Australia Day

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We'll toil with hearts and hands
To make this Commonwealth of ours
renowned of all the lands

For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair

In joyful strains then let us sing
Advance Australia Fair

*The words above are the often unsung second verse to our National Anthem

Melbourne mourns

1:30 pm Friday 20th January 2017
Bourke Street Melbourne

No words can express the shock and sorrow.

Our thoughts and Prayers are with all those
touched by this tragic event.

Snowflakes.

Through Children's eyes - the World is new and every day's a fresh surprise.

Written for the International Year of the Child, the Song "Through Children's Eyes" has always stayed with me - especially as I watched my own children grow and encouraged them to see the world around them and the beauty of God's creation.

Today I received a photograph -

this time, it was her time to show me.

First snowflakes on the rail outside the window- captured with a macro lens.

... silly me

The housework is done,

No one wants me

I will do some sewing

... apparently not!

We are Cat sitting our DD's beautiful (yet somewhat adventurous) Artemis Belle

who has found the purfect 'sweet spot' combination of air-conditioning and a View.

looks like she hasn't taken long to feel at home!

Unfortunately, if I am going to get this hanging sleeve made - 

someone is going to have to move

(now where is my spare cutting mat?)

Taking the kids out for coffee . . .

"Mum" may be dining on Croissants in Paris at the moment

But I've been for a manicure and 

now am having Coffee with Uncle Spike at Northland

and everyone is adoring me!

For when you need a "Mum Hug"....

What DO you do when one of your children rings to tell you, that they have just been offered their dream job - BUT it is in another country?


You do a lot of research,

ask a lot of questions

Give them all the support they need
and then

You make an  Aussie themed quilt*
(and new Bucket Bag)

 ... Of course!


It has been quite the roller-coaster ride here.
In the last 3 months we have gone from "Now what? I don't know what is next."
to "I've got my Visa - is this REALLY happening?".

Tonight we waved Good-bye
Au Revoir
Auf Weidersehen
- see you in 12 months.


Well... maybe








*My utmost thanks and appreciation goes to Carol from 'Sewn 'n Quilted' for squeezing me in to her Christmas Quilting list at the last minute so that DD's Quilt would be finished in time - She is going to need it!

Into the unknown . . .

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

Corny Point Lighthouse Yorke Peninsula South Australia 2/12/2008
This photo was taken on the last grand adventure/family holiday we had before they started having adventures on their own.

A New Year just begun ....

Photo of the day -
Wollert Vic
Taken with my Canon 760D