Sydney Christmas Part 1

This was the backyard and deck on Xmas eve. Mum was trying to keep calm, as she wondered whether the place was going to be presentable in less than 24 hours, to accomodate the 20 people we had coming for Christmas lunch.

The weather had severely delayed Dad's backyard blitz.

Really it did look a bit like a bomb site.

Inside however was a different sight....two of Santa's elves digging for under the tree treasure.

Success!

Em was worried there wasn't to be anything for her. Worried about having been a bad girl this year missy!?!?!

There was talk of canning gifts this year and making a donation (we all make varying donations at different times of the year as well, especially Mum who can't resist a charity call!), however it appears the strongest resistance came from the biggest kid of all - Dad - who could barely wait to open his presents!!!

And his big favourite present - a high pressure water thingy.

This was the backyard on Christmas day - quite the turn around, though the rain prevented the grass going down.

Getting fancy with the table decorations.

Sydney Christmas Part Two

A fine looking pair!

Chookie with Sam baby + audience

The men looking pensive

Megsy and Sam baby

Emma and Nana

Puddha and Billy hanging out....didn't last long!

Group shot!

Megsy and Scott

Joel and his drinks!

Joel and Kel W aka Bernie

Claire and Kev

tucking into Xmas lunch, summer edition.

Puddha looking to clean up....unfortunately Mark's not one to leave anything!

Joel introducing Billy boy to the wildlife aka Mum's girls!

Cats in the garden

The kitties trying to enjoy the garden after an erly snow fall.

Peter's Birthday

Venus decided she'd hang out inside the autumn wreath.

We got our first light snow falls - but enough to turn the garden white.

And celebrated Peter's birthday with Sushi at our of fave spots in town, and a home made ginger chocolate cake.

Claire's Birthday

Claire's birthday kicks off our second birthday season. This year, the birthday girl requested a white chocolate cheesecake, which gave me a chance to try my first recipe from a very lush chocolate baking book Kelly and Joel gave me a couple of years back.

Here's the cake after it first came out of the oven.

And - success! The closest to its cookbook picture any of my baking attempts have ever come!

All decorated ready to sing.

Birthday girl opening presents.

Steph and Roger enjoying the fun - before Roger delighted in the cheesecake (two pieces!!!)

Me and Sebastian doing one of his usual faux poses.

Singing and candles.

Yummy gooey goodness!

September Delights

The cats have been helpful as always. Just before Peter was to start hockey again, Venus started curling up for her afternoon nap on Peter's equipment.

Merlin has been very useful when it comes to spreading her hair all over the clean laundry,

Which is very tiring for her, so then she takes a nice long nap in the sun.

Venus is enjoying being the guard cat, surveying her domain from the high window perch.

Mostly what she watches are the birds in the bird feeder. In September we started getting some Blue Jays into the backyard - they are quite pretty birds!

Black bird, bluejey and mourning dove all vying for a snack.

Lillian came to visit and gave us this lovely quilt as an engagement gift. It matches the room perfectly!

The 'mums started to bud..

Late season strawberries...

Big juicy beefsteak tomatoes on the vine...

and in my indoor ripening trays.

At the end of September Peter and I went out to a Chef's Table dinner at Pia's, where we ate delicious French Burgundy style food, and learned about the wines from that region too.