We recently celebrated Chelseas First Eucharist. This is her NOT in her incredibly gorgeous outfit. Will have to take a leaf out of Tania’s book, and dress her up and get some decent pics of her. Cos she certainly looked pretty gorgeous – even if I do say so myself!

Since I am not gifted in the baking kitchen domestic area, I was very pleased to hear that a very clever friend of mine has set up a cupcake business. As with most of the photos taken on the day, this doesn’t do them the justice they deserve, but you can see some more photo’s here.

 Ring Kylie at Cupcakes & Co on 0419 184 709 to order some yumminess!

I did get warned prior to this little jaunt that I would never achieve all I had planned. Publicly I agreed. Privately I scoffed. “Of course I will. After all, I will be free to spend all this time however I choose.” Ahem. I truly had the best of intentions. I even had a computer file list – way too embarassing to share that now. The trouble with all this time is no routine, and consequently, no sense of urgency. So, not a lot gets done. finished. started. But I am not going to apologize for that, because I know that all too soon I’ll be back into the full swing of our crazy life (which I love!) and all of the busyness and exhaustion that goes with it. In the meantime, here’s a few things we have done:

These are so cool -templates to make a suffolk puff or heart.In the shop now.  Easy peasy, excellent school holiday activity!

Just playing with some scraps and beads. Another good kids craft!

Crochet is the new knitting! This is Sues latest project (I’m behind the times. Still knitting). A fun way to while away a cold wintry afternoon.

Oh, and I have been organizing the last 4 years worth of photo’s. Literally thousands. But so lovely to take some time to sift through all those precious memories. So, I am doing stuff. And will try to post more often!

For the first time since I have been enjoying these leisurely days at home, I put one of the morning shows on while I drank my morning coffee (I watch them so regularly, I am unable to even tell you which one!). Hadn’t listened to the news yet, and there I sat for the next 2 hours. Because, love him or hate him, the news of Michael Jackson’s death was like watching a car crash. Could not turn the damn TV off.

I remember similar responses to Diana and 9/11. Why can’t we tear ourselves away, even though we know we are not going to learn any new information? Is this the only way we can absorb unexpected news?

In MJ’s case, I think it was because it took me straight back to my high school days. His music was so influential, and music has so much to do with our memories. A song can transport you to an exact moment in time. And who didn’t try a few of those dance moves from time to  time?! So this morning I ignored the weirdness and controversy of his latter years and watched his film clips with my kids. But wisely decided against busting a few moves of my own!

Yes, you read it right! Up until today, my ever-patient friend and knitting tutor Claudia, would sit with me and unknit most of my tortured rows. From time to time I would have a moment of smugness, thinking I’d done Ok, only to watch her find many of my mistakes (that I was completely unaware of). But, today, a revelation! It clicked (excuse the pun!) and made sense.And now I’m flying.  I get it. It may actually be a blanket someday after all.

Oh, the headiness of it all! Yesterday I shed my track pants and prettied my self up to see somebody besides a medical proffessional for the first time in 3 weeks. Yes, I spent an exciting 2 hours interrupting any work Sue and Caudia tried to achieve, whilst oohing and aahing over all the new stock (a lot happens in 3 weeks!). But most exciting was the arrival of over 70 new bolts of fabric Sue picked up in Sydney last week. Dunno where on earth she’s going to put them all, but they are very nice! Oh, and they are bargains too!

Well, I can’t quite click my heels together yet, but it’s very nice to be home! Moving slowly,( but beats not moving at all!) and loving the rest. Stitching, coffeeing, chatting….and knitting re-commences next week, subject to the availability of my lovely tutor, Claudia. Blogging is also re-commencing, and I shall try very hard not to bore you all to tears!

Thanks for all of the lovely thoughts and wishes sent my way, very much apprciated.

I recieved this email from Fiona during the week:

As i prepare for my little hiatus, I have a list of about a zillion things to do. I have to tell you, it is pretty much impossible to be organized for 3 months or so. Luckily I am married to an extremely capable man, and I am coming to terms with the fact that I will just have to let some stuff go. So last week, my new best friends came to stay.

Not so special are they? Given how much time we will be spending together, I decided they needed a facelift.

Better, yes?

How did everybody enjoy the Festival?? So much to do and see, so little time! With children involved in the Maypole, the Furry Dance, and Choir, I feel like I was at every event, but did not make it to one single exhibition – not a quilting display, not a photography, not a Wedding Dress one…aargh! I am very disappointed I ran out of time, but Sue made it to them, and said they were all terrific.

In the meantime, here’s a few snaps of the things I did see over the week-end, beginning with these two cornish cherubs:

“My” Maypole Dancers – check out that sensational double plait on the pole behind them. Not one single error in any of their performances over the week-end…

….even in the drenching rain!

And we finished the festivities with The Blessing of the Waters on Sunday Morning at 8am(feeling quite virtuous about that part) with a Choir performance.

So tiring, but so much fun.

Here’s my loot from this morning. Well, the loot you can see anyway. Hard to show you all of the hugs and kisses that accompanied. SPOILT ROTTEN.

….And then my Husband went fishing!!