Evaporative Aircon.

2009 had a warm send-off from Adelaide today. 40.6C (105F)

But it's OK ... I can "do" evaporative aircon in my little car!!

New Year's Eve 2009

I heard the strains of Auld Lang Syne coming from the radio this morning. It reminded me of the Millenium Prayer recorded by Cliff Richard a few years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDSOkO5Wp_E

Christmas in review (4)

Even with my limping camera I DID get a few shots of Christmas Day, using the viewfinder that the IXUS40 had (as well as eating humble pie in the form of Franklin's old IXUS20. )

So thank you, Karen and Scott, for all that you did to make Christmas Day 2009 so enjoyable,

.... and blessings on your precious family.

275 pages!!

I am very grateful to have been able to replace my broken camera, but I seriously do not want to have to consider makes and models for at least another 5 years!!

Franklin and I went shopping yesterday, after reading the mountain of sale ads. Kind friends and family gave me all of their tips. I needed something "sturdy". We found one that ticked all of the boxes on my list of desired features.

I had hoped that the manual was in 10 languages (i.e. 1/10 in English). Not so. All 275 pages in English. (groan) I just LOVE manuals for anything (not!) I pawed over it until late last night and went to bed positive that I would never be able to squeeze even a poor photo out of my new acquisition!

Today I did what the kids do. I fiddled with it ... then out into 39 degrees of heat to capture this darling Iceberg rose that was smiling bravely for me.

... then back indoors to read the manual! (but only the interesting bits!)

(I haven't done much sewing!!)

Christmas in review (3)

In my blog of November 11, I mentioned having the pleasure of meeting Orpah, a Uni friend of Sue's. Well, Orpah and her 3 children came to share an impromptu meal with us on Christmas Eve. It was just LOVELY! A little bit of New Guinea came to us! Karen and Scott and the family were able to come along, too. I was fortunate to be able to get these photos with my ailing camera.

Something here obviously requires a great deal of concentration.

This morning I carried my lovely gift from Orpah to church!

When we lived in New Guinea, someone made Suzanne a bilum, but I have never had one of my own! I am so happy! I watched Suzanne's being made - with an over-and-over motion using a strip of bamboo on which to build the row of stitches. The girl was using a needle made out of a spine of an umbrella - which conveniently has an eye in situ, and can be cut to the desireable length and sharpened to a point for use as a needle.

I found a website showing how they are made. Suzanne's bilum was patterned in straight lines, but this is more like Fair Isle. It's very intricate!

http://australianetwork.com/pacificpulse/stories/2426890.htm

Christmas in review (2)

I had a brief trip to the hospital early on Christmas Eve, because I thought that the previously mentioned intruder was still there. So a nice doctor got busy with his "fire hose and sucker-outer" and I am thankful to be rid of whatever it was.

Christmas in review (1)

The family celebrations began on December 17, before John, Hosanna and Suzanne left for overseas (actually, for Tasmania: the off-shore State of Australia! The Taswegians affectionately call Tassie "The Mainland").

Karen and Scott hosted a precious family pre-Christmas. (Suz finds the grooviest Tee-shirts, and I promise you that the photo below was not "staged" to match the caption!!)

A few days later Hosanna followed her Mum and Dad to Tassie, but not before doing what she does so well: "A photo of US!" She tells me that you just have to see yourself in the lens, and "click". It always works for her! But when I do it I usually get a good shot of my extended arm, and little else!!

Phew! Fortunately she travels light!

I-yi-yi!!

Oh deary-deary-me!

This is what I saw when I turned on my Canon IXUS 40 late on Christmas Eve! Then I remembered that I'd felt it in the back pocket of my jeans as I got into the car earlier in the day. I had checked the screen which looked OK, but my camera was not turned on! It will be fun to have a new camera with more "pixies", but I don't look forward to making the decision on "Which one??" The post-Christmas sales are on, all saying "Pick me! Pick me!"

Meanwhile, it is still semi-functional using the little peep-hole (just like the olden days!) but I cannot alter the settings as there is no display. Drat!

Your e-trip to Adelaide

Adelaide's temperature tomorrow will be 40C (104F)
I hope it's snowing where YOU are!!

Despite the heat, last minute shoppers will still go to the City. If your time zone is near ours, you could take a peek at our retail centre and popular meeting place "the Silver Balls". You may observe patient friends standing ... waiting!
www.cityofadelaide.com.au/attractions/webcams/rundle-mall-webcam.html

Or if you'd like to see the Christmas Tree in Victoria Square, mid-frame you will also see the rectangle of lawn where the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation celebrated Hanukkah the other night. At night you'll see the tree lit up. It's pretty.
www.cityofadelaide.com.au/attractions/webcams/bell-tower-south.html

If you turn with your back to the Christmas Tree you will be looking north, and in a good light you will be able to see St Peter's Cathedral (where Franklin is at bell-practice this evening). If you continue beyond the Cathedral for about 2k you'll pass very near to our home. :D
www.cityofadelaide.com.au/attractions/webcams/bell-tower-north.html

And there will be some action here, no doubt, on Thursday
www.cityofadelaide.com.au/attractions/webcams/central-market-webcam.html
We love a trip to The Central Market each week, but maybe not THIS week!

Have fun in our fair city.

The Rudolph Rap!

It was 1.30am (this morning!) and I woke with a start! An insect was doing "The Rudolph Rap" IN MY EAR!!

I kid you not!

Karen asked "Did you SCREAM??"

Now dear Franklin is not given to hysteria so I gently tapped him on the shoulder to enlist his help! It felt horrible!!

The afore-mentioned insect was in the death-throes for about a minute (which felt like an hour) while I waited in horror for it to sting!!! Mercifully, it did not! Just died a quiet death. Franklin took aim with a syringe of warm water, but not a sniffle of evidence! I eventually went back to sleep on a white towel, expecting to see its little corpse this morning...but nothing.

I asked him to bring home his "horrorscope" but he had other things on his mind.

There's always tomorrow, I guess.

Suzie's easy almond shortbread

The arrangement that I did in class died a natural death, of course. The oasis seemed redeemable so I gave a couple of our shrubs a "short back and sides" and with a bit of help from the supermarket florist I did another. I must have learned something!
I like to make a batch of "Suzie's easy almond shortbread" at Christmas. 'sad thing is ... she denies ever having had the recipe! So I don't know where I got it from!
Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees.

Ingredients:

220g butter

180g sugar

2 cups sifted plain flour

200g ground almonds

vanilla

icing sugar

I use a food-processer to make the dough. It will be crumbly at first, but the warmth of your hands will soon make it come together.

Form the dough into a long cube-shape with fingers and knife to straighten line. Cube should be not much more than 1 inch. Cut "slices" about 3/4 inch. (Chop-chop-chop. It's really quick.)

Pop them onto a non-stick tray. It should have made about 50. These were a smidgin too big.

Bake for 15-20 minutes @ 150 degrees.

Dust liberally with icing sugar.

The reasoning for making them very small is because they are awkward to bite into, so best popped right in so that the icing sugar doesn't go all over the place (or worse - down the front of your guest's nice black shirt/blouse!)!

Locate Chief Taster and put Wii on hold!

Taster's response = "thumb's up"

Carols in the City

These little "people" sitting on a shelf remind me that School plays are now over, and so (almost) are church pre-Christmas events.

Last Sunday our church http://www.trinityadelaide.org.au/ held two Carol Services in the Adelaide Town Hall (tower seen just to the right of, and dwarfed by, the Christmas tree!)

The Town Hall has 8 big bells, and the Albert Society of bell-ringers, of which Franklin is a member, was asked to ring those bells prior to the 5pm service - a beautiful sound wafting through the City and calling people to worship.

A problem has arisen in that even having 2 services, the Town Hall is still overflowing and an alternative venue is being considered (unfortunately sans bells!)

As we walked back to our car, the sound of a Jewish song that I know could be heard so we went to investigate.

It was the Adelaide Hebrew Congregation celebrating Hanukkah.

It was a lovely reminder to us that Jesus said:

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

Joseph

Joseph is feeling SO much better! Thank you!

Those Wise Men

Several Christmases ago, Karen cross-stitched this for us - I do believe it was before she had four little boys!#%&! It's very lovely.

Before we closed my husband's professional rooms, it used to be hung there at both Christmas and Easter. Some people couldn't quite figure that out - but try separating Christmas and Easter!!

And regarding the Magi ... I feel that they had their priorities right:

"On coming to the house,

they saw the child with his mother Mary,

AND THEY BOWED DOWN AND WORSHIPED HIM.

then they opened their treasures

and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh".

Matthew 2:11 NIV

# tib and fib (bilateral!)

On the 2nd Sunday of each month we are rostered to look after morning tea for the second service at church. So today we had a little more time at home than usual .I thought I'd light a little Nativity during breakfast - forgetting that Joseph had come unstuck when I was unpacking him! Down he went! Drat!

I'll have to consult The Prof regarding recuperation time for bilat # tib and fib! Elevation is important!

Feeling a little woe-begone over Joseph's demise and temporary undignified stance, I forgot my name tag. I did, however, remember the pin that I bought in Tasmania years ago and amazingly have not lost! I like to wear it during December. It reminds me of my favourite Nativity characters - the Wise Men.

Why?

Stay with me......

Kids say the cutest things!

Malachi (aged 3) arrived for a visit this week, and brought along with him his "rainbow-deer".

Unfortunately rainbow-deer didn't go home with him, so I'm not sure what will happen on 24th December!

'wreath's on the door!

I took a fancy to this wreath as it hung in the shop where I did the workshop last Saturday. Even though the weather is delightfully cool this week, rumour has it that it will reach 35 degrees next week. (Ugh!) It will give the illusion of "cool"!

The little angel has a story of her own, too. I made her from a kit that I purchased in NZ some years ago. During the last Christmas that we were in our previous home she took flight one windy night. She landed on the next door neighbour's doorstep!! I was so glad to get her back! Franklin secured her today with some nylon thread and a surgeon's knot!!

Florist Workshop

When we were staying in Angaston a couple of months ago I saw a flyer in the window of a florist shop ... regarding a workshop on December 5. Quilting workshops I know about. Regarding flower workshops I know ... zilch! So I signed up. A guesstimate of how long it would take me to drive the 67kms (41miles) gave me the bonus of a park right out the front.

Fourteen of us gathered around benches and our allocated little bucket of flowers. Avril did her best to give us a crash course on dimensions etc and away we went. The others were all locals and seemed to "know the ropes". It seems that these workshops are run about 4 times each year.

It was fun, and the best part was taking home a storm-lantern arrangement WITH candle! All of "rabbits friends and relations" know that I love CANDLES. I was very happy-happy! But, sadly, the flowers will wilt before Christmas, so I might have to strain my brain to remember what we did. I do know that we were supplied with many more varieties of flowers and folliage than our garden could ever hope to supply. 'better go and visit Elaine!!

p.s. We were told that a hydrangea drinks through its petals (?) So if you have a cut one and it is wilting, apparently a couple of hours upside down in water will make it feel better.

Doll's Christmas Pudding

This is our very-most-favorite pudding which I thought, in a weak moment, that I might not make this year. That thought lasted for about a minute! You see, "everyone" is on a diet - but hopefully the Diet Police don't work on Christmas Day! ... Mum was affectionately known to some as "Doll" and we'll very happily remember her when we enjoy it!!

I see that my copy of the recipe is dated 1988. That might be when I began taking my turn at making it.

It's early days yet, so you still have time to make one!

The necessary utensils are:

* a decent sized "stew pan". It needs to be big enough to accommodate the basin, with boiling water coming 1/2 way up for the duration of the cooking.

* a 2L pudding basin with lid,

* and an old side plate to go in the bottom of the stew pan to keep the basin off the bottom of the pan.

Ingredients:

8 oz (240g) butter (I remember when Mum used to use suet for this recipe, and for steak & kidney puddings)

8 oz (240g) brown sugar

4 oz (120g) Self Raising flour

1 1/2 lb (680g) mixed fruit. I mix up my own because not everyone likes glace cherries

1 grated apple

2 cups of fluffy BREAD crumbs (not the fine cornflake variety). I make mine in my processor.

1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons mixed spice

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 oz (30g) roughly chopped almonds

1/2 teaspoon bi-carb soda

3 eggs

..... and this bit makes me laugh: Mum's recipe calls for 1-3 cups of milk. When I made it yesterday I noted that I used TWO cups of milk.

I have been known to cheat by adding a tablespoon or two of cocoa to make a darker mix.

Mix it all together in a large bowl. You can't ruin it at this stage - it's very forgiving (but it may not forgive you if you let it boil dry!!)

Place about 4 strips of butter paper across the bottom and up the sides of the basin, for ease of removal. Pour the mix into the basin, and Seal with lid. (It doesn't have to be AIR tight, but snug!)

Now - having placed the old plate in the bottom of the pan, and having put some boiling water from the kettle into the pan - carefully lower the pudding into the pan of water.

I hope you were planning a day at home, because this needs to SIMMER for 4 hours. Keep your eye on the water-level. It should not cover the lid of the basin, but come at least 1/2 way up the side of the basin.

I usually pop mine into the freezer now, until Christmas Eve. On The Day, allow time to gently reheat in the microwave. If you have any, a sprig of Holly looks nice on the top - but it is a bit early to buy my Holly just yet.

The result should look like this. Serve with lashings of whipped cream.

December!

We've all known that it's been coming, but somehow we didn't believe it would come so soon!

Even when the Council decorated this tree at our front door (which can be seen through the trees - if you use your imagination!), it seemed a premature move!

Now, suddenly, Meshach and Josiah say that there are only 7 more school days remaining in 2009!! SEVEN!

Equally suddenly I seem more willing to hear Christmas music and actually see the decorations that the stores have had up for what feels like ages. Christmas cards (sent by people more organised than I am) began arriving in our box today!

Christmas music? Sherry, a Quilt Show friend of mine, reminded me of the Christmas song of the decade: "Mary, did you know?" Thanks, Sherry!

I went hunting on youtube, today, thinking I'd post a link to one version here. There are s.....o many versions that I decided to direct you to the version sung by the two guys who wrote it! (Remember, they're songwriters - first - and vocalists - second!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7gAkjaqO7s&feature=related

Sadly, I can't get this link to link(!) What good is a link that won't link?? However, the composers are Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene and if you go to youtube you'll find them easily.

Not bird watching!

The words “I think I’m ‘over’ pandas” had hardly left my lips when the 10am radio News announced that their Singapore Airlines jumbo would be landing at 10.20am

Pandas are the hot-topic here in Adelaide – actually “luke-warm” for some. But it made front page news in this morning’s Advertiser. A huge amount of money has been invested in them as an on-loan-from-China tourist attraction.

Well, I’ll do anything for a story – even to go as far as … the courtyard, since we’re right under the flight-path. It did occur to me that they might come straight in over the sea. !#$%^** In which case I might be lucky to hear the back-thrust of the jet as it landed!!

I chose the best vantage point (though what good an extra 18” was going to be I wasn’t sure).
It was sprinkling rain, but I was prepared to wait for … 15 minutes!!

My wait was not in vain or in the rain, in the end!

(When I came inside I honestly thought that the radio was playing a Chinese welcome. Not so. I'd left two radios on different stations!)

A young couple from our church - expecting their 1st baby any day - is preparing to go to China with CMS. The baby is due any minute. (Dave had his cell-phone in the pulpit last Sunday!). One of the quilters from the church is making a baby-quilt which features….. pandas. I have donated this panda for the label!

Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving Greeting

to all of our

American Friends

So, where was this photo taken?

A couple of entries ago (on November 3) I quoted the verse of a hymn, not knowing how it began. This has been “the story of my life” – knowing snippits only – but my darlin’ mother used to be able to fill in the gaps.
I’m sure that Ruthie’s mother – Eva - would have been able to help me on this one (since she taught me verse 6) but she’s singing her heart out in Glory - with my mother! I don’t think I ever heard the hymn in full, so thanks, Ruthie, for asking Sally and Carson:

All Praise to our Redeemer Lord,
Who joins us by His Grace
And bids us, each to each restored
Together seek His Face

He bids us build each other up,
and gathered into one,
To our high calling's glorious hope,
We hand in hand go on.

The gift which He on one bestows
We all delight to prove;
The grace through every vessel flows,
In purest streams of love.

E'en now we think and speak the same
And cordially agree;
Consecrated all, through Jesus' Name
In perfect harmony.

We all partake the joy of one;
The common peace we feel;
A peace to sensual minds unknown,
A joy unspeakable.

And if our fellowship below
In Jesus be so sweet
What heights of rapture shall we know
When ‘round His throne we meet.
(author unknown)

I guess I took the photo - probably with Karen wrapped around my knee!

Not Dear Jane!

A couple of weeks ago a friend and I went to a quilt display at Bishops Court – just over the fence from where we used to live.

It was actually all the work of the one very talented lady in this photo. Real eye candy!

I had read (only a little) about a quilt called “Dear Jane” – but I’d read enough to know that this pattern is not for the faint-hearted!! My friend – along with a whole www of quilters - has actually embarked on one, and I wish her well!! !#$%^&!

The blocks are very small, and 5602 pieces make up the quilt!! Oh my!!

I was thinking about it this evening, as I began the small blocks for my (afore mentioned) Mystery quilt. In my limited experience I have not made blocks as small as this before, and I think it’s about as close as I’ll ever get to Dear Jane!!

One down, and 19 of these little babies to go. ‘better keep sewing!

http://www.dearjane.com/

But wait! There's more!

OK, so someone got the Trivial Pursuit answer correct. Well Done!

But wait! There’s more! (no Steak Knives, however!!)

Did you know that he (Napoleon) also said:

“Everything in Christ astonishes me. His spirit overawes me, and his will confounds me. Between him and whoever else in the world, there is no possible term of comparison. He is truly a being by himself….I search in vain in history to find the similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history, nor humanity, nor the ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”

(as quoted by Philip Yancey in “The Jesus I never knew”.)

Trivial Pursuit!

Question: Who said: "An army marches on its stomach."?

I was recently invited to take part in a recipe swap. This prompted me to comment to someone about Franklin having been in The Australian Army Catering Corps - in his youth - and that when we were married (5 years after this photo was taken!) my new husband brought with him a recipe collection including “White sauce for 100 men”!!!! (a must-have for any new bride!)

Answer: Napoleon (!) I never would have guessed that!

I’m surprised that, after 50 years, I can put my hand on a photograph to accompany this blog!!

Photo: DMM

A precious evening

On Friday night we celebrated Jethro's FIRST birthday, on The Hill overlooking the vineyard into which his Uncle John has poured a ton of TLC! A perfect evening under the stars!

After an anxious, premature start it is a blessing to see how the Birthday Boy (seen here with Mummy, Lee-anne and Caitlin) has blossomed. (Do boys blossom? Why not, between 0-1! It may be a different kettle of fish if I were to say that in 15 years time!!)

btw, Caitlin is also known as Shoe Pal 2 at

http://chimwemwe-footprints-project.blogspot.com/

Back to the celebration,
Karen came up with the brilliant idea of putting the cake "under canvas" (of course!)

And the BDB settled in for some Zzzzzzzz.
Time, then, to get acquainted with some of the guests - one in particular.

In my Profile I make mention of time spent in New Guinea. I have not been back since we left in 1968, though I've thought about those days many times. I often wish I could have that time again, but at a more mature age!

There, at little Jethro's celebration, I had the great privilege of meeting one of Sue's nursie friends. I can't tell you how this warmed my heart.

Oh my! Memories!