My birthday celebrations continued for a couple of weeks. In Melbourne to start with.

 While in Melbourne we walked around looking at different things, going in lots of arcades, stopping at a few pubs and cafes. Basically enjoying ourselves.

Down Hosier Lane there was this little bit of art in the wall

Then another lane that was a dead end.

One of the many arcades. The floor was amazing.

Time for some lunch

Then a walk past Meyers Place

Down to the riverbank for a drink with friends overlooking the Flinders st bridge and city buildings.

Back to our motel to freshen up for dinner then in and out of a few more pubs 

On the way to dinner.

We met up with another brother Russell and wife Sue for a drink.

Brother Graeme and Jean

Then on to a Chinese dinner. It was an interesting night meeting up with many friends. Thankyou all for taking the time to come out for the night and to celebrate with me.

Christine, Michael and Tony

Friends Jo and Shane with Russelland Sue

Jean, great friend Sue, Victoria and Noel.

Graeme and Jean

Best friends Christine and Michael.

Nearly all of us in the photo.

The night was over far too quickly and a few of us continued at the pub across the road until midnight.

It’s been a month and what have I done?

Yes, the title says it all.

My last post was a month ago. It isn’t because I haven’t done anything but my motivation is lacking. I have been reading posts but not doing any myself. So her is a long overview of what I have been up to. There might be some more posts about a few things if I feel up to it.

First up back in July I went down to Melbourne and caught up with some friends to see the stage show 9-5. It was great but the the sound wasn’t quite right.

Over the next 2 days I attended the Melbourne Quilt & Craft fair. It was wonderful and I did a bit of cash damage.

 

It was good to see this Sashiko quilt because it is the one I did a class on a quilting cruise with Jane MacDonald. I have not done much of it but I think it is time to get this of the shelf. I think I have most of the hexies done.

A little while later, when hubby returned from his around Australia trip, we headed back to the Macedon Ranges for a weeks break together. We caught up with a great friend and enjoyed the day together. We had lunch at The Top of the Range Cafe, a very special place for us, did the tourist walk through Kyneton and did a drive by of the filming and building sites in Gisborne for the the tv show THE BLOCK.

The main reason for the break was for me to attend the Kilmore Kwilters 25th Anniversary luncheon. I was part of this group for many years before I moved away. It was fantastic to see them all again.

I then spent a sewing day with the Gisborne group but forgot to get a photo. I do miss those Mondays. The week had come to an end and the locals came out by our cabin to say good bye. They were very happy grazing in the morning while we packed up our car and headed home.

On the sewing front I have done very little. I have been working on placemats for charity. We make them for Sun Assist to give to meals on wheels recipients at Christmas time. We have now made about 60 but would like another 100 by end of November. I am not sure we will end up with that many though. The girls are getting a bit burnt out. I haven’t got a photo of them all but here are some in progress.

Then I tried to crochet a little beanie. It didn’t take long but the yarn isn’t very soft.

Next I knitted 2 little snuggle bunnies. I am yet to fill the head and embroider the faces. My concentration span hasn’t been great of late.

I have now found a great ginger biscuit that my hubby likes so I have to make a batch every weekend. They are full of spice and real ginger chunks. I bake them a little longer as he likes the darker colour and them being hard. Better to have with coffee. The batch makes about 36 small biscuits.

Ingredients

• 200 g plain flour
• 2 tablespoon dry ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (bicarb)
• 115 g Butter
• 115 g castor sugar
• 30 g golden syrup
• 250 g uncrystallised ginger diced

Preparation steps

1. Preheat oven to 170 deg
2. Place 200 g plain flour, 2 tablespoon dry ginger and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (bicarb) in bowl and mix 
3. Set aside.
4. Cream together 115 g castor sugar & 115 g Butter then add 30 g golden syrup and mix. 
5. Add 150g - 250g uncrystallised ginger diced (to your liking)
6. Add flour mix. Beat until mixed.
7. Roll teaspoon of mix into a ball and flatten with your hand. Bake in 170' preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. I check mine from about 14 minutes so they don’t burn and they turn out hard and crunchy.    Cookies will harden on cooling.

We also love these Parmesan crisps and as my brother was coming for a visit I made some for our snack.

I sent him on his trip with a batch too.

So that’s about it. Yesterday at my sewing group I actually got out a ufo which is about 8 years old and worked on it. When I unpack that bag I will take some photos and do a post. Today I am going to do some hand hexie work. ( these are nearly finished too).

Have a great week every one.

My big trip and dinner with FAMILY

I have set off on a holiday and first stop on the way is from Mildura to Melbourne to spend a night with my daughter and her family. A work friend came with me for a break and my great friend Christine drove over to meet me for dinner.

Here we all are out for dinner at my daughters local club where they love the food eatery week.

It was great to see them all and give them a big hug as we don't see them often with me having moved away from the area.

Now on the plane for our trip to Perth

Here is the start of a long awaited trip.

A tick off the bucket list.

I have been away for 5 weeks starting with a relaxing week in Mandurah with my hubby, brother & a work friend. Then hopped on the back of my hubbies motor bike and rode with my brother up the west coast of Western Australia and over to Darwin. We stayed with another brother in Darwin for 5 days. I came home very tired.

Hubby and my brother rode to Perth, up the West Coast, over to Townsville and down the East coast of Australia down Queensland and NSW them home. About 14,000 kms. My part on the bike was about 5,000 kms. 

We met up with Maria from LIFE ON THE BLOCK , saw lots of great places, did lots of things, camped by the side of the road in tents, in caravan parks, stayed in cabins, booked motels, stayed in a resort and expensive apartments. 

We had a blast. I loved all the different aspects.

We didn't have much internet and when I tried to comment on some blogs and send emails but they don't seem to have posted. 

I am going to break up my trip in between sewing posts. This will give me time to settle back into home. Get some sewing done before I start back at work and catch up on some blog reading.

My visit to Melbourne

I was staying at my daughters house and had been organising a meet up with a blogging friend.
The best news was that Jenni only lived a kilometre away from my daughter. What are the chances.
I have been following JENNI's . blog for a while now so it was great to put a face to the name.
We arranged to bus and train it into the city to meet with some other stitchers.
I don't do public transport but with Jenny's help and studying the timetables I managed.
Into the city and back before school was out. Fantastic.

One of Jenny's favourite buildings is at 333 Collins Street.


I enjoyed the Nicholas Building too.
Especially the visit to KIMONO HOUSE

Of course, the famous Flinders Street train Station is always a busy place.


The fantastic shops to look at and spend money.
I met some lovely ladies at Morris & Sons wool shop.
They meet there once a month and I joined them for a short time only.
I had met VIREYA before so it was nice to catch up again.

The art work on buildings is just amazing