Vale...Kerri

Source...Renae

In the early hours of this morning I had the very sad news that my dear Son-in-Law's Sister had passed away after a very brave and courageous battle with cancer...

My Heart goes out to him as he and his Sister both lost their Mother suddenly in February this year as well...

She leaves a young man just turned 18...

So very very sad...

This poem I found brought Kerri to mind straightaway...

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

Anonymous

Rest in Peace dear sweet Kerri...

Gerringong Quilt Show...and my Daughter's New Blog!!!

Towards the end of last year we went up to Gerringong to have a look at an Annual Quilt Show...which was not far from this spectacular view!!!

We had lunch in the building on the left...

Here are some of the quilts on show...all pics taken with permission...

The Raffle Quilt...

And look Vicki here is Anne stitching away...
This lady had an amazing stall...full of all sorts of stitcheries...

dolls...

pin cusions...bags...you name it...
She starts stitching about 9.00 am in the morning and goes right through until the evening....

And if I recall right she said it stops her from eating LOL!!!
An awesome lady...You Go Anne!!!

Of course we had to have lunch after all this walking around!!!

Strolling around the village we came across surfboards in a shop there...

along with this sturdy rocking horse!!!

And dig this apron...French style...wraps around and comes down to the knees, how cool is this!!!

My Daughter Jacqueline has started off a blog...and she's keen to blog all the dinners that she makes over a year...Have Fun Darls!!!

And I'm off tomorrow for a few days to a Carerfest...

Put on for Carers...respite organized...meals provided...yoga...massages and meeting other Carers...I'm looking forward to this...it's all happening in Narooma

But also lots to organize for JoJo...notes to Mr Armchair about the routine for JoJo's programmes...But I'm sure I'll be right when I get there!!!

OPAM (One Project A Month) April...Progress on Bag...and a Surprise Card

For my OPAM this month I have done an appliqued tea towel...

All coming from this little basket of leftover bits...

Not a whole lot of stitching finished this month due to a birthday and Easter celebrations...but a bit happening in between but no other finishes!!!
The little heart on the basket fabric is from a little pram quilt made for little Lidija's arrival...
and the first and second pear are from Tilda fabrics sent to me by Simone!!!
OPAM is organized by Peg and Kris...thanks so much Gals...this inspires me to finish something each month!!!
If you get a chance do visit these blogs to be inspired and see all the other OPAMS!!!

Meanwhile, I have made a start on this pattern from Anni Downes ...

In the end I chose the variegated thread...

and doing it in Autumn colours!!!

Meanwhile a surprise card from Cattinka for my birthday...all the way from Germany!!!

Thank you Katrin...I did have a beautiful birthday!!!

With this full on Autumn weather I hope to get a bit further on with my bag...and hopefully try out my new oven which arrived on Wednesday...YAY!!!

I think morning tea will be on the go for tomorrow!!!

~Cook Up With Vicki...No 5~

My new cooking pot...and I'm going to have a lot of fun cooking in it after our new stove arrives tomorrow, YAY!!!

But first...before all the drama it was time to do another Cook Up with Vicki from the Feb/March 2010 issue of Donna Hay magazine...
Vicki and I do a cook up out of every magazine...
easy peasy...just pick a recipe from the latest issue (or any other)...cook it and blog it for us to see!!!
Anybody out there who would like to join us is more than welcome!!!

I have chosen this time...Basil, Lemon and Garlic Roasted Chicken...

for the recipe go over here to Donna's website...

followed by Ginger -Coconut Rice with Palm Sugar...

The last of Mr Armchair's little tomatoes..

Basil from the pot...

Zucchini (courgettes) ready to go...

Have decided to serve it with roast vegies...and added potato...pumpkin and one of my favourties...beetroot!!!

Basil...lemon zest...garlic and oil in the bowl...

Atop the chicken...

At this point Mr Armchair arrives home...sees that it's a cook up and heads to the wine cabinet...And it's a red tonight!!!

Thought I'd do Dessert too this time...rice on,

Nearly there...

Basil, Lemon and Garlic Roasted Chicken together with Vegetables...

Ginger-Coconut Rice with Palm Sugar!!!

I love doing these cook ups with Vicki...and it looks as though my Daughter Jacqueline will join us with the next issue!!!
It is Donna's 50th birthday issue and she is celebrating with an utterly decadent chocolate cake which is on the cover...

On seeing this Jacqueline fell in love with it and she's going to have a go!!!

And I know we're going to have such fun doing this!!!

A Birthday Weekend!!!

My birthday has come to an end...and we all enjoyed an easy day...

especially dear JoJo who loves all occasions!!!

Here I have bought flowers for myself...

My Dad always used to bring us breakfast in bed along with a flower in a vase...

Something I have never forgotten...
so when I saw this pretty bunch it brought back those wonderful memories!!!

A potholder here that my Friend Geo delivered to me not so long ago for my birthday along with a bookmark...
With this potholder you can play noughts and crosses on it with Sea Glass...

what a great idea...Thanks so much Geo!!!

We had our little Grandson overnight...with his Mum following in the morning...
and decided to go into town and have pancakes for breakfast!!!

Here is our view...

But, first a coffee...

Back home again to a surprise gift...check out the Eiffel Tower bag...how cool is that!!!
Thank you so much Dee!!!

We went to have some chicken 'n chips by the Clyde River...
looking across the River you can see a blue building...
this is the 'On The Pier' Restaurant...


Saw a pelican atop a pole...

and in the water...

Across to 'On The Pier' for afternoon tea...
a trio of home-made ice cream...sorbet...sauce!!!

Apple and Mint Sorbet...a slice...passionfruit curd...

More coffee...Hot Chocolate and an Affogatto
An affogato (Italian, "drowned") is a coffee-based beverage or dessert. It usually takes the form of a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream topped with a shot of hot espresso and a shot of Amaretto .

Back home for cake...
Seeing we have a busted oven at the moment I went and ordered a Gluten Free White Chocolate on Fig and Cointreau cake from North Street Cafe and Bar...
for a recipe for a White Chocolate on Fig cake have a look here
This is one of many recipes sent to me by Laura...Thank you so much Pooch!!!



Another surprise gift from Margaret, this gorgeous Table Runner...
Thank you Margaret!!!

And then from Natima the most beautiful, smoothest chocolate...

Nat recently returned from a trip to Japan...

and brought back this paper-made colourful little bowl...

and a needlecase...

And then another gift during the week from Andrea

Thank you so much Andrea...I love it!!!

We had a great day...Thank you so much everyone...especially to my wonderful Family!!!

And in this post I'd like to wish Anita a very Happy Birthday...have a great one!!!

Hop on over to Anita's blog if you get a chance...you will be in for a real treat!!!