REMEMBRANCE DAY

Remembering today the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month.

It's good to remember.

I'm going out later to see if I can find a poppy.

HOMESPUN VOL#10.11

Homespun 10.11 came out last week and on page 79 you'll find Sam's project for Happy Sacks. How I wish now that I had taken photos of them before they went to Homespun because let me tell you they are gorgeous and the photos (even in Homespun) don't do them justice. They are 3 gift bags and while they are designed to hold a gift, they are a complete gift in themselves. There are three in all - Birthday, New Baby and Christmas. I love all three. She is such a clever girl and having her for a daughter-in-law is simply the best.

OPENING NIGHT

We had a wet night tonight for the opening of Christmas in the Country craft show, but let me tell you nobody was complaining about the rain. We drove through a pretty scary downpour on the way there with huge flashes of lightening, and I must admit I did wonder for a while if we'd done the right thing to venture out on such a wild night. The cucumber sandwiches we were served on arrival were very yum and very welcome and although I was tempted with the wine to settle me down, the punch did the trick.

I think everybody enjoyed the evening and most shopping baskets I spotted were filled to overflowing. I know some lucky people will be opening some very special gifts this Christmas.

As usual with our summer storms, not everybody had a lucky spot under a rain cloud. It was disappointing to come home and find that we'd had very little at our place, but I'm sure that those people who got some rain tonight will be very happy and feel very blessed.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY

Gatton was 37 °C today, but fortunately the Shire Hall, where you'll find "Christmas in the Country" over the next few days, was air conditioned and a very pleasant place to be. Do you like the Apple Cottage bunting I made this week. The last few letters are hiding a little behind my hangers, but it couldn't be helped. It's a bit of a challenge to get everything displayed on 2 tables, but we did OK. I'm really looking forward to the craft show, and hope to get started on my Christmas shopping.

A REALLY BAD IDEA

We all know what a good idea it is to mulch the garden, especially here in Queensland when we've had such a dry winter and now coming into a dry summer as well. So - my good idea has turned into a really bad idea because I used barley straw. I now have a barley crop over almost my entire garden. I wasn't too worried at first because barley is a winter crop and I thought surely it wouldn't come to anything so late in the season - but I'm seriously wrong. A lot of it is now in shotblade and if I don't get rid of it before it comes into head, I will have barley coming up for many years to come. I'm going to have to resort to Roundup for the bigger areas, but most of it is going to have to come out by hand. Where are those grandkids when you need them...................

NOVEMBER LILLIES

My November Lillies know that November will be here tomorrow and are looking their best for the occasion. They're gorgeous this year, and along with the Jacarandas that are all over town looking magnificent with their purple canopy I'm reminded that the year is coming to a close. I always think of exam time at this time of the year when the Jacarandas flower, but it's nice not to feel the pressure of exams any more.

I know the girls from Gatton are busy, busy, busy preparing for another great craft show. Do try to make it if you can. I'm sure you'll not be disappointed. It's on Friday 6th & Saturday 7th November which is only next week. The weather has been lovely too, so I'm hoping it will stay that way. The venue is air-conditioned though, so just in case the hot weather sets in, it will still be comfortable inside.

SUPPORTING "CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY"

What is it about TV reality shows that makes it compulsive viewing for me. I hate them and love them all at the same time. Last night it was "Survivor" and the only good thing I can say is that I had another rag rug finished at the end of it. This one is like Joseph's Coat of Many Colours, but I sure hope I don't end up down a well over it! It will be at "Christmas in the Country" in Gatton on 6th & 7th November. Admission is only $6.00 and if you go, you'll not only be supporting Peace Lutheran Primary School, you'll have a great time and most likely get a good start on your Christmas shopping.