CHRISTMAS FOOD - YUMMY

This past weekend I was sooooo busy preparing for Christmas, I started on Friday night and it continued for 48 hours, my feet were very sore on Sunday night, I did the usual house -

work on the weekend and wrapped Christmas presents and also did my Christmas cooking ready for the in-laws to arrive yesterday for their 2 weeks holiday. We are also taking 2

weeks annual leave from Christmas Eve, I am so looking forward to morning sleepins instead

of rising at 4.50am Mon-Fri to go to work.

Here are some photos of the goodies I baked on the weekend.

Weight Watchers Christmas cake recipe, it's soooo easy and Yummy, soak 1kg of Mixed Fruit

in 2 cups of strong black coffee overnight (I also add some Bundy Rum to mine), next day add 150g of chopped fruit and nut chocolate and 2 cups of self raising flour, bake in 160 deg

oven for 2 hours, you may need to cover with alfoil for some of the time as it starts to burn

the fruit a little.

These are individual Christmas puddings, also a WW recipe.

Rocky Road, this was just from my head - 1 pkt of chopped up Allen's snakes, 1 pkt of small

marshmallows, 1 chopped cherry ripe bar, 2 chopped turkish delight bars, a small packet of

unsalted nuts, I melted some dark and milk chocolate button melts together and poured

over the top, popped into the fridge overnight and cut into slices voila.

My favourite Rum Balls

White Christmas, I used a new recipe this year. I have never liked White Christmas however

my husband loves it so I make it for him and then end up throwing a lot away each year, I

hate the taste of the copha in it - this year I found a recipe using white choc button melts

instead of the copha and it is actually quite nice. This year I decided I will make some little packets of my goodies and take into my work friends instead of throwing away. Instead of

mixed fruit in the White Christmas I have used sultanas, chopped cherries and some chopped nuts.

Christmas Star and Christmas tree biscuits, this is the first time I have made these, the recipe was in the Dec 2008 WW magazine, they are yummy also.

I think I have enough Christmas goodies to put out for everyone to enjoy.

HUGS

KAYLEE

MY CHRISTMAS TREE - PHOTOS AT LAST

I put my tree and house decorations up a few weeks back and have been too busy to take photos so on the weekend I took photos.

Firstly the Christmas tree with LOTS of pressies I wrapped on the weekend

This table is at the end of the house entry with some of my treasures.

I have this little setting on the lounge room floor. A minature tree with a couple of reindeer

and Santa's with a toy sack and a Christmas Angel.

These gorgeous Angels and Reindeer are on the coffee table in the lounge room.

HUGS

KAYLEE

QUEENSLAND PROCLAMATION DAY - 150 YEARS 10 DECEMBER 2009

Proclamation Day – 10 December 1859

Birth of Queensland

On Saturday 10 December 1859 the proclamation declaring Queensland a separate colony from New South Wales was read from the balcony of Adelaide House now the Deanery of St John’s Cathedral in Ann Street.

Fireworks, cannon fire, flag raisings and the sound of a gun shot added to the excitement.

Elaborate plans had been made for the reception and Governor Sir George Ferguson Bowen sailed into Brisbane with his wife, Lady Diamantina to take up his position as Queensland’s first Governor.

On arrival at the Botanic Gardens, they were greeted by over 4000 people waiting on the river banks from where the Governor’s party proceeded to the State’s first temporary Government House (Adelaide House) in Adelaide Street (now the Deanery of St John’s Cathedral).

Dignatories with the Governor’s party included the Colonial Secretary elect Robert Herbert who became Queensland’s first Premier

The proclamation and Letters Patent were published in the Queensland Government Gazette on that same day legalising the proclamation.

On 12 December 1859, Governor Bowen received and replied to addresses from community groups from Brisbane and Ipswich followed by a regatta and evening fireworks.

Queen Victoria had signed the Letters Patent creating the new colony on 6 June 1859 (Queensland Day).

How it all began

The push for separation from New South Wales began in earnest in the early 1850s. Between 1851 and 1854, a number of public meetings were held and by January 1856 a series of petitions had been sent to Queen Victoria seeking the establishment of a new colony.

On 10 July 1859, the ship ‘Clarence’ with the word ‘Separation’ painted on its hull sailed into Brisbane bringing the news that on 6 June 1859, Queen Victoria had signed the Letters Patent.

The news was greeted by a jubilant crowd and the vessel was welcomed with a 14-gun salute and fireworks.

The Queen favoured the name Queensland over suggestions to call it Cooksland in honour of Captain James Cook.

1909

In 1909 Queensland celebrated its 50^th year with a Jubilee Exhibition at the annual Brisbane Agricultural Show (the EKKA) and the official opening of the University of Queensland in the Botanic Gardens.

1959

In 1959 Queensland celebrated its centenary with a huge array of events including Princess Alexandra’s tour of Queensland and the publication of an official centenary commemorative book, Queensland Daughter of the Sun (edited by Clem Lack)

The program of celebration for the year included a Centenary Regatta at Southport, Australian Life Saving Championships at Mooloolaba, a Centenary Festival of Immigration, the Royal National Association Centenary Show and a Cavalcade of Transport.

GOVENOR BOWEN AND HIS WIFE LADY DIAMANTINA BOWEN AND PARTY

RE-ENACTMENT OF THE FLOTILLA COMING UP THE RIVER TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE, BOTANICAL GARDENS

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - 25 NOVEMBER 2009

My husband - Stephen and I celebrated our 31st Wedding Anniversary yesterday, we went to the Jellyfish Restaurant on the boardwalk behind Riverside Centre in Brisbane CBD and then stayed at the Novotel Hotel. This is a photo of us going out for dinner, it was a fabulous evening and the food was sensational.

Hugs

Kaylee

REBECCA'S FORMAL

My baby girl - Rebecca has completed Grade 12 and this is a photo of her dressed for her formal.

WOOHOO !!! school finished forever, she is very happy as school has never been Rebecca's favourite place. She looks so beautiful and grown up..........

Hugs

Kaylee

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Here are some of the Christmas gifts I have been working on and completed last week whilst on annual leave.

HUGS

KAYLEE

ARMISTICE /REMEMBRANCE DAY 11 NOVEMBER

Remembrance Day

Roll of Honour with poppies,
Australian War Memorial
Image courtesy of the Department of Veterans' Affairs

Originally called Armistice Day, this day commemorated the end of the hostilities for the Great War (World War I), the signing of the armistice, which occurred on 11 November 1918 - the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Armistice Day was observed by the Allies as a way of remembering those who died, especially soldiers with 'no known grave'.

On the first anniversary of the armistice, in 1919, one minute's silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony. In London, in 1920, the commemoration was given added significance with the return of the remains of an unknown soldier from the battlefields of the Western Front.

The Flanders poppy became accepted throughout the allied nations as the flower of remembrance to be worn on Armistice Day. The red poppies were among the first plants that sprouted from the devastation of the battlefields of northern France and Belgium. 'Soldiers' folklore had it that the poppies were vivid red from having been nurtured in ground drenched with the blood of their comrades'.

After the end of World War II in 1945, the Australian and British governments changed the name to Remembrance Day as an appropriate title for a day which would commemorate all war dead. In October 1997, then Governor-General of Australia, Sir William Deane, issued a proclamation declaring:

11 November as Remembrance Day and urging Australians to observe one minute's silence at 11.00 am on Remembrance Day each year to remember the sacrifice of those who died or otherwise suffered in Australia's cause in wars and war-like conflicts.

LEST WE FORGET

CHEERS

KAYLEE

RECEIVED PARCEL - 2009 ADVENT SWAP

WOOHOO my parcel arrived yesterday from Nannette, my Swap partner in Salt Lake City, UTAH. I am soooo excited and have put the box of goodies in my craft room waiting impatiently till December 1st to open the first parcel. This is the box that was waiting for

me at the Post Office yesterday.

Hugs

Kaylee

HOLIDAYS AND FINISHED PROJECTS

I was on annual leave last week and was very happy to spend quite a bit of time in my craft room and using my new sewing machine which I received for my Birthday back in September. I only unpacked it last Friday, it sews very nicely, I am very happy.

This is a photo of my new TOYOTA "Quiltmaster" machine.

I managed to finish this project which I started about 3 -1/2 years ago, it is all made by hand, firstly sewing the hats and calico pieces together and then drawing and embroidering the faces. I managed to finish the embroidery 2 weeks ago and I made it into a cushion cover and sewed the cushion cover last week. WOOHOO !!! another project completed.

I have desperately needed a new ironing board cover for a long time and decided to make my own so I made this on Sunday, this is the first time I have made one and I am very happy with the result.

Cheers

Kaylee

2009 ADVENT SWAP

I am so happy and excited, this morning I posted a box full of goodies for my 2009 Advent Swap partner in Salt Lake City, UTAH.

Here they are all wrapped and numbered. I also took photos before they were wrapped, I will post photos of these after the swap is completed as I want them to be surprises for my swap partner, Nannette. I was so excited making and buying the items for the swap, this is my very first swap since joining BLOG land in June of this year.

Hugs

Kaylee

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND.................

I have had a successful weekend in my craft room -

This is a photo of some unfinished dolls in my craft room, some waiting for clothes..........

I managed to complete another project on Saturday morning, I have had this "Hatched and Patch" stitchery sewn for quite a few years and didn't know how to bind it correctly, the first couple of attempts failed and it's been sitting around SO I looked through my A-Z of patchwork and came across "Binding" and voila I managed it perfectly first time, it is now ready for a hanger - I'm going to hang it proudly in my craft room.

Another weekend gone and a week closer to Christmas, I am sooo excited and happy with my achievements on the weekend. I started a quilt in January for Miss Kate's (daughter) 21st Birthday in March and what a job it's turned out to be. It's my first patchwork quilt attempt. I am excited because I finally finished the quilt top last night at 7pm. I have added some photos of the project so far...... I'm sure all you talented patchworkers will cringe - it's a "Crazy Patchwork" quilt NOT a traditional quilt, I've incorporated bits of material from dresses I made Miss Kate years ago and of course lots of other material as well, I have tried to include things she loves such as the "I Love Strawberries" and "Winnie the Pooh" fabric, Miss K studied Japanese at school for 8 years so I also included some gorgeous Japanese fabric. Blue is Kate's favourite colour so I've incorporated as much blue as possible. I would appreciate any comments and tips from quilters as to how to quilt my project as I've never done any quilting before either.

Cheers

Kaylee

FOOTY LEGENDS.........

Oh and of course a special CONGRATS to Cooper Cronk from my Daughter Rebecca who sits watching him week in week out and has mentioned on the odd occasion he is HOT.........

Cheers

Kaylee

FOOTY GRAND FINAL

WOOHOO WOOHOO !!! Congratulations Melbourne STORM for your great win in THE Footy Grand Final for 2009, of course you are lucky to have many of our talented 'QUEENSLANDERS' in the side. Great work by all of the boys especially Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Cam Smith.

Cheers

Kaylee

DAY OF DUST

The headlines on the front page of the Courier Mail (Brisbane paper) reads this morning

THE BIGGEST DUST STORM IN 70 YEARS

These are photos I took yesterday at work - I am on the 35th Floor in a Brisbane CBD building.

I can normally see clear out to the Gateway Bridge and to Moreton Island, however yesterday I could hardly make out the Story Bridge.

Hugs

Kaylee

BIRTHDAY

WOOHOO - it's my BIRTHDAY

Me and my pressies from the girls at work.

Hugs

Kaylee

GIVE AWAY - OUR CRAZY NEST

Hurry and run over to "Our Crazy Nest" BLOGG for a chance to win the following,

A very cute ribbon blanket and ribbon block for your very favorite baby. If you'd like to make one of these for yourself, be sure and come visit my blog. I'm having a giveaway for a free Hushabye Charm pack and enough ribbon and batting to make your very own block or. I think I'll throw in another surprise charm pack as well. I also have another fun Halloween giveaway going on right now you'll have to check out.

Hugs

Kaylee

AMONG THE GUMTREES

Phew all done, that was hard work, pop on over to the button on my side bar titled "Among the Gumtrees" and check out the 9 - YES 9 giveaways from 9 fabulous ladies.

HUGS

KAYLEE