Walk Around the Garden

I walked around the garden, and took some snapshots, late this afternoon.  It is looking green at least, we have been in a drought or so they tell us, for the last four years. 

Living on the Murray River, in an irrigated area - we rely on the river for our lives.  We have a citrus and vine property - and we still are growing our crops. But over the last two years, because of drought our allocations have been reduced.  This year is the third - but at least we have 48% this year, last year it was 21%.

In that time we have had to let the garden go, but we did manage to hold onto the roses and a few plants. This year at least we have green lawn, and have had flowers on the roses.

So come with Luigi and I around the garden.

Come on Luigi is waiting, he has already come around to the side of the house.

This is the view looking onto the road from the front porch. I do enjoy sitting here, contemplating the view and having my coffee with this wonderful view everyday.

Even though it is a little tough at the moment because of an oversupply of grapes, the drought and having to buy water - we still have a wonderful place to live - I am so grateful.

We are all in the same situation here, and are all feeling the effects around us.

The human spirit is great and we persurvere on....

And see what the season will bring.

Poppy

Calm Morning

Good Morning All,

We have had some really hot weather here in the Riverland since last Thursday, and not being able to sleep I was up at 4.00am to see my son off to work.  He is working in a packing shed, and they all started early to escape the afternoon heat.

I wandered the house doing some chores, then took my coffee outside to watching the rising sun.  Sitting on the verandah, listening and watching nature waking up.  Stillness and peace, greeting the day.

We should savour such beautiful sights and view them as blessing bestored to us - look around us and view with gratitude.

I got to wondering what others might be doing on such a morning - I am blessed - even with all that is going on around us.

Blessings to All,

Poppy 

THE GREAT BLESSING OF WATER: MEGAS AGIASMOS

Epiphany, one of the oldest Feast days of the Orthodox Church, which commemorates the manifestation of the Holy Trinity which took place at the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River.

While Christ entered into the Jordan to be baptized, two things were happening: He identified himself with the people He had come to save; and, he was identified himself with the whole of Creation which was represented by water.

The Great Blessing of Water is held on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany and on the day itself, following the Divine Liturgy. The Blessing not only remembers the event of Our Lord's baptism and the revelation of the Holy Trinity but also expresses Orthodoxy's belief that creation is sanctified through Christ.

The Blessing affirms that humanity and the created world, of which we are a part, were created to be filled with the sanctifying presence of God.

After the blessing, the Holy Water is distributed to the faithful and is used to bless homes during the Epiphany season. When the faithful drink the "Epiphany Water," we are reminded of our own baptism. When the Church blesses an individual, or object, or event with the water, we are affirming that those baptized, their surroundings, and their responsibilities are sanctified through Christ and brought into the Kingdom of the Father through the Spirit.

In addition to the Great Blessing of Water, there is a Lesser Blessing of Water service which can take place at anytime. Usually, it is celebrated when a home is blessed, on the first day of the month, the beginning of the school year, and beginning of new responsibilities.

Today, the twelve-day Christian celebrations for Christmas is concluded with the Epiphany. The Epiphany is an ancient celebration, commemorating the revelation of the Holy Trinity.

• Today's celebration has a particularly symbolic character - the white dove bearing an olive branch, the symbol of peace - emphasizes the need for more light; more love; and in particular more peace and a quality of living for all inhabitants on earth.

We only have one wish and prayer today, on this special Epiphany celebration: May the white dove of the Epiphany, bring forth its message of love to all corners of the earth, so that the light of peace may reach the remotest of countries. May the people of this earth enjoy what they rightfully deserve. A harmonious coexistence, good health and health care, education, justice and security. Let us all serve this purpose and achieve this target methodically, with optimism and determination.

Blessings to you all!

Poppy

New Year

Well, Christmas is over, we have had an engagement, have seen the new year in and a new baby has been welcomed into our family.

I hope you all a blessed christmas full of good cheer with family and friends. I wish you all health, wealth, happiness and love and may the christmas spirit stay with you all year.

We had a wonderful day......

Christmas in Mount Gambier with the family. Shopping, for gifts and food. All helping in the preparation of the Christmas feast. Good company, cheer and the thoughtfullness of Christmas. Being with family.

We then came back to the engagement of my niece Eleni to Peter, again a wonderful night with family and the new sebetheri (that is Peter's family), they were most welcoming. I wish both Eleni and Peter, all the wonderful gifts life has to offer as they make this step into a new life togethers.

Then, it was New Years Eve - do you remember the moon on the night how beautiful it looked - la luna bella. A party and what a joyful time it was, we saw the new year in and the old out and partied till three in the morning.

2010 is here, and already the 5th day… Remember Life is short, break the rules, Forgive quickly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile.

And then the greatest of all a new baby in the family - to my beautiful sister Jenny and her husband Andrew their second son, Gerrmanos (Gerry) was born on the 4th. Welcome little one!!

All blessings in life.

Poppy

Different Approach

I thought I would take a different approach to my journal...

Summer is here, it has been so warm

we had a day of 39 degrees celsius

to hot for the month of November and it is still

only the 10th...

I wonder what the summer is going to bring.

Birthday Weekend

What a wonderful weekend I have had this weekend.

It actually started on Friday, when I received 3 wonderful floral arrangements at work. Two from family being Mum & Dad, Liza, Tony, Jenny and their families with gifts attached. Even though they were not here, they were in my heart and here in spirit.

On Friday evening we went out for a birthday tea for Aliki as she also celebrated a birthday this weekend. Happy Birthday Aliki.

On Saturday, we attended a birthday lunch for our dear Koumbara Leanne as it was her 50th Birthday also (on Friday). Happy Birthday to you Leanne. I had a lovely time sitting and talking with friends and koumbari.

At 4.30 it was time to leave and go home to get ready to go out to my birthday tea - we went to Sorrelle's a Italian Restuarant here in Renmark.

Family and Koumbari helped my celebrate a 5oth Birthday. I had a great time.

On reflection I visited my five last decades of my life, from the first to the fifth.

Time passes so quickly.

The first decade,

I remember my childhood - such a great time, of days passing and enjoying the whole day and being in the moment. Playing for endless hours, enjoying the company of my siblings and school day friends. Of starting school and orienteering the passage of school, school friends, and childhood relationships. Learning and forming. Being in a loving family, feeling loved, protected and safe.

The second decade,

Working my way through teenagehood - not quite an adult, but being so sure of what I wanted to do and what the world was like. School years coming to and end and the start of earning a living or wage. Of helping my family in their business - we learnt so much as we were given the responsibilities of the business.

The third decade,

A trip to Greece, being introduced to my families homeland getting to know my extended family on both sides and visiting the birth place of my parents. Off feeling connected to another part of my self. Loving the place my parents had been born in and touching the linage in our blood.

Returning to Australia, meeting my future husband Jack - marriage. Moving away from my family home to create my own home with my husband. Bringing two beautiful children into the world who are from us but not us. The most precious aspect of my life - being a mother, nuturing and guiding my children. My children who have become their own person.

The fourth decade,

Raising my children, being with my husband and having our own home. Life goes on.

People come and people go out of ones life, but the nucleus stays the same and the love grows strong for the family around one as experiences and events unfold in ones life, our experiences and those of our families - always learning and growing - no matter what age.

The love and strength of the family is the most important.

Thankyou all from the depth of my heart.

I am so greatful to have all these wonderful souls around me.

One has to learn to understand all experiences.

Take the time to listen and be still with all.

The fifth decade,

The children are growing and coming of age and coming into themselves and their experience of the world. Ones relationships grow - on their journey and one becomes stronger and fuller in lifes experience.

Again I say thankyou with gratitude for all that comes my way.

For the learnings and experiences.

For all the wonderful people who have come into my life.

I have learned from all - some people I have known for a few moments - and others for varying periods of time, - but most important are those who have been with me for the longest.

My love and blessings to all and thankyou.

Enjoyable Weekend

I have just spents a wonderful weekend by the sea. I do love the sea, the water, the waves, the colours and most of all the sound of the sea.

We had a wonderful house - called Baileys Beach House right on the beach. It was great to wake up in the morning to see what the ocean had brought for the day. I loved sitting watching the sea while having my coffee in the morning - so relaxing.

Another, great sight was watching the whales and Seaford Bay. We drove out there on Sunday afternoon, the tide was coming in late in the afternoon and there was a swell. The afternoon light filtering through the clouds and spreading a veil of softness on the surroundings. Just of the bay were five whales it looked like 3 adults and 2 younger ones - what a majestic sight. The calm of the end of the day and the presence of others all sharing the sight was so wonderful.

The reason we went was that my daughter and nephew participated in the country soccer championships - they both did very well.

It was great being there, supporting and cheering on the children - teenagers. The atmosphere at these events are great - with parents, grandparents, sibblings all there supporting their children. One must not forget to mention the comamandrie of all the team members as they compete against other teams. Unfortunatley, this time has come to an end after some 12 years - as both children partook in these events.

All blessings in ones life.

Poppy

New Beginnings

What exciting times we live in with all the changes to technology. It amazes me that we can sit in our home, and be able to talk and view someone at the other end of the world, just by being on the computor.

In the last week I have been able to connect with family and friends on the other side of the world and catch up with what has been happening in their world. I actually enjoyed and felt connected to them.

I have talked to nephews and nieces (actually the children of cousins) how wonderful. To be able to get to know them - the younger ones have so much to teach us. I feel blessed to have made their acquaintace. Thankyou to you all.




In a earlier post I wrote of communion with others - of sharing our lives with others . How wonderful that we are able to do this and be able to share our lives with others even if it is over the internet. It opens many possibilities.



Blessings to you all!

Poppy

Autumn Eve

As the weather gets colder and autumn has arrived - the summer harvest has all been picked. The seasons grapes have been turned into wine.

Easter has come and gone and we are travelling into winter.

The autumn colours have arrived the yellowing and mellowing of the leaves, the vines and trees are loosing their leaves and soon the pruning will begin - when the crops are dormant and have gone to sleep.

So as to prepare for the next years harvest. Will they awake too soon as the seasons have been so erratic we no longer get the longer winters - they are shorter and not as cold.

And nature is she not finding her way, as the seasons have been erratic. Do the daffodils flower too early, there is such confusion when in one day we get all the seasons.

Or is this the cycle we are progressing to - has human kind had it too well over the last thousands of years - may be this is another cycles on earth. Will there be a turn around.

Will winter come and bring the rains that are so needed in this dry place - we have not had very much rain and it is needed so.

The days are warm and the evenings cooler.

For this we give thanks.

What a lovely evening we have had, a good meal, good wine and good company.

Be present

"When our minds are no longer fragmented by the illusion of our separation from each other,

but healed by the truth of our oneness,

we are awakened to a new dimension of compassion.

Within the mantle of that love, there is literally nothing we cannot do.

We have remembered who God is.

We have remembered who we are. Finally, we are whole at last."

We are all one eventhough some of us don't know it. There is a spark of our creator in all of us, and we come from there. Each on our own - but connected. It is our lifes mission to enflame this spark with all our thoughts and deeds and in love. For love is the answer to all. Love be open to receive and give - let it flow from within and without - be open and receive.

Love is empowering and compassionate.

Thus,

Be in your divine presence of self

To be our divine self is the greatest gift we can be

and give to one other.

To be present to our divine being

That which is holy

Which uniquely connects us

to one another and the supreme.

So,

place my divine presence in front of all

and let it be my guide

On this path called life.

"When we start at the center of ourselves,

we discover something worthwhile extending toward the periphery of the circle.

We find again some of the joy in the now,

some of the peace in the here;

some of the love in me and thee

which go to make up

the kingdom of heaven on earth."

So, with these words I aspire

to reflect and start afresh,

to leave the past behind.

the new year of new beginnings

living within my truth.

The truth of my soul.

With love and blessings,

Poppy

Eve of Epiphany

Tomorrow on the 6th of January, the "twelve days of Christmas " come to an end. This day takes a special meaning in the Greek custom, there is a special ceremony of the blessing of the water and the vessels that ply them.

There is a service and the priest blesses water, which people then can take home. The water has special healing and protective powers associated with it. Then the priest and the congregation will go down to our river where the waters are blessed. A cross is thrown into the water and young men/teenagers dive in to retrieve it.

Were does this come from - it is said that Jesus was baptised on this day and this is where the day's association with water comes from. Plus it is the day that the three Magi came to visit Jesus bearing gifts to reveal and acknowledge him as king.

Today was the day that our Parish Priest "Father Demitrios" visits all our homes saying prayers and blessing them for the coming year.

God bless you all,

Poppy

Welcome 2009

Welcome to 2009 - what a wonderful start to the new year.

Merriment with a party to see the old year leave and the the new year come in with Family and friends.

It has been a special time for me and I have enjoyed the festive season - I wish to keep the spirit of the festive season with me for the rest of the year. The love, happiness and wonderment of the days.

Thank you to all who have been part of this - my family and friends.

We visited Mt Gambier as it was my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. What a milestone to reach two people sharing their life and creating a family full of love, growth and learning. Together with what ever comes during the passage of time.

In the Greek Orthodox Wedding there is a part of the service where the priest places crowns on the heads of the couple. The crowns are linked together by ribbon, symbolising the joining of two souls and the couple is prepared to establish thier own kingdom as king and queen of a new family. The Koumbaro or Bestman then switches the crowns back and forth tree times, symbolising that two are now one.

After the crowning there is a reading fro the epistle and the Gospel. The reading describes the marriage of Cana at Galilee, which was blessed by Christ and where he performed his first miracle. The miracle converted water into wine, the couple is offered the wine from a single cup and they drink from this three times - this symbolises that they will share every joy and sorrow from the cup of life together.

On reflection my parents established their own kingdom and raised a family of four and there have been many good and tough times in their life. But, they have been able to overcome all t0 have had a good life together.

It is a time to reach out to those I love and for me to send my love to them with my thoughts and wishes.

For those who I cant be physically with, I send my love through the mists of mystery and essence and remember them forever in my heart.

In the new year I hope to be the best that I can be and to grow in all areas of my life - in my communication with family, friends and all who touch my life. For in the end we are answerable only to ourselves and the pact that was made before entering this life with our creator - our one.

God bless and may the angels guide you - all you have to do is be open and receptive.

Poppy

Hello

Back on deck.

It has been a while and much time has passed. My last blog was on the 11th December, 2007 at that time I had 10 entries in blog land.


Today is the 14th May, 2008.

Much has happened.

Christmas and New Year came and went.

We had our Grape Harvest - all things went well considering the drought we are having in the Murray Darling Basin.

We have had hardly any rain. The rain we did have was not enough.

The majority of Murray Irrigators leased in water, so as to have crops this year. As we were only allowed to have 32% or our irrigation allocations. Majority of growers need 48% of their allocation to keep their permanent plantings alive, let alone to get a decent crop.

The notrocious thing is, water has been seperated from the land and it is being treated as a commodity.

In October, 2007 we could only use 23% of our allocation and we were lead to believe that we wouldn=t get anymore. So what happened, the price of leased water skyrocketed from $300 or so early in the financial year, to $1,200 per megalitre in October.


We were then informed that growers could use 32% of their allocation. This then brought the trading of water back to a reasonable amount of approximatly $500 per megalitre.


But in late Feburary, March the water minister anounced that growers would be able to use the amount that they had leased in, as carry over water for the next financial year.


Now tell me if there is no water in the system, how does it miracuously appear, when pays exhuberant amounts for it.

I wonder were this is all going.

After that we came to Easter, I do love the easter celebrations through out Holy Week in the Greek Orthodox Church.


Life has been busy and I have not had much time to do any needle work, which I am missing.\


May be as winter sets in this might change.

I am still working only three days a week - which should give me time to keep the house, spend time with my family and still be able to do my needlework. But, alas no.


There are a number of projects on the go. I also keep in touch with other girls who are also love patchwork, quilting and various other forms of needlework, via blog land. A site I like to visit is Leanne's House and from that I link into other sites belonging to other bloggers.


I also have been busy at work with a number of projects.




I have a Greek background, my parents migrated to Australia in the mid fifties. The images above are from the respective islands, Dad from Patmos and Mum from Lemnos. The top picture is taken from Hora, that is my Dad's village, looking down to Skala which is the port. The other picture has been taken in Mirina, wich is the main town on the island of Lemnos.
I last visited Greece in 1980, that seems such a long time ago. I would like to go again one day, and I hope that it will be soon.

Oh yes, I have included a greek sweet recipe. this is for the ladies of the art group that meet at the McCormick Centre for the Environment.

EKMEK OR KADAIFFI

Base
½ packet kadaiffi pastry slivered or flaked almonds
2 tblspn oil
Take the pastry and pull it apart to get it fluffy, then layer in the base of your dish I use a ceramic dish ( 28cm x 18cm). Sprinkle the olive oil over the pastry and the almonds, place in moderate oven to colour. In the mean time make the syrup.

Syrup
2 ½ cups water 2 cups sugar
3cm of cinnamon stick 4 – 5 cloves
½ lemon

While the base is cooking put all the above ingredients in a pan and bring to boil and let simmer for 10 – 15 mins. Just before placing syrup into dish, take out the cinnamon stick and cloves, squeeze the lemon juice from the lemon into the syrup and pour over the cooked pastry. Now it is time to make the custard.

Custard
For this size dish I make custard from 1 litre of milk, as per instructions. When the custard is cooked I sometimes add a little liqueur lemon or orange, or what ever you might prefer. I have also adapted the recipe and have added passionfruit pulp into the custard to change the flavour, again experiment. When the custard is ready, pour it over the pastry base and let it cool.

Topping
cream powdered cinnamon

Top the custard with whipped cream, run the fork through the custard to create a pattern and then sprinkle cinnamon onto the cream.

Enjoy !

On that note I'll say goodnight

and wish you

a great day tomorrow

Poppy

Still Here

Hello there, I'm still here in blogland. Again it has been a while, the whole school term has gone and no one has heard a peep from me.

The term went quickly with much happening both at work and home. I managed to get some stitching done but not as much as I hoped. I worked on some redwork and also on my Blackbird Design quilt, which I am hand appliqueing.
I'm happy with the progress so far.

We have had our Renmark Christmas pageant and that was last Friday. The main street is closed off and there is a real festive air. The parade goes past, the shops remain open till 9pm, and there is food stalls and show alley rides for the children. Then the highlight is the fire works at approximately 9.00pm. We had some great fireworks this year, every year it gets a little better.

Christmas is just around the corner and has it crept up on us. I'm not organised as yet, but as always I will get there. The Christmas decorations go up tomorrow, the house has had it clean and the festivities begin. I love Christmas and the spirit it brings.

The giving, sharing and bringing together of family and friends. We must also remember the first Christmas and the birth of Jesus and the Christmas story.

Three things I am grateful for,

1. Sunshine
2. Water
3. Christmas

Bye for now

Poppy

Its been a While

It has been a while, because we have had problems with our computor.

A number of things have happened. The Renmark Evening Star Quilters and the Renmark P's & Q's had a quilt show on the concluding weekend of the Rose Festival. That was 27th and 28th October. I showed 3 quilts, I have to get the photos up so that you can see them. I worked frantically to get them finished after my friend Liz Fergurson machine quilted them for me.

We went to Mildura for the weekend and it was nice to get away. Home of Stefano, the celebrity chef of "Gondolor on the Murray" fame and of the TV series. We visited his cafe on Sunday morning for brunch and brought samples of his blood organge marmalade and other condiments.

The girls from our quilt group travelled to Adelaide for the day on Saturday, to visit the Quilt and Craft show. I'm sure I will hear about that on Wednesday, our quilting night.

I have been working on a hand stitching project, that is moving along well.

Thats all for now.

Keep well,

Poppy

My Birthday

Well I had another birthday, and what a great day it was. It started off well, the house was quite, Elleni was asleep, Jack had already gone out on the block and I sat quilting quietly for an hour and a half.

I had to go into town, to run a few errands and when I came back. Elleni had organised coffee at McDonalds - McCaf. There were quite a few friends there, that she invited in that short time while I was in town. Withe everyone I think there was 17, we had a great time.

The small children played in the play area, the teenagers sat and talk as did all their mothers.

That evening we had a nice meal home and then I was off to quilt group meeting.

I won a iced decorated cake at Lake Culleraine while on our quilt camp, so I took that into the meeting and as there were more October birthdays, we all cut the cake together. (Thats all of us in the photo, from left to right, Julie, Lyn, me, Jan and Glenda).

What a great day that was, that was October, 10th.

Tomorrow I'm off to Loxton to pick up my quilts that Liz Fergerson has finish machine quilting, I cant wait. Liz runs her machine quilting business from home. She does a great job on all the quilts she machine quilts. All one has to do is leave it in her very capable hands. I'll post a photo when I pick it up. We are also going to see a quilting exhibition by the Sunday Stitchers of Loxton. I'm looking forward to that.

Starting tomorrow we have the Renmark Rose Festival, that should be a great week. Renmark is the home to one of the largest rose gardens in the southern hemisphere - Rustons Rose Gardens. I think this is the 11th or 13th year the festival has been running. There are lots of activities, private gardens are open, there are tours, exhibitions, presentations etc the town is abuzz with activity. The Renmark Quilting groups are hosting an exhibition next weekend.

Check out the festival site on Renmark Rose Festival for an update of whats happening.

Also featuring is the Riverland Renaissance which is a wine and food festival, so as you can see alot is happening.

Well a bid you all good night.

Blessings

1. The computer that does not need to go to sleep.

2. The quite of the house at 3.45 am as I could not sleep.

3. Bed

Poppy

Its been a little while

Well, its been a little while since I was in blogland. It is school holidays here in South Australia, the students are on school break after their third term at school.

We have been away, I visited my family in MtGambier which is approximately 500 km south of the Riverland.

It was good catching up with them all. We spent time talking and being with each other over a period on one week.

Mum and I did a lot of cooking, as we always do. We made greek style biscuits, Koulouria and paximathia (biscotti) as well as spinach and cheese pittes (pies).

All we had to do was mention what we wanted to make and dad and my sister Liza were off doing the shopping for all the ingredients.

We also caught up with family friends.

Mum, the girls Elleni and Eirene, and I drove to Pt MacDonald and visited Cape Northumbaland. (I think that is the correct spelling). The picture above is of the girls at Cape Northumbaland, it was a very windy afternoon, but the sea was beautiful. We stopped and had fish and chips, there is nothing better than visiting the sea and having fish and chips, whether its summer or winter.

We sat in the car as it was freezing, watched the rough sea and ate.

I managed to get some hand quilting done while I was there, but not that much as we talked, shopped, watch movies, and visited a number of cafes catching up with family and friends and having some great meals with the table set for 10 - 12 each night.

It was back to Renmark on Saturday after a stop at Penola, near Coonawarra.

Cleaned the house on Sunday and back to work today.

I'll be able to do some stitching later in the week I hope.

We do have one more week of school holidays left - we'll see what happens.

I noticed on a number of sites one of them being Covered Porches and Screen Door, the post is ended with 3 things they are grateful for. I think I will end today with the same sentiment.

1. The love of my family

2. my children

3. peace

They all came off the top of my head with out any thought.

Blessed be

Poppy

What a Great Weekend

Well I got home this afternoon, after having a great weekend at Lake Cullaleraine, with a great group of like minded ladies. Guess what we did all weekend, starting Friday afternoon.

We sat and stitched and stitched. It was great, we had food prepared and every one worked on their own projects. We all made a 12 1/2 inch block, which was to be included in a charity quilt. I have included some photos...

One is of, the work I did on the weekend. I finished the bag I started with Gail Pan, during that great weekend in July over at Loxton. The other work is a quilt I am working on, it was featured in the American Better Homes and Gardens, Patchwork and Quilting magazine, last year this time. I had made the pieced blocks and prepare all the applique blocks while I was at Lake Cullaleraine.

The other photograph is of the girls all working, on Saturday afternoon. They didn't even know I took the photo.

As I said it was a great weekend.

Regards to you all and have a great week.

Poppy

Some of my projects

I enjoy stitching, whether is be embroidery or quilting, or sewing on the machine. I just love what one can do with needle and thread.

I thought it was time I shared some of my projects with you. Above is a block holder and a small project bag.

At the moment I have a number of things on the go.

1. Hand quilting project, the top I made a couple of years ago and I have the quilt on the quilting hoop at the moment.

Oops, I have one of the photos on its side.

2. Red work embroidery, I'm hand stitching and the moment - that has been fun and I have started collecting red fabrics for the blocks that I'm sewing together to make the quilt.

3. I'm still working on the items that need finishing from my Loxton weekend in July, nearly there - as I have been working on them simultanously.

4. A beautiful Blackbird design which I found in the American House and Garden Magazine, Patchwork and Quilting a year ago. That quilt is done in reds, pinks and creams, I'll have to take a photo of that work in progress. The project has I think 12 pieced blocks,which are stars and 3 applique blocks, which are of a vase of flowers. I'm really enjoying that.

5. And .... there are a number of small things that I'm working on.

I should get alot more done now that soccer and netball are over. This weekend I'm joining my patchwork and quilting group "The Evening Star Patchwork Group" on a weekend away at Lake Cullaleraine. Lake Cullaleraine is just over the South Australian border and approximately three quarters of an hour away from Mildura. We are going to have 2 1/2 days of quilting, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, - away from everything. I'm really looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll get quite a bit done.

Blessed be.

Poppy

What a busy time

What a busy time this last week. A lot has happened.

Last weekend my daughter played soccer, all weekend. Renmark hosted the South Australian State Junior Country Championships, so that meant the town and the Riverland was inandated with soccer families from through out South Australia, but also from Mildura and as far away as Alice Springs. I've included a photo of her team.

The girls had a great weekend with it all starting off on Friday night with tea in Berri at Cafe Primo, where they all got together and had bonding time. It worked out well for them - they went on and had a great weekend of competition.

Elleni was in bed early on Sunday night and it took her a few days to recover.

Till next time,

Poppy