HEART HANGERS

 We have a lovely group of ladies here on Norfolk Island who have formed themselves into a special group called "QuiltNorfolk". Twice a year they organise quilt retreats on the island for keen quilters. There is a smaller workshop in April for about 15-20 people, and a larger one in October for 60 or more. Participants come from both Australia and New Zealand, and they bring in great tutors to teach and inspire in a variety of workshops.
For the past couple of years, I have been commissioned to produce a little something for gift bags.
Because they get a number of repeat participants, I have to think of something different each time. This time I made 60 little heart hangers.

 The centrepiece of each hanger is a fabric reproduction of a stamp that was produced here a few years ago, It shows the quilting hands of a dear friend Robyn, who was the wife of the island's administrator at the time.

 I made the hearts from cotton batting, which is a lovely medium to work with.

 The usual lace, buttons and ribbons were put to good use!

 I hope the ladies like their little hearts, and keep them as a memento of their creative time on Norfolk Island!

BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY

I have to say that now we are getting older, one of the joys and delights in our life is to be surrounded by children.

 Not only do we have Liam (6)and Nate (3) living right behind us, but we often have their friends and rellies and the Ni-Van children playing happily on our front lawn.....

 Or in our house........

 Or up in the Nakamal.......

 We feel so blessed!

 They are always riding the bikes and trikes, or climbing the trees, or sitting telling stories, or getting up to all the sorts of things that kids like to do. 

 We see a lot of the 'older' young people too, and they are always such good company with their fresh outlook.

 Last week we had a get-together to celebrate SIX birthdays. There was Traydon (3), Ben (8),Devenie (18), Peter and Kim (both 38) and George (40). 

 As usual there was a real feast of food

 And THREE birthday cakes, all of them with everyone's name on!

 Our Fijian friend Losana supervised the lighting of the candles - several times, because everyone has to have a turn at blowing them out!

 Birthday cakes are a real magnet for the little kids.

 Betty cut the cakes. You would be surprised how much was eaten, because lots of people wanted to sample them all!

 Nate and Liam said it was good!

 Later in the evening we went up to the Nakamal, to warm up by the fire. and heat up some more food.

 Then Caspar turned up. As you can see, Caspar is a very big dog! He made himself at home, and enjoyed the warmth of the fire along with Digby and Roany.

Now we call him Caspar the Culprit, because for the last couple of years he has been coming round at night and stealing the chair cushions off our front verandah. Sometimes we find them up the driveway or next door.

 But some of them have completely disappeared. His owners say he sometimes turns up home with cushions, but unfortunately not ours!

 It was such a happy evening, with all ages mixing together with a lovely family feeling.

 When we have an evening at the Nakamal, we always feel as if we have had a little holiday...even though we have only been a few metres from home!

VIOLETS AND VASES

 I have been wanting to write about violets. This is not the first time. Looking back through the archives, I see I blogged about violets in May 2011. In that post, I listed quite a few little memories and recollections associated with violets. In fact, I found six other posts where I have mentioned violets.......

But the other day, I was walking past the little area at the side of the house where I have my violet patch, and there were lots of tiny flowers peeping out through the fresh green foliage.

So I picked a little bunch.

 Now it takes quite a while to pick a whole bunch of violets, because the flowers are so dainty and delicate! It is definitely a labour of love!

 When I wrote about violets two years ago, I spoke of my memories of a little violet vase that my mother used to have. My sister Sally in Sydney read that blogpost, and knew she still had that little vase among her things.

The next time she came to the island Sally brought that little vase for me to keep, and here it is with what is probably the first bunch of violets it has displayed for many years.

Now that set me off on a bit of a trail, because I realised that in those cupboards I do not often go to, I have quite an assortment of little glass containers and dishes.

 It is the sort of collection you have when you never really set out to collect. Most of them have been inherited from past generations, and I have probably picked up a few from jumble and garage sales - just because I love them.

 Now this one above was bought just this past weekend, and it was the one I reached for to put my violets in until I remembered that I now have my mother's vase.

 There are lots more old glass dishes and containers at the back of the cupboards.......one lazy afternoon I shall get them all out, wash them and polish them and admire them, and then put them away again.....

 I am not sure what the next generation will think about having to find cupboard space for a little collection like this, so I will make a point of enjoying them myself!

 This year's lavender crop is also in bloom. What a lovely combination!

VANUATU INDEPENDENCE DAY

This could be a lo-o-o-ong post. It was a long day, of celebrations for Vanuatu's 33rd year of independence. We were really just so proud that our NiVan community chose to hold the celebrations at the Nakamal and at Devon House.

The party started in the morning, but the preparations had started long before. There was food to prepare, particularly the lap-lap, which is an island dish of mainly cassava and meats.Quite a few were busy the evening before, washing and peeling vegetables like taro, kumera, potatoes and pumpkin, and warming up the rocks in the fire.

 The day before, the marquee goes up and the chairs are set out.

 Kim D.has helped out with a sound system.

 Early the next morning, everyone is there to get things ready. There are festive balloons to blow up, lights to string up too.

 The Nakamal looks ready for a party!

 The chicken pieces are pre-boiled over the bunia fire ready for the barbecue lunch.

 People have arrived early and are enjoying the preparations.

 The formal ceremony starts at 10.00 a.m. with a welcome and introduction by Charles. He tells how much we enjoy the friendship of our NiVan community.

 Then Alan, who has been the main organiser, addresses us and thanks all who have helped with the planning, the preparations and the provision of food and other items.

 Rev Chris has happily agreed to take part, and he gives us a message about David and Goliath, comparing it to the way that Vanuatu has overcome many struggles and difficulties, and can look forward to the future with hope and confidence.

 The girls were asked to wear island dress! Ernia and Tracey are right in the spirit of things..

 We sing a hymn and the Vanuatan National Anthem

 And then Julie and Devenie raise the Vanuatu and the Norfolk flags on the bamboo poles that have been  prepared for the occasion.

 It is a beautiful mild winter's day and quite a few people have come to join us.

 Meanwhile, the barbecue is underway

 This is going to be a great day for the children.

 Bicycle built for two!

 Everyone enjoys the lunch on the lawn.

 Preparations are well underway for the evening. These fish, (caught by John) and the larger cuts of meat will be cooked in the ovens of a nearby hotel.

 The parcels of lap-lap and island foods are wrapped in banana leaves ready for the ground oven.

 It is fascinating to watch the preparation. Those spnes that Betty is removing from the centre of the banana leaves will be used to wrap the parcels.

 Everyone helps in the process.

 The NiVans have done this all their lives....

 Much of the women's work has fallen to Dianne and Betty - and they have done a magnificent job. Sadly, our lovely Del, Alan's wife, is back in Vanuatu, and we miss her so much.

 While we outsiders are happy to take photos

Alexon is the youngest one of the community, and he is having a great day!

 Digby also enjoys anything going on at the Nakamal...is it the plentiful morsels he always finds around the fire?

 The games begin, courtesy of Kim. Everyone lines up to "throw the sponge"...

 Charles is the first victim.

 Then the older ones join in

 And Charlene is a good sport this time.../

 Next there is a Limbo competition.

 Bevenie proves she is by far the bendy-ist!

 Now, it was just so good to see those kids playing really happily together outside the whole day, with no TV or digital games.

 The bike and scooter wheels were going round the whole day long. There was always a driver, a passenger and a "pusher." 

 Lined up for the three legged race! By this time some more kids had joined us.

 Lots of giggles and tumbles!

 There were games for the grown ups, and Petanque (Boules)was the favourite...

 The loose dust around the Nakamal provided a good "ring".

 By the late afternoon, we were all feeling very relaxed

 It was time to bring the food parcels out from the bunia oven

 How's this for a set of giant tongs???

 And the kids kept playing, their energy was amazing...

 By dusk, the food was ready on the tables under the marquee. It smelled wonderful...and tasted  good too!

 The numbers had grown considerably by this time, and it was lovely to have so many to share in the happy occasion. But there was an enormous quantity of delicious food to help fill all those stomachs - and plenty left over for the next day. 
We sing grace.....

 Some of the kids (and one dog) find their way to "Granny and Grandad's" bedroom - the lure of the TV was getting too much as the little bodies started to grow weary

 But outside, the special cake was ready. Although it was a special "Independence Day" cake, there were three candles for the three birthdays this week - Julie's, Charlene's and mine!

 The little ones were the first to line up for yummy cake!

 Then it was back to the TV.

 But the party went on outside. Danny brought along his karaoke.

 Our Charlene has a very beautiful voice...

 In the kitchen some of the girls help to clean up the dishes.

 How's this for an activity late at night?

Now that was more than 12 hours of partying - and for some it went on the next day!

 But what lovely memories we will have of these happy hours spent with lovely people!