mxHvjiVqwC_zVfepc0fXE4gYbbL6lajbidZKB-oyCxdjWQuwvYJegmGn7fgjGfEYAAZ_k2i1eI0b71NnhXzfmFh3OncjDLtfllxZVRdF9F64BRt9ZkhPFDyyQFmhrVBkkNPoOq8YKq/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFKMPI9rVjr2V2-cA3Ad0hy8q4zjV8KraAUFaSu0ABrjVD3mxHvjiVqwC_zVfepc0fXE4gYbbL6lajbidZKB-oyCxdjWQuwvYJegmGn7fgjGfEYAAZ_k2i1eI0b71NnhXzfmFh3OncjDLtfllxZVRdF9F64BRt9ZkhPFDyyQFmhrVBkkNPoOq8YKq/w224-h71/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="224" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-48763706187041321642024-01-08T10:05:00.003+10:002024-01-08T10:05:19.438+10:00Ordinary things...<p>Our dwelling place - whether it be a house, a flat, a caravan, a yurt, or a room in someone else's place - is perhaps something we too often take for granted. Where we live may not be where we'd most like to be, but if it's where we are right now, then we need to be grateful for it. </p><p>A bowl of nourishing food and a thick slice of bread on the table when the family sit down together for dinner, a pillow beneath your head at the end of the day, clothes to wash, floors to sweep, windows to look through as you go about your ordinary daily tasks, creativity to move things around and add small displays here and there...a home encompasses so much, regardless of its size, position, or appearance.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuTscvnPsXSiNeKGMl7IeVKywQGA15q48E8hZZBURduqBeej5A3FVJnXKpUgt_lWt23r8rlez7N90z3Q9HpQc0xZiaWDQAurb3ksQFwdLfzuIe_vuwzBGoNZotGuNlXV9mnvO17FLpkMZT0bFmLB0A-cfo2ML5XrHJEsZWTqsD0PAmEKD855rtrdg/s3648/DSC07027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuTscvnPsXSiNeKGMl7IeVKywQGA15q48E8hZZBURduqBeej5A3FVJnXKpUgt_lWt23r8rlez7N90z3Q9HpQc0xZiaWDQAurb3ksQFwdLfzuIe_vuwzBGoNZotGuNlXV9mnvO17FLpkMZT0bFmLB0A-cfo2ML5XrHJEsZWTqsD0PAmEKD855rtrdg/w640-h480/DSC07027.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>It is almost 9am on Monday morning as I write this, and as I went about my early morning home blessings (for I do not think I like the word 'chores' anymore) it occurred to me that with each small task I felt a tug to give thanks for the privilege of doing it. </p><p>Making the bed, preparing a healthy breakfast for hubby, making a good lunch to take with him to work, washing and drying the breakfast dishes, cleaning the bathroom, watering the indoor plants, feeding our pets, getting a load of laundry in the washing machine...each task was done with love, and a prayer of thanks offered. Many days I don't think to do this, but today, as I pondered Gratitude (our monthly theme) I felt a deep sense of privilege to have this small home and call it our own. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmhy2BXf5364-Xq8og5mp1Oh4LZGPH3nQ4yf0OjVW6RERQ4WS0G-cj53EFSXOeV7NHrueVNG9wVFKWLeFjgxKeEfu6K-dBqD7yq4VvHDOgZzneX-bDThp6jaDvuySLaqvKTGheMayDfQPR0B9OTPjFZlucq_woSGoUpQcz6N7qPVY1H3WdWasak5D/s3648/DSC07025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmhy2BXf5364-Xq8og5mp1Oh4LZGPH3nQ4yf0OjVW6RERQ4WS0G-cj53EFSXOeV7NHrueVNG9wVFKWLeFjgxKeEfu6K-dBqD7yq4VvHDOgZzneX-bDThp6jaDvuySLaqvKTGheMayDfQPR0B9OTPjFZlucq_woSGoUpQcz6N7qPVY1H3WdWasak5D/w640-h480/DSC07025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVurDmLsez2G7JwVZxdy_rRiUSc0VpuZQ_QEAQ8PmR15Z6n80cCoxsjXADjAMqNEj04qt6ieTFUkJqGXykJoHK5E_K6kyQ3Gd2R5Ilsw8vrhHFmoDY29zJSZApMF6_z2JjpzV83LQWL3kjWp0V_hCJwzse4N6HRmacoscN6r4nrdx2BlqrYFjWoK9z/s3648/DSC07021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVurDmLsez2G7JwVZxdy_rRiUSc0VpuZQ_QEAQ8PmR15Z6n80cCoxsjXADjAMqNEj04qt6ieTFUkJqGXykJoHK5E_K6kyQ3Gd2R5Ilsw8vrhHFmoDY29zJSZApMF6_z2JjpzV83LQWL3kjWp0V_hCJwzse4N6HRmacoscN6r4nrdx2BlqrYFjWoK9z/w640-h480/DSC07021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV14ZL2IAt0630rC_Db5VVaS4MHl4fBRFN1smYPEAxr0vHlP49W1RrTHfGWlOwiftWX79ISU24ehd5U2dg7Yf0gpgn1-C84D5_UReFD66BZNSgCQP0ull3G7xoHxu0KqSa9tLmL-NSZTUnjTzh34lwp6z2851yrRQo55kbMe4xuXGEOivLIq1zUFTP/s3648/DSC07018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV14ZL2IAt0630rC_Db5VVaS4MHl4fBRFN1smYPEAxr0vHlP49W1RrTHfGWlOwiftWX79ISU24ehd5U2dg7Yf0gpgn1-C84D5_UReFD66BZNSgCQP0ull3G7xoHxu0KqSa9tLmL-NSZTUnjTzh34lwp6z2851yrRQo55kbMe4xuXGEOivLIq1zUFTP/w640-h480/DSC07018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF3Drw3cAPmIPGphSNwPM-Dwx28q56EtRvca3x8XTIQPgVT8PImHx4k-B8nmvRW9KO9kAQAk-TbrTvu6Cf_5qeceWL4TF7jtGOlS48v8OxEJtGzUSrcy26eL46SV5a9wWu2BuMKa1oH7kHbrW86VZuHa8eq6jK0RpWMOJ9aW5k3vZOxJgYAJyNfSM/s3648/DSC07038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYF3Drw3cAPmIPGphSNwPM-Dwx28q56EtRvca3x8XTIQPgVT8PImHx4k-B8nmvRW9KO9kAQAk-TbrTvu6Cf_5qeceWL4TF7jtGOlS48v8OxEJtGzUSrcy26eL46SV5a9wWu2BuMKa1oH7kHbrW86VZuHa8eq6jK0RpWMOJ9aW5k3vZOxJgYAJyNfSM/w640-h480/DSC07038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Mondays are my meal planning day, but before doing that I check what fresh fruit and veg we already have in the fridge that need to be used up, and plan to use them tonight and perhaps tomorrow too. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eQhLxNUU1Z7EtJRR4yAtT83YiPdYE4lCltmF_g4sZUDK_mhJkhNTumQKppcWugxIKYfZLXaQCNQuLcu1OpsYwpJtu_W7lIRsUWZaB6tyIYJdJt3I4fO8IxDg_EeneVK7NOVNShc33O9t2gk89Qca9eQ9MJP7R12wLoYk5H9XVxavCCioNDTP5dSg/s3648/DSC07040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eQhLxNUU1Z7EtJRR4yAtT83YiPdYE4lCltmF_g4sZUDK_mhJkhNTumQKppcWugxIKYfZLXaQCNQuLcu1OpsYwpJtu_W7lIRsUWZaB6tyIYJdJt3I4fO8IxDg_EeneVK7NOVNShc33O9t2gk89Qca9eQ9MJP7R12wLoYk5H9XVxavCCioNDTP5dSg/w640-h480/DSC07040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Now that I have an idea for tonight's evening meal, I can plan the rest of the week and a shopping list for extra ingredients. Recently I began a new monthly habit of going through my very large recipe folder, and removing some recipes that would be good to make in the following weeks, and then storing them in a smaller comb-bound folder. This makes meal planning much easier...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_u7ipNAypPdD8vUH6kxr74wciNgbeHQl3Onc2IVsiScJvDVivfxtXLwmcsBInxcTdFtm2ojIO8lobIAjeOf4czpaEpkzvifPWspcaYNz1ee1Ap2HaTTnDR1vXfGIxAmWNgYVp6uvM5qX6st1iPC5aRBa4VBFUGLU-Vx4L4MG9QM6Vc0A6f6JcgJr/s3648/DSC07046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_u7ipNAypPdD8vUH6kxr74wciNgbeHQl3Onc2IVsiScJvDVivfxtXLwmcsBInxcTdFtm2ojIO8lobIAjeOf4czpaEpkzvifPWspcaYNz1ee1Ap2HaTTnDR1vXfGIxAmWNgYVp6uvM5qX6st1iPC5aRBa4VBFUGLU-Vx4L4MG9QM6Vc0A6f6JcgJr/w640-h480/DSC07046.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>This week I'm going to try the Cheese and Herb pie, a recipe found in an old magazine I was pulling apart but have yet to make. As we choose to be meat free two to three times a week now, I'm enjoying making things I know my husband will eat. For many, many years I would make things he wasn't very keen on simply because I liked them and hoped eventually he would too. But that did not happen. Lesson learned...at last.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM-C6RwzYhqeQ74pq2MRpDHFnLWw7WdtPcF_YMWasBFbz3e1pHYNs1xrugE3NhVjGHOgSiAyj2WlizE_FJfcN3Zs5tYlrfp-GckNF97yPhLaJ-ylLKvvIkP8bVdLILwFD4x-9IimDqsDbWh-s2iXnX3J96KFnOR5SkyUw95ylQNJva_wrcGrjDT27/s3648/DSC07045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM-C6RwzYhqeQ74pq2MRpDHFnLWw7WdtPcF_YMWasBFbz3e1pHYNs1xrugE3NhVjGHOgSiAyj2WlizE_FJfcN3Zs5tYlrfp-GckNF97yPhLaJ-ylLKvvIkP8bVdLILwFD4x-9IimDqsDbWh-s2iXnX3J96KFnOR5SkyUw95ylQNJva_wrcGrjDT27/w640-h480/DSC07045.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I think he will like this new pie recipe, because he loves Spanakopita, just like Ross, my Cypriot son-in-law. I baked both men a tray of Spanakopita each last week, and they were soon demolished. Oh how happy that made me!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiukYNMiYejzRDJ5y4LkIBchUR5vhEqyMIgyb2EPatdeq-S1VW6cfrcsuT6RIKps01PoNGit_kY6zEy2W8ibwRzOstnj13dPi_oBRQbv5x2ytCvfuqvIlr2JyHQxhyphenhyphente4dSt5Chmw1bjnlOA8MyfBG_Xmx6VYPvBrky3b5EPuDVAGlHe4sliySOCg/s3648/DSC06882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiukYNMiYejzRDJ5y4LkIBchUR5vhEqyMIgyb2EPatdeq-S1VW6cfrcsuT6RIKps01PoNGit_kY6zEy2W8ibwRzOstnj13dPi_oBRQbv5x2ytCvfuqvIlr2JyHQxhyphenhyphente4dSt5Chmw1bjnlOA8MyfBG_Xmx6VYPvBrky3b5EPuDVAGlHe4sliySOCg/w640-h480/DSC06882.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Last week I also baked a delicious Focaccia with rosemary, Celtic sea salt and red grapes (my favourite topping for Focaccia), a Coconut Jam Slice with my last jar of homemade mixed berry jam, and two Malt Loaves which I shared with Blossom. Every member of our family got something they loved to eat last week...and each of them was very grateful. What a blessing it is to be able to cook, don't you agree?!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ35qo9jXHTYv7-aPoZxqVP1yv-4_3Jo2Oz8w3eg_L1gLtaE63eVWhcZBNlvz8y5bWq8Pkxc19rvJP0JhaUxkp9vgpdGyf6_Er4uFGGLrI9_6duEaSLqIazzpEVujPcSzlKzOpI2InboxusNld4OQsD1m_ZC_fJAch3EKq6Bf-NiUT8eO02tVLt-s/s3648/DSC06972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ35qo9jXHTYv7-aPoZxqVP1yv-4_3Jo2Oz8w3eg_L1gLtaE63eVWhcZBNlvz8y5bWq8Pkxc19rvJP0JhaUxkp9vgpdGyf6_Er4uFGGLrI9_6duEaSLqIazzpEVujPcSzlKzOpI2InboxusNld4OQsD1m_ZC_fJAch3EKq6Bf-NiUT8eO02tVLt-s/w640-h480/DSC06972.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I haven't had many roses lately in the garden, they always seem to come out in a flourish of abundance together, then they do nothing together for weeks on end. But I did notice two pink blooms opening when I watered them yesterday, so after those early morning tasks I went in search of other pops of colour in the garden to create a small bouquet for my desk.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit-f4wEePJkk46KnHJILE4nowevrhhznEva2ekFXdZpExxgH_vGW5FXSBcdO7WMaT9d194yc7Mwsk5VNEgkrmqPNC39DhTs_Ab85a_8kbcBGwZ_YAnIhzebJ3RVlFC5ft8bppxz2p4k2-MByCwmO0eIhoTvLpa1oynAH9wCJ2Mvw7HX0V8yWuIlaJ/s3648/DSC07051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit-f4wEePJkk46KnHJILE4nowevrhhznEva2ekFXdZpExxgH_vGW5FXSBcdO7WMaT9d194yc7Mwsk5VNEgkrmqPNC39DhTs_Ab85a_8kbcBGwZ_YAnIhzebJ3RVlFC5ft8bppxz2p4k2-MByCwmO0eIhoTvLpa1oynAH9wCJ2Mvw7HX0V8yWuIlaJ/w640-h480/DSC07051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RBrynOmjRRanmzWvN8v-YG5ywCGLs2a2cpoaRjiZoUMnYkjtAk4BSxgeA6Fw6ws1DUpZtf8Uy3k00DDyh9RtXNLwNT2xcBR8teYZqv2-BWBiSCEVCQDohn3lkf5QwrOzh-tvth4YCT8FgzE2yTGWu8-ErF-bdzKrQsqiS9x4PYIsAWIOWGhj9B_0/s3648/DSC07053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RBrynOmjRRanmzWvN8v-YG5ywCGLs2a2cpoaRjiZoUMnYkjtAk4BSxgeA6Fw6ws1DUpZtf8Uy3k00DDyh9RtXNLwNT2xcBR8teYZqv2-BWBiSCEVCQDohn3lkf5QwrOzh-tvth4YCT8FgzE2yTGWu8-ErF-bdzKrQsqiS9x4PYIsAWIOWGhj9B_0/w640-h480/DSC07053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>How grateful I am for these blooms! Flowers, no matter how small or sparse, can lift a dull corner just as much as they lift a weary heart. Oh and my heart <i>has</i> been a little weary the past few days...for I tend to forget about my 'enlarged heart' condition, and push my body a bit more than it can manage on such hot and humid days as ours. After our lovely Sunday morning drive down south with Molly-dog to Alva Beach and Claire, I was in the garden yesterday afternoon trying to prune and trim and water and tidy, when I realised my heart was not happy at all as tiredness swept over me and breathing became less easy. Dear hubby sent me inside to cool air conditioned comfort and for the rest of the afternoon I rested a while, baked a bit, and prepared some sewing tasks - all of which made me feel quite normal again. So very grateful for a cool house, and Molly-dog is happier inside as well.<div><br /></div><div>Our pug, the Molly-dog, can be a handful at just over a year old, but she's a real delight too. A constant companion, fortunately she enjoys sleeping beside me on the couch when I'm resting each afternoon with some stitching or crochet to do. She adores my husband, and sleeps beside him on the couch during the evenings when we watch a movie, sermon, or documentary. But, as with pugs in general, she doesn't cope well with the high heat and humidity of a tropical wet season. We are both hanging out for the warm (not hot) winter.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rhYDj4w8Lwv625haW0PKQo4qRS5EdkKcMWbfmkVnVFYkLvMOPhHlfprb5_ppICyvDk3pNmhVvEWrxFvqgQApbKJk2sR979ZKrarlX_Bh_FJdZsqmZmrOS1NK2UXFy-4AX_v83-EnKXqdIn9RXtoaN1QX1_lrbH6mpSyrjBXoNKu9SOyydOg2F0Ei/s3648/DSC07036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rhYDj4w8Lwv625haW0PKQo4qRS5EdkKcMWbfmkVnVFYkLvMOPhHlfprb5_ppICyvDk3pNmhVvEWrxFvqgQApbKJk2sR979ZKrarlX_Bh_FJdZsqmZmrOS1NK2UXFy-4AX_v83-EnKXqdIn9RXtoaN1QX1_lrbH6mpSyrjBXoNKu9SOyydOg2F0Ei/w640-h480/DSC07036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I have planned some afternoon sewing for this week, and a bit more crochet edging too. Last year's old tea towels will be cut in half and re-hemmed for cleaning rags...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrR7Qb89AStSE8gZxdwCmugcTQplk85c0uD1h1vhAS8vNO-rRiFHX5vTXK5zdDYot-3gG6cBWX0LEjAwjKw5zZRFtw141gjXtvfM8GjIuoryvVQkHg3rGt3x0UljWaxzbfQafcDaZLA1A3aAZR3445fSe8oS45tvqV9itbSRPslnweeZH-Q1OpfDX/s3648/DSC07048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrR7Qb89AStSE8gZxdwCmugcTQplk85c0uD1h1vhAS8vNO-rRiFHX5vTXK5zdDYot-3gG6cBWX0LEjAwjKw5zZRFtw141gjXtvfM8GjIuoryvVQkHg3rGt3x0UljWaxzbfQafcDaZLA1A3aAZR3445fSe8oS45tvqV9itbSRPslnweeZH-Q1OpfDX/w640-h480/DSC07048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Some of my oldest cleaning rags will be retired as I have worn them out, and they frayed dreadfully over the past two years (lesson learned about hemming every raw edge this year). </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmydM63MmC5s2RR0XrbMUqILqSrkSEMuGBUYuzgU_ktoUMfOAQQW6ot3fuMeNMso7zdlVl3YIMuUz35ZyjY31dS4mt245-FtyHjq3OIL30BhWjDyTlsv16R59W-QJy2dlHQdWY-1cr39K39OI51Ra8tiMOiRoq0UUg05HRa421IeDc2ReWEYhDg9mG/s3648/DSC07047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmydM63MmC5s2RR0XrbMUqILqSrkSEMuGBUYuzgU_ktoUMfOAQQW6ot3fuMeNMso7zdlVl3YIMuUz35ZyjY31dS4mt245-FtyHjq3OIL30BhWjDyTlsv16R59W-QJy2dlHQdWY-1cr39K39OI51Ra8tiMOiRoq0UUg05HRa421IeDc2ReWEYhDg9mG/w640-h480/DSC07047.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>And the crochet edging will be on the final four new tea towels I purchased for 2024. I thought I'd lost them, but discovered they were sitting underneath all my crochet cotton yarns, neatly stored in their own little tub.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also working on a new little bag, one that I can take in the car on our Sunday morning drives through the countryside. It always seems odd to be taking my handbag on a country drive, especially when we're only stopping to have home-made morning tea in a grassy patch somewhere. I originally designed this about nine or ten years ago, but the bag I featured the stitchery on wasn't as useful as I'd hoped at the time. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw3RR3afru28c8dLKeeH7UGqbvaDKZHxsuzlS3X2ipAV7EbPtWwYdEYAY4d-5fgu31lOalBdfaMev31uz-MjeMG0ZfNt4YLgL4TsNG4-b2clUotrbAcyKpVWSWRb5B2C5lJ6PauGhfKbGlXKolS7JKFCA7-7LENcO5OgbCSTu8E3FWcRZ_IoHhaPL/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20sneak%20peek%20attitude%20of%20gratitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw3RR3afru28c8dLKeeH7UGqbvaDKZHxsuzlS3X2ipAV7EbPtWwYdEYAY4d-5fgu31lOalBdfaMev31uz-MjeMG0ZfNt4YLgL4TsNG4-b2clUotrbAcyKpVWSWRb5B2C5lJ6PauGhfKbGlXKolS7JKFCA7-7LENcO5OgbCSTu8E3FWcRZ_IoHhaPL/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20sneak%20peek%20attitude%20of%20gratitude.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The fabric above the stitchery is actually a good solid tea towel, and that's what I'll be using for the bag. The stitchery will be needle-turned onto the front of the bag...well, that's the plan so far. The other part of the plan is to use that cotton yarn in the photo to crochet a pretty edge around the top of the bag as well. This may or may not work, though in my mind's eye it is simply lovely...but the execution of my ideas don't always bear fruit. I'll show you when it's done, and if you'd like it, I can share the stitchery design as well. Let me know. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ordinary days are, to me, the foundation of living a calm and happy, simple life. Many women don't hold much stock in a clean sink, a made bed, fresh meals, a swept floor, clean clothes folded neatly or hung and put away. But I think these everyday tasks hold hidden joy for the homemaker heart within us, when we remember to be grateful for all we have in the home to care for...and especially, who we care for. </div><div><br /></div><div>Take care dear ones, and may the week ahead be one that shows gimmers of joy here and there when you least expect them. Water that grateful heart attitude inside you, and let it bloom brighter than before. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let me know what you've got planned for this week, will you? I imagine all of us in our homes, tending to the ordinary things of our individual and unique lives, and then I ponder our quiet times of rest and I lift my tea cup to God in honour of all the like-minded women who make their homes a sanctuary. God bless you precious sisters, and God willing I'll chat again soon...</div><div><br /></div><div>Hugs</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvdhl8vvGPcv_05o84EDubNejvNszigvmCrU60FtCkRfAlXmu7-enxaRQ8wj8rFkTNPwe3C7_LJHZ6rBi8YhbHTSSqf3qIe5lGjDrABFlxerUMwdIHUbcah_GyRLMmhz0RcsHnfpaJtLjWurnPhQUtInMrK19Wu2kzpKEoE47HjOJLMAmTdw_Fvv3/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvdhl8vvGPcv_05o84EDubNejvNszigvmCrU60FtCkRfAlXmu7-enxaRQ8wj8rFkTNPwe3C7_LJHZ6rBi8YhbHTSSqf3qIe5lGjDrABFlxerUMwdIHUbcah_GyRLMmhz0RcsHnfpaJtLjWurnPhQUtInMrK19Wu2kzpKEoE47HjOJLMAmTdw_Fvv3/w241-h77/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><p><br /></p></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-20849989790077848182024-01-05T15:05:00.001+10:002024-01-05T15:05:16.416+10:00January - a month of gratitude...<p> One of the things I have decided to do on the blog this year is to give each month it's own sub-theme, and that will always be something which will tie in with our main theme for 2024, Joy in the Ordinary. </p><p>Let's begin the month by turning our hearts away from self, and showing gratitude to others.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFISkYHxEjy3gedX3_9ND7xlobaCwDUPXnE5bHM2c1H-aSsTN8r5fdr6YAYwE4s5cb0vlNaE5Gv1tdGd8G3nC-_LJtiBtnHMxmM9280HpqWPdtrIeIEeT3xGpokN9lt2kG4lONI-ZTnt7eM11TLcHbUZH1DE9TL-tXAh747hV0AAbmuucbh5J_YRg/s900/ELEFANTZ%20January%20Gratitude.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="900" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFISkYHxEjy3gedX3_9ND7xlobaCwDUPXnE5bHM2c1H-aSsTN8r5fdr6YAYwE4s5cb0vlNaE5Gv1tdGd8G3nC-_LJtiBtnHMxmM9280HpqWPdtrIeIEeT3xGpokN9lt2kG4lONI-ZTnt7eM11TLcHbUZH1DE9TL-tXAh747hV0AAbmuucbh5J_YRg/w640-h92/ELEFANTZ%20January%20Gratitude.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>January is a wonderful month for looking back over the previous year to make decisions about what to eliminate from our lives, and what to give more time to. It is also a good time to remember those who were there for us during the last year and let them know how much that meant to us. </p><p>From childhood, to well into my forties, it was common to send a thank you card to those who had in some way touched our lives for the better. It was common to write real letters by hand. It was normal to send cards on special occasions. It was natural to make time for all kinds of correspondence that required adding a postage stamp and a walk to the red posting box. And wasn't it so lovely to open our own mail boxes and find a card or letter lovingly sent from family or friends? </p><p>Being the first week of January I decided that showing gratitude by mail would be a nice way to begin the month, so I have spent time the past few days creating a set of stationary you might like to download, print up, and use for just such a purpose. It's a free gift from me to you!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwLrBTGmIxg142iIeGWbirktLe3K3e7AHgdpgZGhVIOFLHsI-8cy6d88LjlYgPwYgLVW2R1G2rEfcyFQFOLhhvqEdO6vAQ413HgwTwl3aw_YFrw4RV_IJcalDVmaefDos5kinfwAayyWTTHYJqZHlPY-ZU8z_5dCe2jTM75ITyl_cQI3FZT265AG9/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20Grateful%20stationary%20set%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwLrBTGmIxg142iIeGWbirktLe3K3e7AHgdpgZGhVIOFLHsI-8cy6d88LjlYgPwYgLVW2R1G2rEfcyFQFOLhhvqEdO6vAQ413HgwTwl3aw_YFrw4RV_IJcalDVmaefDos5kinfwAayyWTTHYJqZHlPY-ZU8z_5dCe2jTM75ITyl_cQI3FZT265AG9/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Grateful%20stationary%20set%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>There are two sets to choose from and both are included in your free download - a Scriptural set, as well as one without Biblical reference. </p><div>In each set you'll find decorative writing paper, small pocket cards to add in a letter, and greeting cards. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vtbDwv_aLj5JG-PKytodpSlh83PQyE1J2-eHZ3ceoubY-dKotKYIEqWEOl7etHSpfzt7faV_dbZazyYDfuRKREjUSITbVUPS4UU4cCXR6VhR1LSPqHdSi5OYHOlMv9bwCnL7jzQqqP4VQ-sZYSeLZua-5faiU3IU8OsQAxpRPt66oRzc8-907Vw9/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20Grateful%20stationary%20set%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vtbDwv_aLj5JG-PKytodpSlh83PQyE1J2-eHZ3ceoubY-dKotKYIEqWEOl7etHSpfzt7faV_dbZazyYDfuRKREjUSITbVUPS4UU4cCXR6VhR1LSPqHdSi5OYHOlMv9bwCnL7jzQqqP4VQ-sZYSeLZua-5faiU3IU8OsQAxpRPt66oRzc8-907Vw9/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Grateful%20stationary%20set%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0KVbjuuFMlSCYEgMwvgTobxG-GkoSSmCjT3HS2lfYHDIZfysA5wubgXJ3oKKgVXNlvV78y4x5YvuAsbbdb6mTwmnTCbgkGJYkxRh8aItgzwOoDIGkJ7wUeYx_Q62_1xRMtRjqWfUb3GJv3MXod5I7DW_2tiL-NCuWnle2QP8E3XHblHo7ok56KSW/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20Grateful%20stationary%20set%205%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0KVbjuuFMlSCYEgMwvgTobxG-GkoSSmCjT3HS2lfYHDIZfysA5wubgXJ3oKKgVXNlvV78y4x5YvuAsbbdb6mTwmnTCbgkGJYkxRh8aItgzwOoDIGkJ7wUeYx_Q62_1xRMtRjqWfUb3GJv3MXod5I7DW_2tiL-NCuWnle2QP8E3XHblHo7ok56KSW/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Grateful%20stationary%20set%205%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You could also print up a few and make little gift packs to use as presents during the year. I love things like this because they are easy to post in an envelope and that's rather helpful for those of us who are watching the pennies in 2024. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made gift packs with the small cards, greeting cards and envelopes. Some were printed on white heavy weight paper, and others on some lovely lemon paper from a coloured bundle I bought in 2010. Fortunately I found matching lemon envelopes too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1Gxh9kKgqWO-YJFREmXx6Il7Pa4hAMRS30bhELhNzeXfDlOAYva4n08NEhh2-4iR9wmEkzHChZOxvCd8nCS4CRAc2n0f7d59fZVNI9t4ufa1LJH2RWT7CZnlEtENgfb1cAEZHC6tN27e9-rJFs41QwFE5mxhX7aaOYNap3ulBv5alxr1qx9BFKTp/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20Grateful%20stationary%20set%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1Gxh9kKgqWO-YJFREmXx6Il7Pa4hAMRS30bhELhNzeXfDlOAYva4n08NEhh2-4iR9wmEkzHChZOxvCd8nCS4CRAc2n0f7d59fZVNI9t4ufa1LJH2RWT7CZnlEtENgfb1cAEZHC6tN27e9-rJFs41QwFE5mxhX7aaOYNap3ulBv5alxr1qx9BFKTp/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Grateful%20stationary%20set%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sprays of watercolour carnations and forget-me-nots which feature on the stationary items, remind me of Nana. Her wedding ring was a band of gold forget-me-nots, and she grew carnations in the summer. When my husband was at University he did some extra work in the semester breaks to save up and buy me my very own gold forget-me-not ring. It was the most beautiful surprise!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OnHIRFIWzNmesZujEIbFu5V5tqrnFuWbWlFke3y2LSH49Z0jhs80BXouFpc6S_NGHGh_3dvKBm8iATSOcSzGPIvpnPVMudeMYbmH_epaybe5eIc0QaRtdNr9WP6JiNUlGzoPLCFbA6gjZ1Ktb2DeAQ6I5I5IAHcor6dEWoN8H1V7LIEE1slW8Y6_/s2946/Jennifer%20forget%20me%20not%20mug%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2658" data-original-width="2946" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OnHIRFIWzNmesZujEIbFu5V5tqrnFuWbWlFke3y2LSH49Z0jhs80BXouFpc6S_NGHGh_3dvKBm8iATSOcSzGPIvpnPVMudeMYbmH_epaybe5eIc0QaRtdNr9WP6JiNUlGzoPLCFbA6gjZ1Ktb2DeAQ6I5I5IAHcor6dEWoN8H1V7LIEE1slW8Y6_/w640-h578/Jennifer%20forget%20me%20not%20mug%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we lived in Esperance (Western Australia) back in 2007-9, Blossom and I would often window shop on sunny afternoons before spending a 'girlie' hour at the local tea rooms which overlooked the ocean. One such afternoon we discovered a pretty blue forget-me-not mug in the window of the jewellers, and it was on clearance. Well, my heart skipped a beat and I bought it. To this day, whenever I use it my mind drifts back to the simple days of my childhood with Nana and Pop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxBr3juDAlXcyBPBy8rSKgN7fMtuADJKSyjJGY36ekdmhM69mHepp3FXsiR61pAnjnZvDQt2DzWYZTqROyAMTpQuE4pzYbizeBrrxN0izni7Uhg7ov15pWLx0GAgNijdMv97q00xp2S887JdX6pgpRneyc_9Ux0jDbxpLX-AHEKAGBT9TXIGzZYpu/s2946/Jennifer%20forget%20me%20not%20mug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2658" data-original-width="2946" height="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxBr3juDAlXcyBPBy8rSKgN7fMtuADJKSyjJGY36ekdmhM69mHepp3FXsiR61pAnjnZvDQt2DzWYZTqROyAMTpQuE4pzYbizeBrrxN0izni7Uhg7ov15pWLx0GAgNijdMv97q00xp2S887JdX6pgpRneyc_9Ux0jDbxpLX-AHEKAGBT9TXIGzZYpu/w640-h578/Jennifer%20forget%20me%20not%20mug.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Forget-me-nots really are the perfect floral embellishment to a gratitude card or letter, I think. Life today moves far too quickly, with social media, television, and even conversations rushing by without much thought of their purpose...which makes us forget a little too easily, the things we should hold close to our hearts, the needs of others in our prayers, and how we could better have used that wasted time. Yes, I do believe gratitude and forget-me-nots go hand in hand. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Use the links below to download the Gratitude Stationary files... </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N_4yPYkNDgIu_mMmaspnwbO-g6xuuLpx/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD the A4 size Gratitude file</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e0Sr6kwZubED3Jb2p9L1bs5paCFyhHCl/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD the Letter size Gratitude file</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bmdHcpU7LYS0i83UnvfXe3wpiCrFoeOCshB4L4Exm4ts4D0LKFB2kmxoJkGbdrrrfpxGrchMtH-KU-2ilV7kapK8YUtigN7EPLS3kaXweE7RXhP3ifZRyZgMGNPaLzez6wPUZA8IrNY1EdCtWmIZ1neYCX9Nuq0MZTWecaSpwORgWT5rmFFIHZEF/s455/divider%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="455" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bmdHcpU7LYS0i83UnvfXe3wpiCrFoeOCshB4L4Exm4ts4D0LKFB2kmxoJkGbdrrrfpxGrchMtH-KU-2ilV7kapK8YUtigN7EPLS3kaXweE7RXhP3ifZRyZgMGNPaLzez6wPUZA8IrNY1EdCtWmIZ1neYCX9Nuq0MZTWecaSpwORgWT5rmFFIHZEF/s320/divider%202024.png" width="320" /></a></div><b>The New Year clean has begun...</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The new year has me cleaning the house, one room at a time, to remove what's not needed and move everything else (not bolted down) around to a more purposeful position. I began at the back of the house in our small laundry, which runs directly off the kitchen and opens out to the backyard. It gets the afternoon sun rather fiercely, and needs a curtain to cover the smaller window, but as I am still not sure what fabric from my stash to use for that purpose, I am yet to achieve that goal. However, it was good to clean and scrub the drawers of cleaning items, rags and gloves with vinegar and water, and put things in order once more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK-Lg2_CHIRQ-03-E_fSHCujiPq3zQMA4XPeun1XwXdCF8RXD-i5uFOVD5Y45LZSuP3IuGMqYkjmxZJRYj_zDpJXb0oP7weJdphKBCK3Mgw4KeVSWemzrguIe1WzWuWdkjo6glKNcLuHqFeTbRiF5j4jYbzNvGu4gS-aRKQBeDCvEfPusgX1T5T4Y/s3648/DSC06893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK-Lg2_CHIRQ-03-E_fSHCujiPq3zQMA4XPeun1XwXdCF8RXD-i5uFOVD5Y45LZSuP3IuGMqYkjmxZJRYj_zDpJXb0oP7weJdphKBCK3Mgw4KeVSWemzrguIe1WzWuWdkjo6glKNcLuHqFeTbRiF5j4jYbzNvGu4gS-aRKQBeDCvEfPusgX1T5T4Y/w640-h480/DSC06893.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PTuIWR93wThikzYfSRrhcjcs_lj3ZSAaia3ve2EeTLPxMstWm0fqIMVWri9dyOsdVWR9QiQxfiiDa5x3ACM5wn0F3_5RYUaL_-493aBFzPZd8E5J1aIo0o8ckF7zgvXudtKPdvuuyt4me9N6R_f4OX7K0tU7zbaN-xrARhDeOI8FUEBy4Ri8oryY/s3648/DSC06893%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PTuIWR93wThikzYfSRrhcjcs_lj3ZSAaia3ve2EeTLPxMstWm0fqIMVWri9dyOsdVWR9QiQxfiiDa5x3ACM5wn0F3_5RYUaL_-493aBFzPZd8E5J1aIo0o8ckF7zgvXudtKPdvuuyt4me9N6R_f4OX7K0tU7zbaN-xrARhDeOI8FUEBy4Ri8oryY/w640-h480/DSC06893%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the other side of the laundry room, I finally went through all the random jars I'd collected and chose to keep only the best jars for filling with jam. It's summer here in Australia and this month is the time for making large batches of plum and vanilla jam (our favourite) to see us through the next year, with a few extra jars as gifts. They were scrubbed exhaustively, dried, and capped ready-and-waiting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvgvN5E7da7zeMx4MNoNRZI9Aj9iMr3JwnToDR4UoSEFSrGBvm2Y0kNg7xDbj6OcNhDOFPW7haqXQ1u8rnRCpw6FguO3GBRn0X7RNT3-b40ZgwvXq4zr1aVCfg356RYFdGWR7r1uRXlOPWK_nlf1_IzcnxJr8iClZcY1Q_URlQzX3Ac7-DPAB6IkL/s3648/DSC06893%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvgvN5E7da7zeMx4MNoNRZI9Aj9iMr3JwnToDR4UoSEFSrGBvm2Y0kNg7xDbj6OcNhDOFPW7haqXQ1u8rnRCpw6FguO3GBRn0X7RNT3-b40ZgwvXq4zr1aVCfg356RYFdGWR7r1uRXlOPWK_nlf1_IzcnxJr8iClZcY1Q_URlQzX3Ac7-DPAB6IkL/w640-h480/DSC06893%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The remainder of the space was well scrubbed, and things like the tub of <a href="https://ecostore.com/au/lemon-laundry-powder/" target="_blank">Eco Store washing powder</a> topped up and two teaspoons of eucalyptus oil added and shaken through. Eucalyptus is a wonderful antibacterial for the wash. I clean my washing machine with vinegar and water in a spray bottle so that I can scrub the gasket with only a rag before running the machine on an empty cycle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV6l0VprKQ771HA1Z8kIdP297gwhgulKTlS7-1xcnav6UphOEM_YwLugrCEa4_t9tvkaIqBLhTqjucscM7Un70fBf8aJD7kGGo_JPR85M1nXxEpN5bQ52cBgZ7QFjc7KH6oBNJqwRfHC0ta5AseY1j-nhW1QVaE_c558MSNihrhDX_o1KfF9PB83I/s3648/DSC06893%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV6l0VprKQ771HA1Z8kIdP297gwhgulKTlS7-1xcnav6UphOEM_YwLugrCEa4_t9tvkaIqBLhTqjucscM7Un70fBf8aJD7kGGo_JPR85M1nXxEpN5bQ52cBgZ7QFjc7KH6oBNJqwRfHC0ta5AseY1j-nhW1QVaE_c558MSNihrhDX_o1KfF9PB83I/w640-h480/DSC06893%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day I began in the kitchen, pulling everything out of the cupboards and off the shelves, again washing with vinegar and water. It was wonderful having all the surfaces, drawers and shelving done, and a few more things removed from them. I tend to declutter regularly through the year, but do not donate anything unless I am very sure we won't be using it, so a few items find their way to the donation box in my car boot each time I do a deep clean of the kitchen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I need to wash the front of the cupboards and drawers, clean the windows, wash the curtains, and get the double sink sparkling...but not till Monday. It's Friday afternoon as I write this, and before hubby arrives home from work I plan to make a spanakopita for dinner, and something for dessert - though exactly what I have not yet decided. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you are doing well in this first week of a new year, and that should you be struggling in any area of your life that you remember to lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus and pray for His help to get you through. He will always be our Rock and an ever present help in times of trouble. Don't hold back, dear ones, call out to Him for all your needs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But remember too, that He is our provider and gift-giver, so offer your prayers of praise and gratitude to our Lord regularly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God bless, and God willing we shall chat in the next post. Let me know what you've been doing around home this past week, and if you have a specific gratitude to share with myself and other readers. You may inspire us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, before I go, please receive my gratitude for all your prayers for our Blossom. She's still on antibiotics and not yet recovered from the pneumonia, but she is definitely improving. You ladies are wonderful...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hugs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PMp65tyw0D8FRgS2OmobzurQsGY9Kk69pZu33CuILl5OFQCpA7YBTAjikRlO-U8Kzf7vwNbCLiyzqbfdO5sdLEJlOIGI2VHhbcHTrCHy-2fQTpU7Rx7LH-SJSKKSXoWl_5DrujumZ9UIX_ZITJBjFA91_AydRgLK_zwnLZWoqIsTz5bW8bMxNWXD/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PMp65tyw0D8FRgS2OmobzurQsGY9Kk69pZu33CuILl5OFQCpA7YBTAjikRlO-U8Kzf7vwNbCLiyzqbfdO5sdLEJlOIGI2VHhbcHTrCHy-2fQTpU7Rx7LH-SJSKKSXoWl_5DrujumZ9UIX_ZITJBjFA91_AydRgLK_zwnLZWoqIsTz5bW8bMxNWXD/w230-h73/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="230" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="color: #0b8043; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-60871055993567424752023-12-31T14:56:00.001+10:002023-12-31T15:17:19.074+10:00New 2024 free block of the month and the annual tea towel post...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7NIKwelRzd0t8UG6dLmv_MtuRYGTs83kuKRX3DH13Abe0ncsa6Z0Zq9c50aIwBKd0GmDfi_bwsMvlyRm1VBeLee52V8sk3S38JhmNGWLzR1dfYuKNLpd9GWiCda17ncyw2rvTND2OdoXfAK1XaLusJMU420Fi0bWQMo-Ydmh9c9SOvww1RmoLS_a/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7NIKwelRzd0t8UG6dLmv_MtuRYGTs83kuKRX3DH13Abe0ncsa6Z0Zq9c50aIwBKd0GmDfi_bwsMvlyRm1VBeLee52V8sk3S38JhmNGWLzR1dfYuKNLpd9GWiCda17ncyw2rvTND2OdoXfAK1XaLusJMU420Fi0bWQMo-Ydmh9c9SOvww1RmoLS_a/w640-h640/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In
2024 the theme of my blog will be “finding joy in the ordinary”.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
a homemaker, it is quite easy to allow the everyday matters of life to become
so routine that they lose a bit of sparkle. Delight in having a floor to mop, a
meal to prepare or a bed to make, dulls with each passing year. In its place
the tasks become hum-drum, boring, endless, unimaginative, and may even provoke
an attitude of bitterness or agitation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For
many years I’ve been writing here about the love I have for my privileged role
as a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>homemaker, and how that came about
through the example of my Nana, who lived a very simple ordinary life with many
hardships along the way - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>yet she always
found a reason to smile by looking for the joys around her, and that attitude created
an atmosphere of love and gratitude which permeated every nook and cranny of our
very tiny home. She made it known that Pop and I were her favourite joys, and therefore
everything she did was done out of love for us. She had a deep respect for Pop,
and taught me at a very young age to honour his position in our home. He in
return adored her, and by extension heaped so much love on me that even today I
shed tears thinking of how much I loved that dear little old man. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nana’s
example taught me to honour my own husband one day - to ‘do him good and not
harm all the days of her life’ (Proverbs 31:12), a lesson which resonated with
me later in life. The more I glance back into my memories of her life, the more
nuggets of wisdom rise to the surface, and now I clearly see the many lessons
she had taught, not in words, in fact rarely in words, but just by being
herself and living an ordinary life in a very simple home with the people she
loved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So,
Nana is the sparkle behind this year’s blog theme, and as we traverse the
months ahead, I am praying our homemaker hearts expand with more joy, grace and
hope in her honour.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb0LpbPg0DCqeCnIPWl7XHIut5wToIS5dhXthPZYRFCSCAaFzZF-YRzQitgsin6xdAQXjB_sdyLdzbz7wjuieM2ZXiiRV_b17UNA56CfnCiCFC5JMHBj3bfDO2EqvP67CYbbc4RxwlMIOGhREjty7ERyywdVR1WRncULse39FRFof9_TIVPY5uXgs/s1130/ELEFANTZ%20Joy%20in%20the%20Ordinary%202024%20BOM%20button.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1130" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb0LpbPg0DCqeCnIPWl7XHIut5wToIS5dhXthPZYRFCSCAaFzZF-YRzQitgsin6xdAQXjB_sdyLdzbz7wjuieM2ZXiiRV_b17UNA56CfnCiCFC5JMHBj3bfDO2EqvP67CYbbc4RxwlMIOGhREjty7ERyywdVR1WRncULse39FRFof9_TIVPY5uXgs/w640-h614/ELEFANTZ%20Joy%20in%20the%20Ordinary%202024%20BOM%20button.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To
kick off 2024 I have a <b><a href="https://www.elefantz.com/p/joy-in-ordinary-bom-2024.html" target="_blank">brand new, free, block of the month, “Joy in the Ordinary”</a></b>, which over the course of a year will become a small wall quilt to
hang in your home. Each monthly block has a little stitchery encased in a log
cabin style border. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today
you can download Block 1 and each of the remaining blocks will be shared on the
1<sup>st</sup> of the month throughout 2024. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Use
the link below to download the free pattern.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uGzuOPV0rXBrUb_N7hK2LQlunG0PgnGt/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD Block 1 of Joy in the Ordinary BOM</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwAGsFeNZ2-do27fKd67v-sVxOKti6rDWAd5Ang8YTyVcxTgjoDsSgAW9mKcIKUeqnyVglv9uWRRxqtos_IdunpeXe4LngsH9FuCCVdYuOHfpV0id3dRF5NsDWPrC0QCM1_72_W-E42gK1Y9dDFJU_lMeBwmAn6j7qY3oBj2CwIvvQ8ru3rl0wi9F/s3668/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%20B1%20main.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3089" data-original-width="3668" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwAGsFeNZ2-do27fKd67v-sVxOKti6rDWAd5Ang8YTyVcxTgjoDsSgAW9mKcIKUeqnyVglv9uWRRxqtos_IdunpeXe4LngsH9FuCCVdYuOHfpV0id3dRF5NsDWPrC0QCM1_72_W-E42gK1Y9dDFJU_lMeBwmAn6j7qY3oBj2CwIvvQ8ru3rl0wi9F/w640-h538/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%20B1%20main.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now,
what about my <b>annual January Tea Towel post</b> and pattern?! Did you think I’d forgotten?
Not at all. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
you know, the past few months my fingers had moved from stitching to crochet
edging on a number of table runners, small doilies, and a pile of new tea
towels to carry me through 2024. Oh, how I LOVE replacing all my tea towels in
January! The old ones then become cleaning rags – those in good condition are
for use around our home, and those that are stained are given to hubby to use
in his shed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This
year’s free tea towel stitchery ties in with the blog theme for 2024…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJAyQ4m-AqUg_ZJuPpx_2mtuPDEo5_ZDpRTMjLFkl5eoGMIsLnlz2Vk1rYr6mCFkTmmTJ3rGDcsh-3PCfuhW7jDY1DrhS5ECDAgMeLMxPPFsoAkwETiZAGF_wuoiN11HhiTvmMNuyb_Mv0uN7SDEp2YJpG4aQ-jenA0qnM6mm1Bqq4TwPxdV4yxtG/s3708/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20ordinary%20january%20teatowel%202024%20main%20button.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3110" data-original-width="3708" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJAyQ4m-AqUg_ZJuPpx_2mtuPDEo5_ZDpRTMjLFkl5eoGMIsLnlz2Vk1rYr6mCFkTmmTJ3rGDcsh-3PCfuhW7jDY1DrhS5ECDAgMeLMxPPFsoAkwETiZAGF_wuoiN11HhiTvmMNuyb_Mv0uN7SDEp2YJpG4aQ-jenA0qnM6mm1Bqq4TwPxdV4yxtG/w640-h536/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20ordinary%20january%20teatowel%202024%20main%20button.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps
you will crochet an edge on your towel as well? Or you might like to sew some decorative
crochet cotton lace along the edge instead? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
am always asked if I fuse any backing to the tea towel before I embroider, so I
shall answer up front – no. I just weave the thread ends into the stitches
already made and they have never come away in the wash (yet). </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Use
the link below to download my free 2024 tea towel pattern.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BTEOjuQ5nKvBxjNgzkSfhsvk_88bSBNv/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD the Joy in the Ordinary Tea Towel pattern</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhBhZJs9Wg-hmGEsfKoUWa_Ml_-Ub2DSI9GZVOeeczkO9cq_wqERlSfECbSPEKOTHzF4iz6QSBX2_zcELutXKHtsJnQipwVGWkC50DopnFSxVvNxZ_Ybim343FACyKdNAiBja_4o4U3Fgu8xLdwXBoQ2QDHJ_ENVWFXvN_OvCLqZF98kOqX7-ctx-/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20ordinary%20january%20teatowel%202024%20d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhBhZJs9Wg-hmGEsfKoUWa_Ml_-Ub2DSI9GZVOeeczkO9cq_wqERlSfECbSPEKOTHzF4iz6QSBX2_zcELutXKHtsJnQipwVGWkC50DopnFSxVvNxZ_Ybim343FACyKdNAiBja_4o4U3Fgu8xLdwXBoQ2QDHJ_ENVWFXvN_OvCLqZF98kOqX7-ctx-/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20ordinary%20january%20teatowel%202024%20d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Family
Update:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank
you for all the emails which arrived asking if we were okay, as I had not
posted on the blog in a while. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As
you know, Blossom and the children had Influenza A…but then they got Covid over
Christmas so we were all isolated and had to resort to a Facetime call to watch
them open presents. It was sad not to be together and have our plans come to nought,
but how grateful we are for the technology on hand to still ‘see’ each other
and be entertained by the children! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Just
when they came out of isolation, darling Bloss was diagnosed with pneumonia,
and if you’re a long-time reader here you may remember that she gets it almost every
year. 2023 was particularly difficult health-wise for my girl, and
having Influenza, then covid, then pneumonia back-to-back without a break has
created havoc with her immune system. Please pray for her, that the Lord would
heal her and bless her with a healthy and strong 2024. (thank you xxx)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At
our home, I was health compromised too, but it was over quickly and I recovered
well. On Christmas Day hubby battled with our four pumps to keep water out of
the house as we were hit with a tremendous storm (we got 7 inches of rain that day), which continued off and on
for days. Two of the four pumps broke on Christmas Day, as well as the
dishwasher, and the cold water tap in the kitchen, and the internet. Honestly,
all we can do is laugh now…even though we’re still waiting for things to be
fixed. But praise God we’re all fine here and nothing major happened that cannot
be fixed. In the big scheme of life, these were minor annoyances and nothing
more. I have to say that after only having a dishwasher for five years, it was
a delight to revert back to hand washing again. Standing at the kitchen sink
looking out the window was always very meditative for me, and with soapy rubber
gloves and dishwashing cloth in hand, I had many of my aha moments with God. I
always believed He chose then to speak into my thoughts because I wasn’t
distracted by other things, but present in the very lovely task of washing
dishes. Just as Nana did. Now I am wondering if I really want that dishwasher repaired after all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>The future...</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">A new year is upon us, dear friends, and I am hopeful that the Lord will allow me to blog regularly, to inspire and encourage your homemaker heart, and to live an ordinary life with JOY for my grandchildren to see and remember when I am gone. If this becomes my last year blogging (we never know what is ahead) then I’d love for it be a good year. And I shall be praying for you too. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
bless you all, and may 2024 be a new season of life which we each approach with HOPE,
leaving the past struggles and disruptions behind because we cannot change them.
Shake off those feelings which darken your thoughts, and seek out all that is
good, and lovely, and pure and hope-filled. Seek the Lord daily, and if you
still find it hard to be cheerful, ask Him to gently sweep away emotions that
are unproductive (or even harmful). You may still have to work through grief, illness, separations, financial strains (as we are) and other life challenges, but don't allow the weight of these trials to block out the light, darling girl. It is there. His Light is always there to shine a path forward, even if its only one step at a time. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May the Lord bless our year ahead as we seek out simple joys in the everyday, very ordinary, matters of life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hugs</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidylThW1kjaK15L2lgL4djC9w1rsN_9ZDaxG-BHuBYGVZWBZeI58kzjFyzb4Ix7Xh7tJAOHCxVWJfU8O7h3bUilO8dzGX98fSowAlTSfySWVSu5tJfEXVz3-RgVgkV6SF1VnDPz345vaB90AtPMJY-_Xv0UOQz3NuORQ5INHtQWMQAOWUaGsbOBqyv/s314/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="314" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidylThW1kjaK15L2lgL4djC9w1rsN_9ZDaxG-BHuBYGVZWBZeI58kzjFyzb4Ix7Xh7tJAOHCxVWJfU8O7h3bUilO8dzGX98fSowAlTSfySWVSu5tJfEXVz3-RgVgkV6SF1VnDPz345vaB90AtPMJY-_Xv0UOQz3NuORQ5INHtQWMQAOWUaGsbOBqyv/s1600/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202024.png" width="314" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s1260/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9c0rIMwz8t2UH-n05S58bS3d_npeKC0PyLaJ3ap7N3yZkWNwVDy1iDZlDDYFF-zhf5g0cakjetLoHiKfwkwFjYVcami-vV4hGJw_H62ulR3Uo5SLQikkIHUtFZCrIKKPHZa3dYCGCRa88UPk9PEn4C3ptxXl6dP8fSzqwwviXgGreDJH8PEz9yrSv/s320/ELEFANTZ%20joy%20in%20the%20ordinary%202024%20blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-91642623897484764682023-12-15T13:23:00.000+10:002023-12-15T13:23:31.363+10:00Free Christmas pattern number 5...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy5eZjNW6i4jwCF9KRmRjCkEt2AsXq_rN3bb_SpMFA-SS7iyBA4dYhuUkbULoW37MPPfi7FXkZjc4uCqRneazG59it8qz37iaxGeDHt4-UBZ-LMVYmKIqCoBLntHadaFt0GDSDQTMFohwzAYdUXI8jJWQxBf7wPExEDglbIknq3pcOH8lGVldBqVk/s1328/ELEFANTZ%20glory%20to%20God%20main%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="1328" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfy5eZjNW6i4jwCF9KRmRjCkEt2AsXq_rN3bb_SpMFA-SS7iyBA4dYhuUkbULoW37MPPfi7FXkZjc4uCqRneazG59it8qz37iaxGeDHt4-UBZ-LMVYmKIqCoBLntHadaFt0GDSDQTMFohwzAYdUXI8jJWQxBf7wPExEDglbIknq3pcOH8lGVldBqVk/w640-h630/ELEFANTZ%20glory%20to%20God%20main%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Today I'm sharing the last of my five free Christmas patterns for 2023 - "Glory to God". </p><p>It's definitely a good pattern for button lovers, but you could also applique the little berries or satin stitch them instead. When I first designed and made "Glory to God" back in 2016 I chose to use buttons as I had a lot of pink and red ones that blended so beautifully with the border fabric. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvPf0tNAn2eSkvTJrk0tBYE367ivj-vpQhPLTzxIToFSK_gs_dWz6Wd7KrMdB3xbxW0Zdwg0MxDoI9XBZGIbsGG6CCoZrhbDXagsBp25tA3jZZ1reIyYgbwaC9bSHmCIY2-dc3G6teVApzubeUN2B1Y4KPr8w3xh72JeJZAcFJN_f-7jBPfUtV2hw/s1024/ELEFANTZ%20glory%20to%20God%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvPf0tNAn2eSkvTJrk0tBYE367ivj-vpQhPLTzxIToFSK_gs_dWz6Wd7KrMdB3xbxW0Zdwg0MxDoI9XBZGIbsGG6CCoZrhbDXagsBp25tA3jZZ1reIyYgbwaC9bSHmCIY2-dc3G6teVApzubeUN2B1Y4KPr8w3xh72JeJZAcFJN_f-7jBPfUtV2hw/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20glory%20to%20God%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The background was made from alternating strips of soft golden green prints, which to my eye gave the whole thing a touch of royalty, and indeed that is what the birth of our Lord Jesus was about. Royalty come to earth as a man to save His people...no wonder the angels sang Glory to God in the Highest! </p><p>Use the link below to download the free pattern</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aZgTj0aUhzHuQyVEr8OqckiZ6ZZTpoZx/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD Glory to God pattern</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9xm6HibLPfrWta3IL5Avl0KRT38TPveSvzKJtXHN8nvhNzMMUzGyUuRhieLox3BjBlbF1b6NPg6_5VPAaDaOaz0Cc-zXUIfmRGgyUtRbtKjtE6_youPuSs_J0twdS2FHDb0vV7wO0MBEgiB2pWWSkQuGEv14VesBJw0k8e1dtdxw47Pbz5lfyYbb/s425/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="425" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9xm6HibLPfrWta3IL5Avl0KRT38TPveSvzKJtXHN8nvhNzMMUzGyUuRhieLox3BjBlbF1b6NPg6_5VPAaDaOaz0Cc-zXUIfmRGgyUtRbtKjtE6_youPuSs_J0twdS2FHDb0vV7wO0MBEgiB2pWWSkQuGEv14VesBJw0k8e1dtdxw47Pbz5lfyYbb/s320/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This morning I went to visit Blossom and the children, taking freshly baked cranberry scones and a pineapple fruit cake which I had baked yesterday. It's been raining here for days, and yet walk outside and it's hot (odd thing about the tropics and rain)...so we stayed inside, turned down the air conditioner so we could imagine we were in a cold climate watching the rain, brewed hot cuppas, and feasted on scones and fruit cake. Blossom put a crackling fire on the television (from YouTube) and with that wonderful scene and sound, we chatted, played hangman with the kids, sang songs and really just enjoyed being together. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dnQnoCdzOIc" width="320" youtube-src-id="dnQnoCdzOIc"></iframe></div><br /><p>It was such a special morning and as we thought about our Christmas plans we decided to change them. Instead of her, Ross and the children coming for Christmas day brunch, they are coming on Christmas Eve afternoon instead. </p><p>The children can play in the pool with Ross and Poppy while Blossom and I prepare a Christmas feast for dinner that night. It means a much quieter Christmas morning for them at home the next day, before they head off to Ross's father's place in the afternoon. Usually there's a lot of rushing, stress, time management and weary children when the day is split between two families...so we considered all this and are now excited to have a family Christmas Eve here! </p><p>She asked if her dad and I would be sad on Christmas Day, but I assured her that would not be so, as just knowing that we had a relaxed evening beforehand with no need for anyone to hurry off, and the children allowed to swim, play and eat until they were exhausted (meaning straight into bed when they got home) - oh how much fun that will be! </p><p>It's always saddened me hearing of family disputes about where to have Christmas, and at who's place. This season is really about rejoicing in the gift of Jesus, showing love, humility and care for others more than ourselves, putting aside what we want to make another's life easier. I am already bubbling over with happiness at being able to really bless my daughter and her family by giving them the gift of 'time' together with their children on Christmas morning, time without the need to rush off, or have others rush in. </p><p>May you and yours be especially blessed this Christmas!</p><p>Love and hugs</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBrOFk_lrrnqc6-dENWqLWQXeciQo_UX8zVGq6BvHIQ4xflsnTAQZADGjKgg7whH3wd9jP3p37xJhKqyqsqBp7DVsNzReNwjOwt88K4TQ_vK3w03Hf9GqScWo0_CFzn__6s52yeyJb_saUlGz-gFW_qWGLCt8yhgtFyaZ3ruJli0ZzMLgOmCQY25O/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBrOFk_lrrnqc6-dENWqLWQXeciQo_UX8zVGq6BvHIQ4xflsnTAQZADGjKgg7whH3wd9jP3p37xJhKqyqsqBp7DVsNzReNwjOwt88K4TQ_vK3w03Hf9GqScWo0_CFzn__6s52yeyJb_saUlGz-gFW_qWGLCt8yhgtFyaZ3ruJli0ZzMLgOmCQY25O/s320/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>PS: Here's an oldie but a goodie!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OGfxlGeNVmQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="OGfxlGeNVmQ"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-10611516001908404422023-12-11T09:08:00.000+10:002023-12-11T09:08:13.824+10:00Free Christmas pattern number 4...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRx2W4i9DFpbJnuYO-GDcHT8nqiW3N7_zN26XptPfUqb57U4R2JMNnYpOx5fPyS0FIftSWh102MrYHiuSNISUbZEC8CzLNAT_diN161PZXYw1zwQWO93CTD6Rvz3Y6HIvz4AT2Y4gWEMHzHMv-JmgfpQNwlGHm4PhFy2dqI6IVsYPB-xZLElq9jg8m/s4896/ELEFANTZ%20comfort%20and%20joy%20main%20photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRx2W4i9DFpbJnuYO-GDcHT8nqiW3N7_zN26XptPfUqb57U4R2JMNnYpOx5fPyS0FIftSWh102MrYHiuSNISUbZEC8CzLNAT_diN161PZXYw1zwQWO93CTD6Rvz3Y6HIvz4AT2Y4gWEMHzHMv-JmgfpQNwlGHm4PhFy2dqI6IVsYPB-xZLElq9jg8m/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20comfort%20and%20joy%20main%20photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christmas 'firsts' can be a reason for extra celebration, such as when Blossom had Charlie David in early December 2020, and the joy we experienced welcoming that new wee babe to our clan. This blessed gift from the Lord after a year of challenge with covid lockdowns and restrictions made that Christmas even more special for our whole family. Holding newborn Charlie David in our arms, Blossom and I considered the moment Mary held her own newborn Son, Yeshua (Jesus), in her young arms and the enormity of her heart now overflowing with favour, gratitude and joy for a safe delivery and a promise fulfilled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But Christmas 'firsts' can also be touched with sadness for those who have lost loved ones throughout the year. I believe God's comfort is the only healing balm which can hold a broken heart together during times of celebration, when those around are rejoicing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Christmas I have two dear friends who lost their mothers during the year, and many others who have asked for prayer in comments and emails, after the loss of their husbands or family members.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLfvXZnHSNtq6TjZwamOXYd0ofIw4eb8-0cqP495NMZ14NpC8bwyjwrX1OgfKkLrOQLj1fZ1_lDrsUd1876Bcr1sedISjdRYMRB_tsPMu_D8K-uArTr-zEAbFUtxbkfwV9S1m7H4k-nbX-OoVYS11Dfms9h6SmLXbD5bFLMfYm-jmOaqZmIbsun4d/s4896/ELEFANTZ%20comfort%20and%20joy%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLfvXZnHSNtq6TjZwamOXYd0ofIw4eb8-0cqP495NMZ14NpC8bwyjwrX1OgfKkLrOQLj1fZ1_lDrsUd1876Bcr1sedISjdRYMRB_tsPMu_D8K-uArTr-zEAbFUtxbkfwV9S1m7H4k-nbX-OoVYS11Dfms9h6SmLXbD5bFLMfYm-jmOaqZmIbsun4d/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20comfort%20and%20joy%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let us be mindful of those around us who will struggle in this 'first' Christmas without their loved one, and hold them in prayer. And let us also pray for those who do not know the Lord yet, and have not sought His gentle comfort. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o0grjzmVKBM" width="320" youtube-src-id="o0grjzmVKBM"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am praying for all of you who have faced loss this year, and asking the Lord to magnify His great comfort and love within your hearts, that you may lift teary eyes to heaven and be able to rejoice also in the gift of Christ our Lord.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEYC0UF1RRNwJC4S-KsqR_q13tlI5KlDFvY0cUDHs_6BgJA79VJvj1087-TUPzpIgPvpNmyk3BX49R19MvGTnfALRrhZUrypBXRpUosvRvd3IqBe7-YkvKTMcDnHSsjwjrkqSwCX8qPB5NTz86Grtus0BJTAxHFTIouB6u92O5Plz20InNC7dP4Kw/s4896/ELEFANTZ%20comfort%20and%20joy%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEYC0UF1RRNwJC4S-KsqR_q13tlI5KlDFvY0cUDHs_6BgJA79VJvj1087-TUPzpIgPvpNmyk3BX49R19MvGTnfALRrhZUrypBXRpUosvRvd3IqBe7-YkvKTMcDnHSsjwjrkqSwCX8qPB5NTz86Grtus0BJTAxHFTIouB6u92O5Plz20InNC7dP4Kw/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20comfort%20and%20joy%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Use the link below to download this free pattern</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ja9Y00l-A_5gMIdu7tvVnBQW63jFVcIa/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD Comfort and Joy pattern</a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtp3P6cmWMxGFeTG28qGB7TF41rH_zttnHtRDn9-DPCg8magaPGbv7N_4qNInjg-WFaHDjTPWwPoD3sT-On4CtK2plwwV4HnPj-SLjVJgT7_9yzGHPM80-KewngPeBuT6cW4omFcFItftkKZDEoj95P1zZxatLb2Eam7DtZ8jUl5Rxr0cxQcPoHn8M/s425/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="425" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtp3P6cmWMxGFeTG28qGB7TF41rH_zttnHtRDn9-DPCg8magaPGbv7N_4qNInjg-WFaHDjTPWwPoD3sT-On4CtK2plwwV4HnPj-SLjVJgT7_9yzGHPM80-KewngPeBuT6cW4omFcFItftkKZDEoj95P1zZxatLb2Eam7DtZ8jUl5Rxr0cxQcPoHn8M/s320/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Thank you for your prayers for little Charlie David. He is still unwell, as is Cully May now too. When we visited yesterday, I sat holding 7yo Cully May for a long time in my arms as her body burned with fever, and Blossom held her little boy as he struggled to sleep. We have prayed, and glorify God for His hand upon each of their lives, for nothing is allowed without His approval, and sometimes sickness must run its course before the healing is sure. </div><div><br /></div><div>I shall be back in a few days with the 5th free pattern for Christmas 2023. In the meantime we're expecting a lot of rain as Cyclone Jasper edges closer to the coast. There's still uncertainty as to where it will make landfall, but it's unlikely to be close to us. However, it's a slow moving cyclone, and that means it gathers a lot more water, so heavy rains over areas below the cyclone are expected, and that's us.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">God bless dear ones,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r8EyyQ7TZy59w3diGasJSu00B9EURga0fwWnRERtHiFP2RHzr3XNxAYuNm3IIJPDKcoYalRJyJiiUZJHgbkZRo3dAOnkLviQhmhEM2aF76OXGGGMzWMmLuMEoeQeNKsNEKj76TiIN_ZFVT881hKsyJ7w2k970QwsyGhi3qbK-WMzwWNsdsJDnnjj/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r8EyyQ7TZy59w3diGasJSu00B9EURga0fwWnRERtHiFP2RHzr3XNxAYuNm3IIJPDKcoYalRJyJiiUZJHgbkZRo3dAOnkLviQhmhEM2aF76OXGGGMzWMmLuMEoeQeNKsNEKj76TiIN_ZFVT881hKsyJ7w2k970QwsyGhi3qbK-WMzwWNsdsJDnnjj/s320/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/s1200/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="color: #838383; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/w281-h155/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="281" /></a></div></div></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-25864569849453368652023-12-09T10:58:00.000+10:002023-12-09T10:58:45.096+10:00Free Christmas gift pattern number 3...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DhwPPrVzP-_dsBwnzxVyYwTJ_4Y3yZJ5HvH6LlOjgF1_ZFE9FzefmgtZ0BE_CNmGKbmDKUJx6kj3gHyD0NLcK6NcmnNYGN9fsLqwvZ2H1y4nN619WEc7xtu3OHJwwA0YYUO9A-P-NELeUPNEGUh1YIRfcPyiFpmysVZouUOMpL1ZhHl4DditxC_5/s1883/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%20main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1883" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DhwPPrVzP-_dsBwnzxVyYwTJ_4Y3yZJ5HvH6LlOjgF1_ZFE9FzefmgtZ0BE_CNmGKbmDKUJx6kj3gHyD0NLcK6NcmnNYGN9fsLqwvZ2H1y4nN619WEc7xtu3OHJwwA0YYUO9A-P-NELeUPNEGUh1YIRfcPyiFpmysVZouUOMpL1ZhHl4DditxC_5/w640-h490/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%20main.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With finances tight for many families and singles these days, creating small gifts which can fit inside a card, whether for Christmas or birthdays, means we can still reach out with love to family and friends near or far. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The three little gifts included in this one pattern today can be sewn using small scraps of fabric, and embellished with beads, lace, ribbons, tiny buttons - the small bits and bobs we save because they are pretty and we hope to use them one day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Inside this free pattern you will find not just embroidery instructions, but tutorials for making the sweet gifts. The lavender sachet below can be kept under a pillow, in an underwear or nightgown drawer, or hung as I have done from a coat hanger in the closet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDexrA-N8DatZk3tnINfPkfDgrlw_rJ_8S0rxjPVXPSF2I30KRqNpkFSrcrd54jy9duPW0D3KsQtqxlzSxqduGq52KOGspk1sYYp4yVp4PEJWbuikHb1ePgR5F2ly8Ne03hlMlojhT3Nhp87q3yT0V_UVPz0zLRuFQ7MDHKFSvNKUC36UfzaOUiEI/s1883/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1883" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDexrA-N8DatZk3tnINfPkfDgrlw_rJ_8S0rxjPVXPSF2I30KRqNpkFSrcrd54jy9duPW0D3KsQtqxlzSxqduGq52KOGspk1sYYp4yVp4PEJWbuikHb1ePgR5F2ly8Ne03hlMlojhT3Nhp87q3yT0V_UVPz0zLRuFQ7MDHKFSvNKUC36UfzaOUiEI/w640-h490/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFOHNBXcast_fUCxnBzZwSJvTPf57n2OYEJfeD7yxiCB8WAsKWmFt9FQ4aFpQ0trpLQwS6ulQ-CGJPmluN3NfiwlYZ8M-bl8jnNa32ZV2xr-ooHHJKevNbU9fIZ9ateM50Jqg7dSDMj6xiVysOJtuSIz51PSDnbQPyrS6ZOj8_U4BrvDJ6bTTqP7J/s1883/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1883" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFOHNBXcast_fUCxnBzZwSJvTPf57n2OYEJfeD7yxiCB8WAsKWmFt9FQ4aFpQ0trpLQwS6ulQ-CGJPmluN3NfiwlYZ8M-bl8jnNa32ZV2xr-ooHHJKevNbU9fIZ9ateM50Jqg7dSDMj6xiVysOJtuSIz51PSDnbQPyrS6ZOj8_U4BrvDJ6bTTqP7J/w640-h490/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The bookmark is a lovely gift to send to an avid reader, and could even be gifted inside a book. Are there some lovely books on your shelf which you will no longer need or read? Consider regifting them with a pretty bookmark, or perhaps you could sew a pretty cover for the book using one of the little embroidery motifs in this pattern set? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtQBaLrVJ5TiG3FoBszCSGWOu9HujrHx4ebY6E1zsbDurIay460U03PTrgzwXv0hdA8HK3acCaQNGwuKSV7Wq7OIguVMMUeIpUxbnjIDcdP7RvZo8xVwsybztIvKfnMxEWj9Eqx6mHcvBh40xwCcIRqbBfo4TIrZrQJwEnYK26AdP5gGbnB3PWrqs/s1883/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1883" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtQBaLrVJ5TiG3FoBszCSGWOu9HujrHx4ebY6E1zsbDurIay460U03PTrgzwXv0hdA8HK3acCaQNGwuKSV7Wq7OIguVMMUeIpUxbnjIDcdP7RvZo8xVwsybztIvKfnMxEWj9Eqx6mHcvBh40xwCcIRqbBfo4TIrZrQJwEnYK26AdP5gGbnB3PWrqs/w640-h490/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For many years I would gift Blossom one of my vintage novels every Christmas, and she was thrilled to receive the beautiful works of Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott and other favourite authors which I had read with her during our homeschooling years. Now they sit on her own shelves, awaiting the day when she can begin reading them to her own daughters. Perhaps you can do something similar with treasured books to be handed down?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gift card is such a cute way to dress up a wrapped present, but is also lovely just as it is because it can be used as another bookmark. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfOUjINDxzmAE93uct1PB8pjId5CKll1F_At5Ntm9bZ7ik-Z2bOG8O74qQQQ89V1zas8_R9Ak74F1Bnvv0nN0B0VdRarh9nB2UtYBqiNd3FJLb8EJQxVueQwvKxY9-wtYD5m2Ei44eMLrdCxLEMEGvv0eXuCkdk5Z_GiSfs6gGcMuTzu0ZLwjvJWJ/s1024/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfOUjINDxzmAE93uct1PB8pjId5CKll1F_At5Ntm9bZ7ik-Z2bOG8O74qQQQ89V1zas8_R9Ak74F1Bnvv0nN0B0VdRarh9nB2UtYBqiNd3FJLb8EJQxVueQwvKxY9-wtYD5m2Ei44eMLrdCxLEMEGvv0eXuCkdk5Z_GiSfs6gGcMuTzu0ZLwjvJWJ/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my projects for 2024 is to make a box of these kind of gift cards, using small fabric pieces such as vintage or recycled linen, lovely cottons, sweet satins and old lace. I'll also make some of the lavender sachets and the bookmarks, because there's nothing more satisfying than to have pretty handmade, useful, gifts on hand to send away in a card. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Oh, and I'll also be making cards, something I have planned for the longest of times, but which has not been followed through on thus far.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGqA50ZtiB6nI-XaEiGBqwu7luczA4Z55c4TS0GVrF4kklE6i_NK9N0S1oWojaRmZFNiKWkoHwOCeiseZpXDlgBjYlPyx4y1WmOl1J5PlhtR6qiCgTDWNCNlxaYx4NEzuZIEn1mDatqVq89p18vpEedE06KF-hqb4bnzkuoeHAv_kl9jXPDoxkNNp/s1883/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="1883" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGqA50ZtiB6nI-XaEiGBqwu7luczA4Z55c4TS0GVrF4kklE6i_NK9N0S1oWojaRmZFNiKWkoHwOCeiseZpXDlgBjYlPyx4y1WmOl1J5PlhtR6qiCgTDWNCNlxaYx4NEzuZIEn1mDatqVq89p18vpEedE06KF-hqb4bnzkuoeHAv_kl9jXPDoxkNNp/w640-h490/ELEFANTZ%20we%20three%20gifts%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Use the link below to download the free pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/114-NY7aHemAIIxUUtpYXpKFSUoQbJEDX/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD We Three Gifts pattern</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you missed the first two free 2023 Christmas gift patterns they are <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2023/12/my-basic-crochet-edging-and-five-free.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2023/12/free-christmas-pattern-number-2.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpqVMO9NlLqor_fqnMsIpqS-ojG_E2KnWBKbgFySjPmHsHijmZk_8bqLIO6WKT_YFFmbli4EUVMLtUkm3nqVWqTpZildzflgEYbnQrwvUTJJDhAfqDHY7ZZUmWcuqaiNcjOgK8FcDI0Gis8AuIEkUnseNXYNRDXrh1qs5oPUtOi2mOagDX0INmqnZ/s425/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="425" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpqVMO9NlLqor_fqnMsIpqS-ojG_E2KnWBKbgFySjPmHsHijmZk_8bqLIO6WKT_YFFmbli4EUVMLtUkm3nqVWqTpZildzflgEYbnQrwvUTJJDhAfqDHY7ZZUmWcuqaiNcjOgK8FcDI0Gis8AuIEkUnseNXYNRDXrh1qs5oPUtOi2mOagDX0INmqnZ/s320/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not a lot has been happening here at home. There's been no rain other than the hour we received a week ago, so the garden is a bit worse for wear. My roses easily scorch on the tips of their petals if I don't pick them first thing in the morning, when still at the budding stage, yet they smell divine and grace my desk with beauty and dignity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U8aPmQN2T9kexRHJFc8_BYwqtabzYmQEd8lJN3DWBFiJ-UCgm7SK1cQMMtfCV_v520kzJEL4zoQ6PbptNGQVmKt1oNnBD3iUYsZgYTccQBzjoyt6_6Z-bZrrkxtRxXzBnyMgz_KXRl_E63e-caqCthvotZSkSECCaVnBgj9gKNy3YoIkDtEJezZD/s3648/DSC06809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U8aPmQN2T9kexRHJFc8_BYwqtabzYmQEd8lJN3DWBFiJ-UCgm7SK1cQMMtfCV_v520kzJEL4zoQ6PbptNGQVmKt1oNnBD3iUYsZgYTccQBzjoyt6_6Z-bZrrkxtRxXzBnyMgz_KXRl_E63e-caqCthvotZSkSECCaVnBgj9gKNy3YoIkDtEJezZD/w640-h480/DSC06809.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blossom bought me a bunch of sunshine yellow chrysanthemums last weekend and they are still as fresh as ever! That's what I enjoy about mums - they last and last, decorating your home with their presence for weeks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRs0RLJyYtEMPGGwkAuo2B6-NUBp8noXrrpb5xdSlW1Y6w-nZ6OMCYtppPf6tMlH1pRGVgAff1iWGUai_jg3cCRzFaxFDdkZi_itZbN8oaXpd6sl3LkZPgK9kTngCgGqhH6nSSwGlcLNOX41u22KgGLvNRz7rPYjlIN3hRE0O8zqIHN5XFC9SrniQ/s3648/DSC06809%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRs0RLJyYtEMPGGwkAuo2B6-NUBp8noXrrpb5xdSlW1Y6w-nZ6OMCYtppPf6tMlH1pRGVgAff1iWGUai_jg3cCRzFaxFDdkZi_itZbN8oaXpd6sl3LkZPgK9kTngCgGqhH6nSSwGlcLNOX41u22KgGLvNRz7rPYjlIN3hRE0O8zqIHN5XFC9SrniQ/w640-h480/DSC06809%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we need to stay indoors more at this time of year due to the intense heat and humidity, once the housework is done I settle down for a bit of reading and a cuppa. I have all three of Rhonda Hetzel's books, and have read them a few times each, but this little one is brilliant for a condensed read and I have highlighted and made notes all through it - adding more each time I read it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3vHvbzO55bbDK8fP2ztGGiebthUMktFtAm3sP0WxnRRtOuYcyUFt9ywvk9tlMz5wgy2tCTTtUk6nkL89ziQ2SPLCqhtyM7xwNntCxgMbaIZzYILE-H_yXKo4yv1Z4jrKQrVrrpfj04s1UtSC7bBd597-XfVwPSaaWueehqzwU7Le8Oab8LLosnLM/s3648/DSC06808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3vHvbzO55bbDK8fP2ztGGiebthUMktFtAm3sP0WxnRRtOuYcyUFt9ywvk9tlMz5wgy2tCTTtUk6nkL89ziQ2SPLCqhtyM7xwNntCxgMbaIZzYILE-H_yXKo4yv1Z4jrKQrVrrpfj04s1UtSC7bBd597-XfVwPSaaWueehqzwU7Le8Oab8LLosnLM/w640-h480/DSC06808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you haven't got her two large volumes, or don't have finances for them, then let me assure you that this small book is simply marvellous for learning of her journey to a simpler life, the success and freedom she and her husband found, as well as the challenges along the way. Its available <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Simple-Life-Specials-Rhonda-Hetzel/dp/0143571818/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1AI9DBEJGPOJ5&keywords=rhonda+hetzel&qid=1702080434&sprefix=rhonda+hetzel%2Caps%2C247&sr=8-3">here on Amazon Australia</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's also available <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Life-Penguin-Special-ebook/dp/B00IY2DRA6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1FCPUQUV33905&keywords=rhonda+hetzel&qid=1702080651&sprefix=rhonda+hetzel%2Caps%2C333&sr=8-3" target="_blank">here on Amazon US</a> and I just checked and the Kindle version is only $2.99 at the moment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>I am NOT an amazon affiliate, just really love her books and think this little one is a great place to start.</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDMiEzU6BTvhzjRD1HWHSLhxbvrQYgdSi2PLUrmVcPEAMAgfhIhfYzimiagZNEDDhgXrq69xsIL-OyOLHa5js-SrT51m31h48sT2DeswBiHTRYXpQgpX_rEL9X_54YTlPrkaz7PfNe4Y1uo6rMwLHZmonOyEu2GgzKXpTIc4BnrFQXn4iJKTsfWky/s3648/DSC06809%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDMiEzU6BTvhzjRD1HWHSLhxbvrQYgdSi2PLUrmVcPEAMAgfhIhfYzimiagZNEDDhgXrq69xsIL-OyOLHa5js-SrT51m31h48sT2DeswBiHTRYXpQgpX_rEL9X_54YTlPrkaz7PfNe4Y1uo6rMwLHZmonOyEu2GgzKXpTIc4BnrFQXn4iJKTsfWky/w640-h480/DSC06809%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Molly-dog is now one year old, and has become our little shadow, no matter where we are. The funny thing about pugs is that they don't look happy, and yet I have found them to be very happy dogs. Molly loves her toys but her favourite is a piece of checked fabric which I tied with a knot in the centre. She was getting into mischief in my sewing room, you see, pouncing on any bits of fabric I dropped...so I thought, "Aha, you are fabric lover too are you, Missy? Then you shall have your own." Since she got her own large piece she has not touched mine. Yay. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg2pNznuX3TcjtMxc5ZDGtcxb3gFhPJnanu9HOA9FBi2blb_xhYSipPgYdbro7tQ3S8VzJTVVqsJExCvQF3bHyaRPLt4y0SBhJE2wvKQ7nI2LvYhKmn_2ZGiSBBwNm5JzLVopLEKkG3IYsVEcYfcvxo4gP4MUvZrncsKxPLm_RADWfW2gSpuUXFwN/s3648/DSC06806%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg2pNznuX3TcjtMxc5ZDGtcxb3gFhPJnanu9HOA9FBi2blb_xhYSipPgYdbro7tQ3S8VzJTVVqsJExCvQF3bHyaRPLt4y0SBhJE2wvKQ7nI2LvYhKmn_2ZGiSBBwNm5JzLVopLEKkG3IYsVEcYfcvxo4gP4MUvZrncsKxPLm_RADWfW2gSpuUXFwN/w640-h480/DSC06806%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Many of our sunflowers have gone to seed now, which has brought even more birds to the garden. A gorgeous pair of red-winged parrots visit each afternoon to feast, and they are joy to behold! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cockatoos prefer to eat from the bird feeder, as do the rainbow lorikeets, but these parrots swing back and forth on the sunflowers and have dinner there instead. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuUqrdmqcIAUrMWLqpu4B6NrlHjaWY_5CPClXkOVyXOq1IJawPpdGcls87h6yNN1R18RapmTEBCaI_ZYiMV9crDa3q6b3ptW-3l8Hd9Jwp3HK2AUt-YLicPBvwJwnbl_YjkVfKCdjXtrdGgZcgIG7BGA1t6SDipXV98ych81ugg3IZitTpd_jhHFx/s3648/DSC06806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuUqrdmqcIAUrMWLqpu4B6NrlHjaWY_5CPClXkOVyXOq1IJawPpdGcls87h6yNN1R18RapmTEBCaI_ZYiMV9crDa3q6b3ptW-3l8Hd9Jwp3HK2AUt-YLicPBvwJwnbl_YjkVfKCdjXtrdGgZcgIG7BGA1t6SDipXV98ych81ugg3IZitTpd_jhHFx/w640-h480/DSC06806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been doing some more crochet edging, but mostly for my older daughters. I'm sending them new crochet-edged tea towels for Christmas (they live in other states far from us) as they both prefer something handmade for gifts. I bought tea towels on sale at Bed, Bath & Table yesterday, in a mix of styles as both girls (and Blossom too) have very different preferences. These are a few I'm working on today...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4EpetPNuvyBweNzogMnMIXWpIuJvdv9kv5aO2W38j-4q_AWi9Q9ecy1AHUCpmXIywpX4GQ07iRj1Ev7Ot8u8Ho1UeUSlUA-HWAOg6SuRgfzjvginh9n74AEu6IkdHNZwofcEoMrDpxwLNHc4MUOjWYrKf2K5JSNfHBcWvVRDcjeB75sc0vKtHHW4/s3648/DSC06817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4EpetPNuvyBweNzogMnMIXWpIuJvdv9kv5aO2W38j-4q_AWi9Q9ecy1AHUCpmXIywpX4GQ07iRj1Ev7Ot8u8Ho1UeUSlUA-HWAOg6SuRgfzjvginh9n74AEu6IkdHNZwofcEoMrDpxwLNHc4MUOjWYrKf2K5JSNfHBcWvVRDcjeB75sc0vKtHHW4/w640-h480/DSC06817.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I finished this blue one last night. It only takes an hour and keeps my hands occupied while we listen to a sermon, or teaching on various subjects like gardening in the tropics or health related seminars.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mOCRWmS2BcxWxqeFxVBVrS5GZGbh4lrAwugJ8qbnhITvA0uwS2t6WYkpB-Phfaj_HbpP4n9h4UUgWTCkYtBIQJpTIze1pCDlvugwilYmhutmo2-tk6I9iY2eGXN1K-tm5tSTQZ7u0AeoXK4lSr6kYaB2-7kYvrdj0qt2f5gL48Vm4meWh5OeN4bX/s3648/DSC06817%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mOCRWmS2BcxWxqeFxVBVrS5GZGbh4lrAwugJ8qbnhITvA0uwS2t6WYkpB-Phfaj_HbpP4n9h4UUgWTCkYtBIQJpTIze1pCDlvugwilYmhutmo2-tk6I9iY2eGXN1K-tm5tSTQZ7u0AeoXK4lSr6kYaB2-7kYvrdj0qt2f5gL48Vm4meWh5OeN4bX/w640-h480/DSC06817%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I always match the cotton yarn with the print of the tea towel, and leave a few pairs on the table at a time so that even if I only have twenty minutes or so of free time (while dinner is cooking perhaps) I can pick one up and make a start for later in the evening.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1yQGTDricHbNzTEDBF-WhvCgoSoBPCVFI2G-7m-ZjQ-o4IPGqa0XmAoJNuf29VlzNTgGzxHwqFjVK04NxYoPR__r8Hu__aVsHcxfdwA59nuEO9fLDrzniDrm-rNFlM4_cmau8kwR4SsNRw-Y7ObcK__udSvGIpDtg5AgeRg7U3l0KqINCx1ICcpU/s3648/DSC06821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1yQGTDricHbNzTEDBF-WhvCgoSoBPCVFI2G-7m-ZjQ-o4IPGqa0XmAoJNuf29VlzNTgGzxHwqFjVK04NxYoPR__r8Hu__aVsHcxfdwA59nuEO9fLDrzniDrm-rNFlM4_cmau8kwR4SsNRw-Y7ObcK__udSvGIpDtg5AgeRg7U3l0KqINCx1ICcpU/w640-h480/DSC06821.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the new runner I'm working on for the top of a chest of drawers in our bedroom. I'll get back to it once all the girl's gifts are made. It's more of the Cath Kidston cotton duck fabric I have had on hand for years. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgdxZTgneIrPzAeDKnZ66HKcTFrto85NXW8_qhqPgXJxXHEroQEn2RZvy1UtKclYkJhxUKy2KI2L_UeOA_5jeXWfeYoPm7BvT6CkPsldP9gRQfEFfpPX8u7aFbiepp9qBdwcVj_aIel66TN7dImO3A8XyqNp7p1HcPjDVplo9jxvly1QLaqpdrpac/s3648/DSC06817%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgdxZTgneIrPzAeDKnZ66HKcTFrto85NXW8_qhqPgXJxXHEroQEn2RZvy1UtKclYkJhxUKy2KI2L_UeOA_5jeXWfeYoPm7BvT6CkPsldP9gRQfEFfpPX8u7aFbiepp9qBdwcVj_aIel66TN7dImO3A8XyqNp7p1HcPjDVplo9jxvly1QLaqpdrpac/w640-h480/DSC06817%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today is Charlie David's 3rd birthday!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I am going to ask you to pray for him as he has been ill for a few days - dreadfully high fever, vomiting etc. It has gone through all of Blossom's children, plus Ross (and it was his first week on his new job), but little Charlie got it last of all. So we shan't see him today as he needs rest and healing. Your prayers would be the best birthday gift. ((thank you))</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Did I ever tell you that the 'David' in his name was for King David? Blossom always knew that if she had a son she'd want him to be a man after God's own heart and that she would have David in his name so that she could teach him all about his namesake and how God was able to use him. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYvJUf8gY9u5Juq5XYRinIaGwRV8nKaw-WsTZ8hBU_Vq1PkN2-nYSDmhAdGpEJk4BEcJnh8SFUsdBkXPvUG6HU8gByXgaZ_TyiFLEBo-xctpU0lCR-z9hu0Qe_Btj2n0pz7Xre76XflU0li0yDkz4VL7tTdWhmmy36Z0KeuvFTOWkrHOlkITqQIJ8/s3024/Charlie%20david%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYvJUf8gY9u5Juq5XYRinIaGwRV8nKaw-WsTZ8hBU_Vq1PkN2-nYSDmhAdGpEJk4BEcJnh8SFUsdBkXPvUG6HU8gByXgaZ_TyiFLEBo-xctpU0lCR-z9hu0Qe_Btj2n0pz7Xre76XflU0li0yDkz4VL7tTdWhmmy36Z0KeuvFTOWkrHOlkITqQIJ8/w640-h640/Charlie%20david%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(Charlie David pretending to be Nana at her desk - :-)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How are YOU?? What's been happening in your life this past week? Is there anything you need prayer for? Just ask. xxx</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My love and prayers go out for all of you who read along, knowing that our God hears them and acts on your behalf because He loves you so much. His answers may not always be what we wanted, they may not come as swiftly as we'd hoped, and for a while we might think He is deaf to our needs...but no, He is our Father and He always answers prayers in the way that is best for us because He is outside of time and knows the beginning from the end. So, we must have faith, hold fast to hope, always choosing to live according to God's Word, and remembering we were bought at a great price by the blood of His Son.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have a cyclone on the way, and the Bureau of Meteorology expect it to hit somewhere around our region on Wednesday if it follows their predicted trajectory, however, having lived in this cyclone region for more than fourteen years now, I know that cyclones can change their track at any time, so it may move further north, go south, or decide to make landfall here. For the next few days we'll just watch and prepare 'in case' it comes close to home. Thanks for all the emails asking me about it's proximity to us. I'll update on Monday when I share the fourth free pattern. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">God bless you all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIQ3lrHMcWGp95BUk4YC_7g8XR1c4Xbkj-nLQzbb3jQ2EQ-ETPzcvb6vQLze6S6bMKIPvi5KvHLJrrD2k3vfr31NHPDrzKOqoLDgf7ZbPKZp_mLAUwrLQs-TsBSFeSaTpDy-VXuc1QW0AL7gku6xWohPYjX35AwYwJPY9I7dRE8ScwLZdbhfwBGrD/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIQ3lrHMcWGp95BUk4YC_7g8XR1c4Xbkj-nLQzbb3jQ2EQ-ETPzcvb6vQLze6S6bMKIPvi5KvHLJrrD2k3vfr31NHPDrzKOqoLDgf7ZbPKZp_mLAUwrLQs-TsBSFeSaTpDy-VXuc1QW0AL7gku6xWohPYjX35AwYwJPY9I7dRE8ScwLZdbhfwBGrD/s320/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/s1200/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="color: #838383; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/w281-h155/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="281" /></a></div></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-59385024034265212812023-12-05T09:50:00.004+10:002023-12-05T09:50:43.029+10:00Free Christmas pattern number 2...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-VVtkCDEQowgJuKlXlSgtAvlEOLqk_ih6yKLnZgVSyhXOZ2vB3q9p7Jn9xNMdb49jLVDMbDDZ-JlCK0Fydl8j6D8Zvg6xeX82QA_Pl5ozEpzuu7tVxNuv3GLTXyf65sTtAzg276BobicvK0jCkx6f3hNLGC69UK-hylb3lHr9MjJ7YsHTBtuuJck/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20Noel%20pincushion%20shabby%20chic%20main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-VVtkCDEQowgJuKlXlSgtAvlEOLqk_ih6yKLnZgVSyhXOZ2vB3q9p7Jn9xNMdb49jLVDMbDDZ-JlCK0Fydl8j6D8Zvg6xeX82QA_Pl5ozEpzuu7tVxNuv3GLTXyf65sTtAzg276BobicvK0jCkx6f3hNLGC69UK-hylb3lHr9MjJ7YsHTBtuuJck/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Noel%20pincushion%20shabby%20chic%20main.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I love making a new pincushion from fabric scraps, especially during a change of season or when beginning a quilt project.</p><p>Back in 2014 I designed this "Noel" pincushion as part of a set of Christmas projects, and at that time I was also designing for some Australian sewing magazines, which sadly have since closed due to the rapid rise of the digital age. Anyhow, at that time I often designed with fabrics and colours that were not really my style but 'hit the brief' for magazines which wanted to show projects in various themes to suit as many different magazine customers as possible. That's why I made the original version of 'Noel' in a very country blue. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLAH2j2c2_06yhrUji-9HBNNMzyzpZ-JKngXAVITdyNP0E33dR_L1-B2ZmLgfUe3qUb9I2oE9kW702HOW-YquIWDArOPW9OBKLAFV6wokbDRacAjRh1T2oQ1vCSoDdDOzztxxNpwBJRscSG-QUUvi1bG64wB7aGVqBf9kKjz6fT8_0iYQMtEjKFAT/s4896/ELEFANTZ%20Noel%20pincushion%20freebie%202023%20c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLAH2j2c2_06yhrUji-9HBNNMzyzpZ-JKngXAVITdyNP0E33dR_L1-B2ZmLgfUe3qUb9I2oE9kW702HOW-YquIWDArOPW9OBKLAFV6wokbDRacAjRh1T2oQ1vCSoDdDOzztxxNpwBJRscSG-QUUvi1bG64wB7aGVqBf9kKjz6fT8_0iYQMtEjKFAT/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Noel%20pincushion%20freebie%202023%20c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Now don't get me wrong, I still loved this pinnie! But over the years I've thought about remaking it in fabrics that show my own style...and this weekend I did just that. Naturally, with my current love of crochet edging, I ditched the binding part of my pattern and opted for some lacy, almost gathered in appearance, crochet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJgwPTDOtxLsXr7yknzJdH8WY_0_aIVDGItrfHmN_1YYskySAh8GGj0T2Vv8QoTY9ayufrvJBYn6yTV-_-uymGvr-ZNODCG6SwzVk280lXD3S0vgnsrZV5sspy2HL_JGggZxcQ80n94ZMs9pxTGu7kZfZC7kD9C53qAQJF3JRtq7_tnlM-_RraK13/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20Noel%20pincushion%20shabby%20chic%20main%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJgwPTDOtxLsXr7yknzJdH8WY_0_aIVDGItrfHmN_1YYskySAh8GGj0T2Vv8QoTY9ayufrvJBYn6yTV-_-uymGvr-ZNODCG6SwzVk280lXD3S0vgnsrZV5sspy2HL_JGggZxcQ80n94ZMs9pxTGu7kZfZC7kD9C53qAQJF3JRtq7_tnlM-_RraK13/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Noel%20pincushion%20shabby%20chic%20main%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The yarn is 4ply crochet cotton, from that op-shop bargain bag I found recently. One of the colours was a perfect match to the vintage Tilda fabric I used as the stitchery/applique background. </p><p>The floral applique and scissor pocket fabric is from a beautiful old piece of Barefoot Roses by Tanya Whelan, one of my favourite fabrics lines ever. </p><p>Now, I am no crochet expert, as I have said before, and I cannot do graphs or anything like that to explain how I do an edging, nor do I intend learning - life is to be slowed, not wound up these days - but the best I can describe it is to say that (in UK terms), I blanket stitch the stitches slightly less than a 1/4" apart...and when I begin the crochet I do a full row all around of double chain (chain in the US).</p><p>Then, for that nicely gathered look, I crochet into every single stitch of that first row. So I start in a corner and do three trebles (UK) into one stitch on the row below, then a chain (not into a stitch) and then into the next stitch on the row below I do another three trebles and another chain (also not into a stitch). From there I continue a pattern of one dc, three trebles, one dc, three trebles, into every stitch on the row below. Between each of the dc and three trebles I do a simple chain that does not go into any stitches on the row below. This creates the gathered effect because it's so full. </p><p>Normally when I crochet my edges I skip a stich on the row below when I do a chain between the dc and the three trebles...but not with this pincushion edging. And that's about as technical as I will ever be with crochet edging. I just use what I have and sometimes fudge the corners a little, but in the end it looks lovely and I am satisfied and quite pleased with the end result. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbacxrwjj15VROmDuKQ0NcR3FhwnRKy8XDbiYKHy2LIvdcwG6aLoF0fsrkQnwGXoKxzugirPd1N6sVuHt6uqVSnI2rvrXXGEQKRsDDl6efrrLuLbxm-Nr7Gv4MuF9tI85XTMGmp5AU4PctfEaIEmDIZR4OABAqt9ibaXS2MySb1GW2g_a4QzL6kRXH/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20Noel%20pincushion%20shabby%20chic%20main%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbacxrwjj15VROmDuKQ0NcR3FhwnRKy8XDbiYKHy2LIvdcwG6aLoF0fsrkQnwGXoKxzugirPd1N6sVuHt6uqVSnI2rvrXXGEQKRsDDl6efrrLuLbxm-Nr7Gv4MuF9tI85XTMGmp5AU4PctfEaIEmDIZR4OABAqt9ibaXS2MySb1GW2g_a4QzL6kRXH/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Noel%20pincushion%20shabby%20chic%20main%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Getting back to my magazine days when I designed to a script a lot of the time, it really stretched me as a designer, and I learned a lot of skills along the way. I only began designing in 2009 at age 50...so I had a lot to learn. But by 2015, I stepped away from the magazines and decided to design for my own pleasure, and that's when my first Stitchery Club began. </p><p>I learned back then to stay true to myself. And though over the years I dabble in different styles and fabrics, I find myself always returning to my first love - that soft, shabby chic almost, style. Another favourite is old 1930's, and sometimes fabrics with a real vintage look about them catch my eye and inspire a project, but the stream of gentle florals always runs true in the end. I'm not a fan of gaudy or bright prints, and I do not like Christmas fabrics or any novelty prints to be honest. </p><p>Knowing your personal style is so important. It defines you, and it brings JOY to your work. Don't be concerned about what others (or me!) like...create the way you like, make items that bring a touch of *you* to your home environment. My one concession though, is when I make for others...always be mindful of their style and make things that reflect them and not yourself. :-) </p><p>You are unique in more ways than you will ever know this side of heaven. Created by the Master's hand, He made you to be just that, <u>YOU</u>. If you make this pincushion, choose the fabrics that make your heart soar. As you decorate your home to celebrate Jesus, do it in such a way that it shows the beautifully unique style the Father impressed upon your mind when you were first made in His image. </p><p>Our God CREATES, He did it from the very beginning, and we are made in His image. So we can create too. I prayed every day for two years that He would bless me with a touch of His own creativity. And one day in 2009, that prayer was answered and a gift I'd not previously had, was given. To this day I am still astounded that at age 50 He taught me something new, and He opened doors for me that I could not have opened myself...and He blessed this blog, my writing, and my heart. </p><p>Today, He still teaches me, corrects me, stretches me beyond what I can do alone, and at time he re-directs my path, tells me when to slow down or lay down certain things, and shines a light on the things that matter most - His Son. </p><p>He also prods me to write more and more about this beautifully gifted homemaker life, and the high importance it plays in the family, from the days of babies and toddlers, to the latter years of grand-children, rocking chairs, and fewer sunsets at the end of the day. </p><p>Today my mind is stayed on Him, on the gift of His own Son, on the depth of LOVE for all mankind that brought about a birth, a ministry, a death and a resurrection...all delivered as a gift for you and I who love, obey and believe in Jesus to receive. </p><p><i>"Noel, noel...noel, noel....born is the King of Israel."</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wtR0SEm4eD8" width="320" youtube-src-id="wtR0SEm4eD8"></iframe></div><br /><i><br /></i><p></p><p><i>Use the link below to download the pattern.</i></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vOZcuxKV9bbFydYCWO2SYfB2bmorTH7j/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD Noel Pincushion pattern</a></p><p>If you missed the first of my five free 2023 Christmas patterns go <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2023/12/my-basic-crochet-edging-and-five-free.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></p><p>God bless you...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHBOuayHgshMIVxj0WYFGnWol8x4T4eqtiTxzkU0_TC8LhwuEfmNdbGijyS6_ZXMEURv_ddC17p7QMmuu_R5OW90kwY283OAQs_JKMHPpAhdeOIGbl6iJK3fuk9wHxrbmMZYEup9v7qrDQNLADpeVmv4TWIZCPwTzIEdbyKSZYQ6UEoySgvM-IsWW/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHBOuayHgshMIVxj0WYFGnWol8x4T4eqtiTxzkU0_TC8LhwuEfmNdbGijyS6_ZXMEURv_ddC17p7QMmuu_R5OW90kwY283OAQs_JKMHPpAhdeOIGbl6iJK3fuk9wHxrbmMZYEup9v7qrDQNLADpeVmv4TWIZCPwTzIEdbyKSZYQ6UEoySgvM-IsWW/s320/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/s1200/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="color: #838383; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/w281-h155/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="281" /></a></div></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-1758031176236224332023-12-01T15:23:00.004+10:002023-12-01T15:23:58.689+10:00My basic crochet edging and five free Christmas patterns!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSUeZ1_IQr_l6KLb9rMLvXfKzEE8rGmO9EgwQQSzSZdw7_Qkycb-yj8blUD0WTewxQI8GThEem16muv4OYfUue0O_s-UA3Zffod5JrzPWZbVmaHte7WyORHriPUT4xzHcRc9T_8NSAIfFSs5MMOClGqS8S1SRQw5dzGhLZg2c-4tKVpQHyvBv2-Dt/s1647/ELEFANTZ%20five%20free%20Christmas%20patterns%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSUeZ1_IQr_l6KLb9rMLvXfKzEE8rGmO9EgwQQSzSZdw7_Qkycb-yj8blUD0WTewxQI8GThEem16muv4OYfUue0O_s-UA3Zffod5JrzPWZbVmaHte7WyORHriPUT4xzHcRc9T_8NSAIfFSs5MMOClGqS8S1SRQw5dzGhLZg2c-4tKVpQHyvBv2-Dt/w420-h640/ELEFANTZ%20five%20free%20Christmas%20patterns%202023.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Every year I share a new free Christmas pattern, but this year I decided to share a few of my favourites from years past. Today you'll be able to download the first pattern (a oldie that I get requests for all the time!), and over the following two weeks I'll have four more to gift you. Some are for decorating your home, and others are perfect for small gifts that can be posted, or simply popped inside a card for friends and neighbours. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back in 2017 I hosted a Christmas Wreath stitch-along, and as mentioned previously, it became one of my most requested patterns for this time of year ever since. I may even re-make it myself this year as a table centre, but originally it was made to be hung. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyMBvF1r41RlPAkKuS6XUpRNAvMN3jlXxmbSKTync7pDrVtmgZeGo4uxmckWi4s03N2B7E9XYlQS1DRPdYu-QD9-4w21e39ZUDufQuVoNIuKiotSArCAAr8mRWXF8mf_cNmNyzpky_lbgFrcAlWEPtO_LLWlS0Zh39xKr1aLOi8XU8-C6kKhM7Peu/s4956/081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4104" data-original-width="4956" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyMBvF1r41RlPAkKuS6XUpRNAvMN3jlXxmbSKTync7pDrVtmgZeGo4uxmckWi4s03N2B7E9XYlQS1DRPdYu-QD9-4w21e39ZUDufQuVoNIuKiotSArCAAr8mRWXF8mf_cNmNyzpky_lbgFrcAlWEPtO_LLWlS0Zh39xKr1aLOi8XU8-C6kKhM7Peu/w640-h530/081.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pattern is very detailed and a tutorial is included. Let me know if you're going to make it, and what colours or prints you will use. Will you hang it, or will it become a table centre or large candle mat instead? Perhaps you have a different idea for displaying The Christmas Wreath? Please share in the comments as you may inspire myself and others to try your suggestion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGpK5K2R4P4I2nkg03R13mdIYcbYjVeKiuw9e3XWlLOPLXI0db2rtghS_hYD5lK_ObgMJ4n8LI3adwP_z9VCtqn2ChiACJ1Rms1h-S4hGr0HA6Jx6u9_RoZqbVcD5JnbAVOIGI3ZeLLdA4x4pGN4Jdo0pJNzomG0gzMN1mXD-bCnfV7hx5pM_2Q9y/s4896/ELEFANTZ%20wreath%20block%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGpK5K2R4P4I2nkg03R13mdIYcbYjVeKiuw9e3XWlLOPLXI0db2rtghS_hYD5lK_ObgMJ4n8LI3adwP_z9VCtqn2ChiACJ1Rms1h-S4hGr0HA6Jx6u9_RoZqbVcD5JnbAVOIGI3ZeLLdA4x4pGN4Jdo0pJNzomG0gzMN1mXD-bCnfV7hx5pM_2Q9y/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20wreath%20block%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5RpjD6_TW5fIiOlVUb6cNNnTtVxSPyEG-j5hkrxOQgv_asd2AbCGxInFF_IM5Y9i8Hvqi-3eV9VBmGk_n-Eha9q8cn5o5mnBUjLJGH_iI0AQWyfqdOpj07lkCy_S51kZ963JDXrCfV3AAhut_aSon8uqVBgddTNVWLIsqqD_dkCLwVtfilq4E4So/s4896/062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3672" data-original-width="4896" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5RpjD6_TW5fIiOlVUb6cNNnTtVxSPyEG-j5hkrxOQgv_asd2AbCGxInFF_IM5Y9i8Hvqi-3eV9VBmGk_n-Eha9q8cn5o5mnBUjLJGH_iI0AQWyfqdOpj07lkCy_S51kZ963JDXrCfV3AAhut_aSon8uqVBgddTNVWLIsqqD_dkCLwVtfilq4E4So/w640-h480/062.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Use the link below to download the full Christmas Wreath pattern</div><p></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G1MQ1adIxKTXNznxr6YdmWMgA4NSM4Ck/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD The Christmas Wreath</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1KK6QSpcE-4cBrjRLt9RNrB1PEUhvmmWkYOexpNN6G9TvOuwd-D4SmEQczEMAES8xA5gviGoNw94MFQiFMcV0Idu5YwJsqJBttDLO_KzZSZQiaH-Dvzak-lZROlhJkr4kuZdiQ3ppvSrzu22s5K7FsXg2hZHXWuyLmWOTab5TEV7-PCrt6OmF81g/s425/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="425" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1KK6QSpcE-4cBrjRLt9RNrB1PEUhvmmWkYOexpNN6G9TvOuwd-D4SmEQczEMAES8xA5gviGoNw94MFQiFMcV0Idu5YwJsqJBttDLO_KzZSZQiaH-Dvzak-lZROlhJkr4kuZdiQ3ppvSrzu22s5K7FsXg2hZHXWuyLmWOTab5TEV7-PCrt6OmF81g/s320/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another request, but this has been a recent one, is how I make the <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2023/11/slowing-everyday.html" target="_blank">crochet edgings on my tea towels</a>. Many have emailed privately, as well as the comments on blog posts, and the common questions are do I begin with blanket stitch and what thread and yarn do I use. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_l67IM2EdvcUgj-Eq27O8xYxkvLmSw3xUOzkIM0nLPCXtXWO8KOa0rJvmEBvZPLFH6_vmgBhSI3Hf58YDdDikRq5ICzobE9e6BBaIpdppNedWshy8c7u6dzDn8KnigV9gNiaJkUOGYzmD_hRXZ0NLNwsl1C1e38IIcFJCWTXOEKAxc_wRxx4IOety/s3648/DSC06743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_l67IM2EdvcUgj-Eq27O8xYxkvLmSw3xUOzkIM0nLPCXtXWO8KOa0rJvmEBvZPLFH6_vmgBhSI3Hf58YDdDikRq5ICzobE9e6BBaIpdppNedWshy8c7u6dzDn8KnigV9gNiaJkUOGYzmD_hRXZ0NLNwsl1C1e38IIcFJCWTXOEKAxc_wRxx4IOety/w640-h480/DSC06743.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYb65z1FMi4DnKKb4nf4likaHeB4v1hqmwHSEMBwH21r5G1MGo4niD4MyiswtevzzN9ZKqWUMbQvrBtZaW5sB-cBJ8ZGvFojaPJqzl7C7Q7MntEFJZnxxo5WOmjKIUSLScsP2lliGWhzA2R6ZIYfuw43o97W3ldAUqB0CZ0ZBwcsYowy2DfDedLwU/s3648/DSC06743%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYb65z1FMi4DnKKb4nf4likaHeB4v1hqmwHSEMBwH21r5G1MGo4niD4MyiswtevzzN9ZKqWUMbQvrBtZaW5sB-cBJ8ZGvFojaPJqzl7C7Q7MntEFJZnxxo5WOmjKIUSLScsP2lliGWhzA2R6ZIYfuw43o97W3ldAUqB0CZ0ZBwcsYowy2DfDedLwU/w640-h480/DSC06743%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, I do begin with blanket stitch, and I stitch it with a cross stitch needle. The thread I use for the blanket stitch is a 4 or 5 ply cotton yarn, or a Perle 5 embroidery thread. If I don't have the right colour in that size I might choose to use Perle 8 or two strands of Perle 12 if I already have the colour needed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Using just what is on hand or what I can find cheap at the op-shop, has kept expenses low. A few years back I bought a pack of six 5 ply cotton yarns in assorted colours, intending on using them for dishcloths, but never got around to using them all, and the ones I did use had loads leftover. These are what I initially used on the table runners and tea towels I began making in October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Admittedly I did outlay a little bit of money on some balls of cotton baby yarn from Spotlight when they were half price, and they are lovely and soft to work with, but I am loving these balls of 4 ply crochet cotton which I found in a bag at the op-shop - $2 the lot! What was a blessed bargain! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiupOebh7yYnPSd17gogQET_ktN20x-g8XAOFe8kXL8UNbTAy3VYybccBFdAG1WpT4Cr4ocUP4fy4Oqut2VcEEyWEvxAct0lxxD-OUOSU1HUfHxrBjShTJ1XnjaCRSOLV9f58vbAoH8KRP3QBQNMiZ-_MlbMvVtxRw5BEv8WZFtGXJ2kZE2yhFDU-U/s3648/DSC06743%20(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiupOebh7yYnPSd17gogQET_ktN20x-g8XAOFe8kXL8UNbTAy3VYybccBFdAG1WpT4Cr4ocUP4fy4Oqut2VcEEyWEvxAct0lxxD-OUOSU1HUfHxrBjShTJ1XnjaCRSOLV9f58vbAoH8KRP3QBQNMiZ-_MlbMvVtxRw5BEv8WZFtGXJ2kZE2yhFDU-U/w640-h480/DSC06743%20(12).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After I sew a row of blanket stitch I then crochet a row of double chain (single chain in the US)...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1bxapUDY-1fyz9UtCwIS3JQaCu7MAkj6NpbJhop7HcNf_RwLyf5myLBUbvHJAK2-BfHlLOpuPCgo2KSLzvXanjKIg2aWK2MmArgptKVWTGpzi7iP58Ij1T18ysa9NR40hoatmK0nzRk2laUp-n_GwfcyIw-mUPHb_VRVBefeYicDFSqimclje-iw/s3648/DSC06743%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1bxapUDY-1fyz9UtCwIS3JQaCu7MAkj6NpbJhop7HcNf_RwLyf5myLBUbvHJAK2-BfHlLOpuPCgo2KSLzvXanjKIg2aWK2MmArgptKVWTGpzi7iP58Ij1T18ysa9NR40hoatmK0nzRk2laUp-n_GwfcyIw-mUPHb_VRVBefeYicDFSqimclje-iw/w640-h480/DSC06743%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and that gives me the foundation for whatever I want to crochet on the next row. Sometimes I do another row of double chain, but mostly I do a mix of double chain, skipping a stitch, and treble.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K2KAjxRZIjs-ALk1ZG0R7hJ5lxySm1nZlkmync5fAmvKBicqbaOH30DAoLhvaRWbGBy1fbQwNPDkBpyrxxaKurMY8OV_NuoKnjKfmjVS8y7VlTRk0DvTot06fLp2cLvbI-_DdEDDcH3V-QpzllQYa3zs6Se3gpCy8mgQVVPXWQEe8uTksp_a04pE/s3648/DSC06743%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K2KAjxRZIjs-ALk1ZG0R7hJ5lxySm1nZlkmync5fAmvKBicqbaOH30DAoLhvaRWbGBy1fbQwNPDkBpyrxxaKurMY8OV_NuoKnjKfmjVS8y7VlTRk0DvTot06fLp2cLvbI-_DdEDDcH3V-QpzllQYa3zs6Se3gpCy8mgQVVPXWQEe8uTksp_a04pE/w640-h480/DSC06743%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx0uNFASoX7g4U8SwF7mee7J9VNMiI3Qw30hZ_ndwLcVtkpo0MaOoeqjm_3ptzpbYMGOTIXeZehdvGy1GiDEHe8DupIWzeTxAICPaN6YWkoEgz0GrNF6NiY9QEtTFnbqFP2ar1oZT9sv-xZXhOCDSfPAxusKtgNnBVZXKOyaZ-O6S7mVoHnkWo2t5/s3648/DSC06743%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEx0uNFASoX7g4U8SwF7mee7J9VNMiI3Qw30hZ_ndwLcVtkpo0MaOoeqjm_3ptzpbYMGOTIXeZehdvGy1GiDEHe8DupIWzeTxAICPaN6YWkoEgz0GrNF6NiY9QEtTFnbqFP2ar1oZT9sv-xZXhOCDSfPAxusKtgNnBVZXKOyaZ-O6S7mVoHnkWo2t5/w640-h480/DSC06743%20(5).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm no expert on crochet, and many of you will easily be able to create your own pretty borders, but I am quite content with what I've done and am giddy with joy at the new stack of tea towels which are ready to restock my kitchen towel drawer on January 1st. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you go <a href="https://www.pinterest.com.au/jennyofelefantz/crochet-dreamin/" target="_blank">HERE to my Pinterest crochet board</a> there are some links to edging patterns. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNMtYai9AALJEOKOQxDmcKkljsnAGGDl9Bn2GZPBAkW0SSGud2pzPOQjogamnUioKy_aSS9m6_IsLeSa3r94ZtpsZONmm25qgl5jsuUHDMYELUjooSTelKElGmZVjyizGyET7H_Ra-xEVCvO_Itqsll8dxI6z20h_bSODv_5Zjup2_ULDBV3fWZqC/s3648/DSC06743%20(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNMtYai9AALJEOKOQxDmcKkljsnAGGDl9Bn2GZPBAkW0SSGud2pzPOQjogamnUioKy_aSS9m6_IsLeSa3r94ZtpsZONmm25qgl5jsuUHDMYELUjooSTelKElGmZVjyizGyET7H_Ra-xEVCvO_Itqsll8dxI6z20h_bSODv_5Zjup2_ULDBV3fWZqC/w640-h480/DSC06743%20(7).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WWjw2v4kGXAeihhpFlVayzou8VYmvzhOBDlX4USpSWWGXi3OByK7XPVNGlMaor0RlcF4mdniUm8QhyphenhyphenBNtRcZCU-tF48F04sNcapUubzPPqjq8Ys5a8WocU66Cob7PDd-zGpdFcmAh6Se9UzjupLN5x6WZUKwTScKg0ucSenw6zpDwJYW8AosyJfb/s3648/DSC06743%20(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WWjw2v4kGXAeihhpFlVayzou8VYmvzhOBDlX4USpSWWGXi3OByK7XPVNGlMaor0RlcF4mdniUm8QhyphenhyphenBNtRcZCU-tF48F04sNcapUubzPPqjq8Ys5a8WocU66Cob7PDd-zGpdFcmAh6Se9UzjupLN5x6WZUKwTScKg0ucSenw6zpDwJYW8AosyJfb/w640-h480/DSC06743%20(9).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I purchased most of the tea towels at TK Maxx on the reduced rack for around $5-7 for three, and they're all fine quality cotton or linen, made in India or European countries. I prewash the towels so that they can shrink before I begin the crochet edging. There is nothing more embarrassing when gifting a tea towel than after the first wash it shrinks and the embellishments (applique, embroidery, crochet) are all distorted. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Some extra towels have been gifted to family and friends, and as tea towels are always useful, they are happily received. I still have a few towels left to edge, but I shall take a little break from them now and get back to a project which has a lot of crochet edging to do - my <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/p/the-virtuous-wife-bom.html" target="_blank">Virtuous Wife</a> quilt top! <p></p><p>I have been holding off on quilting it because I wanted to be very sure about whether I'd bind it or crochet edge it instead. Crochet has won out, and as soon as I get started I shall share some progress pics. If you missed any of the free Virtuous Wife BOM blocks they are <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/p/the-virtuous-wife-bom.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to download.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1KK6QSpcE-4cBrjRLt9RNrB1PEUhvmmWkYOexpNN6G9TvOuwd-D4SmEQczEMAES8xA5gviGoNw94MFQiFMcV0Idu5YwJsqJBttDLO_KzZSZQiaH-Dvzak-lZROlhJkr4kuZdiQ3ppvSrzu22s5K7FsXg2hZHXWuyLmWOTab5TEV7-PCrt6OmF81g/s425/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="50" data-original-width="425" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1KK6QSpcE-4cBrjRLt9RNrB1PEUhvmmWkYOexpNN6G9TvOuwd-D4SmEQczEMAES8xA5gviGoNw94MFQiFMcV0Idu5YwJsqJBttDLO_KzZSZQiaH-Dvzak-lZROlhJkr4kuZdiQ3ppvSrzu22s5K7FsXg2hZHXWuyLmWOTab5TEV7-PCrt6OmF81g/s320/aa-divider-christmas-blogfairy.png" width="320" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">It's been ghastly hot here for a while now, and even though summer's arrival is today in Australia, we've been feeling it since October. Our garden has suffered badly and even the pumpkins are not coping (they have never failed before). It's never cold in the tropics, not what most of you would call cold anyhow. Winter days are around 25C, and late spring/summer/early autumn can be anything from 35C to 42C - occasionally higher. The wet season is around us, but not over us this year, and that makes the heat so much worse to bear. I admit to feeling that the weather has taken a toll on me and the garden so we'll have to heavily mulch most of it and just keep the fruit trees, banana trees and shade trees going until the weather cools next May. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Pushing too hard at this stage of life is counter-productive, as my dear friend Rosie reminded me this week. When you're young (and in good health) you can almost move mountains, and I remember being that way right up into my 50's. But not now. I'll be 65 in February, and though I am no slacker, and love to keep our home running smoothly, neat and tidy, I must take heed of these very long hot summers we face every year, and the level of physical exhaustion they bring to people of all ages, but especially those of us on the older end of the spectrum. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I shall 'walk the room' again soon and plan what needs to be done inside during the next four to five months...and I shall do some other things which have sparked some interest, and brought some fresh enthusiasm and ideas to mind. If you want to know what I mean by 'walk the room' go back to <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/2020/03/lets-take-step-back-and-look-at-what-we.html" target="_blank">THIS blog post</a> and have a read - you may consider joining in. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Well, that's enough today. I have washing to get off the line and fold, a dinner to prepare, floors to vacuum and mop...and a lovely cold ice-cream calling my name! :-)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Bless you, each precious woman. May the weekend ahead open pockets of His joy in your heart, deep pockets of joy, <i>so deep that they overflow into the lives of all who cross your path. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">God bless,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1beuvf7fH_tP4oa6j9kGVCI0fPk3HUhm5HqscY5NrvlEmH3LoLOm3Ns-lweACZ5yywCBfvQOcsV7hIjFyz00DN_WFNMQ5Su79rH0QMvD5PzUzUHON2b9-7qv4QiGPsBT0IGcNvbmhOK45ffM1Z2Hy1plUjTx08P8EdKn95MVhzlS6z0Fx-mRples1/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1beuvf7fH_tP4oa6j9kGVCI0fPk3HUhm5HqscY5NrvlEmH3LoLOm3Ns-lweACZ5yywCBfvQOcsV7hIjFyz00DN_WFNMQ5Su79rH0QMvD5PzUzUHON2b9-7qv4QiGPsBT0IGcNvbmhOK45ffM1Z2Hy1plUjTx08P8EdKn95MVhzlS6z0Fx-mRples1/s320/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/s1200/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="color: #838383; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/w281-h155/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="281" /></a></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-18332660740851919252023-11-25T10:28:00.001+10:002023-11-25T10:28:30.088+10:00The subtle slide into laziness and a free pattern...<p>November has been a real challenge with migraines most days due to our weather. The cloud cover is almost constant, but though just a few kilometres up the road rain has fallen on nearby suburbs, or further north, the clouds refuse to drop the water from heaven on our area. </p><p>Barometric migraines are the worst ones for me because I cannot control them by eliminating the food, light or weariness triggers of my other migraines. That blanket of cloud feels like a vice I am trapped in, and the only relief is when they burst forth with rain - and when that happens the pain just disappears in minutes. So we are praying for rain even more than usual. This time of year in our tropics is the wet season, but so far it's started around us but not on us. Never mind, all challenges teach us something, and this recent challenge has taught me to examine how easily a bad habit can be formed during these longer than usual seasons of migraine. What is that habit you ask? Laziness.</p><p>After seven babies (with migraine through all of them) my pain tolerance is quite high, so I am still able to function at a slower, quieter pace around the home when the pain is severe. During this current bout of migraine I began crochet edging, firstly on runners for the home, and then on to new tea towels for Christmas gifts and to restock my own supply in the New Year as is my custom. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp9Nsn0UbHAlPWPdEl8d6HoLA2Ex_6NQ2NrbJUkxy2lqWZCPgQQysjCQCO1fyOnrhtHv2C_SFC-SjSNPdZna0PwTMRHSazusrpmmaigi7JQGzlKTcSCN4QSuPuCEB4Rm7KiLXciLKrlYtOZt9xH-f5KNvc9O1XtlToAYWKlLW6WYqMB6-aRREeD1B/s3648/DSC06698%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp9Nsn0UbHAlPWPdEl8d6HoLA2Ex_6NQ2NrbJUkxy2lqWZCPgQQysjCQCO1fyOnrhtHv2C_SFC-SjSNPdZna0PwTMRHSazusrpmmaigi7JQGzlKTcSCN4QSuPuCEB4Rm7KiLXciLKrlYtOZt9xH-f5KNvc9O1XtlToAYWKlLW6WYqMB6-aRREeD1B/w640-h480/DSC06698%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It is such a calming, simple pastime, and as I crocheted I would listen to sermons, watch episodes of The Waltons, or historical documentaries on YouTube. I did still need to water the gardens but resorted to the sprinkler most afternoons as being outside just made my head worse. I still did the washing, prepared meals (especially a very healthy breakfast for my husband and I) and did a general tidy...but the regular afternoon rest time I've always adhered to became longer and longer. On days when I was free of pain you'd think that I would get in and do a jolly good scrub around the home, but I found myself having fallen into the distraction of spending long hours at crochet each afternoon just as on the days of pain, until it was time to begin our evening meal and fold the washing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIsee4auGWNSCmKVC_UNQ_mYyQEOs9mdEq4GwPWjBoUcIhHiQDkSB1KEh1P8_GrVSShwbkADGKwo4BugX8oACqKHc4FTuUjJAH9CEEsKHZMXiM7ktGR_MYf_0rv-tinZAsJbV_kIwG6F5962CwpQ6jVDTa2nifT1cfxnflrfZIZumYBxVwrm9yy2O/s3648/DSC06698%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcIsee4auGWNSCmKVC_UNQ_mYyQEOs9mdEq4GwPWjBoUcIhHiQDkSB1KEh1P8_GrVSShwbkADGKwo4BugX8oACqKHc4FTuUjJAH9CEEsKHZMXiM7ktGR_MYf_0rv-tinZAsJbV_kIwG6F5962CwpQ6jVDTa2nifT1cfxnflrfZIZumYBxVwrm9yy2O/w640-h480/DSC06698%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Well, that new 'habit' continued for about twelve days, and then I listened to a young mother of six in her mid-30's, and she spoke straight out of God's Word and into my heart. Older ladies, never turn your ears from listening to younger homemakers, for often they will point out things we may have missed or have 'slipped' away from. </p><p>Obviously I'm not proud of my subtle slide into laziness, but I felt impressed to share it with you because so often, especially in times of illness or prolonged pain, we can slide into routines and habits that are not productive in the long term. On my really bad days I shall still sit quietly, but on the not so bad ones and the days when I am pain free, it's back to living my wonderfully gentle domestic life, embracing all the Lord has put before me, for they are great blessings!</p><p>Once I had woken up to the subtleness of my slide into long lazy afternoons, I wrote down a list of things which needed to be done around home, and depending on how I felt each day, I completed those tasks over the course of this past week. The linen cupboard was a dreadful mess. It's not on my list of important tasks, but on the seasonal list - and being that we are about to welcome summer in a few days, this big seasonal task had to be tackled. I thoroughly enjoyed bringing everything out in to the living room and going through it! I was able to donate about one quarter of what was in there, mostly items kept for the grandchildren, but which they no longer use or had grown out of. We do not have much storage in our modest home so their spare clothes, toys and games are kept there, you see. Plus there were old ratty towels and similar items which my husband can use for rags in his workshop out back. </p><p>Grain was milled, fresh flour baked into delicious bread. Before and after...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizPJQFOepMOi6meBknMJB30Q7HyTdoZXHO6DFrBnMRhSyWsm9gGal96ikP-QedKZHx2kGusJTTN4MLzeMvSCxc3x5zjtF5XzkFQ2l6r_9xhhvkvHZGgcJk4o-K1wgn_gkJsDc6GIrzp7tMddI7sG5yfmY-V5vg2GsbwyDAGxHEviB-83eidSx5Cuh/s3648/DSC06671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizPJQFOepMOi6meBknMJB30Q7HyTdoZXHO6DFrBnMRhSyWsm9gGal96ikP-QedKZHx2kGusJTTN4MLzeMvSCxc3x5zjtF5XzkFQ2l6r_9xhhvkvHZGgcJk4o-K1wgn_gkJsDc6GIrzp7tMddI7sG5yfmY-V5vg2GsbwyDAGxHEviB-83eidSx5Cuh/w640-h480/DSC06671.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6SyxqmJBQbZDb8UrjHKD4RNVwAO2oozozXAftZZKPkKXZ_WvvrvOfufmxW3phjK9bkH14c0xumukwcn67aGEX_FBE-pteiB3Zz_SPTnXTdK5WRFFMo9sJWglHFnGKwOgsc4meP8v0KCO-0yzm6WlHEYaGsynkOQj5rKLX2-WLOnSEs4B08lu_ugW/s3648/DSC06671%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6SyxqmJBQbZDb8UrjHKD4RNVwAO2oozozXAftZZKPkKXZ_WvvrvOfufmxW3phjK9bkH14c0xumukwcn67aGEX_FBE-pteiB3Zz_SPTnXTdK5WRFFMo9sJWglHFnGKwOgsc4meP8v0KCO-0yzm6WlHEYaGsynkOQj5rKLX2-WLOnSEs4B08lu_ugW/w640-h480/DSC06671%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Nutritious evening meals, like this yummy lentil curry with brown rice, were made...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8D_ykcah9qdPwib7bsYP8ps1-j2WWnL_gvROif9QTDUZ5LAQslev_LvOrH8Z6ZI_iOoV68r3CiLCt7kvjuqJi13K-3FkgIcLjW5MhTR7OTzSfRORUXa-474AmBFjppOBbjatklVBdJGjtPnQQDQr2Vx9B7aGf6jytCNXyUyH7dv-GNX1juqL5TQJw/s3648/DSC06698%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8D_ykcah9qdPwib7bsYP8ps1-j2WWnL_gvROif9QTDUZ5LAQslev_LvOrH8Z6ZI_iOoV68r3CiLCt7kvjuqJi13K-3FkgIcLjW5MhTR7OTzSfRORUXa-474AmBFjppOBbjatklVBdJGjtPnQQDQr2Vx9B7aGf6jytCNXyUyH7dv-GNX1juqL5TQJw/w640-h480/DSC06698%20(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Treats were baked for the grandchildren...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTEG7-PPxpOEYf2GqWHPKE6F293PxykgM-H30ba16ecXrgq_2S5OvIi84j3dLRTDdlQMuyFcQuYcEz-uV7zxDV5eGMbMVyT4blRGGmkegbJ4zpH7n0MArsB61H-7FaQovJRC_AfM8gaUnx2omkMxugynvmr5GSm4fUoAgXaRricieLSVEE0Oevje1/s3648/DSC06698%20(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTEG7-PPxpOEYf2GqWHPKE6F293PxykgM-H30ba16ecXrgq_2S5OvIi84j3dLRTDdlQMuyFcQuYcEz-uV7zxDV5eGMbMVyT4blRGGmkegbJ4zpH7n0MArsB61H-7FaQovJRC_AfM8gaUnx2omkMxugynvmr5GSm4fUoAgXaRricieLSVEE0Oevje1/w640-h480/DSC06698%20(9).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>...and both fridges were given a thorough clean out. I also rearranged the living/dining area and scrubbed everything there as well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzhMHA87EuO2xK-fE_kLB8yO8fC1WgJbx3890XVq7jY89c5lhtMXpIxpwXpUbC-7WIIveXp00askNZvDgkmr_5d7XqA-Tv8IxZ1qdS8TN_5flv_vNRQgcdI_waVf1C_lKRny7Kyh-XydpyUGYrOJH6UwZTSBjOp_DSHl7BvovZMi0AjT77fwck0Bs/s3540/DSC06732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="3540" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzhMHA87EuO2xK-fE_kLB8yO8fC1WgJbx3890XVq7jY89c5lhtMXpIxpwXpUbC-7WIIveXp00askNZvDgkmr_5d7XqA-Tv8IxZ1qdS8TN_5flv_vNRQgcdI_waVf1C_lKRny7Kyh-XydpyUGYrOJH6UwZTSBjOp_DSHl7BvovZMi0AjT77fwck0Bs/w640-h480/DSC06732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6yI3yjBANLB4FimfpK6OjxI-NHaJWj6I8M0lLN9UBNjeOyLYNRXdEFdgB0x2E7cw91gKG9gcMTEy9vtpxWlfWOup2K73ZUP20htMMmJUAQ0Ma_beN52cUZqaSCWsyWyllNJQEX_H_4OwDRYHTA9xNSWGOuW8T9ximLKQMqPLxsEn5hzDNDDkXPXg/s3540/DSC06732%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="3540" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6yI3yjBANLB4FimfpK6OjxI-NHaJWj6I8M0lLN9UBNjeOyLYNRXdEFdgB0x2E7cw91gKG9gcMTEy9vtpxWlfWOup2K73ZUP20htMMmJUAQ0Ma_beN52cUZqaSCWsyWyllNJQEX_H_4OwDRYHTA9xNSWGOuW8T9ximLKQMqPLxsEn5hzDNDDkXPXg/w640-h480/DSC06732%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygHMBViYB54KQdUqNDZ-D0apiTEEBCfZSlsdsDwwf_jmknY2yxMTwINsJfTtLhb_bBtjE6ZjP9G0yfH09Qs-AGuWJ25xt3KRJQJoXoCMaBzQAhEfOG148SUuWN1iGyssfBL8S36FLo9CrG07N9NLQEoo-XQPTjxXKjws8DGhUNGCr-hHqkegSA8PB/s3540/DSC06732%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="3540" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygHMBViYB54KQdUqNDZ-D0apiTEEBCfZSlsdsDwwf_jmknY2yxMTwINsJfTtLhb_bBtjE6ZjP9G0yfH09Qs-AGuWJ25xt3KRJQJoXoCMaBzQAhEfOG148SUuWN1iGyssfBL8S36FLo9CrG07N9NLQEoo-XQPTjxXKjws8DGhUNGCr-hHqkegSA8PB/w640-h480/DSC06732%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cMVkRJziZN9qrN0s56aQQQmF0VQyNuaYZcYcBEMvbJL9AkPTDH8x5sLAKhXgDeZ6NB10EXEumIFpnCiv2H2bSJFIEACShWfT8f87yf2kCXrQUaG-sGOCFZOiOR1MqS7ZRaVVdHaKDS5W-pu1Y1butKSJQKsX6cRBC2Qdh756VWYVXnEPY1jyxLsh/s3540/DSC06732%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2655" data-original-width="3540" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9cMVkRJziZN9qrN0s56aQQQmF0VQyNuaYZcYcBEMvbJL9AkPTDH8x5sLAKhXgDeZ6NB10EXEumIFpnCiv2H2bSJFIEACShWfT8f87yf2kCXrQUaG-sGOCFZOiOR1MqS7ZRaVVdHaKDS5W-pu1Y1butKSJQKsX6cRBC2Qdh756VWYVXnEPY1jyxLsh/w640-h480/DSC06732%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Fresh roses picked from the garden are popped here and there in vases around the house and add the most delightful scent. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO68lV8_a8EX0jmcnRhvSpqIzccw_YmX7Jtc33cYPoHrNkPb0N9VL_wyOwnKxhOYOZZB4Vxs-bk4YnOQXAxT3RVWQ-QXuo_F3jIR4nen5_M4HdFE_qTCoTXAOwpyFR6VnKZwyX1B1N8T3T55-jOC3aoO3b8Jhk6osKoMUbLRMExGBhQxFgc6Iki1-/s3648/DSC06690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicO68lV8_a8EX0jmcnRhvSpqIzccw_YmX7Jtc33cYPoHrNkPb0N9VL_wyOwnKxhOYOZZB4Vxs-bk4YnOQXAxT3RVWQ-QXuo_F3jIR4nen5_M4HdFE_qTCoTXAOwpyFR6VnKZwyX1B1N8T3T55-jOC3aoO3b8Jhk6osKoMUbLRMExGBhQxFgc6Iki1-/w640-h480/DSC06690.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnv9a19w3EDQdXYdp3uXJoMnkgHHDUpK3yZDyfG_2VdbJYujN8woaWZIrU18qGPArn_fhmAmrlUfZH2F9HQHixmKIPXvoOZcsvX6nIEwDhjxb1lMBTWc2AXi2eiMJZ4dVLmyme45F9Is-2aBUOrREXYJIcJzuQC7NmONJBlZi0PA3gUBTRzYCAxte/s3648/DSC06690%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnv9a19w3EDQdXYdp3uXJoMnkgHHDUpK3yZDyfG_2VdbJYujN8woaWZIrU18qGPArn_fhmAmrlUfZH2F9HQHixmKIPXvoOZcsvX6nIEwDhjxb1lMBTWc2AXi2eiMJZ4dVLmyme45F9Is-2aBUOrREXYJIcJzuQC7NmONJBlZi0PA3gUBTRzYCAxte/w640-h480/DSC06690%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDJdA-OVWCDCU96687j-RJvLJeLqITF9SawaQnN9ql_J35iAXJYplgxckfGStdsXvbajx5a3tl1A370N-ZNhscBFptQsrWtBDyt0ihws9Efb3tgvpLz2M6jRr_IQeaUUmkHw_o9DLtTLEuDUm9FS_nv8I_c8bdd1-si2XjQrrlAF-6uGkDe6OyUVf/s3648/DSC06690%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDJdA-OVWCDCU96687j-RJvLJeLqITF9SawaQnN9ql_J35iAXJYplgxckfGStdsXvbajx5a3tl1A370N-ZNhscBFptQsrWtBDyt0ihws9Efb3tgvpLz2M6jRr_IQeaUUmkHw_o9DLtTLEuDUm9FS_nv8I_c8bdd1-si2XjQrrlAF-6uGkDe6OyUVf/w640-h480/DSC06690%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>On my list of tasks to accomplish, I included fun things too, like putting aside some of the crochet and getting back to work on Blossom's 30th birthday quilt (she will be 30 next May). Now that I've returned to my hour of handwork after lunch each day (a little longer if it's a migraine day), I'm enjoying the making of Dresden fan blocks in her requested 1930's style fabric prints. I need sixteen blocks and have completed seven so far since June, the last two this past week. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTu9sKCvM0XS84CFe1ural3DWw4PTP8mec-kSpZoEE4v_5N-Ck0Q3DOz0Zg0i_wkNOWT1zMrfeN02flDSVAdLiMmrDz_9UUMhTHtumoVXSHMwZbIOJQSx_c6hYqGs6vy2K5IJKXVuDAkZM8G-vGUt12cZ-vA4xJ4PDjF8mI4xjAqqTT7mS6mOZiigB/s3648/DSC06673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTu9sKCvM0XS84CFe1ural3DWw4PTP8mec-kSpZoEE4v_5N-Ck0Q3DOz0Zg0i_wkNOWT1zMrfeN02flDSVAdLiMmrDz_9UUMhTHtumoVXSHMwZbIOJQSx_c6hYqGs6vy2K5IJKXVuDAkZM8G-vGUt12cZ-vA4xJ4PDjF8mI4xjAqqTT7mS6mOZiigB/w640-h480/DSC06673.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's very relaxing to make the individual fans in the evening when my husband is home and we're sitting together watching a good sermon, or a documentary. I stitch slow because there's no rush, and because I do most things slowly these days out of choice. Why rush, rush, through the day when it is such a precious gift to be savoured? </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7SuBwyBLqhqEDnn9Lgb7lQhuuKQSYzv2cfMSVrskWCCZIQDQQVHN41-xIAuz-M7fahE0y2DgVVftPVjZei16eIfoljX2A3ZukVdmZ1hsz1-y9Hc7Rdv3-Asp1qtp3RR8yCAHfpqpgHP1PFPUYBsq7PH4fwTZoi0rFy_CY-Tj65uybgk5DBCP3vnS/s3648/DSC06744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7SuBwyBLqhqEDnn9Lgb7lQhuuKQSYzv2cfMSVrskWCCZIQDQQVHN41-xIAuz-M7fahE0y2DgVVftPVjZei16eIfoljX2A3ZukVdmZ1hsz1-y9Hc7Rdv3-Asp1qtp3RR8yCAHfpqpgHP1PFPUYBsq7PH4fwTZoi0rFy_CY-Tj65uybgk5DBCP3vnS/w640-h480/DSC06744.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I have spent most of my life powering through the days God gave me, but since about 2015 I have gradually (very gradually) retrained my mind to slow, to notice what's around me, to be fully present in the day as it is given. Jesus told us to focus on today, not to faint over what tomorrow may hold because it may come with troubles, and worrying about the 'what ifs' robs us of His peace today. </div><div><br /></div><div>So what I have learned through November is to be watchful of subtle lazy habits which are easy to fall into, especially when pain is dominating my days. Getting up and moving through my normal gentle homemaker rhythms and routines as best I can, with a bit more gusto on really good days, is very important, more that I first imagined, because its the reason I love this gentle domestic life. Within the pain and the long lazy afternoons (there were some lazy morning too, and my floors could attest to that) I began to feel something wasn't right, like a loss of something meaningful, but I was so absorbed in the crochet distraction (even on days when pain wasn't bad) that I was blind to the new problem I had created. Praise God this only lasted a couple of weeks! Imagine if I'd kept going along that path? </div><div><br /></div><div>This home my husband and I share is our sanctuary, it is a God-gifted anchor to our life, a place where we are always welcome, always able to relax and unwind from the chaos of the world around us. But a sanctuary must be cultivated, loved, and thoughtfully maintained to reflect the lives of those who dwell within. It is made beautiful when purposefully crafted with generosity, compassion, kindness, hospitality and time - and it is doubly blessed by the precious voices of praise and prayer which fill each room.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIUJ_nxdlFIZUbAyj_8-CuXi2OTTfU19xA0-sCq4lKoTPcl_P84Z2bS5_-KwEZuWefVWzW1cuAbXTcNU3JmiUKysnKcgHdtmGXV516aG2RAADnwm_3JkOycz7syKRV6ZVVEAxqhovRXnyG3fjDLgCrtubSNkDktdYlHqpwTvE9AYb9peJ1TynyHG1/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20sanctuary%20quote%20Jennifer%20Reynolds%20March%202021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIUJ_nxdlFIZUbAyj_8-CuXi2OTTfU19xA0-sCq4lKoTPcl_P84Z2bS5_-KwEZuWefVWzW1cuAbXTcNU3JmiUKysnKcgHdtmGXV516aG2RAADnwm_3JkOycz7syKRV6ZVVEAxqhovRXnyG3fjDLgCrtubSNkDktdYlHqpwTvE9AYb9peJ1TynyHG1/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20sanctuary%20quote%20Jennifer%20Reynolds%20March%202021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>As we move closer to year's end, I plan on recommitting my homemaker intentions to the Lord, to seek His will moving forward, and to let go of those habits or pursuits which He sees as a hindrance to the higher calling He has put on my life. That calling? Loving wife, mother, grandmother...devoted homemaker. Praise Him for opening my eyes quickly to that slide down Lazy Lane. May He open my eyes to every path which draws me away from His best in my life. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>FREE pattern...</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I love this prayer, and think it's really worthwhile to have it hanging in our homes as a reminder that those daily chores which sometimes seem endless and boring and exhausting, are evidence of great blessings.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SBRC_tBnhtlOH7G3uF3KI_R4kdwORWe1AR5oUVnaCdBtVmZa7TI9nBJJObkgrpyMEj1WCGLAaabXshoaNcRHbjz6z1b3IkjU0dNGqOeGHkNzlktxYzogZY4EYn3Qc1wX38rMt_55pTPx9G3_0FyC5F4k9vNNEZSkPIcYsXnl45N-J5rUEKNSXZbD/s2678/ELEFANTZ%20kitchen%20prayer%20sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2678" data-original-width="2509" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SBRC_tBnhtlOH7G3uF3KI_R4kdwORWe1AR5oUVnaCdBtVmZa7TI9nBJJObkgrpyMEj1WCGLAaabXshoaNcRHbjz6z1b3IkjU0dNGqOeGHkNzlktxYzogZY4EYn3Qc1wX38rMt_55pTPx9G3_0FyC5F4k9vNNEZSkPIcYsXnl45N-J5rUEKNSXZbD/w600-h640/ELEFANTZ%20kitchen%20prayer%20sig.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><br /><div>Use the link below to download this free pattern. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MJokj2dWjZcrlKDFf4bXGvtLMyizwMhH/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD The Kitchen Prayer pattern</a></div><div><br /></div><div>God bless you, keep you safe, fill your heart with hope and joy, and gently direct you along the blessed path He created for <i><u>your</u></i> precious and very unique life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Till next time, hugs...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmjv8IEzPbW77DjRcjdcsG904EjBxuS9t20qXCuFX1aTbo2f6oWE3RqD1YiTMoct88kJNmIO4XzJyurez5zSjcIru6B_NK5iQgT-io90LEyxHUPHB7FyuK2KGRdI1G32N3yPWpYdo7OOJMbycGZhhF7aKwQbhPgeoXSqxmcpzbDsbm0KUInXZjOep/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmjv8IEzPbW77DjRcjdcsG904EjBxuS9t20qXCuFX1aTbo2f6oWE3RqD1YiTMoct88kJNmIO4XzJyurez5zSjcIru6B_NK5iQgT-io90LEyxHUPHB7FyuK2KGRdI1G32N3yPWpYdo7OOJMbycGZhhF7aKwQbhPgeoXSqxmcpzbDsbm0KUInXZjOep/s320/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/s1200/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="color: #838383; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/w281-h155/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="281" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-81937564246582493732023-11-12T15:51:00.004+10:002023-11-12T15:51:53.981+10:00Slowing the everyday...<p>I always find the weekly rhythm of homemaking to be a constant source of peace and calm, satisfaction, gratitude, and productivity in my everyday life. It also provides a sense of purpose, something many of us look for, yet too often a thing we can doubt. </p><p>Knowing your unique purpose removes a lot of self doubt from the mind. When we become aware it, usually from a very young age or later when the Lord places it right in the centre of our hearts as a desire waiting to be fulfilled, we can choose to follow where it leads, or, as many do, choose a different path. I have done both in different seasons of life...and the paths I chose were both 'good', but as the years progressed, one path shone far more brightly than the other. That bright path, over time, was to expand my love for God, family and home. It caused me to see the very real need for a revival in homemakers, and homemaking. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWdktdBJWoA2YegDR-NddiJhH8rNY0qyD8eYJncEoqMqwwtY1_p_pYZp7ephcISLR6i0s0YGjfTmlvOWikhlCzzKPNWAZgW-hkfTtskUnypWWshBzYjPccFYNwVeVjEhDrtlVuk7c2p1JWhjupFgG-XT7dIo-8-zA4Tv-sMIUs9uXAVFfTpPSJ_FL/s3648/DSC06641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWdktdBJWoA2YegDR-NddiJhH8rNY0qyD8eYJncEoqMqwwtY1_p_pYZp7ephcISLR6i0s0YGjfTmlvOWikhlCzzKPNWAZgW-hkfTtskUnypWWshBzYjPccFYNwVeVjEhDrtlVuk7c2p1JWhjupFgG-XT7dIo-8-zA4Tv-sMIUs9uXAVFfTpPSJ_FL/w640-h480/DSC06641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Friday's prep for the weekend: 2 litres of almond milk, bread from freshly ground grain, cranberry rock cakes.</i></div><p> As with many things in life, I have a tendency 'at times' to push myself too hard, and then as the months pass, one day I'll find myself collapsing in a worn-out mess for a while, unable to do a lot until my energy (and health) recovers a week or two later - but I do believe in the past year especially, that I have finally learned to balance the everyday tasks and interactions of a homemaker life. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpLcaMboAUTzS5uLTklhNyXvTo7qxgvIXRpab3S4wRqeGSU5z6anuGAsB4nSi1BFoyEKO24uiepRxxwj80vDIrXtrYg3Hr8JeyOqlFrUeYSvSIAUBSFAlpDza5BAVTdq9wBrTlmX0vCz7f3NwLnbOomsUPSqNkmqHzmJEjXAA3jkHSjNOXKiYtZqV/s3648/DSC06641%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGpLcaMboAUTzS5uLTklhNyXvTo7qxgvIXRpab3S4wRqeGSU5z6anuGAsB4nSi1BFoyEKO24uiepRxxwj80vDIrXtrYg3Hr8JeyOqlFrUeYSvSIAUBSFAlpDza5BAVTdq9wBrTlmX0vCz7f3NwLnbOomsUPSqNkmqHzmJEjXAA3jkHSjNOXKiYtZqV/w640-h480/DSC06641%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Today my daily homemaker rhythms are kinder, slower and gentler than ever, each task bringing simple delights, gratitude and smiles. If I cannot complete the tasks on my list by the end of the day or the week, it causes me no regret or feelings of failure; I simply move those tasks to another day in order of importance...and not many are very important anyhow. For example, I like to regularly pull everything out of the linen cupboard and give it a clean, replacing each item neatly and in order, and placing anything no longer needed into the charity box which is kept in the boot of my car - but this is not a task of importance. It's a task to do when I have time, or when I'm in the mood for a deep clean of cupboards through the house (usually once per season). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-_BZUJBf-O8zkuZgP_q6io7s3cCJPLPIIpCFp_UpMXvG2h-Mkcp8AMUmmrJbgrHKDr15b9Hoaj1UIxK6fWNjxM9azf8wezvsDHI93McUOgGuiYwH4Gnr3kClR1soD6-HJ-aZOJo6YlN_0naK3N6p1dUNDeaETG17zbNXjXWQRKWU7SVDybrNpTL6/s3648/DSC06641%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-_BZUJBf-O8zkuZgP_q6io7s3cCJPLPIIpCFp_UpMXvG2h-Mkcp8AMUmmrJbgrHKDr15b9Hoaj1UIxK6fWNjxM9azf8wezvsDHI93McUOgGuiYwH4Gnr3kClR1soD6-HJ-aZOJo6YlN_0naK3N6p1dUNDeaETG17zbNXjXWQRKWU7SVDybrNpTL6/w640-h480/DSC06641%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>(as there are only two of us at home now, I bake the bread so that it's easy to pull into two halves, one for now and one for the freezer)</i></p><p>It was quite an epiphany this year to grasp a certain truth about age - more specifically, about what is expected of us as we age. How can I at 64 expect to keep moving at the same pace as I did at 34, 44 or 54? Well, unless I am on some ego trip to keep up with the younger generation, at this time of life I need to allow myself to pull back and slow down more, resting a while each afternoon with a book, some crochet, or an episode of The Waltons (currently watching my way through the entire series); perhaps reading some blogs or writing cards, continuing with my Bible study from that morning, having a short nap or praying for my loved ones. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF4cX_EtA7wmYC53yGYaIWAHh4xMIvxi_Vnsk98eRlGJR3AkdmNu_ZBj9bHFyyNBM6AcAgUBOO0Bh5r0cbnc5TY1ZWZnqT94TYoSHghZTqGqccSGviMUGZ-0sYMWqIzVsw1IJixmxCs6RY_Q6cZkQ0XEp3YM28ItLD1Rl_v5aQ7iAB8GjfrOaTzgn/s3648/DSC06641%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyF4cX_EtA7wmYC53yGYaIWAHh4xMIvxi_Vnsk98eRlGJR3AkdmNu_ZBj9bHFyyNBM6AcAgUBOO0Bh5r0cbnc5TY1ZWZnqT94TYoSHghZTqGqccSGviMUGZ-0sYMWqIzVsw1IJixmxCs6RY_Q6cZkQ0XEp3YM28ItLD1Rl_v5aQ7iAB8GjfrOaTzgn/w640-h480/DSC06641%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(I'm currently crocheting the edges of some new thick cotton tea towels)</i></div></i><p>Living a slower life does not mean living an easier life. I still need to keep the floors vacuumed and mopped, the washing hung on the line, the ironing done, meals prepared, bathrooms scrubbed, gardens weeded and watered...but those tasks are not raced through, or burdensome anymore. They are very important tasks, and when completed with a gentle and joyful attitude, unhurried but done with diligence and care, they bring a great deal of satisfaction to my homemaker heart. I no longer think about what I'll do when I finish them, because that is the main reason I used to rush. My mind is on the privilege of having a home to maintain, someone to care for, and the gift of another day of life with a body that still has working limbs. I even appreciate the migraines which the Lord has never seen a need to heal me of, because they also remind me to slow things down. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInFFtpOMVQ4KYtvMulrAkTv79IyhL2vHsr11ciO4BTE0uMSRl7_0NSbpMfq2ODLfmPCJzl1wP6N74Udt5yFQiyJi4ckY0YspRHN28gCiYq9u19STtQadMV-SY8XHMBiHzBJ-LSjKMbhoHQa5S_gXpdYSmskzN0KUBpx1crew2QMXh6BhOfE0F2ncF/s3648/DSC06641%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInFFtpOMVQ4KYtvMulrAkTv79IyhL2vHsr11ciO4BTE0uMSRl7_0NSbpMfq2ODLfmPCJzl1wP6N74Udt5yFQiyJi4ckY0YspRHN28gCiYq9u19STtQadMV-SY8XHMBiHzBJ-LSjKMbhoHQa5S_gXpdYSmskzN0KUBpx1crew2QMXh6BhOfE0F2ncF/w640-h480/DSC06641%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(I recently used four orphan applique blocks in the corners of a new topper for my kitchen island and finished it with crochet edging...yes, I am addicted to this craft)</i></div></i><p>Sometimes we read articles or blogs where the writer has done so much around the home that our heads are spinning wondering how they do it, and that can cause feelings of failure or disappointment in our own achievements. Let me gently remind you that they are living a different life to you. They will have completely different life circumstances - such as where they live, size of their home and property, their age, their finances, hands on help, climate, health, and responsibilities. If you are content with your day-to-day tasks, and can keep up with the important things such as looking after your family, your home, your health and your relationship with Jesus, then cheer them on in the comments, whilst cheering <i>yourself</i> for living a life that brings joy and satisfaction within the home sanctuary you have created.</p><p><i>**Admittedly, many emails and comments have been left here on my blog over the years asking "how do you get so much done?!"...and I can confess that I used to be a bit of whirlwind around the house, garden and in the design studio, because I am a true introvert and spend almost every day at home alone, so I had time to do those things back then. Now I enjoy the slower rhythms of each day.**</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4y8ECBBVxcOpNYPzc3csMOt6CmbtwXEBslWdGCtX4B6qPQFPfA_EI4N41Vi9lw5K9AMg9SUwxuqwRti0dvWVzqlhyphenhyphenm2-Xqvrrb5TxjqXSDG91_oEH7TVqLBywBVtk4_wEO6F4UI90x7C0PCCMGsfFYOWb5C8fbE-mkfWk1MFKuoLSdxk-k2H3HPg/s3648/DSC06563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4y8ECBBVxcOpNYPzc3csMOt6CmbtwXEBslWdGCtX4B6qPQFPfA_EI4N41Vi9lw5K9AMg9SUwxuqwRti0dvWVzqlhyphenhyphenm2-Xqvrrb5TxjqXSDG91_oEH7TVqLBywBVtk4_wEO6F4UI90x7C0PCCMGsfFYOWb5C8fbE-mkfWk1MFKuoLSdxk-k2H3HPg/w640-h480/DSC06563.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(the last of our tomatoes and snow peas picked from the garden)</i></div></i><p>How you live your life is also unique to your circumstances. We may face seasons that stretch us further than we thought we could endure, times when the grace of God is the only thing that keeps us going, so especially in those seasons do not compare yourself to another. I don't believe we should compare ourselves to others at any time, yet even unconsciously to some extent we probably will...but if that happens, stop and consider the very real differences between your life and what you know of the other's life. Don't be disheartened if you're not as well off, as healthy, as seemingly happy, as creative, as beautiful, or as organised as they appear to be...just be YOU, wonderful YOU, a unique and lovely woman crafted by our God, a God who has a mighty heart which stamped the full depth of His love on a cross. For YOU. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iJnB9fH6pWpmxf5sj-XIgjqpk9dLMhOSfmhiQw76HBLQ87jAnCbxP_1L2wvT50PP9rmPgFPxWLkIS59x8poljUrFL2qtapsrolgNwIDLcVxEPz_w2RxDUrrpvk5LVF4RgeM7-QY1QaFO7z3fKY51c0jIUzcQdyFkgUhAIURmlDgxxmvdu5ZFRHok/s3648/DSC06653%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iJnB9fH6pWpmxf5sj-XIgjqpk9dLMhOSfmhiQw76HBLQ87jAnCbxP_1L2wvT50PP9rmPgFPxWLkIS59x8poljUrFL2qtapsrolgNwIDLcVxEPz_w2RxDUrrpvk5LVF4RgeM7-QY1QaFO7z3fKY51c0jIUzcQdyFkgUhAIURmlDgxxmvdu5ZFRHok/w640-h480/DSC06653%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>We have six foot high sunflowers across the front of the house. No amount of sun or extreme heat can thwart their natural tendency to look up at the sun and follow it across the sky. </p><p>Dear one, let us be like the sunflower and let nothing turn us away from the true Son. Let our hearts look up to Him and follow His example in how we live our lives, treat others, and bear witness to His Word. </p><p>Precious girl, if your purpose seems clouded and elusive right now, if you are just not sure what you're meant to be doing (and how) with the rest of your earthly life, know I am praying this coming week that the fullness of the knowledge of His purpose for you becomes radiantly clear, and that His peace which surpasses all understanding will fill your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Hugs</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWuho7DELixoH_l6pnkzijHYO0uixH_9RyxEzvaLVArcNnhNCt2vx9jagBB_mM-4AGIerWCpQ8MylBQLmDAZA8EfRYcqH9_c_QbKBoQtqhb0676hYXWOtcQfP6HmfEDbnSK47oeWKAyeWk52hJBQ3z3qo9DofVTLtSfknmp6uLtzMPKe71SzekpTL/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWuho7DELixoH_l6pnkzijHYO0uixH_9RyxEzvaLVArcNnhNCt2vx9jagBB_mM-4AGIerWCpQ8MylBQLmDAZA8EfRYcqH9_c_QbKBoQtqhb0676hYXWOtcQfP6HmfEDbnSK47oeWKAyeWk52hJBQ3z3qo9DofVTLtSfknmp6uLtzMPKe71SzekpTL/w289-h67/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="289" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcjuIDdHpeDqDQkYAMk1es23pHSL4RrCO-gRZglZhhpyuPIxhT9LaEDlIJfAlhWTH_LKwfIyDXIW_u7n8szKfVo0prUCZ7AIeLIdH8k5cigKDejN7A3A8hZHx0D1xKRaJBeaEMojlBpZXNnJgJOdnKhefdhF1NSHn1nAeedCGHCTzKogofzCyQwk6/s1080/ELEFANTZ%20all%20that%20you%20do%201%20Cor%2010%2031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1080" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcjuIDdHpeDqDQkYAMk1es23pHSL4RrCO-gRZglZhhpyuPIxhT9LaEDlIJfAlhWTH_LKwfIyDXIW_u7n8szKfVo0prUCZ7AIeLIdH8k5cigKDejN7A3A8hZHx0D1xKRaJBeaEMojlBpZXNnJgJOdnKhefdhF1NSHn1nAeedCGHCTzKogofzCyQwk6/w400-h259/ELEFANTZ%20all%20that%20you%20do%201%20Cor%2010%2031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-33982258040772866792023-11-07T08:53:00.000+10:002023-11-07T08:53:52.918+10:00Crochet edging, family and work...<p> THANK YOU so much for all the prayers for our menfolk. I am thrilled to tell you that both our men are now employed, and most grateful. </p><p>Blossom's hubby and mine have both lost a considerable percentage of their previous incomes with these new jobs, but as we know, the Lord provides where there is need, and we PRAISE Him with full hearts for three reasons - work for our menfolk to do; income to pay rent/mortgage and put food on the table; and a biggie...more opportunities to learn ways to live on less. My husband broke a bone in his hand whilst working in the garden, and that came just as he began the new job so he could not take any time off. Fortunately, he's still able to do the work, and we're hopeful for a swift healing. </p><p>Blossom is back to home-schooling, and her heart overflows with delight at this. After experiencing the public school system, she and Ross decided it was not the right place for their children. Cully May is already enrolled in the local Christian school for next year so they may continue with that plan for her, but Rafaella and Charlie (who is on the autistc spectrum) will be home-schooled. So as you can see, there are changes and challenges afoot within our family, but we are a happy bunch, and always there for each other, so with the Lord by our side we shall continue to grow in His Word and His ways. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_w5Q5hMWFHrwV7BYPGhqAhegFiM5ERBpH1xgvatNt66x8oK33lW87wvcYZZ41abEzFNwBgY6Ls8Nunz5Sz-fFZTqkt6jw7P0BsMEWtkwNTk322Kt5IpklwnTnzb03mHRuUgNDXdklmPNCEEMLGoE6Ab_xT4gQcqiQaTfeNaV4J8fgULDDuWWzrRDK/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_w5Q5hMWFHrwV7BYPGhqAhegFiM5ERBpH1xgvatNt66x8oK33lW87wvcYZZ41abEzFNwBgY6Ls8Nunz5Sz-fFZTqkt6jw7P0BsMEWtkwNTk322Kt5IpklwnTnzb03mHRuUgNDXdklmPNCEEMLGoE6Ab_xT4gQcqiQaTfeNaV4J8fgULDDuWWzrRDK/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This time of year in the tropics of Northern Australia always is my worst season for migraines, the barometric kind that simply cannot be stemmed. I'm quite used to them after a lifetime of chronic migraines. There are many triggers that I can keep under control by avoidance (if possible) such as certain foods, tiredness, bright lights, certain chemicals etc...but the barometric (weather) related migraines cannot be avoided at all. Anyhow, I accept them, and always look for ways to function in the midst of them.</p><p>This year I have discovered that gentle crochet edging is incredibly calming and so I spend my down-time each day or in the evenings, with this very simple and pretty craft. I began with a couple of small circular projects with fabric and cotton 5ply yarn, more as a practice than anything, and when I realised how relaxing it was to make them I began on larger projects using cotton drill on the front and fabric on the back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYCDVXbi60ickDJJEbV8tfZIQNMuKg43ZAf-CYeKO94NkcFPBLU0oA8I49fe-gauukCN0Fmo5ajGPhZL98Xkh_XLflCwfVj-4NTyYm1n6xEM02WBffKV7RAHeTxSCvDqfL1Ny5ELRNSU6KyLwFNyF7dQZMaSy_l_mdc07aJewzOEDmLguMIz10llw/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYCDVXbi60ickDJJEbV8tfZIQNMuKg43ZAf-CYeKO94NkcFPBLU0oA8I49fe-gauukCN0Fmo5ajGPhZL98Xkh_XLflCwfVj-4NTyYm1n6xEM02WBffKV7RAHeTxSCvDqfL1Ny5ELRNSU6KyLwFNyF7dQZMaSy_l_mdc07aJewzOEDmLguMIz10llw/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Hubby and I took a lovely day trip to Taylors Beach and Lucinda last week before he started his job, and I completed this green table topper in the car on the way home (I get very tired on the trips home unless I have something to stitch, or crochet). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1TZS-uKuwgkOx4jFBl145vVt3OsgkmB5cHN9leOO1AmQ-6cVATgwRGJbN0O82k6V2NFMeUdC0-cCyPQub4xU9avgOGZXE265pJ9T3EKIcKEpT3aIxc9vgHy-8By90ScnJMgvL7JuXivZBCba_iaB0feqWgQghbFPb6l78LCKCgTot602BVHYSuKM/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1TZS-uKuwgkOx4jFBl145vVt3OsgkmB5cHN9leOO1AmQ-6cVATgwRGJbN0O82k6V2NFMeUdC0-cCyPQub4xU9avgOGZXE265pJ9T3EKIcKEpT3aIxc9vgHy-8By90ScnJMgvL7JuXivZBCba_iaB0feqWgQghbFPb6l78LCKCgTot602BVHYSuKM/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Next I made a slightly larger topper with some floral linen I bought back in 2014 and red cotton yarn crochet edging, but forgot to take a photo. The following project was made with some of my vintage stash of Cath Kidston cotton drill...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i93btc79X1WpXobvMQOpWBBpY0vqgG5du3TmM198pPWEjYtc4yPD-POX-nevMijMa2d0nhPSxMZaXzSSGD68FL1IdX6MUfV4DDmjItKnPiJEALsh8KIix1KhPpY8ahar_b2kUmSLFRaD0viLJAdpanlGZ71hRS_QkyTbsS-8p3KiV40juAz497LR/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i93btc79X1WpXobvMQOpWBBpY0vqgG5du3TmM198pPWEjYtc4yPD-POX-nevMijMa2d0nhPSxMZaXzSSGD68FL1IdX6MUfV4DDmjItKnPiJEALsh8KIix1KhPpY8ahar_b2kUmSLFRaD0viLJAdpanlGZ71hRS_QkyTbsS-8p3KiV40juAz497LR/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%20a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>...and it now graces my desk. Honest, this makes me smile every time I sit down at the computer! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTy0JyHH8fG3ZcxjkgocqI-38JBZbo4HmzLSQgtQdZYCL-QbskHBEU7gQb9YIdQH30jMB1woRqV9Heddb52DW4WM7oeB94K73691L993ABrgq86_dkdGNZ4DHU628X51n0Oswp7ElHqd6oUuFAqPE8gPeu-1vD_uesWZw3o4jwuUhosM6jn2ZKkbq/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%20a%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTy0JyHH8fG3ZcxjkgocqI-38JBZbo4HmzLSQgtQdZYCL-QbskHBEU7gQb9YIdQH30jMB1woRqV9Heddb52DW4WM7oeB94K73691L993ABrgq86_dkdGNZ4DHU628X51n0Oswp7ElHqd6oUuFAqPE8gPeu-1vD_uesWZw3o4jwuUhosM6jn2ZKkbq/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%20a%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlqEQmQRTr16K6Liwih8NPLV50pF1p_ryWfTWxw4S-JwWeDIOMC5wBy9kI2EgymNexQs-vAXGIes3Q4MpFj8-4YzWOwZFgwz25nbl-1VAaT839AVzP6tGzz3R5dA_E37GNndD9cdl9FBYeDluVpdSTvXSpvygNwRmw0T7tSNhxPMVUgTS7iVilClL/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%203%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSlqEQmQRTr16K6Liwih8NPLV50pF1p_ryWfTWxw4S-JwWeDIOMC5wBy9kI2EgymNexQs-vAXGIes3Q4MpFj8-4YzWOwZFgwz25nbl-1VAaT839AVzP6tGzz3R5dA_E37GNndD9cdl9FBYeDluVpdSTvXSpvygNwRmw0T7tSNhxPMVUgTS7iVilClL/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%203%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Yesterday I completed another runner using more of my my Cath Kidston stash, and a pink cotton crochet edging. This was made to cover the side table I use beside the couch, which holds my bible, iPad and whatever craft project I am currently working on. I chose fabric which blended with the turquoise of the side table, and it looks so pretty now.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27wiSNgkz5Z0LPcbYlyoTvid5hnI1hdomU1Lwl9fOw75UlPYqmAoZ8MrlXS3gh7p-xViCaRhi0XDvcelH5RLkNLkXaVhymbCc-i2YVaLgmSHERJI39Hfx_OmQlRsqpwD9PBhp0DpbECs1ndTpKoOr8GEk1IdZUA7Mv0qZPDL-D_YvnuS0RVSrHS8r/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27wiSNgkz5Z0LPcbYlyoTvid5hnI1hdomU1Lwl9fOw75UlPYqmAoZ8MrlXS3gh7p-xViCaRhi0XDvcelH5RLkNLkXaVhymbCc-i2YVaLgmSHERJI39Hfx_OmQlRsqpwD9PBhp0DpbECs1ndTpKoOr8GEk1IdZUA7Mv0qZPDL-D_YvnuS0RVSrHS8r/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeUxBz7QUTpHL1cxf2BAu38IzT423h55XlM57lcU6Mu-DvmBQI67VT_rb4F_IXttPqTh9X6mEstdnq81K_u0W-8EQxSKm3N9KXchqaSUE0ZocwgPwVUGzkImcGlQycp2o1py5XyHrt9-hSR0O4SFiflJyJXqQF-o9oRLQs2YnMmXmIs3OYudotAIc/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeUxBz7QUTpHL1cxf2BAu38IzT423h55XlM57lcU6Mu-DvmBQI67VT_rb4F_IXttPqTh9X6mEstdnq81K_u0W-8EQxSKm3N9KXchqaSUE0ZocwgPwVUGzkImcGlQycp2o1py5XyHrt9-hSR0O4SFiflJyJXqQF-o9oRLQs2YnMmXmIs3OYudotAIc/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20crochet%20edging%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Something else I made to enhance the home décor this season, was to frame some lovely cards I had purchased a while back. They have been sitting and waiting until I found just the right frames, and the other day I found some at the local cheap shop for $5 each, and they framed the cards beautifully. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSg6nmeZq9gtjpxdVaEciaqzXukTyf2rPu-ovnF5qGf-xsPPo1xl_FeJEhRWjmJa2xB7jTkuoHMxr3vQMctNG4fVfkJmy9TkDx7QmR0MNEbQAOJ6fO6tSamLTfCUbCEVSrXZl5aSogR-tF6IGiSmg9AXJih7ScU_qkE-7GbDMg9gHIjet0QNmMHBV/s3648/DSC06579%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSg6nmeZq9gtjpxdVaEciaqzXukTyf2rPu-ovnF5qGf-xsPPo1xl_FeJEhRWjmJa2xB7jTkuoHMxr3vQMctNG4fVfkJmy9TkDx7QmR0MNEbQAOJ6fO6tSamLTfCUbCEVSrXZl5aSogR-tF6IGiSmg9AXJih7ScU_qkE-7GbDMg9gHIjet0QNmMHBV/w640-h480/DSC06579%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi9U-QHlPWyLQ-6gWjowYtNtqQGmYPhLLgSi_UpL7eRghjarXQD83qnu82gdynqQI7gOzbgk0KdD1vK2MyrFGTKli8OVA7bA6DnCU6nknw-nqHWS0JKK-TgKl4hwhOCpiyvSeb-_JmKYVlVDSaO5Rv0BfJoGBFhxalWhiI8lQRtFzxKrdqbfAUfsi/s3648/DSC06579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi9U-QHlPWyLQ-6gWjowYtNtqQGmYPhLLgSi_UpL7eRghjarXQD83qnu82gdynqQI7gOzbgk0KdD1vK2MyrFGTKli8OVA7bA6DnCU6nknw-nqHWS0JKK-TgKl4hwhOCpiyvSeb-_JmKYVlVDSaO5Rv0BfJoGBFhxalWhiI8lQRtFzxKrdqbfAUfsi/w640-h480/DSC06579.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I think these type of framed cards would make lovely gifts for this time of year, don't you? The cards were purchased in a pack of twelve from <a href="https://koorong.com/search?currentPage=1&q=boxed%20cards" target="_blank">Koorong</a> last year. The frames were purchased locally at the <a href="https://www.rejectshop.com.au/p/meadow-print-wood-photo-frame-4x6?searchTerm=frame&searchType=Product&resultsPage=1&position=1" target="_blank">Reject Shop</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7ksLTXJImq0P9oh5iHcx1Ad9XSH3L7j49v16BWTfyGtAXn6yygW9RROJnpLLAeAA6eC3ZSA_DRUtc-DtS7EJzwxwhWqFHPrhC_uD5DPUgBoxi8EV1BbJGqs7lOirywQmyMSbTs_szXwOYY93_Ho4ZPm1CA0wCJKCpEWm1HcISGy4UA7DcZG3zbwx/s1108/Buttons%20for%20blog%202023%20ETSY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="1108" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7ksLTXJImq0P9oh5iHcx1Ad9XSH3L7j49v16BWTfyGtAXn6yygW9RROJnpLLAeAA6eC3ZSA_DRUtc-DtS7EJzwxwhWqFHPrhC_uD5DPUgBoxi8EV1BbJGqs7lOirywQmyMSbTs_szXwOYY93_Ho4ZPm1CA0wCJKCpEWm1HcISGy4UA7DcZG3zbwx/w200-h69/Buttons%20for%20blog%202023%20ETSY.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have added a few new patterns to my Etsy Shop that you may like to stitch. The October Stitchery Club set is now retired, but two of the single patterns in it are available, as well as another newbie you may not have seen. You can check them out <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/Elefantz" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhAi58uvKDQevdrbarkLk-rsInjWHjlsMDjkCSspC_KxSW7ZMv2USxA_9nDcDrxFNMuTIPPJK71I3aOadRpkZ_v0ke1Xit6JPYaXUhaz6l19BGBYVcYqDqG3q0GnIu46vfzR-W1bhT5G8wQeifqYyKmJ4yToiQSf6oWfToiyTgYYjY3TZDxAr5Iug/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20In%20Season%20mini%20quilt%20main%201%20sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhAi58uvKDQevdrbarkLk-rsInjWHjlsMDjkCSspC_KxSW7ZMv2USxA_9nDcDrxFNMuTIPPJK71I3aOadRpkZ_v0ke1Xit6JPYaXUhaz6l19BGBYVcYqDqG3q0GnIu46vfzR-W1bhT5G8wQeifqYyKmJ4yToiQSf6oWfToiyTgYYjY3TZDxAr5Iug/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20In%20Season%20mini%20quilt%20main%201%20sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmbEKt9-Y7SDu2ot_MWtR40k7d-yO5GcfE9ui7CVsaMmDvlqiv_GzNQlsJwkiNNlUaAVhW1KPWNe8JcwqqwG42KbMnjJiQZ7DU98HZnPnCpME1cpMtG99PhOvvloFJvF3u6t7phXKHuAMnBK8MWWs2STRa9wL09AkOHsCU6AWs65eSwmNn9Ly1B9o/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20Bless%20our%20home%20sampler%20sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmbEKt9-Y7SDu2ot_MWtR40k7d-yO5GcfE9ui7CVsaMmDvlqiv_GzNQlsJwkiNNlUaAVhW1KPWNe8JcwqqwG42KbMnjJiQZ7DU98HZnPnCpME1cpMtG99PhOvvloFJvF3u6t7phXKHuAMnBK8MWWs2STRa9wL09AkOHsCU6AWs65eSwmNn9Ly1B9o/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Bless%20our%20home%20sampler%20sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5dpp23F7uMBcRhTw_MoF4OzwvjwvHSG2L5fqWUh6J9yZgiWSEmsMCyOZTY2YKwtx6p3eHqAOIe6B_gazrOPU2leD8STmTnLm6MEr9Peoi-i1orT8xC9_UV6767vPWnY7dDI-86-kqDOU1P3l9_HwquS2g7-0Pf0N1L1QsOpnvBxgw4wQMYmWYsSI/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20spring%20sampler%2012%20sig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5dpp23F7uMBcRhTw_MoF4OzwvjwvHSG2L5fqWUh6J9yZgiWSEmsMCyOZTY2YKwtx6p3eHqAOIe6B_gazrOPU2leD8STmTnLm6MEr9Peoi-i1orT8xC9_UV6767vPWnY7dDI-86-kqDOU1P3l9_HwquS2g7-0Pf0N1L1QsOpnvBxgw4wQMYmWYsSI/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20spring%20sampler%2012%20sig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How are YOU? Do you need prayer? Do you have some praises to share? Perhaps you're working on gentle crafts too? I'd love to know, and so would others. </div><p>Bless you heaps, dear ones, and may the favour of the Lord be upon you in all you do, say and need. To God be the glory, great things He has done!</p><p>Hugs</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPHAGKx0nyB93K7YunU1895LHSgMoIcSmBI9aJ1vtBB7EJsZmglmnNFxsOInqtqNgQ5XY90FB0oDbfMExNil8_PlLtY2QQEZmEuvucyLgZJQPSk9VFMdimN4Hp1FmUemKKgxIl3_eQw14OWsAGm4I6H8hwaKvxq3hfk87yrOLq5C-wmEfjpbzYnUs/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPHAGKx0nyB93K7YunU1895LHSgMoIcSmBI9aJ1vtBB7EJsZmglmnNFxsOInqtqNgQ5XY90FB0oDbfMExNil8_PlLtY2QQEZmEuvucyLgZJQPSk9VFMdimN4Hp1FmUemKKgxIl3_eQw14OWsAGm4I6H8hwaKvxq3hfk87yrOLq5C-wmEfjpbzYnUs/s320/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/s1200/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="color: #838383; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/w281-h155/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="281" /></a></div></div><p><br /></p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-77918600694042230332023-11-01T13:56:00.003+10:002023-11-01T14:32:05.857+10:00Final two blocks in the Virtuous Wife free BOM...<p> <i><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">…and he praises her. “Many
women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful and
beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of
the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:
29b - 31</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I decided to share the final two
blocks in our Virtuous Wife quilt project this month, instead of now and in December, so that those ladies who
have been stitching the blocks each month have time to complete the full quilt
before the year ends. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I love these final few verses, and
as I was studying them, discovered a number of simply beautiful meanings which
help to expand our understanding of the written words. So, shall we explore
them?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2NmKsW26DDpwTNldf9maUyA_-cEzN47iUkarKmMkgONleNyZC9CxaqG0W2o9DDdNk0LyMrca9ra0PxiRJlf8uLpuRDpJpt8tb8P0SQvRe2X8NKp0qSJnnZhOgTCJtm8HSRXsHWc2Ljz1dQpW7Hz9GQneFsnCsVOv-LXOUqueNuYd5CA-gBnpAj52/s3686/ELEFANTZ%20P31%20block%2015%20main.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3124" data-original-width="3686" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2NmKsW26DDpwTNldf9maUyA_-cEzN47iUkarKmMkgONleNyZC9CxaqG0W2o9DDdNk0LyMrca9ra0PxiRJlf8uLpuRDpJpt8tb8P0SQvRe2X8NKp0qSJnnZhOgTCJtm8HSRXsHWc2Ljz1dQpW7Hz9GQneFsnCsVOv-LXOUqueNuYd5CA-gBnpAj52/w640-h542/ELEFANTZ%20P31%20block%2015%20main.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Verse 30:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(a)<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-indent: -18pt;">Charm is deceitful…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Charm (chen) - can mean physical
beauty, but translated from the original Hebrew it also means graciousness or
kindness. Deceitful (sheqer) - describes a sham, a falsehood, like putting on
an act. So, when we read it with this understanding, we can see that it’s not
all about physical beauty which can be made to look more than it actually is
with makeup and hair styles etc…it’s also about pretending to be gracious and
kind in order to gain favour – a sham.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(b)</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-indent: -18pt;">…and beauty is vain:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Vain
(hebel) - means empty. Physical beauty is empty. There’s no real substance to
it. We shall see why further on.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(c)</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; text-indent: -18pt;">…but a woman who fears the Lord is
to be praised.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fear
(yare’) - means to be morally reverent. It’s not about being scared of God as
you might a criminal, but to fully revere Him in His divine authorative nature,
to bow your will to His, abiding by His Word and living out that obedience for
all to see. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘To be praised’ (halal) - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>means to shine! Isn’t this beautiful? When we
fear God (as described above) we will shine. It instantly reminded me of Jesus’
words in Matthew 5:16 “…<span style="background: white;">let your light shine
before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in
heaven.” Ladies, let us shine forth for the Lord by how we live our lives, and
allowing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to refine our character. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oDs3ozQcxEl3bde1L-02vxDD2ajIyF8Obf7djAUB5zH6YhwFSFErM2yyjHa9Aye9pcqam6Du3Uaqvgw2ynHmZHJeD6l69GTgHpy-O2_axlNRiyAuAQxH5eQvbK8VLbio-8f9xcexT80rXTz-wrGKwfzidbar7-Up0YlQASTIpf1KwyzQleafhaQ8/s3686/ELEFANTZ%20P31%20block%2016%20main.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3124" data-original-width="3686" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oDs3ozQcxEl3bde1L-02vxDD2ajIyF8Obf7djAUB5zH6YhwFSFErM2yyjHa9Aye9pcqam6Du3Uaqvgw2ynHmZHJeD6l69GTgHpy-O2_axlNRiyAuAQxH5eQvbK8VLbio-8f9xcexT80rXTz-wrGKwfzidbar7-Up0YlQASTIpf1KwyzQleafhaQ8/w640-h542/ELEFANTZ%20P31%20block%2016%20main.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background: white;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 14pt;">Verse 31:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -18pt;">(a) Give her of the fruit of her
hands:”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Give
(nathan) her of the fruit (priy) of her hands; describes the bough of tree, and
means to render or reward.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -18pt;">(b) </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -18pt;">And let her own works…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">(Ma’aseh)
is the one word to express this section of the verse, and you may be surprised
to know that it has many meanings. “Her own works” can be baking, creating a
product, doing deeds, needlework, having handy skills, writing…her works can be
many and varied.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: -18pt;">(c)…praise her in the gates.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Praise
(hahal) – again, this means to shine. In the gates (sha’ar) relates to having
her character, deeds, and inner beauty displayed openly for all to see. When
you take this back to the Biblical era when Proverbs 31 was written, it’s easy
to see why her husband praised her openly when he sat with the city leaders in
the town gates. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b><i>And
finally…a little bit of information about the Proverbs 31:10-31 woman today.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Did
you know it is traditionally believed that Abraham used to recite this to
Sarah, and it is now recited or read by Jewish husbands to their wives on the
eve of Sabbath? I think that is so lovely, and any wife would be honoured to
have her husband consider her to be an example of the wife we have been
studying all year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">For
my part, I am not perfect, and God still has rough corners to round off in my
character, but after almost 32 years of marriage I can honestly say that I am
a much better wife than I once was, and intend on allowing the Lord to keep
refining me through whatever years I have left. To HIM be all glory and honour
and praise!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I
hope you have enjoyed this free Virtuous Wife block of the month, which we
began on November 1<sup>st</sup>, 2022. A year later and I am the better for
it, not because of what I have stitched or sewn, but because of what I have
learned through deepening my personal study of each verse, and almost every
word. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Use
the link below to download the final double pattern set, which includes the
quilt assembly instructions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KBWMJJwm_uQWH-4nZA7y2f-JH9sFpNw8/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD</a>
blocks 15 and 16 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If
you missed any of the sixteen blocks in this BOM go <a href="https://www.elefantz.com/p/the-virtuous-wife-bom.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I
have pieced all my blocks together and cut the quilt wadding, but am still
deciding how I’ll quilt it, and whether or not I’m going to attempt something a
little different. More about that another day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">God
bless you!! May you grow in the favour and blessing of the Lord all the days of
your life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vLAf77MPKutLprUkXxTFzqPYrTJSmjq4lbiAUwWgK7rPt3iVAyxhpt1TjbAOkLK0sN9ZumQt0v_T-MmzYrOguMhWvToF-eEmzW4NRZ_6TamXnwM1NBFIBHHOGjvfRPxmsKKFReQQaJwoJHhqoygi-6spPs9Kx6Jv3q5ifDgBzSojTgCDzfV0i4JE/s334/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202023.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="334" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vLAf77MPKutLprUkXxTFzqPYrTJSmjq4lbiAUwWgK7rPt3iVAyxhpt1TjbAOkLK0sN9ZumQt0v_T-MmzYrOguMhWvToF-eEmzW4NRZ_6TamXnwM1NBFIBHHOGjvfRPxmsKKFReQQaJwoJHhqoygi-6spPs9Kx6Jv3q5ifDgBzSojTgCDzfV0i4JE/w200-h75/ELEFANTZ%20signature%202023.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><p style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/s1200/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="color: #838383; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/w281-h155/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="281" /></a></div></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p></span><p></p><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><p></p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-73413621016176388682023-10-25T15:34:00.001+10:002023-10-25T15:34:19.508+10:00Late October garden and two new patterns...<p> It's been a while since I did a garden post, mostly because we've been flat out keeping things alive as the dreadful high temperatures return for our long summer, which will not recede until close to winter next year. </p><p>Over the past month my husband dug up a large concrete slab in our backyard, which the previous owners used as a boat support. Then he had to fill it all in with soil, and top it with hay. I took these photos early yesterday morning before the sun rose over the mountain, as once the sun appears my photos are startlingly white and overexposed, so they are a little dark...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAQ2qVLW1yRoa4JzLfdPVe4pHPW8yl7-RZy6g9Bo8BZzPejC3fXZJ_rKy39auZr-OIYGtSaZOm0vrfXsTO4c59QY90Mup8rQ2nxuEmeNnQ3nQsnzLlNSxNbcAIEStMiBeOQHFN5RBJwHBcpzwfmXuxIETT3xVzAddkao4BLBgioInyd2mkC0zmb6z/s3648/DSC06450%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAQ2qVLW1yRoa4JzLfdPVe4pHPW8yl7-RZy6g9Bo8BZzPejC3fXZJ_rKy39auZr-OIYGtSaZOm0vrfXsTO4c59QY90Mup8rQ2nxuEmeNnQ3nQsnzLlNSxNbcAIEStMiBeOQHFN5RBJwHBcpzwfmXuxIETT3xVzAddkao4BLBgioInyd2mkC0zmb6z/w640-h480/DSC06450%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcElf5daj2Xy5rMdwTlJnY2YuvxFm99YiAT-BxEP2SmuUuv58h96hNSdSn-nuOvj8W7IY6A5FGE0OisHNWodqt2JMKsj4ydH4SnNp_OOrP5840sXBrYSt1q8FdmowD3omaNLGBwT-ptCHPzdCcdJ1oVmj_g7fUEa0y-y_87z9vUO4gXxuVDKNGrDIn/s3648/DSC06450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcElf5daj2Xy5rMdwTlJnY2YuvxFm99YiAT-BxEP2SmuUuv58h96hNSdSn-nuOvj8W7IY6A5FGE0OisHNWodqt2JMKsj4ydH4SnNp_OOrP5840sXBrYSt1q8FdmowD3omaNLGBwT-ptCHPzdCcdJ1oVmj_g7fUEa0y-y_87z9vUO4gXxuVDKNGrDIn/w640-h480/DSC06450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>These are some of the concrete pieces he cut out. We're giving them away, and half have already been taken, but the rest are waiting there until we find someone else who wants them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Psf4L-t4CqNigX-lcbzbsnTIWPpV4GCzpQ3Tdanee1U_uP2nAu_aawi5Y5uB8jHRy3gid5C09PuQhAArOxxsdHR4dOrGidF7aZTreG__Pvj34kYyHHc9HuZYox9ro4MwLbWZRN0fVL-7YHD8nDXeCgzbASWzGVvc1VSXEq9WXM8nHuCA5R91cGh0/s3648/DSC06450%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Psf4L-t4CqNigX-lcbzbsnTIWPpV4GCzpQ3Tdanee1U_uP2nAu_aawi5Y5uB8jHRy3gid5C09PuQhAArOxxsdHR4dOrGidF7aZTreG__Pvj34kYyHHc9HuZYox9ro4MwLbWZRN0fVL-7YHD8nDXeCgzbASWzGVvc1VSXEq9WXM8nHuCA5R91cGh0/w640-h480/DSC06450%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The grass has died away and when you walk around the yard all you hear is the crunch under your feet. We have added more hay across parts of the lawn, in an effort to save the soil from complete hydrophobia before the rain arrives - though we're told to expect a long drought, and for the past few months that is indeed what we have had. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScgQnY0L7w-WTP05eIfHIrB7VGWH0G96s4FsHlSHXmio0mw4gkhqQCR_NwCSnNyo1bZONElZ2JeL30LfWPmyykadzWe3j-ih_iNB8Xa_TR441qfHlE2wQ6_T2tIeLUHg-K0yTAaAVdbM6bJf9lGOzSNpx8-DAJcXqg-yXSexFQ8GEl2Sn1AMTj2M4/s3056/DSC06450%20(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="3056" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScgQnY0L7w-WTP05eIfHIrB7VGWH0G96s4FsHlSHXmio0mw4gkhqQCR_NwCSnNyo1bZONElZ2JeL30LfWPmyykadzWe3j-ih_iNB8Xa_TR441qfHlE2wQ6_T2tIeLUHg-K0yTAaAVdbM6bJf9lGOzSNpx8-DAJcXqg-yXSexFQ8GEl2Sn1AMTj2M4/w640-h468/DSC06450%20(16).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I always plant pumpkins this time of year because they survive regardless of the heat and humidity. There are four Queensland Blue plants here, and before planting out the seeds I dug holes and filled them with really good quality potting mix (far better than our rock hard clay soil). I just have to keep up the water every day...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA54-BVnhzzaUtx3ClicCHo8bjiFdgG745FCJaecMDNYbBlG3nUq34dqpvMNfYVjGgsf4lngaHbHPbUWd4pOIqfYaFzuzJsIiTm4I8ydDyxLO-ntbS4DzhBpdWXgqUDqt1NfxYSTqASnpFuSChGmG805CZfxmLdpLmbu3rVCoD1IHZU5B9PpDGsRY0/s3648/DSC06450%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA54-BVnhzzaUtx3ClicCHo8bjiFdgG745FCJaecMDNYbBlG3nUq34dqpvMNfYVjGgsf4lngaHbHPbUWd4pOIqfYaFzuzJsIiTm4I8ydDyxLO-ntbS4DzhBpdWXgqUDqt1NfxYSTqASnpFuSChGmG805CZfxmLdpLmbu3rVCoD1IHZU5B9PpDGsRY0/w640-h480/DSC06450%20(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The cucamelon vines died off once the days got over 30C (85F) and now where we are the days have already climbed to 34C (94F)...and it's only the middle of spring. Trying to keep some nutrition in all the gardens I have planted sunflowers of all varieties *everywhere*. We won't let them go to seed, but do a cut and drop over garden beds and soil. We will also plant more in successions of about 4-6 weeks until early Autumn. </p><p>The small raised bed on the left below is now clear of the cucamelon vines and I have sunflowers coming up at the base of the wire. The angelonia and marigolds continue to thrive in the worst of heat as long as they get water. So do the geraniums, dianthus and coreopsis, and of course, the weeds. Sweet potatoes are also doing very well in three separate areas as long as they get watered regularly. Honestly, we will take anything good we can get in the garden right now. Herbs like rosemary, spring onions (green onions), parsley, thai basil and perennial basil are also surviving - <i>but they usually manage okay in summer with good rain</i> - this year we'll just hand water. </p><p>The corn failed dismally, so we're leaving it there to drop and become part of soil nutrition.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYDQg8rCrMdTAr1uwEZFB0AL69Hb7HSDFnCdi18rU4CBgJzBbpsKpxsvABxfAns8wpEynA2BRsWxs8ffw523jpfTBuf1vMCkeVe6Lp1hwP2LGN6hJfWJ0Zy8OH2dwSUXnt7S4GmQtBQ0FrVP_i8Y0aon8xmrw6TQmx7E81KzCnRCcphB9ZmAAXHYi/s3056/DSC06450%20(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="3056" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYDQg8rCrMdTAr1uwEZFB0AL69Hb7HSDFnCdi18rU4CBgJzBbpsKpxsvABxfAns8wpEynA2BRsWxs8ffw523jpfTBuf1vMCkeVe6Lp1hwP2LGN6hJfWJ0Zy8OH2dwSUXnt7S4GmQtBQ0FrVP_i8Y0aon8xmrw6TQmx7E81KzCnRCcphB9ZmAAXHYi/w640-h468/DSC06450%20(10).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="3056" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYvDMbrGVV4pzEVbHt9AGrcSSDhq9TMaA1l3RGKJvzAfD4yWvrGcjuz9Thtfw_evYP0N1g90fXLiAeeVcqivUPRoLN936ehAcQu4R9QrXmtDe3QvG28fcLssaDMmJnAm319h1baJG56BgFsOe_hOa2eqKoM4KU4EhSTVgfWajh77JROGs48H4iHQC/w640-h468/DSC06450%20(13).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeEJPvTXhTxGLiWc_8A5TZXp3VfDD8mFT80EAmksaIrHZZrgeqzOkedc6D77J603xA9DeAmsUcIEL1EgPGTRfE5ai7iaqwgSzOgJwt17YQdAcypqmFi_MMzrIQH5MLrlah5wMlFiXl0Nx33MqHDFK7zoy25eaJCGr2pUdXX9oTnZ3OQ9DFBq7phzu/s3648/DSC06450%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeEJPvTXhTxGLiWc_8A5TZXp3VfDD8mFT80EAmksaIrHZZrgeqzOkedc6D77J603xA9DeAmsUcIEL1EgPGTRfE5ai7iaqwgSzOgJwt17YQdAcypqmFi_MMzrIQH5MLrlah5wMlFiXl0Nx33MqHDFK7zoy25eaJCGr2pUdXX9oTnZ3OQ9DFBq7phzu/w640-h480/DSC06450%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm nursing two cucumber vines in the shade, three potted blueberry plants in fruit under the cover of an old net curtain, and the last of our roma tomatoes and snow peas (very shocked that they've lasted this long).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5wA_BRTwXIuTswOfj1SAFNej57xLiMiBLUUb_kkZzhvKn4k5mmCT7OwSA5oIP6ESW4KtaQ4zug1Rtz31V84By5cPqa_o7Rlp3nlBrqIXjqqLMh2Z51hRpEFDkMR-arx9zpR0hKN9K3BuKfMniHiAKqsUiVGIuw_EUJD3F0Z8_6Y8TsfvrifgBYyg/s3056/DSC06450%20(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="3056" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5wA_BRTwXIuTswOfj1SAFNej57xLiMiBLUUb_kkZzhvKn4k5mmCT7OwSA5oIP6ESW4KtaQ4zug1Rtz31V84By5cPqa_o7Rlp3nlBrqIXjqqLMh2Z51hRpEFDkMR-arx9zpR0hKN9K3BuKfMniHiAKqsUiVGIuw_EUJD3F0Z8_6Y8TsfvrifgBYyg/w640-h468/DSC06450%20(14).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhO-Hs1V3dc-Raf_5Lrlr1X5z1rTQL81gZfbSyQsutd-n-dYl8RbhPQoZU7xNDVTVy1zy9z5nq-hxcKjzOO8j_xhowdX1eBfDnsg3gBfNLnSaRY1LAMPPHSZPQrdLfjKb4Zquwz2YxIeZkcp8PUmIikGxBTo8Ih5cM0bFtB-7IO1pKXPCQkKxMUag/s3056/DSC06450%20(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="3056" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhO-Hs1V3dc-Raf_5Lrlr1X5z1rTQL81gZfbSyQsutd-n-dYl8RbhPQoZU7xNDVTVy1zy9z5nq-hxcKjzOO8j_xhowdX1eBfDnsg3gBfNLnSaRY1LAMPPHSZPQrdLfjKb4Zquwz2YxIeZkcp8PUmIikGxBTo8Ih5cM0bFtB-7IO1pKXPCQkKxMUag/w640-h468/DSC06450%20(15).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Our little green tree frog is still alive and happily living in the raised bed by the pool. Turned out it's a she, so we named her Peaches. When the children were little we used to sing a song "Gonna move to the country and eat a lot of peaches..." because we all had a dream to do that. Unfortunately you can't grow peaches in the tropics, but now we have a Peaches of our own living close by. She's looking much better than she did <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxoDbGlBZxI/?img_index=2" target="_blank">back here</a> and happily sits in her pink bowl of water if she's not shading herself under the sweet potato vine. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZbM-bxq4UcXbWD88B0FsXQIrEdhU5LNIZ0EAru4UYzGPYTQNSp2ROZE8aVKeLICUnQqT3eU3zETZgpVSUKkcbASTGnvJOd2NkelQihWLl4-mETg-8j-H83WYWzXnnPhVr_Iv8VQJa0rAvmYKMufSeq-C4hspWQYS-5YqHNldIdiD5dy3hmT-fJkM/s3056/DSC06450%20(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="3056" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZbM-bxq4UcXbWD88B0FsXQIrEdhU5LNIZ0EAru4UYzGPYTQNSp2ROZE8aVKeLICUnQqT3eU3zETZgpVSUKkcbASTGnvJOd2NkelQihWLl4-mETg-8j-H83WYWzXnnPhVr_Iv8VQJa0rAvmYKMufSeq-C4hspWQYS-5YqHNldIdiD5dy3hmT-fJkM/w640-h468/DSC06450%20(9).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdyJdIqMDhhKksGvfX3QrGf1ZC1Sa5NgJrXHJPMRtJVQAQSj7QD0wgj8nXIUO9F22IAF5KrfZ_FnW2dZDq653NZvmaQut0MEsotvO6XqCrgOL15ov8gAfRnrPVAHbqrmlS38TXWDLCjpYonmkHMnWVfCXFWGAO9FWFOL_WFFXf35hov8RJOgI03_f/s3056/DSC06450%20(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2231" data-original-width="3056" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdyJdIqMDhhKksGvfX3QrGf1ZC1Sa5NgJrXHJPMRtJVQAQSj7QD0wgj8nXIUO9F22IAF5KrfZ_FnW2dZDq653NZvmaQut0MEsotvO6XqCrgOL15ov8gAfRnrPVAHbqrmlS38TXWDLCjpYonmkHMnWVfCXFWGAO9FWFOL_WFFXf35hov8RJOgI03_f/w640-h468/DSC06450%20(8).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>New Patterns...</b></p><p>I have added two new patterns to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/Elefantz" target="_blank">my Etsy Shop</a> this week, and I hope you like them. Both were a joy to create and are now displayed in our home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUF8227X5UfPZ3DDDGHQmPPMbJ7-I-7m0vw3l1bOS9AvcdWDyZmGkRn0xbUjYK9m-7NB6lm6xCSVZTClwJBu5-0UhSaNskSpWZ7W4XTCBNlHCVuKUTJzuo9GZbgtSiCl2fq16kMLohSXMwvhNkrxtYwoLJyq_b4QR7qnaaZCuwAqXrWH725qddTXB/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20the%20eyes%20of%20the%20Lord%20main%20sig%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUF8227X5UfPZ3DDDGHQmPPMbJ7-I-7m0vw3l1bOS9AvcdWDyZmGkRn0xbUjYK9m-7NB6lm6xCSVZTClwJBu5-0UhSaNskSpWZ7W4XTCBNlHCVuKUTJzuo9GZbgtSiCl2fq16kMLohSXMwvhNkrxtYwoLJyq_b4QR7qnaaZCuwAqXrWH725qddTXB/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20the%20eyes%20of%20the%20Lord%20main%20sig%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU1VPptlf-Dqf7VP7UoOgss_dZDLCs9Or60vfJciU8gyMJQlqaCSnwQ0crBMLwQZfqyqS0BSCN6-l9IioxRn0Q4ws2S5QVv1ifXW5oFFMvAIebfqZFA8iPY0WfkMaj1lNH5dt1x9NmDpR0746IXNh3wAlt3531mhop_kawVBk_yDyrTX48BOpY2N3/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20the%20eyes%20of%20the%20Lord%20main%20sig%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU1VPptlf-Dqf7VP7UoOgss_dZDLCs9Or60vfJciU8gyMJQlqaCSnwQ0crBMLwQZfqyqS0BSCN6-l9IioxRn0Q4ws2S5QVv1ifXW5oFFMvAIebfqZFA8iPY0WfkMaj1lNH5dt1x9NmDpR0746IXNh3wAlt3531mhop_kawVBk_yDyrTX48BOpY2N3/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20the%20eyes%20of%20the%20Lord%20main%20sig%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I find this verse to be quite uplifting, and at times needful to remember. </p><p>I've really enjoyed the penny rug style these past few months, and though there are no penny circles on the little tongues which hang from the bottom of this mini quilt, the small mother-of-pearl buttons added a lovely vintage touch and were a perfect replacement. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheth-kzidmFaoBbQ1dXTB35YetDmFu8JeDZtlNrc6qrJ_JWefB_pUM3JoG2U8NNllKivSt7K8PAU4zes0N1AWyUBamMvvqRK8JhsdVmH2UCrVln1B90YM6_yKc0YZnKFg-tFMyAIzy0_o1kST0V4qAV_2b42YII-_c4U6bMUXV9cf8hjW1HsW6O_7d/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20the%20eyes%20of%20the%20Lord%20main%20sig%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheth-kzidmFaoBbQ1dXTB35YetDmFu8JeDZtlNrc6qrJ_JWefB_pUM3JoG2U8NNllKivSt7K8PAU4zes0N1AWyUBamMvvqRK8JhsdVmH2UCrVln1B90YM6_yKc0YZnKFg-tFMyAIzy0_o1kST0V4qAV_2b42YII-_c4U6bMUXV9cf8hjW1HsW6O_7d/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20the%20eyes%20of%20the%20Lord%20main%20sig%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As I said in my last post, designing in future will only happen when I have time, inspiration and can fully enjoy the process. The few new patterns I am currently writing and adding to my shop were all joyful creations, and made for our home. Perhaps they'll be joyful additions to your own sewing? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlu-l-6R7pWqIFaTdrWgju9OP2U_A8Nj0qFs3NC3wi6fa1ich-q33AHfUx82NeUNLANdG9dYXA739c7GHo9q2fQShH761C1zE__LiZRbAYStE91SfKVFfuAt0Fs-iU1j9slyz__y1hSK4F89mQguRh0f5NtELuUlM3WmP0Um7TxWuUI13hKyrEfb3/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20corner%20house%20table%20topper%20main%20b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlu-l-6R7pWqIFaTdrWgju9OP2U_A8Nj0qFs3NC3wi6fa1ich-q33AHfUx82NeUNLANdG9dYXA739c7GHo9q2fQShH761C1zE__LiZRbAYStE91SfKVFfuAt0Fs-iU1j9slyz__y1hSK4F89mQguRh0f5NtELuUlM3WmP0Um7TxWuUI13hKyrEfb3/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20corner%20house%20table%20topper%20main%20b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7cU_pCh8sgXrOdGV6W8msPg-MFC85b4Me5kFtxI_yXXQmaRz-2Ewt-16FBbbrcrIuKcrAC7pJf23Ljk4Zm0_zM2fdY2TiIXfwGRgIdRwffmTkRS9DQ8b_h_995wgAyT9HP9ZmAVkht29_cUHnVzHa7MdqkNYs7SOcZk_tpMw546sd10iiw3pgwvA/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20corner%20house%20table%20topper%20use%20small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7cU_pCh8sgXrOdGV6W8msPg-MFC85b4Me5kFtxI_yXXQmaRz-2Ewt-16FBbbrcrIuKcrAC7pJf23Ljk4Zm0_zM2fdY2TiIXfwGRgIdRwffmTkRS9DQ8b_h_995wgAyT9HP9ZmAVkht29_cUHnVzHa7MdqkNYs7SOcZk_tpMw546sd10iiw3pgwvA/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20corner%20house%20table%20topper%20use%20small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This table topper is square and has a cute little house sitting atop a double heart sewn into each corner. I made this in subdued colours, and thought later it would be perfect to display around late autumn when the weather begins to cool...in late autumn and winter I love having more subdued colours in the house.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmnTzonvH34S_yyOvVuv1lWFwS6SUTr-jN3VMhF_W_pBDmX5fPoWoRULLz2ANdKsYMbw07RWKZOFFJuBLdIwECKUEtMw90ywzLxcjpfLi9IlYeEfCDV0Sm4yHJoK78BpicelbiuUuo2lER-DcYE06OWUkwjoe0k7_NYQ3ggUN_M5wW8JyRrmZzJEJ/s3077/ELEFANTZ%20table%20topper%20square%20view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2630" data-original-width="3077" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmnTzonvH34S_yyOvVuv1lWFwS6SUTr-jN3VMhF_W_pBDmX5fPoWoRULLz2ANdKsYMbw07RWKZOFFJuBLdIwECKUEtMw90ywzLxcjpfLi9IlYeEfCDV0Sm4yHJoK78BpicelbiuUuo2lER-DcYE06OWUkwjoe0k7_NYQ3ggUN_M5wW8JyRrmZzJEJ/w640-h548/ELEFANTZ%20table%20topper%20square%20view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Both new patterns are <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/Elefantz" target="_blank">HERE in my shop</a> if you'd like to make them. :-)</p><p>I shall sign off now as it's time for my afternoon cuppa, and dear husband will be keen to have one too. I baked some delicious banana, apple and blueberry muffins this morning so they'll be just right to have on the side. </p><p><i>Before I go </i>- I was reading 1 Thessalonians this morning and wanted to encourage you with Paul's words as I sign off today...<i>"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1Thessalonians 5:16-18</i></p><p>Then I read this from one of Charles Spurgeon's sermons and it fit perfectly with that verse so I'll share this with you too...</p><p><i>"When joy and prayer are married, their firstborn child is gratitude." Charles Spurgeon</i></p><p>God bless you dear ones, and may we together always rejoice, pray, and give thanks, to our Father above Who loved us so much He sacrificed His only Son to save us. <i>That truth must never be watered down, ignored or altered to suit the world. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">Love and hugs</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo3XEuCYXfbno4sC82TbBmBDiegUungdpi5OOchcNPqn4lto44n7U1gkDuQHyCSy04HGtsQqnGERBQmaytf1CXcxoxLP88WNHQMYyfulETvGdZQYOkbSvB5QWn6p4No9UEjY0bzXvQ13POl6CTVgdC8b_UQoppEdt1zCWIWzO9FJkhAlpv2s0AfMF/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo3XEuCYXfbno4sC82TbBmBDiegUungdpi5OOchcNPqn4lto44n7U1gkDuQHyCSy04HGtsQqnGERBQmaytf1CXcxoxLP88WNHQMYyfulETvGdZQYOkbSvB5QWn6p4No9UEjY0bzXvQ13POl6CTVgdC8b_UQoppEdt1zCWIWzO9FJkhAlpv2s0AfMF/s320/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/s1200/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="color: #838383; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/w281-h155/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="281" /></a></div></div><p> </p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5738183327129723042.post-80112660494744481892023-10-22T15:14:00.000+10:002023-10-22T15:14:01.738+10:00Counting the cost...<p>Dear friends, Thank you for the prayers many of you have offered on our family's behalf, prayers for employment for both my husband and our son in law Ross. I want to assure you that Blossom and I have complete trust in the Lord to provide what is needed at the right time. My husband knows this too, but being the head of the home and our main provider, there's more pressure on him (in his own mind) to gain work soon. Ross is not a Christian so he's feeling more pressure with each week that passes...so we keep praying, and as my beloved Nana would say all the time, "God willing it (whatever the need or plan was) will come to pass." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCv_oO6DsFRkdsms02ErgjV9oCs7b32-qmdq5wDTllk3XMtIxT0EZ29Of9E2sTqcxS6ol5YhlncKwRbe3SBiyKnY6JBhwaJA9oO-x2PVlaKB9kkPwj-fzmEVJYAf6o6UrnmB1P4y3Dd65348av6g10NuyB9XkXx2FepR6gkxhIULf6prLlsOGOM_c/s3648/DSC06347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCv_oO6DsFRkdsms02ErgjV9oCs7b32-qmdq5wDTllk3XMtIxT0EZ29Of9E2sTqcxS6ol5YhlncKwRbe3SBiyKnY6JBhwaJA9oO-x2PVlaKB9kkPwj-fzmEVJYAf6o6UrnmB1P4y3Dd65348av6g10NuyB9XkXx2FepR6gkxhIULf6prLlsOGOM_c/w640-h480/DSC06347.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Homemaking in my experience, is like the seasons, a rhythmic change of circumstances. We have the season of noisy growing children filling the rooms, and then the season of quiet when they have left the nest. There are the seasons of plenty, times when we have comfortably enough, and the times when every penny counts. A season of excellent health may be followed by a serious illness, and vice versa. Our home garden might be abundant one year, and swallowed up by flood or drought the next, and of course there may be a season of being ably employed, followed by a season of no work at all. </p><p>As a homemaker first and foremost, I find myself challenged in various ways when a certain season arrives or leaves. For example, I knew in advance that my husband would be unemployed by early October, so I did what I immediately thought should be done, and began a new Stitchery Club to at least help us pay the mortgage each week...but I was wrong to do that. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOBA-CE_q4S5S7LCUFDMryqxBBmv5EXW54Q68T2w9LhRr6N_NK4bFGZmMZI9boYqhg5yLTUphCiC38Kg8ArNYimZJzIMODUygZ1Rv-on5Ji946kBeTH0LMBm6WapEuDkgLRwx5L8rztt7c3DXyeL_0h7C0WwkV4bghn33NdpawjakTqX2dexSOUUX/s3648/DSC06315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOBA-CE_q4S5S7LCUFDMryqxBBmv5EXW54Q68T2w9LhRr6N_NK4bFGZmMZI9boYqhg5yLTUphCiC38Kg8ArNYimZJzIMODUygZ1Rv-on5Ji946kBeTH0LMBm6WapEuDkgLRwx5L8rztt7c3DXyeL_0h7C0WwkV4bghn33NdpawjakTqX2dexSOUUX/w640-h480/DSC06315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Hubby used to work six days a week, and when he would have holidays I'd consciously pull back a bit with my regular chores so that we could spend more time together, especially in the garden as that's a pastime we really enjoy. But a week or two later he was back at work and after playing catch-up with deep cleaning for a few days, I'd settle back to the normal routines and rhythms of keeping home.</p><p>Having him home now for an unknown period of time, and adding a new Stitchery Club to my list of to-dos (working on the club requires hours every day) on top of my regular and important responsibilities around home, he has noticed that I am run off my feet trying to keep up, and this has put a real damper on our days. My beloved is the head of our home, and through God, he is our income provider. When we married the plan was always that I'd raise the children and keep house, and he would be the breadwinner. Admittedly, when the children were younger (as was I) and he was retraining at University, he was happy that I was able to earn a little extra by doing things like Avon, cleaning a large local church (hubby helped) or selling used rare books online which I'd found at op-shops - these all helped fund our homeschooling expenses over the years...but they never replaced his wage, nor became a necessity. If it was getting too much I simply stopped with his blessing and gave my full attention to home and family. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1aowe5p58bmKkVQA4WhZ9BHlpMUO8a3_pmMIf3ysCkOj28zG-80Vaom8eSFjgm1SpH0AZqQXGkSNNtGmBIuZXGTNQYsmrfZ_r_fEPFBT7Cm-Y5pgFaoDMQsYMPbU8TURRPtjHAtN4sDbDMUqtG-tGH7jnIASr5SdX2jUXjHtmkcySNY8Wd4PXxzp/s3648/DSC06298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1aowe5p58bmKkVQA4WhZ9BHlpMUO8a3_pmMIf3ysCkOj28zG-80Vaom8eSFjgm1SpH0AZqQXGkSNNtGmBIuZXGTNQYsmrfZ_r_fEPFBT7Cm-Y5pgFaoDMQsYMPbU8TURRPtjHAtN4sDbDMUqtG-tGH7jnIASr5SdX2jUXjHtmkcySNY8Wd4PXxzp/w640-h480/DSC06298.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>When the children were at the end of their homeschooling education, I had begun to design stitcheries and offered a free block of the month on my blog every year (still do). Soon various craft magazines were asking me to design for them on a monthly basis, and I did that for about five or six years before choosing to offer my patterns through my own site. It's been a wonderful journey doing this, and because of the income we were finally able to save enough for a deposit on a home of our own late in 2018. Buying our home was a long held dream and we give thanks daily to the Lord for making this possible. </p><p>As I reflect on the changes having a home of our own made in our lives as we neared 60, we were simply not prepared for the energy it would take to turn a home in the tropics which was surrounded by concrete, into a green, shady, edible garden. On top of that were the internal changes, a flood in 2019, so many home repairs and flood pumps installed as we fought rising water every wet season, and each year getting older and both of us having auto-immune diseases to manage. We do not regret a thing, and we know this home was a gift from God so that we'd not have to rent anymore, but could create our own home sanctuary to last through the latter years of life, and ultimately be passed on one day if the Lord tarries His return. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunFTUC_gXmHEII6bDBw1BxMPGQ5vAraT60uiG6T88wBZ9l834JhN98DP5fTNz6iJUX-1bt5YEJOBjnDEVHJ68S-Fj4VbZljJpCCh_-YKRMujru2I7wY81LhKl9l0WY4cdv8NN42BWu4wC6VDfFaoZqkUuxII2jBi0CQAs-M4qt9mgjhuXm8TrnPgs/s3648/DSC06329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunFTUC_gXmHEII6bDBw1BxMPGQ5vAraT60uiG6T88wBZ9l834JhN98DP5fTNz6iJUX-1bt5YEJOBjnDEVHJ68S-Fj4VbZljJpCCh_-YKRMujru2I7wY81LhKl9l0WY4cdv8NN42BWu4wC6VDfFaoZqkUuxII2jBi0CQAs-M4qt9mgjhuXm8TrnPgs/w640-h480/DSC06329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />But jumping in to start a new club, even though my intentions were good, did not make them right for this season of life. One day I was so exhausted and with my body a mass of pain, another migraine beginning to brew, all I wanted was to fall into bed. Later that night when bedtime finally came around I prayed and asked the Lord for help. Do you know what He said?<p></p><p>"You didn't count the cost first." Every time I woke in the night I pondered those words and next morning re-read Jesus' words on that very subject. (Luke 14:28,29) He was describing how a builder would not build a tower without first sitting down and counting the cost, to make sure he had enough supplies before he began. Then I read chapters before and after that one, because I am very much a contextualist when it comes to studying Scripture, and discovered more examples of counting the cost.</p><p>Cost can be anything which will be required of you to pursue a certain task, relationship or belief. It's not just about money. The cost I had not factored in was time, energy, age, health and priorities. As the past few months have come and gone, it's clear that not much was lain aside, apart from blogging, because I take my homemaking very seriously, but in order to keep up I had to fill more and more hours each week with precious time which should not have been surrendered so rashly. No wonder I was exhausted and in so much pain. If only I had counted the cost before making that decision. </p><p>When I eventually fell on my knees before our Lord, He was so very gracious, and in the past week or so I have become more aware of the cost that must be paid for any decision I will make now and in the future. Counting the cost is marvellous for putting things into perspective, for alerting me to a pot-hole in the road ahead, for reminding me of what I have in my hand and what I can do without. </p><p>I even got inspiration for a new design, with words of life to keep me steady and grounded in the simple life I love so much, and which recently began to slip away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAYRoJjyd2kzd0LqrIqFeL213TMI_DWYTht09f80mNkNNGg11yD5EDNDZMWucjXNo6SMbtDFKv86HBJSq4OLKfUB0lH1_jO-h-5Fbf9Hr1ijc7szZ-cCxv1BPSTWH3m2W2Mg6H0TYBswNg2UxeLCnWgO9xccB56YdsnNZ6UDnEsdEbRTcRevGwmgu/s3648/ELEFANTZ%20Live%20Simply%20Show%20Kindness%20main%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAYRoJjyd2kzd0LqrIqFeL213TMI_DWYTht09f80mNkNNGg11yD5EDNDZMWucjXNo6SMbtDFKv86HBJSq4OLKfUB0lH1_jO-h-5Fbf9Hr1ijc7szZ-cCxv1BPSTWH3m2W2Mg6H0TYBswNg2UxeLCnWgO9xccB56YdsnNZ6UDnEsdEbRTcRevGwmgu/w640-h480/ELEFANTZ%20Live%20Simply%20Show%20Kindness%20main%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I do not have to design anymore. But I can when I have time, when inspiration from the Lord is present, and when I am enjoying it. The project above was lovely to create, and because it came from my heart, overflowing with gratitude to the Lord (and my husband), I relaxed and did something I'd only attempted once before...cotton crochet edging. It took time, but it wasn't rushed. It simply brought me joy. </p><p>So, no more new Stitchery Club, but yes to the occasional new pattern which I'll just pop in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/Elefantz" target="_blank">my Etsy Shop</a>. I do have a few already, which I made for the club, but now they'll just be single patterns in the shop. Maybe later in the week the patterns will be added there, but right now, hubby and I have a garden to work in, a Bible to study, some bread to bake, and time with each other to enjoy. Oh, and our Molly-dog too. She's become the sweetest addition to our home and puts a smile on our faces all the time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP-J87jitpcPYL_g7U3Fi_y_Hacbuqz0ZNogKAfQQdgwqPNao57sIqM4N0Xhn5OjnUfSOPhyphenhyphenvz96qSMuduZHB_oj7Oh3rlmTspcJtUExb56sVcj_FluI7WXIeaTMwINsoy6BE4R53XtqqTN6tURvtAif1k9HGA-FcUSqK3Fh2rk9aDnmeATQKnFZR/s3024/IMG-3668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2824" data-original-width="3024" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP-J87jitpcPYL_g7U3Fi_y_Hacbuqz0ZNogKAfQQdgwqPNao57sIqM4N0Xhn5OjnUfSOPhyphenhyphenvz96qSMuduZHB_oj7Oh3rlmTspcJtUExb56sVcj_FluI7WXIeaTMwINsoy6BE4R53XtqqTN6tURvtAif1k9HGA-FcUSqK3Fh2rk9aDnmeATQKnFZR/w640-h598/IMG-3668.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>If you've become overwhelmed this year, perhaps you have taken on too much? Step back a bit and pray for the Father to show you what needs to go. </p><p>Perhaps you are facing a decision? Count the cost first, dear one. Count the cost. You might be paying more than it's worth.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Bless you heaps,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09WXocYa_fGd1r6fr93RSQYbI-JDSD9kIFXfZevIDUfOuGbWwx-880yw5sHQygmdAsPpDiEhSVTaeuoKGBLor74p2JAu33RQ2YCaJwrkUmz5y-JwyrGOZ9StE4NiLSjUlKxL3hOsvqupPB1JoHMhxsD8OniLJebG3xYWvwiMLfzKqC1e142dkZBSi/s360/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="360" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09WXocYa_fGd1r6fr93RSQYbI-JDSD9kIFXfZevIDUfOuGbWwx-880yw5sHQygmdAsPpDiEhSVTaeuoKGBLor74p2JAu33RQ2YCaJwrkUmz5y-JwyrGOZ9StE4NiLSjUlKxL3hOsvqupPB1JoHMhxsD8OniLJebG3xYWvwiMLfzKqC1e142dkZBSi/s320/Jennifer%20Signature%20October%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Don't miss out on any Elefantz news or free patterns. </span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19.8px;"><span style="font-size: 19.8px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #4e4e4e; font-family: Cousine; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Subscribe to my blog posts </span><a href="https://follow.it/elefantz?leanpub" style="color: #838383; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"> and receive them direct to your email inbox. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #231f20; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 15px;">Or sign up <a href="https://madmimi.com/signups/0aa764ef2cf64300a89f3913394e3a35/join" style="color: #838383; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a> for my free newsletter which often has extra benefits, freebies & tutorials!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/s1200/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="color: #838383; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Q_Nxi-sL4ZjCwtoFuuI7zNfF-KqAW4Ds9tcSAfKTK34sdHr_AaMHcXXQnwCJbeLSFrzBA35UFPVtDeDWyTHxv1sVXuLZRPZh4WXAuLaNdEhS4tCC0ynuzT4QGrT0OqsCCIVjoelbMi_1luqcMjPbVjvNvaKfLgPwC13Jpc8tc8i0MDbExXwPGg/w281-h155/ELEFANTZ%202023%20year%20of%20gentle%20domesticity%201.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(245, 245, 245); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="281" /></a></div></div><p> </p>Jenny of Elefantzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02775654415138120426noreply@blogger.com26