I have been extremly busy getting a few other people up and blogging, so I haven't had time to log onto my own blog. Last weekends was just so busy with the Wattle Festival. The Hustbridge C.W.A. ran a devonshire tea and craft display. We also sold homemade produce. Lots of people came from all over and we were run off our feet. This weekend we started with a get together with my good friend Charmaine and her husband Ron. Next week we are going to Darwin then on to Kakadu for 2 weeks. We needed to work out the various places we were going to and what are our starting times. We thought it would be nice to discuss these things over a meal and some drinks( sparkling red to be exact). So we went to Poppys a lovely Thai restaurant in Croydon. The food was great as was the company. So can't wait till next week.

Cheers to a great holiday!

Jam Making

I have been spending all day making Jam for the CWA ladies, to sell at the Wattle Tree festival next week. I had already made a few jams earlier in the year when the fruit was in season (plum & rhubarb) Today I attempted to make apricot & pineapple jam. I used dried apricots and a can of crushed pineapple. I soaked the apricots overnight to make them nice and plump before I commenced cooking. However I did not used a heavy based pot and when I was distracted, the sugar burnt, making my lovely golden jam turn yucky brown. Devastated I turned my focus onto Lime marmalade while the second batch of apricots was soaking. I had never made marmalade before and as I had tons of limes I thought why not make Lime marmalade. Problem was my limes weren’t green they were yellow so my lime marmalade looks yellow. I changed pot and found my old pressure cooker and that seemed to do the trick. My marmalade turned out quite nice if I say so myself. As for the apricot &pineapple well I had another go and this time I didn't burn it so I am pleased to announce that today I bottled 5 marmalade jars and 6 apricot & pineapple jars. Now to make the labels and put a fancy top over the top.

Busy Weekend

I had another busy weekend. Firstly Ang and I went shopping and it took all morning. (Don't you hate that!) We dropped by Charmaine and Ron's house for a cuppa and to put the final payment on our trip to Kakadu. (Can't wait)Ron was working on his carport but Charmaine was visiting her mum so we didn't get to see her. In the afternoon I went to Pat's place for another of our girls' afternoon tea. This time the theme was "wedding photos" We had photos from 1965 through to 1980 something. Very interesting. Today I spent the day at a scrapbooking workshop. We commenced at 9am and went through till 5, but because Jacob is coming over for dinner, I decided to leave early. Besides I was a little scrapped out after doing 2 pages.I did pages about Ang as those were the most decent photos I had. It's just not the same as when one does scrapping at home.I have all my things at hand and my computer to do my signs with. So now I'll sign off as I have to write a letter to one son in Timor and get dinner ready for the other son.

Old Friends

Had a busy weekend. We had Eddy and Renata over for dinner on Saturday. We hadn't seen them for at least 12 years. It was great remembering old times and the fun we had camping. Sunday I started working on myI work program but was soon distracted making a maths mini office. I was scanning the web on resources to put into the mini office that would suit grade 3, when I came across this great site 'Maths is Fun' It has some good problem solving activities and before I knew it ,it was 5 o'clock. My how time flies.I finished the night with a lovely roast dinner in the company of Ang, Kimberly and her boyfriend Dale.

Last night we went to Chadstone's Mitsubishi's 20th anniversary dinner. My sister Kerry & brother in law Con, were the owners and hosts for the night. My other sister Patty and her husband Roddy came down from Sydney and my young brother Rob and his wife Debbie were also present. It was a lavish night and the band was great. Plenty of food and wine and the dancing seemed endless. I was wearing a pair of shoes that I had only brought that day. By the end of the evening my feet were hurting a little. We finished the night off at my brother's home sipping hot Milo and reviewing the night. Ang and I finally fell into bed around 2:45, which for us is quite late. Today I am just relaxing and having a quiet time on the computer. Ang has gone to the footy to watch Nth Melbourne at Telstra Dome. PS Don't you think my sister on the left looks like that English actress Brenda Blethen?

Dinner with Friends

Last night I went out with the rellies to a fabulous restaurant called 'Rubicon' in Nth Melbourne. I highly recommend it. The meals are fabulous and at great prices too. I finished off my weekend by having a long 'lie in" in bed and watched 'Sunday' on nine. Now I have to prepare for the week ahead and get organised.But first I'll write a letter to my dear son

Aren't I clever

I think I am very clever because thanks to my friend Diane from "Needles On The Move" I was able to change the background of my Blog. But I'm not sure how to put a greeting up the top. As you can see my pic doesn't fit very well and it has a white background. Hmm I'll have to think about this. by the way do you like my portrait? Hold on I've worked out how to delete that picture. So I will.

Prep Quilt

Well I began the Prep quilt today. The theme is 'Animal Crackers' The preps went to the zoo last term so I cut out circles for them to draw on. I spent the day preparing the circles to attach to the backing fabric.All the fabric I have used so far has been unbleached calico. I like to use that because it is reasonably cheap and I enjoy dying it. I dyed the backing using parisian essence with some coffee added. To get a rich brown effect I had to dye it 3 times. So I was up all night.. next week I will attach the circles to the backing fabric and sew them on.

Afternoon Tea

Got together with some old work friends for afternoon tea. We had a great time catching up. We exchanged some new gossop as well. We all had to bring something old/antique that we thought was precious. I brought along a tablecloth that was made by my grandmother for my mother's 21st. It was white linen with delicate tatting around the edges. Very precious to me. There was a variety other other things at the afternoon tea such as a school report dating back to late 18th century. An exquite gown brought here from Paris during the early 1900's, a bible handed down through generations. and much more. Tea was served in delicate china and we ate petite 4's. An exquite afternoon.

Hasn't it been cold?

Hasn't it been cold today? When I woke up the house was surrounded by fog. I had to feed the chooks this morning and my little toes were freezing. As usual it was quite dark but i could see where I left my footprints behind in the grass. At recess time I had to wear my big coat because i was so cold. By the afternoon however it was quite pleasent. I hope we get more rain. Last week's rain was really great don't you think?

Good day

Well I'm at the end of my cold now and only a little bit of cough is left. Spent the morning writing to my son who is serving with the armed services in Timor. He said it is terribly hot and muggy up there and the living arrangements are a little rough but each day they improve. Here is a picture of Luke with his dad when he came home from leave last time he went to Timor. he is wearing the blue beret of the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces We are very proud of him

Not well

Well finally it's the weekend and unfortuately I am not well so I will be spending the next two days in bed. I may get my knitting out and finish that.

Gym Workout

Went to the gym today, attempting to get fit. I was very proud of myself as I ran 4 kms and power walked the other 4. I had a go at lifting weights too.

Tick Tock

Ohhhhh I had another great day. The heaters are back on Thank goodness.

Time is ticking by so I will go. Like my clock display?

What a day

I had a great day today. Even though the classroom was very cold because the heaters were not working, I still had a great day. I am still struggling with this bolg thingo but I'm sure in time I will conquer it

Welcome To Scrapheaps!

Welcome to my world .I am new at blogging so it will take me some time to work things out.