The Year That Was

When Mick and I were sitting on the verandah on New Year’s Eve we were chatting about what we had done during the past year.  We decided that it had been fairly quiet, with some sadness, no big holidays and a few outings and bike rides; generally a year of being somewhat on hold.

I then had a little read back through my blog posts on New Years Day and informed Mick that we had, in fact, done heaps.  I couldn’t believe how much.  Here is a little summary.

JANUARY

I started the Some Kind of Wonderful quilt, we had a frost, we made a charging station, we had a great day out on Australia Day, we celebrated Dad and Mum’s 50th Wedding Anniversary and I made a phone cover.

FEBRUARY

The Historic Car Club hosted the Swap Meet, I worked away on SKOW, I made a wine carrier bag and we attended the Orange Classic Rally.

MARCH

We had floods, I finally finished the Camper Trailer quilt, I visited the local quilt show and we went to Nundle for Girls Day in the Country.

We also travelled to Mildura for the Ulysses Club AGM.  While there we had a cruise on the Murray River and visited Mungo National Park.

APRIL

I made Mick’s surprise Twister Quilt, we visited the Bathurst Show, we attended Anzac Day with Dad, I visited the Springwood Quilt Show and made a little zipper purse.

MAY

We went on the Dice Run Rally, the autumn leaves were beautiful, we had coffee and cake at our local cafe, we went on an impromptu ride around our local area, I picked the last of the roses and Mick made some shelves for the kitchen.

JUNE

I made some bibs, Mick replaced the verandah railings, I worked away on SKOW, I made an art journal cover, I attended the Darling Harbour Quilt Show, we went to a bonfire and a group of friends went for a bike ride for the Winter Solstice.

JULY

It was cold, I visited the beanie exhibition at the local art gallery, we went to the Mudgee Field Days and took a scenic drive home, more progress on SKOW, we said our last goodbye to our Biggles, we attended the Macquarie Towns Classic Rally.

AUGUST

Big frosts, we had lots of rosellas visit our chooks, I tidied the pantry, I enjoyed afternoon tea with some fellow bloggers, Mick finished the doors on the linen presses, Dad was diagnosed with cancer on Daffodil Day, the garden had some lovely flowers.

SEPTEMBER

I had fun cooking, we visited the Chookshed, I finished the SKOW quilt top, my Dad passed away, we attended the sidecar rally and the wattle was in bloom.

OCTOBER

The orchard came into bloom, we visited Trunkey Creek Show and took the scenic route home, I went and had a look at the Thunderbird cars, a friend and I visited the local open gardens and Mick saw this stunning lizard.

NOVEMBER

We attended the Geoff Martin rally, we had a lovely afternoon at Burraga Dam with Mick’s new kayak, Joey enjoyed soaking up the sun, I finished SKOW just in time for the Blogger get together in town, I sent off my SSCS gift and received one from Norway.

DECEMBER

I had a very quick trip to Queensland, I made some quilted Christmas balls, we had a lovely Christmas, I had a close encounter with a snake, I had a look at all the beautiful old Holdens and Mick and I had  a wonderful, quiet New Year’s Eve.

Now I just wonder what the next year will bring.  I know there will be a little bit of travel and I’ve signed up for Chookyblue’s new Stitch-a-Long, but other than that, we will just have to wait and see.

Close Encounter of the Snake Kind

I’m sure everyone is well aware of my snake phobia.  Well, as a result, you should see me venture over to our garbage bins.  It is really quite comical, due to me having seen a snake in that area about ten years ago.

I skirt the area and then do a recognisance before quickly going in, putting the rubbish in the bin and making a hasty retreat.

Well, I’ve been going through some old paperwork during my holidays and have made several trips to the bins.  Of course, on the one trip that I became complacent I heard a bit of a thrashing behind the bins.

“S N A K E”, was screamed out to Mick. A brown snake had shot behind the bins.  I made a very hasty retreat. 

After a little while I thought it would be long gone and was ready to take the rubbish back and have another go at putting it in the bin. However,  Mick decided to just keep an eye on things in case the snake was still around.

Yep, it poked its head out from under one of the bins. Mick gradually moved each bin away and finally made short work of it.

Yuck!  That is just too close to the house and Mick’s work area.

Of course, I had my good strong snake proof shoes on at the time.  As usual it was me that encountered the snake.  Thank goodness Mick has been at home on each of the many occasions.

Now picture what I will be like when I go to the bins in the future.  It will be really comical…..or maybe I can ask Mick nicely?

Rev Head – Who Me?

In the week between Christmas and New Year Bathurst hosted the FX & FJ Holden National Rally. 

It is held biennially and this year’s was the biggest ever, with over 200 vehicles in attendance from every state and territory other than the Northern Territory.  You get that when things are held in Bathurst.  A certain Mt Panorama is a bit of a draw card.

I had seen a few cars in town on the Friday, but hadn’t planned on going to town in the Saturday.  However, Mick was in town, heading off on a bike ride with some mates, and called me to suggest that I’d better go and have a look.  Good fellow, isn’t he.  Also, it’s a bit back to front, don’t you think, the husband telling the wife she should go and look at a car display?  Anyway, I’m very glad that he did call and that I did go and have a little look.

Some friends were coming to our place for lunch, so I only had a bit over half an hour to have a look around.  However, I kept running into people I knew and got talking – not like me at all, so time was getting away.  I ended up making a phone call to say I’d be late and spending an hour and a half, and could have spent even more time.

So, this is what was on show.  The original Holden was the FX.  It has the long grille. By the way, they weren’t known as an “FX” at the time.

Whereas, the FJ has the shorter grille.   Mick and I very nearly bought a  cream FJ ute, but discovered lots of rust and bog in it before we signed the deal, so it didn’t happen. I must say that it was a lovely thing to ride along in.  I digress……

There were sections for original restored vehicles, slight modifications: (by the way, most of this row were from Tasmania)

Street Custom.

Wild Custom

And finally, Radical Custom.  I bet you’ve never seen an FJ look like these before.

It was truly amazing what people have done. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m glad that all the variations were included, not just those restored to original.

I don’t know anything about engines, but look at this.

An original engine. – lots of room under the bonnet.

One of the many versions of updated engines – no room under the bonnet.  There’s just no comparison.

However, these were my favourites – just call it a girl thing.

Wouldn’t it be fun heading off in one of those for a holiday.

The rally was a wonderful thing for Bathurst.  There were old Holdens around town for a week, which was lovely to see.  Our local Historic Car Club members were out in force having a look as well.  It is a real treat for us to have the opportunity to see so many beautiful cars on our doorstep.

Our New Years Eve

For the first time in I don’t know how many years Mick and I had a quiet New Year’s Eve at home.

After a hot, windy day, we sat out on the verandah as it started to cool down.  The birds came to life and some kangaroos appeared once the sting went out of the heat and the wind died away.  It was so nice just sitting there in the quiet watching and listening to it all.

We decided to have a barbecue dinner as the sun faded away leaving a lovely soft light.

Gradually, all the birds settled for the night and the roos hopped away, leaving everything quiet.

We listened to some nice music while watching as each star started to appear, one by one, until all of a sudden there were too many to count and the saucepan emerged from the dusk.

We are fortunate in that looking from our front verandah to the north we cannot see another house light, only an occasional car light on roads in the far distance.  I spotted two satellites (very rare, it is usually Mick that sees them) and Mick spotted a third, as well as two light planes in the distance.

By now the silence had been replaced by a chorus of many frogs.  We just sat there, taking it all in.

I had originally thought that I may watch the Sydney fireworks on the TV, now that we have one, but nature was putting on a much better show.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year’s Eve, be it partying or just being quiet like us.  Wishing you a Happy New Year from Mick and I.

Christmas Day

Today is a quiet day, just me at home alone.  Quite a contrast to Christmas Day, when we had twelve for lunch, and yesterday, when we went up to Lake Canobolas at Orange for another family get together with those who couldn’t make it on Christmas day.

The best Christmas gift was cool weather and some lovely, soaking rain.

Santa was kind to everyone.  My Mum heard a little birdy say that I may just like to receive this book.  I’m looking forward to making something from it in the New Year.

The grand finale of present opening was my gift from Berit in Norway.

Firstly, there was the little man, who is now sitting by my teeny Christmas tree.  Is he a troll?  I’m not sure, but he is very cute.

The main gift was a lovely redwork table runner. 

This could not have been planned better, as when I was setting up for Christmas I decided  that I would have to make a Christmassy redwork runner for Grandma’s dresser that lives in my dining room. Doesn’t it look festive, but still ideal for any time of the year. The workmanship is beautiful and the length – well I’m sure Berit must have been here taking measurements, it is perfect.

There was also a tasty little treat to eat as well.  So, all in all, I was extremely spoilt.

Another gift from the Northern Hemisphere was this cute Advent Calendar card from Loulee.  Not having kids, this was the first Advent Calendar we’ve ever had and we had fun opening all the little windows during the month of December.

There is one other sweet gift that I haven’t shared as yet.  This came from one of my friends from my little stitching group here in town.

The owl’s wings open up to reveal a needle case and pincushion.  The little purse is just the right size for loyalty cards.

And……when you turn the owl over, there is a handy pocket for scissors and quick unpick (not that I would ever need one of those…Ha ha ha).

It was a very clever little gift.

So now I am looking forward to a few peaceful days at home before heading back to work after New Year’s.  Mick, on the other hand, is back into it today, with long hot days each day for the next week, poor fellow.

Christmas Eve

I can’t believe that it is Christmas Eve.  After an incredibly busy month on all fronts I think everything has come together for a wonderful Christmas tomorrow.

Firstly, I had a whirlwind two day trip to Brisbane and the Gold Coast for work.  I was fortunate enough to sneak half an hour in the late afternoon to have a walk along the beach.

 

The night time view from the hotel was stunning.

Just a pity it was for work and not a holiday.

Each year I like to make a decoration for each of my nieces for their Christmas tree. I learnt how to make these quilted balls recently, so had some fun making them. 

They are easier than they look. That’s my sort of craft, maximum effect for minimum effort.

We have given ourselves an early Christmas present.  We have been having internet problems at high demand times.  We are on wireless and in a bit of a hollow, so from about 7.30 of an evening till about 9.30 we have been getting no internet access, which is rather frustrating.   Mick has now installed an aerial on the roof and it seems to have improved things.  Two happy campers here.

Finally, here is our tree and table all ready for tomorrow.  We will be having twelve family and friends for lunch. 

After an incredibly hot day, it is now cooler and raining, which is a great Christmas present in itself.

So, from Mick and I, have a wonderful Christmas with those you love.