A Giveaway...Plus What's on Your Work Desk? WOYWW

It's Wednesday and I've finally managed to catch up with the WOYWW gang! I've been missing for a few weeks, but I'm back and to make up for my absense I'm including a link to my 'giveaway'...but you'll have to be quick to enter because the giveaway ends tomorrow. 

Click here for the details. 

It's very simple to enter...all you have to do is leave a comment on the post and Mufftypup might draw your name as the winner. She's raring to go for the draw because she knows that they'll be lots of chicken available if she does a good job ^..^

Check out the last giveaway draw.

Yes I know I haven't given you much time to enter and I should have told you earlier ~ sorry!

So let me explain for all of my new followers that WOYWW stands for What's on Your Workdesk and is the brainchild of Julia over at Stamping Ground. 

Nip across and check out all the various artist and crafters desks across the globe. They're a great bunch and very friendly...they'd love to meet you I'm sure.

Now I'm thinking that this could be a monumental week because not only am I involved with the WOYWW  creative, crafty gang, but I've been partying with the lovely Vicki at 2 Bags Full who has organised a mammoth Party Blog Hop! So if the two come together here...WOW that would be amazing!

Well without further delay (because WOYWW is supposed to be a brief post ~ which as you know I have great difficulty keeping brief...it's just not in my makeup apparently...see here I am waffling about keeping brief! (sigh)

So what's on my desk this beautiful sunny day? Well there's lots of wonderful light for a start! 

Apologies if the sun has left your part of the world, but I'll let you have a quick warm from mine ;D

 There are a few new things and one little package that I picked up yesterday from the art suppliers. Well I just happened to be passing but then how can you pass? If you know how then tell me...but on the other hand...never mind I don't think I want to know! Its harmless enough isn't it?

One of the reasons why I didn't make last Wednesday was because I'd made a card that had to reach the UK and I wasn't sure if it would spoil the surprise if I posted it before it arrived.

Now if I tell you my nephew has crabs I don't want any sniggers please! That includes you at the back there!

He has a beautiful tank and keeps sending me little video clips of all the latest inhabitants. 

So instead of sending the usual birthday card featuring golfers, beer or wine, or boat...not that there's anything wrong with those designs...but I wanted something different so I decided I'd draw something that was relevant to him....hence 'Hermit the Crab'.

 

Apologies for the quality of the photograph, but I quickly had to snap it and rush off to the post box in order for it to arrive in time for the birthday. 

Now let me explain...(or give my excuse)...this is only the second time that I've tried to draw with the ink nib pen set that my daughter bought as part of my Christmas present and I realised very early on that I need to spend time practicing. Especially with regard to the lettering!

So there you have it my entry for WOYWW but I'm also thinking laterally and joining in with Jenn's Artist Playroom which this week has 'Mail Art' as its theme.  Jenn will be pleased I'm sure because she's always encouraging us to think laterally! I'm a happy bunny because I've been missing from the APR too but today I've managed to tick quite a few boxes with double entries! 

Yay!!!!

My card has travelled half way around the world to keep me in touch with my nephew and I think that's special. I 'm thinking that post landing in the post box will delight him as much as it delights me. I don't think you can beat snail mail and since blogging I've had such wonderful post from very generous new friends from all over the world. I'm hoping my bright envelope with all the Australian stamps will brighten his day :D

So don't forget to enter for my giveaway if you're interested, or if you have the time check out the other links...there are lots for you this week.

Have a wonderful week everyone ~ whatever you have planned. 

Enjoy and keep smiling

Australia Day and Classic Lemon Tart recipe (although I suppose that should read Pavlov)

Well this is turning into one incredible weekend...and I've already been partying for the past week with Vicki's Grow Your Blog party invitation. I've met some lovely fellow bloggers across the globe, collected some followers along the way, which is always exciting and I've still got so many people to visit.
To add to this weeks partying today is Australia Day and everyone is up for having lots of fun and activities with family and friends during the long weekend. There's been a 'cool change' here in Melbourne, which doesn't mean we've all changed into designer clothes or trendy sunny's (sunglasses for those people outside of Australia) but the wind has changed it's direction from the North to the South, which means the high temperatures we've been experiencing have dropped. One night last week the night-time temperature didn't drop below 27C degrees! Yuk! I had visions of floating about in the pool all night in order to try and get some sleep...but eventually I managed to grab a few hours.
Finally at one point it did plummet...about 10 degrees in an hour!
As I've said before...there's never a dull moment with Melbourne weather!
Maybe that's why this Brit feels so at home here...there's always something to say about the weather!
 So with the cooler temperatures everyone will be able to enjoy the long weekend.

Someone started extremely early though...we woke to find Arthur had already got an early start!
By the look of him he's a serious partying bear.

So let the partying commence....
Yesterday I watched Andy Murray in the Melbourne Tennis Open qualify for the Final beating Roger Federer.  He will meet Novak Djokovic on Sunday...and I'm already excited.
Here's a poster that appeared in a local newspaper called the Herald Sun that gave me such a giggle...

For those of you who don't know Andy is from a little town called Dunblane in Scotland.

Sunday is going to be a busy day because after brekkie, we'll be off go-karting with friends, then later on to a pool party in the evening with neighbours! Hopefully I'll be able to see the match in between these activities!

We're also out later to dinner but I thought I'd just have time to post a quickie because there has been some interest in the Classic Lemon Tart recipe that I posted as part of the GYB party...and I've now become aware that what I thought I'd done...namely including the recipe into the post...I'd obviously dreamt because there's no sign of it anywhere!
I know that for Australia Day it should be a Pavlova, but I'll include that another day. 

So here it is...I hope you'll give it a try and let me know what you think of it?
It's my hubby's favourite ;D

Classic Lemon Tart

Classic Lemon Tart (serves 12 at least)

Ingredients: 

• 10 eggs
• 380g caster sugar
• 500 ml Double cream
• zest and juice of 8 lemons
• butter, for greasing
• 225g sweet shortcrust pastry  (see recipe below)

To Serve100g mild goat's cheese
50 ml double cream
2 tbsp icing sugar, plus extra for dustinga little whipping cream 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.
2. To make the filling, break the eggs into a bowl and whisk gently to break up the yolks. 

3. Add the sugar and continue to mix, then add the cream and lemon juice, but not the zest. 

4. Pass the mixture through a sieve, add the lemon zest and leave to one side.

5. Butter a 20cm plain, loose-bottomed flan tin with softened butter and roll out the pastry to get a thin even depth to the pastry. 

6. Carefully roll the pastry back over the rolling pin, lift over the tin and roll the pastry back over the tin very loosely. If you don't leave the slack, the pastry will rip or shrink too much when cooking.  

7. Tuck the pastry down the sides of the tin, pressing into the bottom edge well, but be careful not to tear or stretch the pastry. Don't trim the pastry.

8. Line the tart with a circle of greaseproof paper that is bigger than the tart and allows the paper to rise above the ring.

9. Fill the tart with either baking beans, rice or ceramic baking beans. Bake for 10 minutes.

10. Remove from the oven and remove the beans and greaseproof paper, then place back in the oven to colour the bottom of the tart. This should only take 3-4 minutes.

11. Turn the oven down to 100°C/225°F/Gas Mark ½. 

12. Pour in the lemon mix to reach the top of the tart and bake for 1 hour until the tart is only just set. 

13. Remove from the oven and trim off the edges of the pastry. Leave to cool for about 1 hour.

14. To make the accompanying cream, mix the goat's cheese with the double cream and icing sugar.

15. To serve, dust the tart with plenty of icing sugar and grill under a hot grill to caramelize the top. 

16. Remove from the grill and cut into wedges and serve with a spoonful of the cream.

Rich shortcrust pastry ~ makes 300g

200g plain flour

 ¼ tsp salt 

  2 tbsp icing sugar (if making sweet pastry)

100g cold unsalted butter, cubed

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp lemon juice

2 tbsp iced water

Method

Mix together the flour and salt (and icing sugar if making sweet pastry). Add half the cubed butter to the flour. Gently and swiftly, rub the fat into the flour until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the rest of the butter and mix until it's the size of small peas. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. 

Mix the egg with the lemon juice and water and gradually pour into the well a little at a time, rubbing it through your fingers, until it forms a dough (you may not need all the liquid). 

Turn out onto a floured board and knead lightly until smooth. 

Shape into a ball, wrap in clingfilm and refridgerate for at least 30 minutes. 

To line a tin or mould, roll the chilled pastry onto the rolling pin, then unroll over the tin, draping the pastry into the tin or mould. Gently press it in place using your fingers.  

I tend only to bake this tart for special occasions...but to simplify the recipe I suppose you could use (sharp intake of breath) packet pastry!!!!

I have to warn you that it tends to disappears very quickly. 

If you are struggling with the quantities then check out my side bar where I have included a conversion table. 

And because it's such a special weekend...I've got an offer on...it's a sort of buy one get one free. 

One recipe being the lemon tart but here another favourite...as a bonus!

 Creme Brulee.

I've checked and this time the recipe is definitely contained within the link! 

Well that's me off to put my glad rags on...there's more partying to be done.

Don't forget to leave a comment in my previous GYB post if you want to be entered into my 'GIVEAWAY' draw...click here for the link and details.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone... 

"HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY" to all of my Australian readers 

and I'll hopefully see you all again soon.

Grow Your Blog Party....plus a 'GIVEAWAY'

WELCOME EVERYONE...hey let's Party!!!
Just when you may have hit the January blues and recovering from all the holiday festivities, we have another invite to a party! Yay!
This one is a blog party and everyone is invited.
It's the brainchild of the lovely Vickie over at 2 Bags Full.

Grow Your Blog Party

 There's even a 'Giveaway'... a kind of party bag for the lucky winner.
So let's get started....

Let me introduce myself...I go by the blog name of 'Neesie' (a nickname that my brother has called me for as long as I can remember) but my name is Denise...not a lot of people know that!

(Initially when I started blogging I wanted to be anonymous)

I love to natter and some say I could even talk under water, so hence the name Neesie Natters!
I first started blogging back in 2009 which is a revelation to me when I checked back to the initial date, because it just feels like it was yesterday.

My daughter suggested that I start to write a blog and I have to admit when she first mentioned it, I hadn't a clue what a blog was never mind how to write one.
And so the steep learning curve began...I've had my ups and downs, my success and my disappointments especially when things didn't go as I thought they should. But that's all been part of an immensely satisfying journey...and one I want to carry on with for as long as I can.
I've met some amazing people along the way and formed some wonderful friendships that I hope will last.
I've also be so incredibly inspired.
I'm trying to improve my writing and photography skills too and when I look back over my posts I can see the progress I've made but it's an ongoing process.

(This photograph was taken in South Africa a few years ago) 

So what else can I tell you....?
I've been an expat for the last 24 years or could that be 25 now? I've been travelling around the globe with my hubby and family. I have one daughter aged 27 years old, who now lives in Edinburgh and a son aged 20 who is here with us in Melbourne.
I love nothing better than to have my little chickadees all in one nest at the same time and we've recently been lucky enough to have spent Christmas in Canada together on a wonderful winter wonderland holiday.

I've posted lots of recipes like my Classic Lemon Tart ....

....but my artwork seems to have taken priority lately. That's not to say a recipe might appear at any time.
I'm happy about finally being able to dedicate more time to my art, so I'm a happy bunny!
Here's a little peak into my studio.

And so onto the diva of the family ~ Muffin or Mufftypup ~ our mini shuh tzu.
She is an expat too...flying on her own all the way from the Middle East to Melbourne to be with us.
If you want to see her story then click here. 

Muffy loves nothing more than doing tricks for some fresh chicken and so when I mentioned that I was going to do another 'GIVEAWAY' she immediately volunteered to take part.

Muffy will once again pick the winner of the 'GIVEAWAY' for all my visitors who leave a comment attached to this post.
She had such a great time last time and don't worry she was well rewarded for her participation.
If you'd like to see her in action click here

So let me show you what's on offer....it's a 2013 calendar containing some of my designs.
I realise that January will be over by the time the winner actually receives this, but hopefully the remaining months will make up for missing January.
Here's the front cover....

So let the party commence...but don't forget to leave a comment below to ensure you're in with a chance of winning.
At this point I should say to all my regular visitors the giveaway is for you too...how could I not include you all....just take a moment and add a comment below and I'll pop you in the draw.
Good Luck everyone!

I'm off to visit all the other party animals now...but why don't you join me? 

Click here to link with Vickie our lovely host over at 2 Bags Full and see lots of other party people.
It's going to be lots of fun!

A Giveaway...What's on Your Work Desk? WOYWW and other hotchpotch....

Well I made it everyone...I'm back in Melbourne from our winter wonderland holiday in Canada.

I sometimes feel I'm not quite in the land of the living yet after constantly travelling for 27 hours nonstop and crossing so many time zones along the way....it's all a little blurry.

I'm also having the odd out of body experience (like not remembering where anything is stored in my own kitchen) but at least the jetlag isn't an issue....I normally wake at 4am anyway!

It could of course be something to do with being blonde or my age (ha...as if) but I'm having none of that and just putting it down to all the travelling and trying to get back into the swing of things...no matter what!

Thankfully, when we arrived back the temperature here wasn't up to the 40 degrees that Melbourne had been experiencing whilst we were away...it was a lovely 23 degrees...just perfect to warm us up slowly. 

So thank you friends whichever one of you found the temperature control button and tweaked it down a notch...otherwise I'd be similar to this poor hibiscus that I found in the garden! 

It's now in intensive care and we're hoping for a miracle :-(

But before I get lost nattering away...one of the first things I must do is to thank everyone who visited Canada with me...it was great to have you come along and I know it was a challenge at times, especially when the temperature dropped to -25 degrees!

I also have to mention that upon arriving home there was the inevitable pile of post...but this time there wasn't just bills and junk mail...I also had some wonderful presents sent from friends from across the globe. 

My bloggy buddies!

 (I'll be in touch to give you my personal thanks as soon as I can as I have to say I felt very spoilt.)

 I've met some lovely people over the time that I've been blogging and hope it continues into 2013. 

So with that thought in mind I thought I'd pass on some of that cosy, warm, fuzzy feeling, spread some of the smiles and have a 'GIVEAWAY' with Mufftypup picking the winner once again. 

We had such a fun time doing that at the last giveaway plus Muffy wins every time because typically she works the system and doubles her own body weight with fresh chicken...so she'll be all for it! 

I'll be posting the details of the giveaway in the next day or so...I hope you can join in. ;D

 As you can imagine after having a month away, plus we did have a New Zealand trip just weeks before that so I'm trying desperately to get back to some sort of normal routine which is proving harder than I thought. Hence I've not had much chance for my art which quite frankly isn't good enough, especially as I had decided for 2103 that I would be more committed to it...I may well be committed but it won't be to my art, if I don't stop trying to be an octopus spinning too many plates in the air all at once!

Oh here we go....I've just realised its Wednesday which used to be WOYWW for me, so I'll quickly show you my desk in the hope that Julia (our host over at Stamping Ground) will forgive this hotchpotch post. I'm hoping the sunshine outside the window here might distract her and I'll get away with it.

I promise to get my act together ~ seriously :D

But in the meantime why not visit some of the other WOYWW gang as I'm sure they'll be far more organised :-$

I only managed to join the WOYWW gang once whilst in Canada but if you would like to take a peak then just click here on my work desk.

Which has just reminded me about the red squirrel friend who visited us every day and took a great liking to sticky toffee puddings!

 

 I can't help but wonder how Nutkin is coping in our absence. 

I did leave him enough food to feed him throughout the winter plus every other critter within a 100 kilometre radius!

 He never writes...he never phones....hmm...typical.

He's probably working those eyes on the next guests already.

Anyway I must dash so I'll hopefully see you for the 'Giveaway' don't forget to check back....

In the meantime don't forget to have fun whatever you get up to :D

There's a Moose Loose....

Okay so here's where I come clean and confess....the snow kitten (Darnell's name for me...not mine) took a wee tumble on the slopes, so I'm resting up this afternoon whilst everyone else continues to throw themselves down the mountain!

I have to also say I've embraced the idea of a rocking chair far more than I ever thought possible....I'm trying to work out how I could take this one home with me, as I sit swinging back and forth with such velocity I'm in danger of a whiplash injury to accompany my dodgy knee! 

I thought an early session in the hot tub this morning might be perfect to aid my recovery. 

I have to say it's very bizarre being outside in a bathtub essentially, in freezing temperatures (although today was a tropical -10) feeling the sun on your face whilst enjoying watching and listening to the birds! 

You just have to be careful to keep all your bits under the water level...other than your face obviously because if you don't you soon realise that's something amiss...BRR....!

Another little revelation that I've become aware of is the fact that I don't feel the need for any lip plumping surgery (not that I've ever considered this you understand) because my lips seem to have grown since being here. I know I expected it of my waistline because as you know you definitely have to pack in the calories when you're on an expedition like this....copious amounts of chocolate are a must! 

Even in the liquid form with a little wee nip of something to keep out the cold plus a dollop of whipped cream and marshmellows balanced on top! 

But no it's my lips that seem to have expanded! 

So I have saved a fortune on lip enhancement surgery and certainly don't need any painful injections...

....all you need to do is plummet into sub zero temperatures and 'Bob's Your Uncle' 

(sorry that's an old family saying) 

oh.... maybe I should have kept that secret to myself until I patented the idea! Humm....

I need to explain by the way that those bubbles in the photo below are from thewater inlet and nothing else ~ RIGHT!  

 Whilst shrivelling (but at least I can blame the hot tub for all my wrinkles now) I took in all the sights around...listening to the birds in their highly excitable frenzy that I'd put even more food out for them. Chickadees, tree-creepers and woodpeckers came to see the strange sight before them...these humans have a lots to answer for!

Here's the view of the house from the hot tub...all warm and toasty with the chimney billowing...it's such a reasuring sight when you know you've got to make a dash and negotiate those slippery steps, with water freezing on your body by the second, plus a dodgy knee that threatens to give way at any moment.

Looking the other way from my semi-submersible is the sauna and I noted that I think we've had someone participating other than me...see the little critters tracks...I need Laurie to let me know who it was...taking liberties?!?!?

 I have a good idea but I know it couldn't be a moose because they are big beasties....

I didn't think I'd see one whilst here but we've been lucky...very lucky! LOL

See isn't he gorgeous...I adore these wooden sculptures. They are so cleverly carved and cute to boot!

I bought this magnificent guy on my last visit. If you want to see more of Yome Lebel amazing work then click on his name. I soooooo want a bear and the beaver of course...

...oh and how could I resist the Canadian goose or the cat? 

I feel major purchases coming on... :D

Well the fire needs stoking, coffees brewing, kettles only seconds away from the boil and dinner is waiting for the 'adventurers' return...meanwhile I'll carry on with the music blasting out across the lake...and enjoy the sun dipping down through the trees.

I hope you've had a great day and remember it's a gift so use it well

~ ♥ ~

Artist Play Room ~ Celebrate!

I'm trying very hard to stay positive as I write today's post...but it's proving a little difficult because our fantastic holiday is coming to an end soon. 

We've had such a wonderful time as I think my Canadian posts may have shown. Even the 36 hours without power has become an amusing story to revisit, just so long as we're are cosy, freshly showered and have all the lights on! 

Even the 28 hour long haul flight was totally worth the journey. It has enabled me to connect with my family spending quality time with them, plus throw myself down mountains, trying to walk thigh deep in crisp virgin snow, hot tub bathing whilst sipping champers, meeting staff and management who look after this amazing special place, the trials of walking in snow shoes, dashing in and out of the sauna before my bits fell off! Managing in incredible temperatures of -25 degrees that I never would have imagined I'd be able to function outside of my duvet. 

It's been like living in my own Christmas card setting or on the set of Wham's 'Last Christmas' video (wow what am I thinking....enough!) 

So when I'm back in the sweltering heat of the Australian summer (which apparently has arrived with avengance with temperatures of +40 I'll look back over my photos of which there are hundreds and chill. 

I even managed to spend some time with my journal this morning which is something I plan to do frequently over this next year. I'm hoping we become best friends. ;D

After feeding the chickadees this morning (who were very grateful it has to be said) I smiled to myself because I've always called my children 'my chickadees' ever since we first visited Canada a few years back.

Whenever my kids are in the one location then I'm happy. It's not easy having one flown the nest but thankfully she returns frequently and so with this in mind, I thought I'd 'CELEBRATE' this fact by entering into the Artists Play Room with my sketch.

I really didn't give myself as much time as I'd like...and I know that sounds soooooo 2012 but it's difficult when you're on holiday and people expect you to 'stay in the room'. But I had fun which I suppose is the most important thing.

So that's it....I've kicked off the year with my first entry and it feels good. 

Thanks Jenn for keeping me focused and continuing to host the Artist's Play Room.

If you'd like to see some talented artists work, then click here. 

Or maybe you could enter yourself? 

Everyone is so supportive and a they're a great group of like minded people...so go on...

...take a line for a walk!

Jenn our host is so helpful, inspiring, kind, encouraging, totally committed to helping everyone have fun and keeping our creativity flowing.

Canadian crispness...It's Oh Sooooo Cold!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL...

I've been contemplating what my first post of 2013 should be and I've noted that quite a few bloggers have posted a review covering their past year. I've actually decided not to do this, basically because for most of last year I was constantly trying to catch my tail...so this year I want to keep ahead of things or at least to try!

If I started to write and collate my favourite posts, photographs and tales covered during 2012, I'd be here until March at least, deciding which to include and constantly editing. So with this in mind, I'm just carrying on full steam ahead in the hope that I'll make deadlines, timescales and generally be on top of things. 

Well that's the plan on day 2 of the New Year...wish me luck!

When the day dawns looking like this, then you know it's going to be special.

All the trees were wearing their Sunday best. I actually took this photo on Sunday.

This special tree below is the oldest Crow Pine Tree in the area.
I feel very priviledged to have him as my neighbour.
He stands much taller than anything else in the area.

There’s a special presence about our crow pine tree.
He stands out in a special way.  There’s its quality as an evergreen, that wonderful scent and the strong essence of strength that permeates the area that it occupies.

We were told that this mighty specimen was possibly over 150 years old when we bought the plot. 

I hope he doesn't mind us nestling under his impressive branches.

Did you know that the pine is generally noted as an antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic, expectorant, demulcent and diuretic and is generally considered a warming agent.  The needles and bark have special affinities for the respiratory system making for its frequent use for congestion, coughs, lung infections where it helps to clear mucus and fight infections – it pairs wonderfully with Eucalyptus for all of that.  They have been used to ease tonsillitis and laryngitis.  And they also work well helping to flush the bladder and kidneys.

Also for skin related properties. The resin is the sap that seeps from wounds in the tree and is part of the tree’s defence against infections and is very antimicrobial and a strong disinfectant because of it. You can use it on skin wounds (chew it for gum disorders and tooth problems!) and its natural drawing action helps with cuts, splinters, boils, abscesses and insect bites. While the needles and bark can be used to make infused oil which is great for the skin – soothing, healing and greatly calming energetically.  

Nothing short of amazing!

 Let's hope our tree stands majestically for another 150 years...at least.


Now I would like to show you some photos of myself on the slopes participating in back flips, jumps and the slalom at neck breaking speeds but I've learnt an important lesson...
A very important lesson in fact.....never...I repeat...NEVER...apply mascara before you go skiing. 

Panda eyes indeed...in fact so bad that the mascara came down my face to meet my lippy!

Here's a photo taken from a distance. I must explain that it was night-time skiing and the temperature happened to be -19...oh yes and my hubby took the photo...(in a whispered voice...hence the chopping off of my feet)

But in fairness it was his first time taking a photo using my phone.

I'm happy to report that we are still having daily visits from 'Nutkin' and if I'm not early enough getting his goodies out there for him, then he comes to peer in through the French doors.
Cheeky I know, but when you look like this you can get away with anything in my book!

I can't tell you how many photos I have taken of him, but this one I think takes the biscuit or should that be the peanut!

 And finally after....umm...let me count....1, 2, 3...10...15...18 days I got to see a chickadee! 

Well a few chickadees actually.

If you would like to hear their song/call or see a video clip then click here

Scientific name: Poecile atricapillus

 I was so pleased to be able to capture these birds today, but they certainly can be challenging...

they are just so flighty! 

The last photo (bottom right) was outside the patio doors...actually encroaching on 'Nutkins' area. 

If you are wondering let me tell you...its official chickadees love sticky toffee pudding!

But then so does my hubby and he wasn't too happy when he realised that I'd thrown out a few...but it was all in a good cause.

I can't help thinking how on earth do these little birds survive...I mean have you seen how tiny and thin their little legs are? I think they should at least have some wee sockettes to keep them cosy?

Current temperature -19 which is due to drop to -24 tonight! Brrrr.....

 

By the way I had to rustle up a new batch of puds just to keep the peace. 

But then something else that tested us last night was that although we haven't lost the power since that traumatic time last week (when we lost it for 36 hours) we did lose the internet due to the plummeting temperatures.

It's amazing just how creative and inventive people can be when they are left to their own devices...oh and a bottle of red helps of course!

 This photo was taken when the New Year's Eve party went up a gear!

I see that Melbourne has warmed up a little, whilst we've been away. 

Can anyone make any helpful suggestions as to how I'll go from - 24 (tonight's temperature here) to a +40 when we return!??!? Without bursting that is!

I'm just off to another little soirée ~ cheers everyone.
See you later...

Muffin's New Year Message!

Muffin should have sent you her New Year's greeting earlier...but by the look of her I think she may have partying too hard.

She assures us that she hasn't been drinking (honest) she's just tired....yeah right Muffy. 

I've heard that one before....pull the other one...it's got bells on it!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE 

Good Luck and Best Wishes for 2013 from Mufftypup ^..^