Audrey's 21st Birthday

It's a lovely thing to eat out and having a good reason to do so makes the food all the more delicious. So we headed for Molly's to have a scrumptious evening meal as technically following Malaysian time (8 hours ahead of Ireland) Audrey would have turned 21 at 4 pm today!

Though unplanned, we all ended up having fish. Fish cakes and the salmon florentine en croute were really mouth watering.

For that someone special, it is always very satisfying to make something special. This is what I came up with.

The little key (on the card) has bloomed into a big key. (hanging on the tub). 

The card came with an ang-pow. (monetary gift) Undeniably a bit of extra on the side is always very much appreciated anytime.

I filled the tub with Reese's chocolates and all the adjectives that describe Audrey because she is one very good daughter. The only restriction to the number of adjectives used was the size of the tub. 

Every mother thinks the world of her child. But to have other people actually affirm how wonderful your child is, is another matter altogether. In this area, there is no lack. 

In fact I got a card recently that read

 ' Audrey is mature beyond her years. You are due a congrats for raising her this way. She relates to people very well and goes on well with our children. She's always a pleasure to have around....'

They say there is no manual for parenting. But I choose to defer. All I can say is that the Lord has blessed me with three great children and He has guided me and taught me how to be a parent.

So on your birthday Audrey, I wish that you will continually....

1. love and be faithful to God and live a life that is worthy of Him 

2. respect and love your parents and siblings 

3. attain great achievements and be courteous at all times

4. be in the state of contentment (this is beyond happiness which is ephemeral)

5. be in great health

6. live the dreams that you have

7. look beautiful: inside and outside

8. find favour with the people you are with 

9. enjoy and use your talents and giftings

10. know that you are made of more (Psalms 139)

................ with love from mumsie and dad.............xoxo............2015

Countdown to Christmas 2014

Snowmen made from pasta jars

 The Snowmen looking out of the window

In early December, I thought I would start the countdown to Christmas by posting something that I've made everyday. It was a great idea because I found myself very busy and very happy doing the things that I like, going places, meeting loads of friends and making new friends along the way.

Fresh Christmas wreaths

My friend Phil informed me that there would be a wreath making session at Southill Area Centre

hall so I went and made 2 fresh wreaths - one for a relative and the other for my mother-in-law's resting place. An added bonus was making a new friend Mary who introduced me to the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA) - Limerick Guild

Together with new friends at Southill Area Centre.

So I went for the ICA meeting and learnt how to make a centrepiece for the Christmas table,

From the ICA facebook page, I discovered that the women had created a lot of stuff for past Christmasses. The one that caught my fancy was the quilted bauble so I tried my hand at making one and gave it to a good friend.

Went for a workshop at Killaloe Community Centre and made two tree ornaments

Then it was time to decorate the house and get it all ready for Christmas

                                                 The fresh Christmas pine tree

                                       Hand sewn new cushions and patchwork quilt sofa throw

                                 Some bears and a cat that I made earlier this year sitting on
                                              a cross stitch quilt that I made last year

                                        A Christmas quilt I made two years ago

Two more new cross-stitch quilted cushions

And in-between the sewing and crafting, I was invited to a number of parties and celebrations!

Christmas party at Carrygerry country house - International Women's Organisation

Made some cupcakes for the

Christmas party at Woodview Hotel Limerick - Busybees Organisation

Theresa's party where we feasted and made music with a variety of instruments, beautifully coordinated by the very talented friends from the Music Faculty at the University of Limerick.

                 And not forgetting the beautiful Christmas candlelight service at Abundant Life Christian                                                                                 Church, Limerick

The holiday spirit  would not be complete without some form of  travelling........to London Christmas Market and I bought a paper shoe making kit.

                    ( I gave this away to a good friend who fell in love with it)

And a Sainsburys Commemorative Chocolate bar from the beautiful 2014 Christmas Advertisement based on Christmas 1914 during WW1. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWF2JBb1bvM)

And finally this is the little boy I brought into the world 24 years ago, wishing everyone a very blessed Christmas and a great year ahead!

Samuel at 6 months

Christmas Craft Workshop

When Susan suggested that I conduct a craft demonstration at the Active Retirement Group in Raheen, I couldn't wait for it to happen. As usual there was a time frame and we finally decided on two crafts - a demonstration of decoupage technique and a hands-on session of card making. The night was pretty cool so I was thankful that I was appropriately dressed in something warm and made of fleece.

A wooden wine box totally transformed

A day before the event I scouted out the place which was located in a strategic part of town. I got the basic raw materials ready, so that everyone who participated would hopefully go home satisfied with what they had created. Time wasn't really a factor as I was prepared to pay extra attention to those who needed more.

                                            Some of the lovely cards made by the ladies

All in all I enjoyed the session tremendously. It was a lovely group and a very diligent one too. Some were busily taking notes while others asked where they could purchase the materials. It was also nice to be in the teaching mode, doing what I love and speaking into a microphone.

A teacher is always a teacher, whatever the circumstance.