Weekend fun

Mango's to eat and gardens to mulch were how we spent part of out weekend.....church celebrations ,dance classes, and little naps in the afternoon also filled the two days we know as the weekend.

Friday

Finally after what feels like weeks I have an afternoon to get behind my machine.

The morning was spent at Pre Primary doing parent help then the rest of the day was mine....

I have had an idea for using a floral vintage seersucker tablecloth for a little while..today I found myself being very content in the making process.

(will share finished project when I can get a good photo) 

My Creative Space

Just because I can I have an abundance .....

does it mean I should?

Derek's studio had a purge inflicted on it during last week....we unearthed so many cassette tapes.The pack rat in me knew there had to be something useful for them other than listening to their wonky tunes belting out!

So I went in search of some ideas.....

But shifting all this load from one destination in the house to another seemed to defeat the purging effort...so I made the decision...

Just because I can doesn't mean I should!!!!

 Check out this week's other Creative Spaces here.

Come See

It was Open Night at school tonight.....

a  chance to go and see the classroom and all the work they have been doing during the year.

Fraser was particularly excited to be going back to school at night time...I think Meg was a little worried about what her dad would say to her teacher! (Dad's can be very embarrassing when you are eleven- well this dad does like to tease)

I know I have said it before but we are very pleased with this year for both of the kids and it was so nice to WALK down tonight and see all that they have been learning...also hear them greet friends along the way.

Pieces

I have had so many pieces to the puzzle that is my life lately....today has been no exception.

• Yellow  theme day at Playgroup and watch over my nephew in the process.
• Catch up work in the office
• Early pick up for Meg to get her to the High school Open day
• Back to pick up Fraser
• Meet the "Bee Man" to rid us of another Beehive
• Back to collect Meg
• Dinner and off to Connect Group

If I get the chance sometime soon I will be able to stand back and see more clearly where this is all headed.

Delivery made

Today we made delivery of 92 Shoeboxes filled with Christmas goodies.

For the last couple of months our church has been packing shoeboxes to be sent to Thailand for Christmas.

We partner with the organisation , Samaritans Purse and it is exciting to be apart of it each year.

This year I was able to hand deliver them myself (with some assistance from my sister and nephew). We loved being able to see the warehouse where all the sorting and collecting has being done.

It may not be too late to join in if you hurry....go here to see how you can help make a child's Christmas special.

Toms Shoes

I have just spent to full days in a Leadership Conference where we were exposed to  some very knowledgeable and inspirational world leaders in their field.

Today we were able to watch and interview with Blake Mycoskie founder of Toms Shoes

...Now just to figure out how to get a pair on all my family members?

Xmas is coming...just  a thought

How about you?

I Wish...

I still wish even after 6 years that we could give you the biggest hug, the tightest squeeze and the sloppiest kiss.....

We take our sadness and continue on the journey, never letting you be too far away from us.

My Creative Space

My Creative Space has been a little sparse of late......

but on the weekend it was our nephew's 4th birthday.

He is  funny, sweet, adorable and definitely knows what he wants. He has a love of "bags"...anything he can fill and drag around is good.He can almost always be found with a bag over his shoulder and a guitar in the other hand.

So what was an Aunty to do but make a "Boy Bag" just for him and find a new guitar to drag around!

You can check out more creative spaces here.

Under the shade...

....homework with a friend under the shade of a tree....
hope the weather has been kind to you on your Monday.

Stop...

I am hoping that in between

• Youth Group
• 3 Birthday Parties
• hip hop class
• and two church services

we can stop and smell the flowers this weekend

Friends to ....

Friends to run with ....

we came to Melbourne for three main reasons...

1. To have some refresh and recharge time.
2. To run the 1/2 marathon (Derek not me)
3. To hang with some dear friends from Sydney 

Running with thousands of others onto the hallowed ground of the MCG was a highlight.

Celebrating a 1:42:52  Time

Overall      1426

Gender         1179  

Category    89       

Friends that you've had for what seems a lifetime are special even if we only see each other once a year.

Hidden Treasure

What would a holiday be without a little "Treasure Hunting"(Geocaching)?

We managed a couple of "jackpots" and a few of near misses that would have required us to go places we weren't comfortable venturing...Melbourne is full of interesting lane ways  that should be entered at certain times and avoided at most other times!

We did enjoy our finds in the Treasury Gardens near the hotel......

Stumbled upon Jamie Oliver's Fifteen Restaurant......and mad e a very brief walk down AC/DC Lane..not a lane that either of us was happy to be in and neither did a particular local want us there!

So Much Eating

One of the things about Melbourne that is great is the choice and variety of eating establishments......Meg asked us what we did mostly while we were away....eat,eat and eat!

Haighs Chocolate....among a number of other chocolate makers...

Nam Loongs....famous for it's Pork Bows...

Italian delights on Ligon Street

and this Greek restaurant...it was fortunate to have us dine there twice over the weekend...

Then there was also the full cooked breakfast every morning, supper at the Irish Pub, all the cakes and coffees along the way.

Just lucky for me and my travelling companions we did a whole lot of walking in between all that food.

Meet Me At Mikes

There was one thing on my to do list that would require the rest of my holidaying buddies to indulge me on........

Visit Meet Me At Mikes!!!

What a great part of town and the store didn't disappoint me.

I

Unfortunately Pip wasn't in the store but I did meet Cam. I just loved the way he wrapped my purchase......I would have expected nothing less.

The Windsor

I finally have some photos.....via my SD card!

We stayed at The Hotel Windsor while in Melbourne.

It was Derek's choice and he chose well. It wasn't a modern "swanky" hotel but it had character and charm that new establishments just don't have....

The chandeliers, the top hatted concierge to open the door every time we came and went  which was a lot of times!

Creaky wooden floors and very comfy leather lounges in the foyer.

It was the perfect location  to access the CBD centre, view beautiful old churches, and watch the never ending parade of brides having photos on the steps of Parliament house. 
It was also a short down hill stroll to here- which is why  were in Melbourne for this.