Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Sunday 24 December 2017

The Tiniest Christmas Tree of All


We had pine trees standing tall, then they were felled, cut and split. How soon one goes from a beautiful green, upright, growing tree. to firewood that will give us so much warmth in the winter next year.Trees waiting

The heap of firewood

The pine cones remind me of my childhood,collecting them with Dad  driving the  tractor, throwing them onto the trailer, and then later in winter onto the open fire. Out here in the hot sun, they crackle and pop, and I wonder if the seeds will grow.

Pine cones

I cut a few small twigs off the Lawsoniana tree, and stuck them into a brass flower spike. A  few baubles, some red fancy fabric, a few parcels, and we are all set for the 25th.This must be a record for the tiniest tree for Christmas!!

And there at the left hand side is “ Doozy Lucy” a  cat given to us from Tonya, our darling Jeanette’s daughter, in memory of Jeanette. Lucy is a part of our lives now, thank you so much.

christmas tree so tiny, December 2017Jeanette on  the fence

This year seems to have flown by, with sadness for so many of my friends, here and overseas, joy for others, and for me, new friends,  new challenges, and a lot of UFO’s to finish.

January…The South Island and part of the North Island as seen from the International Space Station, We live about where the brown part is between the fins.

South Island and lower North Island as  seen  from International Space Station

February saw me with crutches and a knee brace, the final decision was maybe a small tear in a ligament.

The Knee Brace!!!

Some partial blocks, still waiting to be used.

Some part blocks #1

March and the daylight is getting shorter. Japanese anemones in early morning light.

Japanese Anenomes in early sunlight

April, and Josh was in the South Island for a field trip, with others from Victoria University. Lake Rotoiti, in the St Arnaud area. Well known for mosquitoes, as we met all their forefathers in 1986!!!

St Arnaud Lake Rotoiti Josh Lee

In April or so,I was one of the guest bloggers to do a tutorial. Hootie Owl was my choice, and since then one has flown to California on a bag for Rachael, and Inger has one as a small wall hanging. I could not send a parcel for R without including one for Inger as well. Inger knew that the parcel was sent, but hers was a surprise.

Applique owl

This was posted to California. This one too.

Rachel's Bag 2017

Inger's bag and owl wall hanging 2017

May saw the start of many frosts, fire lit at night, and our darling Ginger Boy happy to sleep inside at night.

Max asleep May 2017

In June, I finished the QAL with Sandra, at  mmm quilts ;This was a wonderful event, with sadness at the  end  when Sandra’s son in law tragically passed away.

Freefall quilt #2 among the winter grasses

July, I now have a short arm Gammill machine on a wooden Jarrah Frame.Some TLC to be done, here it is in our garage.

front view

August, goodies in the mail from Karen at Tuna  Quilts, travels and Eats. My name was picked out by random generator, and much later I read that Karen was so happy that international readers were included in the give-away. I use those long pins every time I sew or quilt!!!

IMG_3890

Then Hugh had a disastrous fall, fractured the Acronium bone in his shoulder. Ambulance, a friend, and the wonderful volunteer fire  brigade all came to his rescue.No surgery, but he needed to be careful not to use his right arm for some time!!!

Fire Brigade, body board and Hugh, August 2017 #2

September, still not fully recovered, ( a small tear in muscles near  my ribs)  retail therapy is so healing. This pattern just happened to hop into my download files. I love it.

Elephant & I cropped

October, spring time, and the cherry blossoms hang down in their beautiful pinks. Pale to darker, so pretty

Cherry Blossom 2017 #4

November, the Wayward Transparency blocks are done, not joined, and I still need to decide if I will add a border. Yvonne over at Quilting Jetgirl  had a wonderful QAL, instructions galore so easy to follow, and a Facebook page where we shared and compared, helped and admired.

Wayward Transparency blocks in mauve and purple

December, and  11 of the 12 blocks in the QAL, I  Wish You a Merry QAL

Jennifer at The Inquiring Quilter had a fantastic 12 block QAL, with goodies to be given away, help if needed, and again a Facebook page to share and more.The last block was with Christmas Lights, I had to redo the hanging cord, but did really like the rick rack,That has another place to be used later on. on another project.

Block #12 with heavy rick rack

Then I found this lovely ribbon with words at the LQS.

The blocks have all been trimmed and need to be put together. On hold till after tomorrow.

Block #12, Christmas lights

Sunrise in December 2014, I wonder if we will get that glorious colour  tomorrow,

sunrise 4.26 a.m. on 7th December

I have had a wonderful blogging year, my posts have been sparse at times, but life intervenes.

Our families will be home, in Rotorua, as the grandies are working on 24th and 26th, very early starts at 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. and the family down south have others staying  with them , with Ann and the others,  it will be a very different time together  this Christmas without Russell,  there are  more wedding preparations going on,  and  we travel down in February, for celebrations and more in March.

I wish all my friends a Joyous Christmas, health, happiness, love and laughter.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ May Peace  be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through”

Greetings from Jean.

30 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dearest Jean ~ What a nice round up post of your year.

May you and Hugh have a lovely Christmas and a wonderful 2018.

Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jean, I am glad you and High have recovered from the injuries. It seems we all have to faces ups and downs, good and bad and happy sad times. I love the beautiful quilt patterns, the Christmas Lights and the Elephant are so cute. Lovely sunrise capture. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Jenn Jilks said...

What a lovely reprise! You are such a beautiful person.

We're busy shovelling snow.
Caitlin's FIL and step-mother-in-law are visiting, and we are not... boo hoo.
There were ups and downs last year, but there is always hope.
I'm finding life is getting in the way for many bloggers. I need it as my foundation, my start to the day. So long as you are busy and not ill, we know you'll share your lovely life soon.
Merry Christmas!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Merry Christmas and I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season!

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Wishing you a joyful holiday, and I hope that the healing continues for you. Happy New Year too!

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

A very Merry Christmas to you, Jean, and best wishes for the year ahead!

Carol Mattingly said...

Jean, what a year you have had. And Hugh I hope is getting better. Those quilts are so gorgeous, I cannot begin to describe. The Christmas lights rick rack is fabulous. I adore our tiny tree and I have always been a big believer that no matter the size of three, it's beautiful, it's Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Carol

Kate said...

Lovely to see your year in review. I love your little tree. So creative. May the new year bring you much joy!

QuiltinLibraryLady said...

Merry Christmas, Jean. It's just Christmas Eve Day here and my pie making day for the big day tomorrow. Kids and grandkids will be here for Christmas dinner and presents. So much fun watching the little ones open theirs. They're thrilled with anything and everything.

Cheryl said...

Merry Christmas to you and may 2018 be filled with good times and love!

Jenny said...

You both have had quite a year with your health issues - but you still come up smiling. Merry Christmas to you and Hugh, and my the New Year be kinder to you.
Jenny and Robin

Inger said...

What a lovely idea to go over the whole year and all your projects. Rachael is still in Minnesota. We are having a pot luck here for a total of six women friends. She will get her bag then and I will try to tell the story of how she touched you through her animal rescue work and her love for all critters. I know your card will say something too. Finally, what a beautiful place you live in and what a massive amount of fire wood!

Inger said...

I meant to say potluck on the 29th.

KB said...

I just adore your Hootie owls. You are so talented.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. It is hard to imagine having Christmas in the summer - but you help me to visualize it every year!

I hope that next year is less eventful and less painful... and that it brings both you and Hugh happiness.

The Furry Gnome said...

Ye, it's been quite a year for you. Hope you're both well now. Quite a year here too. I'm recovering well, but it's a very quiet Christmas here. Take care and may 2018 be good to you.

Susan Heather said...

A rather late Merry Christmas to you. You have had a very busy year in spite of your accidents. I do hope that you have a better year in that regard next year.

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2018.

Leeanne said...

It sure has been a big year for you. I love to see your massive wood pile and the pinecones are wonderful fire starters in winter. We had a our first load of firewood delivered just the other day, time to stack it away in the shed ready for those cosy winter nights I love so much. Take care.

Mystic Quilter said...

What a re-cap of your year Jean!! Ups and downs galore but I do hope you're able to enjoy a Happy Christmas and that both of you are recovering well, even though sometimes progress can be slow!
Wishing you all the very, very best for 2018!!

Tish Stemple said...

2017 has been a crazy year with ups and downs. I can't wait to see what 2018 brings for us all. I hope you have a wonderful New Year, Jean!

Allie-oops Designs said...

What a lovely round-up of your year, hon - may the new year be full of blessings for all of you!!!

What Karen Sees said...

Your posts are always so interesting and informative! I love hearing about all your adventures, and especially the glimpses of our beloved New Zealand. Hope your 2018 is filled with good health, happiness and many more fun adventures!

Sandra Walker said...

Wow what a year! So much quilty goodness, so much that life threw at you and Hugh. Your tiniest tree is too sweet! So glad you are mostly recovered from your mishaps. Hope you've had a wonderful few days filled with joy and what family could be there. Exciting 2018 ahead for you! I just LOVE the photo of NZ from the International Space Station. Would that all nations could collaborate and live peacefully here on earth, happy minding their own business, live and let live.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

I loved reading through your past blogging year! I hope this finds that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!
Wishing you a safe and blessed new year!

Tanya said...

It looks like you had a filled year, lots of good, some trying. I love the photo of Ginger Boy!

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

THis was a wonderful post, Jean. I enjoyed reading it very much...I was familiar with most but Hootie the Owl was new to me (how was that possible??). He is adorable. Quite a year and full of just what life is all about- the good with a little bad thrown in. Hopefully 2018 will be a wonderful one with lots more of the good.

Sharon - IN said...

What a wonderful recap of your 2017 year, Jean! Many blessings to you for a healthy and productive 2018!

Our photos said...

All the best wishes for 2018 from Holland, Jean !

shwet said...

I am sure you had great year. Wish you all the very best for 2018. and wish you a sound health.Take care of your self.
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Barb said...

Jean, I hope you and Hugh had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. My friend, Mary, and her husband are staying in Wanaka again for several months. I'm getting photos from her of some wonderful hikes they've taken. Happy 2018!

Fundy Blue said...

You've had such a year, Jean! But what raises above all is your indomitable spirit and optimism. I think a lot of people are looking forward to 2018, including me. I hope this new year brings you and Hugh improved health, much happiness, fulfillment, and love!