J is 3

Little Mister J was 3 in July and wanted a 'Henry cake'. He's watching very carefully that Mummy is making it to specifications!

Yes, he hasn't moved from his supervisor position.

Henry is finished with the approval of the 2 experts.

And after much singing and candleblowing Henry is about to be devoured!
It was a happy 3 year old birthday.

Vale Nell 1918-2010

This is a lovely photo of my Mum, Nell, taken on her 91st birthday, and how I like to remember her, wearing one of her beautiful woollen handspun, handknitted jumpers. She suffered little strokes and became increasingly frailer this year and passed away on 7th July 2010, 6 weeks before her 92nd birthday. I couldn't wish her back to continue suffering, but it does mean the end of many family links for me, now I don't have anyone to talk with about the memories of my childhood. For over 60 years she's been in my life, she lived with us at Silver Creek for 23 years, and it's strange that she's not here any more. I still have an Aunty, Mum's younger sister, but it's also a wake up that I'm now the 'older generation' and that's not comfortable.

Mum admired people who made it to 90, she especially admired those who were able to continue being active. I'm delighted for her that she reached and passed that milestone, and continued to be active until her last 6 months. I think it speaks for itself that there were over 70 people at her funeral in our small town on a wet winter's day, and 68 were friends. We have very few family of our own, but do have wonderful in-laws, however I appreciated so much that so many good, caring friends came. If you were one of them, thank you.

Goodbye Mum, you'll be so very sadly missed, and so will all your beautiful and perfect crafting.

Absence

There hasn't been any blogging here for quite a few months. I haven't been able to write and I needed to. I feel I need to say goodbye to my Mum who passed away in July after 4 months of becoming more and more frail in aged care. I'd like to do this before 2010 finishes.

a visit from Jack Frost

Silver Creek is well known for it's frost. This is the garden bed where I planted my calendula seeds. The wire is a small attempt to protect them from the ever-foraging peacocks.

and looking across the 'backyard' I think it was a little frosty to hang out the washing so early.

The early morning sun just seemed to reflect off the frost across the grass. Aren't trees the most wonderful plants, they give shade and frost protection!

It's hard to see, but the callistemon right next to the window is covered in frost.

My crafting friends

Chris and Pam check out this pretty patchwork.

and the knitting continues........maybe another wombat jacket sample?

This is my 'Time with Mum' Scarf, crocheted from some beautiful Aust Country Spinners 4ply wool yarn while I visited Mum at the Hostel in the afternoons.

and my MIL, Melva created this gorgeous crocheted green owl teacosy for a Ravelry friend of mine.

mmmm, red bolero

This is the red bolero I made for Georgia, who has discovered she loves red, and doesn't love wool yarn, acrylic is her favourite so it's knitted from Zhivago . I knitted some of it while visiting Mum in the aged care Hostel, but talking and knitting holes in the right place are not 2 things I can do together, so I had to leave it at home when I was undoing more than I was knitting on my visits. However, I finished it and was able to take it to show Mum it would be perfect for Georgia.

And the model seems to like it........

..............or at least likes modelling it!

autumn that came to me

It's been a while since I've rambled about the passion I have for crocheting squares this year. Here are some I did for a swap.
When I get mine altogether in a 'scrappy' afghan I know it's going to be very rewarding and lovely. I've taken on this challenge to improve my pattern reading skills (esp crochet patterns) and I think it's slowly working. I'm not daunted by a crochet pattern any more!

And this is the autumn swap that my swap partner, Marilla, sent to me. The beautiful autumn coloured sock yarn may well become socks one day, but for now, the handknit red towel is being used in the bathroom.