Christmas is over.

Well will life ever return to normal? Each year I make a promise.... "Next year, we will have a quieter Christmas"... however, it always develops into a major event... I tell you I could get a job at one of those large events with all the experience I've had over the years.
For my friends overseas, our Christmas is usually hot and held outside. The gazebo was ready, with fancy cushions on the seats. The porch seat was inviting, Keith scrubbed the BBQ and all was ready.... it rained.!!!!
Now I had set the table inside too. Pink roses set the scene for the Christmas table. The theme was Toile this year... pink of course. However, I just set the table... I wasn't actually planning on using it!!!...really!!! The troops spill red wine and gravy and stuff. Ha, Oh well, the best laid plans. We used the table inside and shifted furniture, the boys hoisted in another table and we all sat down to a huge meal.
Now Dear Daughter Callie decided to make seafood paella for an entree. I kept out of the kitchen, and the paella was a hit. However, I collapsed in a heap when I went into the kitchen and saw the mess... It took half an hour to clean before I could find the bench to serve the meal on.... honey, I love you and cook supremo you are, but I need to give you a few more housekeeping lessons.
The weather cleared and the afternoon and evening was spent outside. 35 people, five dogs, a noisy motor bike Christmas present, too much food, very loud music and a little overindulgence by some of the family and the day finally came to an end...
The dishwasher ran overtime and we spent the next day in sheer exhaustion...
Now back to the shed. Yesterday 3 gals arrived to take a casual class. In fact they worked on a new class I have delveloped. I was rapt at what they achieved. So were their disbelieving husbands when they arrived for BBQ dinner. The temperature was in the high 30's (100's) and it was a hot day... around 7.00pm the wind blew a gale and dust settled on everything...
Just as we were about the eat... it rained. So the set table got used again...
That's it, I've cleared the table, even the flowers went and you guessed it the weather has been great today, but then again, the company has gone too.
Work wise I completed my yearly printed diary. It ran to 187 pages, either I did a lot this year or I have improved my typing skills. I have to update the web page and finish 4 projects on the go. Tomorrow is shopping and planning and the weather will be super.

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons. It came without tags.
It came without packages, boxes or bags.
And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
~ Dr. Seuss

The shed

New shelves in the shed 

Dove No 2.

 

Daily help

I have 8 white doves... they sit 5" from the window and just wonder what I'm doing...!!! 

People.....

This weather is just crazy... 3 days ago I had gals in my shed working on projects and we had the heater on.... Today it's the aircon and the temp rose to 39 deg.... I wasn't too fussed because I had the rest of the Christmas shopping to do, but I must admit I enjoyed the experience of people watching more than the shopping. I just wish I could whip the camera out and snap the images I fleetingly see as I walk around.
There was an elderly man, probably waiting for his wife.... he was sitting with his hand holding his cheek and he was fast asleep oblivious to the hustle and bustle going on around him... I wonder if I will fall asleep so easily when I'm old?
There were 6 little girls of Asian origin playing Christmas carols on the violin.... Quite badly really, but they were so cute.
I think red shoes are are definitely a fashion statement... I saw lots walking by today. Even chartreuse ones!!!!! Those of you who know me well, know I have a passion for bright coloured shoes....
I was in a lift with 2 of the most elegant African women and their children... I just enjoyed the experience and the little boy about 3, brushed my hand as they left... so his sister ran back to do the same before the door shut.... that brings a smile to the face.!!!! I remember, when our son Benny came from Mauritius aged 8...he only spoke French, held your face in both hands and kissed you on each cheek and said "Ooh La la"... Now at 28, he says, G'day Mum... got anything to eat...?
The drivers were pre-occupied on the road today too, in the past two days I've had to avoid 4 drivers changing lanes without signals...
So home I came to the shed which has had a little re-vampover the past few weeks.... I discarded some 5 large garbage bags of fabrics and projects...they will be used by the SA quilt guild Charity Group...I installed new drawers where I can see clearly see the fabric ... and yes, I know every piece of fabric I possess... even in each of the 75 drawers.
My doves have given me a lot of joy since I've been home... they live just outside the shed and spend the mornings and early evenings peeking in at me.... one game girl came and visited the other day, but I didn't think I should encourage her....
I wanted to thank you for the great emails in acknowledgement to my Christmas letter... I count you all as friends....
The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Christmas from the Holland Household

It’s that time of the year again….Sun, hydrangeas, shopping, too many dinners and lots of food.
But aren’t we lucky in this country. Safety, freedom and no one will really starve.
This year has gone just so fast. January in New Zealand and Tasmania was the beginning of some 50 flights and very little time home with the family.… I made my debut into the talking media and I finished my book and it is now in publication…. One of the kids said…. “What book? Did you write a book…. What on earth about? A quilt, how could you write a whole book on a quilt?!!!!!!!” I’m finally able to relax after a rather hectic tour of Britain and France… I drove some 2800 miles, taught and lectured and sometimes cried……!!!!
The family has been bricks looking after Keith. Callie and Rach and their Dad had dalliances at the movies on a Tuesday evenings, Josh made sure he didn’t starve and Benny helped with the garden… Matty kept him in line at work and Jamie, Susie and Jinda kept him busy with their finances….We talked each day on the net and often on the phone.
Mr. Kodi is the light of our lives…. I miss him so much when I’m away. The other grandies understand but there’s always a warm welcome from Kodi when I return.
For those of you who saw Matty’s court case in the Media…. We share your shock. We find it hard to understand that someone can take the life of another and injure others physically and emotionally and not accept blame or even be found guilty.

Family wise everyone is getting on with their lives…. Jinda moved out of home in January and has found being on ones own is a little more difficult than he imagined… He has almost completed his apprenticeship and will get there in the end….
My Mum and Dad have had a year of bad health which has been a worry to us all, but Mum celebrated her 80th and the 60th wedding anniversary is looming…. Matty and Keith have been real busy, but almost floated away in a flash flood through Aldgate… what a day… I flew in to arrive at the court just to hear the verdict…. Home with jetlag and then up till 1 am baling water and packing sandbags… Oh well no one can say life isn’t interesting…..!!!
What of 2006? I imagine you are all planning exciting things… well this family is no exception, it’s just that we have more to share… Rachael and Henry are expecting a baby in May… we find out on Thursday, just what it is…. I remember when I was having Rachael… I asked Jamie whether he would like a brother or sister…. “Oh a little black dog would be nice”!!!!! Joshy is working at three jobs and is rather keen on the one where he chefs for top line performers….. Keith and I draw a blank when we hear the names, but there you are… we’re ‘old. Jamie keeps busy with his production Company…. Xstream Productions.
Benny is sort of the boss of his team at work as a landscape gardener…. And has just gained his second Dan at Karate. This Mum is real proud of him and he has a great following from his students too…. Susie is busy in the restaurant and being the Mum of a teenager Chianne and a ‘soon to be one’ Jordan….. Eek I don’t want to go back to those days’ thanks. Callie plans a new venture into catering and Kodi just hangs around being gorgeous.
Keith and I are off on 17th Jan to LA, NY, MN and then Miami where we join a ship for a 7 day cruise to the Bahamas... then back to MN, NY, London and Bangkok…. I’m teaching on the ship…. Keith will just mingle and chat.
Keith has a few trips planned interstate to see ‘clients’ and it just happens to be when the footy is on………!!!! I have a busy time until August with several trips back to the USA for teaching and the launching of my book…. I have been researching a project for the past year…. It's exciting, and I'm well under way in one form or another... But first I'm working on a project with friends that is very different....It will be a quite a surprise I think.... but very Australian...!!!!
So folks we’re not letting the grass grow under our feet in our part of the world….
We wish you all a safe and wonderful Christmas and New Year.

I started to write a fancy email and newsletter and this was the best I could do….

We’re on the web….
http://www.pamhollanddesigns.com/