Friday, September 4, 2009

The last of the holiday

I'm flying back home to Australia today so here's my last post from New Zealand.
This tepee was very kindly made for my new grandson by a quilting friend. We just need to find some cap ends to put on the bottom of the PVC pipes so we can stretch it out. For those of you who have been asking, my GS now has a name and it's Noah. I have only been to two shops to look at fabric. I have to confess there are some parcels waiting for me at home from shopping online. I think it will be like Christmas as DH says there are nine parcels. Couldn't hide those!
I found some nice green wool felt to do some strawberry pincushion tops, pretty pinks for a quilt in progress and I picked the browns up at a good price for stems.Apart from some embroidery, I have been catching up on some reading and got three novels. I like to read but I love to sew more. On holidays, I try to catch up. I enjoyed The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan but didn't really think a lot of the Jodi Picoult book.

The book in the middle is one of the best books I have read in a very long time and I highly recommend it. Ugly by Constance Briscoe. It is an autobiography but written beautifully. It's message is one of triumph over adversity and is thought provoking, disturbing and will leave you never again wanting to complain about things that don't matter.
Spring has arrived and these ducks have been visiting the house much to the delight of the girls. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather but I do hear that South of us in Aussie, a fire has been raging for a few days, It was a very dry winter.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I guess if your reading this your are back home.
I read your previous post...too funny how we just feel we need to stitch something..anything. Enjoy your early holiday with all the packages waiting for you.

Nedra said...

We now have another thing in common: My grandson's name is Noah too! He's now 20 months old and the cutest little guy with such a personality.
Have a safe trip home. I'm sure your daughter will miss having all your help.

Jayne Honnold said...

I am happy to see the stack of fabric you bought. Also, I am excited that you have 9 (!) parcels awaiting your return! It truly will feel like Christmas!! I enjoy reading, and am intrigued by your comments on the book Ugly. I think I will have to locate a copy of this! I did read the Amy Tan book and felt is wasn't as good as some of her earlier efforts. As for Picoult, I read one (My Sister's Keeper), and have heard that she tends to recycle plots, so I've not bothered to attempt any of her others.

Janet said...

Cute ducklings! I was out at the duckpond near my parents' house with my 5 year old son and he pointed and said "look at that funny fat duck". The duck promptly stood up and out from under her waddled 9 tiny little ducklings - we were so surprised and delighted. Ducklings are adorable.
9 packages!!! Sounds like a lot of fun.

Sheri Howard said...

It is always amazing to me that a mother duck can keep track of so many little ones!

mbroider said...

I like reading too, i prefer stitching to reading:) So something in common, eh!

Thanks for the book update. I will check up 'Ugly'

antique quilter said...

I read the Pact, will have to find the other two
I read in spurts so its good for me to have 4 or 5 books lined up when I am inspired to read!
The baby ducks are adorable I bet the girls loved them visiting!
oh the Tent is adorable, bet the girls had fun "testing" it out for Noah!
WELCOME HOME!
Kathie

Liz said...

That is just such a beuatiful name Janet. Try another Jodi Picoult, I don't think The Pact is as good as her others.
Have a good trip.
Lizzie
XXX

PatchworkRose said...

Hi Janet
I argee with Lizzie. There are other Jodi Picoult books which are better. Love the name Noah and he is going to have a lot of fun with his on Teepee
Safe Trip home
Cheers
Lynne

Betsy said...

Noah is a beautiful name. Thanks for the inof on the books, Think I will pick up a few.

Kaaren said...

Safe trip home, Janet.

Vacations are great but there really is no place like home...especially when there are 9 packages just waiting to be opened!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

cute teepee!! Welcome home by the way and have so much fun opening those 9 parcels, how fun is online shopping (until hubby sees the credit card!!!). You will miss your family, but it will be nice to have you back xo

Lori said...

What an adorable tent! I'm sure the kids will enjoy many years of play in it.
Love the fabric you purchased and can't wait to see what else you ordered. Sure seems like a lot of brown for stems! LOL
I'm always looking for good book recomendations:)I've added Ugly to my list.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Darling teepee. Something about tents that kids just love. I remember tents from my youth...a sheet tacked about and the pole was the extention on the vacuum cleaner! Will you share what's in those 9 boxes when you get home?

Crispy said...

Hooray for Noah, he has a name and a wonderful one at that :0)

Have fun opening all those packages when you get home!

Crispy

Unknown said...

Terrific Teepee! You are just like me an online fabric junkie! I love the fact that you have 9 packages waiting for you! Thanks for the reviews on the books. I read like you do, love it, but love sewing more. So I read on holidays and such!

Lurline said...

Hope your are home safely, Janet! Will get the book Ugly, that you recommended!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Thimbleanna said...

I hope you've had a safe trip home. Thanks for the book recommendation -- I've taken note of Ugly for one of my book group suggestions!

Carrie P. said...

Noah is a fine name for your little grandson. He is going to have fun in that tent.

BizarreQuilter said...

I love your teepee. But more importantly, I love your blog header. I adore those leaves in the style of er.. what's her name? Elizabeth Something I think?? Her quilts are so inspiring. I have pictures of lots of them in the book "Quilts From The Henry Ford".