The woman who inspired me...

 I am discovering that even when life overflows with family illnesses, employment challenges, and a variety of other things which could so easily pull my thoughts into a downward curve, deep within me is a slow-paced, prayerful, thankful and tranquil heart.

I have been wondering just how common is the 'homebody' these days? Since becoming a mother that's exactly how I have described myself, but as I think back further, to my younger years with Nana and Pop, I am reminded that I was already a homebody then.

Being home was such a wonderful place to spend time. There was comfort and security observing Nana's daily rituals of homemaking, every week almost a mirror image of the one before, yet never boring, never constrictive - always peaceful, always productive, and always with that added cup of love and laughter. 

I have drawn often from my childhood memories being raised in Nana and Pop's modest little flat, with it's bathroom and toilet and laundry in the backyard. As I learn about preserving, I remember our choko vine which grew over the back fence and ended up wound around the toilet roof, and how every year Nana would pick those spiky chokos, peel and chop them, then adding onions and spices, she'd cook up a huge pot of pickles and fill every jar she could find with them. Those pickles were delicious and for the next year Pop and I would generously smother our roast beef sandwiches with them. I also liked them spread on toast, topped with cheese and grilled for breakfast. My mouth is watering thinking about that! When Nana died, there were just a few jars of her pickles left in the cupboard and Pop insisted I take them. He was always trying to bless me.

Growing up in a time when people only went out to visit on the weekend - and I realise that growing up with grandparents was probably different to being raised by parents in the 60's - may well be why I enjoy life that way today. Life was calm, predictable, a gentle rhythmic hum of routines from week to week. I knew that when I got home from school there'd be milk and a snack at the kitchen table while I told Nana all about my day. Then homework while she got started on dinner, folded washing, or prepared my school clothes for the next day. 

She wasn't distracted by phone calls, the television, social media, texting...Nana was right there in the moment, with me. There was never a rush because she got all her household tasks done each day - she wasn't 'called away' by the distractions we have today. 

After the dinner dishes were done and the table set for breakfast, we'd usually sit out on the front steps and watch the sun go down in summer, or gaze at the stars in winter, a cup of tea in our hands, Pop in his rocker near us with glass of port in his hand. 

Some of the neighbours would be out on their front steps too, and we'd all wave and chat a little about the day, but then we'd all return back to our family conversation until Pop said, "Come on ladies, time to go inside. I have to get up early for work tomorrow and we all need some sleep." 

Precious, calm, lovely, warm memories of simpler times.

Today I am inspired by those days gone by, the slower pace, the diligence of keeping a clean and welcome home, the quiet evenings, the large pots of tea, and being undistracted with the ones you love.

Today I read of a world which is has a "rushing to and fro" lifestyle for most people, with endless distractions from mobile phones and the world within them. I read that many people have lost the art of simplicity, and for too many peace eludes them. At first I thought this was the younger generation, those who have grown up with the internet and mobile phones - but apparently this sad state covers all generations. The hook of social media life has well and truly robbed many minds and lives of quiet thought, time to push a mop, ears to stop and listen, a slower ebb and flow life. 

But that does not mean we gentle domestic homemakers, cannot go back to simpler times. It's a choice, really, isn't it?

Do you remember when we had to save up before we could buy something? There's patience in that lesson. 

Do you remember what life was like when there was only a few channels on the television, and every night those stations would close down from late evening until the next morning? We were more inclined to read, play games, or talk to each other each evening.

I remember Nana mending and knitting in the old armchair, and Pop telling stories of his day working on the wharf, and our dog Soxy curled up beside me. Families connected every day, by being together, eating together, hearing each other's stories. 

My favourite times were breakfast when Pop had days off, and he would chop potatoes into chips and fry them in the leftover fat from a Sunday roast. Nana would cut thick slices of bread, butter them, and Pop would fill them with the hot chips. A sprinkle of salt and pepper, and wow, so delicious! No one could fry chips like Pop, so Nana didn't even try. 

Another favourite was Sunday evening. We'd had a roast for lunch, so on Sunday night Nana would bake a big batch of scones, brew a pot of tea, and lay the table with butter, jam and honey. The three of us would feast on those scones, and drink lots of tea...and then we'd play cards. They taught me to play poker very well. ;-)

Memories carry more weight than we realise. I'm looking back over a lifetime and finding my childhood memories lived in a simpler time, in a simpler way, in a simple home, with kind and caring and happy grandparents, to be one of the greatest treasures God has gifted me. 

Nana's example of living and breathing the life of a gentle domestic homemaker inspires me to do the same. I don't want my home to fall apart from neglect because I'm busy elsewhere or distracted or lazy. Like Nana, I have a heart for home, and I pray the Lord will continue to show me how I can improve, what needs to go, and the things which should be added...and not just with homemaking, but within me as well. For truly, the home should be a reflection of my heart, just as it was with Nana.

The photos I've shared are my (finally) completed Simple Days quilt. As I mentioned earlier this month, I had given myself a target of August to complete the hand quilting, but once I began, the easier and more fulfilling was the process. 

As it was, I have had more spare time than usual these past few weeks due to Blossom's family being very sick with this nasty influenza which is sweeping across Australia this winter. The children, especially Charlie David and Rafaella, were the worst, and finally after three weeks they have recovered. 

Blossom, who was the healthiest of all (praise God, as she needed to care for her children) only felt the full force of this influenza early in the week - however, she is already recovering, though the virus is still lingering in Ross. As they were confined to home, I have grocery shopped, picked up medications, and prepared some simple meals for them, doing what I could in some small way. 

We prayed daily for their healing and for my own protection on my few visits to drop off the necessary food and medications. It did get scary at times with the two youngest children, but then we would lift our hands and hearts to heaven and let the peace of God fills us anew.  All praise to our Heavenly Father who carried the family through their illness. And as a mum, I praise my daughter too, because she went above and beyond her own energy reserves (*sometimes not sleeping for more than 48 hours) to care for her babies. So proud of the woman, wife and mother she has become.

So the hand quilting was all completed on Sunday, then the binding was made and sewn down on Wednesday. I took photos yesterday, after sewing on the label. 

This whole quilt was inspired by Nana, and her example of living a simple life. Designing and stitching each block was pure delight, and now I can hang it in our home, a permanent reminder of a woman who truly made this child's life beautiful. 

Who inspired you in life? 

Who are YOU going inspire?

God bless and big hugs,

A nice wintry day...

 Finally, and I say this with a heart full of joy, winter has arrived. Some years it only lasts a week or two, other years a month. But today it is nice and cool, and I needed to put a cardigan on over my nightgown when I got up, as well as slippers to cover my feet as I walk around on our tiled floors - though in the sun outside it's lovely and warm (perfect for gardening).

It's been nine days since my last blog post and back then I wrote of my plans to get back to the hand-quilting of Simple Days, expecting to complete the remaining eight blocks by the end of August (only one block had been quilted, and that was last September). Well, can you believe that in those nine days I have completed another six blocks already! Only two more to go and I'll be able to sew the label in place and add the binding. And with the weather bureau predicting a a week of cool temperatures ahead there's a distinct possibility I'll have the quilt all finished by the time our short cold snap is over. 

I settle down each afternoon with the quilt, my needle and thread, and a murder mystery - rotating through Poirot, Marple, Midsomer Murders, or Rosemary & Thyme. 

Today as the morning was so nippy I decided to quilt until lunch and then do all my chores in the afternoon. 

My pretty purple slippers added an air of elegance and royalty (Blossom has a red pair) because I'm celebrating with the Queen this week. 

I've also brought out my favourite Royal Albert mug and enjoyed it full of hot tea, with a side of toast, for morning tea each day. I am an unashamed monarchist and love the faith and enduring constancy of our Queen.

I've been milling spelt grain lately and baking bread, muffins and biscuits (cookies) with it - my, so delicious and hearty! Hubby loves it, and it loves his digestive system, which is an added bonus.

Lunches for me, when he is at work, are pretty much the same each day - nourish bowls. With a base of brown rice, I top that with black beans, salad vegetables, grated carrot, macadamias (or cashews), greens, homemade Korean chilli sauce and a sesame drizzle. Delicious and very filling! 

Every day I swim my laps in the pool, even now that it's winter and the water is icy, because I love how refreshing it is to swim in cold water, plus its good for circulation. I normally have my swim after a bit of gardening, which at the moment consists of pruning, weeding, fertilizing vegetables, and extending the areas where I cover the ground with cardboard and sugar cane mulch. 

I have pumpkins growing out front and also out back. The plant out in the sunny front yard already has some little pumpkins appearing, but I think the one out back is not far behind. Today I extended the cardboard/mulch area under it as it's grown a lot in the past week.

We dismantled the worm farm in early autumn as we'd not had the success with it that we'd hoped, but it gave us three large trays complete with many holes across the bottom, and today I filled one with soil and planted out coriander (cilantro) seeds. We eat a lot of fresh coriander, but it's too hot for it to grow in the tropics most of the year so winter and early spring are the only time to sow. 

Hubby bought me this Gorilla Cart about six weeks ago and it's my gardening buddy. I don't have to carry heavy things very far now, just put what I'm using in the cart and off I go. This has certainly been a blessing for my back! ;-)

I'm reading a few different books, especially at night, but am considering hosting a book study on this one, as it's brimming with home wisdom and ideas, and so much is based on a home that honours the Lord. If this interests you let me know in the comments below. :-)

I like to change the living/dining/office area around every season, and that's usually just moving my desk or swapping the blue couch with the dining table...but this time I did something new. 

As I still run a business from home, it occurred to me that perhaps I could separate my desk from the living room by moving the blue couch further in, away from under the window, and using it as a sort of divider...thus giving me a slightly separate computer area.

It's actually made the 'living' area a lot cosier.

One of the other things I've been working on is a new issue of The Homemakers Heart magazine, and here's a peek at one of the projects I'll be including.

All previous issues of The Homemakers Heart from 2021 are still available and free to download HERE just in case you missed them. 

I wondered if you may like to sew a Union Jack cushion? I have made three or four in the past decade, and intend to make another over the weekend, in pastels, like my Royal Albert mug.

HERE IS A LINK to the free pattern/tutorial I shared back in 2017. I used some Tilda 'Circus' fabric in this version...

And this is another Union Jack cushion I made using pretty Robyn Pandolph florals. This one had hemmed edges to the stripes, whereas the other one (above) has blanket stitch applique over raw edges.

Now, I'd best announce the winner of my hand-stitched Books & Roses block!

Thanks for all your entries, and the comments about how you would use this little block. I really enjoyed reading them!

The winner is....

JANNI HARLICK

Congratulations to you, Janni. I have sent you an email and once I have your address this little block will be popped in the mail and winging it's way to you. 

That's it for this week, which I hope has been a good one for you?

May the Lord stoke the flames of your homemaker heart, give you peace and delight in your gentle domestic responsibilities, and fill your thoughts with fresh ideas for creating beautiful spaces around your home where those who dwell within or come to visit may find sanctuary from the weariness of toil and trial in the outside world.

Biggest hugs,

your friend...

UFO finishes, May homemaking and a storm...

 Well, we thought it had been another failed wet season here in the tropics of North Queensland, but there was a little relief a couple of weeks ago when we got some good rain for a few days, but last night it came down so hard and fast that the yards flooded quickly and all around town streets were going under water. 

One of our pumps wasn't working properly, and hubby went out in the windy torrential storm to dig trenches, empty the pool (which was a sparkling clear blue before the storm, but had now overflowed and was full of yard refuse and mud), pull up the broken pump from the pump well and got it going again (wonderful having a trained mechanical mind as a husband!), then spent hours working on the long pipes which carry the water from the yards to the storm drain in the street. 

The photo below was taken a couple of hours into the storm, looking from our back door towards the pool area, then it just got worse. 

Two trees came down, but they were only about eight feet tall. 

This morning the rain had really settled so with barely any sleep hubby went back out to fix everything and do more maintenance as we're told to expect more storms in the coming days/weeks. He's been back to Bunnings twice already today, and as I write this it is 2.30pm and he's not eaten...he can't eat when there's so much to do. He also went up into the roof because our laundry ceiling (which collapsed during the 2019 floods) is wet again, so that's another thing he's trying to work on. 

I'm cleaning, cooking, washing and drying, and generally having to stay out of his way, and I'm praying hard for him. The upside of all this is that the town dam is full again. It's good to have an upside.

So, let's chat about the good stuff, yeh?

Last time I showed you a UFO project I was just about to begin the hand quilting on. It's completed now and on our bed. Seriously love how it turned out and am really pleased I added cross-hatching around the stitchery. 

It's pretty dark here at the moment so photos aren't the best, but I do love it displayed on the bed. You know when you go in of a night to turn down the covers and you read a Scripture that means so much, and you sense that beautiful peace from God? That's how it is for us each night now. I should have made a Scripture cushion for the bed years ago...but hey, I have lots of Scripture stitcheries completed so I can probably make a cushion for every season. Nice idea. :-)

I was asked in a comment about the thread I use for hand quilting and also the needle. Whenever I hand quilt it is with DMC Perle #12 thread, or if I can get it, Perle #16, which is the Finca Presencia brand. The needle I use is my ordinary size 9 embroidery needle. The lady also asked if I used the 'rocking' method to hand quilt? Not really. Hand quilting to me is just running stitch and I sew one stitch at a time the same as if I were doing running stitch on one of my hand embroideries. 

 On my May reading list is a title I am working through this year, The Simple Home, plus a newbie, A Year Without the Grocery Store.

The Simple Home, by Rhonda Hetzel of the blog Down to Earth, is written for the homemaker as a month-by-month discussion and encouragement. Each month has a theme, and the theme for May is Laundry Love.

I like the quotes she adds to the pages because they make me stop and ponder...

...but mostly I like her content. Rhonda writes as though we're having a conversation and shares much of the simple practicalities of each monthly theme and homemaking in general.

So this month, once things settle, I'm going to get working on my laundry room. It's barely even a room to be honest. With three doorways and two windows, this little space next to the kitchen can be rather challenging to work in...but Rhonda wrote some suggestions which made me rethink my oft-used space and has inspired me to do some planning and re-organising (if possible).

The other book I have not begun yet, but it's on the coffee table where I can pick it up each afternoon tea-break as I enjoy a cuppa and a small sweet treat. I'm sure there will be a lot of useful information to glean.

Another finish already for May is the design I re-stitched last month to make a cover for my new Bible. I shared the pattern as a free gift and you'll find the download link HERE

It was pretty warm here last winter and too hot to spend much time with a rug on my lap, or a quilt top to hand-quilt, so these are two projects I have on the go for coming months and intend to complete. 

This is one of Lucy of Attic 24's free patterns, the Hydrangea blanket. I finished about 1/4 of it last year during our supposedly cooler months, and hope to have it finished by the end of winter (end of August). All the balls of yarn are Stylecraft DK from the UK Wool Warehouse, some which are leftover balls from previous crochet projects, and the rest are balls I purchased during the pandemic in colours I liked. 

I should fess up and tell you I have 'another' crochet blanket pattern by Attic 24 partially made as well, but I decided the colours were too washed out so I folded it up and put it aside. But you never know, I may complete that one day as well.

The other project to complete this winter is my Simple Days quilt! I began last September on the hand quilting but after one block the weather got so hot when spring arrived that I put it aside for this year's cooler days. 

Poor thing, all that stitching and piecing, and then I neglect it. However, you can't lay a quilt across your lap in the tropics unless it's a real winter (which is actually like spring, but much cooler than the rest of the year), and I'm thinking with all this rain and soaked wet earth across most of our state, it may be a cool winter after all. Praying! :-)

Lastly to show you are the new curtains I got for one of the windows in our living/dining room. They are sheer with a lovely botanical design in a muted green. We previously had thick cream cotton curtains but they made the room quite dark in the afternoon and I like more light inside, so these were a great find on the bargain table at Spotlight and have definitely made a difference. 

I will sign off now and leave you with two things. 

Firstly, a recent photo of Cully May, Rafaella and Charlie David, because I've actually had emails asking about them. They are real characters with very individual personalities, but they adore each other and do the craziest things, as you can tell by this photo. It's the best job being their Nana!

And the second thing is a video which may inspire if you're low on cleaning motivation in the kitchen. I have watched this five times in the past 16 months for that every reason, and every time I get this burst of energy that lasts for days and my home gets a great refresh. Plus you will love Niamh's gentle Irish voice...

I hope you all are doing well? Let me know, okay? 

I'm sure we all have days, or even seasons, where our homemaker hearts are weary, fatigued or uninspired. 

I love to hear about your lives and the everyday things you do as you go about your business, so tell me, on days when you're not motivated to clean or tidy or do things around home, what inspires you to get up and moving? For me it is videos like Niamh's, or reading an old Country Living UK magazine (I have a collection from 2009-21) where many pages inspire my homemaking creativity with ideas.

Okay, better sign off and start a pot of nourishing soup because I think that's exactly what my soaking wet and exhausted husband will need for dinner. 

Bless you all so very much,