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Saturday, December 4, 2010

I Lost November & 21 Days Till Christmas!



Well, I have totally missed November and there is only 21 days till Christmas! 

My husband became ill and had to be admitted to hospital on Melbourne Cup Day.   After spending two weeks there, he finally came home but there have been a couple of hiccups with his recovery, due to his disability.  I am happy to report though, that he is much better and will just need lots more time for total recovery.  I have been really slack in catching up with what everyone has been up to and thank you especially to those who have emailed to see where I have been, I treasure your friendship.

*To Bronwyn in Sydney - Thank you so much, time has got away from me but you are in my thoughts and I will be in touch soon. 


The one positive from sitting at the hospital every day was that I got to applique the centre of Swan Lake.  The centre is quite plain so as not to detract from the border which is definately the Star of this quilt.


The flowers were a little challenging though and I am pleased to have them completed.  Now all I have to do is cut out and applique down 44 flower stars????



I have also completed a couple more rows of my clamshells.  I really really love working on this and although I got lots of stitching done while Howard was in hospital, I have not been able to do much since he came home.  This is perfect to pick up when I get a few moments and need to destress.


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My Mum has made the plum pudding every Christmas since I can remember.  This year, she decided that it was a bit much for her so I was given the job.  Having never made one before, and having to live up to my mother's pudding reputation, I very nervously took on the task last Sunday (note the phone in the photo, I made several calls to mum whilst making it.  It smells ok and now we just have to wait till Christmas Day to see if it tastes ok.  Fingers crossed.



I finally got the tree decorated yesterday so now it is starting to "feel a lot like Christmas"!

Sue-Anne xxx

38 comments:

Susan In Texas said...

I wondered where you had been! I'm glad your husband is doing better. How wonderful that you were able to get some stitching done. Your clamshells look wonderful.

Take care,
Susan in Texas

Cheryl said...

Wishing Howard a speedy recovery and both of you a happy holiday season. The pudding will be fab!
I had a loved one hospitalized in November and also got lots of handwork done. Great stress reliever!

Elyte said...

Welcome back and glad to hear that your husband is in better health. I am sure that pudding will be lovely.
Good luck with the 44 flower stars - it is going to look wonderful.

katrien said...

Oh what a news.Fine to hear it's better now.
Whaw i like your clamshells and you are still working on the swan lake,veru beautifull.
Have a nice time.

Annemieke said...

So that is where you have been... I was a wondering. I wish your husband and you all the best and hope he will recover soon. I like your centre h=very much. good luck with the pudding, I nver made and tasted one. There is no such tradition here, not that I know.
Good weekend
groetjes
Annemieke

Anonymous said...

I was beginning to think you quit blogging and now I see...bless your hearts...wishing a speedy recovery to your hubby. It was good you had some handwork ready from what I see. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Frances Leate said...

Sorry to hear that your husband has not been well but glad that he is now recovering. Your Swan Lake quilt is coming along nicely and the flowers and clamshells are looking great. I just love your tree. Happy stitching!

Wilma Kuin said...

I wondered where you had been! I'm glad your husband is doing better.
Your Swan Lake quilt is beautiful and the flowers and clamshells are looking great!!

Oh I love christmas and decoration...

Huggs...

Diane H said...

Holiday Blessings to you and yours, Sue-Anne. Wish we could have a taste of your pudding gathered round your beautiful tree.

Sue said...

Yes, Have been wondering where you were. Sorry to hear about your husband. Hope he is really on the mend soon.
Swan Lake centre is looking very nice . Funny how we turn to our sewing when loved ones are ill. It must be the constant in our life.
Take care.

Cardygirl said...

Hope your DH continues to improve. Lovely stitching kept your hands busy!

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear of your DH health and glad to hear he is recovery well...quite understandable that you have been kept busy...I have started Clamshells..just at the papers stage..Love seeing yours coming together they are Lovely....
take care
cheers

Julia said...

Good to have you back posting...Hope your DH makes a full recovery...
Sewing sure helps us get through tough times...I hope it's all good from now on!
Julia ♥

Miriam said...

Great to see you back. I hope your DH makes a swift recovery now he is back home.
Your swan lake applique is beautiful and I loooove the clamshells! I love the fabrics you are using.
I am sure your plum pudding will be every bit as delicious as your mum's!

retdairyqueen said...

Sorry to hear he hasnt been well Hope things will be ok from now on
I have done my share of sitting by hospital beds and yes I agree you do get a bit of sewing done

Anonymous said...

sue-anne, i have also been wondering if all was ok with you and your family. i do hope that your husband is well on his way to good health again, special thoughts to you both. your stitching, as always, is lovely! take care of you as well !

supergoof said...

I'm in love with your Swan Lake!!!

Terry said...

Glad your back and that your DH is improving.

Not a good reason to have time but stitching always helps during these times. The flowers are beaut.

Like your tree and decorations. The picture of making the pudding looks right I'm sure it will be yummy.

Hugggs to Both

Anonymous said...

yeah, have been missing you. hope your husbands recovery will be good - it is nice to have him around in the house during the holiday season. love your applique!

Leanne said...

I hope your hubby continues to improve. I'm sure you will do the pudding justice I have been making ours for years.

jean said...

Sue-Anne you have been so missed , but glad to see you are now back. Glad DH is feeling better. I feel sure you will do the pudding justice , just as you do with your sewing.
Love your Swan Lake centre and your clams are looking wonderful. Just lovely to play with fav pieces fo fabric

Valentina said...

Missed YOU! I am so relieved that Hubby is feeling better, I hope he continues getting stronger. I am sorry to hear you had such a hard few weeks... Your stitching is gorgeous, as always! I love the simplicity of the applique for the swanlake centre and your clams look absolute gorgeous.
We are also in the process of putting up the tree, now how long that will take is another story!!! :)
Oh Sue-Anne, welcome back!
:)

The Quilted Finish said...

Glad to see you're back. Hope all is well with your DH.
I was passed the plum pudding recipe last year, Mum decided she'd made too many to count and it was time to retire. It's a daunting task to take over and I can't say I'm thrilled to be doing it again this year! I wish you well!!
Love your clamshells and can't wait to see the centre applique and borders together on your other quilt. Welcome back.

Melody said...

Lovely to have you back and so glad to hear your hubby is going to be OK. Take care both of you.

Marieke said...

I was getting really worried, but you are OK and your Howard is recovering. I hope that will get along without any more complications! Wish him the best! I'm not fimiliar with christmas puddings, but can't you just taste a tiny little piece, so you don't have to worry about that? Your tops are looking wonderful!

Janet said...

I'm glad your dh is recovering and out of hospital. Your projects are coming along in those snatched moments. Big responsibility taking over the pud or the cake at Christmas. I bet it will be wonderful. You tree looks so pretty.

Karen said...

Oh, I am so sorry to learn of your husband's medical problem. Can't have been fun for either of you.
I especially like your clamshell piece that you are working on. The colors work so well.

Brandie said...

I'm so sorry to hear your troubles!
Take care!

Nat Palaskas said...

Oh Sue-Anne, glad to have you back and to hear that your DH is recovering well. I came by a few times to see if I have missed any of your post. Lovely stitching you have been doing and the gorgeous Christmas tree! Big hugs and welcome back Nat

Barb said...

So glad hubby is doing well and sorry to hear he has been ill and recovering!
I've been sick for 2 weeks and my husband had surgery on friday, so i know just how you are feeling!
Your applique' is lovey and the clamshells look incredible!! I so love them

Stina Blomgren said...

Tough November... lets hope for a better December.. take care... and Im sending hugs to you all!!

Karen said...

Sorry to hear about your husbands health Sue-Anne. I wish him a speedy recovery and you both a very happy holiday season.

yvonne said...

heel veel sterkte met de gezondheid van uw man.
Onder tussen toch veel aan uw hobby gedaan .
De applicatie is erg mooi geworden en zeker de schelpen; fijne en gezonde dagen yvonne

gerda said...

oh dear..the clamshells..so beautifull!!!
I started whit it...but there is a lot of things to do..(3 patterns of DI..*Ü*..)..but all of it makes me happy...and thats all where it is going about..!!..ehhh I think....;0)
have a nice day...

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about Howie. I hope he is on the mend now. Love all your photos, I just love your clamshells quilt, I'm so addicted to the scrappy look. I just came home from Melbourne and could see all the floodwater near Benalla, hope your Mum and Dad are surviving this one again. Crazy weather. Take care, wishing all the best for a happy festive season. Janice.

Siobhán said...

It was good to see a post from you, Sue-Anne! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, and for your husband's continued recovery.

Your clamshells and applique are just gorgeous!

Marieke said...

How is Howard? And how are you? Hope you are all okay and enjoying the season!

mariarosaria said...

Che meraviglia il quilt in costruzione con tutti quei pezzi di stoffa tipo conchiglia!!!!!!!