For some reason I’ve been tired, weary and rather flat recently….
A bit like this year’s ‘winter shoes’ that have seen better days and will be retired when we return to Victoria in a short while….
I’m just biding my time here now really hoping ‘new shoes’ in the form of returning home and viewing it with fresh eyes will put a spring back in my step….
Kilsyth – A different environment altogether
End of my street looking towards Montrose and The Dandenongs
2km/1.25mi away
A sea of trees – not a wave of water in sight
It’s been such a strange winter up here – earlier on it was much colder than usual and now it’s become exceptionally warm – far too early in the season for day after day of very high 20s/80s. Unlike at home where we’re renowned for the ability to have 4 seasons in one day, here there are only 2….. this link describes it as wet/dry – hot/cool also windy all year round😊
But I really shouldn’t complain – because after my last feeling sorry for myself whingefest a certain someone aka The Golfer said “come on, we’ll go and have coffee at ‘the club’ ….it was so relaxing sitting on the high outside deck enjoying the view along with the cooling sea breeze (such a pleasure to be there) I forgot my aches and pains…..and also to record my delicious coffee and cake🙁
For various reasons we’ll both miss this town – it’s one place I enjoy returning to. A ‘working town’ that carries on living its own life after the seasonal visitors have all left but never complains while they’re here
So what’s the different bit all about??.
Well since unraveling and righting the guernsey ready to finish the front I haven’t touched it again. Enthusiasm left the building right there and then….but I am about to use my fingers in a different way.
Many years ago xx cross stitch xx was my craft of choice – then the eyes started to (we all know about the ageing of eyes don’t we😊) so as yarn is easier to see than embroidery floss it was back to knitting.
Because I’m hoarder person who is loathe to throw/give anything away……I paid good money for that…I might use it again – there are still pattern/design books, silks/threads, tools etc etc sitting in a cupboard just waiting for that to happen- well you never know, it might…..
Before we came away I had a little rummage – had reason to look for something and tucked away in this publication I found a nearly finished slightly adapted ‘new house’ sampler.
Who I had it in mind for and the reason it’s unfinished is long forgotten – after adding a little saying under the houses…..‘Happiness is homemade’ – corny but cute….I’m hoping I can revive it.
I read an article once about creases in Aida cloth.
(I know, it should have been rolled or stored flat)
which involved the freezer and ironing ‘frozen’ or microwave. Must see if I can find it.
A granddaughter has just bought her first house, and unlike some of her cousins (everything must be brand new or definitely unused) she’s been gathering new or nearly new bits and pieces from friends and other family.
“I want a home grandma, not a showroom” which I’m hoping means my ‘new with maybe a little lived in look to it’ sampler will be well received.
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And here’s my breakfast table early this morning (Tuesday)…..before it became a fraction on the warm side
Cereal with dried fruit, fresh fruit, cuppa tea…..plus embroidery paraphernalia to sort, a handheld fan and a book.
What else do I need to begin the day?
* * * Ann Cleeves first published novel A Bird in the Hand….a laundry room find……is a bit of a slow starter. Three chapters in I know a local ‘birdwatcher – twitcher’ has been murdered and retired civil servant George Palmer-Jones (who shares the same hobby) has agreed to ‘find the murderer’. Apart from that I have no idea where it’s going but am enjoying how new characters and little bits of the story line are being introduced as though they’ve been in full view all the time.
(To comment please click on post title and scroll down).
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I’ll be sharing this post with :-
Wednesday Words and Whimsy hosted by Min and found HERE.
Also Unraveled Wednesday hosted by Kat and found HERE
Still Waters 
You are living so modestly, it seems compared to some of your younger rels. Good on your granddaughter for buying her first house, and it sounds like it will quickly become a loved family home.
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Unlike her other property owning cousins this granchild has a good concept of what’s necessary as opposed to what’s for show. She’s definitely not swayed by ‘fashion’ so will do well
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I really appreciate how beautifully you educate your far flung readers! I would love to visit Bowen someday… it sounds incredible and so interesting! I hope that the change of seasons this month returns your mojo! (and I hope you can get that sweet little cross-stitch finished for your granddaughter!)
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Have just begun stitching the tagline….and am wishing I’d remembered to bring along my ‘hang round the neck’ magnifier. Thank goodness for bright sunny days because I’m sure the holes in this Aida cloth have shrunk 😊
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Cross stitch was my craft of choice for a while too. Not only eyes but hands meant I had to put it away. What a lovely reason to resurrect it for you. I hope and suspect it will be treasured.
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EC you’ve just reminded me of the other reason it might have been put aside ….yes, the hands and the dreaded Arthur were causing havoc at the time. Funnily the movement that comes from knitting has given them a new lease on life now.
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Two of my grandchildren bought their first house–together. A couple of boys, no less. I find it is furnished almost entirely of hand-me-downs.
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Over the years we helped our youngsters get into the property market by going halves – we knew no matter how sensible they might begin a shared journey with each other, siblings often end up with differing points of view on various things…..and the bank still has to be paid!
Batchelor ‘digs’ are a different world aren’t they. Keep it tidyish but not to the extreme.
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Hi Cathy, I hope you’re feeling better soon! I’ve got to say though that I can relate to tired, weary and feeling a bit flat! It sure has been unseasonably warm in Queensland hasn’t it? But today has been cold again. Very strange! Once the heat comes back though – it’ll be here to stay and it’s going to be a very hot and humid summer which I dread! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy this week. Hoping you (and I ) have a pep in our step again soon! xo
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‘Morning Min!
Oh gosh we’re all becoming like ‘wilted lilies’ as my mother would say. Having a Bex and a good lie down isn’t an option these days so possibly upping my fluid intake might help.
The same as your ‘dread’ of hot humid summers I have a ‘dread’ bordering on loathing of cold wet winters…..something I’m going to have to accept soon as travelling north might not be an option soon.
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Life, and how we are, has a way of affecting us when the weather changes confuse us. I don’t know, so far it’s 4th Sept in Sydney and we have under 10deg at night and up to 29 in the day. No wonder we are not sure whether to take blankets off beds.
I feel some melancholy in your words and I understand that a lot. For us, in our mid 70s with chronic health conditions which restrict us from travel, we muddle through the days with as much enjoyment as we can find. Now though, we are aware “we” are the senior cits with grandkids over 21. None of whom are likely to buy a house…too long a story!
Safe travels for when you are wending your way back down….
Denyse #TeamWWWhimsy
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Hi Cathy, I usually feel a bit flat at the end of a long winter. Now that the spring flowers are starting to bloom, I’m feeling much brighter. I love your samplers. Many years ago I loved to do embroidery, especially including squared into quilts. I gave it up long ago, but your post made my yearn for those days a little.
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I’m really looking forward to seeing all the colours when we return home…..the grass will be another matter.
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My bbrothers have left old jandals/flipflops/thongs here on visits because they’ve ‘expired’. I’ve got them silicone to paving stones in the garden. Not something you’d want to do I’m sure but they give me a smile and remind me of back home.
I uused to do cross stitch. My big effort was a ‘Home sweet Home’.
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Now that’s a great idea to keep your ‘loved ones’ close by…seen but not heard. Unless you trip over them in the dark!
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What a pretty embroidery project. And, yes, I do know about aging eyes!! I use magnification when I do my stitching. I hope your mojo returns soon!
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I’ve just begun to wish I’d brought my ‘hang round my neck’ magnifier….I’m sure the holes in 14pt Aida aren’t as large as they used to be😊
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Cross stitch was my passion too for years and years, after my boys didn’t want hand made knits and the years before grandchildren happened. I think your granddaughter is a worthy receipient of the UFO which looks delightful.
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I wonder is it as popular amongst the ‘younger set’ these days Cathy.
After no interest at all beforehand one of my daughters (just turned 60) has just begun her first piece…..quote “I always thought this was an old ladies craft but it’s quite addictive isn’t it”.
It’s a shame crafts are thought of in this way isn’t it.
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Hi Cathy, I enjoyed your post and you’ve reminded me of a cross-stitch I started for my daughter when she got married. I put it aside and said I’d finish it by her 10th anniversary so you’ve made me think I should get it out and have a look at it again! I used to love cross-stitching and got the mathematician started on it back in the day, he loved the easy counting squares concept but then we realised he was colour blind when he used the pinks for the green grass!
Good on your granddaughter for wanting different things for her first house, I’m sure she’ll love your gift.
Enjoy being home.
#TeamWWWhimsy
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What beautiful views from the deck. Those trees – unlike any where I live – against the blue sky with water in the background. Oh how I would love to visit. I smile at your comment about not throwing anything away. I am the same. Your granddaughter will love having a piece stitched by her grandmother. How nice to hear her say, “I want a home not a show room.” She is very wise.
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A home full of items which have personal significance is so much nicer than one where everything is matching and white. I like your grand daughter.
I hope the sads soon dissipate
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Your granddaughter is my kind of person. We furnished our house by going to garage and house sales.
It’s fun to know you’re in winter heading to spring and we’re opposite seasons here. Although we don’t have much of a season here.
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