Sunday, January 31, 2016

distractions.....and a Gail Pan giveaway

It's been a day of distractions....sometimes I feel I have the attention span of a gnat and today has been one of those times.  Case in point.....took the broom out to sweep the leaves off the front porch.....two hours later I came back inside after sweeping not only the front porch but the entire front of the house (slight exaggeration!) I then progressed to some weeds in the driveway and since we have had some rain in the past couple of days thought I would take the opportunity to pull those out.....spoke to the next door neighbour for a while....then it was on to the garden and a few weeds that I swear had sprung up overnight after the rain and there were a couple of plants that haven't quite made the grade in my "survival of the fittest" style of gardening so they were pulled out along with the weeds.....so there went a bit of the morning.....

Last weekend the kids all came home on Saturday afternoon and stayed overnight and for lunch on Sunday - to say it was fabulous to have them here would be an understatement.....Sunday breakfast was presented by the two boys - Mark does a great poached egg and Wade was in charge of the locally produced bacon.....Terri gave moral support .....


A couple of weeks ago when they were home we made some progress on the jigsaw which the kids gifted me for Christmas.....I have been working away on it when I get a minute so last weekend it was back into the last bit, possibly the most challenging bit...the sky....


Look at the precision there.....sorting pieces into like shapes....


It was certainly a team effort......


and they did leave a few pieces for me to fill in....which happened yesterday.....all done!  I love this and not sure I want to break it up and put it away!


This past week was a busy one at work.....Tuesday was a public holiday for Australia Day and I have been busy organising Council's Australia Day breakfast...whilst I have been doing this for a number of years it doesn't stop me being a little nervous - thinking that I may have overlooked a vital part of the morning.....but no, the caterers were there, the band turned up and most importantly, so did a few people!  ....just under a thousand of them ...after the hot weather during the past few weeks it was lovely to have a cooler day in the high 20's...perfect!  


My tea purchases have expanded to include this one....Green tea with Goji berries (and other "stuff") which is proving to be a favourite......




Some time ago Mark and Terri gave me a digital picture frame and I enjoy re-living some fun times through the slide show......this morning it was the trip to the UK last April (almost a year ago!).....and the B&B we stayed in at Lake Windermere......sigh.....


so that brings me up to date I think....and now for the "giveaway" bit of the post....... 

I intend to remedy my lack of stitching this past week  when I start on a project from Gail Pan's latest Christmas book, Simply Christmas Number 4.  All traced and ready to stitch.  If you would like to win a copy of this book which Gail has so generously provided leave a comment on this post.  I will draw a winner next Saturday...(yikes....which will be February already!) 


I love everything about this book  and it's never too early to start some Christmas stitching!

'til next time................Lorraine

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Loz,you have been busy,you are so clever organising those huge events,well done and how nice to have the kids up.
The jig saw puzzle looks great finished,maybe you can frame it or make a tray out of it and then you can see it all the time.
I so love Gails projects and how lovely that you are doing a giveaway,i do have her new book,but i have a friend who has a birthday coming up and she would love this,hope you have a lovely Sunday my friend xx

simplestitches said...

wow you have been busy!
love that jigsaw, what a fab way to remember a trip away!
love Gails new book, don't have it yet...
cheers

Unknown said...

Hi Loz, I would love to win the copy how I can give it to my friend. Love all Gail's designs

Chookyblue...... said...

Hey loz
I get distracted just like that to..... Suddenly time had flown..... It is nice to potter about with out time demands.....
Nice time with the kids.....
Enjoy gaols book.... I just got anni s new one...... They are a busy bunch those designing girls..... Always something wonderful for us to create....

Chookyblue...... said...

Hey loz
I get distracted just like that to..... Suddenly time had flown..... It is nice to potter about with out time demands.....
Nice time with the kids.....
Enjoy gaols book.... I just got anni s new one...... They are a busy bunch those designing girls..... Always something wonderful for us to create....

Maryannep said...

Hello, I would love to win a copy of Gail's latest book!! Thanks so much for the giveaway!!

Daisy Jayne said...

The jig saw looks fab.... Don't think I could bring myself to put this one away.... Maybe it could be framed?

Kath said...

How lovely to have your young people with you, they are handsome! My husband gave me a jigsaw of my darling dog.
Your giveaway is very generous Loz, I love Gail Pan, but if I am lucky enough to win, I hope you will let me pay the shipping to England.

Deb said...

Gosh what a full on time you've been having Loz. Isn't there a lacquer or something you can put over jigsaws to protect them, then frame them, that's if you don't want to pull it to bits and do it or again and again!
Distractions, gosh my brain goes to mush and I can get up to do something and take 2 steps and I've forgotten what I was going to do. Absolutely hopeless, I think its age.
Your breakfast looks like it went well again, it's a big job you take on but it must get easier the more times you do it. Just don't forget where you leave the folder with everything in it concerning what to do.
Awww Gail's book, yes I must admit I would quite like that so if you could sort it out in my favour (no pressure) that would be great!! lol
Take care xx

Solstitches said...

You have a lovely family and that jigsaw is such a great idea. I dont think I could break it up either.
I'm not into blogs and blogging much these days but couldn't resist coming over to try my luck in the draw when you mentioned the giveaway on IG for Gail's book.
Margaret

barbara woods said...

Beautiful family, would love to win, thanks

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

I love family time now too--after living soo many states away from my 2 kids I now live within 3-5 miles of them and Thursday nights is our family nights--I fix dinner (except the last Thurs of the month and they have to take me out to eat!!) and then we play games--
I love that book and love Christmas designs--
so thanks for the drawing even if I don't get one--
love and laughter and a hug to each of your kids--di

Anonymous said...

Love your Blog! Thanks for sharing Family!
Thanks for the pretty giveaway too!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Anne said...

Love the catch up on the blog, I've been soooo bad �� Mine hasn't been updated since early November!!
It's on my list for this week before we head off again very soon, this time to Victoria for the almond harvest. I'd love to catch up in person again, maybe this year? ��

Silly Goose said...

Just bought myself a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle in an attempt to 'slow down' a little. Too many things on the go :)

I would love to enter the draw for the book - I do love her work!

Thanks!

Suzie

Katie said...

The book looks wonderful. So does your puzzle. Makes me want to go and get one out, but then I’d have to clear my sewing table! :-)

Meredith said...

What a great time you had with your family! I just love Gail's books, so would be over the moon to win! Thanks for the chance!

Sue said...

Love Gail Pans designs. And your jigsaw is fabulous. You'll have to frame it.

linny said...

Love your jigsaw puzzle. I seem to have Christmas stitching on the go all year round so I would love to get Gail's new book. Thanks for the chance to win one. lyn.robyn.smith@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Your jigsaw is amazing, what a fabulous present and I definitely think you need to get it framed. I have on my list to buy the new Gail Pain book, love her designs. Yvonne

Jill H said...

You are very generous, Lorraine.

Yvonne W said...

That jigsaw puzzle is so special. The digital photo frame is also a lovely gift-- lovely to be able to see the photos from your recent UK trip. I love Gail Pan's designs-- thanks for the chance to win her new book.

chook said...

the puzzle looks amazing thank you for the chance to be in the draw for Gails amazing book