Time To Get Back On The Horse. 2026.
Posted on | January 17, 2026 | No Comments
I have been away far too long, and really need to get back into a routine. But then, most of last year was thrown into disarray on several occasions, so maybe disarray is my new routine. Not a single stitch has been sewn by me for nearly two months and I am having withdrawal symptoms. But I did get to teach my 19yo granddaughter some new embroidery stitches and helped her start a new project. That counts.
A warning in advance, this post has no sewing, but there is some fun knitting in amongst the myriad of photos. It is very photo heavy. And is mostly family stuff.
We had a wonderful December. Our US family was here, the first time our sons, their wives, and children were all together for Christmas. Our times together have usually been mid year, to fit with US holiday times. So this was extra special. I even got to use Christmas quilts on all the beds!
Lots of trips to the airport. Four in all with the different arrival and departure days.
The Christmas decorations were lovely.
First task was to decorate for Christmas. The books took second place on the shelves.
My room was given the same treatment.
The Christmas list book came out and was checked many times.
Even the light switches received special treatment.
Our December weather was ridiculously cold, so we had to make the most of every fine day. This one was a trip to Noojee to see and walk the recently restored trestle bridge. It is stunning and located in a beautiful setting.
We had quite a few city trips. We introduced the US grandies to the game of cricket with a night at the MCG to see the Big Bash. ( That’s cricket played at a rapid pace for only a couple of hours. Very exciting!)
One the way back to the car we explored the illuminations in the city.
Flinders Street Station.
And a building behind the cathedral.
Earlier in the day we had a quick look at the Myer windows. This year it was all a Lego based Christmas story. I thought the window with the Myer Music Bowl was great. All the figures held torches, like the candles at Carols By Candlelight.
In the week before Christmas we stayed in Melbourne for three days. Our apartments had a lovely pool which would have been great if the weather had cooperated.
One of the activities we did was a tour of the Royal Exhibition Building. I had been there many times for various displays but it was a delight to see it in all its glory without any distracting displays.
It was built for the 1880 International Exhibition and was the first heritage listed building in Australia. It also hosted the opening of the first Federal Parliament in Australia.
The tour guides were great. Wonderful knowledge of its history.
The dome has been beautifully restored.
We were able to see the work going on in the basement, which will soon be open with a variety of displays. The we went right to the top where there is a promenade deck that goes all the way around the dome on the outside.
Yes, it rained, but the views were worth it.
This plaque outside cracked me up.
Hopefully this is large enough to read.
The city was full of Christmas activities. Buskers in costume.
And the entrance to Federation Square.
Of course I found a craft shop. This is where the knitting comes in. Prawns decorating a Christmas Tree in Morris and Sons. And the pattern for the prawns was free. We did find quite a few things to buy in that lovely shop.
When the special day arrived, all the grandchildren pitched in.
They even helped make the desserts.
Sadly, their time here was over far too quickly and it was back to the airport again. (The airport car park made a fortune out of me!)
We spent time packing everything away. My room looked chaotic for a while. (It had been used as a bedroom.)
And there were apricots to pick.
One of the reasons we needed to get organised quickly after our family left was that my husband had surgery on his knee scheduled and wouldn’t be able to help with lifting and moving afterwards.
The really good news is that the surgery was last Tuesday and went extremely well. He is now home recuperating. He will relax watching TV.
But I plan to read. This is just my starting pile. I have a lot to catch up on.
And this is my new friend who doubles as a bookmark.
That covers most of the chaos and reasons for my blog absence, except one.
Last year we spent a lot of time in hospitals and nursing homes with my mother. In the end, she passed away peacefully in November. She was 97, which I think was remarkable.
A friend gave me a special rose bush as a memorial. It is called Mother’s Love. How fitting is that? When it bloomed a few weeks later, it had a beautiful perfume.
Okay, that’s it for now. Being forced to stay home while hubby heals is perfect because I will have a chance to slow down, read and start sewing again. Yay!
Cheers, Karen
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