Creating a space of comfort, a free stitchery, and family pics...

 

The rain continues, after months of monsoons, and the days are dark. Though this is still our summer wet season, it normally diminshes when March arrives, but this year, March has had the highest rainfall in recorded history for our town. It's still hot (though not as hot as usual in the north Australian tropics this time of year), humid, and very sticky outside, despite the nights of thunderously heavy rain.

But inside, where the constantly dark grey skies rob the rooms of light, I have decided to stop complaining about the lack of sunshiny dry days, and embrace what we have been given. 

This week I changed the living/dining room around so that our very old turquoise couch now sits under the front window, and I've pulled a rug in front of it, and moved the coffee table to be at arms length from it. 

In doing so, I have now created a cosy reading area, near the air conditioner, where I can imagine myself relaxing in a 'real' autumn, like the southern states have.

Upon doing this, I thought about a Jane Austen quote from her novel, Emma, and that I had designed a pattern for this and stitched it a number of years ago, 2016 I think?

So I hunted in my large box of completed stitcheries and found it. Such a perfect quote for times like these, when going out is avoided due to flooded roads and rivers, driving conditions are difficult, and there's a general desire to avoid doing anything outside unless necessary -

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort." 

Jane Austen, Emma

With an audio book in the background (no, not Jane Austen, but an Agatha Christie set in the early years), a large cup of tea, some leftover fruit mince tarts from Christmas, and the soft lamplight from my desk shedding a calm light around the sewing room, I began to bring this little stitchery to life as a mini-pillow.

It may not be one you'd throw on the couch, or lean back against when your back is aching from pulling weeds, but its a pretty little thing that could sit on your book shelf, perhaps next to your Austens? Or, as I have found, it's just right, to quote Goldilocks, for supporting a book on your lap as you read. You could make one as a gift for that friend who simply loves a good Jane Austen novel, or just needs a reminder to find comfort in her home?

I was asked recently if I use a hoop when I embroider, and the response is no, I do not. I did try long ago, but it just never felt right, so I would make myself a small pillow and rest the heel of my right hand on it as I stitched, and this (I felt) gave me more control over the tension of the thread, the fabric and the needle, so I've been doing this ever since. 

Now I have this little pillow to double as a rest for my books as I read, and a rest for my hand as I stitch. 

As you can see below, I do love a Jane Austen novel, and I have passed that love onto dear Blossom too. These are some of my collection, but over the years I have gifted Bloss with a vintage Austen (all over 80 years old) from my treasured collection most birthdays. She has them all now, and one day, if Jesus has not yet returned, she will pass them along to her girls.

Is there a space in your home that you could create as a calming place of rest to read and enjoy a tea, coffee or hot cocoa? We only have the one living area, so I had to use my creativity when planning that spot under the front window, and I do need to change the covering on that turquoise couch because I would like a more neutral colour as we hopefully come into a true autumn in another month or so. Fortunately we have a beige waffle weave blanket that would cover it, and it will work just lovely with the beige throw in the main photo at the beginning of this post. 

I also found a lovely scarf to use on the coffee table as a runner, but I must tell you, this is all rather different for me as I've never been a beige kind of person when it comes to colour in the home...it must be this longing for autumn and winter. 

It's a wonderful mental adjustment when you choose to put off the discontent that can creep in during times of change, those seasons when you have no control over so much that is happening outside your door. That's why I cherish my home, for it truly is my sanctuary, and it is a privilege to create a place of welcome and comfort and grace for my husband, and for our family and friends when they visit. Is it easy? Not all the time. It takes intentionality, and purpose - both of which bolster me forward when I find my mind wearied by ongoing challenges. It also means surrendering my will to God, because I can at times fall prey to my own feelings of discontent, but thankfully the older I get, the deeper into the Word I am, the less that happens. Making this small area of cosiness was easy, I just didn't think of it soon enough, but once I did...well, my heart is happy. And content. 

If you'd like the complete pattern for the Comforts of Home (stitchery and pillow with insert as well) it's HERE in my Etsy Shop

EASTER GIFT

With just over three weeks until we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, I wanted to share once again this older pattern of mine with you. You have time to stitch it, and as I have written in the pattern, you can choose to either include the applique border, or leave it out. 

I look at the border as being representative of the Tomb being opened and the cross left empty. Empty because our Lord, who was brutally beaten and crucified, ROSE TO LIFE on the third day, and his disciples found that dark and forboding space which had recently hidden the body of Christ, open and empty. 

If you would like to stitch this free pattern simply use the link below to download it. May you be blessed as you stitch!

DOWNLOAD He Is Risen

I shall sign off today with some photos of Blossom, Ross and the children taken recently. Many of you write and ask how they are, pray for them, and request some new photos...so here they are, in our monsoon-y 2025 so far. The children love to be outside between the storms, and as the family live just near the beach they often escape there to play and collect shells. 

Until next time, God bless, and I pray that if you have not yet found it, that the Lord will direct you how and where to create your own space, or place, of contentment within your  home...

Love, 

You will find my design account on Instagram HERE @jennyofelefantz

And my other Instagram account, just for homemaking, HERE @elefantzhome

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Stitch my free 2025 block of the month 'The Sewing Room' HERE

Preserving and tending...

 One of our tomato plants was loaded with large green tomatoes, and as we have a few other plants with ripening tomatoes, I decided to make green tomato relish and green tomato sauce.

Last year I came across an old Women's Weekly book on preserving (the recipes Nana used) so I chose recipes from that book.

I did begin by watching a few YouTube videos on 'modern' green tomato recipes, but having recently re-injured the patella tendon in my right leg, avoiding a trip to the supermarket was important, and besides, I already had everything needed in my pantry and garden for the older recipes.

Apparently with this relish, as opposed to chutney or pickle, the shelf life is not as long, and in our climate its best stored in the fridge. Same with the green tomato sauce. I'll share a bit around and we will use the rest over the next few months. 

Once we have red tomatoes in surplus I can make tomato chutney, and red tomato sauce (cause hubby loves tomato sauce).

I also made guava jam, but haven't taken a photo. Never mind, our tree is brimming with a new flush of guavas so I can make a lot more in a month or two. I only found six ripe guavas on the tree for the jam, and decided to eat one of them fresh! They taste like a cross between a passionfruit and a strawberry, and you can eat the skin as well.

We have so many cucumbers. SO MANY, and all from the one abundantly fruitful vine. Last weekend I learned how to make refrigerator pickled cucumbers. Using six cucumbers I now have two 1 litre jars (a litre is almost the same as quart)

Today we will open one jar and enjoy them with salads, as even though this is the last month of our Australian winter, it's very warm and humid in the tropics already. Salads every day are the best meal for cooling yourself down.

I also decided to pickle a jar of carrots...which we'll also open this weekend.

Today I've been outside gathering calendula flowers and herbs to dehydrate.

Herbal teas are a favourite of mine in the afternoon and evening. We have five calendula pots growing around the garden, and now that they are well established and blooming daily it's time to start harvesting the flowers mid-morning to dry...

I lay them out on a light coloured cloth for 30 minutes before they are gently shaken and placed on the dehydrator tray, as when you pick them all these tiny little bugs escape, so a bit of time for them all to fly away is important.

I also picked spearmint, and common mint to dry. In our very hot, humid tropical climate, mint does not do very well as it hates the heat - but in winter and early spring it flourishes. Mint tea is a favourite of mine, with a bit of fresh or dehydrated ginger, so I'm making sure I can still enjoy it through the hot months to come.

Lemon balm is another favourite herb for tea. Made with a bit of ginger and raw local honey, it's medicinal properties are the very best for calming the mind and body, or as a sleep tonic. I always sleep better when I drink this before bedtime.

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, and will spread and take over a garden just like mint (even more so in my experience) so I grow mint and lemon balm in pots or small raised beds.

My 4yo granddaughter Rafaella always picks the leaves of both herbs and eats them while playing in my garden or watering the plants for me. 

I filled four trays, one for each herb and one for the calendula flowers.

As I write this blog post, the room is filled with the fragrance of mint and lemon. The only place to use the dehydrator is on the dining table, so whatever is in there sends its fragrance through the whole house. The day I dehydrated pineapple, and the day I dehydrated ginger, stand out in my mind!

Tending the garden is a big job for one person, and I admit to being far more worn these past two years than previously, as hubby works six days a week, long hours, and therefore more responsibility for growing, tending and maintenance fell on my shoulders. 

However I feel very blessed to have our quarter acre, and to see it producing food, always alive with beauty, becoming a haven for so many native birds, bees and insects.

Watching the cockatoos in the bird feeder, the rainbow lorikeets sucking nectar from the grevillia, tiny honey eaters darting to and fro among the flowers before sitting on branches under the shade of the huge poincianna tree, sparrows building nests high in our trees, and the blue faced miner birds who love to feast on fruit scraps. 

It's a privilege to have a garden, one I take seriously. 

It's a privilege to have a husband who works so hard, by the grace of God managing painful arthritis, in order to pay off our mortgage so that we will always have a roof over our head.

It's a privilege to have a home to maintain and care for, a place to offer welcome and sanctuary to friends, and especially our loved ones. 

It's a privilege to be able to learn new homemaker skills, even in my 60's. 

It's a privilege to have the ability, knowledge and experience, to make every meal from scratch...and the wisdom to know when it's time to take a night off and enjoy a simple take-out curry.

Life is a privilege, a gift from God. Every day when I wake, I thank God that I did wake! I thank Him for another day to make the most of this gift, and to praise Him as I go about my chores.

Being the wife of my husband and having him trust me implicitly is a tremendous privilege. That he obeyed God by asking me, a fellow student at university in his economic history class, to come to church and stand with him on a night that would change my life forever - what a privilege.

Sharing this life with a 28yo daughter nearby, who is also my dearest friend and sister in Christ, and to be able to grandmother her three precious babies...that is a privilege. 

To have been raised by a grandmother and a grandfather, who lived simply, who laughed often, who loved me without measure, who taught me that God is real...that's a privilege beyond words. 

How are you privileged?

This past week was a busy one, but the highlight was Thursday, Cully May's 6th birthday. That little girl, with a smile as a wide as the sky, wrapped herself around my heart six years ago, and she's never let go. I am privileged to be her Nana.

I hope to have the second chapter of our book study ready to share here next week. I might be a few days late, but you never know. Each day has a way of unfolding and offering its own path of what to do and what is needed doing, people to share it with, and a wise balance to be made of everything before us. 

I'm slowly getting used to turning away from self imposed deadlines, and instead, living life within its natural rhythms moment by moment, and my oh my, 'tis a good life.

God bless you, God keep you safe, God draw you out of the chaos and into His marvellous peace.

hugs

Contentment, gratitude and tiny habits...

 

Have you noticed that when we decide to focus on a particular attitude adjustment, habit or character refinement, that numerous opportunities to be challenged in that area seem to arise with regularity?

Let me share one of the things God deposited on my heart one late September day in 2018, just after we moved into this home. That still small voice told me to make this home a house of praise. Immediately I decided that music and singing would be a big part of life here, and though we've gone through changing seasons of mountains and valleys these past few years, beautiful hymns and inspired instrumental music have very much become a grounding point at the beginning and end of each day. 

But the other night I could not sleep, so I crept out of the bedroom to sit in the faintly moonlit living room, and gave the Lord time to speak once more into my heart...because obviously He needed my complete attention, away from the daily rhythm of homemaking.

 

What had I been missing during the day as I read His Word, prayed while cooking and cleaning, pondered problems as I stitched and knitted? 

Well, it was all about contentment and gratitude. And praise.

Not the praise of lifting my voice in song.

But praise in gratitude for all we have, for all HE has provided, for His protective hand on our lives and for always, always being a loving 'ear to hear' when we're treading another valley. 

I released this stitchery back in 2016 and as I sketched the design, then adding fabric and thread to create the final piece, I knew without doubt that the contentment I was craving would only come if I practiced heart-felt gratitude before God. 

So, my little rendezvous with the Father in the middle of the night this week was in fact Him reminding me what I already knew but had somehow slipped from mind...and it also confirmed why I felt led to make the theme of the blog this year "A Year of Contentment". 

I've contemplated a number of ways discontent has entered my heart, and as I listed them during the night, the Holy Spirit changed each one to a praise of gratitude...

# I'm only 5'1" and our dining table is too high so I need to have a pillow on my chair in order to eat. I don't do any work at the table for the same reason.

Jennifer, how blessed you are to have a lovely table that seats your family, that brings all of you together for tea parties, celebrations, meals.

# Being this height I am constantly needing to carry a stool around to reach into cupboards, the linen press and the pantry as the previous owner was tall and built the kitchen accordingly.

Jennifer, how blessed you are to have a pantry stocked with nourishing ingredients to feed your loved ones and visitors. How blessed you are to have ample bedding and towels and linens for your needs. How blessed you are to have appliances which make your day to day life easier.

# We have a very old bathroom and shower, and living here in the tropics, the presence of mould is a constant enemy which must be attended to.

Jennifer, how blessed you are to have clean running water with which to wash, cleanse and drink.

# Three years after the floods, we still have bare concrete floors in the main bedroom and my husband's study, as we had to remove the sodden moulding carpets in both rooms back then.

Jennifer, how blessed you are that your dear husband has worked to replace all the drainage under the house, installed two new pump wells and pumps, replaced all the pipes from the pumps along both sides of your property, repaired and replaced damaged guttering, and installed many other flood-retardant measures in and around your home. You saw the difference this made recently when so many in your town faced flooding once more. 

You see what I mean?

My grumblings blocked out gratitude, and if gratitude is lacking, so is contentment. And friends, I am longing for a contented mindset in every area of my life - except my relationship with the Lord. When it comes to that, let me never think I know enough or have enough, but let me always long for a closer walk with Him. 

I have this pattern in my shop (it's one of the Gentle Domesticity series), rather a timely reminder. 

Maybe you'd like to stitch it as a reminder, maybe you won't need one - but if you do, pop over HERE 

Every little bit...

We've had a lot of rain the past few weeks and the weeds grow faster than the garden plants - why is that, I keep asking myself. It's back breaking to keep pulling them, but we do it anyhow. 

When Blossom gave me the three small pots of miniature roses for Christmas I placed cardboard under them as that's the easiest way to stop the weeds, but we had no mulch to add on top (even better weed deterrent when used together)...and then rain, and more rain, and thousands of baby cane toads (dreadful pest and they kill native frogs) all through the grass and weeds, and jumping in the swimming pool. Keeping on top of things waned with hubby only having one day off a week, and my inability to cope with our tropical heat after 9am.

However, I've been reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, and going slowly through the chapters because I like to think about what I read, and not run ahead with ideas which may or may not be followed through in practice. 

Atomic means very tiny, and I am discovering that very tiny habits can make a huge difference to life. My first habit to change was swimming. I swim most days, but then I can miss a week, which might turn in to two because I fall out of the habit. You see its not safe to walk around our neighbourhood, so swimming is my daily exercise...when I remember.

For about six weeks now, I have been swimming my laps every single morning after breakfast, and occasionally I'll do another set of laps before dinner if hubby is late home. It's become a habit that has improved my breathing, healed my back pain, and greatly improved my overall energy as each week the number of laps increases. I do around 360 to 450 strokes a day depending on whether I swim once or twice, and I do this even in the rain. 

So back to those potted roses and the weeds. Whilst we simply don't have the time or climate to spend hours in the garden each day, the regular atomic habit of doing a small section of the yard in the coolest part of the day is reaping results. 

We bought more sugar cane mulch (this is the sugar cane region of Australia and it's readily available) and every morning I weed one small section, lay it with cardboard, and then the mulch. 

A bit like the hare and the tortoise really. Slow and steady gets you over the finish line. 

Of course our finish line is way off, but it's heartening to see results from 20-30 minutes a day. 

Fertilising the pots and adding new mulch also protects them from the heat.

Afternoon downtime, once the chores are done and before I begin dinner prep, is a mix of reading, knitting and stitching a new pattern...and possibly a Poirot or Marple on the telly.

Tomorrow I am picking up Cully May and Rafaella to bring here for the day, so on my to-do list this afternoon are new curtains for their cubby house, and a bit of baking. 

I hope you're growing in contentment. 

It's not really something you can accomplish and always have, but is a day to day decision I think.

Today I choose to be grateful, and I am content.

I pray this attitude, this atomic habit as it were, continues to grow in my heart and mind each day, so that I do not need another tap on the shoulder at midnight from the Father and a three hour Holy Spirit led seminar about my lack of gratitude.

And yet, if I need it? I welcome it.

Bless you heaps,