It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

The tree is finally up today and I am smiling! Now to get ALL of the cards in the mail, the rest of the shopping done, the gifts wrapped and the menu decided on! If you say it quickly it doesn't sound too bad!

It is an old tree but a favorite! I only got one box of decorations out this year (I am trying to keep things as simple as possible) and was able to use a red and white theme.

Here is our Anaheim Angels decoration, a wonderful memory from our trip to the US 3 years ago.

For all my GDITC friends I will not make it next year, with everything that has happened in the last 6 months I am not planning too far ahead. Try and stop me in 2014 though!!!
Thank you for all the comments on my recent posts, I am so sorry I have not replied to you all. Each one means so much but I am time poor, I am looking forward to catching up soon!!
We spent another 2 days in Geelong last week. SH had another pet scan and then we had our radiation planning appointment. We start 4 weeks of radiation treatment on the 19th December not in early January as we had hoped. This is also the date the 'horsey' one finally says farewell to her braces. Oh well we just have to take it a day at a time and hold our trust.....

Gingerbread horses...

Hard to believe we have been home again for over a week. Things are going well, still living a day at a time and desperately trying to get organised for Christmas in case the wheels fall off in the next few weeks! Add to that it is a month today until the 'horsey' one flies out and yikes there is SO much to do!!!

While we were away all I dreamt of doing when we got home was baking! I missed having an oven so much. As happens when we got home I had trouble finding my baking mojo and a whole week went past without any goodies being created! I am happy to say the tide has turned! Friday were 2 Birthdays so cupcakes were the order of the day. I used the new Philadelphia cream cheese icing flavored with Cadbury chocolate. Delicious and great to use if you are in a hurry. The Birthday recipients felt very spoilt!

This morning I made gingerbread horses which the 'horsey' one and I enjoyed icing together. We had the Pony Club Christmas break up at lunchtime and they were a hit and the first dessert to go. It was lots of fun!They were all different!!

Wonder what will be baked this week???

Day + 15

Discharged from hospital to unit this afternoon, after an appointment tomorrow morning we are heading home, as in to our real home with our kids, our cats, the dogs and our own bed!!!! And an oven to bake with! And our own bathroom! And mum and our rose bushes . As an added bonus the central Line was removed.
All of this makes one very happy SH!!!

Day + 13

Well it is now almost the end of day +13 and things are looking remarkably good. In the days I haven't posted SH hit rock bottom. Although this was expected we had somehow kid ourselves that we were invincible and it wouldn't happen to us!! Reality check it did and we were one of the lucky ones, no ICU stay, no major infections. To see the one you love  unable to eat or even drink water because of his ulcerated throat and mouth and to be in such pain from that and also from the relentless diarrhoea is just horrid. Once they got the pain under control and he could sleep while drugged was easier. Trying to find things to tempt his appetite that he could manage was fun! especially when the dietitian had not acted on 2 referrals so there was no soft diet ordered!
Fast forward just a few days to today and the change is amazing. They said as soon as the blood counts started to rise things would improve quickly and they have.  We have even been lucky enough that SH has been granted a few hours day leave yesterday and today. He spends it moving from the recliner to the bed to the couch but it is so good for the mental health just to be outside that hospital room! There is even a whisper that he will get overnight leave tomorrow! Returning to the hospital today he was shifted from a single room into a shared ward, a positive move on an oncology ward! Call me old fashioned though, I just dont think males and females should have to share a ward unless absolutely necessary, uncomfortable for everyone?
We now have home in our sights, won't be long now and probably sooner than we ever thought possible, it has been SO hard beng away from our kids and our furry friends especially when they have needed us, thank goodness for mum stepping in.
One day at a time, no need to rush it now......this will not be the end of the journey only the end of this chapter....
Hopefully when I write next we will be home????

Day + 7

Well poor SH woke this morning with a fever so has been subjected to every test under the sun today. The thought is that the source of the infection is his ulcerated mouth and throat, oh joy! Needless to say eating and even drinking today has been a chore and he has spent most of the day snoozing. Each day we are charting 4 different blood counts, as expected they have all dropped but today 2 of them were actually 0! Only one way up from there!! Although it will probably not be until the weekend that they start recovering.

Day +5

Some days are better than others but so far so good. Blood counts have plummeted today (as was expected) and it will take some time for them to begin to recover so we are in for a rough week. Saturday we had the horsey one and my mum come to visit, sadly SH had a horrendous headache and nausea and wasn't able to enjoy seeing them. That has passed but for the last few days he has had a rash!! The medical staff are not worried and are just treating it. He is losing his appetite now and I am finding it harder to tempt him.
One day at a time.......

Day 0 - Transplant day

Well today is day 0, Transplant day! All went well and according to plan. A rough week ahead as we wait for counts to plummet (probably by the weekend) and then patiently wait for the new stem cells to kick in and begin recovering.....

Day -1

Day -1 was yesterday and it was a day free of treatment for SH and also The Melbourne Cup, the horse race that stops a nation! SH was able to escape for a few hours so we had a very relaxed day at the unit watching the races and just enjoying being out of the hospital environment. After my stressful visit to the TAB in the morning (when you only place a bet once a year the whole process changes every year) to place small bets on the races we hardly won enough to bother collecting!! Not sure that my processes of picking my horses - any combination of name, color, jockey etc-  has much merit! We finished off the afternoon with an ice cream on the foreshore looking out to sea.....

Day -2

Well I lost the rest of last week!! I don't seem to have a lot of spare time even though I spend a lot of time sitting! Last Thursday (day -6) I had a birthday. Friends from Cobden came to visit SH and took me out for lunch which was lovely. It was also the horsey ones first exam, english, which thankfully went smoothly On Friday SH had his dodgy central line removed and a new one put in. It was only after that we found out just how much of a crisis it was and the grey hairs it gave the doctors. Thankfully the new one is working beautifully! Friday was also HSs 21st birthday. Mum and the kids came down and we went out for dinner to celebrate. At the last minute SH was given permission to escape for 2 hours and join us which made our day! Today has been the administering of a very toxic drug, SH had to suck ice during it and for an hour afterwards to minimize the damage to the mouth. Tomorrow is a rest day so we will spend the day watching the Melbourne Cup races....

Days -8 and - 7

Yes I failed with my countdown and got my days wrong! Day -14 was actually last Wednesday, the day SH had a new central line put in. SH was admitted to the ward yesterday, his few days of freedom over as he begins one of the more toxic drugs. His new central line is his biggest problem at the moment! It isn't working!! Okay to put things in but won't bleed at all.....he has had a chest x ray this afternoon and they are working on the problem and a solution! I always take a few days to settle when we come down and this time is no different , I am carrying the stitching around but as yet it has not seen the light of day !!!

Day -13

This morning began with a follow up appointment with the oral surgeon. Part of the pre transplant work up was a dental appointment, routine or so we thought! Our local dentist felt there were infection risks and sent SH to an oral surgeon thinking he may need 9 teeth out! We went along a week ago expecting to be told he had overreacted and instead we drove home that day with 12 less teeth! He just can't win a trick at the moment!
This afternoon was another injection like yesterday so we were able to spend the rest of the day enjoying the sunshine :)

Day -14

We finally got away this morning over an hour late with everything but the kitchen sink thrown in the car - just in case! Today's conditioning treatment was almost an anti climax, an injection that was over almost before it started! We are settled in our hospital unit, a different one from last time , much bigger and just lovely. Such a comfort to be able to stay so close.
One day down, one day closer to getting home!

On our way...

This thursday I finished work until January. We are packing up this morning, somewhat frantically, always running behind!, to go to Geelong for between 4 to 8 weeks. SH begins his stem cell transplant today, day -14, it will involve 14 days (minus ones) of conditioning (chemo and other treatments) before the transplant of his stem cells (day 0) then his immune system and body need to recover. Most of this time he will be an inpatient. I will be staying in hospital accomodation, just across the road in a unit so I can come and go often. Once again Mum will come and stay at home with the 'kids'. Of course this is the worse possible week this could start with the 'horsey' one beginning exams and HS turns 21 this week but it is not the kind of thing you can just fit in when it suits. We are very positive about the process and will just take each day as it comes. I will be updating the blog daily for family and friends that will be following our journey. Unless I can work out how to post photos from the ipad they may be colorless! Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers xx

The 'last' week...

Well the last week is over and the exam period starts. First exam English next thursday! This morning (yes Sunday) off to school for Mathsfest - a few hours of practice exams, how thankful we are that the school prepares them as much as possible.

Thursday night was the Year 12 service and dinner and the girls looked beautiful. The 'horsey' one sparkled and we took lots and lots of photos!

Friday was 'muck up' day! Our students dressed up and had a bbq breakfast but that was the extent of their high jinks! Classes were as normal. Can you guess who the 'horsey' one went as?? Think Darla from finding Nemo! She is not sure what to think of the fact that this photo attracted 120 likes on facebook in just one hour. Apparently the resemblence is uncanny! (No not a real goldfish but a mandarin in water!!!)

Speech day was on Friday afternoon and full of pomp and ceremony and maybe just a few tears from us Year 12 parents and even the students. The 'horsey' one decided she really didn't want to leave! Lots of hugs and special 'goodbyes' to friends.

Wow , what a week!!!

Busy week!

Well this is a busy week but unlike the previous ones a 'happy' busy week (or for the 'horsey' one anyway!). It is the last week of Year 12 for my girl and once again I am full of mixed emotions. I don't like change and I don't like my 'children' growing up, especially my baby! BUT she is so excited and so ready to move on to the next stage of her life and the plans she has made. This week her school celebrate their year 12s while keeping them on a tight rein, gone are the 'muck up' days of the past!Next week they study and then start their exams on the Thursday.....

 Last night was the first celebration I was involved in, the boarders year 12 dinner which as a weekend boarding house mistress I was invited to. I have watched this group of 24 all arrive and grow from homesick children into young adults. It is tradition for them to receive a 'goodie' bag at the dinner that their fellow boarders and staff add to. A lot of the gifts are chocolate for study week or silly fun toys. This year I made fabric fortune cookies. (Mum made the first 'batch' for me last time she stayed but of course I needed more!). I put a good luck fortune in them and then packed them with a real edible fortune cookie just so there was no mistaking what they were! I was so happy with the finished product. I found the tutorial on Molie Makes. I have more to take to speech day tomorrow for some special girls.

At last nights dinner a staff member once again did the flowers for the tables. Although this is a terrible photo I wanted to share them, I thought they were lovely and such a simple idea. Glass jars with colored water in the school colors (took me a while to work that part out!!!)

Tonight is the formal Year 12 church service followed by the dinner..............I best pack some tissues!!!

Help.....

Help, can anyone tell me in very simple terms how to do a blogpost on the iPad that includes photos from the iPad photo library???? You would hear from me a lot more often!

A little to show!

Not sure where the last month has gone since I posted our delicious crumpets but there has been a lot of time spent away from home. I have managed to finish 3 of these Sashiko panels. They are good therapy, don't need too much concentration but the end result is great. I have ordered a few more and the eventual plan is to make a quilt incorporating them all. I am sticking to navy, white, red and blue. This photo isn't great as I haven't ironed the block yet!

I did manage a super quick trip to Spotlight the other day. Had SH with me which was probably good for the budget! Picked up some spots which you can never have too much of, some threads, a cute Christmas fat quarter and some fabric for a quilt backing that may or may not ever be made!!!

Todays delights.....

Another busy day in the kitchen! SH excelled and for the first time made crumpets. They were SO good! and so much better than the store bought ones!!

Even better with the strawberry jam I made yesterday!

We are hoping the ones we have frozen are okay and if so plan to make a big batch regularly from now on.

I made 2 chocolate brownies. One for the 'horsey' one and her friend to take on the train to Melbourne where they are attending a Geography revision lecture tomorrow - no school holidays for them!!! She is fussy and doesn't like choc bits or nuts in hers .

I also made another to take to Halls Gap this afternoon when we met up with friends from Melbourne and Lakes Entrance for a coffee. That one had SO much chocolate in it, delicious! For the first time I made jelly cakes , just small ones and although they taste delicious think I need to perfect the technique and presentation!

Lastly I made some strawberry ice cream this afternoon. I put it in smaller containers, just enough for a serve or two! I am making the most of the strawberrys I bought this week!

Jam

I picked up punnets of strawberries for 49c each this week so I had my first attempt at Strawberry jam today. I only made a small quantity but am so happy with how it turned out. The plan is to make another batch in the morning as well as some strawberry icecream. Yum!

Today!

Today at school to mark the last day of term it was the yearly House Music Competition. Of course I went along to support the 'horsey' one in another last for her. Each of the 4 houses (from years 7-12) sing a set song and a song of choice. It is tradition for the year 12s in that house to dress up and dance a little, although the singing is judged seriously it is quite fun and there is usually some humor! Unfortuantly the yellow house that the 'horsey' one belongs to is not known for winning (anything!) and once again we were pipped at the post! It was lots of fun though!

Love them !

Found this on my memory card the other day, can't remember taking it but it is now one of my favorite photos of my kids, hardly attractive but so true to form!!! Love them xxx

Happy!

On the days SH was in hospital in Geelong I would head down to the shopping centre during 'rest' time and have some lunch. I had a coffee at Muffin Break one day I was feeling a little lonely and got to the bottom of the cup and found this smiley face looking up at me. Made my day! Sure everyone around thought I was a little odd pulling out the camera!!! unless of course they happened to be a fellow blogger!

:)

One day at a time....

Another trip to Geelong today but happily it was just a day trip. Things with SH went a bit pear shaped after the last petscan when it showed his cancer had built up an immunity to the chemo he was having . Both of us and his doctor were very surprised as he had a great response to the first 3 cycles. It was a few days before his medical team decided on the next step. The heavy artillery was called in and a fortnight ago he spent 5 days in hospital in Geelong having a central line put in and receiving a different intensive chemo for 3 days. I am happy to say he has tolerated it really well and tiredness is his biggest complaint (not that he would admit even that!). Today the next steps were mapped out and we are back again next week for round 2 of this chemo. With some negotiation it was agreed he could do 2 days as an outpatient and should only have 2 days confined to a hospital bed. We will then have a week at home then a week in Geelong while they collect stem cells for a transplant. A long road still to travel but we have a plan and are focusing on that. Mum has again been a lifesaver and looks after home, the kids and the furry friends while we are away, one less thing to worry about!
Needless to say my time blog hopping is sporadic at best. I read what all my friends are up to as often as possible but have rarely found time to comment lately. I hope you understand.
There have been many special blessings from blogging friends, our family thank you from the bottom of our hearts xxx

Progress...

There has been some sewing happening, not anywhere near as much as I would like but better than nothing!!!

This is block 1 of the Fat Quarter Shop Mystery designer BOM for 2012. I am really happy with it and looking forward to getting onto the next 2 blocks I have sitting waiting!

This is block 1 of 'Our Journey' quilt. Every stitch was done while at the hospital or at appointments. I have really enjoyed working on it but gosh I am rusty with my embroidery. Please don't look too closely!

Good things come to those that wait!

The 'horsey' one has been very patiently waiting for a special letter to arrive in the mail (her Mother waiting not so patiently!), well Friday the postie delivered and she was successful in her application to do a Gap year working at a school in the UK next year, so so exciting for her especially as she is going to the school of her choice, the smile has not left her face! I am so happy for her but already missing her!!! Writing lists of things to prepare is keeping me busy..... Now to get the remainder of year 12 done and dusted so she can embark on the adventure of a lifetime!

A mini break...

Well the 'horsey' one and I are in the city of churches, Haighs chocolate and good friends 'Adelaide' for the weekend. We are here for the uni open days but having fun too! Left after school yesterday and drove in terrible weather. So happy to arrive at our hotel which just happens to be the Hilton! Even better our room was upgraded! Did wonder at one stage if we would actually get out at all as we were so comfy but the sun was shining this morning so it was time to explore. First stop was the market and the best bakery stall ever, far too much to choose from! A wander and some shopping then a meet up with a friend from home, Belinda , who took us to the chocolate bean cafe, they even have chocolate soup! I was tempted but went with the peanut butter cheesecake instead. Back to the hotel where we met up with Anne and Georgia , long time friends, had coffee and chatted and laughed lots. You don't need to see special friends often, you just catch up where you left off. Sadly there will be no time to see granny loz this trip or Sebastian (the chinese boy who lived with us a few years back) as tomorrow we are organized to within an inch of our lives before we make the trip home again ! Oh I forgot, I did manage a trip to Haighs for supplies today as well! There will be photos when I get home but for now just imagine an overload of chocolate :)

This weather is only good for .....

Home sweet home.....

We have just arrived home from another 2 days in Geelong and I am so thankful to be home. It was a 430am start yesterday and I didn't sleep much at all last night. We drove home in very wet conditions. I have been dreaming all day about snuggling in my bed with the electric blanket and maybe even a cat thrown in!!!
SH had another bone marrow biopsy yesterday then saw the dr and had chemo today which was cycle 6. In the next fortnight he will have another petscan then in either 2 or 3 weeks he will have cycle 7 and have stem cells collected ready for his transplant on the back of that. We are still taking this journey one stage at a time which is also how the information is given, a bit at a time, there are too many variables to deal with it any other way.
Bloggers are angels and when we got home tonight a parcel was waiting......thank you.....

The cake!

This is the cake the 'horsey' one had for her 18th party (yes we survived!!!). A local lady made it, the 'horsey' one told her what she liked - horses and Justin Beiber and this is the end result. The horse and 2 magazines were all icing and edible! It was a white and milk chocolate marble mud cake so delicious as well!!

Smile!

It seems like I post a similar photo every year but the sight of the first daffodils for the season always fill me with such hope that Spring is on its way and bring a smile to my face.

Friends!

On our last visit to Geelong we were lucky enough to catch up with one of SH's oldest friends and his wife for dinner. Trevor and SH went to school together and Trevor and his family were on a flying visit home from the States to visit family. For old times sakes we went to the 'Mee ling' chinese restaurant, a favorite haunt in their younger days. The fact that there was a 'massage parlour' upstairs was always found to be amusing!!! Not sure if it is still there but we had a lovely meal catching up on all the news.

Good friends are precious.

Hi!

Been away so long that I have so much to show and tell but thought I would take baby steps to get back into this 'blogging' thing and just pop in to say Hi today.

I am enjoying these beautiful violets from Mum , I took her out for a very belated Mothers Day Lunch on friday which was just lovely.

And today we made this delicious Rhubarb and cinnamon cake - we will certainly make it again. Donna and Carol if you are interested it is in the school cookbook!

A busy week ahead, 2 days of work then on the road again, but hope to drop in again soon.............

:)

Great news, the chemo is working and the tumor has shrunk! :)

??????

Whose bright idea was it to host the 'horsey one's 18th Birthday celebration at home?????? Yes that would be me and yes I may of even have said it would be 'easy'!!!!!! One day to go!!!!!

Good company!

The 'horsey one' was a great companion for SH today during treatment in Geelong - or was she????

Moose!

Do you like the 'horsey one's new beanie?????

She does!!!

GDITC project finished!

Well one of the Nundle GDITC projects is complete..........................but I didn't do it! I knew that I was not that interested in this hexagon box so I gave it to Mum who enjoyed the challenge of making it. I think the finished box is lovely, especially loving the fabric Mum chose but it still reminds me of the old fashioned 'hanky' boxes!!! It is a Sue Daly pattern who was the guest tutor on the day.

This is the stitching all ready for the slippers Mum is planning on making everyone for Christmas. As you all know I love a cat so I am hoping I am on the list to receive some! The slipper pattern is one of Lynette Andersons. I will be sure to share the finished article.

(oops around the wrong way)

Poor Fred!

The 'horsey one' is in the midst of cleaning her room in preparation for 'the' party! This is a MAJOR job! but she is doing well. One of the treasures she found was her baby born doll and clothes. Obviously easily distracted (some may say like her mother!) she appeared from her room with Fred dressed for a lovely sunny day - which it most definately was not!!!! No need to worry he was very relaxed and seemed to love every minute of his dress up time!!!!

A treat...

So much baking these last 2 days. As a treat to fuel us SH made these special giant peanut butter chocolate biscuits, we had to ration them out , they were SO good!
We have also made just over 100 mini quiches, pumpkin and feta tarts, meatballs to go with a dipping sauce and 2 batches of rocky road. All ready for the party!!!
The 'horsey one' yesterday requested a pinata and jelly shots for the party, 8 or 18?????

Catch up.........

I am finally back online with the help of HS and how super annoying that it turns out there is a little wireless button on the front of the laptop that had accidently been clicked off and could of been fixed in an instant instead of taking 6 weeks and a tantrum from moi!!! I will know what to check first next time!

My boots, the ones to save me from wearing 'junners' have met an early death with one heel 'just falling off' last weekend, luckily I was at home. Not sure that I am meant to have fashionable footwear!!! I will return them when we are in Geelong again this week.

Speaking of Geelong SH has now had his first 2 chemo treatments and will have his 3rd this coming week. We are so lucky that so far he has tolerated them reasonably well with just a few small side effects. He has been able to go to work and has tried to exercise with a walk or modified gym program most days. I think he is looking tireder but he is determined to keep life as normal as possible between all the appointments. Just this week I think we have had 3 local appointments. He has started to lose his hair so I will need to look out his beanies this week....

I am now on holidays for 3 weeks!!!!! I need a rest and the 'horsey one' is on school holidays and needs some TLC. She also turns 18 next weekend, a milestone I am fighting, she is my 'baby'! We are having a lunch at our home to celebrate which we are catering for, a good idea at the time but at this stage we may 'only just ' make it!!!! I have no problems with the sweet goodies but at this stage not sure what they will be eating first! Think the 'horsey one' and I are testing the chocolate fountain this weekend - what a hardship that will be!!!!!

A little stitching has been happening , I make sure it comes out on each appointment. It is growing slowly but it is growing! I am doing the Fat Quarter Shop Mystery BOM again this year, not sure when I will find the time but looking forward to the first block arriving (I was a bit slow signing up!).

SH indulged me and made these Monte Carlo biscuits last weekend. They were super delicious. The recipe came from Julie Goodwin's 2nd cookbook. Wonder what we will bake this weekend???

A Winter recipe! and...

So Chookyblue was asking the other day about favorite crockpot/slow cooker recipes. I may be a little late but I will still share mine!
SILVERSIDE (OR CORNED BEEF) IN THE CROCKPOT
I love this cooked this way, makes it so tender. I usually cook 2 pieces at once, one for a hot meal and one for sandwiches for the week.
Put the piece of silverside in the crockpot and cover with water.
Also add:
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
12 peppercorns
2 bayleaves
1 chopped onion
1 carrot
Will take 6 hours on High or 8-10 hours on Auto
Enjoy!

Further to the purchase of the boots , they were a necessary evil as apparently I comitted 'social suicide' the weekend before wearing runners with my jeans - a definate no no, who knew????!!!!!!

In times of stress...........

a little retail therapy never goes astray and with Winter well and truly set in a pair of long boots will come in handy!!!

to Geelong and back today for a bone marrow biopsy - ouch!

Sshhh don't tell HS but I am using his laptop while he is at work....

The journey begins.....

I have been missing in action for many reasons for the last few weeks, one of them being that the internet and I are no longer friends! Hopefully soon I will work out how to fix this and it will be just a distant memory.
There is a more important reason though that I have been missing. I generally 'tell it like it is' on my blog. There are some things that are sacred if they have the chance of hurting those I love or may embarrass the kids but as this is a record of my life and that of my family I tell most things here. I have made some amazing friendships online and am even luckier to have met some of you 'in real life' and I will be asking all of you friends for your thoughts and prayers.
My 'Super Husband' has in the last week been diagnosed with a lymphoma cancer. We have already made many trips to a city around 3 hours away for diagnosis and tests and will be on the road again early tomorrow morning as we have a bone marrow biopsy scheduled. We will be back again on Thursday when after a Pet scan and a doctors appointment he will be admitted and his chemo treatment will begin. The cancer is aggressive but is treatable. It will just be a rough road ahead. We are all okay, taking each day as it comes. My Mum is coming to stay while we are away this week so the 'kids' are not alone. We are so lucky to have this option.
And of course what do quilters do in times of stress???? start a new project of course! I have had a BOM of Leannes House including fabric and cottons for many years sitting in the cupboard. I have decided that this is the perfect time to start it!!! The first block is all prepared and already the stitching is well on the way. I have named it 'The Journey Quilt'!!! and look forward to seeing it grow as it keeps my hands busy.

Easy Slice!

I promised to post this recipe a few weeks ago! Oops, here it finally is!

250g pkt granita style biscuits
125g butter, melted
125g walnuts, roughly chopped
125g dark chocolate chips
125g shredded coconut
395g tin condensed milk
Preheat oven to 200degreesC and line a slice tin with baking paper.
Process biscuits in a food processor until they resemble coarse sand. Mix in butter. Tip into tin and press out to cover base.
Spread over walnuts, chocolate and coconut.
Pour over condensed milk.
Bake for 40 minutes or until golden around the sides ***** Took no where near this long to bake!!!
Refrigerate until cold then cut into small squares.
***Best made the day before needed, difficult to cut neatly otherwise
I cheat and use the already crumbed walnuts!
This is similar to another recipe I have called 'Hello dolly' or 'Layer slice'
Very delicious and very easy, just how I like it!!!
ENJOY!

Isn't she gorgeous???

We had 'Dinner Dance' for the 'horsey one' on Saturday night (our school's version of a formal). Year 12 parents are also invited so it was time to glam up and hit the town. She had the best night, enjoyed every minute of it. I think she looks beautiful.

Just not right!

9pm basketball games when it is wet and cold are just not right!!!! Not happy! I am ready for my flanny pjs and bed now!


(I should confess that yes it is only 5.50pm now)
(I should also confess that it is the 'horsey' one playing and I am just team manager and the only parent to turn up each week and score)

Willow!

We may have inherited a new member of the family!

Meet Willow!

She is gorgeous......but will she make Jimmy any less neurotic??? or will she become like him???

My vote apparently does not count, it is 3 to 1 and even Jimmy and the cats seem won over!!!

Time will tell..........

A fun day out! Cupcakes and more cupcakes!!!

Yesterday I spent the day with my friend Karen. For her birthday I bought us a cupcake decorating class . It was run by Jennifer Graham from Crabapple Bakery.

When we arrived these are the sample cupcakes that greeted us!

Oh my goodness!!! What had we let ourselves in for??? They were amazing!!!!

It was a large class and we spent the first section of the class with Jennifer sharing her knowledge of baking and decorating. After this came the scary part - having a go ourselves!!! We had six cupcakes to decorate but somehow I was so bad at the 'blue' one I ended up with 8 to take home. These are mine...... I am happy with how they ended up but it was much more involved and difficult than I expected. Although I bought a piping set I am not sure just how much I will use it, I am very sure though that I will  use the pot of glitter I bought, that was definitely Karen and my favorite decoration!!!