Happy Thanksgiving...

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving to all my US bloggy friends.

Oopsey has arrived...

This little bear belongs to Caroline at The Simple Things. She decided to send Oopsey around the world via blogland. Dear little Oopsey has arrived from Anne at Silver Sewer in the UK Midlands.

This little bear has been to some great parts of the world already. I was impressed that she arrived via Royal Mail (I do love Queenie-babes!).
*

I thought the best thing to do was introduce her to Noddy and some of the other toys(long neglected) in Brianna's toy box. I think they were pleased to see her although the dude in the shades looks questionable to me? (looks like a bouncer at a nightclub!)
*
Oopsey first visited Gill (That British Woman) in Canada in March this year. She was then posted to Janeen (Cha Chaneen) in California, USA, in March. Then in April, it was onto Florida to FLMom (The Narrow Path) where she had some great adventures.
Ohio called so it was off to see Amy (Learning at our house) and her boys in May. From Ohio, Oopsey went to Trish (Daily Decadent) in Ontario, Canada in June. Trish made Oopsey's cute little pink dress.
*

The next stop for Oopsey was to Margaret (Margaret's Ramblings) in the UK in July. Finally, Anne (Silver Sewer) has been been looking after the carebear in the Midlands of the UK.
*
Now back in Australia for a while, Oopsey can again get a taste of vegemite on toast for breakfast and enjoy the wide open spaces of our big, brown land. I'll let you know when it's time for her to jet off again. Where would be a good place for her to visit?
*
Joolz

Weekend roundup...

(Joolz pic)
Brianna continues to practice her driving skills. On Saturday afternoon we took a drive to Kalangadoo (an aboriginal name for red gums and swamps) which is 35kms from our town. We drove there, went down a few streets then turned around and came home - at 80km/hour, she clocked up 90 minutes of driving. She has to do 50 hours of daytime driving and 10 hours of night time driving to then be able to sit for her Probationary licence and she must have her learners for at least 6 months before sitting for her 'P's. We have a way to go yet!

*

Sunday morning I was up at 6am - couldn't sleep anymore. I (re)watched The Lake House (Sandra Bullock & Keanu Reeves). At 9am I thought I'd make some scones - I cheat and use the CWA scone mix - it never fails to turn out good scones. Just add water to the mix and there you have it! No sooner did I have them in the oven - everyone arose from their slumber and sat waiting for scones!
*

I like them warm with butter and vegemite and butter and jam. Brianna has jam and whipped cream and Kirby has vegemite too.
*
We have started cleaning up for Christmas celebrations at our house. Angus steam cleaned the pavers under the pergola and I will get to those windows this week.
*
Tomorrow I am taking my Mum shopping in Mt.G so I hope to do some Christmas shopping and get a few things out of the way.
*
Thursday I am going out to lunch in Mt. G then off to see New Moon with some friends. Some me time.
*
Whats on the agenda for you this week? Getting Christmas sorted?
*
Cheers - Joolz

Vintage Noddy...

(web pic)
Little Jenny Wren has been reminiscing about a toy pixie doll she had and lost as a child. She found an image of Happy in a Flickr group. My first Christmas present, as a baby, was a rubber Noddy doll. I thought I'd look on the web and see if there were any images. Sure enough I found the exact same doll.
*

(Joolz pic)
I have always kept my Noddy doll around the place (he was in the study wardrobe, right behind my desk). I pulled him out, dusted him off and here he is!
*

(Mt McIntyre, Christmas Day, 1964 - Sue, Marilyn, Janine & Leanne with baby Julie)
This photo was taken on Christmas Day, 1964 - I have Noddy sitting in my lap. I honestly can't remember playing with him during my younger days but he is still with me 45 years later. Fun remembering the old days...
*
Joolz

Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake...

The photos aren't quite in order but above you can see the cake and all it's gooey icing...
*

... quite a simple recipe which you can find here.
*

This is the cake, straight out of the oven and the hot icing being poured over it. Oh my!
*

I am the proud owner of Ree Drummond's The Pioneer Woman Cooks (First Edition)
*
I have orders from Kirby and Bri to cook Cinnamon Rolls, Potato Skins, PW Breakfast Burritos, Buttermilk Biscuits, Lasagna, Comfort Meatballs, Rib-Eye Steak with Whisky Cream Sauce, Fried Chicken, Twice baked Potatoes, Meatloaf, Chicken Spaghetti, Chicken Pot Pie, Cowboy Calzone, Macaroni & Cheese and the list goes on. Most of these recipes can be found at
www.thepioneerwoman.com so check it out if you are not familiar with Ree's famous blog.
*
I can feel my butt expanding as I speak....
*
Cheers - Joolz

Friday night dinner...

... is served!
You want fries with that?
(we didn't!)
(homemade beef burger, dijon mustard, fried onions, egg, BBQ sauce,
lettuce, tomato, cucumber, beetroot & cheese one a toasted sesame seed bun)

*
So much better than the take away variety!
*
Have a good weekend, friends!
*
Cheers - Joolz

Spring garden gets a Summer frizzling...

My roses have gone berserk in the past week or so with all the hot weather. No chance to enjoy lovely rosebuds for a few days as they open. All the blooms just expoded open.
*

This is my lovely McLeod's Daughters rose - the softest apricot with feathery petals.
*

These are carpet roses and they have gone crazy!
*

Sunset over the back fence.
*

This carpet rose was a lot more 'hot pink' last year, they seem to be paler this year. I'll have a fair bit of 'dead-heading' to do before Christmas! Eek - it's my turn to host Christmas at our house this year!!
*
In for a hot day of 36C today! Not as bad as poor Tania in Port Augusta - 46C yesterday and 47C today with catastrophic weather warnings in force. When will this weather stop?
*
Cheers - Joolz