Kaffe Fassett quilt - Another one

 

 This one I cannot take  credit for!  Isn't it stunning?  My friend Pam has put this one together. I will get a decent picture of the whole quilt next time!  As far as I know, it is still a WIP.  

 

Posting this picture is a cop out on what I have been doing in the sewing room lately.  Every day is all about that four letter word, "work" around here.  I am using some of this weekend to sew and work on projects, so hopefully I will have something of mine to show next week. 

Family Photos

My sister and I had fun on Wednesday going through old family photos and dividing them up.  That was the hard bit.  Some of the photos we had double of, some will have to be photo-copied.  Just as well there aren't six of us!  
The photos have been stored at our Dad's house in his old suitcase (above).  He was given this suitcase for his 21st birthday, so it is some 60 years old and in very good condition.  The handle looks like it has been replaced at some stage, but the whole thing is leather.  Very heavy and very sturdy.  I have inherited the suitcase and think it would make nice storage for my fabrics.
Guess who the baby is with the "sausage curl" in her hair?  Cute eh? 

Hopefully, I will get my quilting mojo back this weekend and start quilting this Kaffe Fassett quilt.  It is very hot here today, so probably won't start it til later this evening with the AC on.  In the meantime, there is plenty of sorting out of the sewing room to do after the painting, and lots and lots of ironing to catch up on.

Cherry Tomatoes

We have enjoyed our cherry tomatoes from our little vegie patch.  There are heaps more on the bushes to look forward to.

 My husband has put these mosquito net covers over the tomatoes to stop the fruit fly from attacking.  It has worked, so far. The uncovered ones have so far escaped too, but the larger tomato variety which are just ripening may have been hit.  They are more susceptible to fruit fly than cherry tomatoes.

There has been no crafting or sewing done here in the past weeks as I continue my quest to de-clutter and have the windows cleaned by next week for the new blinds.

Back to it

Back from the gorgeous beach holiday and straight back into the renovation/painting.
Since coming back we have moved all the furniture in 'part B' of the house ready for painting and I have been busy cleaning the windows inside and out in the finished 'part A' ready for the blinds to be re-hung.
Holiday? what holiday?
Next Christmas we will be enjoying the fruits of our labour.

This is the glorious place where we spent Christmas.  It is called Golden Beach and is part of the Sunshine Coast area.  We only had to walk across the very quiet dead end street onto this little beach which is part of the Pumicestone Passage, and therefore is still water.  Perfect for our little grandy who took to the water like a duck.  

 The reason the road is a dead end is because it ends at a beautiful tree filled park on the foreshore of the passage.  The park was abuzz on Christmas Day with families using the large trees for shade and enjoying the great outdoors for the day.  The park had a walking track and swings and playgym for the kiddies.  A perfect holiday destination, and we are considering doing it all again next year. 

Christmas Time

 
Lilian May was not sure about Santa Claus.

  

 It doesn't seem like Christmas time around here.  With the house half painted, the kitchen three quarters done, the tiling not started yet and the whole house topsy turvy -  we were not inclined to decorate this year.  We are going to have a weeks break at the beach now and have Christmas with our growing family.

It has been lovely to have a blog this year, and jot down from time to time the happenings in my life, but what brings me most fun and joy is reading other blogs and meeting other bloggers.

Wishing my blogging friends a joyous Christmas and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Home Made Bottled Beetroot

 

We got to and harvested our beetroot and bottled it up one night last week.  It is very simple to do and oh so delicious.  In fact, the bottle on the right is all gone now.  

When harvesting don't cut the tops down into the actual beetroot, but leave some on.  Also don't cut off any roots as the beetroots will bleed.

You simply boil them up til a skewer goes in easily and then take them off the heat, cool them down and then once cooled, you just rub the skin away.   

Slice up and place in sterilized jars.  Into a saucepan put sugar and vinegar 1:1 (start with 1 cup, but you may need more depending on how much beetroot you have).  Bring gently to the boil, stirring.  As soon as boiled, take off the heat, cool slightly, and then pour over the beetroot in the jars.  Voila!  Done!  

Some people put different spices etc in, but I don't bother with them.

Eat and Enjoy.  

Christmas Parties

My waist line is testament to how many Christmas functions I have been to over the past few weeks. It has been full on.

We had a lovely day at my friend Marleen's house, and such a beautiful lunch.  Marleen has her house decked out with all her Christmas wall hangings and all her Christmas craft.  It is a sight to behold and she is one clever lady.  I am blessed to have such wonderful friends.

I gave each of them a shoe bag to use when travelling, and some lavender scented shoe stuffers to match.  The shoe applique pattern was a free pattern from 'the four sisters' web page and the shoe stuffers are from a craft book I have had since the year dot.  It is from Better Living Collection and called Best Selling Food & Craft. I also put a couple of  surprises in their bags.  They gave me lots of goodies too.  Thank you 'girls'....