Last day

Last day of the year. It’s been a mixed bag. 

Some very sad moments. But a light in the tunnel 

As well. 

I’ve started to slowly pack Christmas away 

It’s going to be a slow process with the trees coming down last 

I wish you all a happy and healthy new year 

Praying and hoping the world becomes a friendlier 

Place. 

See you next year 

The inbetween

We are now in the inbetween Christmas and New Years. 

We totally forgot to put bins out for collection. 

Ana came for a visit while her mummy and daddy went to an appointment

As you can see she was exhausted from the previous days excitement 

As was Trixie. 

Grandma may have had a nana nap as well lol 

Taking things nice and slowly 

Doing  what absolutely needs doing and just resting the rest of the time 

I hope your have a nice inbetween time too 

Christmas done

Another Christmas is gone. 

The girls had a ball playing with all their toys 

They all got a towel with a mermaid on it and their names. Mummy loved it more than Ana I think 



Grandma got them all. Furby. They will talk to each other when there is more than one 



Their big Santa sacks are returned and used every year. 



They also got clothes and doona covers   Not as exciting but always needed 



Brianna was very happy with her package of underwear. Bless her. 



Melody and Anna with their furbys. Melody was sincing them so they would talk 




We then went outside to visit Dobby the donkey 

He was very good and took food from all the girls 





It’s been very hot and windy today. Definitely a stay indoors and keep cool 

We all ate and drank and laughed. It was the perfect day. All have now gone home loaded with containers full of leftovers. 

And I still have a fridge full. 

I won’t have to cook for days 

Grandma and grandpa are now sitting and resting 

Recovery takes a tad longer each year 

Christmas 2024

However you say it. Have a great Christmas everyone. 

And to those that celebrate something else or nothing. Have a wonderful day 

Happy holidays 

Cooking and cleaning

Making Greek cheese pies 

Lots of caramel corn hubby likes to eat these while enjoying a nice cold drink 



Two weight watchers fruit cake 

Simple fried fruit 

Cold tea I used herbal raspberry 

Self raising flour 

Soak fruit in tea until plump 

Mix in flour 

Bake. It’s that easy 



Christmas crack after making it for our get together I had a request. From hubby 




Meanwhile hubby has been cleaning the back. We have just been too busy to do it. 

It will be nice to sit out there again. 





The blinds will be rolled down again. It keeps out most of the wind and some rain. Making sitting out there very relaxing 

Hope your preparations are going well. 

Don’t stress. Just enjoy the process 

Besides we always over cater. No one

Goes home hungry 

Dobby

No. Not the free elf 

My Christmas present 

Dobby the donkey 

He’s only a baby. Weaned a few weeks ago. 

He’s a miniature so he won’t grow huge



The heard checking out the newbie



He is in a small pending now. The breeder suggested it. That way he will quickly learn to come when called 

And bring in the same paddock as the rest of the group he will become accustomed to them and them to him 

He’s very cute. I can’t wait until the girls see him 

tradition

For quite a few years I had seen on 

http://local-kiwi-alien.blogspot.com/

A sailing boat all lit up for Christmas. 

Apparently it’s tradition amongst the island Greeks to do this. 

Since half my family comes from a Greek island I had always wanted to do the same. Unfortunately there are not many sailboats for sale in the shops. 

I looked and couldn’t find anything. Then I’d forget all about it until the next time L posted the picture 

This year I jumped onto Temu and found one I liked and which didn’t cost the same as a real sail boat 

I spent about 15 minutes gluing the lights on 

I hope it passes muster 

Better Late than never I say. 

Thank you L for the inspiration 

Reveal

I can finally share the crafts I’ve been making 

You have already seen these ones 

Then there are these ones 



And three picture frames 







I had fun making them all. Each one tweaked to match their new owners 

I was very happy that they all loved them. 

They now have a little piece of me to always make them smile. Even if I’m no longer here 

Yesterday was our memorial and our final goodbye 

It was sad but also there was laughter 

We all have funny stories and we shared them with each other  

It was lovely and full of love 




On Friday we are having our annual get together for Christmas. Anne and family would normally be there. 

We had so pleased that her family are still going to come over. 

We will share our love and stories together 

For the catch up I have made some Christmas crack 

My American born friend, Shirley taught me how to do it years ago. 

It’s easy to make and very yummy. 

It’s also funny as in Australia we have named a body part as crack, so it will bring us lots of laughs 

Whatever you do. Always laugh. It’s very good for your soul 

Keeping busy

Today I decided to make some shortbread 

I’ve never made it before and chose a simple recipe 

It doesn’t look as nice as the pretty ones you buy. But it does taste nice 

I may have had a few that broke while I was putting it away lol 

I got a bit bored making little girls. So I changed to boys. 

It’s the same pattern except the legs are one colour and there is no skirt 



I’ve found a pattern for the trauma teddies.

I’ll try making a few of those as well. 

I’ll just keep adding to the pile and when I have enough 

I’ll donate them to the local fire brigade. 

Tomorrow we have the memorial for our friend anne

Saying goodbye is never easy 

Friday funday

Another fun packed day at grandmas the day started with 

Pancakes for breakfast 

Last week Ana asked what I was making. I showed her the picture on the pattern. She said that she needed two dolls. A pink one and a purple one 



I presented her the two dolls today. They were a hit 



I’m getting better. Changing the needles down a size was the key 



After that we painted our nails 

With sparkles on hour fingers 



Light blue and dark blue on our toes. With the mandatory sparkles on top 



Ana asked if she could take some Christmas to her house. So off we went to grandmas craft room and decided what was needed 



We had a talk about how the glue gun is really hot. So only big people can use them. 

Ana picked what she wanted. What colours they were and where they should go. 

Grandma glued them. 

We discussed everything and ended up with this 

It will be hung on her bedroom door 

Between crafting and watching paw patrol, snacks were eaten and shared with Trixie. 

It’s a good thing Trixie is like a vacuum cleaner as most ended up on the floor 

Ana and daddy have now gone home. Grandma has had a long soak in the bath. And she might just have a little something to drink   

Strictly for medical purposes 

Sadness

I’ve been MIA because the friend that we visited in hospital died early Sunday morning 

Even when you know it’s coming. It is still heartbreaking 

So many have been touched by that horrible disease cancer. It doesn’t discriminate 

Here we are at our favourite bar in Melbourne called madam Brussels. 

Right to left is Clare, me, Anne who passed and Dianne 

We have so many memories to cherish. I will miss her laugh 

Trials

One doll finished and quick a few mistakes were made. 

But that’s how I learn so I’m not stressed. 

I changed the hair from the pattern. I think it looks good. Ana will like it no matter 

What it looks like 

The skirt is supposed to have a flower embroidered on it. 

And it did. Until I realised I had placed the flower on the back instead of the front. 

I definitely need to go smaller needles. I’ve made that mistake before 

But on the plus side. She’s not the size of a toddler, yes I have made two dolls like that 

A lesson in reading the pattern properly 

I stared the dark brown for her hair too early. And her whole face is brown. 

Another no matter she’s fine for us moment



So a very successful trial. 

I’ve learnt lots 

She was still fun to make 

And now I can keep practicing until I make one that is fit to donate 

Today I have a lunch date with my Aussie friend I made on my tour of

Scotland and Ireland. 

Hubby is down at the farm doing some maintenance on the tractor 

If he takes too long he’ll stay the night and drive home early tomorrow 

Which means I’ll have a whole uninterrupted evening to 

Continue the classes on doll making 

Boud has informed me that if you wish to see the finish Izzy dolls 

She has made you need to check out the blog post dated 

November 27. The link to her blog is in the previous post 

So why not give it a go. 

Even if you mess it up. They’re still kinda cute 

Another Friday

It’s getting closer and closer to Christmas. 

Ana was very excited to see all the new decorations 

It was too hot to spend much time outside so we watched paw patrol episodes. 

One after another after another lol 

We did walk to the shed twice. She wanted to see grandpa. Unfortunately both times he was gone getting parts 

The apricots are ripening and Ana wanted to try one

I broke one in half and shared it with her   

She loved them. After that. Every time we went past we got a snack. 

Here she is enjoying her half of the apricot. She only got half every time. Don’t want her to get a tummy upset 



The new secretary, or is it the CEO. 

Either way she was very comfortable 




Once it cooled down we watered all the pot plants. Ana loves to help.  She noticed when plants had grown or had flowers. She got very excited and yell grandma come quick. So I could see it too 




https://fieldfen.blogspot.com/?m=1

Boud from field and fen blog. Link above 

Showed us her comfort dolls knitting. 

I remember making a few with our knitting group and decided to make  some. 

I googled for the pattern, I couldn’t read the one Boud posted. Bad eyes 

And I found so many variations 

Little girl dolls 



Koalas and many More 




I started this one today. I thought I’d make some for my girls. While I’m practicing and making mistakes 

Ana asked me to tell her what I was making. 

I showed her the picture and she decided she needed two dolls. A pink one and a purple one. 

She then told me I had to make some for her girls

Melody and Brianna. I love how she always thinks of them 

https://intheloopknitting.com/izzy-knitting-patterns.php

Here is the link to the page I found. 

They are fee patterns and you can save them in Ravelry 

Now everyone has left. Including hubby, I have no idea where, I’ve had a relaxing soak in the bath. I’m in my pjs. 

I’ll find something to watch on the telly 

And I’ll keep making dolls 

If you decide to try any of the patterns please share. I’d love to see how they all turn out