The week that was...

It's been a lovely week at home.

Every day the rain arrives, sometimes a lot, sometimes a few short showers. The pitter-patter of raindrops on the roof, dark skies and heavy clouds, inspired me to bake an old favourite for Mr E - Shepherds Pie. Rain and comfort food go together, right?

Rather than spread mashed potato across the top of the lamb and vegetables in rich gravy I decided to veer from tradition and layer scalloped potato slices instead. It was delicious...

Blossom's washing machine died so we've had the blessing of extra visits from her and Cully May while washing is done from my laundry. 

Isn't she adorable!? Five months old, sitting up all by herself and enjoying her first Milk Arrowroot biscuit (Poppy/Mr E's favourite!)...

I've managed to get ahead of myself with new designs for February...

...and caught up with my best friend Rosie Heather on Wednesday for morning tea and stitching.

In the past I've always referred to her as Heather on my blog, but now I can call her by her full name, Rosie Heather and if you read her blog post from New Year she'll explain why. 

Rosie's stitching the Sampler from January's issue of The Stitchery Club and here's a peek at her progress...

One of the perks of being my best friend is that she gets to play with my new designs before anyone else, but the perk for me is that I get to eat her delicious baking at our morning teas when I take the patterns over. Obviously I get the better end of the trade because she does all the work in the kitchen and I just sit back and gobble it up! 

This visit she made yummy blueberry muffins but I forgot to take a photo. Too busy eating? 

Here's my original Sampler for the January 17th issue of The Stitchery Club plus the extra project/tutorial included this month.

This sweet little needle-book is cute as can be, and the wonderful thing about it is that all six of the smaller stitcheries on the Sampler can be used on the front, so you could make six completely different versions...

New members have until midnight of the 16th to join in time to receive this issue.

All information and more photos are HERE.

Another stitchery project I've had some time to work on is a repeat border for the centre stitchery of a simple quilt I intend finishing this month...

Those four border stitcheries will surround the  bird block as the centre medallion of the quilt...

...and from there I will add simple fabric squares in green and pink prints, plus four more stitcheries 

probably positioned in the corners of the layout before a final border is sewn on.

These six stitcheries were in the December 2016 issue of The Stitchery Club so once I've made the quilt there'll be a free pattern shared here for those who want to use them the way I am.

The countdown is on for Mr E to return to teaching on the 19th, so every day he's been working on our Jeep to fix an engine oil leak, replace all the air conditioning parts, and repair the turbo...and in the midst of our first real wet season in years. 

The humidity and temperature here in the tropics this summer is very high and dreadfully uncomfortable, but my beloved is outside early every morning working alone on the task at hand. Fortunately before he went to university to become a high school teacher he was a motor mechanic so he has all the skills and experience necessary.

We didn't get to go away for that holiday we were planning after all. The Jeep parts took 6 weeks to arrive from the USA and it's a huge job to get the car back and running before school starts, so hopefully over the Easter break we can finally head into the outback or the rainforest for an adventure. 

Life is full of unexpected ups and downs, but if you stay positive and make the most of what each day brings there's always joy to be found.

Just having my man home with me, being able to make him a hearty meal at the end of the day and laugh with him over the antics of our Cully May, helping Blossom do her washing, enjoying morning tea at a friend's home, sewing pretty things...that's the kind of ordinary which brings me joy.

May your ordinary bring you joy too.

hugs

A glass pear and a pincushion...

There's nothing nicer that spending the day with your best friend.

And that's what I did today. 

Heather welcomed me at her front gate, faithful dogs in tow, and so began our familiar routine of coffee, cake, sewing, lunch, laughter, thoughtful pondering, tea and more cake, continued sewing...and as it's the last time we'll catch up before Christmas, gift-giving as well. 

If you've followed my blog for a few years you may have noticed I'm rather fond of pears and have some lovely ceramic, wood, and cross-stitched pears displayed around my home. Some I've purchased and others are special gifts.

Today, Heather surprised me with a pear like no other.

Vintage glass...and truly exquisite!

She found this a while back in an antique shop and has been waiting patiently for Christmas...

I've never seen anything like this pear, but oh, how beautiful it is. The photos do not capture the loveliness as they should, but if you had heard my gasps of delight you would surely agree this was a treasured gift indeed. 

The little leaf looked to me like an angel's wing...

The glass pear opens in two so you can store something special inside. Heather had filled it with a ribbon embroidered pot pourri pouch, so pretty, so fragrant.

Wasn't I the blessed girl today?!

Yes indeed.

Would you like to see what I made for Heather? 

You know I'm rather fond of sewing pincushions at the moment and I wanted this one to tell her just how much our friendship means to me. 

She loved it.

NEWS:

I've had some news to share since October but it's only now that I'm free to tell you about it.

After two years selling used cars because there was no other work available, my darling husband will return to teaching high school next year and has, by the grace of God, secured a position here in the town where we live. 

This means we can be close to Blossom and little Cully May and not have to move away! 

He'll take up his teaching position in late January at the start of our new school year here in Australia. 

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

hugs

Gentle Domesticity BOM block 11...

I've been patiently waiting to share this block with you because it's one of my favourites this year.

The inspiration behind "welcome to my home" was my best friend, Heather, though she had no idea at all.

A highlight each few weeks is driving north to visit her tropical hideaway and spending the day totally relaxed in her company - sewing, laughing, discussing life concerns, sharing recipes, enjoying cake, coffee and simple lunches - knowing without doubt that I am "welcome" and our friendship is cherished. 

I can count my true friends on one hand, so being welcomed into Heather's life and home is a gift I value greatly.

Perhaps you have a special friend you could stitch this block for? Add some fabric borders, or place it in the centre of a patchwork block, and you could finish it as a sweet pillow. Wouldn't that be a beautiful "just because" gift?

Here's a few helps and ideas as you plan the pieces of block 11...

Download this free pattern here in my shop.

It will be free until December 4th, after which it will become a $2 purchase.

Yesterday was the first time in 6 weeks Heather and I had been able to catch up so our time together was extra special with plenty of news to share, things to show, and ideas to bounce off each other. 

Over the past year or so she has been spreading a wonderfully calm blue/white/cream palette through the kitchen and dining area. When you're in that area of her home the sense of 'rest and relaxation' is quite tangible - her entire home is restful actually, but visually, the blue & white colour scheme she is creating has a profound effect on the senses. 

Gradually I have seen small vignettes appear here and there, some things she has made, others collected, but they come together beautifully...

Simple but life giving words to take in each day, stitched and displayed so they're not forgotten...

Everything about Heather's house says "welcome to my home".

That's what I'd like my home to say as the door swings wide to a visitor.

Something to think about over the end of year break.

have a blessed weekend,

Rain on the mountain...

On Friday Heather, Barb and I braved the freezing cold and non-stop rain to head up the mountain for some country cooking and stitching.

We have a special room we 'take possession' of at the Heritage Tea Rooms whenever we're up there but in order to secure it we have to be early. Once taken it is ours for the day!

Most other visitors to the Tea Rooms that day sat on the verandah and watched the rain...

...but we stayed dry in our den.

After a hearty breakfast and more than a few hot chocolates (brimming with marshmallows)...

...we cleared the table and brought out some stitching.

Heather was all smiles, her effervescent humour keeping Barb and I in stitches - the kind that makes your tummy muscles ache!

She's working away on the last few Gentle Domesticity blocks for this year's BOM which is why I had to hide part of her handwork for this photo. The block Heather was sewing won't be shared for a few months yet...

Barb has been stitching a set of Rosalie Dekker blocks 'forever' and we can't wait to see them all finished one day. Her smile lights up our gatherings, which is no surprise as she has the same natural humour of her mum, Heather! 

I stitched away on the August block for Gentle Domesticity so I guess as it's only a couple of weeks away you can have a peek?

Lunch was a simple shared plate of scones, jam and cream, served beside a pot of hot English Breakfast tea...

Not used to such cold weather in the tropics of North Queensland we hugged every hot drink that day close to our chests and inhaled the steam. It was just 10C (50F) at 1pm, and as I thought back I realised the last time I'd been in such a low temperature was June 2009 when we lived in Esperance, Western Australia. 

Keeping a promise to my husband I rested most of Saturday, and apart from a relaxing drive out to Charters Towers this morning with Mr E I've rested today as well. 

Recovery from pneumonia is slow but I am feeling a tiny bit better each day. Friday with Heather and Barb was definitely good for my soul, and continued rest at home will complete the healing. 

Do you have an extra few minutes right now? Heather has shared a tutorial for recycling old candles on her blog and it's really clever! I have plenty of candles with only a bit of wax left which would be perfect for THIS.

I hope your weekend has brought smiles and laughter to your soul as well.

hugs