Last Day of 2025

 Hello there. I do hope you have all had a lovely Christmas with those you care about.

I enjoyed my time spent with family. 

Christmas morning I had breakfast with my Daughter. Just us two. Her children were with the other person and she always finds it a bit difficult. So......

We decided indulgence was the key......DD made delicious pancakes with all the trimmings. It was a delicious way to start the day.

This little guy was trying to get in on the action the whole time...he's so cute but so very naughty!

A little sidetrack. Bare with me folks.....often when I begin an art piece there can be several renditions before I settle on the final version. Such was the case with the Kookaburras I drew for the Holmes Award a few years ago that now hangs in my lounge room.  DD always liked the one I put aside. I always liked the drawing but the paper I had chosen was difficult to work on. It was always special as my inspiration was a photo my husband took at Undara Lava Tubes camp grounds on one of our trips. It wasn't a great photo but was a lovely moment we shared  together and with them every afternoon when they came to visit late,  cackling and chortling to each other. Plus they are beautiful!

So I got it framed for her for Christmas. 

She loved it!  (Not a great photo but you get the idea from my drawing which is more accurate) And so much nicer than it languishing unloved in a big folder!

Boxing Day my family came to my home for a swim and dinner. By accident we seem to have begun a tradition of recreating a photo of my Grandkids in the same place at different ages....I really love this.....unplanned as it was. Hence the middle one not in the same order lol!

We had a great deal of fun....indulged in all our favourite festive food, played this ridiculous music guessing game which resulted in hilarious efforts, loud screaming, competitive insults and fall about the floor laughter. The neighbours must have wondered what on earth we were doing lol! Here are the mandatory Christmas family album additions. These people are what gets me through xx

I was especially spoilt by my family. Contributions helped me buy this....

A little lightweight to take away on sewing retreat because Big Bernie...my Bernina is way to heavy! It was on sale too, so was a big win.

Also this little bundle of goodies....all my favourites!

I have spent the rest of the season either reading or working on quilting my Gathered Treasures whilst watching the new series of Robin Hood. I have always loved the tale of Robin Hood right away back to reading it as a child and this one is enjoyable.

I am using a combination of Perle 8 thread and regular quilting thread....so far so good. Because everything was laid down on a base I haven't used any wadding so as to get the Perle 8 thread through...just backing. I will show you lots of pics of the top next post.

I finished this book and while I enjoyed it I didn't love it!

Here's a little compilation of art and sewing I achieved this year. I had great plans at the beginning of this year but as I have discovered grief doesn't care about your plans and can lay you low even after 3 years and you stall. I am learning to let it happen without guilt now and then when I am ready get back up and keep going!  Not trying to be depressing just telling it like it is! However sitting slow stitching and choosing art projects that took much longer but gave me a challenge was my saving grace this year. I loved the peace they bought to me.

Thank you to all of you that visit and leave lovely comments on my posts and come back even when they are sporadic. I appreciate you all.

My wish for you for 2026.

See you on the other side.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Out and About

 Good morning friends. This post is photo heavy.....so be prepared! The silly season is ramping up and amongst it all there are always lovely moments. Yesterday Dear Daughter and Granddaughter no.2 got stuck into our Christmas shopping. Our family find this time of year difficult as everything about it brings sharply into focus how we miss my Husband. He adored Christmas!

He was the relentless searcher of hard to find presents for the kids, the best gift wrapper, the best ham carver and maker of toasted ham sandwiches on Christmas eve with glasses of bubbles and the best chuckler over Christmas Vacation movie....another Ridgway tradition along with singing Paul Kellys...Making Gravy.

So we try and do our best to carry on. When we saw this more than life size Grinch yesterday it made us all giggle. He wasn't up for a chat with Dear Daughter lol!

Chocolate milkshakes helped us refuel!

This past weekend I went to Miss E's drum recital. I loved it. She did so well and it was great seeing how all the children had grown in ability and confidence over the last year. I know I am completely biased but she looks so at home behind her kit!

Sunday Stitchers Christmas party is always a fun highlight of the year....great fun, people and food. 

Helen was busy on paparazzi duties...

Our Christmas gift this year was to fill a Christmas box with items that spelt out the word S.A.N.T.A.

Lynda was my gifter......

Can you guess what was what?

S....SASHIKO 

A.....APPLE gorgeous hand carved from Tasmania 

N....NEEDLES 

T......THREAD

A.....ART ADDRESS BOOK

So spoilt!

We exchanged our usual Bon Bons they are always fun. I received mine from Alison. 

Lots of lovely little gifts too from the girls. I think my bag was heavier leaving than when I came lol!

A really lovely day.

Art broke up too this week with a lunch time get together. 

I am way.....down the back lol!

We had Secret Santa. I received a lovely leather pencil roll....perfect for my 'out and about' kit.

I've had lovely mail.....beautiful handmade cards and a sweet ornament. It's already on my Handmade Decorations tree. Thank you Ann and Karen. You are both so clever xx

I  feel almost frivolous writing this post in view of recent events in my country. I sometimes don't recognise my home anymore. It is a feeling of helplessness to do anything to assist. I want to send out into the universe love and light and my deepest condolences to all those families who are suffering and hearts are broken from the evil that came to Bondi Beach in Sydney and to those selfless citizens and first responders who risked their lives for others and in some tragic instances lost their own. Sorry to end on a sad note but these people deserve not to be forgotten. 

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx 

Mixed December Bag

 It's a showery old day here this morning in my little corner of the world. I'll take that after the early ramp up of Summer storms of late.

Yesterday was a little emotional as I oversaw the last day of my Father's in laws house clear out. Wandering through my late husbands childhood home....one where I had spent so much time in as well, since I was sixteen years old, bare and empty is hard to put into words. So many memories. We even had a little gathering here for our engagement. Found these treasures so please excuse my indulgence. 

It's a difficult process as you cannot absorb another's lifetime into yours even when you keep treasures and memories. My in laws on their wedding day.

This is my husband as a child....such a cutie.

I was cheered up by their wonderful neighbour and dear friend with one of her delicious Christmas puddings to share with my family.

This week I also gathered with my stitching friends for a Christmas lunch. It was lovely....Beer battered fish and chips and salad for me....any chance I get lol! We have been dear friends and gotten together on a fortnightly basis for nearly 40 years. So much shared and celebrated between us.

Each other's company is now our Christmas gift to each other but some sneak a little treat in just the same......sweet gingerbread from Leanne.

Gorgeous white Christmas bird from Bev. Anyone would think she knows me well lol!

This beautiful ceramic coaster with my initial from Jackie.

And we all have a lotto entry from Moira...fingers are crossed lol!

How very cute is this Frosty Christmas trim from Lorel. Lots of beautiful cards were also exchanged. 

I have added a little more Christmas here and there....so I'm proud of myself.

My Handmade Decorations tree has become two now. They are so special and I enjoyed remembering where and whom they all are from.

Such lovely treasures from lovely stitchy friends! I also added a little Christmas to my living room coffee table.

I am still deciding on my dining room table as I still have to box up some items from the FILs that are languishing there.

Whilst at lunch my friend Lorel whipped out this treasure that was her Grandmothers to see if I could use it for my slow stitching....of course I hated it and definitely couldn't use it....sigh*

I mean seriously how gorgeous is it! Thankfully there is some damage so I can cut it with good cconscience. WE definitely have a date in the future. 

My stitching has been working on my Treasures quilt....very nearly there. So nothing really to show. 

Righto....coffee and maybe a little gingerbread man awaits.

Be good to one another.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx