Stepping Back in Time

Staying with my Aunt Grace this last week was almost like taking a step back in time.

When Linda and I were children, we used to go and stay with her and the cutlery and crockery in this image where what was used then so it all must be at least 60 years old.

The bedrooms reflected times gone by as well with old fashioned white cotton sheets, white candlewick bedspreads, wire wove mattress base on the bed,white cotton pillow cases tied with cotton tape, rather than the envelope style pillows we have today and wool blankets.

The washing machine broke down just as I arrived and there was a suggestion that we revert to the wringer washing machine that Aunt Grace is so proud of because it still works, but fortunately a modern automatic was bought to replace it.

I did miss not having a dish washer and microwave but all was well.

All in all a very interesting trip down memory lane.

Reunited With Treasured Gifts

For the last week I stayed with my Aunt Grace, 101 years old, so that her care giving daughter could have a few days of respite from 24 hour care.

Aunt Grace is our Mother's oldest surviving sister and a special member of our family.

It always give me a special feeling when I go to her home and there, on her bed, is the handmade quilt that my sister, Linda, made for her in 1997 and a hand appliqued cushion that I made for her for her 90th birthday.

Aunt Grace has children and grandchildren of her own and so it is rather nice for us, as her nieces, that she would give these gifts pride of place in her home.


Linda's quilt was made in the days before she ever dreamt she would do machine quilting and is machine pieced and hand quilted. It is standing the test of time well.
















I have not done too much in the way of hand applique so this cushion always surprises me when I see it again.

Quilting Group

Our quilting group was depleted in numbers this week, but it did not seem to matter. There was still plenty of chatter, lots of home cooked baking to share and quilting problems shared and solved.

Show and tell was part of the day as well:-



Debbie had made a quilt for her son's girl friend's 21st birthday.

She brought it along to show us but also because she wanted a heart quilting in the centre of the quilt and needed help from Linda.










Debbie also brought her clown quilt which is still a work in progress. She still have another 5 blocks to include so it will be huge, not to mention, magnificent, when it is finished:-

Some Girls Might Prefer Diamonds.................

Some girls might prefer diamonds but when you get given an induction cooker for your birthday it can be a pretty good alternative.

Linda and I have been using our induction cooker since August and we are very impressed.

Smooth glass top, no knobs, touch sensitive heating controls, fast reaction to changes in heating/cooling.

We find our cooking to be faster and cleaning much easier. Pots and pans seem easier to clean and the cook top itself is very easy to keep clean.

We did have to go and buy new pots and pans but that seems a worthwhile expense with such good results.

Linda cooked a Quick and Easy Sausage Carbonara in these pictures.

New Zealand cook, Sophie Gray, is known as the Destitute Gourmet - making good quality meals on a limited budget.

This recipe is a recent discovery for us and we really enjoy it. You can find it at:-

http://www.eggs.org.nz/recipes.php?rid=101

if you would like to try it too.




























Yum!

10th Wedding Anniversary

Trish, from our quilting group, has gone to Australia to visit with her daughter who is celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary.

She had seen samples of some of my crazy quilting and asked me if I could print her daughter's wedding photo on to silk and embellish it crazy quilt style.

I only had a week to complete the project but I got there and she was very happy with the outcome.

She feels sure her daughter will be happy with the result.

I includes wedding gown lace, silk and a silk covered button in keeping with the theme.

The Friendliest Cat in the World

I sometimes think that Kaiser would have to be considered the friendliest cat in the world even if it means he can be a bit 'in your face'.

Often when he hears the voice of visitors in the house he will present himself right in front of them and roll over on his back for a tummy rub. It would never occur to him that anyone would not want to befriend him.

Rewa came to our quilting group and had a quilting 'challenge' she wanted to discuss with Linda.

Kaiser thought he would be more than helpful by putting himself right in the middle of her project - attention seeking?

Sorry about the quality of the image but it does capture the thought.

Bird Feeder

We have a silk tree just outside our sun room.

Recently we bought a bird feeder and hung it from the tree.

We fill it every morning and it is not long before the birds come calling. Sometimes they are already waiting in the upper branches.

It is quite entertaining to watch the comings and goings during the day.

Often we see two or more birds hovering in the branches above until the feeder becomes vacant.

Sometimes we see two birds feeding together but that is about as many as will fit and sometimes they will have a tussle - some of them don't want to share with anyone.

Mostly we get sparrows but there are others that visit as well.