Pre- Christmas busy

This is surely the season - I dont go near shopping malls if I can help it, and this year I am trying to make most of my Christmas presents myself  . my contribution to trying to combat senseless consumerism... Unfortunately that often means I make extra deadline for myself.

The first Christmas card I finished

Since last blog entry I had a long weekend trip down to see the grandchildren and the family - it was a busy weekend with children's activities, and visits to friends and the Bush lane property on which Jonathan and Amy have made great progress ( the first Barn/shed should be up by now).

At Taupo - all the  paddocks around were filled with the yellow Broom flowers

My major recollection of the drive down was the abundance of the yellow flowers of Broom - just everywhere in the middle of the island... it may well be considered a pest but it is nicer than gorse and makes a wonderful spectacle at this time of year. The weekend included - dinner with my friend Christine who has just sold her house and going to buy into a retirement village, visit to Bush Lane, visit to Dog Show at Masterton with children to see Robyn's little dog doing brilliantly ( Baby Puppy in Show, visit to the Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre ( fantastic display of birds in natural habitat - even a white kiwi), then swimming carnival at Feilding, well deserved dinner of fish and chips! and after school on Monday swimming, beginners Cricket training for the girls and then Cubs with Callum. Nana had some nice quiet time in between while the kids were at school.. The children are at the age when nana is still a very desired participant in their activities.. I love it!

At Mt Bruce wildlife centre

A kakapo - first one I had seen live... 

Yes, they have goats! 11 of them and maybe more coming - they are good escapees!

The site for the first building - ready and waiting!

Successful day swimming  with their swimming coaches

New dresses - smocked by my friend - my two little princesses.

Cordelia learning to bowl

Annabelle learning to hit the ball

Callum pulling the chariot at cubs - they had to use rope lashing to hold it together

 The rest of the month has been sewing various little jobs, some Christmas presents and finishing off and using up  fabric, meetings about our exhibition for next year, giving out scholarship money to some very deserving women for university study, a residential weekend with the School of Philosophy, and gardening, and visitors, trying to get those Christmas presents made, and reading ....

The days are racing past and just had Peter Godfrey jnr to stay overnight as he is en route to a dentist in Auckland, now it is a couple of Christmas parties and still trying to finish off all those Christmas presents... why did i decide to make fabric Christmas postcards!!!

This one was for me - had the fabric for 8 years!

Update early November

Well today I took the campervan   round to a company which does all the maintenance and conversion of campervans. They have been helpful in the past = there are all sorts of little jobs that I dont always know how to do eg there were two loose fittings and I didnt know how to stick them down and then I was worried about a catch on the fridge that wouldnt lock and needed to check the heater system. Great  = all sorted and I didnt pay anything -  there was a DVD and TV in the van and I had never used it so I gave it to the chap who fixed the bits for me - and he also installed a 12v outlet which will be useful int he back of the van for a little fan and for recharging phone etc.

For the last couple of weeks I have been finishing the projects I started at the Quilting Symposium - I was determined to get those done this time!

My Symposium project that is now finished "Elephant on Parade"

Another symposium project finished "Ghost ships in the Orient"

At the weekend I went to the Quilting Guild and we handed in our Recycle, Reuse and Reloved challenge -  a 12" square little quilt using only reused or repurposed fabrics or other bits. One of mine was based on   used T bags and I included some of Mums bits and pieces - Not many of the members did it which was a pity but I liked mine and Margarets and  one of our friends who is a new member did really well.I also gave a little talk and some samples of projects you could do with Border print fabrics. So it has been a really intensive sewing time....

These were the ones handed in by members

My T bag based - Memories of Mum

This one was called Faded Roses II

Then I went out to join the Sanskrit weekend - good company and studied and carefully translated a verse from the Aitareya Upanishad...sounds a bit boring but it is an amazing language - thousands of years old without changing and with incredibly well organised rules of grammar (4000 rules!). And the School of Philosophy house at Glendowie is a beautiful setting looking ouit over the Waitemata harbour.

 So this afternoon did a bit more tidying up and dumping stuff out of the garage including another trip to the Salvation Army shop with all sorts of bits... starting to get more space  in the garage. Amazing how you can only really declutter in stages - sometimes you just dont feel like parting with some stuff and then later you can. I will take the old tent and some of the camping gear down to Jonathan and they can use it hopefully in the summer out at Bush Lane. Apparently the digger which was supposed to be laying the base for their shed was doing well until it rained on Saturday.

And tomorrow I have a meeting of our little committee organizing the exhibition for next year... but later in the year I will head off south to spend a few days with the family. Looking forward to it - 

The garden has some plants in it and the bit of rain we have just had should see everything get started.. need to get those blueberries netted and maybe the blackberries as well. I did net the strawberries and it is good to beat the birds to the yummy strawberries.

Callum's visit

After one day to recover from Symposium and put stuff away Callum arrived on Tuesday morning. Bright and chatty, it was a real pleasure to have his company. One on one time with Nana is fun.
We went shopping for all his favourite foods and then to Bunnings to buy my fence paint.
 Home again and after lunch we did some waterblasting... 9 year olds dont last long on physical work.. but we did get done the bit I had decided to tackle.

Wednesday was up early to go to the pool, and he was insistent I did laps with him, so after a very long time away from swimming laps I was in there - Callum can go almost twice as fast as I can but it was good exercise and I should repeat it - definitely stretches the muscles! We returned home, gave Tui a quick cuddle and then in to the train station and off to the city.

Skytower was his destination of choice and it was quite impressive - lots of kids around but a beautiful fine day and the magnificent view - I havent been there for a very long time so was pleased to go...

His favourite photo - the Lamborghini in the foyer of the Sky City hotel

Looking down the lift shaft on Sky Tower

View from the 51st floor

Then we thought a ferry ride was in order so walked down to the ferry buildings and caught the ferry over to Devonport - lovely warm afternoon, and the bit of nice beach was exposed - Callum discovered he could skim stones and I was astonished to find I could too! So we used up every suitable stone on the beach I think....

by the time we got back on the train we were a bit ready for a quiet night.. Yes, he did deserve to play on the computer for a while.. but it was a great day.

Thursday we had just enough fine weather to put the first coat of paint on the fence - the waterblasted wood soaked paint up and a fair bit of paint went everywhere but the fence, but a good exercise...
Then we made cheese muffins - he ate at least half the batch...and then round for a quick reunion of the quilting ladies - we showed each other our results from Symposium.
Then, with the weather looking a bit drizzly we decided to visit Robyn and cuddle the new puppy - she is gorgeous - and on to Miranda to the hot pool - the biggest outdoor thermal pool in Australasia...nicely warmed up we had fish and chips for dinner at Kaiaua and home .

I didnt have overalls - so old T shirt!

Callum with 10wk old Indy

Callum with Indy and her mother Supreme Champion Kate

Callum flew home Friday morning - he is amassing some frequent flyer points! A very enjoyable time had by all.

Meanwhile, the girls spent the week with Jonathan and Amy and from some photos it appears that donkey riding was high on the agenda - Cordelia is an enthusiastic rider, at present after her broken arm Annabelle sometimes prefers to walk one of the donkeys.

I am now catching up on all the other activities in my life, but after Quilting Guild yesterday I came home and put a second coat of paint on the fence, and this morning had a lovely  birthday morning tea with Dorothy and Gilbert and a very pleasant walk with the dogs around Westhaven. Good walking paths and safe for the dogs - very pleasant  morning. The kids phoned this morning and sang Happy birthday and I got a nice message from Sammy in Australia.
All is well in my world - although the body is a bit tired!

September then Symposium

My first class at Symposium.. Ghost images of the Orient...

Well - late September was busy as I visited the family, and then had a very enjoyable time at a 5 day National Quilt Symposium and in between fitted in lots of sewing and preparation.  I need too look back at the diary to check just what i did!

Blossoms on Wattle Farm Rd - they are a picture!

 As soon as I had a free weekend in late September I headed down to Palm North again - in the car this time for a quick trip - as it felt ages since I had seen the kids. Wonderful easy trip down - blue sky, Taupo was a mirror like millpond and the mountains looked like they had been covered with a layer of whipped meringue, trees in blossom everywhere I looked.

Friday morning I took my friend Christine out to look and walk around Bush lane - and see the new goats ( all 11 of them) plus all the trees that have been planted, gates fitted and fences new and repaired. great progress team! We walked right down to the end of the property - it covers even more than we had realised..

Then it was the pick up run, and lots of hugs and excited chatter with kids. I had one to one time with Annabel who chose to go to a new playground and I discovered they have playground apps on your phone now - it makes up challenges for the kids and they have to come back and tap the phone when they do each one!

Saturday was various activities - mostly for Annabel this time, Cordelia went out to the farm and I was with Callum. We did some shopping and later the girls and I did some colouring in - lovely quiet activity, then played a family round of Rummikub.

Sunday afternoon was a swimming carnival at Levin and everyone was entered - parents dont sit with the kids - their coach is very bossy but she gets results and the team manager was great with Cordelia and Annabel. Major achievements were that Cordelia actually completed the 25m freestyle and got a huge round of applause ( she freaked out and wouldnt get into the water for the backstroke) - she is now very proud of herself. Calluma nd Annabel bettered their previous times and both completed the 100m freestyle - no fancy sprints.. but they maintained good style and Annabel also got a huge round of applause as she slowly but steadily finished - C and A were far and away the youngest at the meet but good experience and they now have times on record. No photos but lots of cheering.
Monday I just flopped and helped out with some household chores - Amy had a minor op and was a bit shattered.  It was a lovely visit - the kids are getting older and their behaviour is getting better all the time.. Jonathan and Amy are doing a good job (and so must their mother be). Booked Callum to come up in the holidays for a few days.

Drive home was raining, windy and thank goodness I left earlyish - made it back in plenty of time for my evening appointment .

Lots of rectangles - easy but took ages...not sure of where its home will be...

The next week was spent finishing the yellow and blue quilt, which I needed to get out of the way so that I could tidy up the lounge - did some visiting,  several hours of catching up on my Sanskrit homework, Tui urgently needed another haircut, worked for several hours on updating the School of Philosophy database and read a few books. Weather still weird. Apparently one of the wettest Septembers on record.

October 1 - 6 was the NZ  National quilting Symposium with 5 full days of classes and exhibitions and talks... probably about 1000 attendees - almost all women with international as well as local tutors - I attended three classes and enjoyed every one of them...some of the exhibits were truly inspiring - 5 of our local sewing group went in and it was good to have the company although it affirmed that Auckland rush hour traffic is ghastly!   I focussed this year on doing classes which would be fun - learning stuff along the way but not getting too stressed - and I definitely had fun...

Each of these blocks was made from an A4 sized picture without kn owing what the final big picture was. My block was the little red car with the lampost in front.  It fitted in well and I was very pleased with the overall effect.

My lovely little Scottish tutor, Pat Archibald

My Ghost Images of the Orient - in progress...

Camels at broome - a WA exhibitor - isnt it lovely!

The Desert Rd - love this one - by Merrilyn George

My second class with Pat - this is her sample - Elephants on Parade

My work in progress...we did block printing, and will bling the elephant!I was auditioning which bling I would add!

My "Wildflowers at Sunset" - Not perfect but I will call it a "class sample" of painting a background and free motion quilting 

I am now putting away all my bits of thread and fabric and working out what fun I am going to have with an energetic 9 year old - the goal is to paint my fence!

The daffodils are out but still nippy!

Another few weeks have gone by and they have been busy ones, as I am getting into gear sorting out stuff for various quilting activities, and having some lovely visitors and social activities.

Weekends have been quite fun recently - starting off with a 50th birthday party for Kate and family including her mum Emeritus Professor Dame Charmian who was celebrating being 82 - we had a lovely meal at Sen - a very good Vietnamese restaurant in the city..

My old friend Charmian and her daughter Kate - lovely evening

Then the next morning a friend and I went int o th Vintage textiles fair - lots of lovely old clothes, linen, lace and all sorts of bits and pieces - quite fun people watching as quite a few people were dressed up in "vintage" clothes although I think the people in this photo have a style known as Steam Punk!

We didnt buy much - I am trying desperately not to buy any more fabric until i use up or sell some of what I have accumulated.

Then another friend invited me to the movie at the local theatre called Camino Skies - I loved it - wish I thought my legs would stand up to doing some of this walk in Spain - i think 800km is a bit too far!

"The inspirational journey of six antipodean pilgrims between the ages of 50 and 80 who embark on the historic 800 kilometre Spanish pilgrimage.

In the face of overwhelming odds, the Camino acts as a catalyst for catharsis and forces the group to defy their age and physical ability as they come to terms with recent loss.

Heart-breaking and inspirational, ‘Camino Skies’ is an uplifting story about everyday people doing the extraordinary."

Then the anticipated visit to the endodontist who did completely painless quick sorting out of my root canal problem - cost me four figures but Ok so worth it. - back for another break the bank visit in three weeks to fill the canals. Lovely youngish dentist - he wears luminous lime coloured sneakers!

The next weekend I went out to the franklin Art Festival to see if there were any examples of textile Art suitable for our exhibition... there were two or three which was good. On the Sunday I had nothing on and the day dawned with blue skies so I got up early, decided to get out of the house for the day and took the camper down to the waterfront - I got a parking spot just by the water in the car park at mission Bay - and stayed the whole day - watching the people, dogs and boats go by - and Tui had two walks and I did some studying ... much more fun than staying at home! especially as i could make cups of tea etc whenever i wanted...

My million dollar spot for the day at Mission Bay

Following up on some contact names I had a couple of most enjoyable "cuppas" with a couple of local quilters and quilt artists - some people are enormously talented!

Flying Geese by Rose May Scott

 By golly - then we drove to Hamilton for the Annual Waikato Craft Show and I spent  a delightful hour catching up with Linda - my second cousin who had been my flower girl all those years ago ( now she is a grandma...) She is one of NZ's top embroiderers and it is always a please to see her innovative and gorgeous work as well as just spend time with her.  Drove quickly back to pick up Kiri, Peter's grand daughter from Sydney who had flown over to go to a special Ball with her father.
We talked for hours that night - it was great to spend time with her - she has grown into a beautiful woman.

Kiri and her Dad, Peter Godfrey ( we call him Little Pete)

Then the next morning I was off into the Auckland Quilt Guild where I had to do some further networking - very productive morning.
 After that I picked up a friend and her husband from Brisbane - lesley and I had worked together and enjoyed time together when i worked in Australia some years ago - another very creative lady. I did my favourite tourist trip out to the Arataki Visitors Centre on the Scenic Drive int he Waitakere Ranges, out to Piha the wild west coast beach that features on a TV reality show, and then out to the Gannet colony at Muriwai. The gannets had arrived back to reunite with their partners, mate, build nests and soon there will be eggs and chicks... you can get so close to them and their flights are quite awe inspiring as they rise on the updrafts of the cliffs at Muriwai! Could have stood there for hours and watched them...but it was getting late in the afternoon and the wind was biting.

So a fair bit of sewing later, as i have almost finished quilting one quilt, made a sample of Seminole patchwork for my Sydney group, and done some hand work to finish a couple of other UFOs ( unfinished objects)... I am off the the local Quilting Guild tomorrow and then to the local premiere of the Downton Abbey movie on Sunday.. Going to be a fun weekend.

A sample of Seminole patchwork

Oh, and I have read a few books, watched a few movies and gone to Aquarobics twice a week as well!

When I come to write it down - looks like a lot - guess I have had a spring in my step - blame it on the daffodils!

I am so grateful to be in good health and having the time and the space to decide what is important to me, and get out there and do it... good company in the form of friends, activities, music and books - the motto on my fridge is "Live every day as if it is your last".. and I love the quote we were reminded of at my Philosophy group this week "Rejoice in the present!"

Oh when will spring come?

August has been an interesting month with lots of little projects completed and some started, a relaxing break up at Mangawhai  but with more rain, thunderstorms and interspersed even with hail. My back lawn has moss growing on it. I am sure it wasnt this wet last year.

If I try to go in chronological order
I enjoyed the movie "Maiden" - a film Festival movie of the first all female crew to take part in the Whitbread - incredible photography and incredible courage and skills developed by the crew - I remember they won the sailing leg into Auckland harbour in 1990. Huge crowds turned out to cheer them in - and it was about midnight!

Peter jnr arrived back from his fishing trip to Finland and Russia with some really intersting stories and photos.
I got asked to review a research paper for a European Journal of Engineering Education - quite tickled as I have been out of it for a while - but it was on the topic of disciplinary cultures and right in line with my work. I had to go to a bit of trouble however to get access to some of the information I needed - I no longer have the automatic access to many of the websites that I had as a Uni staff member. That took quite a bit of work althoughIi enjoyed the catchup. Reminded me my brain hasnt lost it!

This was the block of the month for the Guild last month -

I have done quite a bit of sewing this month - the continuing saga of trying to finish things
I did a demo of  a Lone Star quilt technique at our local Quilting Guild and after finishing my sample I have turned it into a bright cushion.

My Lone Star Cushion 

Finally admitted defeat - I couldnt get Tui's teeth properly clean and one was clearly a bit rotten - so we had another expensive trip to the vet - but she is much happier now and apparently some of the little dogs have "overcrowded" mouths and the teeth taken out were just a few of the little ones - hasnt ruined her ability to devour dog biscuits and chewy bars.

I went to the Counties Country Quilters Show which had some gorgeous quilts - hope they can offer them for our exhibition...  these are not mine!

A collage quilt - each flower on the giraffe is individually cut and placed!

A beautiful example of a bargello quilt

This really tricks the eye - it really is only 2D despite looking 3D

Then I went in to the Kate Edger Education trust Awards Ceremony - one of the awards is named after me which is a bit special - so I presented some of the Awards to women studying at tertiary / university level.  Many are given to women needing to retrain so as to be able to enter the workforce.re A really diverse and interesting group of awardees.

Then the toothache hit me hard again -  and finally got to the dentist two weeks ago and she decided I needed root canal fillings in the sore tooth - NOT FUN - my extremely competent dentist found teh first root canal without too much trouble and we got through that OK but she couldnt find the second one, so we called it quits for the day, sent me home with heaps of anti biotics and the upshot of it is that I am going to an endodentist on Thursday - hopefully for some resolution.

Then to cheer me up I had a local house painter add some colour to the front of the house - the photo doesnt do it justice - and we are going to lighten up the garage door - it does look brighter and with more contrast than it did before. I will do more later when I see ifIi have any money left after the tooth is fixed!

Despite predictions of more foul weather I decided to run away up to Mangawhai and was delighted that Gilbert and Dorothy were there having a quiet weekend - the first morning was lovely. Dorothy and I visited the local markets and the birds on the banksia trees were in full song - check out the video! but then the weather packed up and Sunday was very windy and lots of rain albeit intermittently so i did fit in two walks each day (wearing my best raincoat and tramping boots). Dorothy and I each got some work done on our computers and Gilbert read books and took a few energetic walks... Great getaway and great company.

Alfie loves his Dad

The first morning was so still and quiet - wintertime Mangawhai

Listen to those birds sing!

And to top it off this weekend I have been to a friends 50th birthday, a vintage textile fair and the movie Camino Skies about the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk - 800km  ( loved it! - wish my legs were 20 years younger... not sure I could do the walk now).