Well that's that then!

Christmas Day!  As usual we spent ages working up to it and there it was...gone!  I admit I approached it with some trepidation this year, although to the outside world I presented a confident, positive attitude, inside I was secretly scared and succumbed to the odd bout of closet tears.  Our first Christmas away from everyone we love so dearly.  Could I telephone/skype everyone without falling into a sobbing heap?  What on earth was I going to do without all the cooking and entertaining? As so often happens the thought of doing/coping with something was far worse than actually doing it!  So it was that I enjoyed several phone conversations and video links with everyone.  I cooked a full three course lunch, just for 3 of us, which went SO smoothly I was convinced I had forgotten something!  Our friend Jim came from across the street and joined us and we spent a leisurely afternoon with a late lunch followed by afternoon tea and sweet treats, good conversation not to mention a good bottle of wine and a little Christmas spirit if you get my drift!  Lovely Man and I agreed no presents as neither of us are working yet but my wonderful little brother and my best friend decided that they would not adhere to this particular stipulation and sent us parcels anyway!  So Lovely Man and I are now sitting with our evening cuppa sporting lovely new PJ's.  He has a new book to read "Man v's Wild", I have a "How-To" book for Adobe in-Design (much needed as I really struggle and bug hell out of both my brother and son on this one!), a lovely Moleskine Cahier note book (so I'll look real professional when I cover an event for the Echo!), and a gorgeous shawl cardigan, matching beret and necklace!  Thank you Jan, Derek and Ellie, Jay, Nik, Dan & Jack!  

So, I survived after all!  Lovely Man I know will always survive no matter what...I just sneaked a peek at his book.  He will learn how to make a meal from maggots, skin a snake and eat it, build a shelter in the snow, cool himself using his own urine and live without his cell phone....Mmmmm Nice!

So what now?  Well already that New Year feeling is seeping in.  That feeling of anticipation, of new beginnings, good intentions and optimism.  I am looking forward to some spring cleaning, knocking a hole in the wall (the new dining room worked perfectly and I think the hole may appear sooner than I thought!), a new art class with Tam starting on 17th January and hopefully some visitors from the UK.  So much to look forward to!

So, here's wishing everyone a very happy, positive New Year where dreams come true and peace and love are in abundance.  Happy New Year everyone.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Well it is Christmas Eve at last!  It feels like I haven't posted for months, let alone a week!  Where does the time go to?  But at last I am sitting on the couch with my red christmas PJ's on, with a glass of my new favorite Christmas Drink (Smirnoff Cranberry & Lime if anyone's buying!).  The baking is all done, my hazelnut meringue for dessert came out perfectly this year,  meat is ready for the oven.  We also fixed the car, yes it broke AGAIN!  This time a bearing on the water pump ceased.  A friend suggested we just buy a new car, but why bother?  With all the new parts we've had to buy and put on the darn thing we almost HAVE a new car!  Oh and remember that Family room downstairs?  You know how we laid laminate flooring and bought a couch etc. etc. etc.??  Well....we sorta decided we wanted the dining area upstairs on the same level as the kitchen and the lounge.  So....after Lovely Man finished fixing the car, took me shopping, stocked up on my new favorite drink at the Liquor Store he then patiently took all the dining furniture up to the smallest bedroom and took all the bedroom stuff down to the basement! He is the most wonderful, patient man I know!  Now what it really needs is an arch way from the lounge to the new dining area, but I figured I was maybe pushing the season of goodwill a wee bit too far.  So I'll wait a while, although I did see a half price fireplace in the Home Hardware Boxing Day Sale flyer which would look Oh SO nice in the lounge...perhaps if I'm a REALLY good girl....

Christmas has been a little hard this year, being so far from our family and old friends, I confess I've had more tears than usual, a little homesickness, past hurts have crept up and bitten my butt, it's funny how you think you've gotten over being cast out of someone's life without knowing why,  then something happens and it smarts a little, like salt in a wound.  But then I got to thinking about all the good stuff too, like being able to follow a dream, like being able to share some of that dream with those same friends and family when they come to visit and I decided that I am very lucky.  My New Years resolutions will certainly include being a little more mindful and thankful for all the good things in our life, and to show gratitude I will being taking every opportunity that comes our way and giving it my best shot!

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone and I wish you everything you wish for yourself in 2011.

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New Etsy Shop Now Open!

Just a quick post tonight!  My new Etsy shop is now open and currently has three listings.  Three more to be added tomorrow!  Please drop in to take a look around MistieBlue and let me know what you think!

Well it's been another day of x country skiing!  Tomorrow Lovely Man and I are looking after the clubhouse for two hours before heading off for another scoot around the trail!  Mind you there is going to be a wind chill factor of -30 apparently so I may change my mind!  Then it's back to catch up with my loved ones via Skype and then maybe a spot of baking...oh and home-made chicken Korma tomorrow, Mmmm!

Sooo thrilled

Oh My Goodness!  How excited am I!  You remember last week I did a post about Breastless in The City?  Well I received an e-mail today from Cathy!  I am the lucky winner of her book!  I can't tell you how thrilled I am, firstly because I actually won a giveaway and secondly because I have been wanting to read her book for a while now.  So thank you Cathy! xx  Ok.  Calm down now, gotta get back to work - deadlines to meet!

A bit of fun!

This morning I did my usual nosey around facebook with my morning cuppa.  I've never been one for 'social networks' until fairly recently but I find it a good way to keep up with everyone since we moved across the pond.  Mostly I steer well clear of all the gimmicks.  Things like the recent 'change your profile pic' thing which, this weekend, someone pounced on and spread the ugly rumour, again via facebook, that it had been set up by paedophiles to entice children to join the group, are not something I join in with.  For two reasons.  Firstly I cannot see how changing my profile picture or status 'raises awareness' about something that is a fact of life.  Any of us who truly care about anything are more than aware that child abuse, violence and paedophiles exist, and I think that covers the majority.  We don't need to 'raise awareness' we need to stamp it out, by being vigilant, reporting anything suspicious and, more importantly, the police and other professionals need to act upon that in a timely and effective manner.  Secondly, you never really know for sure whether the thing is genuine, unless of course you wish to trawl the websites like Hoax-slayer and Snopes to check it out first every single time.  Personally I'd rather spend that time actually communicating, in a meaningful way, with my friends!  

HOWEVER, I did find a thing called status shuffle which, I confess, has given me some amusement!  Apart from the irritating bad spelling like "...making ends meat"  and "...doesn't know weather to.." I did find a lovely one this morning, it read..."This morning I opened my mouth and my mother came out".  Oh how true!  Have you ever noticed that, as we get older, this seems to happen?  When we were younger we often fought this urge with all our being, determined not to say those irritating things our mother said.  Like when you can't find something, mine would say "Well where did you see it last?"  And I would roll my eyes to the heavens and get quite exasperated, "Mother! If I knew that then I would know where it was and I would be able to find it wouldn't I?"  But now, at the grand old age of 49, I often hear my mother talking and I suddenly realise it's me!  And just for the record, I don't really mind anymore!

First online sale!

I have just three of these little bags ready to go!  They are made from soft cream fleece fabric, the tree design is felt applique. The tree is home to a little removable toy,  a handmade robin (cotton & felt) or a tree sprite keyring.  I usually make the whole thing but these two sprites were the last in the shop and so cute I just had to have them!  The bag is lined with cotton fabric and has a MistieBlue Logo  (That's my Etsy shop name)  label sewn into the side seam.  At $30 plus shipping they make an ideal gift for a child.  If you would like to purchase one (or more) please contact me via e-mail so that I can advise shipping costs  (I would need your post code to give you an accurate quote and delivery time).  Please note the cute Teddy in the red jumper is not included.

I also make these cute custom made silk books.  The photo's (which you would supply via e-mail) are printed on to habotai silk and made into pages for the book.  I will edge them with lace and embellish with beads and embroidery.  The cover can be made from various fabrics according to your requirements.  These make ideal gifts for all sorts of occasions: anniversary, new baby, christening, birthday or friendship.  These will retail at $50 plus shipping.  Again please e-mail for full details