Unexpected

As I lay in bed late at night, trying to settle to sleep, our temperamental doorbell sounded - or did it? The chimes came a second time so I cautiously investigated. Yes, someone was at our front door! They didn't look too tall or aggressive through the frosted glass so I carefully opened to door, knowing there was a locked screen door between us.....

IT WAS MISS N!!!!! None of us had any idea she was coming home, we had not seen her since July when she moved to Sydney for work and cricket. Just a couple of hours earlier Miss G had been asked "What do you want for your birthday?" Miss G and Miss N were about to celebrate their 19th birthday, and celebrate apart for the first time ever. Her response was "I just want N". And now Miss N was waking her up in her own bedroom! After much planning and many weeks of silent anticipation, Miss N had executed her plan beautifully - involving a train, plane, taxi, train and lift from a local friend to make it home after a long day's work. It was a while before we all made it back to bed that night and even longer before we managed to nod off to sleep.

An extended birthday long weekend began. Miss N was able to watch her younger sisters play their weekly cricket game and also visited the seniors games, catching up with friends from her old local club. Another particular request while home was to set up the Christmas tree, a family activity she didn't want to miss out on. Then all too soon she had to return to Sydney.

Some major changes are occurring in our local area as preliminary work progresses towards an additional bridge to serve our town which straddles a large river. Some massive fig trees were felled in a day, and quite a number of houses are in the process of being demolished to make room for the necessary road changes.

As our calendar moves on we are having a definite taste of summer with a heat wave - tomorrow is forecast to be 40C (104F).  The plumeria/frangipanis are bursting into flower while the jacarandas have nearly completed their short yet magnificent display.

I have had fun combining Christmas fabrics, sewing a lined bread bag, a couple of specialty drawstring bags and a cute little fabric basket. These have been listed in my Etsy shop, but to be honest, I won't mind using them myself if they don't sell ;)

Finishing with a quote which is always relevant, especially so at this time of year  - 

Never be in a hurry; 

do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. 

Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, 

even if your whole world seems upset. 

                                             Saint Francis de Sales

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Beautiful November

With an ever changing mix of friendly familiar, new beginnings and fresh challenges, our Spring days are fast disappearing. We've not grown foxgloves before, as our climate is quite warm but when we saw some seedling at the nursery a few months ago we decided to give them a try. Only one has flowered, gradually opening and developing rich colours over the course of a couple of weeks. Quite a fascinating and beautiful flower, I hope to plant some again next year.

Cricket is a constant focus through the summer months for most of our children and now our youngest, Miss E (8) is also participating - and loving it! 

The purple jacaranda trees bloom for a few short weeks each spring. Our town has hundreds of jacaranda trees and an annual week-long festival centred around them. They sure do make the town very pretty. Grace had opportunity to perform at three events during the week, enjoying each one.

I have made a selection of drawstring bags which I have added to my Etsy shop, along with optional sets of blank greeting cards which I've had professionally printed using my photos. A combination of sewing and photography which I have thoroughly enjoyed working on.

My birthday came and went in a blink - but I still have a little of the gifted artisan Cicada chocolate left to savour, chosen at a market in Circular Quay, Sydney, and hand delivered (thank you my older daughters!).

World War I was the focus for our homeschool History studies this term - making a visited to our local Memorial Park on Remembrance Day much more meaningful.

Last but not least - we caught sight of the supermoon late last night when the cloud cover cleared. It was noticeably brighter and whiter than usual. I find it quite interesting to notice the difference angle/terrain of moon photos taken from the northern as opposed to mine* in the southern hemisphere. We live in an amazing universe.


 *Photographic Note: I used my DSLR with 55-250 kit lens. I was leaning the camera against a balcony post for stability, set to manual mode with ISO at 100, f/11, 1/125 speed. As I shoot in RAW I then edited as follows - Crop, sharpen, increase definition and contrast until I liked the result.

Sharing at Our World Tuesday.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Gorgeous poppies in Miss O's garden continue flowering both to our delight and that of the bees! The Leucospermum buds unfurl more each day, perched like bright orange crowns upon their tall stems.

Remembering my wonderful father who would have turned 80 earlier this month if Parkinsons disease and associated health issues hadn't taken him in 2010. The photo of him packing bananas above was taken over 25 years ago. We all spent much time working together as family in this old packing shed as a small independent farming family.

Miss E has completed her first ever game of team cricket. She is 8 years old and has wanted to join her cricketing siblings for a couple of years, we have waited until this season to let her join the Under 12s team. Miss V also plays in this team and Miss G is team coach. She had an amazing first game, taking four wickets while conceding only five runs (mostly 'extras') from her two overs. Her grandfather (my dad) would have been proud - he was an avid cricket player and spectator.

Yesterday I made myself a new skirt using rayon fabric. In recent years I have made a couple of cotton skirts however they have never softened nor draped well, despite much wearing and washing. Soft rayon drapes beautifully so it has been my fabric of choice this time. My two white lined cotton tops (which I made early in the year) are still going well, despite being worn nearly every day since making them (wear one while I wash the other by hand).

Some simple drawstring bags have been my fun sewing over the last week. To be honest much of my time and energy has been directed to assisting my husband with multiple weekly appointments and day to day followthrough/wellbeing (and homeschooling as usual). He has been off work again the last three weeks and only managed a few days work the two weeks prior to that. Uncertain times ahead once more, hoping and praying for improvement before his employment is threatened. Our pastor's message today from Psalm 32 was very relevant and encouraging, especially verses 7-11.  :)

New Top and Pattern Making

Slub voile! It has the visual texture of linen yet is super soft, light weight cotton! It drapes beautifully too. Saturday I sewed myself a much needed white sleeveless shirt, to replace two identical tops I made in 2014 which are falling apart through constant use. Being quite sheer I have lined it in regular cotton voile. Hand sewing the hem adds that special slow sewing, handmade finish. In our climate I wear tops like this all year round, just adding various weight jackets on cooler days.

When sewing clothes I usually don't use a pattern, even for complex items, instead I cut and sew using existing garments as a guide, designing and custom fitting in the process (trying it on after each stage to check). After completing this top I decided to make a pattern from it for easier duplication. I am quite happy with a no fuss, easy wear design like this which requires no zip or buttons. I have plans to make another one or two when the fabrics come on sale. 

Sew-in medium weight interfacing works well to trace a pattern onto. I wrote my directions directly onto the pattern pieces and also stitching lines to clarify. Some time ago I bought 4 metres of this interfacing when it was on special, with the intention of pattern making, and had it rolled onto an empty fabric cardboard tube at the shop for crease-free storage. The interfacing is sturdier than paper, withstanding pinning better and could always be repurposed.