Thought for Thursday

Wish in one hand, spit in the other and see which one gets full first!

My Nin

So today's thought is not of the genteel, greeting card variety but, it is something I often remind myself and although I am not sure where my Nin heard it, I'd like to give her the credit. The first time I heard it I was completely shocked because I didn't think grandmas were supposed to say things like that! My Nin was my Mum's mum and aside from my Mum, I know no other woman who could come close to being as remarkable as her. She raised 7 outstanding women and wholeheartedly loved squillions of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was 4ft and a bit, and a hard core crafter who always valued and gave handmade gifts. She passed away on Easter Saturday many years ago. Each of her daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren opened a handmade gift, lovingly made by her, that Easter morning.

Nin couldn't abide self pity and if ever she heard someone wishing for straight hair instead of the curls they were born with or for a husband who picked up his jocks, she'd trot out that saying and sort you out quick smart. She was wise on so many levels and of course, now I realise just how wise she really was:

• She would scoot through the housework in the mornings so she could start her craft and watch her shows.
• My Gar (Grandad) always took care of the washing which freed Nin up a bit more to work at her craft
• She believed a cup of tea should always be accompanied with something to eat - preferably after being dunked in the tea
• She was tiny but had an enormous bust on which she could balance a cup of tea and leave her hands free for knitting
• She always wore her good knickers when she went out because you never know when you might fall over and you wouldn't want to be embarrassed
• She never said a bad word about anyone...she'd just stop discussing the person altogether
• She always told us she loved us and left us with a kiss and cuddle
• When you were with her you felt like you were her favourite person in the world
• Family came first
• She didn't wish her life away - she lived it with love and laughter and beauty

I'd really like to be like my Nin when I grow up!

Trying Something New

Image: My Painted Porch

After much thought and a fair amount of procrastination, we have finally dipped our toe in the Etsy water. There is only one item listed at the moment and it only has one sad little photo to show due to a flat camera battery.

Etsy is a whole new world which I have only discovered as a side benefit to blogging. I think I may need to find a tutorial entitled Etsy for Dummies as there are lots of gaps in my knowledge! Anyway, you can find us here and there will certainly be more Button Lovlies listed once my capabilities and camera catch up with the technology.

I'd love to know if there is a way to connect with the Brisstyle Crew via Etsy. That's going to be one of my tasks this week. If you have any Etsy wisdom to share, I'd be happy to listen!

Head in the Clouds

We seem to have a bit of a theme happening in our Cute as Buttons appliques, at the moment. Perhaps we're spending too much time watching the clouds roll by or maybe we're dreaming of a chance to fly away, sans small fry, and sleep for a week. If you know us, or you are responsible for a number of small buttons, (and a grown up one, in Sharon's case) I'm sure you can guess which option applies!

Lots of new things keeping us out of mischief and keeping the machines running hot! Nearly as hot as the weather here today! If you live in Queensland, I hope you are somewhere cool and have a lovely, long, icy drink in hand.

Our Home Among the Gum Trees

This weekend we are spending the whole weekend in our piece of the bush. There will be lots of time with the Little Buttons, some baking, family and friends and great weather to enjoy. I thought I'd share some photos of the view from my front steps. Those big trees are home to possums, koalas, cockatoos, kookaburras and a couple of goannas and many other little creatures we don't know about. We also seem to be attracting an evergrowing population of scrub turkeys who like to eat the scraps that our chickens don't fancy!

I've included some of the before shots of our yard. Hard to believe it is the same place. Mind you, the Little Buttons keep telling me they miss the mud patch, but, for now, they'll have to make do with a roll in the grass and digging in the sandpit.

That was then:

This is now:

I hope your weekend is a happy one!

Thought for Thursday

...there are two kinds of friends in the world, those who inspire in you all that is great and good and those who'd prefer to get right down on their haunches and help out with the mud pies.

Julie Powell

This is a quote from Julie & Julia which I've just finished re-reading. Julie is a frustrated actress who is working in an unfulfilled job. She decides she needs a project and chooses to to cook all the recipes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child and to write a blog about the project. The book is a memoir of triumphs, tears, offal and lard laden cooking. It's also a lovely reflection about the people who are part of Julie's journey and how they lift her up and love her warts and all.

The first time I read this book I had no idea about blogs. It was interesting to read it again in light of my recently acquired blog edge (Blog knowledge!). There are some other great quotes about blogs and followers throughout the book which I shall share some other time. The movie is one I am keen to see and I am looking forward to taking my two best girl friends along. The beauty of these girls is that between them, they've got the inspiration and mud pie routine down to a fine art. They always know just what I need and slip into action in the blink of an eye - usually with a teapot in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other!

Julie & Julia is a fun read but you may need Sandrine's help to work out the French pronunciation!