Spring again and what a lovely time of year. Perfect temperatures - not too hot - jacaranda in flower and everything is wonderful.
I haven't blogged for a while. Seem to have had writers' block and lack of inspiration. But here I am again, busy, busy with making Christmas gifts, new designs and hospital volunteer stuff.
Recently, after finishing renovations on a property, we finally visited a couple of dear, old (not so much in ages but in friendship length) friends in their new home in a little seaside village on the Fraser coast. A beautiful home, lovely little spot but, oh boy, the midges had a field day with us. Worth it though to see these two lovelies again, celebrate one of their birthdays and to see some of their friends again too.
We have booked our tickets to New Zealand to spend Christmas with some of my family. I haven't had Christmas there for many years. This time we will fly into Auckland and meet my parents, who are flying up from the West Coast of the South Island, spend a couple of days catching up with one of my brother's and his family and hopefully an aunty and uncle before heading down to Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty. A few days catching up with another brother and his family over Christmas before Rotorua, Taupo, Napier and on to Wellington. Possibly a day or so there too and then across on the interisland ferry to Picton and down to home town Westport. It will be lovely taking the parents on our journey and also for WH (wonderful husband) and myself to see a different part of the country. He has never seen most of the areas we will travel through and I haven't for a very long time.
A couple of weeks ago I attended, with a non-crafty friend, the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Fair. Spent a little money but not too much. Soaked up the craft atmosphere and drooled over the beautiful work that was on show, especially in the quilt area. Even my friend enjoyed seeing the beautiful quilts on display.
We enjoyed afternoon tea at Southbank, much refreshed and replenished after being all but washed away during the January floods. It really is a lovely asset to the city and much used by young and old, singles, couples and families. I always love wandering through the park and sitting and meditating by the river.
In the very busy lives that many people lead these days it is hard to justify just sitting and contemplating. A lot of us seem to always have this urge to be busy, busy all the time. Is this because we feel we should do or we have to or because it is expected of us? I know that there are things that must be done both at work and at home but it is a shame that the beauty around us isn't often appreciated. Calmness, serenity, peace and contentment are elusive for many but if we can spend just a few minutes each day appreciating those things we are lucky to have - even the smallest blessings - how much happier we would all be.
I haven't blogged for a while. Seem to have had writers' block and lack of inspiration. But here I am again, busy, busy with making Christmas gifts, new designs and hospital volunteer stuff.
Recently, after finishing renovations on a property, we finally visited a couple of dear, old (not so much in ages but in friendship length) friends in their new home in a little seaside village on the Fraser coast. A beautiful home, lovely little spot but, oh boy, the midges had a field day with us. Worth it though to see these two lovelies again, celebrate one of their birthdays and to see some of their friends again too.
We have booked our tickets to New Zealand to spend Christmas with some of my family. I haven't had Christmas there for many years. This time we will fly into Auckland and meet my parents, who are flying up from the West Coast of the South Island, spend a couple of days catching up with one of my brother's and his family and hopefully an aunty and uncle before heading down to Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty. A few days catching up with another brother and his family over Christmas before Rotorua, Taupo, Napier and on to Wellington. Possibly a day or so there too and then across on the interisland ferry to Picton and down to home town Westport. It will be lovely taking the parents on our journey and also for WH (wonderful husband) and myself to see a different part of the country. He has never seen most of the areas we will travel through and I haven't for a very long time.
A couple of weeks ago I attended, with a non-crafty friend, the Brisbane Craft and Quilt Fair. Spent a little money but not too much. Soaked up the craft atmosphere and drooled over the beautiful work that was on show, especially in the quilt area. Even my friend enjoyed seeing the beautiful quilts on display.
We enjoyed afternoon tea at Southbank, much refreshed and replenished after being all but washed away during the January floods. It really is a lovely asset to the city and much used by young and old, singles, couples and families. I always love wandering through the park and sitting and meditating by the river.
In the very busy lives that many people lead these days it is hard to justify just sitting and contemplating. A lot of us seem to always have this urge to be busy, busy all the time. Is this because we feel we should do or we have to or because it is expected of us? I know that there are things that must be done both at work and at home but it is a shame that the beauty around us isn't often appreciated. Calmness, serenity, peace and contentment are elusive for many but if we can spend just a few minutes each day appreciating those things we are lucky to have - even the smallest blessings - how much happier we would all be.
