Christmas Parties

Would you believe Christmas is only 10 days away. Are you all ready? I must say for me it has been certainly different this year. Not sure what is happening on the big day, haven't got any decorations up, and only know our eldest daughter is arriving on the 23rd.

My health has been a major problem and taking it quiet is all I am doing and letting what will be, happen. I have put myself back on Prednisone a steroid that drains your bones of calcium. I couldn't walk without great difficulty and the pain was just too much too handle. Had the bone density scan done, another blood test  and see my local Dr. Thursday. This will decide if the Methotrexate is doing its thing or if I need higher dosage etc. If all this works I will be free of having a cannula put into my hand every 5 weeks to have a 2 hr. infusion at our local hospital. What I have managed to do Saturday though, as the Prednisone had kicked in by then, was go with my sister to see mum and also a local handmade only market, combined with fruit and vegetables in Bellingen.

Plenty of space at the showgrounds.

There were some interesting items of course, and some shop owners told me they had only been doing it a short while. I am looking at it to see whether I will also take on " a market stall" again in the future.
This one is vetted so no commercial type market stalls get in., which I like.  It is held every 3 months, at the Bellingen Showgrounds.

Toilets at the showgrounds

We got there by 8 am so afterwards it was a bit early to go around to the Nursing Home so had coffee at the Old Butter Factory. Haven't been there for such a  long time. It was certainly a much needed day out. Thanks little sister.

We wandered the shops there and found this lovely Spring Lamb. Isn't it gorgeous?

$160.00

Meanwhile early in the week when I was not good, John went off to the Community Garden Pizza Night. I made up the flour and we worked out all the ingredients and they had a lovely Christmas break up party.

 

John with the new Fantastic Pizza Oven the Roccbox.

There were a few problems but all were learning how to make pizzas for future events to sell. These are about 11 inches big.

I also opted out of Carols by Candlelight, and our Choir master asked for John, as they were a bit short of singers. 18 turned up in the end, and John informs me the noise was huge, and the stage very, very hot.
This is a photo of the stage set up. Everyone brings along chairs and food and sit around it. Just a large grassed flat park, and groups of singers entertain everyone till 9 pm.

2019 is nearly at its end, and tomorrow the 16th Dec. is our wedding anniversary, and we will have been 47 years married.


Stay safe everyone,  Till Next Time.

Frangipani, Beans, and a Pie

As a blogger you automatically take photos, as you go along the week. Sometimes I don't even know what I will say unless I look at the photos and this was such a week. I forgot what I had taken.

There has been so much pain in my body that I have had to move to an upstairs bedroom as managing the stairs early morning is so, so hard. Then struggling with breakfast and painkillers just to sit while something kicks in, doesn't stop it but dulls enough to actually do something. It is a bit of a waiting game changing over medicines as my Dr. is being very careful of what will affect me.

What I forgot about was the beans.

Beans dressed and ready for blanching once cut.

If you remember my beans were riddled with a Rust disease so I asked John to pick them all early this week. 2 big baskets full even I was surprised what was there. Some were a bit big so these I shelled and froze them as is. I remembered this idea from Vivi's Kitchen Garden, as she referred to  the word Demi-Sec, for beans that get to hard to eat. Don't know yet what I will do with them maybe with a sauce of some kind.

Ones that needed shelling. Demi-Sec

Thank goodness for my sister, who rings me every day to check on me, but also to take me to mum's, driving being out of the question. This week though we stopped at a Frangipani Display out the front of someone's house, as Jan said a bright light on a smokey day, or something to that nature haha.

It was the yellow one that caught my eye, I had never seen such a bright yellow, so Jan kindly got out and took the photos.

The others were all different colours, so I think they had been collected from friends and neighbours sort of thing rather than buying them.

 

This is the common one.

We drive pass this house every time and it was so unexpected, to suddenly notice them.

I tried out another pie this week, Chicken Pot Pie. I am really impressed with the Kmart Family Pie Maker. I pre cooked the chicken, mixed veg, stock cube, and just added to the pastry. Took about 10 mins and ended with 2 little ones as well which was lunch the next day. The big pie does us twice. Been doing that a lot lately, having the same meal twice in a row.

Cleome

So there we go another week gone by. Hopefully I will manage to get to choir this week, I was just too worn out  last Thursday evening, and we have another "gig" at Carols by Candlelight on the14th. and really need to make the effort to go. Not that we are singing any carols, we have never learnt any, but everyone is allowed 4 songs. It will be the first time I have attended this, even though it is held every year.

The fires now are getting really bad everywhere in Australia so stay safe every one.

Till Next Time.

ABC - Arthritis, Lunch Break, Choir

Finally got to see my Dr. this week, she took one look at me barely walking in and promptly gave me a prescription for Prednisone, bone density tests, blood tests and a new appointment tomorrow. Prednisone thins the bones which as I was on it fairly long term before I have to be very careful having a fall, as I am sure to break something. Anyway after much protesting she let me be on it just 10 days, as it is one of those drugs you have to scale back on. It certainly stopped the pain but noticing again today it is coming back, as I downsize the dosage, so hopefully will start something better tomorrow.

Dec 11th.2017

This didn't stop me going out although I have been driven everywhere not trusting myself and Jan and I did a weekly visit to  Mum's, again who is looking very frail.

Alzheimers is such a sad disease, when the person you love remembers nothing or can't speak.

Nov. 28th. 2019

  I missed my embroidery class Monday but we had our Christmas Luncheon at a cafe set in a garden.

There is a great shop attached as well. We exchanged home made goodies which was great as none of us need anymore things.

The chicken collector in me loved this stand.

The Sawtello Choir is being asked to do a few "gigs" and yesterday we sang at a fund raising for the Bush Fire Brigades, which was an all day thing. We sang at about 5.30 at the Coramba Pub, and it was the noisiest crowd. Lots of rock bands  had been playing and raffles, and auctions being held so we were quite a change. After our Choir Leader explained we were a Gospel Choir as he turned around and got us organized, someone yelled "Hurry up Pastor" which made our Alto group who was nearest laugh, as Andrew  is just a choir leader, and not many of us go to church anyway. I think the nickname will stick.

Inside the pub

Part of the donated Auctions and Raffle Prizes.

We sang our way through noise, laughter, chatter, waitresses and watching a  drunk  fello trying to join in, one bizarre moment after the other. I think we sounded all right we got lots of claps, funniest gig ever I think.

We sang where the Firies are in yellow, up close and personal.

Triple the amount of  people behind this table as in front. It was a large crowd.

To end this week today we attended the Christmas Break up party, of the Choir, down at the river. Although there is a BBQ end of  every term, first one we have attended. Everyone brings their instruments for a singalong, so lots of laughter and fun.

It is nice to see also the cooler weather as well, as it has rained a little also this week. At least the smoke has settled some what. I must say another busy and interesting week, despite Dr. visits.

 Till next time.

Christine Anu and Sawtello Gospel Choir

I can only presume the great tiredness I feel today is due to the adrenaline felt singing at the Jetty Theatre as Christine Anu's supporting act. We were well received by both audiences. 2pm and 8pm but as we went in at 12pm. to do sound checks, and a warm up then a wait of an hour in the green room, the excitement and nervousness with the group was very real. Really it was no different singing to the Coramba Fire Brigade audience but the fact we were supporting a very well know international artist was different.

 The 16 ladies that actually backed up her two songs I am Woman and My Island home must have had nerves of steel. We didn't stay for the actual concert and they were on last, so didn't get to hear them but they were well pleased after the afternoon show.

This is our stage,  and photo from her facebook page.

We then had a 4 1/2 hrs. at home, but I didn't do much except water the garden as it has been so windy this week the soil is drying out rapidly.

Back in we went by 7.30 to the green room, before we lined up on stage, and did it all again. 40 of us in all. I don't know what the audience thought when the curtains opened as no advertising had been done at all so we were a bit of a surprise.
 

Waiting outside to go to the green room.

  We sing in other languages so songs are from New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa as well as English ones.  All in 4 part harmony. John is with the men in the base section and I am in with Altos.

Taken at the Methodist Church  3 weeks ago, after we moved from the too small CWA Rooms. We are rapidly growing.

Prior to all this, Einstein was put into the Vet Hospital for two days also this week as he had a Paralysis tick that had been on him 3 days but the effect only came through by Wednesday night although I had noticed he was not well and checked him for ticks but found nothing, it was in his middle groin. The worry of all that I suppose added to this tiredness as well.

The wind has been horrible, and combined with all the smoke from the fires I can't say this has been a great week, other than the buzz of the concert.
 The potato pots and garden have been blown around so much they look half dead.

Last week they were lush and looking great

I would have thought these were protected

I did pull up more garlic from the back, only small as the soil is not as good as the front.

Also this week tried out my new Kmart Family pie maker. This saves having to put the oven on when I just want a quick quiche or pie for the two of us, takes no time at all to cook either and very pleased with it.

Shortcrust bottom and Puff on Top

Bacon, mushrooms, onion, cheese pie. Very filling also

I hope your week went well and the wind wasn't a nuisance as it has been here.

Till Next Time.

Sawtello Gospel Choir - Coramba Hall Concert

Today I participated in raising money for the Coramba Rural Fire Brigade by singing with the Sawtello Choir. John also joined in as he is part of the men's bass group, I am in the Altos. I have belonged to the group for a year now.

This was of course after minding the 6 year old twins and our 11 yr old granddaughter Saturday, and this morning (Sunday), while mum and dad went to a wedding. The eldest two girls stayed home and looked after themselves, both studying. Miss G being in year 12 and full on with exams at the moment and Miss C in year 10.

This country hall is 105 years old and very well built, the acoustics were fantastic.

We had to bring a plate to this fundraiser so luckily Miss P loves to cook and whipped up the chocolate chip slice, that my bestie gave me years ago.

Just part of what was supplied

31 members turned up to sing but the audience was triple that I am sure,we all took up the whole hall. Our leader Andrew had made stands for us to sing on and these were placed in front of the stage as some choristers, would have been hidden. He preferred to be closer to the audience anyway.

The Tallowood Bush Band also played as Barry, part of that group is also in our choir, how lucky is that. They went on first and I thoroughly enjoyed it, Irish jigs and old Australian Bush Ballads. Such a talented group each played at least 2 instruments some 3.

Barry is in the yellow shirt.

We sang for 20 mins after the band, then it was time for a cuppa and a chat, then we sang again for about an hour which is what we will be doing with Christine Anu's concert in November as her supporting act.

I am in the back row 2nd from RH side. John is taking photo.

In the end we made over $1,000.00 to help the Coramba Rural Fire Brigade. There is 51 fires currently burning in NSW alone and the Bee's Nest is still burning, of which 120,000 hectares burnt so far. Just about every day, unless windy, the smoke is around us all the time.

We are waiting here for Andrew to bring his trailer so the stands can be loaded by the men, but my feet were killing me for standing so long.

It was a good afternoon, with a meal and some laughs at the local pub later,with a few of the group, to save me cooking when I got home. I shall sleep well tonight.

Till Next Time.