Fish and Chips

The "fish n chippery" at Cleveland Point is where we go when we want some fish and chips. I chose barramundi and it was so fresh. My husband is horrified whenever I put vinegar on my fish and chips, but that's the way I like them.

 The surroundings were beautiful and even though it was so windy it was still delightful to sit outside and watch the water not so gently lapping against the sea wall.

We had to smile at the seagulls who gather as soon as someone sits down with some food. We didn't feed them but one managed to get a chip.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It is always such a great joy every year to look out for a baby kookaburra (it is always around Christmas Day that we usually have our first sighting). Happily this year there are at least two babies. They are so adorable and we absolutely love them.

I am taking part again in Ali Edwards' One Little Word again this year and my word is FOCUS. I am excited about working with this word during the year. I really want to focus on the things dearest to me - my family, my health, my home and my interests. Hopefully I can focus on what I have NOT what I think I have to have.

This year I am also taking part in Cathy Zielske's FIT. I have been so motivated to walk and exercise since I got my fitbit flex. It is just the boost I needed to try to live as healthy as I can and I know Cathy's course will give me lots of ideas, encouragement and fabulous handouts to keep me motivated throughout the year.  

I love oracle cards and one of my favourite decks is Connected and Free. I pulled these two cards when asking about 2016. I was thrilled to see Abundance (this word keeps cropping up for me lately) and the card for the Third Eye Chakra - this is the card of sight and awareness.

Looking forward to being a bit more focused on my blog this year :)

This and That

I feel so happy that I am finally quilting again. It seems such a long time since I have wanted to pick up a needle and sew. I have had this Pies and Tarts BOM quilt waiting for me to begin again. I love bright colours but I find that I am enjoying working with these colours that are not really me. I am not a paper piecer either but I am finding the process very relaxing and enjoyable.

My favourite flowers are pansies and I am filled with such joy when I look at the window boxes on our back deck filled with these delightful colourful beauties. Spring is such a wonderful time.

I am growing herbs too. Mint and basil are my favourites.

Even though I am back quilting I still find time for some mixed media painting. I bought some more Dina Wakley stencils and I had such fun playing around with them. Surrender is a word that keeps cropping up for me this year.

Beautiful Queensland

 

We visited the beautiful Flanagan Reserve camping area at Barney View a few weeks ago. It is about an hour and a half from Brisbane. It was wonderful to be out in the fresh air surrounded by beautiful scenery. That's Mt Maroon in the background. The Logan River runs through the site and it was such an idyllic and peaceful place. Our grandsons loved it.  

Our daughter loves kayaking and she had a wonderful time leisurely enjoying the beauty around her. Grandson A also enjoyed having a paddle.

 I love taking photos and I especially loved this one.... 

 

  

It was a great place to reflect on the beauty that surrounds us, how we must protect it and just how much I love my family.

More Postcards - yahoo!

A big THANK YOU to Mari, Jennifer, Carole and Ally (and Mel from last week) 

for my fabulous postcards

and a big THANK YOU to Sian for arranging the swap

A colourful and mouthwatering delight - from Mari

  This beautiful bird makes my heart sing with joy - from Jennifer

Brought back many happy memories - from Carole

I love hearts so much - from Ally

Valentine Postcard Exchange

I was very excited to get my first postcard from Sian's Valentine Postcard Exchange. It was from Mel in the UK and I was doubly thrilled as I love Mel's 'I Speak Melsh' blog.

I love and collect LEGO minifigs and when I told my grandson A that nanna had the new unicorn minifig he said "that's great" and off he went to play with his LEGO. I was so thrilled, and I did have a few teary moments, when a few minutes later he gave me a unicorn that he had just made for me. Thank you A so very much. As you can imagine my special unicorn holds pride of place and every time I look at it I think I am so blessed.

I am taking part this year in Ali Edward's One Little Word. My word for 2015 is CHOOSE. I had a hard time choosing between that and ENOUGH so when I saw these gorgeous little soul mantra talismans from Liz Lamoreux I knew I had to buy them. I love holding one, thinking about that word and just taking a deep breath.

Till next time.

Two visitors - one welcome and one not so much

A few weeks ago we got a visit from a possum who often 'stays overnight' in our garage. Over the years she has brought her babies for us to see and that has filled us with much happiness and delight. We get visits from brush turkeys, green frogs, lorikeets, kookaburras and sometimes galahs and sulphur crested cockatoos - all are welcome. A not so welcome visitor came last week ......

a red-bellied black snake. A bite from one of these snakes is not usually fatal thank goodness but it was quite a shock to see it in a corner of our garage. A (very) quick call to the snake catcher and she was caught and released in a bushland area where we hope she will live a happy life away from people.