Empty chair, empty pillow.

This is really hard, but I'm writing to say that  my darling husband Robin passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday morning.   He was doing what he loved best, away on a caravan trip, this time with our ICA group, up  in Hastings.  The previous night we attended the Christmas Dinner with the group, this is our last photo together.  

After a very restless night, the following morning it was all over for us.  Many thanks to friends Bill and Val who got me, the cat  and the caravan home safely, that was a big ask, and they did it willingly.

Farewell to Robin, we shared 41 happy years of marriage together, and many, many holiday adventures.  No more caravan trips around our beautiful country, lunch dates, and quiet conversations, life will be so different now.  The empty chair in front of the TV, and the empty pillow beside me, are reminders of my loss.  The sewing and knitting projects hold absolutely no appeal at this time, but soon, maybe......

Farewell my love, you were sent off, wrapped and warm in our caravan quilt, and I have your wedding ring on my finger.  I miss you so much.

Hawkes Bay is always sunny

 The Hawkes Bay is generally sunny and warm, and although we had a couple of chilly nights, the days were glorious.  We spent a couple of days at Napier NZMCA Park and our neighbours were intrigued that we travel with a cat and came over to say hello to Gemma.  

At Napier NZMCA Park

These NZMCA parks always have a book swap and I found this helpful book there, Crafty Girls Road Trip.  Although 10 years old, there is still plenty of information that will be relevant.  I'll keep the book in the caravan for when we are tripping around visiting new places.

A great find in the book swap

And what is a visit to this area without a trip to the famous Silky Oak complex where they make delicious hand made chocolates.

My biggest dilemma was whether to order a delightfully decadent hot chocolate or an iced chocolate?  As it was a warm morning the iced chocolates won.  They were delicious!  And I'll have you know that no other chocolate items were purchased!

Two delicious iced chocolates

We caught up with my niece Lisa (my late sister Kathleen's daughter) and her family one evening for dinner.  The venue was Rosie O'Grady's,  a restaurant chain.  I had delicious roast pork while Robin enjoyed a large lamb shank.  My great nephew  Adam always wants a big hug, as I remind him of his beloved Nana.  

Jenny, Kate, Adam, Lisa, Robin

I've been knitting a cotton dishcloth for the caravan in pretty burgundy and pink shades.  Half way there, so it shouldn't take too long to finish now.

Knitting a dish cloth

And what's a holiday trip without a visit to the laundromat.  We always go to Liquid Laundromat, plenty of those throughout the country, and we can use our pre-loaded card at any of them.

The Christmas Barn

 We were away for the weekend at a caravan club rally, and there was a trip organised  to visit the Christmas Barn.  Of course I wanted to go, how exciting.  We shared cars and 8 of us drove down to see all the lovely goodies.  Lots of other people had the same idea, parking was at a premium, and the barn was packed with lots of customers.

So many lovely Christmas objects inside, all beautifully displayed.  Elegant Christmas trees everywhere, all colour co-ordinated, shelves full of goodies, and the barn was full to overflowing with customers.  There was really so much to take in.  While the ladies in our group browsed, the men retired to the cafe, where we eventually joined them for a reviving cup of coffee.  Most of the ladies had a little parcel to take back to the camp, including me.  I asked if there was any Jim Shore items available, as I have a small collection of these.  There were a few items, but nothing that I really liked, and I was told that the store is awaiting the bulk of their Jim Shore order to arrive.  What I did buy was a small Christmas tree decoration for both of the granddaughters.

  

The Christmas Barn

We had the use of a meeting room for the weekend for our morning teas and evening get togethers.  Our host was an Elvis fan and was gifted all these wonderful Elvis books to add to his collection.  I had a lovely time looking through one of these, lots of info, and so many great photos.  I've always been an Elvis fan, and visiting Gracelands is on my bucket list, although I don't really think that is likely to happen now.  But I can still dream, can't I.  

A wonderful collection

On Saturday night the caravan club members enjoyed a shared dessert.  There certainly was a lot of different desserts on offer.  I had been given some limes, so made a Key Lime Pie to take along and share.  I don't know if this was an authentic recipe, as it was made with a tin of sweetened condensed milk, but it was delicious.

Plenty for everyone

Look at all these cute teddy bears in the front window of prospective member Graham's van, collected over the years by Graham's late wife.  These bears were issued annually as a fund raiser for the Cancer Society.  Graham saw me out and about with my camera and invited me to take a photo.

A whole lot of teddy bears

Gemma enjoys her time away in the caravan, she lounges around most of the day, with the occasional trip outside with her harness and lead.  But she gets upset by loud car noises, so often scurries back to the caravan to sit in the doorway.

Curled up asleep on top of the sofa

We were not ready to return home after after caravan weekend away, but have more adventures in store.  Next stop, north to Napier.

A Little Show and Tell

 My friends Robyn, Shirley and myself take turns hosting a lunch every few months.  Sadly, their husbands have passed away, but the six of us used to get together in earlier years.  Robyn was the hostess this week, so it was us three girls plus my Robin.  The last man standing, they joke.

After our tasty lunch and a good catch-up we had some show and tell.  Robyn and Shirley both do a little quilting and Shirley had brought along a couple of things to show us.  She had recently finished this top featuring nine patches and snowball blocks on point, a donation quilt.  I must remember this design, it's very nice and simple, and would use up all sorts of bits and pieces of fabric lying about.

Donation quilt top made by Shirley

Next was a child's quilt with the individual blocks made by members of Shirley's quilt club.  Shirley took it home and did the binding - another donation quilt.

Shirley did the binding on this one

And I had  brought along my two recent finishes.

My recent quilts

Robyn then brought out the nine patch quilt she is working on for her daughter.  Another great use of scraps.

Robyn's quilt top

Then she showed us the lovely quilt on her bed, no we hadn't seen this one before.  Lovely restful colours and I'm always rather partial to stars.

On Robyn's  bed

After a very pleasant afternoon we said our goodbyes and dropped Shirley home.  It's always so nice to catch up with these old friends, we go back quite a long time.

Then in the evening I went to my quilt club meeting.  We were asked to bring four strips of fabric, 14 in by 4 ins to make "No Sew Christmas Stars".  The club member showing us how to make these was very patient, a lot of us were all fingers and thumbs as we struggled with our strips of folded fabric.  But we got there in the end, and here is mine.  I think the secret is to keep the strips pulled up tight.

No Sew Christmas Star

The Final Step

 The final step to quilt making is to stitch on a label.  (Although I don't do this on donation quilts).  Adding a label is like "signing off" a quilt, giving the details, and I always add one to those quilts I gift to family, and those I'm keeping for myself.  I've just finished hand stitching this simple label so Birthday Bouquet is now finished.

Like a lot of my projects, this one had a long gestation period.  Way back in the year 2000 I took part in Southern Cross Quilters Birthday Block Swap.  We were matched to 11 other quilters and during their birthday month stitched and posted a block to each one, with me getting 11 blocks back for my birthday.  We had already swapped any fabric we wanted included, and because I wanted a big bed quilt, I took part in two birthday block swaps that year.  I had sent a piece of the floral fabric in the label to each participant, which also gave them some idea of the colours to use, and they could stitch whatever block they liked.  I was so thrilled when the blocks were returned on my birthday month, but they sat in a bag for sometime.  Why?  Goodness knows, guess I got caught up doing other things. 

 A year or so ago, the blocks were finally stitched together, and I added the border, using up the rest of the floral focus fabric.  Then it was sent off to be commercially quilted. Another wait for a while, then the  binding was added, then I stitched the final step, the label.  I really love how this has turned out.

Birthday Bouquet

So it is a rather belated thank you to all those (mostly Australian) quilters who took part in this block swap so long ago.   I had fun stitching your birthday blocks, and love what you have done for me too.

Those Rascally Pirates

 The Pirate quilt is finally finished.  Using a piece of donated pirate fabric, I started stitching these RSC blocks back in January this year.  Cutting the pirate fabric into squares I made Happy Blocks, during the months when the colours of green, red, yellow and light and  dark blue were called.

 I also had another piece of tan fabric featuring pirate ships, so used that as a border.  Both of the pirate fabrics were given to me from the stash of my elderly neighbour Dorothy, when she was moved to a rest home a couple of years ago.  It's good to put some more of her kiddies fabrics to good use.

The quilting didn't take too long to do, and I'm pleased with how the pirate quilt has turned out.   I bound it with the same green used as the inner border.  Some little boy is sure to love it. 

Although the pirates are sailing under the Jolly Roger flag on the front of the quilt, it is a different story on the back.  Looks like those rascally pirates have stolen a New Zealand flag to hoist on their flagpole.  Oh dear me!

Anniversary Lunch

 It's our 41st anniversary so we decided to go out for lunch.  Thanks Dot for the lovely hand made card.

We decided on Speights Ale House in Palmerston North, setting off on a rather drizzly morning.  As the ads say, real men drink Speights.

Speights Ale House

We were soon seated, and checked out the menus.  What to have, that's always the question.  Although I love pork belly, I decided to go with something different, and chose  bacon wrapped chicken stuffed with pesto and cream cheese, and cherry sauce, very tasty indeed.  Robin couldn't go past the battered blue cod, and declared it perfect.  I had to forgo my usual small bottle of bubbly, due to my current medication, but enjoyed a glass of pineapple juice instead.  It was a small red wine for Robin, and we touched glasses and said "Cheers" for another  happy year together.  We reminisced about our 40th anniversary last year celebrated with a week in Rotorua.

Fish and chicken for lunch

The restaurant was quite busy so rather than bother the waiting staff, we took our own photos.

Happy 41st Anniversary to us

On the way back home we called in to Lewis Farms for another lovely big bunch of asparagus.  We have to make the most of this delicacy as the season usually finishes just prior to Christmas.  Just as well we didn't have dessert at the restaurant so there was room for a big strawberry ice-cream for him, and a nice hot coffee for me.

Lewis Farms shop

I always put my quilt "Hearts of Love", made to celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2009, on the bed during November, our anniversary month, and again in February, to celebrate St Valentine.

Hearts of Love

My birthday socks finished, and gift

 I have finally finished this pair of socks for me.  This 4ply sock wool is branded Happy Feet, no colour named, just a number, and I received it as a birthday gift last year from Sew Wot friend Mary.    As most of you know, I knit my socks flat, two at a time, and packed the finished socks in my knitting bag on our recent caravan trip planning to get side seam stitched up.  That never happened, and I finally completed this task once we returned back home.  It's about time I finished them.

Although it is now Spring, we are having awful weather and no doubt I will be wearing socks for a little bit longer.  I'm really looking forward to the weather co-operating more and being able to wear lighter Summer clothes again.  The last couple of days of our trip home were cold and bleak.  Just look at this weather out of the caravan window!

Brr, it's chilly out there

Low clouds followed us as we drove along the Desert Road, and the traffic was quite heavy as it was the last day of a long holiday weekend.  There is no actual sandy desert as such, and the scenery changes dramatically, from sub alpine trees, to miles of tussock covered land which is used for military training, and then changes again to rolling farmland at the southern end. The rain and low clouds followed us, obscuring my view of Mt Ruapehu.

It was time to stop and catch our breath at Waiouru.  Robin attended to the fuel requirements while I went over to the coffee cart.  I had an interesting chat with the owner and another customer inside when I mentioned we were on our way home to Levin.  Both of these ladies had lived there in the past. 

Time for a coffee

The weather had cleared and it was sunny again by the time we reached the last stop on our trip, Marton.  Gemma was keen to get outside and smell the flowers, but that didn't last long.  Before too long, down came the rain and wind again, and we spent the last night of our trip tucked up cozily inside the caravan.

We returned home safely the next day, unpacked, and put the first load of washing on.  My friend Dot called around with birthday gift, isn't it lovely!

Thanks, Dot

Chookshed Challenge Check In

It's time for the final Chookshed Challenge Check In, to show  how we did the monthly challenges.  The idea was to list 10 items at the beginning of the year, UFOs or something new we wanted to start, and a number was drawn out each month.  Sadly, because of travel commitments, both September and October were a wipe out for me.  But I'm really pleased with what I had achieved during the other months.  So here is a quick run down of my progress.

August - Selvedge Bag.  All the pieces were sewn, it just needed assembly.

July - Unicorn Cushions.  These were quickly finished, and have been donated.

June - Train cot quilt.  This was a whole cloth quilt, needed layering, pinning and machine quilting.  I also completed a cushion to go with the quilt, using an embroidered train I had done some time ago.

May - Kiwi Place Mats.  The stitcheries had been completed, so it was just a matter of getting on and completing them.

April - House quilt top.  I had made lots of these blocks some years ago, my own design, using 2.5in strips.  I was pleased to finally assemble them into a top, if fact I had enough blocks for a single bed quilt size plus a baby quilt.

March - Horse Panel quilt.  I've got several panels tucked away, so it was great to get one finished.  

February - Elephants on Parade.  I wanted to use up a bag of pink and grey strips, which were originally cut for a piano key border - and didn't happen.  I loved the look of the elephants   There were enough strips left to make a second cot quilt too.

January - Navy Cardigan.  This was sitting in time out, just waiting for me to knit the collar.  It didn't really take too long to get this finished at all.

Overall, I'm very pleased with what I achieved this year,  UFOs finished, new projects started, I couldn't be happier.  And I'm so pleased that the Chookshed Challenge will be going ahead next year.  I'm sure I'll be able   to find ten more projects, including the two which didn't get looked at this year.