2014 .....REMEMBERING

Sadly  we lost MD just before Xmas.   He was Hubbies dog really....never left his side.  If I couldn't  find hubbie in the yard - all you had to see was a wagging tail or MD to know where he was....I had written a blog about the 2 dogs after a trip to the groomers......CLICK......>>MD REMEMBERED..... 

 This is one of my efforts  in photography  I liked the best....I am only your  average  backyard snap taker.....But I loved trying to get my camera zoomed in to get the cockies......

 And by-the-way....I have  changed my profile  pic.....thought it was time to 'get real'...LOL  

FROM......

 TO.....

And I raise my celebration  cup to drink to all who venture to my ramblings, to wish each of you sincere best wishes - health and happiness in 2015.  I hope  you have enjoyed  my efforts as I have learnt so much, and enjoyed  reading  all your blogs......cheers and HAPPY NEW YEAR

XMAS BRUNCH...

We all slept in and enjoyed a late Breakfast/Lunch treat for Xmas that my SIL volunteered to cook....Bacon, Eggs, Bagels, Hollandaise sauce, cheese,  spinach leaves....very yummie.

Very filling and tasty - that will hold us all until this evening when its over to Son and DIL's house for Xmas Dinner

Present time.....Grandson frolics....and a new Mac computer.....all happy...

Daughter wrestling with new outdoor lounge chair - gift from Husband.....Then it was all hands on deck to work it out.....

Yep! that's it - very comfy.....

Hope you all had a great day.....

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TRIFLE...

OK TIME TO CONSTRUCT THE XMAS TRIFLE........

 

LINE PRESENTATION DISH WITH SPONGE JAM ROLL....

BOIL JUG - MAKE JELLY........

FRUIT AND JELLY IN DISH ON TOP OF CAKE.......

CUSTARD  PREPARATION - MILK IN JUG - CUSTARD POWDER AND SUGAR MIXED TOGETHER...... 

HEAT MILK UP IN MICROWAVE - MIX IN CUSTARD POWDER/SUGAR STIRRING CONSTANTLY UNTIL OF A DESIRED THICKNESS

POUR CUSTARD OVER - LEAVE ROOM TO DECORATE WITH WHIPPED CREAM AND FRUIT LATTER......PUT IN FRIDGE TO SET

OK THAT'S DONE - YUM YUM......

XMAS GREETINGS.....

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN SO QUICK?.............

I think we all say that at some stage in the lead up to and including Christmas....With age I realise it is just that ....getting older, time flies...When I was a kid it took ages to come around.  When my kids were babies and little people - I was organised - presents all purchased - lay-by and ready to pick up on Christmas Eve....I remember searching the house looking for pressies when I was a kid.....mine searched in vain LOL - anything I didn't have on Lay-by was in the boot of the car and came with me to work every day......When it was all  layed out under the Xmas tree (the kids would pick their spots for Santa to leave goodies) I would be a bit shocked at the amount I had collected for them.  My resolution to this was pack some away for Birthdays during the coming year.....Hope Daughter is not reading this.....She will think I was stingie LOL-  No Gai - just frugal....

Happy celebrations with family and friends.....enjoy the moment.  Cheers and bottoms up....

And I hope all your parcels arrived in time

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE VERY BEST FOR THE COMING 2015 ALL MY BLOG READERS.....THANKS FOR POPPING BY.....

ON IN 2015

KEEP IT SERENE AND HAPPY   

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MR.... XMAS FOOD SHOPPING..???

OH WOW!!!  As Hubbie volunteered to order the Xmas ham from the Butcher - and with my usual warning 'NOT TO BIG OR Too MUCH' - I left him to do that task....so yesterday was pick up ham day - and of course he came home with MUCH TO MUCH AND TO BIG....I guess I will be searching lots of recipes for Xmas ham leftovers to use it up - wonder if I can cut and freeze some....?

One good thing....It came with a ham bag...so that's convenient.  The carving instructions are helpful - might save me mangling the ham - must remember to look..

And I always soak - usually a tea towel in vinegar to wrap and keep fresh.....

The printing on the other side of the bag....Free advertising?

Now for the traditional Xmas Trifle....got some of the ingredients..Jellies/Sponge Jam roll/custard Powder - have to get fruit salad - cream and maybe some liqueur to soak cake in....or maybe not - Family think I am heavy handed....LOL certainly can't get the kids tipsie at Xmas.....I have mentioned before I am the quickest cook in the west...fast and easy - way  to go......Pic from Web - but mine will look like this.......HOPEFULLY.......YEP IT MUST.....OK SOMETHING LIKE THIS......

Getting closer.....

WORTH WAITING FOR...

BACK TREE that you can see through back glass wall.....standing naked....trimmed of all leaves

 

The start of growing a new gown to cover the nakedness and bring lush growth and exquisite red flowers back to life for another season.....

 And this is what I wait for every year.....very blurry but these birds flit from flower to flower sucking the nectar from each little flower bud.....

The last time I raved on about this tree CLICK HERE for my tree story..

CHEERS.....

 

THE TIME HAS COME....

   Xmas tree rescued...From back shed - cut free from plastic bag...Last time it was used (about 3 years ago) it was packed up wholis bolis...decorations and all.  So into the resurrection we go...

      Pull and twist - stand up - get some energy tree....you have to look good for Xmas...

Better put the thingie on the front door while I'm at it.....

Ah!!! standing tall and elegant and in the correct place....waiting to have packages and wondrous things laid at its feet in due course....

And true to my word.....easy on the decorations....remember 'pack it all up' looms....

Done good Eh!

I HAD A HEART QUIVER....

GARDEN SNAPS....

Outside playing with my tablet taking Photos......I could hear next doors dog running up and down the side of their house....And it decided to jump up........scarring me half to death....I really didn't realize it was that big.  I often hear it barking, but had not really set eyes on it..

I was chasing bees trying to get a photo......I'm still at it LOL- cant wait for one to stand still long enough for me to zoom in and click....what are my chances?

AND this was the cause of my near heart  skipping several high jumps....HE started barking at me and when I put the camera (well tablet really) up to take his photo - the barking stopped and the expression appeared....what on earth is she doing.....?

  

You two stay safe inside....you should see the big, big dog next door that you stir up - running up and down the fence line and barking......

THIS big doggie will eat you both up if he gets in the yard....

Xmas getting closer!!