Teddy Bears Picnic today..

My little Harrods Bear is off to the picnic today with his little suitcase filled with yummy Haigh's chocolates to share.
My daughter was in London for a few years and bought me a couple of Harrods Bears. This one still has his tag attached to his ear. He was made in 2003. Apparently one is made each year and they are more valuable if they still have their tag. Not that mine is going anywhere, except to the Picnic. He has his  warm coat on as it's a bit chilly and windy in the southern states today. I hope everyone has survived the strong windstorms we have been experiencing.

Tuesday Teasures

Still on the theme of national treasures I'm featuring one of Australia's most historic sites and the one I am lucky enough to live in, for Melody's Tuesday Treasures!
The South Head Signal Station dates back to 1845 when the first two levels were built to replace tents and other buildings that had inhabited the site from 1788. The third story and cottages were added later (around 1860). The NSW Ports Authority used the tower to control all the shipping in and out of Sydney Harbour until 1993 when it was handed to the Coast Guard (now Marine Rescue). The site has been continually inhabited since 1788 when signal fires were lit to let the colony know when a ship was approaching. Later on a flagstaff was built and flags were raised. A corresponding flagpole was erected on Observatory Hill. When Government House moved to Parramatta, other flagstaffs were erected along the route so that the signals (flags) could be relayed to the Governor.
I have been lucky enough to live here since 1994. We have beautiful views and have seen some amazing sights and had some very interesting visitors.
The first picture is a drawing taken from the back of the property.

The scond is an aerial shot

 In the last picture, taken from MacQuarie Lighthouse, you can just see the Signal Station next to the light. The lighthouse is about 500 metres up the road.

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date!! (Teddy Bears Picnic)

OMG I forgot it was Thursday and the Teddy Bears Picnic. I took an annual leave day yesterday to finish a baby quilt for a friend who was leaving today and got my days mixed up.
My bear for today's picnic has been 'away' for a while and has just been released.
I thought he was appropriate seeing I had visited the old Melbourne Gaol just recently.
Ted actally came from Freemantle Gaol, but I'm sure he's rehabilitated and would love to join the other teds at Melody's Teddy Bear Picnic.
He hasn't had time to get any new clothes yet!

This picture is the quilt I made for my colleague and it has a ted on it so it's appropriate. It was very gratefully received by the way.

Tuesday Treasures

I am joining Melody's Tuesday Treasures with a couple of photos from a recent weekend in Melbourne with my youngest daughter. I love visiting Melbourne, it has a different vibe than Sydney. I always seem to spend too much money though.
The pictures I have are of the beautiful Victorian State Library. I had never been there before but my daughter had so she took me along.
The white interior gives it a lovely open feel. The Mitchell Gallery in Sydney is beautiful too but this one just seems so light and airy. I would love to have had time to explore further.

These old building are indeed our national treasures and Melbourne does it so well!

Teddy Bears Picnic

My other life (full-time job) has taken over just recently and not allowed any 'me' time. But I was determined to take part in the Teddy Bears Picnic this week.
The sun is shining, even though it is VERY cold here in Sydney. The westerly winds (gales) have blown all the smog away and the harbour view was crystal clear when I was on my walk this morning.

My contribution this week is a teddy quilt that I made for a particular person but was not wanted. Very disappointing at the time but now I am glad I can share it with other teddy lovers and the teddies will have a nice rug to sit on.

I can't remember who designed the patten but I did buy it in Australia and it was originally shown in vintage colours. I made it in mauves and other lovely florals.

Bandaged Bear

Bandaged bear would like to join the Teddy Bears Picnic today as he has been inside recovering from his injuries. I hope it's not too late.
He is another one of my charity bears, the funds help the Westmead Childrens Hospital here in Sydney and Bandaged Bear Day is in March each year.
For many years I collected the miniature version but must have discarded them sometime ago as I am unable to find the box they were in. Every year was a different colour.
This one is about 8 inches tall and very plush.

WOW

I'm off to join Esther's WIP on Wednesday. I actually have two this week. The first is the next panel on my Teddy Bears Christmas Quilt.



This one is quite cute with the bears poking out of the tree.

The second is my third block of Esther's wonderful Hearts Desire' quilt.

I would rather be working on these than heading out in this cold, windy, wet weather!

Tuesday's Treasure

For Melody's Tuesday Treasure I have chosen a locket and tiny book that has been handed down through my family. The locket was handmade by my Great-great-grandfather for his wife. Her initials have been engraved on the front - 'LEB'.
The little book is 'The Morning & Evening Monitor - containing a text from Holy Scripture and a verse of Sacred Poetry for every morning and evening of the year'.
It belonged to my Great-great-grandfather's sister. His daughter was my great-grandmother, and her daughter was my paternal grandmother. I have two daughters to hand them down to.

Rainy Monday

It has been so wet and windy here over the past 24 hours that we have battened down the hatches. I did not venture out this morning, except to dash to the car to go to work. The wind has been gusting at 45 klm per hour and the rain is torrential. The house was struck by lightening this morning. The second time in about 12 months. Fortunately the heavy duty circuit breaker did its job and nothing was damaged. Unlike the last time.
I did go for a walk at lunchtime in between showers. It wasn't quite as heavy on the North Shore.
The photo is taken from my window at work just after I came back.

More of the same is predicted for tomorrow. There have been quite a few serious accidents reported in the news tonight. I can't understand why some people do not slow down when the weather is this bad. My thoughts go out to those effected.

Temptation

I just love Saturdays! The beginning of 2 days off work; being able to sleep past the alarm; 'me' time etc etc.
The man of the house works on Saturday so I can do all my 'me' things without feeling guilty of taking away 'our' time.
The tempation was to avoid the walk today but the sun was shining and the clouds building from the south, so I thought I had better make hay while the sun shines. My grandmother used to say that quite often when I was young and had my head in a book.
The first photo for today is taken from my half way point, looking south.

The second is looking north with the sun shining on the cliffs. Just to the left of where I was standing are a number of playing fields with a hundred or so small boys playing football of various codes along with their noisy supporters. Don't get me wrong, I love to see kids playing sport. It's just that I am normally there as the sun comes up and it is very quiet.

I am off to the Theatre tonight with one of my gorgeous girls to see the grand old men of the Buena Vista Social Club. These musicians are amazing and well worth the price of the tickets!

Commitment

I struggle with commitment. It effects so many things in my life. I accept change too readily sometimes and am always starting something new. I do need to commit to improving my health though so I can continue to do the things I love.
I have been following Dr Happy aka Dr Timothy Sharp, and his ideas on positive psychology. I am basically a happy person and try to see the positive in most situations. The theory is that if you are in a happy space then the other things should be easier to obtain.
Baby steps - I am committing through this blog to go for a walk in the mornings at least 5 days of the week. To keep me on track I will take a picture from my back door and publish it here. If there is no picture, then I haven't been on the walk.
Here is today's picture.

You may be able to spot a bright spot on the horizon on the left - it is a ship at anchor and the sun has just lit it up. In real life it looks as though it is on fire. The time is 6.30 am AEST.

Teddy Bears Picnic

Doctor Bear is ready for the Picnic. He's the latest addition to my collection of charity bears and supports the Oncology Children's Foundation.

Rainy Thursday

I intended to write this post yesterday as a prelogue to WOW!
I setup my blog site a while ago but hadn't got around to writing anything. Esther's idea inspired me to get going.
I am privileged  to live in one of Sydney's historical homes perched on top of the cliff. My view to the East is over the Pacific Ocean to the horizon and up Sydney Harbour to the west. Normally I enjoy watching the sun come up over the sea but today I can't even see the water as it is covered in a fine mist. We experienced gale force winds yesterday, but today it's just wet and miserable, and cold. A great day for quilting in front of the fire except I have to go to work!
Yesterday I received a parcel of items I had ordered from Michelle of Raspberry Rabbits. It was beautifully wrapped and tied with a ribbon bow and contained little 'extras'. How thoughtful! I will certainly be going back.

WIP Wednesday

I have a number of WIP's around me but this is just one. A Christmas quilt started last year but will be finished for this Christmas.

It's a pattern by Teddlywinks.