Reverb 12 Ends

A little crochet update to end the year, and the last of Kat's Reverb 12 questions.  I'm having so much fun with this new blanket and even though the colours are not what I usually work with, they are a refreshing and fun change.  Girl 2 loves the colours, but does keep slipping in other brighter colours and I keep the balance with cream!  This could be dazzling by the time it's finished.

What daunted me and how am I going to overcome those fears in 2013?
I think one of my greatest fears is that I'm not going to get done everything I hope to get done, and the only way to overcome this is to get in and do it and do it now!  In a nutshell.

What word did you select to be your travelling companion in 2012?
I've never selected a word to accompany a year, even though I do rather like the idea of it.  I think I've been daunted by a single word influencing my entire year, or not choosing the right word, so I've thought about selecting a word a month (or a little longer if needs be).  So a list of words is required.  How I love a bit of list making!  45 words later, I'm bamboozled as to which word I should choose to start me off for the year ... adventure, achieve, balance, expand, notice, stretch, sparkle, wonder.  All fabulous words that sing to me.  Will sit quietly and choose one.  Are you going to choose a word as your travelling companion in 2013?

What can you celebrate now about you?
I am a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend.  I am creative, and find inspiration at every turn.  I have had moments when I have sparkled and shined, and others that have been bleak, but the combination of all these moments have brought me to who I am now.  I celebrate all that I have done and welcome what is still to be achieved [and secretly applaud that I can even write this paragraph and send it out into the world].

Where are you now?
I am at the very end of a busy, eventful year and I love sorting it all through and packaging it up to reflect on, but right now I'm too exciting about all the new and wonderful possibilities that are in store for this new year coming.  I have already booked in for yoga and piano lessons.  I will be taking a new role within our family business that is exciting.  My eldest daughter is starting secondary school, youngest in Grade 5.  Oh, and I will be feeling fabulous due to all those walks I'll be taking!!!

 

Wishing you a wonderful last day of 2012.

Trudy

A Hearty Artichoke or Two

Hello.  Hope you've had a peaceful Christmas and now have some time for putting your feet up and relaxing.  If giving roses is a symbol of love and irises a symbol of friendship then what do you think giving a bunch of artichokes means?  Whatever it is, it has given me a fabulous photo opportunity!  So here you have some artichokes in amongst my next set of Reverb 12 questions and answers.  Do ponder some of these questions.

What's on your dream list?
This is an easy question with lots of answers ... where to begin?  I'd love to live in a rambling, old farmhouse on a few acres of land.  I'd love to visit Italy.  I'd love to lose 20 kilos!!  I'd love to master the art of my soldering iron.  I'd love to travel through Cornwall in a caravan.  I'd love to learn Italian.  It's so lovely to have dreams, and one that came true this year was to have a piano in the house, and next year I will begin lessons again.

Your greatest gift received and given?
Let's just think about Christmas here, as it's uppermost in my mind ... the look of joy on the faces of my girls as they rushed into the sitting room Christmas morning, and the antique metronome that now sits on top of our piano, but hasn't improved my playing just yet!  I'm hoping the greatest gift I gave was bringing my family together for our big Christmas Dinner earlier in December.

What will you let go of?  Excuses/stories you tell yourself that are holding you back?
Doubt, lack of focus, and lack of time are excuses I'd like to let go of, but whether I do or not is another story!  They're big ones really and if they hit me all at once I wouldn't achieve anything.  To have written them down, to have read over them and put them *out there* for all to see, might go somewhere towards an acknowledgement of those thoughts I tell myself and may help to squash them.

Your most important habit?
I'd really, really, really like to think that I will form the habit of walking in 2013.  I'd really, really, really like to believe that I will do this.  I'd really, really, really like to look back on this at the end of the year with a smug, self-satisfied grin on my face and say ... "Well look at you girl, you did it!!"

How will you tend to your vulnerabilities?
Over to you ... 

How will you make time?
I will find a little piece of old, faded linen, hand stitch some numbers on it and a couple of wonky hands to show my favourite time of day, add some pretty touches Julie Arkell-style, make it into a watch that I can wear around my wrist so that every time I look at it I will have plenty of time left in my day to do whatever I wish!

How will you honour your creativity in 2013?
I will keep saying "it's okay".  The bath needs scrubbing, the windows need washing, the children need feeding!!! but I've just got this fabulous idea for a new project and I need to jot it down, do a couple of sketches, pull out some fabric and throw some colours together.  The bath, the windows, the children (hmm, maybe not the children) can wait, " it's okay", "it's okay".

Are you thinking about your plans for next year?  How you might do things differently?
Trudy

Crochet and Questions

What was the most important thing you learned in 2012?
I learned that life is fragile.  And although I probably knew this deep down already, this lesson was given to me once again, up close and way too personal.  Things can be taken away from us so easily so, without living in fear of this happening, we should acknowledge all that we have and be grateful and sing and dance more.

What tingled your tastebuds?
It really doesn't take much to tingle my tastebuds.  I'm such a sweet-tooth, so you name it, Sticky Date Pudding, Lemon Meringue Pie, Pear Tart.  Uh-oh, I'm feeling a dessert coming on ...

Who inspired you?
I am constantly inspired by people and places, by words and images, but the sun and the rain.  I'm inspired by the blogs I follow, by my friends, my partner, my family, my children.  I can be aimlessly wandering through a day and happen upon a picture, phrase, feeling and it can have me sketching or writing a poem or painting my toenails.  I love being inspired to do, to play, to have a go.  So, in answer to the question, not one person, but constant inspiration.  Inspiration is a favourite of mine.  To be inspired.  To feel inspired.  To act upon some found inspiration.  To hopefully inspire others.

How did you make a difference?
I pondered this question.  It was tossed around and around in my head, and I didn't come up with an answer, so I threw this question to my family.    Girl 2 said immediately "You made us happy".  Hubby said "You pulled me through".  And Girl 1, like me, shrugged.  Of course, it got me thinking that I should have made a difference.  What could I have done to make a difference ... to my life, to my family, to my friends?  I'll throw that question over to you.

What colour best represents the year you had in 2012?
I'm not a negative person, so it's never going to be black or a dark and gloomy colour.  There is always light and positivity so I'm thinking my year was blues and greens and pinks.  And if I wanted to invite a particular colour into my life it would be yellow and by that I don't mean paint the walls or to wear yellow (because that has never worked for me!), but to find more of a lightness.

How did you nourish yourself?
I'm a bit of a *soak in the bath* person.  I like to light a candle or two, pour something nice into the water, block out the day-to-day life stuff and breathe deeply.  I also did a weekly yoga class for half of the year and I've already booked in for next year.  I read a lot which is a lovely nourishing activity.  For the coming year I know that I must move more!  I think daily walks will be my aim.  You can see I'm not totally committed to this idea yet, even using the word "think", but hey, it's a start!

What was lost and what was found?
Time was lost.  Time when I didn't focus well enough and time slipped away.  Time which was wasted on television or too much internet hopping, or dithering.  So, although I can't find more time in 2013, I aim to find more focussed use of my time.  I want every moment to be filled with family and friends and creativity and peacefulness (oh, and daily walks!)

As you can see from my photos in this post, I've started a new blanket of squares!  Thanks so much for all your comments on my last post.  I read all your words of encouragement and that was all I needed to begin.  A few more colours have been added to the mix, because Girl 2 thought it needed a few more bright colours.  More pinks.  And purple.  And yellow!!  It will be a blanket of 72 squares for her bed.  And a few different patterns.  Lots of fun.

Trudy

A Week of Reverb Questions

And a little bit of Christmas in between.


What will you take with you?
I'm going to pack my little checked suitcase and take with me into the new year of 2013 a fair dose of resolve for all the things I want to achieve, patience for when that doesn't happen as quickly as I would like, understanding and acceptance if those things don't happen at all, and a sense of adventure for the unknown.




When you can't find your Christmas tablecloth because it's packed
away due to house renovations, roll out some wallpaper!

Your most important relationship?
We are a family of four, so I have three very important relationships to continue to nurture.  With two young girls in the house, one on the brink of womanhood at the tender age of 12, our relationships are constantly ebbing and flowing.

Your favourite book?
I've blogged about this book earlier, "The Messenger" by Markus Zusak.  That book gets my vote for the year.  It teaches the value of random acts of kindness.  What was your favourite book?  Please share, as I love a good book recommendation!

Made by yours truly, requiring a heck of a lot of patience
... those antlers, grrr.

Your greatest risk?
I'm not sure if this rates very highly, but to me it was a risk, and that was scaling the side of a mountain in Tasmania, holding on with chains and attempting to overcome my fear of heights, of falling, of being hurt.  The outcome of this was that I realised I don't want to miss out on things anymore because of my fears as I may not be given that chance again.  Stand well back, this little chicken is about to jump in, boots and all!!

Santa's Reindeer, Aggie ... what, you haven't heard of her?

What was music to your ears?
A particular phone call, telling me that everything was going to be okay.  My daughter's name being called out to say she was the winner and watching her in her special moment.  My own hands clapping as I watched my daughters dance, sing, play music.

You most intense emotions?
Sheesh, these questions are fair taking the stuffing out of me!!  I can't think beyond last days of school, end-of-year functions, parties, wrapping, posting cards let alone verbalise intense emotions!!  I'm going to handball that one over to you, if you want ...

Some Selfie Love ... favourite picture of yourself from this year?
Uh-oh, here we go again with a photo of me.  You know I'm not particularly comfortable with this, don't you?  But ... a couple of weeks ago we headed to the beach with a picnic tea and the camera, and lots of photos were taken.  I had fun playing around with this one, taken by hubby, wrinkles, freckles and all!!

 

Have you started reflecting of your year yet or is the busyness of the season taking over?

 

Trudy

In the Kitchen

Those who know me well may have a little chuckle at this point, there could be thoughts along the lines of "does Trudy know where the kitchen is?", but it is true that for the last couple of days I have spent many happy hours in the kitchen, in Christmas preparation mode.  My dear friend came to visit, to teach me how to make individual puddings ...

 

in teacups, in the frypan!  We made a lot, for a Christmas celebration on Sunday.  The table will be full-to-bursting with family and food.

 

 

 

And in between I have been thinking of the daily Reverb questions.  I am a bit behind because Monday's answer did not come immediately to mind and still has me wondering.

 

What do you really wish for?

Obviously the big stuff, that goes without saying, and then the healthy/happy stuff for family and friends, but I think this question is for me/for you. And the reason I've had such trouble answering this question is that I don't know what I really wish for. If I did I think I would be taking steps towards my wish. And I won't say there's nothing I wish for, because I don't live in a perfect bubble with everything "just so"; I do know there is something, I just don't know what it is.  Does this make sense?

 

 

Reverb 12, Day 4

How are you going to celebrate yourself this festive season?
I am going to celebrate myself by being gentle, by walking on the beach, by reading good books, by getting enough sleep, by eating well.  I will recharge and reflect and dream.

 

Reverb 12, Day 5
What was your dream destination?
An easier question, good!!  My dream destination, which actually took place this year, was Cradle Mountain, in Tasmania and my dreamy-dream destination is always, and will always be, until I really, truly visit and not just in my head, is Italy.  Italy ... destination of my dreams.

Reverb 12, Day 6
What did you learn?
I learnt that a whole day in the kitchen, can produce 34 Apricot Balls, 53 Fruit and Nut Balls and 25 Chocolate and Hazlenut Truffles .  I also learnt that life is fragile.

Would you like to ponder these questions too?  To sit quietly with each one.  Here they are again.
What do you really wish for?
How are you going to celebrate yourself this festive season?
What was your dream destination?
What did you learn?

Trudy

Barn Sale

Girl 2 and I had some time to ourselves recently and headed out the door, jumped in the car, and drove down a dirt road to go to an advertised Barn Sale.  I was full of excitement for what that little barn in the bush might hold and I wasn't disappointed.

When we pulled up outside the given address, I even found the barn to be enticing.  Just imagine what fun could be had if we had a barn like that to play and craft in.  And just have a look at the beautifully peaceful view.  *Sigh*

Inside were goodies in every direction I looked!  Some I wanted to bring home, others were fun just to look at.  A little corner of kitsch Australiana, tall and slender coffee pots, some earthy '80's ware which was all too familiar ...

... and there was one item that simply jumped out at me, wanting and needing to be taken home (with the perfect place already in mind).  Fortunately I had a little bit of pocket money with me, and we beamed, did Girl 2 and I, as we skipped out of that barn and home to put our new-old globe on top of the piano.

 

It had to be really, didn't it?  Look at that lovely teal colour!!  You know how much I love teal.  I think globes could become a serious collector's item in this house (this is the second globe we have now) as I simply adore them, for their roundness, for their colours, for their dream potential, for their learning.  And a centrepiece on a table - gorgeous!

 

Photo by Natasha www.beautifullysuddenly.blogspot.com.au, via Pinterest

And now to Reverb 12 and today's question :  What was your most significant expenditure in 2012?

 

That's an easy one!  Our piano.  We had such fun all year saving up as a family for this major purchase.  And we love it.  We all have a bit of a play, by ourselves or crazy duets.  Next year we may consider lessons, but at the moment it is all about the fun of it, and having music *of a different kind* fill the house.  And I'm finding the joy of playing far more than I ever did as a child.

 

What about you, what was your most significant expenditure?

Do you have a love of old globes too?

 

Trudy

 

Reverb 12

See the new logo off to the right, on my sidebar?  And above, obviously!  I'm taking part in a new-to-me challenge called Reverb 12, hosted by the lovely Kat at I Saw You Dancing (the very same Kat who hosted Blogtoberfest 12).

This is a gentler and more introspective challenge, no compulsion to blog every day, and who could anyway at this busy time of year?  There will be daily reflective prompts in the form of questions, with Reverb 12 being all about saying goodbye to 2012 and hello to 2013!
 

December is the perfect time to reflect on the year as it comes to its end, to celebrate the successes, honour the challenges and plant the seeds for a gorgeously brilliant 2013.  Are you keen to join in too?  Pop over to Kat's blog and read all about it.

But before you go, this is today's question :  How are you starting this last month of 2012?

 

I'm starting this month with lists, both written and in my head.  I feel there is so much to do, so much to organise, so much to clean, to prepare, to wrap, to post, to cook.  I suppose you could say I'm feeling just a tad overwhelmed.  I wish I didn't feel this way, I wish I could just relax into this end of the year, but I love everything to be just perfect for Christmastime.

How are you starting December?
Be kind to yourself.

Trudy