Country Inspirations Blog

Spring has sprung - maybe?

After some glorious days we now have the heater pumping and the winter woollies back on in true Canberra style!

I have just spent a lovely day down at Batemans Bay with another of Fiona & Sylvia's stitching days. I always enjoy these so much and am starting to see regular faces at the Canberra, Queanbeyan and Batemans Bay days. I almost didn't make it today given the atrocious weather in Canberra the early hours of this morning and the minor detail of not having the goodies packed into the car until the middle of last night (literally). It's only natural that the weather would be horrible, every single time I have gone to the Batemans Bay stitching day I have had similar driving experiences, so it's only to be expected now. My oldest daughter, Amelia came down with me and is now spending a few days with my mum. My grandmother was there also so it was nice to have four generations there today. A big happy birthday to my Nanna! Also a big thank you to my mum for all the help she's given me this month with the stitching days. Today she was actually able to sit and stitch.... and help me unpack some lovely new items which she's taken home! :) A couple of lovely ladies had their camera's today so I'll try and post some piccies in the next few days.

Tomorrow holds the joyous task of unpacking the truck and having the room set up ready for Tuesday night. My friend Valerie has a group of friends who meet each month and do a craft together. I will be hosting this months. I'm really looking forward to it.

Well I'm off to collapse into bed now :)

Until next time

Emma

Veligden - Happy Easter

Well here we are almost at the end of April. The weather is definitely cooling down. The heater was on for the first time last night! Traditionally around ANZAC day is when we get our first frost in the Canberra region. It's even cold in the office today (for those who don't know, I'm a public servant by day).

I hope you all had a lovely Easter break. We celebrated twice this year. My other half, Saso, is Macedonian so we celebrated Orthodox Easter last weekend. There are so many traditions and rituals to learn and take part in. I was on leave last week (yay) and spent Thursday up to my elbows in red food colouring and hard boiled eggs. The first coloured egg is kept until Thursday before next Easter and then buried in the front yard by the lady of the house when no one is looking. This egg brings protection to the house. Lots of baking and cooking is also done on Thursday. Strict vegan meals are eaten on Good Friday. We had a yummy dinner that included bean salad, breads, crunchy vegie sticks and tomato salsa and a variety of nuts. Saturday night included midnight mass for Saso follow by a day of rest and gluttony on Sunday. Sunday is when the boiled eggs come back out, they are tapped end to end by members of the family and guests. If your egg cracks then you give it to the other person.

Thankfully there wasn't anymore chocolate, we had more than enough the previous weekend!

Until next time

Emma

Country Inspirations         www.countryinspirations.com.au

Christmas is just around the corner!

Christmas is my favourite time of year. I plan and create all year long with the season in mind. Even when we were talking to our architect early last year, Christmas was considered (by me anyway) in the design of our new home. Most of my trees went up today and are in the process of being decorated and all my little knick knacks are out on display. I'm fairly certain that there's still a box or two lurking under the house somewhere but am content to wait until next weekend to go in search of it. My girls, Amelia & Katie, are horrified that the decorations have come out so early. "But what if one of my friends comes over????" was Katie's remark when I asked if they wanted to put their trees up in their bedrooms today.

Our final crafty gathering for the year is coming up as well as farewell parties and of course the string of Christmas parties. I have menu's and presents and lists of lists to make all running around in my head just waiting to be actioned. As well as the usual yuletide celebrations we have Katie's 11th birthday on the 11th of this month (same day as my sisters 21st!) and Amelia's graduation from Primry School. I was looking through a 'memories box' today and found a mothers day card she made me in Kindergarten. She wrote (had her teacher write) "Dear Mummy, I love you hundreds and thousands because you always give me cereal and toast and ties (that's not a typo!) my joggers shoe laces up and you always give me dinner, lunch and breakfast. We always play with our dog, and go to the coast." I must admit to having difficulty accepting the cute little chub that made that card is now the tall as me, lanky, beautiful (of course I can say that, I'm her mother ;) !!!) pre-teen getting ready to start high school. It's also Saso's birthday (the other half that's snoring beside me on the lounge!) a week before Christmas. So like everyone else for the next six weeks or so we'll be running around celebrating, eating way too much and enjoying time with friends and family.

I hope you are able to avoid the stress of the season and enjoy the preparation as much as the event. If you have any pics of your Christmas decorations and festivities please feel free to share them with us.

Until next time,

Emma

www.countryinspirations.com.au

COLD WEATHER = HOT CHOCOLATE

Hello on this chilly Canberra night. Well the heater's on, the other half has fallen asleep in front of the telly and the kids are all snuggled up in bed so I thought I'd make myself a frangelico hot chocolate (from the last newsletter) and come and say hello.

It's been a hectic week here with the usual school stuff, music lessons and Bollywood dancing on a Friday night!!! It's so much fun. My two daughters and I do the class together along with a couple of other friends and their daughters. The only unfortunate thing about it is the mirrors lining the wall in front of us. Uuugggh. We do have a lot of giggles though and are even taking part in a concert in September with all proceeds going to the Cancer Council.

I'm very excited to announce that you should see my little shop, Country Inspirations, profiled in the September editions of Australian Country Crafts and Country Threads magazines with editorials to follow in October. I spent most of last weekend agonising over which products to send. I managed to stop myself after 3 very full boxes :)

I've just received some great patterns from a new company and plan to test them all out over the next week or so, which should be fun, before loading them onto the site. I believe they'll be just as quick and easy as the Country Whims patterns I already stock. I'll let you know how it goes.

Come and visit the site soon and sign up to become a member. You'll receive a newsletter with upcoming specials and recipes for things like the delicious (and rather more-ish) frangelico hot chocolate that is going down very nicely right now.

I think a gift to one of the first 50 comments might have been aiming a bit high to start with. To keep things moving let's say one comment from the first 25 will be chosen randomly and something lovely will be sent snail mail to that person.

If you're going to be in the ACT area don't be shy. Give me a call (you'll find the number under 'Contact Us' on the home page, link below) and we can arrange a time that suits you to pop over and check out the shop and have cuppa.

Well the cup is empty and it's getting pretty cold. Time to find my ragdoll, Storm, who has become extra cuddly in this cold weather. Undecided as to whether I'll wake the other half up and get him off the lounge, there's a bit of snoring happening out there and I can't disturb the cat!

Until next time,

Emma

To return to the Country Inspirations online shop go to www.countryinspirations.com.au

 

Welcome to the Country Inspirations Blog!

Hi, my name is Emma and I would like to welcome you to my little blog. I'm very new to the world of 'blogs' and am quiet excited (and somewhat daunted) by it all.

I'm hoping to hear back from lots of friendly, like minded folk. There will be regular competitions and giveaways. For example: I thought a great way to get started with meeting everyone would be to randomly select someone from the first 50 'friends' for a free gift.

As well as working full time, running Country Inspirations and taking care of my family I'm also doing a couple of stitcheries, 2 spectactular cross stitches and am part of a couple of BOM's.

So come and have a chat, I'd love to hear what you're up to.

(To return to the Country Inspirations online shop, go to: www.countryinspirations.com.au)