barrabrui

Sydney Christmas Part 1

2011-12-29T17:37:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-29T15:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-14T12:31:00.000-08:00

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

Peter's Birthday

2011-12-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

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

2011-10-13T06:18:00.000-07:00

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.

Gardening Again

2011-07-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

The kittens enjoying some sun, and whatever show is occurring on the footpath, as neighbours walk their pets and kids come home from school. Sometimes birds perch on the roof, which always gets a strong response from the cats!

We planted roses this year, these Grandifloras smell divine.

Early strawberries. Home grown berries always remind me of picking blackberries from the overgrown bushes up at Granddad's farm. Another kind of rose, I think a rosa rubosa? Supposed to be great in our climate but it seems to suffer more from bugs than the grandiflora. Nonetheless, pretty flowers!

Cottage Weekends

2011-06-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

Peter works with a couple who own a cottage on Fairholme Lake. They've been on sabbatical (well one's retired, the other is off) this past school year and we've been able to rent their cottage on two occasions. Peter and I went away to celebrate our 3 year anniversary in May. It rained most of the weekend, hence my cosy position on the couch. Above is the fire pit off the deck.

Between after lunch nap and pre dinner nap, we managed a walk up the road.

Here's the view from the cottage deck - you can just glimpse the lake, centre right.

The deck! (It was too cold for sunning, no matter how inviting the picture looks!)

Then, in June, we went back with the kids, and friends of ours John and Monica, and John's son Owen. See superstar kayaker below.

There was a paddleboat....

which, we discovered after, had a leak!

I stayed on dry land and go the fire going - which helped keep the mossies away.

Monica and Claire enjoying the afternoon.
Group shot of the living room.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-06-17T12:00:00.001-07:00

When we moved in last June, this garden bed didn't exist. The grass came right to the side of the house, so everytime I look at it, I think of the magic of creating something - beautiful - from nothing.
Once the snow finally melted, the bulbs Claire and I planted last October started to emerge. The little crocuses (?) were up first, bringing some welcome colour to the bare garden. You can see the grass is still patchy and brown, still recovering from it's winter blanket of snow.
The sticks in the front of the shot below will ultimately become roses, but right now they look a bit dead. We planted two evergreens - I think the back is some kind of cedar and the one in front is a yew (not 100% sure though!) so give us a bit of year round green.

Other bulbs that are emerging are the hyacinths - which are in the middle and to the left, the crocuses run down the right side. Front centre are actually garlic chives which do well over the winter, and are a great companion plant for the roses.

These two shots are from mid spring. The hyacinths, purple and pink on the left, have bloomed (gorgeous fragrance!) and are starting to droop, but the tulips are just coming into their glory. We had a very wet May which kept the tulips going longer than usual. The crocuses have died off, but their leaves remain, and you can see the roses starting to fill out.

These last two shots are only about a week old, and already there's been more growth. The bulbs have all but died off, but the roses are coming into their own. They'll give us colour and fragrance from the summer months right through to first snow.

Easter 2011

2011-05-17T09:04:00.000-07:00

I got into the spirit early with some baking. (After all, with Easter being later this year, Christmas gingerbread seemed so long ago!)

Peter took his traditional kids on stair snap. They have their bowls ready for an egg hunt - not too big for that!!!

Egg hunting. Too cold for outside so it's indoors only.

Easter brunch - smoked salmon and goats cheese on front left, home made banana bread back left, fruit tray centre, cheese and bread on the right.

Sneaky egg hiding from Peter.

Let's eat!
Sebastian playing - Lillian helping?

The girls wanting to get back to their Wii game.

A Question and A Ring

2011-04-29T22:00:00.000-07:00

We're engaged! Peter popped the question and I said yes!

Peter switched around the words to a verse in 'Marry Me' by Train, a very romantic song we both love. Then, he got down on one knee. Swoon!

Here's what he sang:

"I'm clever if ever you'll figure out my deed.
To ask you in this most peculiar way.
From my heart I speak these timeless words
Please believe me when I say
Reach over on the table
And tell me if you're able to
Marry me....today and every day
Please marry me.. I've finally got the ring and I can't wait another day
Say you will ....Hmmmmm Say you willl hmmmmm"

The original song was a bonus track on Train's album from about two years ago. It's on YouTube here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcNTyTa0gWE

Christmas Eve and Morning 2010

2011-04-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

As always, start with the pics at the bottom and move your way up! At some point I'll remember how to do these things in order. By the end of the unwrapping process, there appeared to be more wrapping paper than anything else!

Mark's only nod to the weather - mittens with boardies!

The three 'kids' continuing through their HUGE stockings.

Unwrapping delights!

Stockings ready, set - unwrap!

There were pretty feet, sleepy teens, broad shoulders and a pair of legs.

A new tablecloth!

Good times on Xmas eve drinks.

We really were there!!!!

Laughs all around.

Under the tree.

Bikkies - gingerbread of course!

The well dressed tree - we almost ran out of floor space for all the gifts! (Partly because we had extras on Christmas morning, mostly because we are made for presents in our house!)

November 2010 - Everything Party (And the Third Cake!)

2011-03-31T05:11:00.000-07:00

After Em and Megs arrived, we hosted a do so that everyone could meet everyone else, and to celebrate a few birthdays with extended family.

Claire and Kevin came along.

I cheated on the cake and went for alternating chocolate and vanilla cupcakes instead.

happy snaps

birthday cards!

Big sis, little sis

the serious business of present opening

Em sampling the treats!

something hilariously funny apparently - even Megsy is laughing!!

Cute cuddles!

A lovely shot of the girls, oh what's that? Sebastian's hand!?!?!?!!?

All together now....

Needless to say, a good time was had by all

November 2010 - Emma and Megan's visit

2011-03-31T04:32:00.000-07:00

Last Canadian winter we had the Great Aussie Relocation, with most of my family plus Kate F visiting for a while. Here are a random selection of holiday snippy snaps! Megs and Em arrived early in November. They both stayed a few days with us before spending a week in New York. After, they both returned to O'ville for a few days then Em flew back to Sydney while Megan settled into what would be her new life for a few months. Here we are at the visitor's centre at Niagara Falls.

Of course, no visit to the falls would be complete without stopping in at Niagara-On-The-Lake, here's Peter and the girls after stocking up at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Shop.

In anticipation....

The three of us posing streetside - it was a wet and windy day for sure.

Em was fascinated by the squirrles.

Back in O'ville, Em and I took a walk around the lake, and she picked out a new home for herself!

Megs, Em and I also did the tourist trail through Toronto. Here we are heading up to Castle Loma - also a popular 'home'!

Birthday #2

2010-11-25T15:19:00.001-08:00

This post is kind of backwards! Peter and I went away for the weekend to celebrate his birthday - and partly to take advantage of having an empty house for the weekend (we have family and friends staying over the next few months - which we are VERY excited about) here's the view from and over our little hideaway cabin.

This is some kind of hut that was actually frozen as we walked around it the first morning.

Since I am smiling in this pic, I'm guessing this was a Saturday morning walk - before I twisted my back and spent the rest of the weekend flat out. It was brisk but beautiful.

The edge of the lake had frozen autumn leaves in it - hadn't seen anything like that before.

the view around the lake - stunning!! Almost calming just looking at it.

the cozy wood fire we had burning most of the weekend. Saturday was basically spent reading in front of the fire.

But before we went away, there was cake! This is the oh so decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter cake Sebastian and Peter both like.

The birthday boy with his gorgeous kids - how lucky am I?

This photo's for me - swoon!

I love this one!! Don't count the candles, you'll know Peter's age (yes we did!)

the cake before being devoured

I also made pumpkin homous.

And with Em around there was plenty of champagne drinking to be done!

the cake in bits.

Peter's birthday was next, and I took him away for a quiet weekend, but before we did that, there was, of course, cake!

The week of three cakes - BIrthday #1

2010-11-23T16:38:00.000-08:00

Late October/early November is birthday season in the LeBlanc/Surtees home. The celebrations begin with Claire's birthday at the end of October, for which I made a decadent three layer white chocolate cake. It's the prettiest cake I think I've ever made!

New Home

2010-09-30T05:04:00.000-07:00

Merlin coming up the stairs from the basement (where the kitty litter is) and chasing something Very Interesting.

The garden bed as a work in progress.

Peter changed our kitchen tap - it's been a busy September!

Our kitchen.

Peter also hung our Sun - on the back wall, facing the garden and the setting actual sun.

Enjoying a meal at the table.
On said weekend in September, Peter hung shelves and our pagan wheel of the year.

The garden bed Peter dug and I planted over a couple of weekend's in September. Underneath the dirt is a bunch of bulbs we'll enjoy in the Spring. To the right is a Juniper bush/tree, second from the right is a yew, both are evergreens and will give us something to look at in the winter. The two plants to the front are rose bushes - one looks a bit sickly but we have faith it'll come good. The front door.

In June, Peter and I settled on our new home. Since I moved to Canada, we'd been renting around town, but were finally ready to buy (and able to qualify for a mortgage!). In Sydney, I'd been an investment property owner, but this was a whole new ball game. We bought what's called a link home, where two homes are built close togehter, like terrace or town houses - no common walls, but they have a shared slab in the foundation. While our basement is totally separate from the house next door, the technically have the same slab of concrete underneath.

Brooke's 30th presents + drinks

2010-09-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

Who me? Yes, I'm the birthday girl!

opening pressies

Mark trying to figure out the Thomas Sabo brochure

Em, Megs and Aunt M overseeing the gift opening.

And having a few laughs about it!

The chimes - Kelly W and Peter - watching.

still giggling

Apparently something funny about this one!

Joel and Dad....

Megsy hamming it up with Dad

Brooke's 30th - group shots

2010-09-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Lebanese feasting

Joel making some Very Important Point

Megsy unhappy about something

Cake and baby photos!

lots of reminiscing and lots of eating

BIRTHDAY CAKE!!

White Rock, Vancouver Sept 2010

2010-09-15T06:03:00.001-07:00

Earlier this year I was invited to speak at the Fraser Valley Astrology Guild in White Rock, BC. We booked the workshop weekend for the second in September - below is a happy snap of me and the Fraser Valley Astrology Guild committee (post workshop, post dinner!). I had a blast and loved connecting with some Canadian Astrologers.

Dawn (back right) was kind enough to put me up for the week. Below is a shot of the view from my room at her place; above is a shot of the amazing wall art on one of the restaurants on the water front. White Rock is only 30mins north of the US border and a popular holiday spot.

Whilst in BC, I also caught up with a very old work mate, Arwen, who married her Canadian partner 4 years ago and now lives in Vancouver.

Family time Sydney June 2010

2010-09-13T08:15:00.000-07:00

We all got together to celebrate Brooke's big 3-0 - including the aunts who flew down for the occasion.

Peter insisted on dipping his toes in the ocean and so one afternoon we headed up to Palm beach. The sunset on the way back was stunning.

Me and Aunch - two little fishes

just a regular meal - I think most of us were eating lunch but for Megs, it was breakfast!

Peter made a yummy breakfast one morning - french toast, bacon and maple syrup, canadian style of course!

Mark, Cooper, Joel and Dad

Sydney tourists June 2010

2010-09-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

Dan celebrated his 30th whilst we were in town so celebrations were in order!

Stunning Sydney and the weather gods/esses shined on us

Friends Sydney May June 2010 a

2010-09-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

Katie picked us up and went hit the Hunter for a day of indulgence. One the way back, we managed to spot some kangaroos which Peter loved.

last stop for the day - the blue tongue brewery

indulging in beer above, and Peter getting yellow carded at Audrey Wilkinson (our first stop), for some rude Canadian comment no doubt

we also spent a gorgeous day in the Blue Mountains with Dan and Trav

the views were spectacular

and so was Dan's brand new car

we also had a yummy meal and fab night at Rob and Lach's new place, but apparently only Miss Ruby warranted a snap!?!

Sydney June 2010

2010-09-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

We didn't leave Oz until early June so there was plenty of time to see family and friends.
Here's Joel having some cake with his cream.

Wwe got to meet Billy the kid, the first grandchild in our family. Above you can see Dad indulging his love of bubas with Billy - clearly impatient for his own kids to procreate!

Not to be ignore are my siblings Em, Megs and Mark. Look for their appearances in snow covered locales later this year as at some point between now and Christmas they are all coming to visit!

Here's the star of the show - Billy with his Mum Lauren (my cousin!) Scorpio Peter shadowy in the backgrounf!

We went to meet Chris T, the lovely lady who assisted fate in introducing Peter and I, at Macquarie one day. Peter didn't rate Aussie ice skaters, but was happy to be introduced to the delights of Gold Class cinema (something we don't have!)

Mum and Peter took a stunning bike ride to North Head on one of the few mornings it didn't rain. (I worked and enjoyed the view!)

Sydney May 2010 a

2010-09-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

We have had a hectic few months. In April (that long ago!) Peter and I went to NY for the weekend - he was attending a tarot conference and I holed up in the hotel room to write. After that, May was a month in Australia for me, and Peter came along for two weeks - his second trip to see the land down under. Since I haven't yet posted snaps from then, here you go!

I took Peter to the old haunt - the greenie, and we all watched the maroons down the blues in the state of origin. (Ask us where we're born!)

we got to meet KC's bump, which has now become gorgeous Thomas.

Peter and I were apart for our two year anniversary but these beautiful roses made their way half way round the world.

and of course we got to see the delightfulness that is the crazy pudda, and sisters in the mornings!

Easter, April 2010

2010-05-08T04:49:00.000-07:00

How stunning is this? It's Island Lake, which is about 10mins from our place and we only just discovered it. Now I have something to replace my morning walks around Cremorne Point!

Plenty of focus required for skipping stones

Us two cousins with our Canadian men.

Claire, Jess and Lillian clowning around.

Claire + Kev

Father and Son - please don't make Big Deal about who is obviously taller!!

sweet treats - of course!

New York 1

2010-04-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

Inside Anthropologie - a clothing + homewares shop I fell in love with in LA a few years ago, when travelling with Kate. The elephant was a feature!

The view from the rock looking down on an old gothic church

Skating in rockefeller square - we just watched this time around! (I was travelling with girlfriend's and this seems like a couple thing to do!)

Out the front of a very decadent choc shop in Rockefeller square

the Australian flag with an Aussie out front! (One of my travelling buddies!)

The view over Central Park from the Top of the Rock

Birthdaze

2010-04-01T05:12:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Sebastian and I share a birthday. To celebrate this year, we went (with Peter's extended family) tubing. It's like a big ice/snow slide you take in an inner tube.

this is the ride up - you jump in your tube and get pulled up the hill. then you come down this. It was a BLAST! The weather was amazing - not to cold (can't remember exactly, but probably around minus 5 or something) with very little wind. There was a big Moon too and we stayed until closing around 10pm. It was ace. We'd planned to go last year at the same time, but horrible weather conditions meant we went bowling instead.

these are our two kitties - much bigger now! And watching the birds through the windows wanting to go out and chase them.

it's been a while

2009-12-15T10:42:00.000-08:00

I couldn't get in to this blog for a while back whenever I last posted so gave it up for a bit. Hoping it all works today!
Here's part of an email I just sent to one of my aunts, with all the updates of recent weeks:

"With Peter’s time short (and therefore peak travel which meant an x'y airfare) it was hard to justify what would amount to a 10 day trip back this December. Xmas may be a tricky time of year for him to fly (he only has a two week break) but in future years I’ll plan my work trips better and be able to come out and combine the two (work and xmas that is) on alternate years - this year I was a little restricted with travel due to teaching commitments – which meant that after having been out for four weeks sept/oct it seemed a little soon to come back given that Peter couldn’t join me.

I will (and am already) miss everyone at Christmas –I didn’t have xmas day in Sydney last year but I did spend most of Dec in Sydney so I still felt part of it – and obviously we had faux xmas with the family too. So I do feel I’ll miss out on the Surtees Xmas experience which is sad. But I am excited to plan and host Peter’s family at Christmas here (I have never hosted xmas dinner before!).

I will definitely by in Oz in the first 6 months of 2010 for sure – I’ve realised that trips back every 6 months or so are both affordable/workable and about the time I start craving an Australia fix. And I will make a few side trips to catch up with Melb and Bris peeps too.

I am making my way here – work has been pretty steady with online and phone stuff, and of course my regular writing, but just the past few weeks things are staring to develop with building a local client base. I haven’t earned as much as I’m capable of this year, but I have covered my costs with re-establishing myself so I’m proud of that. And there are a few projects in the works so stay tuned (most of it will happen work wise at www.kellysurtees.com)

We moved the week after I got back from my last Sydney trip (it was probably the most intense 10days ever – international flight, jet lag, packing and moving!) but the new place is lovely. It has loads more sun which is a must in the dreary Canadian winter. It’s a newer/sharper place too so we are a little more house proud as well. When Spring rolls around we have a lovely balcony which gets the afternoon sun (though Peter is determined to bbq year around – and was out in minus five last weekend!)

Our kitty cats are now 6 months old and they had their spay ops (kitty hysterectomies) early in November so there was a couple of weeks taking care of them too. It was horrible to see them drugged out right after the ops and then they had to wear these cones around their necks to stop them licking their wounds and they kept banging into walls and things. We had to hand feed them the first day or so till they got the hang of it. After a few minor bumps (one reacted badly to the stitches and the other got kitty litter in her eye) they are fully recovered and back to digging up my pot plants and rumbling with each other.

If you think kids sound like elephants running through a house - these two cuties sound like a herd when they race around!

We had our first big snow fall this past week – temps down to minus 20 with windchill and 20cms of powder in one night! So it’s cold and wet but the snow came a month later this year than last winter so that is a blessing.

Family Dinner

2009-10-16T04:44:00.000-07:00

the whole gang (minus Peter and the kids)

shy sisters!

On one of his many 'working lunches' Dad had discovered a fabulous Taiwanese place on Harris St in Pyrmont. And so he decided to take us all out to dinner to check it out one night whilst I was in town. It was great to have the whole gang together - and the good was fantastic!

For The Love of Cats

2009-08-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

August 20, New Moon in Leo
For the love of cats

On Tueday July 14 we bought home two 10 week old kittens. Having cats has been one of those things I have always wanted to do – well as an adult at least. We had a family cat growing up for a while, and my brothers cat, Puddha, now lives at home with my parents. He’s got to be the fattest cat you’ve ever seen. But this blog is not about him.

Enter Merlin (the tabby) and Venus (the grey). Yes totally appropos names for kittens growing up in home where an astrologer and tarotist live. As they were so little when we got them, they’ve gone missing, hid under couches and behind washing machines. We ‘lost’ them one afternoon – for over three hours!! – when they hid inside one of the kids beds. But at their most recent vet visit (who knew how expensive kittens were in the first year of their life?!?!) they’ve almost doubled in size – from the tiny 770grams Venus was to her hefty (by comparison) 1.2 kilos and Merlin, growing from 990grams to 1.5kilos.Now they’re big enough to jump on things higher than a foot stool. Which we discovered last night included our almost waist high king size bed. (Another dream fulfilled!)

It could be said when you get a dog you get a pet, but when you get cats you become a slave. And that’s how we felt last night, with the kittens revelling in their new found strength, jumping up onto the bed, wrestling together, then progressively jumping off the bed, landing with a thud. To only do it all over again. To stay that kittens are playful is an understatement. They DO NOT STOP MOVING. Never having had toddlers, I’m beginning to understand the constant watchfulness required. (I know that kittens don’t comapre to toddlers in many, many other ways.)

This was fun (for us) for a while, but waking up with two kittens bitting your feet or dive bombing your knees is not what I had in mind when I imagined two purring cats sleeing peacfully at the end of the bed, warming our toes through cold winter nights. (Yes it’s officially summer here at the moment, but in Canada there are only two seasons, or so I heard on the radio the other day – Winter and July.)

And so under this potent New Moon in Leo energy, we got to see the regal, ‘I’m in charge’ side to our new additions.

Ottawa 1

2009-08-20T05:56:00.000-07:00

We had the kids for an extended period in their summer break and spent a couple of days in Ottawa, Canada's capital and then at a friend's cottage just south of Bancroft. Ottawa reminded me a lot of Sydney - a major city that's not overwhelming in size or scope.

the peace flame outside Canada's parliament house in Ottawa

I'm pretty sure this is the Canadian seat of government

random streets in the Ottawa - I love old buildings

Standing outside the Canadian equivalent of the Reserve Bank

pretty flowers street side in Ottawa

the mall

Maid of the Mist

2009-08-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

Joel after the cruise with all our raincoats in his belly

love this shot (above)

so much water and mist, sometimes it was hard to see! Mostly a lot of water. Apparently a child fell over the falls a few years back (a 7 yr old!) and survived!

Joel and Kelly

getting closer

More Niagara Falls

2009-08-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

all these photos are taken from the walk ways above the falls.

Niagara Falls are on the border between Canada and the US - it's weird to look across the river and see another country on the other side.

Niagara Falls

2009-08-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

Niagara Falls are spectacular, there's not much else to say really!

the spray (above and below) is huge - walking around at the top of the falls is like walking through rain, there's so much of it.

this boat is called the Maid of the Mist and we went on it! They give you raincoats to wear to stop you getting wet. The power of water is so immense.

more niagara-on-the-lake

2009-08-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

Amongst all the gorgeous shops and boutiques was this fabulous looking fudge shop - we avoided buying (eating was one thing we did well!) but it looked amazing!

Niagara- The -Lake

2009-08-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

Part of our travels whilst Joel and Kelly were here included a day at Niagara Falls, which meant stopping in Niagara On The Lake - a picturesque town near Niagara falls. Stunning! Obviously by the water - beautiful homes (we dreamed!).

The park where we had a picnic lunch.

Traveling Snips

2009-08-12T05:57:00.000-07:00

Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City - a stunning building, which Joel described as a real life fairytale castle - it has a fairmont hotel in it, (we didn't stay there!) but we went in and walked around

this is the french embassy in Quebec - apparently it's the only embassy outside a nations capital in the world! Was kind of cool.

Shots from Quebec city - the gate is the old town, the original city - I didn't know Quebec is the first continually settled north american city - over 400 years old! It felt like being in Europe - and of course the main language is french too. The wall above is part of the town wall - and run in front of the battery which was in front of our hotel.

these two are some of the mosaics in the St Anne Basilica in Quebec City - the detail was spectactular. There were also a series of the twelve zodiac signs (yes in the church!), most of which I have posted on my website - http://www.kellysurtees.com/

So the summer has been full of trips away and time with family. We are just back from a few days in Ottawa (Canada's capital) - a city that for some reason felt a lot like Sydney - Peter liked it too, though of course he has been there before. We had the kids with us and they loved it - none of us wanted to leave. We had a great hotel deal and if we could have extended through the weekend, would have. However we did have other plans - heading off to visit friends at their boat access only cottage. So plenty of snaps to come.

Mont Marency Falls Quebec

2009-07-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

these falls are thirty metres taller than Niagara falls - with a million less tourists

it was bloody freezing!

So our time with joel and kel has gone by too fast, as good times are want to do.

We had an amazing time and i have to say how much I LOVED having family here (take note the rest of you - you will be entertained and well fed!) First stop on our trip was Quebec, the first continually settled mainland North American town (over 400 years ago!). It is gorgeous! The old town in particular was like being in a European city and of course to us Aussies, with the main language being French everything sounded foreign and tres chic. Peter being a local was fluent and acted as our translator, though most everywhere people spoke both English and french. We hit the citadelle, St Anne du beaupre, ate at Le Cochon Digne (the dignified pig - we didn't feel very dignified afterwards but we felt piggish!) They had a desert called "tarte au sucre" - sugar pie!!!!!!! wtf!!! it was literally pastry and sugar (i'm sure with butter and cream mixed in) and according to Peter "it was good?!" Joel and Kelly found it quite good too. More snaps/commentary to come.

Joel and Kelly in Orangeville

2009-07-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

Steph and Steve bought over their new pooch - Monty, a stunning Bernese Mountain Dog which Joel and Kelly were more than happy to dote on - they have been away from Cooper for over a month now!

Jessica had a new and improved cast on her wrist which we all go to sign.

We finally all got back to Orangeville after a week seeing the sights of Quebec and New York late on Sunday night. The kids got to chat a bit to Joel and Kelly and then we all hit the sack. Monday night we had a barbie and the rest of Peter's family came over to meet their Australian counterparts. Judging by the empty beer bottles the morning after (over 30 but who's counting!) everyone got along just fine.

introducing - Merlin and Venus

2009-07-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

Merlin on Sebs lap and Venus on Claires

Merlin making a great escape

Merlin not to sure about his new surroundings

We picked up the two kittens we have been talking about getting for months today - needless to say we are all smitten. Claire has been asking and asking and asking and after a few delays we finally got them around 3pm today. They are farm cats from a lady in town, so we will hit the vet friday to get them checked out and drugged up to whatever degree they require.

a busy two weeks - etc etc etc

2009-05-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks have been busy! Claire had her end of year choir performance on May 8 and 9 - which meant a week prior of rehearsals, later nights and extra laundry! It was totally domestic, but worth it - she was amazing.

We've also been dog sitting our pooch ‘niece’ Madison - for snaps of her see earlier posts titled 'dog's life', and then we baby sat Peter's niece's Jessica and Sara for two nights while Mum Michelle was out of town - they are lots of fun and absolutely gorgeous. In the midst of that fortnight, Peter had his school Spring Fling which we went along to, (I baked a cake for the bake sale), and of course it was Mother's Day too. Snaps below of Mother's Day brunch (we hosted!) and our weekend at the cottage.

Study has been full on for me and will only continue to be as we enter the last few weeks of term. I’m also into writing for the Wellbeing Astrology Guide 2010 – editing is up mid June so it’s go go go until the end of June now. Same with Peter as school finishes then (late June) and he tells me it’s always hectic the last few weeks of the year. But the first week of July we are away with Joel and Kel in NY and Quebec so that should be lovely, then it’s summer holidays and lots of travel, sun and fun.

the gals dressed for Jessica's big day

baking for Peter's school bake sale at the Spring Fling

comfy clothes only thanks! :)

Mother's Day Brunch

2009-05-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

Peter's Mum was in town as Jessica had her first communion the week before so we hosted a get together on Sunday morning - breakfast for 10 sounded just like being at the place of many surtees!

the table set for brunch

Sara and Claire getting a head start. Yes there is homemade punch and fruit loaf on the table as well. Peter was probably manning the bbq - we had snags and bacon and an egg back, plus a fruit platter and hotcakes.

the kids and their Mamere

Cottage days

2009-05-22T06:49:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was Victoria Day weekend in Canada so Monday was a public holiday. We grabbed the kids and hit the road for a long weekend at a friend of Peter's cottage

It was quite relaxing - wet/cold weather on Sat/ Sun meant lots of indoors activities - which translated to reading and board games. I'm proud to say out of the 6 or 7 games of Cluedo we played I only lost one - the last - to Sebastian! Yes I took loads of notes but hello - how many detectives have you seen in Law and Order that don't have a notepad?!?! We had fun! It's also kind of nice being in the bush somewhere and not having to worry about poisonous bugs, snakes and spiders. Though the threat of bears did mean we had to be cautious about rubbish. The only creatures we saw were a rabbit one day and possibly a fox or racoon the night we were outside with the fire (which spooked me completely!)

the inside of the main room of the cottage - two bedrooms + bathroom (with spa) upstairs, den and laundry room downstairs - it was quite roomy

the outside deck where Peter bbq'd each night (and some mornings too!)

the path down to the lake

another by the water shot - Claire and I attempted to read by the water while the men were out in the canoe one day but lasted about five minutes before the chill wind saw us retreat to the protected deck outside the cottage. There we read for ages and got a few rays too.

a busy two weeks cont ......

2009-05-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

Peter's kids by the lake

the lake - it was quite cold Saturday and Sunday so we made good use of the indoor fire but Monday was warm and sunny (though still windy on the water)

the cottage's own dock for sunning and water sports

in the midst of making some brilliant point!!

our fire on Sunday night at the cottage - we roasted marshmallows but didn't go to the effort of making s'mores!

the clan enjoying the fire

Spring

2009-04-28T16:15:00.001-07:00

one of Peter's aloe vera plants. I knocked it off the kitchen bench and so we repotted it into a bright pot for the spring.

an easter gift from Peter

an easter gift from Michelle, catching the afternoon sun

some tulips coming up in the front garden.

apparently the done thing in northern hemisphere climes is to sow these gorgeous blue ground cover flowers before the snow falls, so that in the spring, when the snow melts and the ground is still brown, there is something bright and full of life.

I now understand the magic of Spring. In the two weeks since I have been back I've watched the muddy brown of the ground change to lush green. We've had a few days of rain and many of sunshine, and while the mercury is hovering around the mid teens, the plants are coming back to life.

Good Friday night drinks

2009-04-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

something funny obviously!

eating a feast

Chooke looking gorgeous

happy newlyweds

Em and her new man Clint

group shot, Em of course making sure she gets seen!

The Friday night before I left Sydney to come back to the house I live in Orangeville (Dad refuses to call here home!) I had drinks with friends at Mum and Dad's. Here are a few happy snaps from the night. Well they are coming but I'm having photo loading issues right now!

belated 30th birthday celebrations

2009-04-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

the kids and the Aunt's

the kids plus Mum and Dad - Dad's getting a little shut eye

the kdis squishing in - obviously we were keeping mark awake!

Since I was living it up in O'ville when I turned 30, Mum and Dad and the family had a feast to celebrate on my most recent trip back to Oz. Saturday night Aunch Anne and Aunt Mary flew down from Brissie and spent Saturday cooking up a lebanese feast (well really, where did you think all those noses came from!?!) There was homemade baba, homous, tabouli and Kibbeh - both the raw and cooked version. We had Fatosh (bread salad) and loads of lebanese bread. Of course there were also staries, cabbage rolls, lamb kofta and baklava to finish!

Mum and Aunt M

Puddha, the fattest two year old cat in the world

2009-04-13T22:03:00.001-07:00

have you ever seen such a fat cat? Mark and Chloe got Puddha as a wee little thing that could fit into a tea cup. Now he easily weighs over 7 kilos. Lots of fun to play with though and good natured considering the amount of poking and prodding he gets now that he lives at Mum and Dad's, along with Mark and Chloe.

more joel's birthday

2009-04-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

ah a dirty knife - how many other families have a the dirty knife rule? You know, the one where if, when you cut the cake, the knife comes out dirty, that you have to kiss the nearest person? Maybe it's a surtees thing!

birthday boy with his two birthday cakes! Mine is the one that looks to be centre stage - it's a sticky pineapple cake and the easiest one to make (it's a one bowl wonder!). I got the recipe from either a woman's day or woman's weekly mag.

Mark and Em plus a male guest in the middle

Grahame and Mark in the kitchen cooking up a storm

dog paddle

2009-04-09T18:25:00.000-07:00

Cooper taking a dip - this dog seriously loves to swim!!

more joel's birthday

2009-04-09T18:20:00.000-07:00

birthday boy

family chit chats

birthday balloons - you can't go wrong with those!

stylish outdoor lamps (sorry Joel I didn't take a snap of your hard work on the renos)

Joel's birthday

2009-04-09T18:12:00.001-07:00

Head Chef

Dad et al

Mark looking pensive

the table set for a cast of thousands

Megs and Chloe putting on their best faces

Em first in line for a drink

Being an innovator (for the astro fiends out there, Joel has a Moon/ Uranus opposition in his chart and is always doing things differently!) Joel's birthday was celebrated at the Wilkinson's this year. Even though it was a break with tradition it was a fabulous night - we were definitely well fed with Graham on the bbq.

yum cha

2009-04-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning after newcastle Dan, Trav Kate and I met for Yum Cha at Kam Fook in Chatswood. I've been a devotee of Sea Treasure in Crows Nest for quite some time (and since it's around the corner from where I work when in Sydney it's my preferred spot for a quick lunch) but Kate suggested Kam Fook and it was excellent. We were stuffed and it was only $20. Afterwards Kate and I hit the shops for some retail therapy - I do believe I have single handedly taken responsibility for stimulating the oz economy on this trip (and all before even receiving K Rudds bonus cheque!). But i do have a few more faves from Witchery and Country Road et al, plus gifts for the kids to bring back.

night in the hunter 2

2009-04-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

a snap of the inside plus a couple more outside - it really was pretty!

night in the hunter

2009-04-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

polishing off a bottle of red and a large tub of Maggie Beer Phesant Farm Pate

the rose bushes - one of my favourite things about being in the vineyards - and having been in vineyards in Switzerland as well as Australia (thats a funny story from my first trip to Europe in 2004 with Tanya!) it seems to be universal

the front deck

the view of the morning sun

I gave an all day workshop at the Newcastle Astrology Network on the middle weekend of this trip; Kate and I spent the night at her parent's place in the lower hunter beforehand. It's a spectacular spot- I was only sorry we didn't have more time there!

flat stanley

2009-04-09T15:54:00.001-07:00

megs testing the waters

For those of you in the know, Flat Stanley travelled with me on this trip, on behalf of students at Peter's school. (If you've never heard of Flat Stanley you can google and find out his story!)

Here he is at the beach with Megs and I on day 1

Sydney: first impressions

2009-03-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

Mum and Dad's garden. The landscaping was only just finished when I was here at Xmas and now the hedge has already grown! Not surprising really as the weather has been fantastic since I got here last Thursday - I went to Manly beach for a dip and sunbake the day I arrived!!

Pudda helping me with my work!!!! How cute is that? Almost as cute as Cooper, Joel and Kelly's dog, swimming in the pool last night. I have never seen a dog willingly jump into a pool and paddle around! It was a sight to see. Cooper would stand on the edge of the pool, lean back on his haunches and launch himself into the pool, travelling about half way down it as he did, landing with an almighty splash. He'd paddle around, rest on the ledge and then haul himself out and do it all again. This went on for nearly half an hour!

There is always something happening, or someone coming or going, at M & D's. Mark is at uni now and so home a couple of days a week, Megs is never at school (unlike last year where she went some of the time! :) ) And of course Joel only works when he feels like so often drops in during the day. This was Em heading out to work yesterday - apparently she really wasn't going to a gentlemans club, and instead spent the day promoting Pepsi Max to the masses!

the kitchen and dining table at Mum and Dad's - note the cat on the chair at the table!

Home for the next few weeks. Quite a coming full circle experience as the room I'm staying in at Mum and Dad's now is the room that was my bedroom in my early twenties.

a final stop at the Canadian institution 'Timmy's' for one last extra large green tea before leaving Orangeville for the drive to the airport.

my office the day before leaving - it was a mad rush to finalise all the papers and resources I'd need for teaching (why is it that, knowing a trip has been planned for six months, one still leaves EVERYTHING to the last minute?!)

turning thirty

2009-03-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

a birthday bunch - from Le Gravelles

my man :) (and his cheeky sis!)

at the bowling alley!

birthday peeps cutting the cake!

Michelle in the cold pool - 12deg C!

Myself and Michelle I think (mid shot!) in the warm pool - 39deg C

Bikini gals

the warm pools, with steam rooms in the background

on the way in...

braving the cold - who'd have thought we'd soon be in bikini's!

cake and champers - what more does a girl need!?

A birthday bunch (from Katie F!)

I celebrated the big 3-0 birthday a couple of weeks back - and you'd have to say it was done in style! I spent the day itself with Steph and Michelle, Peter's sisters, at Le Sacndinave hot springs spa. It was arguably the most decadent thing I have done. It was arguably one of the most decadent things I've done. The night was spent celebrating Sebastian's birthday (Yup, we share a birthday) at the bolwing alley with the whole family. The following weekend Peter surprised me with a stretch limo and the six of us (Peter, myself, his two sisters and their husbands) headed into Toronto for a luxe night out. We had drinks and snacks at the Bier Market then hit Lily's for cocktails. It was late and messy (yup, still stopped at McD's on the way home!) but what a way to travel. I'd take the limo anyday.

And now, it's the night before I head back to OZ for another work/ family catch up trip and I am madly writing to get columns in and teaching resources organised. So of course I'm updating the blog too!!

Halloween

2009-02-23T08:34:00.000-08:00

a well dressed random

decorated trees on Broadway

random halloween snaps - i can barely remember what Broadway (the main street) looked like without the snow! the gang

popular pumpkins!

hockey nights + pumpkin pie + snow

2009-01-17T05:21:00.000-08:00

the two of us, outside somewhere - can't remember where, back in november

back in nov we had some very heavy days of snow, this is the driveway after it was shovelled - the snow banks wear at least wasit high! And that's my winter coat - down filled, water proof, all the way to the knees.

Peter in his hockey gear - not long after being kicked off the ice for fighting! (which is unusual for him, but was a sight to see that's for sure!)

Peter's two gorgeous nieces and me at Sunday night hockey. Peter's two brothers-in-law and Peter are all in the same team so it's a family affair on the sidelines.

i baked a wheat and dairy free pumpkin pie back in nov - it was delicious!

random snaps dec 08/ jan 09 - xmas morning, winter hike + tea

2009-01-15T04:18:00.000-08:00

dressed up like bugs in rugs for our super cold full moon hike last weekend - no need for blush, the minus twenty something wind chill kept the cheeks rosy!!

contrary to this pic, the scenery on the hike was beautiful - and surprisingly visible even though the Full Moon stayed behind the clouds

note the aussie uggs - they are the BEST thing for keeping toes warm, even outside (they are suprisingly waterproof - I shovelled the driveway in the name and stayed toasty warm + dry)

see all the snow in the background? That's our backyard!

Me holding the gorgeous glass teapot Peter gave me as a moving in gift - inside is a blooming tea, 'le grand amour', kind of appropriate don't you think? :)

a random xmas snap - first thing in the morning with the kids and their stockings! More of these to follow at some point

Christmas in Sydney, the people

2009-01-10T12:48:00.001-08:00

Me and Aunt M

Aunt M and Em (Godmother/ goddaughter)

Kel W and Joel - smiling as ever for the camera

Aunch Anne with her dickie light (Mum and Dad have them too - we don't get it!) Something to do with their marathon bike ride through tassie later this month (Jan 09) maybe????

Kel and Chooke, note the empty champagne and guava glasses! Nana is in the background too

chimes - Chloe (Mark's GF) and Kelly W (Joel's GF)

We do these number shots (which relate to birth order) as the odds all look alike (dark haired and mostly taller) and the evens all look alike (blonde/ lighter hair and shorter, other than Mark!) Daggy, but hey it's family and we love it!

Joel and Em aka 3 and 5, waiting for 1 (that's me!)

Me, Joel and Em - that's 1, 3, and 5

Kelly, Joel and Emma, otherwise known as 1, 3, 5 and Aunt Mary

Joel, Cooper and Mark

(keep in mind, in these snaps, almost everyone not in each is behind a camera pap snapping away, hence the random direction of everyone's eyes in the snaps - nobody knows where to look!

Mark, Megs and Chooke, otherwise known as 4, 6 and 2

4, 6, and 2 with Aunt Mary (left) and Aunch Anne (right)

the present couples - Joel and Kel (aka Bernie) and Coco and Marcus

the chimes, Kelly and Chloe, leaving space for Peter to be photo shopped in (don't know how many Peter's they think there are!!)

the ladies, L to R, Megan, Mum, Kelly, Aunt Mary, Emma, Aunch Anne, Brooke

self portrait, kelly, megan and brooke

Megan's 18th - will the party never end?

2009-01-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

the birthday girl and her drink of choice - no longer required as I believe she has turned sober since this night :)

Chooke, Megs and Chloe attempting to get it together for a snap... take 1, take 2

The baby and number 1 (not you Em!)

well this photo, taken early in the night, was a rather accurate indication of what lay ahead!!!

the families there to supervise, passing the time (and showing their age!) by playing cards. Just outside this little kitchenette there was a Dj playing too loud music (now showing my age!)

random sydney adventures part two

2009-01-10T12:33:00.000-08:00

the lovely Yazzy B and hubby Oli. The gorgeous Louis B was sleeping in his pram - we were having coffee at a fabulous little place on Hall St Bondi - the name of which escapes me!

I did actually see quite a few people whilst in Sydney but was a little lax on the old camera usage (except obviously at family do's!)

Sydney adventures Dec 08

2009-01-10T12:17:00.001-08:00

and then with a post lunch scene like this, who could resist a dip? Not this recent snow bunny!! (and I seriously needed as much sun exposure as possible to try and eradicate a wicked moon tan!)

Clarissa, Kate and I, after lunch and some yummy wine

Clarissa and I (shy much?!) photos taken by Kate!

One fine sunny day in December, three old friends got together for lunch. The venue: Le Kiosk at Shelley Beach

This me and my two Kate's! Katie F on the left and I have been BFF's since we started working at McD's together over 15 years ago!! Katie C is also a great buddy from McD's days - and got married to the lovely Will on Dec 5

Let them eat cake

2009-01-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

one mouthful to go!

dad getting stuck into the cake - it has pineapple in it so it must be healthy!

so apparently there's an art to eating cake, at least according to Dad and Joel. It involves squishing your cake into small morsels, drowning it in sauce and cream (when it's available) and then eating it (sorry joel there was no custard too!!!) Cream has been scarce since August when Dad gave us all a bit of a scare, it has gone the way of cheese and late night snacks involving vita weats dipped into the margaring tub........ well for the most part anyway! (Love you Dad!)

Meg's 18 th cont...

2009-01-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

all dirty plates now - a well fed family! ok start this post here, read down then come back and see the picture at the top!

birthday girl waiting for cake......note the clean stack of desert plates to the left

the chief baker carrying the goods

Joel's hands on the left, raised for spirit fingers (I have no idea where this tradition came from, but at birthdays, which lets face it, in our family happen every other month and twice in february, august and december, when we sing happy birthday, we raise our hands and wiggle our fingers, all spirit like. It sounds silly, and really it probably is, but it's our tradition, we love it and we're sticking to it!)

dad joining in spirit fingers as we all sing! Megs and her favourite cake - sticky pineapple pudding. It's a recipe I got out of a woman's Day or Weekly mag and is the simplest cake ever - no beating and a one bowl wonder. The gooey caramel sauce is a winner!

said chicken burgers with Mum's lush home made garlic aioli (see earlier post on Megsy's 18th)now you see it, now you don't

Puddha

2009-01-10T11:41:00.000-08:00

Mark and Coco's cat, Puddha, is definitely the head cat of the household (yes even Dad the Lion has come under his spell)

getting plenty of love

yes, I am the star of the show (and I'd like some of the leftover bacon or chicken pieces please!)

Puddha being tormented by Mark's giant foot

Rose Garden at Barra Brui

2009-01-10T11:38:00.001-08:00

Mum and Dad's rose garden which produces the most fragrant roses - deep red, light pinks and I think there's even an apricot-y coloured one, my sun dial (a birthday gift from Cassandra last year), now resides here too

Water features at Mum and Dad's

2009-01-10T11:27:00.000-08:00

this is the encore water feature, in the recently re-landscaped front yard, again, design by Mark, hard work (ie digging) by Dad, plumbing tips by Joel

this is the original water feature at the family compound, built by Dad and the bros (I think) - in the back yard real live fish!

it's to the side of the deck out the back

Megan's 18th cont - present opening!!

2009-01-10T11:11:00.001-08:00

success - what every 18 yr connected old wants - her own personal laptop, now if only she could convince Mum and Dad to get onto wireless..... The joy of many siblings......

Brooke helping

Joel helping

Emma helping

doing the right thing, reading the card first

happy days....

Megan looking pensive (below), with Mum bearing gifts and dad showing off his classic volunteer status!

in the kitchen area at Mum and Dad's, the outdoor room (a la Jamie Durie in the background)

the birthday girl waiting for her gift....

The yellow t- shirt in the post below was picked up in Hawaii by Peter and I in August 2008, we managed to hold onto it until the appropriate time (it was nearly forgotten but obviously made it out in good time!)

Megan's 18th

2009-01-10T10:46:00.000-08:00

One of the reasons, ok really the only reason (Lach + Rob's and Katie + Will's weddings aside) that I was back in Sydney in Dec 08 was to celebrate bubsy's coming of age. We had a family bbq, with Megs' favourite meal (which we have been eating every Dec 10 for quite some time!) of chicken burgers with Mum's magical garlic aioli.

winter hike

2008-12-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

I've discovered one of the advantages to this cross country relationship thing - on Christmas, when everyone else is running around madly trying to see both sides of the family in a 48 hour period, we got a day off! Granted we missed seeing my family over the holidays (though I did celebrate with them last weekend before leaving Sydney!) but it meant boxing day we were free to do what we wanted. So off we went for a winter hike. I am all decked out in my new snow jacket and pants (gifts from Peter) and borrowed Steph's Sorels. (Peter did get me a pair of those too but we are going to double check the size before I wear them outside!). These snaps are taken on a Bruce Trail leg which runs through Hockely Valley, a ski resort about 10minutes drive from our home.

The Adams Family

2008-12-19T12:14:00.000-08:00

Almost all of the Adams family - my sibs, Dad, cousins, Aunts and Uncles

ten of Granddad's thirteen Grandkids - the only two grandsons are Mark and Joel

Mark, Dad and Joel having coffee before the funeral

More Fond Farm Farewells

2008-12-19T11:48:00.001-08:00

having coffee before the funeral - Emma, Kel W and Brooke

Brooke and Mark - now wearing clothes

moi, ready for farewells

the boys (Mark hidden on the left and Joel face on on the right) scrubbing up

Fond Farm Farewells

2008-12-19T11:26:00.000-08:00

Where first Mum went to school...

Joel, Dad and Uncle Donald on the way up to first Mum's first home in Megan - confused much?!

Emma, Brooke and Kelly Wilko on the same hill!

My darling Granddad was diagnosed with cancer three weeks before I was due to hit Sydney for my Dec 08 trip. At first it didn't look that serious, but then as more tests were done it become increasingly so. After a couple of days in Sydney immediately after I got here (attending two different weddings - photos to come!), I, along with Brooke and Emma (in the same car) and Mark and Chloe (in convoy) headed up to the family farm in Dorrigo to see Granddad. We were able to spend a few days with him (Joel and Kelly headed up from Hawks Nest to join us) as a family which was great. Not that he wanted for visitors - at 80+ with two wives and healthy farm sized families there were plenty of visitors! Granddad passed away the day after we left to return to Sydney, quietly with family by his side.
We were in Dorrigo the following week for the funeral - here are some snaps from the country life. It was sad, he was an amazing man (until a week or so before he passed he was still running his large farm, driving the tractors and keeping tabs on his 200 head of beef cattle) and had provided a link to my first Mum, his eldest daughter, who passed away over 20 years ago. I didn't know this, but Granddad was a Mason and the final rites at his gravesite ended with “So Mote It Be”.

2008-12-05T17:57:00.000-08:00

note the moon tan!! - next to Mum (who swears she hasn't shrunk!) more obvious on the legs here - with baby brother Mark

snow rise

2008-11-17T16:00:00.000-08:00

so the sun rose over an icy vista today, as the mercury hovered around minus 4
yes it really is that cold! and needless to say it's an indoors kind of lifestyle, having two stories plus a basement in the house is a blessing and will be very good for spreading out as things get colder
below is what our home looks like now, compare it to this shot, from September
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mia_6gURkvo/SODlkcPSPwI/AAAAAAAAAuA/SsM_Za9VXEA/s1600-h/sydney+farewell+hobart+first+12+days+047.jpg for how things used to

this winter weather is predicted to last all week, so i am wishing even harder that Santa will bring me a treadmill so I can at least do some exercise. I'm all for a winter stroll but when you're looking at minus 5 and colder with wind chill it's really not pleasant! We do run out and do errands but it's totally a drive EVERYWHERE situation

this is our street, after the snow mobile had been through and cleared the roads

snow storm

2008-11-15T19:53:00.001-08:00

so I gave a great talk in Toronto this afternoon at the Astrology Toronto Inc, then Peter and I went to have Lebanese on the way home. (all you can eat Buffet for $11!)

We left Mississauga around 8pm for the 45min drive home and finally got home just before 11pm. I experienced my very first snow storm whilst we were half way up Caledon Mountain, on the main highway into Orangeville from Toronto. Tonight I have learned that cars need more traction while travelling up hills and that snow on the road (which having fallen right after rain and created the whole black ice situation) drastically reduces traction. Our little car was spinning it's wheels, like the majority of the other cars on the road. Every second car was pulling over to the right (remember driving occurs on the opposite side of the road to where Ozzies drive!). We managed to turn the car around (not much traction required for going down hills!) and then onto a side road, hoping to use the extra traction from fresh snow on the less travelled road to get us home. We made good progress until we came to another hill and then our little car become the little engine that couldn't.

We pulled, or rather slid, off to the side into a safe nook (not under powerlines!!) and phoned Miss Hummer + Hubby and Pooch to see if they could come rescue us. They could and we settled in to wait.

I didn't have the camera with me, but photos above are of our front yard when we got home. Even Peter said he had never driven in conditions like this before (and he's lived in or near Toronto all of his 41 years) - needless to say the snow tires, which Peter usually puts on the car late November, will go on this week!!

hawaii part two

2008-11-10T08:32:00.000-08:00

just on sunset..

choosing what to eat (notice the first bottle of vino already half full)

more dinner snaps (I so have NOT figured out how to think backwards and put these posts up in order, so go down to the first Hawaii post and read from the bottom up!)

hawaii snaps - blast from the past

2008-11-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

our FAVOURITE restaurant. Can't recall the name of it now, but arrived for a pre dinner cocktail at 5pm and left sometime after 10pm.... two bottles of wine and a couple of cocktails/ beers later..... oh yeah the food was FABULOUS too....

just after snorkelling -

A monk seal beached itself off the snorkelling beach.....

cocktail hour on the balcony of our apartment....

this was the closest beach to our apartment at the Kapalua resort. About a five minute walk, and we were in Piscean ocean heaven. The water was warm, the tide gentle, and once you'd found a way through the shallows that didn't involve walking on coral, you were free to float around tanning the afternoon away. We'd pour a drink, wander down to the beach, sipping along the way, and swim with a holiday buzz.

the view from where we stayed

from August 08...

so before Peter whisked me away to the Great White North, we spent a gorgeous, sunny, warm and decadent week together in Hawaii. Going through his camera (and the blog) this morning, I resalised that I hadn't yet posted any snaps from then up here yet. So pour yourself a cocktail, fasten your sarong and sit back, relax and enjoy this tropical getaway.....

Faces

2008-10-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

so you don't all forget what we look like! Here is Peter working at home this morning and me doing the same - note how well dressed Peter is and I am still looking like I just rolled out of bed! The 'work outfit' (and hairdo) of a freelancer! Peter is selecting music for the school's halloween dance this Friday at which he's DJ-ing. And fielding calls about school stuff on the phone. I was between emails and Skype chats!

Snow shoes

2008-10-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

Snow and Shoes No I haven’t yet got snow shoes – though the time is fast approaching when I will! Last Tuesday we had our first snow flurries during the day – it was wet, cold and miserable! I had of course booked myself in for my first appointment with a new chiropractor that day, which required a thirty minute walk downtown in the midst of it all. About half way there my little toes were numb and frozen. I reflect on the shoes I was wearing – see below. They are my favorites! But I realized that since I bought them while on a summer holiday in Positano Italy last year, they may not be the best shoes for a Canadian winter! Peter dutifully played knight in shining armor (or is amore?!) and picked me up between appointments after my chiropractor treatment and drove me home so my toes could defrost! Once I got back, I headed straight to the Sears catalogue (view it all online at http://www.sears.ca/ ) and ordered myself a pair of women’s riding boots. For $80 CAD I got a pair of leather boots, insulated with all the fancy lining and extra warm stuff required for snow wear. They arrived two days later. I paid the extra for delivery and didn’t leave the house again until they showed up. Well not really, but only because Wednesday was warmer. I did however immediately retire my Italian leather shoes and instead spent Wednesday out and about in jeans and sneakers (Seinfeld here we come!)

Eating Jumpers OR What's a Sloppy Joe?

2008-10-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

Saturday night Peter served up Sloppy Joe’s for dinner. For us Aussies a sloppy joe conjures images of comfy jumpers and warm woollies. But here in Canada, a Sloppy Joe is something you eat. Here’s a look –

Basically it’s mince meat with sloppy joe seasoning throughout, kind of like taco seasoning, but with a different flavor, served between bread or a hamburger bun. We went the whole cholesterol angle and had oven bake chips with it as well. Tomato Sauce the essential added extra. It was quite tasty!

PS we had the kids this weekend and so food was lighter teenage friendly fare! We really do eat well, most of the time!

It's a dogs life, introducing Maddie

2008-10-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

So we have been dog sitting this past week, for Peter's sister Stephanie (who is holidaying in a retirement home - long story!)

I never thought I would be a small dog person, but I am head over heels. We've only had one slip up (touch wood) with toilet stuff and I am thoroughly enjoying the company of a little creature at home during the days. Maddie is about six years old and in generally good health, though she had some teeth problems a while back. As a result, they were all removed, hence her very cute tongue which is pretty much always lolling out the side of her mouth. She loves cuddles and is never happier than when she is cuddled up in someone's lap (which makes working a bit of a challenge!)

She is a total Princesse as you can see from her dog bowls which Steph bought over for us while we dog sit. Maddie is a Bichon Frise and will be with us until Friday night.....

She pretty much sleeps most of the time, unless of course she is lapping up water (which she loves). Maddie sleeps on the floor in our bedroom at night and mostly on whoever has left clothes on the floor during the day.

fall, hiking

2008-10-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

SO Monday after the Thanksgiving pig out Peter and I dragged ourselves out for a hike (after of course, filling up on leftovers!). We hiked part of the Bruce Trail, which is a 700km walk that covers most of the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Peninsula, as far as I can gather, mostly though Ontario. I didn't take my camera on the walk (wish I did - not five minutes in we were by a stunning lake which could have been right out off Cradle Mountain in Tassie), but these snaps are of the neighbours trees, which i see each morning outside the kitchen window. Tuesday morning was super windy and many of these spectacuarly coloured leaves are now on the ground. The smell reminds me of childhood winters in St.Ives, when the leaves of the maple trees would fall. The colours here seem richer, more vibrant, but they still need raking and are still just as much fun to trample through, crunching underfoot.

First Thanksgiving

2008-10-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

So Monday was Canadian Thanksgiving (yes it's around six weeks earlier than Thanksgiving in the US and has nothing to do with Indians!) I cooked a fabulous turkey (if I do say so myself) - i did some brining thing where you soak it overnight in a salt/ water/ herb mix to moisten and add flavour. I baked pumpkin pie (thinking it was part of the main meal - not the desert!) so of course I made toblerone cheesecake too for sweets! (It is a North American delight with Oreo cookie crumb base, and peanut butter and cool whip in the cheesecake mix itself!) We also had ham and loads of vegie dishes. Needless to say Peter and I have been enjoying turkey sandwhiches and super all week - tonight we had ham casserole (who knew there was such a thing!). Leftovers are keeping us well feed - and helping stock the freezer!

We had some of Peter's family over for dinner on Sunday night and then Monday was a public holiday/ vege out day. Though we did manage a walk (more fall snaps to follow). So Thanksgiving meal is basically the same kind of food as Christmas, though with cooler weather, here the meats are served hot right from the oven salads are scarce as warm vegie dishes are needed. Pumpkin pie was a part of it - basically like a baked pumpkin custard - super sweet and totally delish! (Yup made that too, though was super easy as the pie base is bought ready to go as is the pumpkin mashed up - they really have thought of everything!)

new office

2008-10-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

here is my new workspace, at my new home - all set up after a mamoth day of DIY furniture building. We managed it without fighting!!!!!!!! (I recommend such jobs for those still in the honeymoon phase!)
So this is where I am writing my columns (still weekly in MORE in the UK, plus monthly on speakonlytome.com, as well as regularly in WellBeing). Starting to get into the networking, meeting people groove here to build up a local astro client base too.

tattoo

2008-10-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

Tuesday afternoon Peter got a tattoo - here are the during (the texta sketch) and after shots - it's big but totally cool, and yes he is a scorpio (the tattoo is of the sun with a scorpion hanging out of it) on his left calf

breaky harvest house, tattoo

2008-10-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

these are our harvest (not to be confused with halloween!) decorations - it's quite fun dressing the house up!

lazy saturday mornings - a heart breakfast which Peter prepared. I tried peameal bacon for the first time. We also had fresh home made tomato juice (my contribution!)
then on Sunday we went to Sara's fourth birthday party - how cute is this wrapping?! We also managed to find a Kangaroo webkins for her for an aussie touch. (If you don't know what a webkins is, and trust me until last week i didn't, it means you don't have kids or relatives under the age of 10.

first pic, friday night drive, rainbow

2008-10-09T05:26:00.000-07:00

Jessica, Peter's niece, drew me a portrait - my first artwork from a little one!

Last Friday night after work, Peter and I got in the car and drove to Lake Huron, about 2 hours West (?) of here. We chit chatted and it drizzled off and on, then right before sunset this beautiful rainbow came out. The camera wasn't wide enough to capture the whole spectacular - it stretched across the entire sky, in a complete semi circle.

The lake itself was wet, windy and wild by the time we got there. Fresh water - which was disorientating as the thing is so big you couldn't see the other side. And now that I have consulted my trusty Lonely Planet, I can see that the other side of this lake is in the US! Big. Waves and all. Almost like a beach back in Sydney BUT no salt

weather and no goatee

2008-10-02T06:39:00.001-07:00

Claire and I playing the Wii - yes she thrashed me in boxing but I held my own at Golf, in the basement (read ground level) downstairs
Mr Sebastian - in the basement, flaking on the couch while Claire and I played on the Wii (from Sunday)

Peter sans goatee - this was day one after the charity shave, now almost a week later he is starting to look like himself again (TMI warning - and I am dealing with pash rash!! - It's ok long, but this short stubbly phase is not so fun.!)
Miss Claire

http://www.weatherbee.on.ca/frameso.htm

here is the link to a local weather website so when it's scorching hot over there you can all see what the temperature is here!

Right now 6deg!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It feels better than the last few days, when, even though it was just 11deg it felt cold and icky because it was raining. Today the sun is out but the breeze is very chilly.

I am writing an article for WellBeing, and getting through the mountain of reading for Kepler. Thanksgiving is a little over a week away and we are having it here, so am starting to think about Turkeys and pie!

I went to the hairdresser yesterday for a simple trim - which was great though the sticky products they use took ages to wash out! But feeling much tidier with no split ends etc etc

new home

2008-09-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

random location shots taken from the car driving around - the land here reminds me a lot of Dorrigo, just a whole lot more of it (ie not being on top of a mountain and all!) Totally picturesque

Peter's sister Michelle and Sarah (on her lap - she's 4 this weekend!) and Jessica, making a cheeky face on the right (she is a total ham) Both are gorgeous gals (I should say all three!)
downton toronto (we spent the first Saturday here, at the ball game and running around, ikea et al)

here are a couple of exterior shots of the new place

I spent Sunday arvo playing boxing and golf on the Wii with Claire (Sebastian was giving commentary from the couch!) - Megs - it is super fun!! and actually quite a workout. I'll post more pics later on - Peter has some good ones on his camera (can't work out how to get the card out at the mo'!) and of course will include a pic of Peter sans goatee!

2008-09-29T07:19:00.000-07:00

snaps from home

This weekend we had Steph and Steve over for dinner Saturday night and Michelle, Dave and the girls over for muffins and coffee Sunday morning (home made of course - Claire and I baked Banana and Choc Chip ones!)

My first visit to the famous WalMart chain (that's Claire in the foregound)

And here are Sebastian and cousin Sarah (who adores him) at hockey Sunday night

photos - third times a charm

2008-09-29T07:15:00.000-07:00

the rooms here are an actual hotel, overlooking the ball ground - apparently if you book one, you have to hire a no shagging clause so that naughty images don't get broadcast when the games are on!

ok have tried to upload these three times - fingers crossed!

Also, please don't ask about the cold - it is hot here right now! I took two very long walks (2 hours and 90mins) out and around town Thursday/ Friday last week and got sunburnt!! So I'm wishing I'd bought a few more summer clothes (though I feel like I barely have any clothes in general - great excuse for a shop if i ever heard one!) Friday Peter had a charity day at school, at which he had volunteered to have his goatee shaved off!