James the (toy) echidna

Echidna Day passed with very little fuss this year. I wanted to bake a traditional chocolate 'spikey' cake but it didn't happen. In fact, aside from the 3 girls making echidna's from sticks and air drying clay we hardly marked the occasion at all.

We did, however, have James the (toy) echidna, wandering the house. I love him. We get him out of his box as Echidna Day approaches and he just sort of ... shows up... around the house. People pick him up and pat him while watching TV. The kids play games with him. He travels to the girls bedrooms and sits on the couch watching telly when the kids have left him to it. He often startles me as I walk through the house at night to check the kids before I go to bed.  And do you know what? It makes me happy. I look forward to have James visit with us.



I wanted Echidna Day to become a celebration of our blessings. Australia doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving. This is our version. Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18a). We have plenty of circumstances going on that we could easily not give thanks for. You know what though? I am thankful. We have a great, beautiful and messy life. Thank you God for all the blessings you have given our family. And thank you for being our soft landing place when the circumstances start to get the better of us.

Spare time?

I have been misled.

I thought I was supposed to have more time on my hands and not know what to do with myself now that all 3 of our kids are at school. It doesn't seem to be working out that way. *sigh*

I think I need some kind of brain to blog transfer system. I have written some fabulous posts in my head and then never seem to have the time or inclination to type them up.

So much has been going on it would be silly of me to try and catch you up. Well, not silly... just really hard to do.

I have managed some making. I squeeze in a little here and there. Earlier in the year I was making a bunch of stuff for a Mother's Day stall at school. Then some more making for a market at school.

And I started crocheting classes. YAY! I have been wanting to learn how to crochet since starting this blog ... And I have even attempted it a couple of times. A friend tipped me off to a lovely lady in town who was giving lessons so I jumped in and took a couple of classes. Precious "me" time and learning a new skill at the same time. It was so fun! I got to sit around with like minded people and chat about crafty things. I loved it. So much so that I am going back to learn how to make some crochet Christmas decorations.

... Sorry. Did I startle you by saying Christmas out loud? The decorations are out in the shops already so I know you must have noticed that it is coming again. How on earth did that happen!

I am hoping to make a bunch of crocheted stuff for Christmas this year. Of course, my skill and speed may hold me back. I have a list of things I want to make. Perhaps I will set some smaller goals.

I was going to finish off this post by adding a photo but apparently my new laptop doesn't feel like it. I have no idea why it doesn't want to do it so let's pretend there is a lovely picture here of a crocheted dishcloth I made last week. Perhaps I can put up the real picture at some stage. :-)