Merry Christmas- May you find Peace & Joy xx

Merry Christmas to You...

Warm welcome,

Christmas is upon us once again, where did the year go?? Time seems to go faster every year. I remember as a child, waiting for Christmas seemed like an eternity.. Such fond memories, my family would all go to Midnight Mass, (we had to walk a mile to get there) but we had to be early or you wouldn't get a seat, and the Christmas Hymns started at 11.30pm.

These days, we attend the 7.00pm Mass Christmas Eve, which is a childrens Mass. (Must be early as seats still sparse.) The nativity story is re-enacted by children, it is just delightful. Hymns are still sung during Mass, but at the end, the priest gets all the children up front to sing jingle bells.

I don't get terribly caught up in the commercialism of Christmas. The most important thing to me is to be with my family, I don't just mean my immediate family, I am talking about my 4 older siblings who I have spent every Christmas for the last 47 years with. (With exception of 1 or 2 with some, as they were overseas.) We all say Christmas Day is not the same unless we are together!!

We surround ourselves with all our children as well, and even though most of them are now adults themselves, they still want to be with us (their parents) on Christmas Day.

We always have a traditional lunch together, swap some pressies then comes a game of backyard cricket, a water fight(weather permitting) and the championship basketball game. As the evening closes in, some of us will leave to visit their in-laws . Some old family friends usually drop in around this time, and we may pick at some left over turkey etc.. together, sing a few songs.

Fatigue usually starts to creep in about 9.00pm, and although I always wish for the day to never end(yes even at my age). it inevitably does. We say grace together every Christmas lunch, and I Thank God every year, that we are all still here together, to see another one in.

I wish you Peace, Joy & a Holy & Happy Christmas with all your loved ones.

With Smiles

Kathryn

Getting Christmassy..

Warm Welcome,

Have been keeping busy this last week, been decorating as you can see.

This little fellow in the red & white stripe, looked so sweet in the shop I had to buy him. (We, don't need anymore tree ornaments, so he is sitting on my dressing table). Looking quite out of place. He makes me smile everytime I see him.

This angel made of cardboard and plastic, with nylon hair is 25 years old this year. We tried to replace her one year with a beautiful porcelain face angel. Mysteriously, she fell off the top of the tree, and smashed. Have a close look at the eyes , they look a bit devilish to me. Ha Ha..

Made this advent calendar a few years ago, the goodies were a little fat this year, so it doesn't sit too well against the wall. The photo makes it look more wonky than it is..Miss L. doesn't mind. She has managed to eat the chocolate treats, even though she is feeling poorly.
Miss L. has been home ill, so I have had time to potter a little more than usual. Made these mince pies, used hazlenut meal instead of the usual almond meal, the switch made a decided difference. (Just haven't decided for better or worse.)

Also made this apron out of two tea towels, it has 3 pockets at the front. ( I saw this on a blogg some months back, I can't remember the name, but if anyone knows please do tell.) Mr. M. modelled it for me in his P.J.s, he does have to put up with alot sometimes. Ha Ha..

My Wednesday group gets together for the last time this year, on Wednesday. We will meet up for the full day. Which reminds me I will have to organise myself to make some scones and finger sandwiches. Better be off. Hope all your Christmas plans are coming together nicely.

With Smiles

Kathryn x

A Wedding, a Scarf & Prawns

Warm welcome,
Hope is is well with you & yours.

We attended a wedding on the weekend, a friend who is divorced with 4 young children, married a widower with 3 young children. I was a friend of the grooms wife, who died 2 years ago of that insidious disease, breast cancer. I am also the friend of the bride. I am so happy for them both. Strange how things turn out. Wish I could tell you the whole story but I would be here all day.

I took lots of photos, but wont show them here, as I don't think they would approve....

But here is a picture of Mr. M. & I before we left. albeit not a good one.

Gosh.... it really is a bad one. "Where did those jowls come from?" Must be a fault with the camera!! Yes that must be it...

Miss L. had a new outfit, and looked so grown up, but as you know she doesn't want her face on the internet.

This is a scarf I am knitting, yes I know you are all saying, "Is she Daft?" Yes it is Summer in Australia, but I like to do something with my hands, in the evening.

It is an odd looking shape, but it works out quite nifty. I love the colour of the wool, as you can see it has all tiny pieces of different colours weaved through it.

Miss L. finished her 1 st year at Secondary School, I can't believe how quickly the year has flown by. It only seems like yesterday, we were fitting her out for her new uniform. She is growing up so quickly, and I am very proud of her. I don't mean scholastically, I mean for the kind, caring, respectful young lady she is.

We have been slowly, putting up the Christmas decorations up , I will admit that I love decorating the tree, we play Christmas Carols then sit back with a cup of tea and Christmas cake and look at the Tree lights in the dark, funny how traditions keep on keeping on. Will show some pics on a future post.

Tonight for dinner, we are having prawns with this yummy marinade, some salt & pepper octopus and salad. And we may eat outside..

Til' next time, take care

With Smiles

Kathryn

The Loft

Warm welcome,

Here's a look into my loft....

We purchased the house about 24 years ago.(Gosh thats gone quick!!!) It was old, about 1920's-30's. But we saw some potential and it was close to all facilities, at the same time very quiet. We were very enthusiastic, during our earlier married years, so alot was accomplished in a short time. After which we became more laid back(as you do) , it is just maintenance now and I still like my house the same as I did when we first saw it.

The Loft
This was the cavity in the roof, it was such wasted space. So I found a carpenter to line it, and an electrician to put in too many lights and power points. (A girl can't have too many.) It is suppose to have a skylight as well, but we just never got around to it.

Its, probably one of my favourites, but definitely not the most decorative. In fact I don't think there are any decorations at all. It is so peaceful and warm up there. I have a small CD player up there and I listen to my music, whilst I sew and draw prospective projects.I lose complete track of time. I have lost so many hours , I hate to think... Well , here we go up to the top...

It was late afternoon, on a cloudy day when I took these photos, so the colour in some pics are a little off.

This is the view, looking down through the round window, which is shown on my sidebar.

There is a space, for Miss. L. But she doesn't come up as much as she use to, to play. All her things are still here.

Well hope you enjoyed the little glimpse into my world.

With Smiles

Kathryn x

Christmas Cooking

Warm Welcome,

I have been getting down to some serious cooking lately, I have been wanting to bake the Christmas cake & Plum pudding before it gets too close to Christmas. Give the cake time to become more flavoursome. I made sure I hade collected all the necessary ingredients, days before.

I soaked the fruit in the brandy for 24 hours. So when I woke up in the morning I would get the "must do" daily chores done , then start on my anticipated project. I was looking forward to it. I must say. I was kept very busy, as I made the cake quite large, and organised the plum pudding, as well as a few small puddings for presents.

I was so entranced by mixing a cup of this, 3 of that, that I didn't see who had come into my kitchen and messed it up. I thought I was home alone. How nasty....who could have done it??? Everybody that knows me, knows I like to keep a tidy bench and sink.

Does this ever happen to you???? The invisible messy stranger has struck again!!!!

Here are some of the results, The Christmas Cake looks the same every year, I may have to try to decorate it, a little more creatively next year. (It has my scarf I made & mentioned in an earlier post.) The Plum Pudding, takes 6 hours of simmering..... it smells delightful....
So I made these as well...
And this...
My rolls proving on the stovetop.

I love cooking... like my hand work.. it is my therapy.

With Smiles

Kathryn x

Daisy's Day Out...

Warm Welcome,

Hope all is well in your world, and that you and yours are safe & happy.


What a time we have had over the last few days. Our new puppy Daisy went missing.

Early morning I went to give her Puppy milk, but she was sound asleep in her basket in the laundry. I went back half and hour later and she was gone. We searched every where, knocked on all the neighbors doors & checked back yards. We had posters up within 2 hours, kept searching the streets. We resigned ourselves to the fact that she was gone. Somebody must have picked her up. The next morning we rang the Lost Dogs Home in the City, somebody had seen her and the home had come and picked her up. We couldn't believe our luck... She was found on the railway platform(maybe she was waiting for the next train.) blocks away from here. When we picked her up, they said she had been crying all night..We paid $45.00 to bail her out!!!! She was pretty grubby.. but an hour, a bath, and some nice puppy milk later, she was soundly sleeping in her basket. Naughty Girl..

We found where she escaped from, and have bricked it up....

Miss L. was a little sad when she left.(We have only had her a few weeks). She said"Oh..at least we have the memories".. Mr. M. quickly shot back "Mhh, I rather have the money." Nasty,Nasty., man..
Here is the Bag I told you I was making. I love red... but don't wear alot of it. The bag will match a pair of red maryjane shoes, I have.

Also a little show and tell, I bought a small sugar & creamer at the Salamanca market, when we visited Tasmania a couple of weeks ago. Here they are... Just the right size for 2 or 3 people.

I have decided to let you all into my house, via blogland of course.. I will post pictures of my loft first, and slowly work through the rest of the house........ Here is a little glimpse...

Till, next time,

With Smiles

Kathryn x