week One of 2025

It is hard to believe the first week of 2025 has already passed.

Apart from taking care of shop orders and (in)frequently checking my emails, I have had a break from my embroidery for almost four weeks. As the saying goes: “Time flies when you are having fun” and the past weeks have been busy and fun in the best possible way.

It all started with a mad rush before Christmas. My spare room has been acting as ‘piling and I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-it room’ since I moved in two years ago. Even though I had knowns since mid-year that I would be having visitors over Christmas, I just had not had enough time between to do anything about it. So with a week to spare, I set about clearing and painting the walls, so it was somewhat presentable. It was ready with half a day to spare before my sister in law, nephew and niece arrived from Denmark.

We had a fabulous three weeks together. First up was of course Christmas – after they all got over the worst jetlag. Boy, I had forgotten just how much teenagers and young adults can sleep!

It was so nice having most of my family together for Christmas.

Not just the dinner part and the crazy gifting part (we celebrate Christmas Eve), I loved the pottering about getting ready together just as much.

Celebrations are the times, I find it hardest to have half of my family on the opposite side of the globe and I wish my Sister, my Dad and his partner could have been sitting at the table also.

We toasted to them and to those no longer with us.

After spending Christmas Day relaxing at home and at the beach (for those who have never tired it – going to the beach on Christmas day is the best) we headed to Kangaroo Island - A little island south of Adelaide. We had perfect weather; not quite warm enough for a beach day, but warm enough to be outside all day and do things.

We walked – lots! Admiring breathtaking views i

n national parks and along the beach.

We saw cockatoos, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, seals and sea lions basking in on beaches and rocks.

We didn’t see any sharks although the lady at the visitor centre said there were lots about.

We admired enormous, majestic windblown rocks and walked through bushland that was completely burnt in bushfires 5 years ago and marvelled at natures ability to regenerate.

We went sand boarding and tobogganing on a giant sand dune.

And no, it is not be on the board, but my clever niece. I learnt that I cannot stand up on a board – I tried and failed miserably.

In a little bay called American River, we spent a long time chatting to an older man who has organised and is running a volunteer project, The Rebuild Independence Group, to reconstruct the first ship ever built on the Island. It was built by American Sealers in 1803. It blows me away that people travelled so far and wide in search for seals (or anything really) even back then. I had always wondered why that bay is called American River – Now I know.

We lost ourselves (especially my Niece, Anna) in the cutest little bookshop café, drank lots of good coffee and finished each day with delicious food. It was the best little getaway.

Back home, we saw in the New Year with champagne on the beach. I had thought the beach would be packed with people, but it was almost deserted. It was a cool night so we had rugged up and went for a walk on the sand in the dark to a spot where we could watch the main fireworks.

I enjoyed all these fabulous things while we all waited on the big news…

… and on 2nd of January Margot and Sunday arrived. Twin girls, born early but healthy and strong.

I pinch myself that I am privileged to have gone from no to five grandchildren in under three years. How fortunate I am to have Sloane (8) and Axl (10), Oliver (2 and a half) and now the girls in my life. It is going to be busy times ahead.

Born at only 35 weeks, the twins are still in hospital, but are doing so well. They are out of their humidity crips already and back together in a cot. If all goes to plan, they well be home with Mum, Dad and their siblings in a week or two. For now, they are in the best place they can be.

Two of my three visitors left a few days ago after a visit to Adelaide Botanic gardens on the way to the airport to meander and enjoy the large glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly that are currently scattered throughout the park. It was a beautiful way to round up the time we had together.

The only crafting I have done during my break is this mobile for the twins. Hopefully their parents are too busy to read this and spoil the surprise.

I am trying to get back into the swing of things. As usual, I have a long list of things to do in my head – perhaps I should start a (new) to-do list and write it down?

But the sun is shining (again) today and I might just potter around in the garden for a bit, take the Tilly dog for a walk and have a nap. Pretend the holiday is not over just yet…