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Friday, January 24, 2014

Grow Your Own Blog Party...

I signed up recently  for this feature over on Vicki's blog '2 Bags Full' and January 25 is already here!


The idea is that the participants write a post in which each introduces his/herself. Vicki has a linky on her blog to enable people to visit these blog posts. Over 500 people signed up this year so perhaps most people will only visit a few blogs! lol

So here goes...


My name is Maria and I live in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. I am a retired teacher and have adapted to the retirement lifestyle very well! I have a DH , 2 daughters and 3 stepdaughters; the girls range in age from 33 down to 28.

A family Christmas get together with our extended family...
My favourite colour is purple...


I love old embroidered linens, pretty china and hydrangeas...



I started blogging in November 2010 mainly because I found inspiration in Rhonda Hetzell's Down to Earth blog after I read an article she wrote in one of the lifestyle magazines, and thought, 'I could try this'. From Rhonda's blog I started to visit the blogs of people who left comments on her blog...I would comment on their blogs and many visited my blog and even became followers. And I still do that...visit...comment and so often find really interesting people. I've learned so much from reading other people's blogs, free craft pattern sites especially! And I've made friends...some of whom I have gone on to meet in person!

Meeting up with fellow bloggers from SE Queensland...


My banner proclaims that the blog would chronicle my adventures as I moved into retirement, but I really had no clear goals about the direction of my blog.

So over the years I've written about the crafts that I enjoy and I 'show off' photos of things that I've made.

Knitting, patchwork piecing and stitching...

Knitting dishcloths/washers

I love working with mohair yarns...

I love hexagons and have been stitching projects with them since the 1970s...


A little bit of crocheting there too!

I've blogged about the groups that I belong to, especially the charity group, 'Knitting for Brisbane's Needy' and Sisters of Stitch, (not a charity but a group which 'feeds' my love of crafts).


With my friend Cheryl at Sisters of Stitch...
I still meet regularly with my former work colleagues...


I've talked about my family and friends in blog posts; I've also talked about the downright mundane ordinary things that are part of my life...such as putting IKEA furniture together! lol


And I even wrote posts about a stay in hospital!



Other posts have focussed on my gardening exploits and my 'battles' with the wildlife for the privilege of eating what I grow! lol



A number of people have commented or emailed me to say they really enjoy my 'looking back' posts when I talk about my life growing up and moving through the various decades to my lofty spot now in my early 60s.


Aged 10

Aged 19


Occasionally, I write posts  about my teaching career...especially my predilection for 'dressing up! Some funny ones there!

The main photo is in my Year 7 classroom...the school principal has taken over from me at the blackboard so a newspaper photographer can get a photo. We are dressed up for the school's 75th Anniversary. I did not teach when those were the everyday fashions! lol
Being retired, DH and I travel a bit more than we used to and I like to blog about these holiday adventures...



I also like to write posts about my own city...

The Brisbane River near Kingsford Smith Drive...

The Performing Arts Centre
Since retirement I have more time for reading, and occasionally I review a book I've recently read...





So there you have it; the very eclectic 'The Next Stage' Blog...

21 comments:

Cathy said...

Hello Maria
You are all I thought you would be - and more :)
Meant to tell you I enjoyed the post you did on The Winter Coat and it's travels. And yes Darwin was very humid - I'd forgotten how humid it could be !
Take care
Cathy

creations.1 said...

Hello Maria - I have enjoyed reading your blog post about your retirement, family and crafting - I find there is always something to learn from all the wonderful bloggers!!

Susan said...

I think you have described blogging and your blog very well - hows that building going?? we haven't heard much lately - they must be almost finished...

Heirloom treasures said...

Hi Maria, I enjoyed this post as I do your others. I only found out about this grow your blog this week so was too late to sign up. Maybe next year. It's lovely to meet people from all walks of life and countries. Good luck with this xx jeanette

Cath said...

You do write some interesting posts Maria, that I love to read.
Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

Kate said...

Nice to meet you, Maria.

Terry said...

Hi, Maria!

I'm Terry. I am one of Vicki's volunteers. Like you I am a teacher, not retired yet but looking forward to it, and a knitter/crocheter.

I hope you have a wonderful time at Vicki's party!

Terry

Maria said...

I enjoy visiting your blog Maria and it was sew nice to learn a little more about you today.
Your intro photo looks fabulous.....

Fit and Healthy Baby Boomers said...

Hello Marie and nice to meet you. I'd love to follow your blog and keep up with your life in Australia. Never been there. I'm from US Arizona. Sounds like you have plenty to keep you busy and to blog about. Have fun at the GYB party.
Best,
Sharon

Elizabeth Edwards said...

wow, you blogged while in the hospital that is dedication. hi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party. ( :

Sue Niven said...

Such a cool post! Since finding your blog I love reading all about what you do, Blogging is like meeting new friends with a virtual conversation. Your blog is a delightful gentle read that I enjoy very much. 500 blogs! Now that is a task! A fabulous intro.

Jindi's Cottage said...

So glad you started blogging and somehow we connected….I enjoy the eclectic-isity of The Next Stage, always a surprise and interesting…. :)

Tami Von Zalez said...

You have covered all the bases. I have a ways to go to retirement - I like to see how others make use of their time.

Popped by from GYBH. Stop by and give me a visit some time ~
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

Fat Dormouse said...

Hello Maria, it's good to meet you and read about all the things you get up to on the other side of the world from me! I will enjoy popping back to find out what you've been doing!


fatdormouse.blogspot.com
dormouse.wibsite.com

Evi said...

Hello Maria, Just popped by to see what was happening here and you are having a party!!!!! I've been very sporadic with blogging these past few months, as well as visiting blogs but I'm hoping I've found my blogging groove again!
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment now and again - it certainly makes it much nicer to press that post button!
Have fun at the party!!

Becky said...

Such a wonderful introduction to YOU,

Unknown said...

Hey Maria, Oh it looks like you have a lovely life and live in a very beautiful city. I know that your swap partner for the heart swap is going to swoon when she sees what you made her. That is a fabulous gift. I read a lot and do some reviews on my blog. So glad that you are enjoying your retirement. It has been lovely getting to know you.

Hugs
Caroline

Wendy said...

hello and nice to meet you! I look forward to my retirement so much.... only about 34 years to go!

Tisha Dolton said...

Lots of intertests here. I will have to check back so I can keep up with everything you do!

Check out my embroidery/ redwork blog if you are interested. (GYB)

aprilsongstress

overboardcreations said...

Hello , my name is Dawn your my one stop on the blog party, Hope that I soon will be friends with all of you cyber neighbors. Can’t wait to see more of your great projects in the making. My site http://overboardcreations.blogspot.com/ and contact info is ovr_brd@yahoo.com
I don’t have a lot of blog time in for I just started blogging when I joined the blog party it was my New Year resolution. Got side track with Reading my 378 blog and more to go. but I like all things creative n thrifty. Thanks for telling your story and the time to get to know you.

macmillanmarie said...

What an interesting and varied blog you have - it is a pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing.