Saturday

Yesterday hubby and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary (which was on Thursday) by going out for the day.  We went to a restaurant called Max's at Red Hill Estate on the Mornington Peninsula for lunch, the food was wonderful.  The portions were just the right size and absolutely delicious.  Of course no celebration is complete for me without a glass of bubbly.

 Warm bread with balsamic vinegar, dukkah and olive oil for dipping.  We had already got stuck in by the time I remembered to take this photo.

 This was the view we had from our table.

I chose a fillet of steak.  I'm hopeless at cooking steak so I like to let the chef do that if I eat out.

Hubby chose snapper with a spicy topping which had been grilled.

Then there was dessert.  I deliberately decided not to have an entree so I'd have room for something sweet.  My dessert was a rich chocolate ganache with homemade honeycomb and coconut icecream.

Hubby chose caramel cheesecake which he said was delicious.

 We finished with a nice coffee all the while looking at the lovely view and watching the changing weather which was typically spring for our part of the world.  Raining and light hail with gusty winds followed by sunshine then back to rain and hail.  The cloud formations were wonderful.

 We had a quick walk around outside after our meal and in between showers of rain.  These two ducks were happily eating grass.

 

After leaving the Red Hill Estate we went driving and stopped at Shoreham Beach for a spell.  It was too windy and cold to go walking so enjoyed the view from the car.

 Hubby noticed that most of these pot holes were round in shape.  Bit of a bumpy drive in this car park.

 Rye back beach.  It was extremely rough and cold and got out the car for about two minutes before hopping back into the warmth.

 We drove up to Arthur's Seat and looked over Port Phillip Bay.  This is looking south with nasty weather on the way.

 Looking toward the north of the bay.

We had a lovely time driving around different places on the Morning Peninsula which is where hubby grew up as a child and teenager.   When we arrived home all was quiet.  As we came in the back door to our main living area we noticed candles had been lit, a vase of flowers placed on a cloth on the table and an electronic photo frame displaying various photos of hubby and I on our wedding day, our Europe trip and other occasions when we have had photos taken together put to a beautiful piece of music.  This was Charlotte and Genevieve's anniversary gift too us.  It made me cry it was such a thoughtful thing to do.  We had no idea what they'd been up too.

Thank you girls for such a lovely and touching gift.

Wishing everyone a lovely week ahead,

Anne xx

Milestones

A few milestones are happening in our household during the of month of September.  One is to do with age and the other with marriage.  On the 27th of September, tomorrow, hubby and I will have been married for 25 years.  It seems incredible that we have been married for 25 years and I can honestly say that we are truly happy.  Hubby is my soul mate, best friend and that's a wonderful thing to say about your partner in life.  On Saturday we are going to a lovely restaurant down on the Mornington Peninsula to celebrate.

The other milestone, the age one was celebrated last week.  My oh my, I have been spoilt rotten by my beautiful family and friends.  I had simply the most enjoyable day and then on Saturday.  My gorgeous sister hosted a family celebration at her house.  Considering she is studying part time, working part time, has two enthusiastic and energetic teenagers and is extremely busy, I really appreciate the effort she, my brother-in-law and my nephew and niece went to on my behalf.  Thank you so much.

I hope you won't mind me sharing this special time with you with some photos.

My good friend Jan gave me this beautiful Azalea which is now planted in the garden.

Hubby had these gorgeous flowers delivered.

 He also spoilt me with this delicious box of super yummy chocolates.

My girls spoilt me too.  Genevieve gave me a voucher for a massage, what bliss!

 Charlotte blew my away by giving me these.

Derwent  watercolour pencils, the ultimate luxury for artists.  Look at all those glorious colours.  I can't wait to get sketching using these.

Genevieve was snapping photos while I was opening this gift.  The girls had never heard me squeal quite like it before, I felt like at little girl on Christmas morning.  And you can see by the crazy expression on my face how excited I was.  I must admit to having a few tears and cuddles with Charlotte as I was so overwhelmed by her very thoughtful gift.

Hubby REALLY spoilt me with this ring bought in Abu Dhabi on our way home from Europe a combination birthday/anniversary present.  I can't believe how beautiful it is.  Thank you darling.

My sister and brother-in-law gave me some most luxurious Crabtree & Evelyn foot care products and a gold chain anklet.  My brother and sister-in-law gave me a bottle of Channel No. 5, my favourite perfume.  Blogger is misbehaving and the photos won't paste the right way up.  Grrrr.  Dad and Mum gave me a gift of money with which I have bought some gorgeous books.  I'm waiting for a delivery from Book Depository and then I'll share them with you.  Hubby's siblings have given me a gift of money with which I am going to buy an easel for painting my oils which I will also share with you later.

I have been spoilt beyond words but the greatest gift I have been given is the gift of love shown to me by my hubby, daughters,  family and friends.  A special thank you goes to my big brother in the west who I miss so very much and understands me so well.  Thanks cob for always being there for me.  Love that limerick.  :) 

This is just a small selection of the delicious food my sister and sister-in-law had prepared.  The main meal was scrumptious and plentiful.  The house was decorated beautifully, thanks kids for blowing up all those balloons.  Vintage china was used and glasses of bubbly enjoyed.

I have tried and tried to get the photo below to turn the right way to no avail.  I'm using a new laptop and I've yet to work out what I need to do.  Any suggestions as to what blogger is doing here?

Just look at these birthday cakes.  Absolutely delicious mini carrot cakes in the most gorgeous vintage paper cases and topped by sparklers with the number 50 of course.

And because it is our 25th Wedding Anniversary tomorrow, just for fun I've posted a photo of what I looked like all those years ago. 

If you are still reading, thanks for your patience and tolerance with a somewhat self indulgent post.

Anne  xx

My week

Last weekend our family travelled to Bendigo to see my niece perform in her school production of Les Miserables.  

 My niece pictured below played the role of Eponine.  We were amazed and wowed by her singing voice and acting abilities.  The whole production was fantastic with the music performed by a combination of teachers and students from the school.

We stayed the night with my brother and sister-in-law and were treated to an incredible brunch including this platter of wonderful fruit,  followed by hot drinks and this yummy orange drizzle cake made by a family friend also staying over.

  

 The late night proved just a bit too much for Miss Genevieve who snuggled under this gorgeous quilt made by my sister-in-law.

 

 After brunch I went for a stroll out in the garden and discovered the family cat Mr. Mistoffelees sunning himself.

 

On the drive back to Melbourne we past Hanging Rock a former volcano.  This isn't a very good photo, it's much more interesting formation up close and personal.

Monday was my sister's birthday so we decided to go to the Acorn Nursery, one of our favourite places to visit where we can not only enjoy the flowers and plants for sale but the wonderful food at the cafe and wandering around the gorgeous gift shop.

I made this birthday card for my sister.

Hubby has been working on tidying up part of our back yard where our bins are kept.  We have pavers from previous projects available to use as the base.

While he was moving dirt he came across this Land Crayfish which I've blogged about before.  Our chook made short work of him and was gobbled up in seconds.

I've been working on some more illustrations/sketches for card making purposes.  It's such an enjoyable thing to do but I really must get back to my oil painting which has been somewhat neglected the past few months.

The creative pursuits certainly helps keep me calm during times of worry.  My Dad spent some time in hospital a week or so ago as he was having problems breathing.  He is home now and has oxygen available to him when he needs it.  It is sad for me to see this once strong farmer unable to do very much anymore due to his health but am so happy he is in good spirits and I get to speak to him everyday on the phone.  With my Dad not well, Mum is basically doing much of the work that use to be shared between them which is tiring for her.  Not that she is complaining, she never has or will and is so appreciative to be able to care for him.

My sister and family are visiting them in a week or so to be followed by hubby and Charlotte early November and then when Genevieve has finished exams, she and I will visit in late November, early December.  I am indeed very fortunate to be able to visit so frequently not only to see them but to help where I can.

I hope you all have a lovely week ahead and thank you so much for stopping by.

Anne  xx

Annie

Annie Ashby was my paternal great grandmother and on Friday I found her final resting place.  She rests near a beautiful gum tree in one of Melbourne's old cemeteries.  

The day was typically Spring like for Melbourne, windy with squalls of rain one minute and sunshine the next.  It seemed the perfect weather in which to make her acquaintance, unpredictable and beautiful all in the one day.

 

Annie was born in 1856 and died in 1901, a relatively young women.  There is nothing fancy about her grave.   There is no headstone or marker, her grave identifiable only by an old cemetery map and the names of those around her that are marked.

 She rests in the ground below the grass in the middle of the photo above and in between two other graves marked by stone/cement rectangles.

 

 She died in a city that had just come through a depression and there wouldn't have been money for a fancy grave.

  

  

Gum nuts found on a gum tree and and a few sprigs of flowers taken from a shrub growing nearby seemed to be the perfect components for an impromptu bouquet to place on her grave.

R.I.P Annie.