The 12 Days of Christmas - Aussie Style

On the FIRST day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
A kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the SECOND day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the THIRD day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the FOURTH day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the FIFTH day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the SIXTH day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the SEVENTH day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the EIGHTH day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Eight dingos dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the NINTH day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Nine crocs a-snoozing,
Eight dingos dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the TENTH day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Ten wombats washing,
Nine crocs a-snoozing,
Eight dingos dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the ELEVENTH day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Eleven lizards leaping,
Ten wombats washing,
Nine crocs a-snoozing,
Eight dingos dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,

And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the TWELFTH day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me,
Twelve possums playing,
Eleven lizards leaping,
Ten wombats washing,
Nine crocs a-snoozing,
Eight dingos dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

Mmmm ... The Smell Of Christmas ...

Hi There !!

Guess what .... I've been baking !!! Chicky and I went through a multitude of cookbooks that I have collected over the years, and chose a few not-so-hard goodies to make for Christmas. It was great fun, as we haven't ever done a big Christmas baking session like this before. I used to do a lot of baking, but for some reason, the last few years I haven't done ANY !! As we went from one project to the next, I tried to teach her about cleaning up as we go (she conveniently disappeared at washing up time ... although she loved the mixing and tasting !!!).

Anyway, firstly we made Chocolate Rum Balls (minus the rum !!), in two different coatings ... coconut and chocolate sprinkles !

Next we made Shortbread Jewels ...

Then we made Christmas Biscuits that I found in a microwave cookbook (hence their paleness), and then Cinnamon Stars (from a German Dr. Oetker cookbook) ...

We also made Coconut Ice, but that is still setting in the fridge, so I haven't taken any photographs of it yet !!

Now, the quality of my baking (and the photography thereof) leaves alot to be desired, as does the presentation. However, it all tastes pretty yummy, if I do say so myself !!

There is something so wonderful about the smell of Christmas baking, or any sort of baking for that matter. The house smells amazing, and it sure does put you in the Christmas spirit. We even played Christmas music to start off with (then Chicky decided she wanted "her" music playing !!!). Right now, though, my poor back is killing me, from standing at the kitchen bench for such a long time !!! (That's right, I'm a sook !!!)

The past few days have been fairly quiet on my part, although I did get the majority of my Christmas shopping finished. I'm very pleased about that. Now I just need to wrap it all ... I'll do that next week, whilst Chicky is at school and Hubby is at work.

I had to take my Bambi kitty to the vet yesterday. On Thursday night the poor thing kept us awake all night, with her going back and forward to her litter tray (which is in the laundry, within hearing of the bedroom !!) to try and do wees !! Seems she has a urinary infection, and is on anti-biotics for a week. She's much better now, and didn't visit her tray once last night (thank goodness).

Our weather has taken a turn for the better at the moment, regarding the bushfires. It is quite mild, and the wind is minimal. They are hoping to get much of it under control by the end of the weekend. Finger crossed. Unfortunately, there has now been some properties lost, and one man was killed in the fire. Hopefully there won't be any more losses, of life or property.

Hubby has headed up to Bonnie Doon for the weekend, to do some maintenance on our bathroom up there. We were going to go too, but decided to stay home to keep an eye on the cat. I didn't want to further stress her out, by dumping her in her carrier basket, and taking her to the boarding cattery, after having to take her to the vet yesterday... poor thing, she doesn't really like to travel in the car (or her carry basket ... not that I blame her !!). Anyway, Hubby rang earlier, saying that it is very smokey there (it is only about 45 minutes drive ... if that ... from the fires). Apparently this is a good day up there, smoke wise, but it is worse than what we were experiencing here ... I imagine it must be awful, I'm kinda glad we didn't go. I prefer the smell of Christmas baking to that of smoke !!!

Oh well, I guess that's enough from me for now.

I hope you are all well and truly on top of your Christmas preparations ... if not, it's gonna be a big week for you !!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Take care,

MEOW

What Part Of Christmas Are You ?

Wednesday With Meow ...

Hello, all you Bloggers out there !!

I hope you are all as well and as happy as I am today.

The only thing is, I am feeling a bit frustrated that I have been unable to talk to you guys out there who are on Beta Blogger ... it won't let me comment, won't let me log on, or whatever ... not even as "Anonymous". Don't know why, but it has been happening since yesterday (Tuesday afternoon, Aussie time). Apologies for not visiting, but I have visited, but just cannot comment.

This little elf is 'specially for Blogger ... I'm not happy !!!

Anyway, on with my post ...

The world has gone mad !!! Yep, it's true !!! Believe me, or not, it's totally up to you, but I say it has gone mad !!

Saturday and Sunday, here in Melbourne, the weather was a stinking (literally) 40+C (100+F) degrees, with a thick cover of smoke (coming from the bush fires raging around the state ... and now also in Tasmania). Monday was a pleasant low 20sC (70ish F), still some smoke cover, and Tuesday (yesterday) was quite cool, with clear blue skies. It got so cold last night, that hubby turned on the heating !!! This morning was still cool, but the day has progressed at a pleasant temperature, with a not-so-pleasant blanket of smoke over the whole city and suburbs. Blech. It is awful. I gave in, did some laundry, and hung it up outside (I don't have a clothes dryer ... right now, I wish I did !!). I figured everyone is in the same boat, and we will all smell smokey, anyway !! Hmmm, wonder if that's such a good idea, after all !! (In days long ago, didn't they smoke all their meat, to preserve it ??? Perhaps I should go stand in the smoke ... It might preserve me, too !!!)

The view out my back door, looking up the hill towards Burwood Highway ... the faint things in the distance are trees ... usually very green !!!

Hmmm, I think this is the sun, through a very thick blanket of smoke !

For those of you wondering, Chicky played her netball grand final on Saturday (in that mega-heat!!). Unfortunately, they didn't win, but they did play very well. Just wasn't their day, I guess. Oh well, they did wonderfully to get there in the first place, so they can be congratulated for that. They were so excited to just be playing in the grand final, but I guess they were a bit disappointed they didn't win. There's always next season !!

I'm very proud of myself, I have got all my Christmas cards written, printed and posted. Whoo-hoo, yay me !! What a champion !! Hopefully I haven't left it too late for the overseas cards !!

I still haven't done any more Christmas shopping, as I was concentrating on my Christmas cards (I sent out about 110 of them !!!). Hopefully, tomorrow (Thursday) I can continue, and maybe even finish ... cross your fingers !!!

As I mentioned, the bushfires are still raging. Here are a couple of maps (if Blogger lets me load them !) which, if you know the area, might tell you a little bit about what's going on. There are a few fires that have joined up, making an enormous fire front. I think the fire-fighters are finding it quite difficult, due to the terrain, and the bizarre weather ... hot, cold, windy, not windy ... hopefully there will be no lives lost.

(This is the current fire map ... click on the image to enlarge it, I guess !!)

I have another map I wanted to post, but Booger Blogger won't let me !!

Isn't it getting exciting, now that Christmas is getting so close !! I love Christmas. I'm like a little kid on Christmas Eve, when we go to my parent's place for dinner, then share presents. I usually have a grin from ear to ear. It is so much fun. We have a lovely evening, just the 5 of us (mum, dad, hubby, Chicky and me). We chat, eat, drink, and just enjoy being with each other. There's nothing nicer. I love being with my family, they are simply the best. Christmas morning is all about Chicky. Santa has been, just for her ... the look on her face when she finds her gifts in her Santa Sack, and opens them, is just amazing. I hope Santa can think of the perfect present for her this year ... any ideas ?!?!?!

Oh well, I had better go. I will try and comment on the Beta Blogger blogs again ... what is going on with that !?!?! I wonder, are those of you on Beta able to comment on old Blogger blogs ???

Enjoy the rest of the week, everyone.

Take care,



MEOW

CATS ON TUESDAY # 2

Hmmmm, what to write about for my 2nd Cats On Tuesday !!!!

I might just quickly share a photo, as I need to do some other things, and want to make it quick this week ... sorry !!

We have a tree stump, probably about my shoulder height, which Bambi just loves to sit on. Here she is, in a contemplative pose ... she is a very photogenic kitty !!

You know, I think Bambi is a very odd kitty. Over the weekend, we had 40C plus (100F plus) temperatures, it was also very smokey (due to the massive bushfires raging throughout Victoria). We happily chose to stay inside, with the air-conditioning, where it was wonderfully comfortable. You'd think a cat, who is wearing a fur coat, would also enjoy it inside. But, nooooo, she would rather be out in the revolting, stinky heat. Go figure !!!

Anyway, as I said, this is just a quick "Cats On Tuesday" this week. I will try to put more thought into it next week.

Take care,

MEOW

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