Goals - A monthly one at least - and ramblings

Early last year I made lists and plans, joining up with Gail and Cheryll in doing some planning for 2020. It had been a couple of years since I'd done any official planning and I hoped that it would help me to achieve a little more quiltyness. Gail was running PHD in 2020; where we finish UFOs and complete anything we start in 2020. (My list *here*.) Cheryll and her WOOFA challenge encouraged us to work and make progress on a list of projects (My list *here*.). I started both of these with a bit of a hiss and a roar but as the year progressed, I just didn't seem to get to them, nor the monthly link ups. On the whole, my quilty sewing dropped off as other things got in the way. I had made great lists though and I did look at them regularly, and that was really useful in helping me to focus and less likely to start something new. So I didn't start as many projects as I was tempted to, they went on my 'one day' list. For some I bought the patterns or fabric so they are on the 'committed to starting one day list'!

This rather lengthy intro leads me to what I am going to do this year. I'm keeping with those lists. I'm committing to focusing on those projects already out and sorted. I'll probably start some new things but will try not to get too carried away. My December (One Block A Day) challenge shows I can do things if I put my mind to it, so I'll try to capture that energy again!

Last year I got the top of young Odie's Lorax quilt completed. And it even got pin basted. Although I've missed the deadline to sign up to Elm Street Quilt's One Monthly Goal link-up I'm setting this goal anyway.

As Odie turns one near the beginning of February, I think finishing his quilt will be an ideal aim for the month.  I have cleared away some Christmas things (paper and other shambles!) and can now get to my Sweet 16 so that's a start.

The MOML and I just had a couple of nights away, our SIL kindly milking for us and looking after the stock. We went further up north to a little place called Mangonui. We've been there before and like the small town feel with just enough eateries and places of interest and close enough to other attractions to keep us occupied. With kiwis not able to holiday outside NZ, Mangonui was packed to the rafters and we were very lucky to get somewhere to stay.

Mangonui doesn't have swimming beaches, it was once a whaling station and is more well known as a fishing settlement. There are a lot of bays with swimming beaches nearby which everyone was flocking to.

Where we stayed, a remodelled 1861 building. Very nice —

The MOML enjoying an ice cream on a very hot summer's day —

This weekend two of our families are off camping and we are dog minding. It feels like a real circus around here.
Big ones —

(I took the boys plus our dog Emma up the back hill for a good run to wear them out.) We've had a little summer rain this last week and the farm is looking a little greener than it was —

Small ones (took him out for a run as well; he had fun chasing pinecones) —

To add to the complications this guy has sore teeth and is having trouble eating. He's on medication and his teeth will be 'seen to' when his mouth clears up a bit, hopefully in a couple of weeks —

Plus Katems (aka Katie Cat) has come home. Some time in 2012 she moved out of the house down to the old pig sty to live. She's been quite happy down there, initially with Jingle who had also moved out (and passed away 2 years ago) and getting fed twice daily when the chooks are fed. She came inside once about 4 years ago and was quite happy until she saw Timmie cat. They hissed at each other and she took off again. Timmie is no longer with us and so far she has been here for two nights. We'd dearly like her to stay at the house so we're doing the best we can to keep her feeling safe (and away from all the dog visitors)! She's coming up for 18 years old, by the way.
Back to being fully domesticated —

As you can tell from the non sewing photos, there's been little sewing around here but,

'til next time,

happy stitches,