The Dream, The Reality, and The New Year

So 2018 comes to an end, for some of us a busy time, Happiness, family and friends,  others with sadness, losses through the year, and health problems.

Here, we continue to unpack more boxes, and think about the garden.A blank canvas right now, I dream of how it will be this time next year.

The Gossamer  Grass in a pot looks good, even if very lonely. Maybe it will divide, and get some friends to look like this later on.

We cleared away part of the garden  over to the back left of the grass, and I  found a little red brick edging. Maybe we can continue this right round the front. This part will get filled with bulbs and plants that are also in pots now, some hostas will find a shady place down the side of the house, sheltered by a grey fence.Solomon’s Seal, Day Lilies, and lots more will get planted tomorrow.

The Japanese Maple is thriving in a pot,and has those pale green leaves already.

Boris is allowed outside on a lead, but growls, and looks longingly at the front gate and the street!!! He is shut in at night, and I think we will continue this. Other cats have visited, and early this morning a very tame younger black and white cat stared at me by the kitchen window.

As we leave 2018 tonight, I wish all my friends, near and far, a very Happy New Year, with love  close by. Courage to face 2019, will power to finish those projects, and time to start new ones.For those of us who have a cat, a dog, a horse, a llama,  a duck or two or more, a donkey,  or even a snake or two, let 2019 be kind to them as well.

Quotation of the day,author unknown

“Best Wishes to every friend, for the year ahead.

May the sunshine of happiness always shine above you.

May the Dove of Peace rest over you and live in your home.

May the dense forest of love surround you all the year.”

Greetings from Jean,

Christmas Day in our New Home

Christmas Greetings to all my wonderful friends all over the world and here in NZ. We woke to rain, and Boris leaping on the bed to say hello at a very early hour.

It was all too much for him and he yawned as he had a rest.Then promptly went back to sleep

Felicity has  found a hidey hole amongst boxes in another bedroom,and is happy there in peace and seclusion. Here she is in an earlier photo.

Santa has arrived, another goody is in the post,  A wonderful new Samsung Smart Phone at an equally wonderful early Boxing Day special price!!!

and we have dear friends coming to visit this afternoon. Phone calls, and a mystery  parcel that arrived some days ago. It was printed? and had an Auckland address!!! No-one admitted to knowing anything about it, and when I opened it, the calendar had some beautiful photos for each month. However it was not until I opened January’s page that I knew who sent it.Jenn??? Am I right?? Then again  I recognised Junior bear by the feeder.

I am so happy I waited until today to see these lovely photos. Many.many thanks Jenn.

We have had rain most of the day, and thunderstorms all afternoon.

Many heartfelt thanks for your care and concern as we packed, moved in, and are slowly getting settled. I hope that everyone up North has a truly Joyous Christmas, with family and friends .We are so thankful for our new home, wonderful neighbours, blog friends far away and closer by, I treasure each one of you specially  at this time of the year.

Christmas Greetings to you all, and Best Wishes for the New Year and may 2019 be all you wish for.Challenges and sadness that have been overcome, health problems to be faced with love and courage, and much more.

Quotation of the day, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“ I heard the bells on Christmas Day,

their old familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet, the words repeat,

of Peace on Earth,Good-will to men”

Greetings from Jean.

We have moved into our next home

After some hiccups on Friday 7th, we are in our new home.  We do have internet, finally yesterday, but no landline,so I am very thankful to have a smart phone.Some boxes have been unpacked, and the cardboard is on the trailer. This is not as much as the first load that has  already gone to the transfer station.

The little playhouse is full of camping gear, maybe that will get sold. I cannot see myself out in the wilderness and  sleeping in a tent ever again.

The wonderful large cutting table has a sheltered place on the verandah meantime, and this is a great place for the clothes lines The clothes dryer is also meantime out there.

And, naturally, in case you have wondered, the long arm quilting frame is inside. I have found a place for it, but, also meantime, it has STUFF on it.

So far quite a bit of shuffling things around, leaving so many boxes to un-pack later on, and one new appliance. The  old dish washer recycled itself, from a rinse to a heavy duty wash all over again!!! and on inspection, the pump was failing. A new Bosch, the wonderful men came, took the old one away,the new one  fitted  in perfectly, and all is well in the kitchen.

I have missed, SO much, having the internet and reading of all your news,  catching up with the Bears for November and December, and reading of your travels, and some with tears as I learn of serious health issues. New animals, starry night skies, snow, music, and walks on the beach and the quilts both North and South.

Maybe my life will be back to normal, my Bernina will be out of the box, and some sewing and quilting will start again.

Meantime fondest greetings to  every  one of my blog friends , may there be sunshine and love in your lives.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Be thankful for all help given,

all love, friendship and tenderness  offered

that will make each day so much easier,

and  remember to share  your own happiness and sadness with friends”

Greetings from Jean.