A day out with Emmylou

 Hi there. Here we are a few weeks ago now just after DHs tractor trek. While the weather was still so  beachy we thought we'd take Emmylou out for a day at Maraetai beach. We live on the west coast and Maraetai is on the east coast but just over an hour away and it used to be a regular haunt when we lived in Manurewa for 21 years. So here we are having just reached the east coast and heading along the windy coast road to our destination.

 The road is very narrow and windy and over shadowed by pohutakawa trees.

 Its a squeeze when we meet oncoming traffic especially trucks or buses but its worth it .

 We arrive and park along the beach front. Thats not us in the water of course but it will be soon.

 We are chilling out and letting our lunch go down. Then I thought as we were out in the sunshine it was a good oportunity to show you inside the bus.

 Looking towards the front. DH did all the work with a little help from me. It was just an empty metal shell when we bought her. Not even a motor and we had to take the seat and steering wheel out of the old bus so we could be towed home.

 I was thrilled to find this wallpaper of old tins. It would be over 20yrs since I did this job. The bathroom is behind that wall still with some work to be done.

I love my little kitchen and stove . extreme right is the edge of the large pantry cupboard which is always stocked with cans etc. I often think this is our emergency setup in case of a disaster like Christchurch.

 And here is the bedroom with Kaffee Fassett  quilt and that wallpaper that DH wants changed. The latest idea is to sine the area with maps which I think is a great idea. Saw it in Sarah Moore's house in Country Living mag.

 Time for a swim but Im not that brave. These are a swimming club going through their paces. We had a lovely swim further away . It always takes a bit to get in but once the initial shock is over its great and so refreshing.

 Time to sit in the sun and have afternoon tea which the gulls were thrilled to share. The land in the distance is Waiheke Island which shelters the coast and keeps the sea a lot calmer than on the west coast.

 I love birds and encourage them to come close with treats and snapped so many pics.

 Theres not many people out enjoying this lovely day. We are so blessed to be free to enjoy it, but it is time to head back and call in on some friends in Clevedon. T is in the tractor club with DH and he also has vintage cars.

He restored this old Dodge from a heap or rusty junk and I was thrilled to be invited to go for a drive.

DH sat in the dickey seat and was rather windblown. I remember my brother having a hotrod many years ago when I was about 8 and it had a dickey seat that I rode in.

 After a lovely visit with T and L we headed home into the sunset and arrived home in the dark cheering Emmylou for another grand outing.Now some weeks have passed so busy with caring for daughter after surgery. All well there PTL. A very busy time with the vintage gala at the Glenbrook vintage railway nearby and we have just had a lovely week away in Emmylou again at Mount Maunganui, so I have lots of pics to sort and post.

But now it is Easter and I want to wish all of you a blessed time and a refreshing break. I especially want to wish those of you in the UK some lovely spring weather . Blessings, Trills

The return + +

 Yep, thats me, off for a walk. DH is 'very supportive' of me losing weight and sugested I might walk our road. Well we just love that encouragement so I thought I'd raz him by wearing my jolly bed socks that I had grabbed in the early hours when I was awoken with cramp. We laugh a lot thank goodness and I giggled all the way down the road. I cant believe it's a fortnight since my last post.  Its been a busy fortnight so lets go back.

 DH arrived home from his 6 day trek, very dusty, dirty and happy after driving his tractor over many rough metal roads and over farmland and down on the west coast beaches near Waitomo. He and his 2 companions from this club met up with a large number from the local club down there so there were about 20 of them. Yes there were enough spuds and onions.

 Needless to say it was a very different line of washing from my last post and this was one of three lots.

 Earlier that day I had gone to Quilt group, and here we are, though this was after some had left so it looks a bit spare, but we do usually have about 20 -30 ladies and one man there.

 This  group were concentrating on making sissor keepers.Not something I was into.

 You can see where I am sitting with my bright crochet. We bring allsorts of things to do. You can just see Joan in the distance at right. This lovely lady has hands that are so crooked and twisted with arthritis but

 she does this most amazing embroidery. We always have a corner of her incredible work at our bienial show. Amy the lady on the left was engrossed in this book I had brought in to show her. Il show you shortly.

 And next to me Ruthina was piecing these twisted stars over papers. This was something I saw in a mag some years ago when we had our shop and My daughter drew up the pattern on the computer for me then I did a class on English Paper Piecing which I am quite passionate about and have many UFOs of different shapes as I will be busy on one project and another catches my eye and I have to try it. Il show you them all one day.

 Show and tell brings out the big quilts like this one . I was very thrilled to see how some fabric I sold in my garage sale had been used. This was a Jinny Beyer border print left over from the shop. Almost a whole bolt of it which I certainly did not need. I thought it was stunning, but the photo doesnt do it justice.

 My contribution to show and tell wa this daffodill I crocheted following Lucy,s pattern on Attic 24.

Home again I indulged in my favourite luch at the moment. Sliced French bread spread with cracked peper pate and camembert cheese and green tea though apple cider would have been nice. I,m rather partial to cider.

 Out to the swing seat with my favourite book of the moment. Granny Chic. This is it. Have you seen it or indulged in a copy of your own. I highly recomend it for all those who love vintage makes.

 Now theres an idea for all those doilies i have gathered.

 and another. I am now on the lookout for any old lampshades. There are patchwork ones too.

 This is on my to do list. The background is those cream doilies and traycloths. Ive got many of those..

 And I love this and the pieced versions.

 And how about the inside of Rachels caravan, and the outside is patched as well. I showed it to DH but he was not about to let me loose on our bus though he does want the area around the back window redone. Its wallpapered and he says after 20 years it reminds him of turkey bottoms though when he ever had the oportunity to study a turkeys bottom I dont know as we have never had one in the house let alone on the table or in the garden even. So I am buzzing with ideas to arty crafty the area under his very conservative eye.Whatch this space.

 As I sat on the swing with my lunch and book I had a visit from our little friend, a young blackbird with a droopy wing. He or she has been comming ever since its mother brought it to feed on the cat pellets left out for Emmy. If the bowl is empty it will badger us till we refill it. The cats just watch or ignor it. They are not bird catchers. Emmy can bee lying just inches from the bowl and when the bird comes she might lift her head and murmur a greeting then lie down again.

 Casper is quite happy with his new toy.

Emmy came to me to ask when her Daddy will be home. Today sometime sweetie.
Well that was then and quite a bit has happened since then but that will have to wait till my next post.
Thankyou for your comments and encouragement. Blessings, Trills.xx

Gala Booty

 I'mgoing back to Saturday now when my friends Janet and Rosemary and I went to a local school Gala. Janet is a garage sale queen and I tag along sometimes but there was none this morning and the Gala was advertising a white elephant stall which turned out to be their whole school hall filled with wonders that others no longer wanted. Now here is my haul. 2 pictures of maps, one of Europe and the other an olde world one. 2 chintz feather comforters and lets take a closer look

 An old picnic basket which I intend to line and use for my stitching, doilies to add to my collection, a couple of lampshades which I intend to do marvelous things to ( as in granny chic), A little vase, I think Chinese, but I just loved its 3 chubby legs and curly handles.

 Here's a closeup of the chintz comforter fabric. Isn't it sooo pretty. Somehow I will have to unpick them very carefully and I think outside as the feathers are already escaping through the holes.I only want the fabric.

 Did you notice this lovely item on the floor. A very charming  pincushion and thread holder. I'm thrilled with my booty.

 Now as I said I have a collection of doilies and especially lately I have combed many op shops and added to the hoard so I thought I would do a soak in nappy wash to hopefully remove any stains and cleanthem.

 A good idea to do it while DH away. My heart bleeds for the drought stricken lawn and indeed the whole country especially the farmers and their animals.

 One last look at my crooked clothesline full of loveliness. A tree fell on it some yearsago when hundreds of pine trees grew close to the house, but thats another story.

 More delicate ones I didn't want to put pegs on , I draped over the railing on a piece of toweling.

 And still more on a sheet over the clothes horse in the spare room.

 Such beautiful delicate things that someone sometime ago put a lot of time and talent into. I hope to put them to some wonderful purposes.

 Some are comercially made but they are all trasured by this maybe crazy gatherer. I have many plans and ideas. I just have to live several lifetimes.

Now after several hours of coping with my tempermental computer my lovely moggies and I with say goodbye for today. Till next time , blessings to all who drop by, Trills x

Blessings

 Following my last post as I reclined on my swing seat. I finished my coffee, looked at my watch and saw that it was nearly 3.30. Time to get going down to our local beach for a church gathering, and there they all were. A happy expectant crowd gathered for a baptism event. It was high tide but this beach is very shallow being on the inner Manukau Harbour. The safe beach for families. I'll take you to our other more dramatic beach another day.

 Nine young people were baptised in turn by Pastors Lloyd and Guy. Then It was Lillians turn.

 Dearest Lillian is in her 80s and a joy and blessing to our church family. She joined her Son and Daughter-in-law some years ago, from Wales and quickly became a member of our church family. As she was helped down the rough stone steps, I was reminded of a moment 45yrs ago when I sat there with my first Son Greg and dangled his 3mnth old feet in the water. In those days My Aunt and Uncle owned the motor camp just behind the park. The camp is still there but their quaint cottage has been replaced by a modern house. My Aunt is now 97yrs old and living in the neighbouring town in a retirement village. She only gave up driving a few years ago, bless her.

 Anyway, back to Lillian. With her mop cap on to preserve her hairdo she braved the water and received her baptism like a trouper, then raised her fist in triumph.

 Then they all gathered to share and celebrate with prayer

 and praise, and worship

Then a special word and gift from Pastor Amanda.
Now we may look a very casual group for a church and the Pastors young, but the Love and Spirit and fellowship are RICH. We are Cornerstone  Assembly of God church Waiuku, and we worship in a school hall, and join in activities in our own smaller building daily. I am so blessed to belong to this family. PLT
Blessings to you all, Trills