Home Again



out for a stroll



It's nice to be home again. I'm still a little travel weary and jet lagged, but overall I'm glad I managed to spend so much quality time with my elderly mum. She's 83 and has had a really rough time lately; a broken pelvis, cracked spine and is waiting for her second knee replacement. Every day spent with her was really precious to me.



Something about my mum - she's full of beans, always busy and always doing something. She just finds so much energy to get things done. She looks after a large house and vegetable garden daily. Her garden is half of what it was, and it's still so productive (and large in my opinion).

her vegetable garden as of last week
she also has a flower and fruit garden



She's also a bit of a cleaning freak. I'm really not. When she couldn't use the vacuum cleaner any longer because even the smallest unit was too heavy, she went out and found a kind of non electric hand glider that collects dirt and dust from the floor. It's remarkable how serious she is about getting those daily chores done! I don't need much of an excuse to get out of my housework...I've often thought I'm this way because she was always cleaning when I was growing up...but that might be an excuse!!

I should really take a leaf out of her book and do more. Sometimes seeing how much other people do makes me realise how much more I could get done. I really think I need to organise my time better to get more from my day.

Another thing she repeatedly told me was that I need to lose weight...and well, I can't argue with that! She also still likes to tell me how to set the table the right way for lunch (her way). Actually, it was quite funny because I see a lot of my DD's behaviour in her stubborn ways as I've never really been too concerned about things like that. It's funny how the older you get, how much more you see.

I took lots of photos as she went about cooking and getting ready to go out. I had to take a snap of her waiting for me to get ready... and it was an opportune moment because after matching her sandals to her dress...she had to make a last minute handbag change before we left!

Now that might be something I have inherited ...as I have a fair share of handbags myself! 

WOW: Travel WIP 6

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Yes, I'm back; just. Jetlagged and still expecting meals delivered to my room...

For me, today still feels like a travel WIP because I haven't even stepped into my sewing studio yet. I'm doing the washing, opening mail and today I hope to download all my photos and check my emails.

I could really do with a few hours sewing, I missed those creative hours spent in my studio. It feels like something's been missing. And I have so many sketches and pictures of things here and there which caught my eye that I know I've got lots and lots to do and create...more WIPs on the way.

This is an image taken inside a hotel elevator, the scrollwork reminded me so much of my own work that I had to have a snap of it!

And this is an all too common pose of mine, looking at details. Here I'm outside the opera house in Vienna looking at some more scrollwork. What can I say? I love details!

Excess Luggage

 I'm thinking about the trip back...enjoying the room service and looking at my luggage.

I started out so well: with my travel backpack and a small case and my strict

'no more than I can personally carry' rule

And now....well.....how did this happen???

It's multiplied

WOW: Travel WIP 5

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

If I was at home I'd be working on my new quilt design and actually I do miss my sewing afternoons.

It would be nice to pop into my studio and do some creating inbetween all the travel and eating, but I can't complain as I've spent invaluable time with family....and I haven't seen a spot of housework in weeks

and of course I do love a good country drive with my DH

just taking in the view

and is this the cutest bus stop you've ever seen??

I definitely thought it was blog worthy!

How's your wednesday?



a Quick Hello

Thought I'd just post a quick hello...

We've been driving through the Croatian countryside

it's been very hot 36C!!

but so nice to drive along and admire the lush summer fields

These fields are in Lipik

not forgetting the storks nesting on powerlines!

Greetings From Budapest!

These costume dolls made me pull out my camera.

I always say, experience is more important than photographs...

and then something charming like this catches my eye!

I don't even need to explain what I'm doing here!

Beautiful embroidered linens and laces...

a tour bus completely to ourselves!!

I really enjoyed exploring the city and taking it in, all at a relaxed pace

so many beautiful bulidings, so much grand architecture

so many details that caught my eye

I soaked it all in...but there were still some buildings that had to be snapped.

I want to look them over again and again, later at home.

And for dinner? Gulash of course!

WOW: Travel WIP 4

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Cherry Picking 

Already the 4th travel WOW! Where does time fly?? There have been times when hours have felt like days (airports) and entire days (with family) that have passed in what feels like hours.

I guess that's just what travel is. But the nicest thing for me is time with my family.

Of course its summer in Europe and I'm really feeling it!

Here are some home grown cherries...which I've been loving

 this looks like it belongs in a Red Delicious block

Here's my DH doing all the hard work and picking those cherries

(the higher the cherry the sweeter the taste :)

Here are some more garden berries.

And a sumptuous cake make from all these beautiful garden fruits

for my younger Sister's birthday.

and a naughty doggy.

Don't worry, the cake was never in any danger.