meet the neighbours (part one)

suffering insomnia, I have been trawling through some of the photos on the computer when I came across this one....

meeting the neighbour!!

this reminded me of a series of blogs I had planned, which would profile some of our neighbours. So here goes, meet our neighbour over the back fence. I believe his name is Eddie, B introduced himself some time back when he retrieved our patio umbrella wnich ended up in his yard after a particulary windy evening. We don't really see or hear much from this neighbour, and I am ashamed to say that until wash day I was not sure who lived behind us, if anyone at all. From the washing line I have guessed that Eddie lives alone and is an older gentleman who is very orderly. He puts my washing line to shame - on my Hills Hoist you will find undies next to a tshirt or tea towel, next to a pillowcase, next to another set of undies, then a sock whose mate may still be in the wash hamper.....

New post's, just scroll down!!!

i am still up and it's 2.53am!!!

Can someone please give me a cure for insomnia, or at least a cure for the bad back that is giving me the insomnia!
You see, here is the problem I have been having (particularly) for the last couple of week. Of an evening, either with dinner or not to long after, I have my medications: 2 x 150grm Lyrica; 2 x Myrsyndol (??grm); and if it is REALLY BAD 1 x Oxycontin (??grm). I become somewhat tired and go to bed. Now this is where I just do NOT get it.
As soon as my head touches any one of the four pillows I have got, 3 for my head end and 1 for under my knees (romantic now isn't it. I mean a pillow under your knees doesn't get you much action...) I wake up! Now I hear you asking why he has a pillow under his knees. Well it is strategically placed. It is under my knees so as it puts my spine into a 'neutral' type of a position, thus more comfortable. More comfortable my ass, as I can't get to bloody sleep and I am forced to come out to the lounge room and sit on bloody eBay all night!!!!! (Or look at bloggs or even make a post in my blogg... how novel!).
Any ideas??

three birthdays in one day

it was a rather busy weekend...

Farmers markets in Camden on the Saturday, and catching up on February birthdays on Sunday, with some gardening on both days thrown in.

Sunday very plesantly started with a breakfast birthday celebration for Nat, we took her out to our favourite Sunday breakfast location Kafenio's in Cronulla. They make the best coffees although I always have a Chai Latte (also the best) and I also almost always have their special bread, Banana, Pear and Raspberry being my favourite. This time however, I had the special museli which was fantastic but too filling, it was a struggle to finish it, but too good to leave any. With breakfast in our bellies we had a look in a couple of shops, dropped Nat back at the place she is houseminding, and then it was on to the next birthday on the list for the day.

Happy belated birthday to Dad, we celebrated with him on his Birthday, 3 Feb, we just didn't have a pressie for him, he is sooooo hard to buy for. You aren't allowed to spend much money on him (his rule, otherwise he will take it back, get the money back, buy himself something else and present you with the change. He's done it, and don't ask me how he managed it without the receipt!!!). So a gift voucher for Bunnings and jar of gourmet chutney was the answer. Thanks mum for the suggestion.

And, finally, at the end of the day it was over to A's for someone very special's birthday, for a monumentous birthday, the first of the double digits, being one decade old. Happy Birthday, and best wishes for many more decades to come.

bathurst... what the???

What is it with Bathurst?
After taking several drugs to aleviate neessary back pain, we wait for 'A' to turn up... an hour late mind you!
We were supposed to leave at around 6.15am this morning, which ended up at 7.15 or there abouts!
We stopped 'up the hill' at McDonalds ?? for breakfast of their new toast. I had the Bananna and Date.
And then we were off to the Bathurst Growers Markets. We had a lovely drive, even though the drugs taken earlier this morning were not doing that much at all. But upon arrival at the Markets, we trudged around, brought ample amounts of Nectarines, Peaches, Squash and a mix of Granny Smith and Sundowner Apples. All of which were suitably taste tested prior to buying! We also got a couple of plants.
But, after the markets, we came across a very strange thing in Bathurst! What is it with naming shops with two of the same letter?

bernard's bakery

stolen engagement ring

some bastard stole my mum's engagement ring whilst my parents were staying with my brother and his family at their home in Bulimba, QLD. Actually, the bastard stole money, her keycard and other items of jewellery, but the engagement ring was the one that really causes the most grief. For what it is worth I am putting mum's drawing of her ring 'out there'.

Julies Ring

The items were stolen from my brothers home on Monday, 23 January around lunchtime from a downstairs bedroom whilst the family was upstairs having lunch. Mum had unfortunately taken off her ring because of the heat and put it with her other jewellery.

a very bad week for cats

this week we farewelled Mottie my 16year old moggie. Although this was sad, she died peacefully and at a ripe old age. Passing away quietly in the front yard of my parents house mid afternoon.

Mottie is fondly remembered as being the last kitten left at the RSPCA and almost not making it out of there alive, for she was a little bit too quick with the claws. This however, was soon forgotten and I put it down to being more a product of that environment; a bit scary for a tiny kitten. Better remembered for her support whilst many an hour was spent studying for my undergraduate degree and just being there, I hope you are chasing plenty of mices in pussy heaven.

Our thoughts go out to A, S, M and W for the passing of Wallace, truly the fluffiest feline that was. And thumbs down to Virgin baggage handlers for what can only be guessed was leaving him out on the tarmac for 90mins in 40 degree heat. You bastards.

And for Molly the cat even though we didn't know you, our thoughts go out to you, and your owners A's dad and L. Your fateful demise really did surmise that this was a VERY bad week for cats.

a donna hay day

my new years resolution may have been for more craft but I have had a constant calling for all things creative in the kitchen of late. This weekend saw the creation of split pea, barley, lentil and ham soup which was ready for consumption today, and at the same time the fruition of lemon cordial.

I have not made either before, the soup was the inspiration of the ham bone from Christmas and a packet of McKenzies Soup Mix that had been sitting in the pantry for quite some time that it was nearing its use by date. The soup was actually intended for Friday night's dinner however, I hadn't anticipated the lengthy soaking the soup mix required, which is why this became a weekend long creation. The end result was great though not quite the same as pea and ham which was also the original idea, I guess this was more like a minestrone. I also hadn't expected that we would have so much soup - we will be eating this all week. Before I attempt this again I will be purchasing some suitable tupperware for freezing leftover soup.

Our super productive lemon tree inspired the lemon cordial- we have had so many lemons, bagful after bagful in the last few weeks that we have been giving them away by the bagful to anyone who so much as glanced in the trees direction when they came for a visit. The lemon cordial was so easy to make and really delicious that I think it will become a burntofferings kitchen staple.

lemon cordial in the making

lemon cordial made

new years resolution

more crafting

Happy new year!!!

Our special friend P sent this, and we loved it so much we have borrowed it to wish you:

12 months of happiness

52 weeks of fun

365 days of success

8760 hours of good health

525600 mins of good luck, and

31536000 seconds of love.

Happy New Year everybody!!!