Yesterday was Cassandras Birthday......

Only she isn't here....she is still away on camp and I have

to tell you things are certainly quiet here without her....

You are now 13. Wow 13 You are a young lady now

with so much ahead of you....Having 3 older sisters Cassie

has never lacked for girlie things that's for sure....

I wonder what you where doing on your B/day? hiking? camping? swimming

maybe?

I have never had one of the children away on camp before on there b/day........

I'm sure she is having fun anyhow...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

CASSANDRA....

The boys pajama pants are all made, they loved the pirate

material, now I have the girls to make. Hopefully I'll get another

3 pairs made today, before I have to take the boys to soccer training.

Tomatoes must be in abundance around our area at the moment

as people have been dropping some off nearly every day.

Yesterday I thought that I had better use some of them to make

Pasta Sauce...I use alot of pasta sauce around here. I don't make much

relish or chutney as we don't eat alot of that, so I

tend to use the toms more in making tomato sauce and pasta sauce.

The only thing I had to buy was the onions and vinegar as

the chili, capsicum and herbs came from the garden.

I'm not one for recipes as I tend

to make it up as I go along, but I will give you a general idea..

Pasta Sauce

4-5 k.g tomatoes

4 onions

2 chillies

6 sm capsicums

1 large bunch basil

same for parsley

1 cup cider vinegar

salt and pepper.

Cook until well boiled down.

I then blend about 3/4 of the sauce as

I like a pasta sauce to not be to chunky.

Then bottle...

Easy...........

The weather has really cooled down around

here today, so I will enjoy being in my snug sewing room....

Blessings to all

Mandy

Look what I got!!!!!!

Yesterday after a big day in town ,I came

home to find a parcel waiting for me....

Right away I knew what it would be, but who and where would it be from?

I looked at the postage.....from New Zealand.......

I quickly opened it (and forgot to take photo)

and there it was..........my first swap,

a red work cushion....

Thank you Deb I love it, the colours are lovely and I

love Rik-rack and angels.......

As you can see below it looks so sweet on my chair.......That's

pride of place as no-one sits in my chair...

Thanks Maree from http://mareew.blogspot.com for

this wonderful swap...

I really enjoyed taking part and receiving a gift

in the mail when it's not even your b/day...

The weather is starting to cool down at nights here,so it's

time to bring on the winter p.js. Is it only my children that wear

out there pants before the tops...Last year I made my own P.Js and this year

I will make the Children's..With flannelet at only $4.99 per meter

I thought it was worth it.....When i went to pay I found out that it's

on sale for $3.99 a meter,so that was even better...

I will enjoy sitting in my sun filled Dairy sewing away all day...

I hope your day is filled with simple pleasures..

Blessings

Mandy

I LIke Mondays.....

Not many people I know enjoy Mondays....

I love Mondays...

It always seems the quietest day in the week to me. Maybe that's

because every one has gone of to school and work.

On Monday mornings when I get up my house looks like a bomb site

after the week end....So Mondays I get in and clean and tidy from

top to bottom, this has been my routine ever since I have had children

and that's along time now......

I did have to go to town today though as I wasn't very organized.

Cassandra leaves for a school camping trip tomorrow for 3 days and we needed

to get a few things. I thought I would get them Saturday when I ran Alanah to

town, only I forgot Saturday was a public holiday...

Never mind these things happen to me all the time..While I was

in town I thought I might as well go to Spotlight and get some more wool.

I am making my Mum a scarf for Mothers day,when I read the pattern I didn't have my glasses

on..I thought it said 2 balls but no it was 4 balls I needed, to be on the safe side

I've got 5 of each colour....The pink is the one for Mum

and the brown/orange one is for me....

They aren't pure wool they are Moda Vera 50% acrylic 50% wool, wasn't much

in 100% wool at all in there...May-be I should check ebay any excuse for me to go on ebay

will do!!!!!!!!!

I hope you all had a good Anzac Day. Alanahs concert
at school was better than expected, and being the Mum
that I am I have no photos to show as I forgot the camera yes
I know I won't be winning any Mother of the year awards....




Speaking of Mothers
Have I mentioned my No 1 son reads
my blog.....and also
that on the
10th May it is
Mothers Day........



hugs

Mandy

I'm heading outside....

I Awoke like a new woman today

No headache....

Though on the plus side I am well rested and have gotten a lot of

knitting done.......... But as soon as I've done this post I am going outside to stay....

I have some cabbages to plant out and leeks, beetroot,onions

and broccoli seeds to put into trays.....

I also found some Luffa seeds, I know that now is not the time to plant them,

but last summer I couldn't find them any where

so I grabbed them.

For the last two days I have said that I'm mowing the lawn ...

Well today I WILL get it done...

I also have to put new paper into the laying boxes for

the chooks and give there pen I nice clean out....

The paper shredder is one of the best investments

I have ever made......It was only $20 and I use it daily

I through no paper away as I recycle it all either for the

boxes or compost bins.....

I don't have to worry about tea tonight as we have

a community Barby on at the hall.......

This is always a good time to catch up with every one.

I like to help serve that way you get to

say hello to every one and also notice any new faces....

I hope you all enjoy your weekend,

and to my fellow Aussies

Have a great Anzac Day.

We will be going into Helidon for the march and then Saturday

night Alanah's Drama class is having a concert called

Salute To The Anzacs..

Blessings

Mandy

I have had my walking machine for awhile now

and never use it as much as i should, in fact

how you see it folded here is how it's been for awhile.

Today I dusted it of and went for a good long walk

looking at the above view out of my window.

Even though I am so busy around the house I still need to

have that 40mins of walking a day. I know this helps my hips not to ache as much

and also helps the jeans not to be so tight...... lol

But besides that here is the real truth I'm using it.............

Hubby said to me" Gee I'm glad that machine is near the

door as it will be easy to get it out and sell it as it doesn't get used."

What could I say Darling I use it when you are at work..noooooo

as he is here all the time now annoying me and saying stupid

things like that.....And as we all know I can't let him be right as he will

get far to much enjoyment out of that...........Instead now he gets

to laugh at me while I try to ignore him and walk...

Today we have sent alot of cattle of to

the Laidley sales....We are starting to down size

with the cattle as there is getting to many for

Greg to look after....I bet he will be very tired when he gets

home, so I've made one of his simple favorite meals.

Savory mince on toast......

Today is another lovely sunny day,still haven't got to mow the lawn as

my head is still aching.....I'm sick of it now wish it

would go away, but I think I'm going to have to go to the Chiropractor to

get my neck fixed as that is the problem ...

Enjoy whatever it is your doing today......

Blessings

Mandy

Sun shiny day..

The sun is shinning and the day is beautiful.

Even though I am fighting a headache

the day is still full of wonder.

I have been quietly sitting in the sun

trying to remember how to knit. Last

year my MIL taught me and I made one dishcloth.

With the weather getting cool I thought it was time to start

again. I will learn one stitch at a time, make a good size

block with each stitch and then sew them

all together like a patchwork quilt.

Well that is the plan any-way.

Later on as my head feels better I am planting

seeds and hoping to get the grass mowed.

To me mowing is such a pleasure not a chore.

I hope you are all getting some

Autumn/Spring sun today and enjoying it...

Blessings

Mandy

Tuesdays and Teeth....

When your life revolves around a particular day it comes up quick. For

us that day is Tuesdays, chemo day... But every second

Tuesday I have craft which is good as I don't dread

every Tuesday then. Today we are doing Canal Work which

is a form of Folk art I think...Looking forward to it what ever it is...

The seeds where given to me by Chloe's boyfriend. This is the first boyfriend that Chloe has ever had and she is nearly 20........hmmmmm not sure if I like

the boy yet (well man he's 24) but when he is a farmer and grows heirloom

veges it's hard not to like him I spose. Lets be honest is any one out there good enough for my girls????????Having 4 daughters was so cute when they were little

then like there older brother the grow up and

have there own lives......O.K O.K I now I'm ranting but

really do they have to grow up quiet so fast...

Back to the seeds.....I have already been digging up to plant the beet root and

is it to late to plant the onions? Tomorrow I will get

them in the ground...

I had to work to get William to smile,see

that red blotch in the bag..........yep that's his tooth.

This child has so many fillings needed that it is a wonder they don't dob me

in to the child welfare.....I tell them he has the same diet as

every-one else and all their teeth are good, but they look at me

and say "Yes mam I'm sure he does" Then the screaming started as he

saw the tools to pull the tooth out I'm talking about blood curdling

mummmmmmyyyyyyy screams. Then afterwards they

look at me and say "He's the youngest of 7 isn't he"

Sooooooo

Mummy's poor baby......

The Children started back at school yesterday. They are in their

winter uniforms now. I love this uniform, the kilts for the girls and the

boys in their ties.....And look at my angel faced baby.

Mummies boy indeed what are they talking about.......

Have a blessed day today

Mandy

Taking Time To Stop......

The last 2 days have been a real break for me.

It seemed like we were in our own little world here on our piece

of paradise.

Our week-ends are usually so full of people that we

don't have time to chill out, but this last few days

no-one has came through our gate. I like visitors don't think I don't

as I am a social person by nature...but you know sometimes

it is good to be away from the world and enjoy your own family.

I have pottered in the garden all week-end,and I feel renewed.

The beans and zucchinis are growing well, we had zucchini slice

for tea one night, just don't tell hubby he thought it

was a quiche...........

Sunday morning I did get up early and went to the markets

before church, I needed some colour around my outdoor areas.

The first picture is some of the plants I got,the saliva's for

the garden I had already planted.

After church and lunch I went back out side' above

is the table and chairs overlooking the pool and cubby.

And Pirate the naughty pup. You can see that look on her

face it says seek and destroy...

This chair is at the beginning of the Rain forest and looks back

towards the house. The one below is in the rain forest garden as well.

As I said yesterday plenty of places to sit relax and have a cuppa.

That is what I am going to do at least once a day,

take my cuppa to the garden and stop and listen to

the sounds of the garden.

I'm sure that this is true for many of us that we don't stop and enjoy what we have in our own backyards..........

Go on take the time to take that cuppa outside,and

sit relax and enjoy!!!!!!

Mandy

Outdoor Rooms....

I have been busy cleaning outside.

I have many places to sit and have a cuppa in my garden.

The only problem is I am so busy that I don't take the time to sit and enjoy them,

so on Saturday I got cleaning.

Above is the front stairs to our house and the table underneath

had become a real dumping area. I laid some pavers under here

as the stones were getting a bit thin. Cleaned the table, pulled some weeds

and now it looks a welcome entrance again.

There are plenty of leaves to rake up at this time of year

But that what I love about Autumn.

In the side entrance that leads to the courtyard is the worst.

Again a few weeds to pull and raking to do.

The courtyard got a good hosing down as it was dusty from last weekends work.

More leaves to rake(the compost bin in full)

Furniture washed down, shoe cupboard cleaned out. Then time to sit relax and have a nice glass or two of wine.

I Hope your all enjoying your week-end.

Mandy

Busy.....

Today I have been trying to bring some order to

the boys bedroom, no easy task. Trying to get them to throw things out isn't easy

as every-thing has a story to it. We did manage to get

it all nice and clean. Then we tackled the wardrobes and so the whole room is clean inside and

out...........

Winter uniforms are all aired and ready for Monday, last terms

lunch has been scraped from the bottom of schoolbag (I kid you not

the smell is still in my nose) shoes are polished, ready for school..

Then it was onto the fridge.

why o why do I let it get so bad........

There was so much stuff in there I couldn't fit another thing in there.

After the fridge I thought I might as well

clean the pantry. Half way through we had visitors

turn up which is when I realized

I'M STILL IN MY P.JS

talk about embarrassing.Thank goodness it was only in-laws

and they already know I'm strange...lol..

I had to get these jobs done as at the beginning of

the school holidays I said I will get these two rooms cleaned,

well today is the last day so I was out of time...

We have nothing planned for the week-end

which is how I like it.

Theirs no place like home.....

Have a great week-end all.

Mandy

Enjoying The Garden.....

The garden looked so pretty this morning when I got up.

The sun was shinning'

and the garden just sparkled with the sun dancing of

the dew.

Every-thing is so lovely and green after all the rain, and it all looks

so clean. I think all the trees look so much greener as they have been washed...

I've been busy in the house.

It was time to make another batch of soap.

I love the home made soap, this time

I put some fresh lavender into it and some

lavender oil. Smells Divine.

Well I'm of to mow the yard now that Greg is awake,
I started it this morning but stopped when Greg had a sleep.
I enjoy mowing I find it so relaxing as no-one
bothers me at all...


Blessings to all
Mandy

Good News!!!!!

You all know that I was dreading yesterday and what the doctor was going to tell us.

The Doctor couldn't explain the scan....

He said that the tumor has shrunk, that it is about

half the size that it was...

Now remember this same doctor also said that

the chemo won't shrink , but it may help to stop it from growing..

And he was right.....the chemo didn't shrink it.

We believe that God shrunk it.

All along Greg has said that he is believing for a miracle.

Well that's what we have got....

I know that the battle isn't over yet,

but I also believe that this is Gods battle.

There is nothing that we can do in ourselves

but

through God all things are possible..

There is still a long road to travel, chemo will still be

weekly and in another 3mths there will be more scans.

But this I know for sure, when I look at my husband I will

no longer see a cancer victim instead I will see

a miracle.

You my blogging friends are a part of this miracle,

you have been praying for Greg as well

Thank you for your prayers.

And let as all thank God today

for the healing that has taken place in Greg.

Blessings

Mandy

Contentment In My Life.......

It's finished.....

I sat there watching T.V and getting the

boarder on last night. When Robbie woke up this morning he

was covered in his new quilt........

I have enjoyed the slow pace of sewing and then the hand stitching

at nights to get the boarder done, there is a peacefulness

that I enjoy in the rhythm of sewing.

I am glad that my contentment comes from my simple living,

not perfect by any means, but the deep joy that as

a woman I get from living the fullness of my life.

I suppose this quiet, long week- end has given me a time to reflect on my life.

Looking back I know that the times that I have been happy and fulfilled

in my life, have been those times when I have been happy

in my God

given role of Mother and wife.

This doesn't mean that I don't have a life because this is my life.

I life that I love and find contentment in.

There is a lot of people I know that think they have it better because they both work and

there house is filled with beautiful things.

But they are not happy or content to be home. I know for me I couldn't

be happy to live like this.

Life doesn't always go according to plan that's for sure. But in those times is when
I am thankful for being here in this place. To go out and enjoy my garden
or go for a walk up the paddock, or even just sit and sew in the dairy..
This is my life, and I am thankful every day for it.


Today Greg gets his results back as to how the chemo is working,
This has been on my mind these last few days
and why I have been reflecting on my life. But I know one sure thing and that is
we can and will get through this season in our
lives, no matter what today brings.....

---------------------------------------------------



As you can see above the finished project is a
fence like structure. Hmmmmm
not sure what you'd call it, but it is growing on me, and
it will stop the dogs from running through here
and making a mess......so yes I think I like it......


Blessings to all
Mandy

Enjoying the week-end....

Are you enjoying your Easter break?

Things have been plodding along slowly here.

On good Friday we had some of the hubby's brothers and sisters over for lunch.

Only 5 out of 10 were here as the others were away.

And yes my husband is one of ten children, makes my seven a poor effort indeed...

Your probably wondering what the building is.

That makes two of us!!!!!!!!!!!

No truly I have no idea what is happening.

Brother Phil and Greg are making IMPROVEMENTS

I'm scared I really am...

I think Greg is the job boss as he sits there telling Phil and Robbie what to do

( I have a few ideas about telling them where to go)

I will keep you posted on what is happening...

Alanah has not long been home from her week end of camping.

She has had a wet but fun time camping at Easter fest up in Toowoomba.

She even got her photo in the local paper on Saturday

with her friends she was camping with..

Here are the younger 3 with there chocalate stash.

Happy faces all around..

I have spent the last 2 days sewing as it has been to wet to do

any thing out side.

I feel rested because of the slow pace, I love this weather.

Misty and raining and some times cool enough to wear a shawl

bliss.

Enjoy your day.

Mandy

Shhhhhhhhh.....

Every-one here is still sleeping,

must be the school holidays.

It is so lovely and quiet and I have managed to get the computer

first, now that just never happens.....

I hope you are all enjoying the holidays as much as I am.

Above is a little stool that I have redone, it was black,

I think that it's turned out lovely. It was a family effort as Robbie sanded

it down, Greg painted it and all I had to do was recover the cushion...

Yesterday when I was in town I thought I'd drop into my favorite second hand shop

AND IT IS GONE

empty, not a thing left, no sign on the window NOTHING.

When I told hubby about it he couldn't see the problem or why I

was so sad........in fact he said I have so much junk

(junk indeed) I could start my own shop!!!! Hmmmmm

now that has me thinking.......

This is my new garden out the back door. The hot sun really belts

in here in Summer, so I am going to plant

a Golden Rain tree in there. I have one in the chook pen and

I love it, but that is the other end of the yard.

I don't want any thing that will grow to tall, and these trees spread out lovely

as they grow. I will put some lavender as a border in there as well

until the tree gets large enough that it doesn't look bare.

Well their is starting to be movement around the place

so I had better get breakfast cooked.

Pancakes with Canadian maple syrup

yummmmmmyyy...

Blessings

Mandy

This and That.....

Yesterday was Craft day....

It was up in The Old Dairy.

We had a lovely time chatting and doing some hand work.

All the Ladies have finished there quilts now so next fortnight we

are going to learn something else.

Canal painting...We are very blessed to have Cindy that is willing to teach us these amazing crafts. Many years ago I learnt folk art, so I am looking forward to doing the Canal painting.....

Isn't this little box ever so cute...Kay one of the ladies from our group made it for me.

I will be able to put lots of bits and bobs into it....

Alanah is sporting a new hair DO.

Very concave at the back and a straight fringe at the front....

I think it is very 60s.....

I have been busy getting my scrap booking up to date,I have finished up till the

end of last year and am ready to start a new album for this year.

What are you all doing for Easter, we normally go fishing. With Greg not so well this

year we are having Easter at home and Greg's brothers and sisters will

come over and we will just have a picnic lunch.

Nice and relaxing as we won't be travelling for a couple of hours to go

and fish....I am not a fan of fishing....

I'm of to make a start on Robbie's quilt as I haven't had a

chance yet...Looking forward to that....

Blessings to all

Mandy

Easter Break......

After many hours of unpicking and resewing the top is finished.

I didn't mind the unpicking though, it is one of those things that your fingers do

on their own and your mind wonders and you can dream.

This quilt will be Robbie's. The blocks were done many years ago and have been sitting in the cupboard waiting to be put together. When I did the class I wasn't able to get to the last one which explained how to assemble a quilt.

Now I have done those two "stack and whack" quilts I felt more capable of putting it together..

Now comes the part I love QUILTING. Later today I am going

to town to get some wadding and material to back it in and by tonight I should be quilting..

Then again judging by the grass around the place may-be I should

be mowing this afternoon instead....

The grass around the yard is green and growing, but, you can see on the hill behind

it is still looking rather dead....

With the rain we got over the week end though things

in the paddocks should start greening up as well.

We got about80mls all up.

We have a large spotlight on the veranda that Hubby only

turns on when its raining. I tried to get a photo to show you how pretty the rain looked

in the light, but this is all I could get and it not very good..you get the idea I hope...

Today is the first day of our Easter

break.

Two wonderful weeks of school holidays.

So the children are busy earning spending money.

Instead of Easter eggs the girls get tickets to the

Easter fest here in Toowoomba.

Alanah camps for the 3 days with friends

and this will be the first year I have let Cassie go on her own

with friends.Not that she will really be on here own as there are other parents there and her 2 oldest sisters, but she thinks that being able to wonder around with friends is on her own....

Alanah is cleaning the windows in the house. Boy did she get a shock when she realized that it's not just cleaning the windows but washing the curtains cleaning the fly screens and the window sill.

O! That means cleaning inside and out!!!!

She is defiantly earning her $60 as there are 23 windows in this house!!!!!

I have been out digging out weeds in the yard this morning as every thing is so wet.

I will go back out for awhile and keep digging.

I can also plant out my seedling they have grown so much..

All very exciting watching all the new growth..

Have a great day all

Mandy