Remember that jigsaw I started a couple of weeks ago? It’s not your standard puzzle with neat straight edges — instead, it’s full of odd shapes that don’t play by the usual rules. I began to wonder if tackling it in an unconventional way might be smarter. More than one of you agreed, so the other day, after making almost no progress, I decided to put all the edge pieces aside and dive straight into the middle.
What a difference. In just two short sessions, the picture began to take shape, and suddenly the whole puzzle feels a little less daunting. There is still a long way to go, but I’m feeling much more optimistic now — perhaps even confident enough to tempt Tony back to the table.
This morning he was on the floor with Torstein, deep in the 35-piece Dinosaur puzzle, so maybe he’ll lend me a hand with mine again. After all, puzzles are always more fun when shared… even the unconventional ones.
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As I mentioned last time, after the sock fiasco, I was glad to return to my secret Christmas ornaments. They’re quick little projects, stitched from materials that are still fairly new to me, so I’ve kept the designs simple and straightforward.
On my days off I made good use of the time, and now there’s a box full of finished ornaments waiting patiently. The post office run hasn’t happened yet — hopefully in the next few days — but before they go, I must remember to take a few photos. It would be nice to have a record of this year’s efforts, tucked away alongside the memories of making them.
And for now, the ornaments remain under wraps — secret stitches waiting to surprise, with only the box knowing the whole story.
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Still on the subject of secret stitching, I’ve made a start on that secret cross stitch. The kit turned up in an op‑shop bundle, complete with a piece of 30‑count linen and a presorted bundle of threads. The linen went straight back into the packet — even with my second specs, I can’t see to stitch on that stuff. Instead, I pulled out a piece of 16‑count that looked perfect and got busy.
There was a brief moment of panic when one particular grey ran out, but my trusty Co‑Pilot came to the rescue, helping me track down a top‑up in my stash. Who knew Co‑Pilot could identify dark grey DMC numbers? A small miracle, and a good laugh.
I suspect the different fabric count is using more thread than the original linen would have, but no matter — I’m already halfway through the piece. With steady progress, it should be finished in plenty of time to slip under the tree for Tony, a secret stitch revealed at just the right moment.
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Grandad didn’t have all the fun while the children were here. After finishing his dinosaur puzzle, Torstein pulled out his Ludo game. He was persuaded to wait until after lunch — and what a lunch it was. The boy ate almost as much chicken as Grandad, then polished off a huge bowl of jelly and ice cream for good measure.
Once he’d helped Grandad stack the dishbasher, Torstein appeared beside me with the Ludo in hand. Charmaine joined in too, and soon we were circling the board, landing on each other’s pieces and gleefully sending them back to the start.
Torstein was quite upset when his counters had to begin again, but his spirits lifted the moment he was first to get a piece safely home. They lifted even more when he got to send one of his sister's pieces all the way back to the start. His delight at being the winner was unmistakable — a small triumph that capped off an afternoon of games and laughter.
It feels like ages since we last had the children here, with extra shifts and not one but two wedding anniversaries filling the calendar. All the more reason it was a joy to see them again.
Master Torstein is now at proper school, his counting improving in leaps and bounds. Grandad is eager to read with him as he learns, though today there wasn’t time. All too soon their visit was over — mummy had evening work ahead, and daddy had chores waiting at home.
We helped buckle them safely into the car, collecting hugs and kisses along the way, then stood waving as they drove off. The house feels quieter in their absence, but the promise of their return lingers. I’ll need to add ice cream to the shopping list before they come back — a sweet reminder of the joy they bring.
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Do you remember that massive hailstorm back in 2019 here in Timaru? It hammered down in not one but two long waves as the front moved over town, hailstones larger than marbles crashing onto roofs and roads. The damage was brutal — my poor car was a write‑off, left pockmarked beyond repair. The insurance claims went into the millions across the region.
Last week, the skies opened again. Not quite as long this time, but the hailstones were every bit as huge and fierce, rattling against windows and bouncing off the roof at work and across the gardens. Trees had their leaves shredded and piles of white built-up all-over town. Once again there was lots of damage and the insurance companies are busy. My poor car took another beating. Thankfully, she’s not written off this time, though the dents tell the story of a battle fought and lost. Soon she’ll be off to the workshop to be straightened out — a sigh of relief I'm very fond of my wee car.
With the dents counted and the workshop booked, I’m ready to leave the drama of spring storms behind. Here’s hoping the skies settle, the hailstones stay away, and summer finally stretches out in steady warmth. A season of sunshine, stitching, and family visits sounds far more welcome than another round of thunder and ice.
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With a couple of days off coming, I’m hoping to make that delayed trip to the post office, add a few more secret stitches to my cross‑stitch, and keep chipping away at the puzzle that’s finally taking shape. Small steps, steady progress — and the quiet satisfaction of knowing each stitch, each piece, and each errand adds to the larger pattern. But first, back to work on Monday and Tuesday and the dentist on Wednesday.
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