Christmas 2016

I am trialling a new app for blogging on my iPad, called Blogo (not to be confused with Bloggo, which has caused me no end of frustration - writing posts then having them disappear into the ethers or not loading my pictures...grrr!)...so lets see how we go! I start with a Christmas wrap up ...

We opened presents...

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We had a lovely champgne breakfast to start the morning off...

We had 28 people for lunch so it was a busy morning preparing for them. I got this turkey into the oven...

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Kirby decorated the tables beautifully...

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The turkey cooked to perfection...

Gus baked a ham in the Weber. Just a simple glaze of maple syrup, brown sugar, mustard powder and oil. Delicious!

The spread of food. Lovely salads and meats. I didn't get to take pics of dessert but there was my pudding (wow, full of brandy!) and pavlova.
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It was full on and very loud as we had 11 kids running around. I'll be back with our sister presents next...once I work out how to publish this post. Wish me luck!

Cheers - Joolz xx

Countdown...

... to Christmas 2016.  I've been baking biscuits...

Taking silly selfies ...

Baking more cookies.  These are Pioneer Woman's Choc Candy Cane Cookies

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I made Cranberry Almond chocolate bark...

and cherry and hazelnut dark chocolate bark...

I've eaten my whole body weight in cherries!

I've been trying to keep the house tidy but its hard when you have things on the go...

Dark chocolate cherry truffles...

Cherry shortbreads...

 

This looks like fun!

Christmas Day is meant to be a scorcher here with 37C forecast.  We had planned with my family to have a hot lunch of turkey, baked ham and lots of poultry and pork, roast veggies and all the trimmings.  Yesterday, I canned that idea and we will be having cold meats and salads.  I just cannot deal with hot food for 28 people in that kind of heat - at least we have air conditioning!

I hope it cools off for dinner as we have 12 for dinner also.  That will be a mish mash of meats, veggies and salads.  We are planning lovely prawn cocktails for entree so that should kick it off nicely.

I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and safe, healthful and happy New Year.

Love - Joolz xx

Tree is up!

I assembled the tree yesterday lunch time - took me 3/4 of an hour!

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Then I spent the best part of 3 hours decorating it last night.  I am pleased with it - it's nearly all baubles and not many other decorations (I have many!).  Another thing ticked off the list.  Next is baking all my goodies but that has to wait until next weekend!

Cheers - Joolz xx

Happenings around here...

Oh man, I'm having trouble blogging still!  Everytime I get my pictures uploaded, I've used the wrong blog and they end up on the Camping Adventures blog!  Grrr!! 

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Anyhow, here are a few pics of my garden from a week or so back.  Things were looking lovely...

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Then we've had a bout of stormy weather with strong winds and rain and...nearly every rose has been blown off its bush!

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What do you put in your salads?  I get sick of the same old salad veg so have been putting
a bit of fruit in.  This one has mango and watermelon added to it.  Sometimes I've put strawberries in and its lovely!

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Beautiful Atlantic salmon...

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I found a treasure in the back of my pantry!  Half of last years Christmas cake - it has matured beautifully and is delicious...

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I had a bit of a flop with my EasiYo - I tried only using half a packet of mix and halving the water to 500 mls but it came out very runny.  Will try again soon with a full packet and a little less water.

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My standard roses are in full bloom and nearly keeling over...

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I have made another Christmas cake - I might put half away to find in the back of the pantry next year!

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I headed to Adelaide on Monday to see the girls...such a beautiful sunset that night!

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The Jacarandas are in full bloom and everywhere there are purply-mauve carpets...

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Bri and I went to see the movie Trolls in the morning...

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Then Tuesday night we went to see Keith Urban...

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Carrie Underwood was his support act - she was fantastic!

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Keith was very good too but a lot more 'rocky' than country I thought...

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Selfie with my girly...that's a shadow in my face, weird!

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I got some Christmas shopping done before I came home on Wednesday...

Cheers - Joolz xx

It's In The Bag!

Today was the last day to get gifts of handbags stuffed with goodies to collection points. These bags will be collected, sorted through then distributed to women and teens who are homeless on the streets or living in shelters, most due to domestic violence...

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I made up two bags this year and stuffed them full of necessities and a few other goodies.  I included a handmade Christmas ornament and a hand written card wishing the recipient a bright, happy Christmas. 

http://www.sharethedignity.com.au

Cheers - Joolz xx
 
 

Blog Help!

For some strange reason, my right sidebar has disappeared and repositioned itself under my posts!  When I go to Layout, it all looks normal in the right side bar.  I also want to get rid of the 'wallpaper' that seems to have re-appeared after an absence of years!

Any ideas?  I'm stumped!

Edited to say: I made contact with Blogger through the Feedback tab and had a helpful man named Chuck help me out.  For some reason, he suggested I change my post Pudding Capers to draft.  This made the sidebar reappear where it should.  I then did a slight width adjustment to the blog and everything seems fine.  I reposted Pudding Capers and its all good!  Thanks, Chuck!

Cheers - Joolz xx