2026

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

Give me a light

that I might tread safely into the unknown.

And he replied –

Go out into the darkness

and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to thee – better than a light

and safer than a known way.

                                                                                        

                                                                                                 M. Louise Haskins

                                                                                                                 (1875 - 1957)

Footnote:

The above Text has been a favourite of mine 

since I acquired a 'framed' copy in my teens.

Today I discovered, it is the opening lines of a bigger Poem,

that the Author died the year I was born 

and these words were also a Favourite Poem of HRH Queen Elizabeth 11.                                                                                 

2025 - Year in Review

Here we go again

What  Happened in 2025?

January

We had Both sides of Life this Month

with a Funeral followed by a Birth

Welcome Granddaughter No. 5

February / March

Too much work to do to Blog about

These 2 Months were spent at DD's Home

Fixing a HUGE problem caused by a thirsty Rat

April

How can I sum up 12 Days of Adventure touring Tasmania?

With my Favourite Photo of the Trip

The Lighthouse at Hells Gates

May

Installing a Garage Hoist

Another "Simple Project" that took longer than planned for DS#2

June

I started building a 1940's Train Carriage Book Nook

(Christmas Gift)

Which was fun until it wasn't

July

Spike got to Meet Logan while DS#2 went on a trip to Fitzroy Island

(I wonder if they are watching for him to return?)

August

Lots of Birthdays during August

September

Back to help DS#2 

 Out with the Previous Owners Garden

 and In with His

October

We spent October turning a Disaster at my Mother's Home

into something She can enjoy

November

With lots of Tears and Hugs

We said Fare-well to our Neighbours of 45 Years

December

Australia is rocked by what will become known as BONDI 2025

16 lives lost, 45 Injured

Countless traumatised, by Two men with Legal Guns

It is NOT who we are.

December

and so that I can finish 2025 on a Happier Note

what has to be Our Quote of the Year...

"I need to learn EVERYTHING before I go to School"

Heaven help their Teachers!

🤣

Seasons Greetings

Whoever you are
Wherever you live
Whatever you Believe

 
Season's Greetings

May you find Peace and Joy

Caught on Camera

Back in 2022 - We could have very easily burnt our House down, thanks to the Local Starlings Nest building efforts.

When they filled the Chimney Flu full of Grass...  

It really was "The Last Straw" for decades of inconvenience.

So as DH likes to quip - Extreme Chimney Sweeping - We removed the Chimney.

This week, the wind seemed to be blowing a lot of rubbish into the Garage but when Our security Camera kept pinging for "Movement" - 

We found out what was Really going on.

The top of the Garage Roller door is not the most practical place to set up house.

Apart from the rolling back and forth several times a day - 

It is also VERY hot in there at this time of year.

I do feel sorry to have to destroy all this work - every single piece brought in one by one, but it had to go.

The weight of the dry grass on one side was causing an imbalance affecting how the door operated.

A couple of Pool Noodles to fill the Gap may stop them from getting in.  

And as I write this I can hear them swearing at me from the Neighbours Roof!

Update:  

Pool Noodles don't stop a determined Starling -

Seeing if Gutter Guard will have better luck!

BONDI 2025

8 Months ago, I stood at a Memorial in Port Arthur Tasmania for an event that changed Australia and led to the Gun Laws we have today.

Last night we watched in sadness, News coverage of a Mass Shooting carried out by a Father and Son – with Legally Permitted Guns - at a Hanukkah Celebration in a Playground on Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Today the Nations Flags fly at Half Mast.

Today Our Children will have learned about Hatred

Today Our Leaders will once again review our Gun laws

Tonight Christmas Lights will be joined with a Single Candle in the Window

Tonight Our Indigenous Community will hold a Healing Ceremony

And Tomorrow - We pray that this will not happen again.

“Light a Candle and place in the Window to show that Light will defeat Darkness and that as a Nation we have no place for hatred.” 

(A. Albanese PM)

Ref: Port Arthur Blog Post

Aussie Christmas Fare

Christmas may come 'But Once a Year' but the Celebrations last for as long as you have Family that you have to fit in with. This year, Ours was VERY early!

I sent out a Message to everyone for Requests - 

Didn't have to be Christmassy Just whatever they were craving!

DH - Fruit Platter 

(I am ALL for Outsourcing where possible - Made by our Local Cafe and now features on their Instagram)

DS#1 - Can we have Trifle? 

This one I made a bit different to the traditional, with Tart Cranberry Juice Jelly and Blueberries and I also found Pink Savoiardi (Lady Finger) Biscuits! 

And of course the thing that makes Trifle - Trifle.  No Port this year. 

Tasmanian Cherry Chocolate Whiskey soaked the biscuits.

DD Made an Awesome Pavlova Wreath (didn't last long enough to photograph)

But wanted Greek Yoghurt instead of Cream - Gives a nice tang over all the Sugar! 

Not easy especially with Lactose Free Yoghurt - so (next day) I hung the Yoghurt in a Muslin and drained off the Whey turning a Runny mess into Spoon-able Lactose Free Labneh.

Something to remeber for next time.

Well, after all, There is still Christmas Day!

Bubbles and Birthday Cake

 

Happy Mini Mouse Birthday Sweetheart

Daddy did a awesome job on your cake 

(Traditionally 'Burning the Midnight Oil' with a 12:15 am text to Grandma)