Happy.. Sad.. Happy..

This year has been such a rollercoaster of emotions.  So many of our friends and family have been touched by tragedy or ill health this year.  I did not expect the turmoil of losing my business, or the unexpected hand of hope from Close to My Heart.  Despite his age, I wasn't ready to lose my grandfather.  It has certainly been a year of mixed emotions and December looks set to be no different.  On the night that my little Maddie Moo turned four, a very good, dear, old friend said goodbye to her sixteen year old son.  I cannot even imagine that heart break.  Keelan's funeral was on Friday so the kids and I took red balloons to Bushland Park and released them in his honour.  It seemed right.

We went to the bakery to celebrate with icecream, which is kind of wierd, but kind of made sense to my kids.

Because I have been working full time this week (and next) the house looks even grottier than it usually does, and I feel pretty blah about life in general so I find that I am enjoying the few spaces in our house that do look nice!  The kids decorated the tree (and while it might not be department store pretty there is a lot of love on that tree, and lots of memories too!)

 My friend owns a lolly shop and she kindly saved up enough boxes for me to finally get my fabric scraps sorted just like in Amanda Jean's book "Sunday Morning Quilts" - this small thing has made me ridiculously happy.  I love my crafty room so much. It really is my happy place!

 This is still my favourite spot to retreat from children and read a crafty book or magazine!

 And this is what my kitchen dresser looks like in its Christmas finery.  I have several "Christmas" collections which Preschool kids have added to over the years.  There is a collection of reindeers, santas, angels, and Christmas teddies, and also a small collection of snowglobes!

 I bought two gorgeous little red lanterns at Ikea and also these white tin pots.  Our climbing "Sympathie" rose has been covered in blooms since Keelan's death - everytime I brush past it I am reminded.  Don't they look stunning in this pot with the aqua wall? Red and aqua (what is not to love?)

 I did a weeny bit of dusting and putting away and this is what the top of my bookcase looks like now.  I LOVE the apocathery jars of floss and fibre, and can you see my beautiful wooden spindle? And the collage of Italy that my photographer friend made for me when we travelled there as teenagers? And my grandad's old box brownie?  Oh, collections of favourite things just make my heart happy.  So there you go - happy..sad..happy.  It is bittersweet this funny old life of ours hey?

The Difference Between Fantasy and Reality

Yesterday I could have been writing The Great Australian Novel, making plum jam, sewing a designer creation, or snuggling with a Hollywood style handsome toyboy.  Instead I was conquering Mt Washmore, nursing a head cold, ignoring several tantrums, breaking my resolution to shop from my stash (but seriously - kids fabrics for $1.50 a metre?!?!?) scratching the surface layer of clutter/crumbs/chaos off the house, and trying not to get too close to a gastro-prone, but none-the-less lovable husband.

Today the fog has lifted somewhat; I have only one load of washing left (and it is almost finished the spin cycle)  I have paid the bills, and done some chores, and the small boy and I picked the remaining plums this morning so the jam is bubbling on the stove.  Does anyone else love that jam is just fruit and sugar?  It seems too easy to taste that good!  Call me a communist but I also love that the top quality, high on the branches, perfectly juicy fruit goes into the same pan with the misshapen, slightly bruised, maybe a bit pock-marked fruit and the end result is just the same :)

I am listening to Enya, enjoying the antics of Mr Potato Head (as Dan plays alongside me) and wondering whether to clean the kitchen or go play with the $1.50 pyjama fabric?

I hope you are having a rose/ruby/plum coloured Tuesday too!
Keep smiling,
Nell