Winter Christmas in Australia

This morning, I took some photo's in our backyard, before heading up the mountains for our first, "Christmas in July" (the only way we have Christmas in sub 35 degrees... In fact, it was a rather warm 9.5 today! This is somewhat of a novel idea here in Australia.

Fish Bath

Macc Scratch

Cyclamen

Polyanthus

We had such a lovely lunch and afternoon, as can be seen from the menu for today was:
Entree Garlic & chili prawns on a bed of rocket
Main Roast chicken (with gluten-free stuffing!), Glazed ham, Potato bake, Beans with almonds, Steamed broccoli & peas & Gravy
Dessert Sticky date pudding with cream/ice-cream (a gluten-free one too) & Cheese platter
Drinks Entree – Champagne cocktail or Mocktail; Main - Mulled wine, sauvignon blanc, mineral water, Dessert – Hot chocolate, dessert wine, coffee


July Christmas

Christmas Honey Baked Ham

And, the host's for the day...

There was SO much work put into making the day perfect, and perfect it was. Great food, great company and even the weather played nicely as well. It had been some months since 3 of the guest (including the hostess) left the Gardens where I work, so it was great to catch up. Lets not leave it so long next time...

Tully

Christmas Host's
And some fancy 'Cup Cakes' from yesterday...

Cup Cakes

An awkward moment...

We are both 'Mystery Shoppers' and by that I mean, we go to 'places' shop there and get paid for it! Now this can be quite good at times (Hotel stays, High Roller Gaming rooms etc), but the other day whilst completing an assignment, we were in a fast food chain eating our meal. We sat under a huge wide screen TV (I was in love as I want one...).

So, picture this, with a mouthful of food, you hear the catch line from an opposing fast food chain...

The Burgers are Better at...

I went off my meal at that point...

Wordless Wednesday #2

Wordless Wednesday

wordless wednesday

he's sick this week...

I have handed the baton to B. With almost identical symptoms to how I was last Monday, it is safe to say that he will be no good for work, or anything much else this week. It is a particularly nasty virus, and even though I made it to work today, I left early afternoon, due to the persistent headache which led to being a bit nauseaus, and 'jointy aches'*.

So with all this sickness, it was only right that I make chicken corn soup for dinner. So easy, just the thing when you need to keep your fluids up, and just what B made for me for dinner last week. It is almost foolproof, as proven by me, no measuring required and goes something like this:

Ingredients: onion, chicken, stock, vegetables (carrot, turnip, potato, capsicum, or whatever you like), and two cans of creamed corn.

Brown onion and chicken in pot, add stock bring to boil, add veges bring to boil and simmer slowly for half and hour or so. Then add creamed corn and simmer till ready to serve. Too easy and great with crusty bread or toast.

*achey joints, when I am not 100% I make mix words (sic).

Splat Designs Competition

This looks as though it could be fun...

she's sick this week...

Well, all has been a bit quiet this week (sorry), but L has been sick, right after our appointment on Monday morning.

We were in the waiting room, and she was sneezing, runny nose and getting a fever of sorts. So after the visit to the clinic, we went home and L simply went to bed, and that is where she has stayed almost all week. She went off to the doctor the following day expecting a day off, but she ended up with the whole week! Can you believe it?!?!

So what has she been doing from her sick bed*? Apart from a lot of sleep, she has now caught up on the latest Dr Phil, Judge Judy, Bargain Hunt & Antiques Roadshow! Mind you, she has also done some housework... It was discovered this week that the Dyson Vacuum cleaner has better suction when the filters are CLEAN! Fancy that hey...?!

Also on the list of achievements has been finishing some of her longstanding craft items; Various quilts and a tapestry.

*Note, whilst all of these have been completed whilst sick with her 4th Flu this winter, she has been either called or SMS from her manager every day, the absolute clincher was this evening at 6.10pm, GO HOME FOR GOD's SAKE!!!

Wordless Wednesday # 1

RBG Sydney

wordless wednesday

post about... nothing really...

I was going to post on something along the lines of our recent Thursday 13, but I am under advisement not to at this stage, until we have some firm news. I will say, however, I have to go to the clinic tomorrow to supply a sample that will be used later in the morning!

Anyway, may I present some random photos from this weekend of our 'other kids', Macc and Jasmine (neither of whom mind where they sleep... )

Jasmine on my jumper

Jasmine on the Royal Cushion

Macc-on-bed
And here is something 'L' completed through the week...

Homemade-Beaded-Necklace
And here is Orchid, just beginning to open. It is just 2 years old, and has 2 spikes!

Cymbidium-Orchid-Bud

Cymbidium Orchid Spike
And just a couple more from our garden...

Camellia

Chanti-Pansy

Hope you have enjoyed!!!

thursday thirteen #6... the highs and lows of IUI (or IVF)!

Thirteen Things about the 'Highs & Lows' of IVF (or IUI) For those who do not know yet, we have started IVF. The treatment that has been 'prescribed' by the Specialist, is the IUI. This involves a lot of work, pain, hormones etc, and I am dedicating this weeks TT, to it. So please 'enjoy'! 1…. Hormones, they have been terrible! At times, 'L' has been fine and happy one minute, and within a second, she is either crying or is angry as. Apparently, as the Estrogen rises, this will stabilise! 2…. Whats effecting the hormones, easy, I am having to give 'L' a nightly injection which started out at 75 units, but has been increased. This is because her estrogen level is slowly rising (43, up to 144 and the last result was 340). We need to get up to at least 500! 3…. Injections. 'L' does not like these. They are a very fine Epipen but it is not nice. I have had a very brief induction in how to do these, but still I get the tears (almost) every night. A couple more days to go... 'L' has to go for a blood test every 3-4 days (yes, more needles) until the target is achieved! 4…. Once the estrogen level is achieved, 'L' has to go for almost daily internal ultrasounds. Now, being a male, I can not appreciate how this would feel. However, after my spinal surgery, where I was catheterised, I think I can only imagine it to being when it was removed where I just about hit the roof... Feeling for you 'L'! 5…. The internal ultrasounds are to measure follicle size. They want to get NO MORE than 2, 15-18mm follicle's. Any more, then the treatment will be suspended as there is a greater risk of triplets, quads or more... 6…. Once the 1 or 2 follicle's have reached the right size, then 'L' (yes another needle) will get a massive hormone injection in order for the ovaries to release the follicle's (egg(s)). At this time, I might move given the increased hormones!!! 7…. Apart from doing the daily injections (my only 'input' at this stage, it is now my turn to participate. I have to offer up a ... sample... or an 'injection of love' This has to be completed in the early am, where it is then spun, cleaned of all the rubbish (there words not mine), concentrated, added to a new material and made ready for insemination! 8…. Some 24-36 hours later, 'L' will have to be at the clinic to be inseminated. After this, she can the go off to work as if nothing has happened, and there is the very real possibility of an 'Implantation Bleed', let's hope not! 9…. Wait 7-14 days, return to the clinic for a pregnancy test (hopefully good news)! 10…. Next in the list is then to contact a Gynaecologist and we are off and racing! 11…. Then through the pregnancy, numerous ultrasounds, internal examinations etc... 12…. Get the baby room(s) ready and delivery! 13…. Pray for us or at the very least, for me to get through this unscathed!!! Isn't making babies meant to be fun??? Seriously, I am being supportive in every way I possibly can. I do not understand what 'L' is going through, nor would I claim that I do. She is my rock, my mate and someone whom I would do anything for. I love her dearly, and I hope that she gets what she has wanted for a very long time. We have been seeing our IVF Specialist for just on 2 years now, with no success so far. There are many stand-in uncle and aunts (not to mention ACTUAL uncle and aunts) who are also wanting and wishing us success in this. The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! thursday thirteen

thanx mr postie

for my etsy deliveries. What do you think of this as the centrepiece for a lap quilt?

Home Sweet Home in Olivey Lime
This is one of my etsy purchases created by the very talented Shannon Lamden of Aunty Cookie fame. I just had to have some of this fabric and it must have been fate that I ended up with a piece. When Aunty Cookie blogged that she was going to be listing it the next day on etsy, I committed the time to memory, however, as it was a work day I got distracted doing well, work. And by the time I remembered, it was all sold, except to my fortune, Aunty Cookie had miscalculated and had 50cm spare, and I happened to read about this before anyone else.