It's an Amineko Party

Hi Everyone ...

Yesterday (Saturday) I joined a group of women, two of whom I have known via blogging and Facebook for five or so years, but have never actually met face to face.  One of these lovely ladies, Susan (along with her beautiful daughter Renata) has regular get togethers, which she calls UFO days (or occasionally Stitch & Bitch days !), where the attendees bring whatever stitching / knitting / crocheting / whatever project they happen to be working on, along with a plate of something to share for lunch.  Susan has been inviting me to join this group for quite a few months, but various circumstances have stopped me from being able to attend.  This month, I decided that nothing would stop me from attending !!

So, after dropping Elisabeth off at work in the morning, I filled my car up with petrol, and off I went with my Google Maps instructions on how to get there.  It took around 2 hours, there was a bit of traffic, but eventually I got there, just before 11am.

There were around 8 or 9 women there, as the day progressed, and the room was full of crafting and chatting.  We had a lovely lunch, there was a great variety, and lots of it.  I had made some mini quiches, which everyone seemed to like, as they were all eaten.

Susan has a family of Amineko cats (and a dog) which she has crocheted, so I took my Amineko cat, Neko, along for a visit ... he loved meeting Susan's critters, and it seemed they had lots of fun catching up.

Here is a photo of the 4 of them ... My Neko is the one on the left !!

Here is a photo of Susan, Renata and myself (hmmm, you'd think I would've smiled a little bit, wouldn't you !?!?!  I've never liked myself in photos, and in this one I am all shiny ... oh well ... Susan and Renata look great !!)

As the afternoon progressed, the sky started to darken, and as the majority of us had travelled from Melbourne (the gathering was just outside of Castlemaine), people started heading home so as not to get caught in the forecast storm.  I left around 4pm, and had an easy drive home, arriving just as the rain started spitting.

I had a great day meeting these lovely two ladies, along with all the other ladies that were there.  I am really bad with names, so unfortunately I cannot remember most of their names ... I hope they forgive me when next we meet, if I don't know them by name !!!

I just want to say a big thank you to Susan and Renata for inviting me, and for opening their home on a regular basis like this.  I look forward to joining the group again, as it was a wonderful day.

Happy crafting, everyone ...

Take care,

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Hello Everyone !!

Hope you had an enjoyable slide into the New Year ... it's incredible to think it is already 2012 ... it seems like only yesterday that we were welcoming (or dreading !?!?!) the new Millennium ... and now it is 12 years later ... wow, how time flies !!!

We have been enjoying holidays since December 23rd (that was Baron's last day of work for the year), although Elisabeth hasn't been fortunate enough to have a holiday break this Summer ... she hasn't been working long enough yet !! 

We celebrated Christmas Eve with my parents, and had a wonderful time, as always, eating, talking, exchanging presents, drinking, and just enjoying each other's company.

Christmas Day was fairly quiet for Baron and I ... Elisabeth spent most of the day with her (now ex) boyfriend and family, but came home with a good friend for dinner outside by the spa ... it was a lovely evening, with lovely weather (and a few too many mozzies, unfortunately !!).

We had a quiet Boxing Day at home, then Baron and I headed off the next morning to join friends on the Murray River, near Barooga, for a few days (poor Elisabeth had work, so she stayed home !).  We had fun, enjoyed the company of lovely people, but I felt bad about leaving Elisabeth home alone.  We arrived back home on the 30th December.

New Year's Eve, as soon as Elisabeth finished work around 5pm, the three of us headed off to Bonnie Doon, to celebrate New Years with all of our friends at Peppin Point.  We had a great time, partied hard, and (unfortunately) felt a bit seedy for New Year's Day (particularly Baron, who slept through half the day !!!).

This photo is the whole gang, just after midnight, posing for a (very drunken) group shot ...

We went out in our friend's boat in the afternoon on New Years Day, for a while, had a swim, and enjoyed the great weather ... it was quite hot up there !! 

My beautiful daughter sitting in the front of the boat ...

Going under the Bonnie Doon bridges ...

Looking toward the bridge on Dry Creek Road, Bonnie Doon ...

We came home yesterday (Monday), before the day got too hot, and have had the airconditioning on almost non stop ever since (only turning it off briefly, as it iced up overnight ... must've got humid overnight!). 

I picked up Bambi this morning, from the boarding cattery ... the silly cat has been meowing not stop, wanting cuddles and attention, going in, and out, and in, and out ... OMG, wish I had a revolving door, or a cat flap, for her !!!

It seems weird being home already ... we are usually away for a full two weeks ! Baron doesn't go back to work till the 9th January.  We plan on doing a lot of nothing between now and then ... maybe go for a drive or two, and do some stuff around the house (maybe !!). 

I hope your holidays are going well, and the weather, wherever you are, is being kind.  Enjoy your time with family and friends.

Until next time ...

Take care,