~January~

Phew here I am back on the blog and January is nearly over

New Year's Day I like to start a new project so why not make it a big one lol

I thought I would do Anni Downs' My Favourite Things Quilt

The Fat 1/8th bundle is the actual My Favourite Things Fabric and the others are the beiges I will be using

I made a simple Quiche and we thought we would open some Christmas Wine.....French of course

I admired my Bookmark brought home from Riga, Latvia 

The little brooch is the colours of the Latvian Flag......maroon and white
Such a history with this Flag

I made a start on the quilt

I opened up a gift to myself of an apron that I bought in Roussillon on Provence, France

I received this beautiful Tagine at Christmas time
Thank You Danelle

I made a Pear and Almond Tart.......recipe from Manu Feildel's book, Manu's French Kitchen
Mmmmm delicious

My Sister came to visit

and we drove around River Cottage country at Tilba

We checked out a new Cafe/Restaurant at the Mariner, all with a boat view

Took a beach walk

Started some colouring in

Did some quick pickling of cucumbers

And took them to my mate Asta's, a fellow Baltic and enjoyed them with some good ol' Black Rye Bread

Had the little Grandies here for a week

and took another beach walk.

Normally one can get around this corner but not with the tide last weekend....

Hope your January was a good one

Till next time.....Dzintra

~Girls Day In The Country 2014~

We are back from a lovely Girls Day in the Country hosted by the gorgeous Kerry 

from Cottage on the Hill at Nundle

The 2 first things I packed were my sewing basket and JoJo's suitcase

Then off for an overnight stay with my 2 little grandchildren

After  10 hours of driving with stops Mr Armchair, JoJo and I finally arrived at beautiful Nundle!

This is what the road 30k out looked like.......a storm had been and there was a rainbow

Welcoming signs in

We pull up at the cabins and JoJo says 'Mum's friends (aka Girlfriends)

First stop in town was the delightful Odgers & McLelland Exchange Stores established in 1891 full of vintage style cookware, real brooms, enamel etc.......with not a plastic item in stock......suits me right down to the ground LOL!!!

I also bought an Ostrich Feather Duster

something I have been wanting for years and years

I also ended up buying a coffee pot very similar to the ones above except taller

I call it my 'Dances With Wolves' coffee pot

perfect on the stovetop when there is a blackout

Some enamel bakeware perfect for Shepherd's Pie

(pics with kind permission from Odgers & McLelland)

One of the first Girlfriends I saw was Shez

and Chez!!!

After that up to Kerry's shop

and for you Geo (no blog)

Wooden table in the shop

Timber Basket

Cute birdhouse

Cattle grazing

Also treated myself to a lovely felt hat

Chookyblue hosted a Make It, Fake It or Buy it Swap

and she opted to have JoJo for a partner

above is what JoJo received

a pencil case, milkbottle lollies (her favourite), some stickers and fluro wand

Thanks so much Chooky!!!

I received from Gail a hand towel embroidered with Grub Roses and soap from Goondowindi

The gift I gave was Buy It.....a book received by Lynda

Finished by Dinner for us here at The Peel Inn......we use to live at Peel outside of Bathurst so nice memories at the sound of this name.  

More of the actual day coming!!!