Xmas 2008

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas Eve

After a day of last minute run arounds and preparing food for tomorrow, a bit of a sit down and a beer is welcome. Have made 3 salads for Xmas lunch and dinner(doubled all recipes)- bestest pasta salad, chick peas and cranberries and jellied pineapple and carrot. 2 pavlovas which will have huge strawberries, my special garlic dip, and a cauliflower au gratin. Tomorrow will get the turkey on early, to go with the free-range ham - better be the best we've ever had- what I paid for it!!! As well as Xmas pudding. DD3 had the 'beats crankin''(carols) all afternoon while she set the table, hulled strawberries and general helping.

Lunch tomorrow is with our family and Dad (7) with dinner @ my cousins in the city. This year is a bit quieter than normal, my brother and family are away, the aunties etc. are getting a bit old now and stay home. The weather looks to be 31C which is perfect. It won't be the same this year, it will be the first year without Mum, so we will be a bit lost.

We will remember the good times @ Xmas and wish she was still here.

Merry Christmas to everyone. EAt and drink lots and enjoy your families!

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile. We've had a bad time of it lately. Firstly we had 2" of rain and just about ruined our cherry crop. DH is very disheartened but certainly doesn't say die! 80% damage but will pick a few after Xmas. Its not so much losing the fruit (it is) but its the time spent all year working towards the crop in Dec. Its such a high risk product, generally having a good season every 5 years. I am as my DH, fifth generation apple/cherry growers and I still find it hard to understand, why primary producers keep at it. Then during the summer we have to 'stretch' the water for the apple crop in Feb/Mar. Weird isn't it..

The day it rained I spent in bed, with gastro then DH has had it most of the week-of course it was alot worse than my 'bout'... why is that? DD1 has had it too, hopefully thats all. A great week....not. I'm now back on track, not losing any weight and eating normally again, thank goodness, this time of year is all about food.. isn't it?

Our town next door, Lobethal has the Xmas Light Festival. So far I have been in twice, for a look around the busy main street and of course a drive around the town to view all the houses and their Chrissie lights everywhere and I mean everywhere!! Some houses are massed with lights! So pretty. For as long as I remember we have to go in and 'look at the lights'. Its a tradition. As a kid, Mum and Dad would drive us around after the pageant, more recently we would bundle the girls in the car and have a look see. The girls even go in during the weeks on their own (or with friends). The pageant on Tuesday night is of course, compulsory. The Woodside pageant is on Monday night which is fantastic too.

We had Sarah's farewell party on Sunday. DD3 is off to USA for 13mths. as an au pair in New Jersey. It was a lovely party although Im not looking forward to the day of departure... at all. She has 3 children to look after and will love it. I will keep you posted on her venture. It will be 'therapy' for a lost mum.

Last day of work today, as Loz said to me, 'we're taking the rest of the year off!' I'll be back for business on the 6 Jan. It will be lovely just being home (especially with DD3) but with DD1's Engagement Party and Xmas and New Years all happening, not sure there will be too much sewing and resting.

Cheers Jane

Olivia turns 23!

'Tea Cosy, Tea Party' Class was held on Saturday with a lovely industrious group. Tea/coffee was sipped and cupcakes enjoyed while yo-yos and frills were churned out!

I actually expected more sipping and munching, than the amount of sewing that was generated. The gingham(with frills along the bottom - hidden) is Janelle Wind's pattern, while the Iced Yo-Yo Tea Cosy is mine.

Before our ' Tea Party' began I felt so special to be invited to lunch with the lovely Vicki, Yvonne and Gerrie. Not very often I get out of the shop so it was so nice to be able to sit and enjoy.

DD2 turned 23 on Monday, the 1st. December. 1st day of Summer and it feels like Xmas... so that means putting up the tree. 'Its my birthday not Xmas'.. we hear. I actually did put up the tree on Sunday but told her not to look until after her birthday.... She didn't have a real pleasant day, health-wise but cheered up for the cake! I always say, cake helps!!

She's been to TAFE all year and has just got a job, so her life begins in her career choice as a Beauty Therapist.

Liv, I wish you good health and happiness for your 24th year. hugs and kisses.xxxx