May 2021

 Well autumn is almost over and the winter begun. the month has raced past with a couple of trips away.

The first weekend in May was the local Rose City Quilters Tote and Gloat quilt show which is like a giant "Show and "tell"  - over 100 people displaying their quilts from the last 2 years as lastyear's event was cancelled due to Covid.  I was impressed with the attendance and the standard of organisation and quilts presented.

Then the following weekend  I drove up to Rotorua to the Great NZ Quilt Show and what a wonderful array of quilts were tobe seen. Many would be in th categrory of "Art Quilts", certainly even the more traditional big quilts were of extremely high quality of workmanship and design.  I was able to stay in the car park in the campervan which meant not far to walk and quiet nights. the Event centre is right by the lake and although lots of thermal activity there wasnt too much smell thank goodness. I atttended a  "thread painting"workshop on he Saturday which I enjoyed very much.  I am no expert yet but gained a lot of confidence.   

My little thread painted landscape..

Drive back was Ok although I did not like being on the Desert road after dark.

I had a couple of commitments back in Palmerston north to come back for on the Monday and the Tuesday  and then on the Wednesday i set off up North again basically for a Philosophy group resdiential weekend but by going a couple fo days early i was able to catch up Dorothy and Gilbert on the Friday. My weekend went well and after calling in to the Counties Manukau Quilters Guild show on the way south ( they were my group when I lived in Auckland)  I got as far as Karapiro lake before stopping for the night. An early start the next morning meant I was able to take it more easily and the drive seemed to go really easily. I was back in time to take kids to Cubs and Scouts on Monday night and catch up with the family.  3 quilt shows in three weekends was more than usual I must say. Quite inspiring though. 

1800 km in two weekends was enough driving for a little while though. The autumn colours were absolutely beautiful and gosh one does seem to appreciate natural beauty even more as one gets older. Maybe more time to observe as the mind ismore restful.

I was quite busy with the groups I had joined and heard some splendid seminars on the Future of Food from the U3A organised Autumn seminars. Some real food for thought contained in the talks and very well attended. Particualrly interesting was the concept of  3D printing of food. Sketh group met  in a cafe last week - warm and dry and we did all sketch..

My U3A sketch group

My sketch - sittin in the cafe with a variety of jugs and vases on the shelf.

The weather not too cold yet. I am getting increasingly annoyed at this body of mine - legs are stiffer rather than getting better. Cant get back on the bike until I am confident that the calf muscle will allow me to put out my leg for balance. I have been to aqua aerobics a few times and have also joined the gym. Going to need real discipline to fit in sessions in the gym - the diary is already quite full.But I MUSt do it else I will have real problems.  

The house sewing group I have been invited to join is some interesting and ncie ladies and it has been a real pleasure to join them a couple of times this month. So fortuitous - one lives only two houses from me and her house backs on to my cul de sac. 

29th June  ... Ok so a quick update. we have had a week of wet weather and I did quite a lot of sewing - two neonatal quilts to be donated to the Hospital and a quilt for peter's great grand daughter in Bathurst ( by special request).  Life has been busy the last couple of weeks as i have hit the gym four times a week - including once to aquarobics andonce to a circuit class for active seniors. Today my achilles and calf muscle felt Ok enought o go for a ride on the e bike. I am still alittle nervous abut if I go out each day i will gradually get more confident. Still have the seat lower than it should be so that when i stop I can touch the ground with my toes. I am trying the keto diet and so far it is a nuisance as i desperately am  addicted to nice comfort food but I am being very disciplined and weight loss is starting so keeping my fingers crossed i can keep it going. 

One of my "baby quilts for hospital donation

quilt top for Willow - Peter's great grand daughter in BAthurst

Another quilt top i have made recently

Another baby quilt for donation.  

This morning I took a waffle maker round to Jonathan's to make a special breakfast for our birthday girl Annabelle - 9 years old! Now I have a  quieter week and weekend ahead. I tookt he family all out to a restaurant on saturday night as a bit of a celebration. No more birthdays for a few months!

Annabelle - 9 today - we are going through a tomboy phase but she loves that damn panda! Carts it everywhere.

Weather wise there is apparently a cold Antarctic weather bomb making its way north so we will apparently be getting very much colder in the next few days... But all I do is wind up the heat pump and put on some more clothes. Thank goodness for the electric blanket.