Saturday, 12 May 2012

Day tripping, sketch, crochet, BIG NEWS and a humanitarian

I hope you're all enjoying a beautiful weekend.
The weather is perfect here!

Last weekend, we took a drive out to our favourite spot - Burgess Park, Lamington near Hillview.

It was such a lovely day....

...and we found the perfect spot when we got there too


it was so relaxing...laying on the picnic blanket under the canopy of this beautiful tree


and listening to the steady stream of water below us

I would love to camp overnight one time.

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Lately, I've been getting back into my crochet and I'm happy to say that my granny stripe blanket throw is getting some length to it now.

FAMILY NEWS! - I will be getting out the knitting needles and some baby wool very soon so I can start knitting up some baby bootees. Michelle has given me the okay to go public with their big news so YES!! I'm going to be a Grandma for the second time come November!!! YAY!!!

Michelle has informed me that she wants lots and lots of bootees this time around because she loved the ones I did for Mikayla.

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I have been a little lax with my sketching of late but, yesterday, I found some time to sit down with my Moleskine journal.  This is a pencil-free sketch using only my Faber-Castell Artist's PITT pens.
Reference image credited to Harold Hopkinson at PaintMyPhoto.

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On the health front - All the swab tests, chest X-ray and blood-work came back clear.  I mentioned to my doctor about the possibility that my chronic cough could be due to the Coversyl blood pressure medication.  Thanks for the heads up Gloria and Cindy.  So, now I am taking a different blood pressure medication and my cough is starting to ease although it may take a good week or so to clear completely.  I had to postpone the angiogram due to the cough but it is now booked for the 31st.  Hopefully, things will progress more quickly from there on.

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Wishing all you Mums out there a very HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY for Sunday!!!!

~ love, light and peace ~

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49 comments:

  1. Everydaythings12 May 2012 at 15:06

    I love the internet for the ability to share stuff with others like the info on coversyl!

    wonderful sketch too!

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    1. Serena Lewis12 May 2012 at 17:09

      Thanks, Krissie! Yep, social networks can be a great source of help.

      Delete
  2. Tammy@T's Daily Treasures12 May 2012 at 17:56

    How I would love to join you under the shade of that beautiful tree for a lovely chat. :) Congrats on the new little one to be! You will be crocheting away for sure from now until November. Always love seeing your beautiful sketches. I am in tears now from the selflessness of Narayanan. I have seen his story before but it is nice to hear it again and be reminded that we must all give back on a daily basis. Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

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    1. Serena Lewis13 May 2012 at 08:19

      I would love that too, Tammy! Yes, I will certainly be busy with the hook or the stix making things for the new baby. I'm so excited!!

      Narayanan is an amazing man doing what is right even though it goes against his religious community beliefs. The genuine love and compassion he shows the people in need truly touches my heart. We need many more like him in this world.

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  3. Gerene12 May 2012 at 23:57

    Congratulations!! Looks like you'll be busy knitting some more :) I'm praying that for your health. Maybe you should go more on picnics. It helps the body to relax and in a way, detoxify. About that sketch, it looks a lot like my black labrador dog!

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    1. Serena Lewis13 May 2012 at 08:21

      Thanks, Gerene! I think I need to get back into daily meditation too. Glad you like the sketch and that it reminds you of your dog. :)

      Delete
  4. Toriz13 May 2012 at 02:35

    That's great news about the tests coming back clear!


    And also great news about the new addition to the family expected! :)

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    1. Serena Lewis13 May 2012 at 08:21

      Thanks, Tori...I'm very excited about the new baby...can hardly wait!

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  5. Toriz13 May 2012 at 02:38

    P.S. I'm running a giveaway on my blog until the end of the month. You can find it at http://ziglernews.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/is-for-anouncement.html if you're interested. :)

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  6. Rita13 May 2012 at 03:36

    Congrats!! So happy for you!
    Beautiful spot to connect with nature.
    Love the throw and your sketch is beautiful!
    I saw this video quite a while ago, but I cried again watching it.
    Glad the change in meds is working and you have a new date for the angiogram.
    I know I'm on a blog break, but such big news! I had to pop in!! ;) *hugs*

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    1. Serena Lewis13 May 2012 at 08:24

      Thanks, Rita. I'm so excited and looking forward to my second grandchild! I sure hope I can get rid of the cough altogether...apparently, some people are stuck with it permanently even with a change of medication. Enjoy your break from blogging and have a wonderful Mother's Day ~ xo

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  7. Jennifer Rose13 May 2012 at 07:18

    yes, hopefully things will move faster on the health front now!!

    congrats to michelle and family!

    that looks like a wonderful spot to relax and let the day fly by :D

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 10:48

      Thanks, Jennifer. It certainly was a lovely, relaxing day ~ :)

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  8. Serena Lewis13 May 2012 at 08:20

    Thanks, Tracy! xo

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  9. pauline13 May 2012 at 10:11

    So glad to hear things are looking up for you.
    Amazing artwork (you are the QUEEN of animal sketching!) and that favorite spot of yours could easily be a favorite spot of mine too. It seems so peaceful, even in the photos.
    Thank you for the video - very heartwarming. There are so many good people in this world. xoxo

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 10:48

      Thanks, Pauline. I do love to sketch, particularly animals.

      Delete
  10. GlorV113 May 2012 at 12:49

    Happy to hear that things are improving for you. Your artwork is always inspiring. Loved that picnic area. Love it. I watched that video on the two young men and it is said. There should have been living trusts planned for in the event something would happen. It's very sad. I had a hard time trying to find out where to leave a comment until I clicked on another link above. Here I am though. Happy Mother's Day, enjoy. Take care.

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 10:50

      How odd that you had that trouble with my blog. I hadn't changed anything....it's just back to the old template I've always had. Thanks for your kind comments, Gloria. xo

      Delete
  11. Bettyann13 May 2012 at 13:58

    oh what happy news...congratulations and best wishes to Michelle..lovely place to meditate and do yoga...maybe I'll visit you lol...love the spirit of your sketch...glad your health is better...take care now. xx

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  12. Cindy Lane14 May 2012 at 00:20

    Yay! Congratulations on everything!!

    What a beautiful spot to soak up some nature. What a beautiful reason to be knitting, what a gorgeous sketch. What beautiful people in the world to help others as they do.

    Thanks for sharing it all Serena!

    PS. I quit the Coversyl, went on to Olmetec and ditched the cough once and for all. Thankfully I haven't needed any BP meds for over a year now. Fingers crossed for you!

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 10:52

      Thanks, Cindy! I love sketching straight with pen as I find it's helping to loosen up my sketches which is what I'm aiming for.

      Since quitting the Coveram (half of which is Coversyl), my cough has definitely eased.

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  13. Janet14 May 2012 at 02:10

    Congratulations on the good news from Michelle! You'll be busy again crocheting bootees and blankets and all sorts of baby things. What fun!

    And good news about your cough. Isn't it strange that you had to tell the doctor about the medication? Wouldn't you think he/she should know about the problems it might cause? At least someone knew to tell you and hopefully your cough will soon be much better.

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 10:54

      Thanks, Janet! Yes, I will definitely have busy hands over the coming months with another baby to prepare for.

      Yes, it's odd that my doctor didn't think of that until all other tests came back clear. At least, he didn't shrug me off when I did bring it up to him....some doctors resent their patients telling them things.

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  14. Unknown14 May 2012 at 11:11

    WOW CONGRATULATIONS!!! that is just some great news! You have a little one to crochet for now:) I really like the photos you posted, you take some great shots! Hope you had a lovely mother's day Serena. Thanks for stopping by my blog and sending through your kind comments:))

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 10:55

      Thanks, Fran! I'll try to get by to visit your blog very soon...I've been lax again! :(

      Delete
  15. Julie14 May 2012 at 13:12

    Yes, if your BP med was an ace inhibitor, it can cause coughing. It happened to my Mom here. She changed and all was well again...this was years ago!

    I am so happy Michelle is going to be a Mom again!!! Will she find out the sex? I know she will have many pairs of gorgeous booties, none-the-less!!! Very exciting!!!

    Thanks so much for your comment on my blog when my Mom passed, Serena! It meant a lot to me!

    Your blanket is so pretty in your bedroom with the colors you have going on in there!!!

    Your picnic area was so perfect...in that shade and with the little waterfall! I hope you will camp there one day! It would be some good sleeping with the water sounds!!!

    Happy late Mum's Day, Serena! It is 11pm here on Sunday...so a little late, but heartfelt wishes!!!

    xoxo- Julie

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 10:57

      Thanks, Julie! Yep, Coveram is an ACE inhibitor so, thankfully, my doctor changed my medication...cough is finally easing.

      Yes, Michelle and Alex will find out the sex of baby in a couple of weeks. SO exciting!

      (((Hugs)))

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  16. Tracy14 May 2012 at 19:13

    SOOO MUCH GOOD NEWS, Serena! BIG CONGRATS on grandbaby number 2 on the way--hooray! That is so wonderful, very exciting! And glad you're finding relief from that cough and the new medication. LOVE your granny stripe--such happy colors! This is so pretty. My ripple throw is on the back burner again...*sigh*...this inspires me. As does the Earth Angel...WOW! Your sketch is wonderful--you have such a great way of doing animal portraits! I keep my Pitt pens with me all the time, especially the brush ones for quick sketches. Happy Days celebrating the great family news! :o) ((HUGS))

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 10:59

      Thanks, Tracy! I'm very excited about the new baby on the way. I can't wait to start another ripple throw...I so enjoy working the ripples. PITT pens are fast becoming my favourites to work with for sketching.

      Have a lovely weekend ~ xo

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  17. Gwen14 May 2012 at 20:26

    How lovely to be sitting under a tree listening to moving water. Glad you are making progress with your health issues.
    Take care:)
    Xx

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  18. Shashi Nayagam15 May 2012 at 00:24

    You sound much more cheerful now Serena and I am glad that you are making progress with the health issues. Great news congratulations to you and Michelle. Love the sketch it is beautiful

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  19. Tracey FK15 May 2012 at 09:20

    Huge congratulations... such exciting and wonderful news.... you must be thrilled and a baby just makes everything better doesn't it... love the sketch as well which shows your amazing line work to full advantage....and the pics of the fur babies in the last post sunning them selves... that is exactly what Mushu is doing at this minute... xx

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 11:03

      Thanks, Tracey! So much going on this year to keep me busy. Thanks for you compliment re. my sketch. Yes, the fur-kids sure love the sun! xo

      Delete
  20. Unknown18 May 2012 at 17:17

    Fab place to picnic.

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 11:03

      It was, Sue....it's one of our regular haunts when we go day-tripping ~ :)

      Delete
  21. Pattie Wall19 May 2012 at 11:19

    So good to hear all your news! New grandbabies are so fun! Glad you are moving closer to getting health issues tackled. Love the afghan..it's so colorful!

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  22. Jane22 May 2012 at 10:40

    Very exciting Serena! I can't wait to see all of baby cuteness that you will soon be knitting! Love the photos. A picnic is so relaxing!

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 11:04

      Thanks, Jane!! I'll be by to visit you shortly ~ xo

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  23. sandy27 May 2012 at 01:58

    Yeah, a second grandchild - ! How exciting.

    The blanket throw is beautiful. I just bought some yarn to try and reteach myself crochet. Twenty plus years ago I crocheted an afghan - that's about the extent of it. I hope I can do it again. I'm terrible at following directions.

    Love your sketch.

    Hope your health continues to improve and that cough disappears.

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 11:05

      Thanks, Sandy!

      With crochet blankets, it's just a repetitive thing so not really any directions to follow...same stitch over and over. You can do it, girl!

      Delete
  24. Norma Soulet (AZArtist)31 May 2012 at 01:28

    Hi Serena,
    I am back....:)
    First of all Congratulations are in order for the news of a new addition to the family. Congratulations to Michelle too. That is wonderful news and I bet Mikayla is happy to hear she will have a little sister or brother to play with. :)
    Like always please keep me updated you know I love babies. :)
    Love the photos of the huge tree, the throw is coming along nicely, the sketch
    wonderful, the flowers beautiful!
    I am so happy your tests came back ok. Happy to hear that your cough is subsiding too.
    Please take care and hope you visit my blog soon.
    Hugs

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 11:06

      Thanks so much, Norma! Will keep you updated on baby news ~ xo

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  25. Anonymous1 June 2012 at 06:32

    Just stopping by to say hi, and I hope things are going well! Congratulations on the new grandbaby news!!!

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    1. Serena Lewis3 June 2012 at 11:07

      Thanks, Cat! I have been a little quiet on the blog front lately...life has been busy but it's all good, thankfully. Hope to drop by to visit you soon. xo

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