A Day...[ or more] .. in The Country

 Christmas Day, and after a lovely lunch with Vic at his new home, I left the City behind to travel 200km to visit my friends.  A few years ago they decided on a Tree Change and I do miss them!

 Arrived to find 'my room' all ready and so the Tea Drinking began.  Lorraine and I sure do love a good chat and a cup of tea, lots and lots of cups of tea.   Of course we also did some serious eating, and drank a few bottles of good wine too.  Here we are outside her back door having a quick cuppa before preparing the Boxing Day Lunch. 
Why wasn't I smiling? I think I was trying to tell our photographer which button to press !!

My stay ended with a Birthday Cake for our hostess on the 27th, yes, after all the Christmas and Boxing Day food, we had a Birthday BBQ, complete with an ice cream cake.

Late in the afternoon I once again took to the highway, and home. . perfect weather, great food, and absolutely wonderful company.  A very good way to unwind after the stresses of the last few months.
Wishing you all a Safe and Happy New Year.

Does TWO make a Collection?

Last year I had just one tiny Cross Stitched Christmas Tree in a frame, and thought it was quite cute (guess I picked it up in an Op Shop somewhere, I just don't remember).  This week I found another in a gold frame, even smaller than the first, in a local Op Shop.  So now I have TWO, does that mean I now collect miniature stitched Christmas Trees?  I guess it does!

I have a small table set out with Cards, a few Ornaments, all on a lovely gifted Christmas Quilt. These little frames fit in perfectly.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.  I'll be having lunch with Vic and then traveling up country for 2 days rest and spoiling, from my dear friends Lorraine and Ron.  Can't wait!

Sad week ..

 In August, 1980 I met a lovely man at a Cocktail Party in Auckland (this photo was taken just an hour or so after we met).
In October 1980 we were engaged, and married in March, 1981 in Melbourne.

Seven years ago my darling Vic was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor, and although it has been a long hard battle with 2 major surgeries and radio- and chemotherapy, we have had some good times during these years.  Unfortunately, this month we, together with his doctors, have come to the conclusion that I can no longer care for him at home, and he has moved into a Nursing Home.  It is very close to home, so I will be able to visit often.  He does still know me, and functions quite well, except for the fact that he cannot walk unaided, and sometimes forgets this and gets out of his chair or bed and falls over.
Although he has been in and out of hospital and rehab since October, leaving him there alone yesterday was very difficult.
We both know we have done all we could to stay together, but I am still very, very sad.

Christmas must be just around the corner ...

I always know when it is Christmas by the Lilliums I had growing in the garden, the move to our new Unit meant bringing a few with us in a pot, and Yes!!! this weekend the first one bloomed.  The other 4 are not too far behind.

It was very windy in the garden this morning, so I had to hold this one steady to photograph it.

And yes, I did put my Christmas Tree up this weekend, and decorated it.