Back In The Land Down Under

 

Well hello, lovely lovelies, lovely friends♡ After a wonderful holiday in San Francisco I'm back home in the Land Down Under. Actually, I've been home for yonks.  I had the most wonderful time away hanging out with 'my' little man, Lenox. Oodles of cuddles. Oodles of snuggles. But. Goodness me. It has taken me many weeks to recover.  Me thinks this Granny caper with newborns is for grannies who are much younger than I. I came home for a wee rest. =) 

Oh, how babies quickly change into the next little stage. When I first arrived Lenox was restless so there was many a time I would send my daughter to bed and I would settle him, rocking him to sleep. After all he is a newborn and getting used to this world he has entered.  Lenox and I participated in many many moments where secret granny/grandbaby communication transpired, and I must say it was a joy. In the last couple of weeks of my stay Lenox had become quite the conversationalist in his very own baby language and charming all with his smiles. So, so very sweet. 

Upon arrival at San Fransisco I did wonder if my progress through Customs and Border Protection would be thwarted. I did wonder if they would seize my phone and see how the land lay re my thoughts on all things America and one Donald J Trump; but all went smoothly. Quicker than quick, too. I'm guessing they haven't read my blog. Probably a good thing. =)

The weather in San Francisco was magical. Warm sunny days where I would at times sit on the deck and knit and drink tea, soaking up all the glorious rays of sunshine. Ahh....the wonderful healing powers of sunshine. Alas, I've been brought back to earth with a freezing thud, as Old Man Winter has settled in for the duration where at times he blusters and rages day and night. And I might add Old Man Sun is loathe to show his face.

Whilst in San Francisco although I spent a lot of time at home, we did manage to squeeze in some  days of exploring quaint towns by the sea; eating out at fabulous restaurants. Every visit to San Francisco, a drive over The Golden Gate Bridge is a must as there are always quaint towns over the other side to explore. And.......each time I visit San Francisco a visit to the shop Anthropologie is mandatory. This store is so my vibe.  I love wandering around this fabulous shop. My eyes ricochet from one beautiful pretty to another. Always having an interest in fashion, design and fabric I never cease to be delighted with the array of clever designs and beautiful fabrics hanging from the coat hangers. Oh......the florist section........ 'tis to die for.  Love, love, love Anthropologie!

On the drive home from our little shopping expedition we encountered hordes of people lining the streets for the 'No  Kings Day' protest. Well, of course to show our complete concurrence with the dissidents my daughter honked the horn like there was no tomorrow. You know...........to metaphorically drown out those squeaky tanks that rolled along at the wannabe king's birthday parade, and the preposterous aggrandisement he bangs on about. I'm still giggling at those pictures.  I'm guessing the Grand Poobah wasn't impressed at the casualness of the  troops marching. I'm guessing he would much prefer a parade of those seen in North Korea or Russia. You know the ones, where if one's goose step is out of sync one might find themselves face planted on the pavement after having being mysteriously pushed from a ten storey window. Goodness....he is a fool.....and a tool! He is rather genuine at being fake.

But.......with all waggishness and facetiousness aside the wannabe king and dictator causes America....the world to become more dangerous as he huffs and puffs and blusters through every new day.....every new week. Goodness. The drama! The corruption! The evil! Enough said!

While I was away I knitted and finished two woollies for Lenox; a cardigan and a vest. Remember the little crochet granny square pretty I fashioned a couple of months ago?? Yes, that was a gift for my wee Lenox.

These last couple of weeks I have been designing and sewing a cubby house in the guise of a cute cottage, that will pop over a table. It's my sweet Riley's birthday tomorrow and our little miracle baby will be two. To see her now, an active, with all engines firing wee girl, it's hard to believe she was once a 1.2 kilograms wee poppet attached to many tubes in the NICU. It's amazing to me that she is now 2 years old.

But.....about Riley's table cubby house. It's very cute. A wee cottage made from a pink canvas fabric with green and white gingham for the roof. There are windows fashioned from a thick tablecloth plastic which are festooned with pretty valances; just perfect for Riley to play peek-a-boo. The windows are framed in strips of a cheery hexagon fabric from my stash. There's a sweet puppy snoozing away and a green-eyed cat keeping one eye on the pup and the other eye on Riley. Flowers are blossoming freely springing up from daisy-covered grass;  sashaying around the cottage; and sweet birdies are singing many a merry tune. Fingers crossed that Riley will while away her day happily playing make believe within her little cottage.

This is my second tabletop cubby I have fashioned. There is a reason why I don't conjure up too many tabletop cubbies. =) Way back in 2017 I  fashioned another tabletop cubby for a little boy in the guise of a pirate ship. Riley's cubby house cottage was a little less arduous than the pirate ship but the stitching and figuring out of some of the details took a little time. Let's just say I'm not in a hurry to fashion another. Though my daughter sent me a paper template of the tabletop it was a wee bit tricky as I couldn't  check at intervals the fit on the table as I sewed each stage. Fingers crossed. =) The best thing about a tabletop cubby is that it can be folded and put away whenever the table is needed for meals and other activities. 

Today is Sunday. Slow Sunday Stitching. What to do.....what to do?? Me thinks I will enjoy a little crocheting around the edges of some fabric squares, for a fusion quilt I am fashioning. Gorgeous 9 inch squares of Tilda fabric. Alas, these fabrics have been ever so patiently sitting in my armoire waiting to be fashioned into some pretty or other. I acquired these fabrics three years ago and though I've used these in small pretties, now is the time to go all out and have them dancing ever so gorgeously in one quilt. Yes indeedy, an enjoyable Sunday afternoon sitting in front of the fire crocheting around and around gorgeous squares dancing in Tilda florals.

The back of each square is a floral fabric from my stash. So, in essence, two quilts in one. Glorious Tilda fabrics on the front and sumptuous florals on the back. How fabulous.

I hope your Sunday is a pleasant one♡ Mine has been. How could it not, with candles a-glowing, fire a-blazing and a little crochet to enjoy♡ Yes indeedy, an afternoon enjoying a little crochet love♡

Until the next time......