Missing in Action

Hello friends,

How are you all doing??  I apologise for having been "missing in action" these past couple of weeks - I have been helping out in a shop in town which was supposed to be 1 1/2 days per week while my friend (the shop owner),  was overseas - however the lady that I was supposed to be "helping" got taken to hospital and I was "it" 5 1/2 days per week.  

 Not really how I wanted to spend my time but however . . .

I wanted to share these couple of pics to show you what a difference a week can make - I took them exactly one week after the pics I took for my last blog post - my magnolia coming into bloom and my tulips . . . 

Now both in full bloom and the magnolia is looking very brown after our 2 frosts this past week.

I have been burning the midnight oil trying to get some stock finished for the cottage while working during the day - my neighbour commented my lights were on very late the other night - I completed this little Miss Matryoshka to get in the post to a friend for her birthday . . . 

 (a little late but it did arrive eventually !!)

After 4 pm the shop would go very quiet so I managed to get a bit of knitting done, & some dishcloths finished (while waiting for 5 o'clock to roll round)  . . . 

 The pale green wool is actually scented with the fragrance Aloe Vera - I am not sure how many washes it will last for but it does smell very beautiful.

I have been wanting to make some more "Miss Alice" dolls for the cottage - she is a Mogs Design pattern that I do love - here is my Miss Alice sitting in my dining room . . .

 I had some patchwork fabric for their jackets already so decided to make a pink/blue one and another in red colourings -

Often when I talk about her I forget to call her Miss Alice & call her Old Quilts (she does'nt usually object)  - she comes complete
with a story in the pattern all about how her jacket is made from Grandmas old quilt - I always photocopy it & include it with her when I make her  . . .

Also I was able to purchase some extra long cinnamon sticks so decided to make some more of my cinnamon "bundles" again - they smell divine ! !

Their fragrances are Sandalwood & Cranberry - go on - have a big sniff  . . . 

Lastly, this was a doll I had made the body for awhile ago and finally got around to making her clothes (as is typical of me) - she is a Rosalie Quinlan pattern that was published in an old Homespun magazine - her name is Ruby and the words on her tag said "dear mummy I love you" but I have changed it to "we love you"  - she hangs from a door handle or a hook on the wall & her apron is an old doiley (I do so love little Ruby) . . . 

                                        (not very clear photo - my apologies)


Finally I wanted to share a little "Mr Wolf" story with you that happened last week - our old ute had decided to no longer have any gearbox & had gone in for major repairs.  This meant that Graham ("the Mr") had no vehicle to get to & from the farm that he runs,  so he decided to come home in the 4-wheel farm buggy.  Nero (Mr Wolf) was quite delighted when he saw this & seeing as he thinks himself a wonderful "farm dog" (quite the best) the Mr decided to give him a few rides around the lawn in the farm buggy while I cooked dinner -

Hmmm that looks like the perfect vehicle for a marvellous farm dog like myself ! ! !

 Now (because I was cooking dinner) I didnt actually get any photos of him having his rides but I can assure you there would'nt have been any room left in the cab even for an ant, once you got Mr big fat fluffy inside sitting up there all proud of himself & full of importance  . . . 
however the problem arose when we came inside for dinner and he didnt want to get out - AT ALL - & so every half hour or so one of us would go outside & try & persuade him to come inside . . . 

Just look at that contrary-mary face will you !!!???

Note the sky is darkening - still he wouldnt budge! !

Night had fallen by now & the Mr had given up coaxing him

Now I wish I knew how to start this thing up again & give MYSELF rides round the lawn . . .

 Eventually, with a plate of cooked sausages cut up little - I was able to tempt the big fat fluffy inside again  . . . (quite some time later too I might add . . .

Dreaming of riding round the farm in the buggy - VERY important ! !

Hmm - give me small children to deal with anyday ! ! ! 
Well I wish you all a happy sunshine-filled weekend & I will be back here again next week - me & my "contrary-mary" dog -
thanks as always for stopping by.

Love/hugs/friendship,
Julie :-)   X x X x O o