Belshazaar

For no particular reason this particular scripture has been on my mind the past week:
Daniel 5:27 "you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting".
It causes me to search my heart.

Then I found myself humming the song.  I cannot say if I first heard this song from my grandmother who was a Johnny Cash fan, or from my dad who shares a little bit of my appreciation for country, but in any case it is a catchy song with good words. 

hobbies

Yesterday I spent a couple of hours crafting with some of the women from church  t is a great way of having a bit of social time and feeling productive!  I am almost finished one direction of hand quilting my quilt.

I have my next project lined up - a quilt for Audrey's single bed (when she moves into one).  I've also had an idea for another project for her bedroom.  I would like to decorate her room in a kind of Victorian nursery kind of way.  hard to explain, but I have the image in my head.  I had originally cut up a variety of small floral prints, which I was going to use for the quilt.  now that I have moved to using the latest French General range for it I have all these 4" squares to use for something. 

Some of them made their way into Audrey's dolls quilt she got for Christmas, but I will also make a small bunting for her room.  I can't wait to get stuck into that one.

On another note, I am very much a 'hand made card and a big kiss' for my birthday kind of mum... but this year I am getting something extra special...

Here is a clue... this book caught my eye and may be just what I need!

music for today

Today I am listening to this...



and this...

This weeks [not a] library book

Before we went to the coast I read all of the kids books about the beach to them.  they included 'Spot's holiday', 'Grandpa and Thomas', 'Magic Beach' and 'There Is A Sea in my Bedroom'.  Audrey particularly loves the last one.  I read it to her about twice a day - even now.  I find her playing the story - she comes and says to me "Mama, there's a sea in my bedroom!"

The story is about a boy who is fightened of the ocean, but loves collecting shells.  His father tells him if he holds the shell to his ear he can hear the sea.  He imagines his bedroom has turned into the sea and plays and swims.  This helps him overcome his fear of the ocean.

a piece of my heart

On Sunday night I happened to see a documentary with Ashley Judd and Madeleine Albright.  I could write much about what the documentary covered, but there was one part of the conversation that really spoke to me.  An issue I feel I have come to terms with in my life, but it is nice to hear supportive statements like this.  It was about a woman's belief that she can have it all.  Ashley Judd commented "It's not necessarily having it all, it's really being at peace with my choices."  Madeleine Albright (an amazing woman) said "women can do everything, but not at the same time.  Due to the fact that we're women our life comes in segments and we need to take advantage of that rather than bemoaning it."

I don't write about these things much here anymore. Actually I don't even talk about them much anymore.  I don't listen to the news or current affairs the way I used to.  Because listening to politicians demand justification for allowing human beings held in detention the right to attend the funerals of loved ones, who died in horrific circumstances... well it makes my blood boil.  And I am trying not to feed my soul any negativity.  ;)

I am passionate about issues of social justice.  The Micah challenge is something I firmly believe in.  I believe it is what God asks of us.. to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.  Really, this clip says it all.

Anyone who would like to sign the Micah call can go here.

waiting for the day to end

On the way home the other day I asked Nicholas what he did at school.

"I can't remember."

Later he asked if he had to go to school tomorrow and I said yes.

"But I want to do things at home.  There are no toys to play with at school.  We have to sit down and listen to stuff all the time.  It's boring."

Then tonight:

"I got to choose the story today and I chose 'Three Billy Goats Gruff and the Troll'.  And I got the weather right - Miss E asked what the weather was and nobody knew.  I put up my hand and said Summer and she said very good.  I stuck the summer picture up and it was of water and sand.  We did musical statues and I tried to stand on one leg!"

I miss him during the day!  I listen to The Innocence Mission (one of my favourite bands) while Audrey and I fill the day.  My favourite song is Brotherhood of Man but I am enjoying this one today.

the big day!

Doesn't he look grown up?  We started the day with blueberry pancakes.  I had a lump in my throat a couple of times and had to look away, but overall it was a happy day for us all!

all things creative

With a lot of talk about fabric lately I thought I would share one of my latest favoutire purcheses.  No less than four charm packs in French General's latest line Pom Pom de Paris.  I LOVE everything French General. 

With which to make a quilt from this book for Audrey.  I am hoping to have her in a "big bed" by April, but with her recent tumbles we will see.  in any case, it should buy me time to make the quilt!

I LOVE everything in this book:



And now to other peoples creativity, my mum has been busy over the last few months with gifts for Audrey...

These gorgeous tiny knitted garden creatures.  Audrey loves them.  I am afraid of losing them.

And this doll for Christmas.  The detail is beautiful - so much work.  The buttons, the trim, the braided hair.  The embroidery, the felt shoes, the layers of clothing and the signature.  :) 

 

and sometimes we find her wearing the dolls hat.  :)

From Aunty Mel the bestest twirliest skirt she owns.  Audrey loves practising her arabesques in this and doing her best Angelina impersonation.  (Thanks to Aunty Lisa for pics!)

Isn't handmade fabulous??

today is special

...because I celebrate 10 years of marriage to my best friend.  :)  I am grateful for him and the memories,experiences and dreams we share.

  

  

  

  

Too much fun, too many photographs!

Five days away to the coast, being our first trip away in a year, was brilliant.  We felt like it was double the time, with so much to do.  Nicholas and Audrey had a ball.  We went to the beach every day.  We went to a theme park, we ate the most delicious ice cream - every day!  We went fishing, to a petting farm, we drank great coffee and ate delectable Portuguese custard tarts.  There was a trip to the hospital, with Audrey falling and possibly having mild concussion ( but what is a holiday without a trip the the hospital) and a call to the NRMA when the car keys were locked in the boot...  We had a BALL!