Merry Christmas

Have a great day tomorrow ....

May the champagne go a little to your head
May the fat man in a red suit bring you a surprise
May your children be delightful
May your turkey be well cooked
May you enjoy the day with those you love
May you know that I am thinking of you all

And thanks Smauge - who I lifted this off....

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight

It is beginning to look like Christmas

Well here I am on Friday night 19th December. Tim Allen's Santa Clause is on and so, loving that actor the way I do, the TV is off and I am at the computer...... Says I am getting old I fear.

I have had a pretty great week - firstly it was Jessica's birthday and I think she had a great night - she loved the new bracelet and shirts we got for her and her dinner.... can't believe she is 27!!

Phil brought home two presents - the first and largest is a new shiny pottery wheel - how great is that!!!!! I am to buy some clay tomorrow and have fun next week! I love pottery and the therapeutic throwing pots on a wheel so I am eager to try my new wheel out.

The next one I received yesterday is a cute little teapot for my charm bracelet - I have a Pandora type bracelet and I have eyed off this charm and commented on it a while ago - so he brought it home for me - how great is that? Showed some people at work - they were impressed - I could hardly wear the potters wheel but a miniature teapot - no problems.

Last night we had the best Christmas Party for work - almost all of our people came plus the board. We had a fantastic night - complete with awards and the employee of the year! I was delighted that everyone is so happy and the workplace just hums now with excitement without losing the reason why we are there! I received the most stunning square plate from my staff - and was cheered with an amazing speech - so I was really chuffed.

This weekend I am catching up with Lyn and my parents and then the countdown to Christmas. I only work one and a half days next week which is a bonus - then off until January 5th! I will love having a break.

Life is great at the moment - my family is happy and healthy, we welcome Hai Pai to the family - Matts gorgeous new girlfriend, and we are all looking forward to a break and a few coldies at Christmas.

Loving this life
Carol

A few photos from the Botanical Gardens in Hobart Tasmania

Poppies by the pond

The bridge

We spent a whole day at the Botanical Gardens in Hobart, probably because they are pretty amazing..... We wandered through the conservatory - complete with orchids, visited the artic exhibition and ate lunch at the wonderful cafe (I even quaffed a little wine).

A local!

There is so much to see at these gardens and the pond (more like a small lake), Japanese Gardens and flowers were wonderful subjects for some photos as our journey came to an end.....

Japanese Garden

At the entrance

This is the path to Mt Fugi..... Love the wonderful rocks

We are thinking whether this might work at Scribbly Gums (LOL)

Great waterfal in the background

Thisis cool - sort of a pagoda
Phil is thinking about a hebel block one!!

The Fushia House

Isn't this gorgeous??

Simple but so beautiful

Gorgeous Flowers (love the macro setting on my camera!!)

Orchids in the observatory

More orchids

Not sure what this is - but I love the colour contrast

Magnolia

Dryandra

Pierre Du Rossard Rose
(I am putting in a bid for a few of these - wonderful form and colour)

Protea

Protea

We thought these gardens were just spectacular - thanks for sharing them with me
With love
Carol

A bit of scrapping

I have been doing so many presents lately for work colleagues and friends that I haven't done much scrapping but I now have for a few challenges at the Scrap Therapy Cybercrop

So I thought that I would take a little time to share.... My scanner isn't working properly so please forgive the quality of the photos.... LSBS Cybercrop is next weekend..... which is fabulous.

I have been asked to be a guest designer on Scrap Therapy for January - and I already have an idea - should be fun!!

I love the brightness of this - I purchased the bag,
then I decorated it and a gift card and card to match

I know they are pests - but oh so cute!!

A challenge about letters and lists ... I quite like this

A gift box for my DD for her birthday!!!
This has just won aScrap Therapy Cybercrop Challenge ..... a voucher
to spend at Scrap Therapy - now what to buy!!

Other than that we are all well - We have almost finished the Chrissy shopping and I have finished the work presents. Count down is now officially on (thank goodness)

Looking forward to a couple of weeks off over the silly season.

Lots of love
Carol

LSBS Cybercrop next Friday - yea!!!!!!

I can't wait to do some creating - I have so much I should put together and I really would like to create tonight......

Here is the link

Hope to see you there!!

My old home in Melbourne

I could not believe this but Google Earth is able to see where your house is and give a street view - WOW. So here is the house I lived in East Bentleigh.... I feel a bit like big brother is definitely watching!!!!

Back from Tassie

Highfield near Stanley

Well here I am back from the beautiful Tasmania and while a little tired from travelling I am well and truly rested and I can honestly say I have had a wonderful and much needed break.

Royal Botanic Rose Gardens Woolmers Estate

Ross Bridge

My brothers Glenn and Ross helped to support Mum and Dad. I feel very lucky that I could rest easy knowing that Ross and Sonya for week two and Glenn, Heather, Jack and Zoe for week three were here helping out, providing support and entertaining Mum and Dad. Being the only one here sometimes is hard and I need a break from both work and caring occasionally. Luckily my family see that as well.

Poppies at the Royal Hobart Botanic Gardens

Highlights of the Tassie Trip

Colonial Houses - they have the most amazing houses in Tassie - I guess I think that because comparatively Canberra is so young. I love the quaint houses the tree lined streets and the gorgeous English Gardens. Loved Ross (town) and Hobart - especially Battery Point.

The lovely town of Stanley - North West corner - gorgeous


View over the ruins of Highfield (convicts quarters) to the Nut

Catching up with Pam - a loooong time ago - read 15 years at least - I used to help out with cubs. I met Pam and she and I got on very well - she says I was a bad influence - but I think it might have been pretty mutual. Anyway we got into some hi-jinks at a few camps and had a pretty great time. About 10 years ago Pam went to live in Tassie and I visited her 5 years ago when I was there last time. Well, to cut a long story short, after some initial sleuthing to find her (and she doesn't have the net or a phone in her name!!) you should have seen her face when I walked in to the market where she had a little stall........... OMG it was absolutely priceless - we had lunch afterwards and she was just so blown away!!!!!

Brown Tassie possum - came to visit each night with mate and baby
Smithfield (near Stanley)

Green country side and cute black faced sheep - yes I know it is sad but I love black faced sheep!!!! Can't help it - but don't put me away - I only get like this in Tassie!

No explanation needed! Baaaaaaa

The Eco Rainbow Retreat - where we saw gorgeous baby wombats and joeys being looked after by Ian and Peter. We met Sophia and Phillip who are very cute wombats about 1/2 grown.

Rainforest in the Huon Valley

The Coles Bay Cruise where we saw dolphins, seals, whales, albatross, pacific gulls and Australiasian Gammets..... plus the gorgeous rocks and beaches of Coles Bay and the Freychinet Peninsula.

Seaguls at the Friendly Beaches Freychinet Penninsula

Freychinet Penninsula

Birdlife on Coles Bay

The Swansea Golf Course - this is a bit odd (!!) but I pinched the best gumnuts from here and did some paintings and I will be forever grateful for the wonderful colours and shapes - they were just awesome - we will look for these to grow at our farm!!

I will do a bit more to this later and add some photos - but it is wonderful to go away but oh it is great to be back!!!! I love coming home!

Lots of love
Carol