A bloganniversary!

When I noticed the date this morning, I recalled that this was the day, 9 years ago that I started the newsfromjude blog. Perhaps I need a cake and 9 candles to celebrate this event?? It was an interesting learning curve, working out how to do it, and then to add photos. I went back this morning and reread the first few posts, which were much briefer than those I do these days. In that time I have made a lot of posts.

This was my first post....................................

Sunday, 31 July 2011

Last day of July

Well, I have been debating about writing a blog for awhile now, and have done it.
I can't believe its the last day of July, another month has gone, over half of another year.
Now I'm not sure what to say, so maybe I'll be back another day soon.
Has been a very busy day, lots happening in the quilting room and lots happening at THe Sanctuary, trying to get things ready for a September opening.
The weather was lovely for the weekend, getting lots of plants in and edges done in the gardens at THe Sanctuary. Should look good in the spring. I shall take some photos for you.
Bye for now.
Jude

How is that for short, sharp and shiny? Thanks to those who have joined along the way, and keep coming back for more newsfromjude. It is always lovely to get comments from my readers, and so to "encourage" you I think this occasion is worthy of a giveaway.

Please leave me a comment and tell me how long you have been reading newsfromjude for? For previous competitions on this blog, I have acccepted comments by emails too, but this time I am keeping it to only published blog comments. You have until the end of August 8th to enter. 

I will put names in the hat and draw one for this little suitcase that contains 1,000 x 2" squares (500 lights and 500 mediums). That is the equivalent of 2 1/2 metres of fabric, all cut ready for you to make something with, or add to your stash? Entry is open to all readers, and I am happy to send overseas.

I look forward to hearing from y'all!

Before I finish off, I thought you might like to click on this link, that Bonnie Hunter posted on her blog a few days ago. It is the Quarantine Edition of "For the Longest Time", sung by The Phoenix Chamber choir. Listen to the words, and smile.

 https://youtu.be/LpAKcQufacc

Have a good day. The sun is shining here, although it is still cold. A visitor arrived here this morning to spend some time and wave her magic wand over my chaos again. And tomorrow we are looking forward to zooming with Chookyblue and blog friends.

Blessings, From Jude

Happy Birthday

Today is Miss Bridie's 5th birthday. My goodness, those 5 years have gone so fast. It doesn't seem that long ago when all the ladies at the retreat were eagerly waiting for news of the birth. It is always good to head back into the photo files to find pics to share and remember. 

              This was taken at a party on the weekend with your little friends...................

             ..............and today was the day I gave you your quilt. It fits on your bed just right. 

                                         Glad you had a great day, Love from grandma xx

I have had a lovely trip up the highway today, to meet the family, and spend time with my mum. I was able to visit my dad in aged care for the first time in 5 months, which was lovely. He is looked after so well. Following that visit one of my brothers, mum and I went looking at lots of units in different retirement villages. Mum has decided that she is ready to sell the house and move into a village, and is looking forward to what is ahead.

Better hit the publish key, and hope that the bed is warm by now, even though the house is cold. The temperature here was 3deg when I left early this morning, and by the time I got to Keith it was 0deg, and the day has been sunny, but very cold. Tomorrow I will light the fire again, and do some housecleaning in readiness for a visitor soon. And we are looking forward to another Zoom catchup on Saturday,  joining in with Chookyblue and blog friends!

Blessings, From Jude

Back on Track!

My apologies to all for the last dismal post, and I am here to report that I have my 'mojo' back. One doesn't have to look far from my own space to see and hear of so many who really do have problems and worries and that is enough to give me a reality check!  Events in our world are not looking too good either and I shake my head in disbelief about some people and their arrogance and disregard for others, so I won't go any further with this thought.

I took my own advice and headed out to the sunshine, before the cold air came in again and started pulling weeds. I have been back out again each day, and even though there is still a long way to go, I can see progress. I weeded the daffodil patch...........

......and started digging up the dahlia's to put them in the shed until planting time............

I received these photos from DIL of Miss Bridie opening the parcel that I sent to her with her pencil case.

It was lovely to be able to go to church again on Sunday morning, and meet up with friends face to face, while following social distancing regulations. Once again our Pastor gave us much "food for thought" and urged us to make the most of each day, which was a very timely message for me and my "wallowing"!

 I spent the afternoon in another favourite place, while listening to inspirational music. But before I started sewing, I thought it might be a good idea to remove the plate and clean out the dark depths?? Looks like it is a job I should have done some time ago, don't you?

I did start sewing borders onto Miss Billie's quilt, but can't finish that until I make some appliqued corner blocks. Next job was to sew the binding onto this quilt. I do have a story to tell about this quilt, but that can wait for another post. Looks like I might need some binding time sitting by the fire one evening?

I have a 2 drawers that are full of 2 1/2" strips and I decided that it was time for some to come out. (Notice that the strips are all sorted into their colours!!)

Sunday afternoon I picked out a few different colours, (while trying not to untidy all those lovely strips), and started making blocks. As this is a work in progress, I will return another time with further pics.

Today has been pretty busy, with another couple of hours spent in the garden, some washing, time in the kitchen for cooking, a video call with Miss Billie and family, some time with Max, a bit of shopping, and time at the sewing machine again. Tomorrow it is a special birthday for a 5 year old, and I decided to applique Bridie's name onto a pillowcase to go with her quilt, and perhaps this will save me wrapping it up?

Time in the kitchen this morning was spent making some cup cakes to take tomorrow as I head up the highway again to meet up with Miss and her family. I will be back with another birthday post tomorrow evening.

Time for some shut eye, ready for an early start tomorrow. There is a frost expected in the morning, so stay warm, or cool if you are further north in our world!

Blessings, From Jude

A week of procrastination.....................

I was trying to find an appropriate word as a title for this post, and am still undecided. Perhaps I will work it out by the time I finish my thoughts from this week. Following on from my last post of the Christmas in July retreats that have been held since 2012, I came to the realisation that things had changed. I don't know why this had not "hit" me sooner? This different season of our lives has been here for 4 months now, and I blogged some of my thoughts about this, but mostly I have kept busy with sewing a few of my own projects and joining in with the SA Quilting Guild mystery quilts on facebook. I actually rather enjoyed "having permission" to slow down and stay home. And I think I have mentioned that this has all happened at the same time that I reached Pension age, and am going into semi-retirement. The extra time was taken up with some customer quilting, the above projects, and doing newsletters and making phonecalls to keep groups in touch with each other.

But after my post last week, I really became aware that I have no certainty that those times will return?? For many years now, I have been swept along in a life of "busyness", and just like that, I suddenly realised that some of my sense of purpose had gone. While I am still quilting for customers, I have reduced the numbers on my schedule, especially for custom quilting. There are no retreats to cook or prepare for, and no Pick a Case Mystery kits to cut and pack. The next deadline is not there, or not as urgent as they once were. The motivation for what I do in my business, has gone, or diminished. I think I am one of those people who work best with a deadline to keep me on track. Without the deadlines, I seem to be unmotivated and procrastinate. 

I did make some progress, and (due to the looming deadine of a birthday) I finished the binding on Bridie's quilt and have even put a label on it!

This bride even received some earrings, and a necklace!

        I loaded this quilt, and ditched all the block seams, and then just looked at it for a few days. This

               is an amazing quilt made by Cheryl using her mother's and grandmother's doilies and laces.

                 Miss Billie's quilt needs a border yet, and I cut some strips, but went no further!

This quilt that I made back in March has been quilted and needs a binding, but I just looked at it.

                         

  This Mystery quilt needs a binding too, and both were on my "to do" list this week, but hasn't happened.

I spent time sitting inside and looking at the blue sky outside, and did go out and start pulling weeds, but it is so neglected that you can't see much progress. I had resisted picking up a book to read, but finally gave in and decided to "go with the flow", let all those other things go, and take the time to do not much. I confess to spending a week wallowing in my pity party.

Back at the end of 2019, I posted on newsfromjude on Looking Back and Looking Ahead..............
and this is part of my post......................

• The 2000's..........The end of our farming days, a move into town, first grandchildren born, death of husband, living on my own, start of machine quilting business, Cornerstone Creations.
• The 2010's..........Still machine quilting, purchase of another house for retreats, called The Sanctuary, which continued for 5 years, now retreats continue in my house... Life continues to  be very busy, and by end of 2019 I have 10 grandchildren, am still quilting for others and still hosting retreats. And wondering where God is leading me next.

The 2020's......... ?????

At the time of some major life events, it was so easy to be caught up in the negatives of the situation, and just dealing with the everyday stuff. Looking back at those times now, I can see the positives that have come out of those hard times. I can see that God was leading us, drawing me closer, giving me peace in the situation, and providing for us the whole time. I know that He uses these times to grow us, and draw us to Him. We are never alone. There is a Bible verse that speaks to me over and over, and that is Jeremiah Ch 29, v 11. I know that He has plans for me, and I continue to trust that He will continue to guide me, if I listen for His voice.

So, the 2020's?? I sense that there is a new season ahead, and maybe changes, but for now, I am unsure what. Watch this space.

Note the last sentence that I wrote. I certainly would not have foreseen what has occurred in the last few months in this world. But there have certainly been changes in my life, although not as dramatic as those for many, especially in other countries where the virus has had deadly consequence. I also think of many whose jobs have ended, and business' that have been closed down. The economic fallout will be around for many years to come.

One of the changes that I have made this year has been to spend a lot more time in God's word, and really hearing the words. This week I have had God's words coming at me, from a few different sources and have spoken very loudly to me, as I have gone through this season in my life.

 It was very special that last Sunday was the first time we were able to attend church in person after listening to many messages online for 4 months. It was certainly appropriate that the message was "Uncertain Times, Certain Hope", and reminded us to focus on God's word as the foundation for our life. Jesus is our anchor, and a solid foundation, and will hold us firm in the uncertain times that come along in life. When life is ticking along well, we can forget that we need that anchor. It is only in the storms of life that we realise the value of our anchor. If you want to hear more of this message, click the following link.....https://player.whooshkaa.com/bordertown-uniting-church?episode=699911

And then on Monday these words spoke to me from my Daily readings book!!

And in another message that I heard this week, it said not to look back, or we will feel the loss. Look ahead to the fruit that is to come!!

And a reading from Proverbs Chapter 3: verses 5 and 6.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

This morning I went shopping and to the post office to see if there was any mail, as I haven't been "out" this week while I have been home wallowing!! And here was another message for me, from a friend who I had discussed some of my feelings and thoughts with...........

            There was a lot more in the middle of the start and end, but you get the drift.......

So, in conclusion to all these messages, I am reminded that even though I don't know what's ahead, I must keep my eyes on God, my anchor and trust Him for what is to come. He has always had a plan for my life and will direct my paths ahead.

There endeth my sermon for today!! If you have read this far, I thank you. 

I hope to be back soon with another post that has more progress photos than this one.  Hope your day is a good one. I can see blue sky outside the window, so perhaps I should go and pull some weeds. A little bit at a time might add up to progress in the long run?? Enough wallowing, moving on!

Blessings, From Jude

Christmas in July from years gone by...............................

In the last few days, I have realised that this weekend, in a "normal" year, it would have been the annual Christmas in July retreat, here in Bordertown. While I have kept very occupied in the last few months, I have missed those amazing retreats with the girls. There was always lots of laughter and good times. So this morning I have been back into the photo files, and remembered those good times, and compiled a post of years gone by. Warning..... photo heavy post!

For those new to the blog, a bit of history. I purchased the house across the road in 2010, and spent almost a year renovating this house for quilting retreats, and it was was named "The Sanctuary. I started the newsfromjude blog in July 2011, and thus all the retreats have featured in posts for the years after that. I am so glad that I have had the blog printed each year, so have a great diary of all the events.

                                               The first Christmas in July retreat was held in

 2012, 

and the lovely Faye Packham came and taught the ladies to make small Christmas themed items. I dug out the Christmas decorations and made little Christmas stockings for the attendees.

My neighbour has a talent with the guitar and he came to sing Christmas carols to the ladies........and I am not too sure what Faye's intentions were with the rotary cutter?????

The girls all had red hats to wear..............

                      The evenings were spent  chatting in front of the wood fire.................

Saturday evening we mostly dressed in Christmas colours, and all enjoyed the traditional Christmas dinner.......

........and this is the obligatory group photo all proudly displaying what they had made.

2013

Rudolph biscuits were made and all disappeared, without a crumb left on the plate...........

.........................and Pat helped the girls make some stockings,..............................

.................evenings by the fire, one of the good parts of having Christmas in July, during our winter......................

                     ..............and the group photo taken before dinner............

2014

For this year there were 2 Christmas in July retreats, with the first one being early in the month with my 3 granddaughters, and their Aunty. It was a fun time of eating....................

                        ...................cooking activities.....................

                      ..............................cooking marshmallows in the wood fire.....................

                  ........................ making Christmas trees, and memories!

The decorations were still up, and 2 weeks later, another group arrived .....

        A few more decorations were added, Santa left some stockings, and those red hats (that they all       love to wear, NOT!) appeared again!...................

One talented lady came with red paper flowers in green bottles, to add to the atmosphere.................

..........................which led to the girls going to the shops to buy tissue paper for an impromptu lesson on how to make their own!!

A sunny afternoon, and timeout for a cuppa in the pergola.

Some more Christmas trees were made by some.

A delicious baked ham was cooked (not by me!) for Christmas dinner........

..............and another group photo!

2015

Beautifully decorated bikkies in the appropriate colours arrived from the city....................

.                  ....................and the decorations came out again..........................

                           ..................Laughter with the silly jokes in the bonbons at the dinner table!

This was the first year that we were able to have Santa make a special visit in the middle of the year. It had been an idea "brewing" for awhile, and once I located a Santa suit, I then needed to find a "good sport" that would wear it. I am so thankful for this Santa, he did an amazing job, and it was a great evening, as the ladies had no idea he was coming!

I think this lady would have loved to do more than hold Santa's hand!

                                                  And of course the group photo!

It was only a few months after this that The Sanctuary was sold. Life had been so busy and a few health issues for me meant that I was struggling to maintain the houses I had on both sides of the road. 

2016

After the sale of the other house, retreats still went ahead at my house, although usually on a smaller scale, and it made the catering of these weekends much easier as I was on hand and not having to take things across the road. I was also able to participate more fully in the weekend's activities.

In 2016, Santa was away in July, Helen was a good sport and stepped into his shoes, as Mrs Santa!

Looking at this photo, I wonder if Mrs Santa was telling this lady she might be on the naughty list, as she looks a tad worried?

..............................And of course, the group photo!

2017

                       It was in 2017 that the girls from the Barossa introduced us all to Sable! (The Barossa is an area famous for grape vines and the production of good wines).

I had managed to secure the services of Santa again, and he was running a bit behind schedule, so Pat organised the girls for a few exercises, and I think they ended up doing the "Hokey Pokey" and this is the right hand in bit!!

Santa was welcomed back with lots of smiles!

I had needed to talk really hard to Santa to get him back again. He is normally a very shy young man!! In desperation I asked him what he wanted and he jokingly said a tractor and a cow!! (He has a small property just out of town). He laughed when he opened his present to find a little toy tractor that was a replica of the real thing, purchased from the local farm machinery place. This tractor even had a functioning front end loader. And he also received a little bit of a cow as there was a piece of steak with the tractor!! ..... You might note that Val is standing by with the naughty list to let Santa know who should get a present or who might be on that list.

....................This is one of those...."you had to be there" moments when she opened her extra gift!

.................And the group photo again.

2018

This was a work on your own projects weekend, and sometimes these were more of a social occasion with more opportunity for sharing life stories.

                           The group photo taken while waiting for Santa......................

Santa arrived in his trusty ute, and says he received a few waves as he drove along the streets on his way! (I think there might be an Aussie Christmas song about an old Holden ute??)

I did not have to twist his arm at all this year, as I think that "tractor and the cow" has purchased me many visits from Santa. (He used to get a box of chocolates only!)

The girls checking out Santa's gift!

2019

This year the Sable came dressed for Christmas!!

                                .....................................Waiting for Santa!

2020

And that brings me to 2020, and a different world. With restrictions, and social distancing the retreats are not possible. Looking back at all the photos of the years this morning has made be feel very nostalgic. There can be no more standing alongside each other or even sitting close to someone. Even the sharing of meals is "out". And there would certainly not be any sitting on Santa's knee, putting your arms around him or holding his hand!!

It has just hit me how much I am missing the weekend retreats and the camaradie of being with other quilters. Phone calls are nice, but not quite the same as spending time with each other. But with the sadness, I have remembered all those fun times and the laughter and enjoyed the trip back down through those years. As with a lot of world events back through the years, they are not always easy while in them, but we will come out the other side. And a year or two is not a lot of time out of a whole lifetime.

I do have one photo for 2020 Christmas in July, as I put this nativity set up at Christmas, and had made the decision to leave it up for Christmas in July this year. (I was probably too lazy to wrap and package all the little fragile pieces back into the box, so now I am glad it's still up on the piano. It is for my solitary Christmas in July! And also a reminder of trusting that God is in control of this situation.) Tomorrow I am looking forward to our church meeting together for the first time since March, and know that even this will be different).

*********************

I had lots planned for this weekend as I have 2 bindings to put on, one to hand sew, and a border to finish on Miss Billie's quilt. My morning has not gone as planned,  as this post had not been on the schedule, but I went with the idea and am glad I did.

I was woken before 5am this morning with a noise of running water, in my ensuite. I got up and found a torch to check places for a water leak and couldn't find any. Although there was no water anywhere in the house. I got dressed and wondered how early was too early to phone the plumber on a weekend?? While I was sitting in the front room doing my study, my neighbour came to the window, and called out to me. He asked if I had any water, because he didn't!! I was quite relieved to discover that it was a town problem and not mine, so I wouldn't need to phone the plumber. A report says that the fault should be fixed by early afternoon, so here's hoping, as I would love a shower! At least I have water to drink. Now it's lunch time, so better head to the kitchen and then start on all those jobs I had intended to do, before I headed off in another direction.

Blessings, From Jude