~New Purple Boots~New Kitchen Floor and Dinner~Plus a Special Birthday~

I mentioned to Susan recently that I had new purple boots and she asked to see a pic of them...

so here they are Susan...I love wearing them and they are so comfy...and they go with everything!!!

And perfect with THAT bag that's nearly finished......see post below

Here is our kitchen floor last night with a second coat of tung oil...

no going in there...

so while JoJo was out with her Peer Support Group Hubby organized for us to go out for dinner...

We went to our favourite place in town...Little Restaurant and Bar

This little place never fails to deliver...the Host Gary takes time to get to know you...

and the food Never disappoints!!!

Mr Armchair started with Pan Fried Squid Rings with Chorizo Sausage, Potato, Peas and Paprika...

Eden Black Mussels steamed with White Wine, Garlic, Fresh Herbs and Roasted Tomatoes...

very very tasty!!!

Mr A chose Escalopes of Veal with Crushed Potatoes, Rocket, Red Peppers, Parmesan and Roast Balsamic Glaze...

I had what I reckon was the Dish of the Night...

Twice Cooked Pork Belly with Roasted Pears, Pickled Cranberries, Pear Cider Jus and Potato Mash...

EXTREMELY delicious!!!

Fries...

Vegies...

The wine...Mayhem Big Barrels Small Berries Shiraz 2009......McLaren Vale

A perfect drop for the evening!

Pear, Pistachio and Tamarillo Crostata with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream...

and for me Panna Cotta with Pears......yummy!!!

Kahlua Affogato...

A lovely evening for us both as we don't get out too often by ourselves...

Seeing there is another coat on the floor today it's Chinese tonight!!!

And I just had to do a quick post here on my Dad (mans Papins)

He passed away whilst in his 40's and it is his Birthday today...

Happy Birthday dear Dad

Daudz Laimes Dzimsanas Diena

Even though he's been gone many years now I still think of him everyday

How he would've loved to see his Family grow up and then become a Great Grandfather himself...

I wasn't going to......but I did

I'm off to Rehearsals this afternoon for The Bay Theatre Players Production of Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance playing in October/November later this year

I'm in the Chorus of Police...

so it's tarantara from me for now......Dzintra

Sewing, Reading, The Kitchen...A Landslip and Bay Theatre Players

Boy isn't this year just screaming along...already May here and to think the Sun will be making it's way back to our part of the world next month!!!

Isn't this just the sweetest little pouch above stitched by Fiona at my Needlework Group

and here it is opened up...

I'm thinking I might do it in this fabric...bright paisleys by Dear Stella...

quite different from my usual darker fabrics but I think I just love paisley!!!

And who can resist Miss Fisher, played by Essie Davis especially her costumes...her hair and what she gets up to!!!

I've bought the first book by Kerry Greenwood and can see myself slowly getting the full series...

Just love the show and settings of the 1920's...mesmerizing!!!

After getting a new stove last year we found that the lino didn't make it to the full width of the floor and after some time (months and months) we purchased some black and white chequered lino...

Miss Fisher even has something similar!!!

As we expected there was timber underneath the lino and now we are thinking we might try to do a bit of sanding and leave it there rather than cover it over...we'll see how we go with it!!!

A few weeks ago due to heavy rain there was a landslip on the Clyde Mountain due to heavy rain...

Mr Armchair commutes on this road during the week...luckily it was all fixed within a week!!!

Pics from the internet...

Our small local theatre...The Bay Theatre Players has just finished up their first play for this year...

'We Found Love and an Exquisite set of Porcelain Figurines aboard the SS Farndale Avenue'

~By David McGillivray and Walt Zerlin Jnr~

The set...

The cast...

Another great play and a very popular one being done by many Amateur Theatre companies!!!

The next play scheduled is Season's Greetings by Alan Ayckbourn

'It's Christmas in July, and passions flare as family, friends and an unexpected guest endure three days of Christmas  holiday festivities...Ayckbourn's customary ironic views on life and love combine with excessive seasonal spirit(s) to present this perfect gift of a show'

Playing:  Preview 15 July-August 4

Followed by Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan...

and I'm one of the 'singing' Policemen!!!

SSCS (Secret Santa Christmas Swap) 2011...received from Lynn

Finally I can reveal my gift for SSCS received from Lynn...

This is the first time that I have been involved with this Swap and I have thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

Thank you so much Chooky for organizing this...it must be a mammoth task for you...

This is the card I received from Lynne...see all the little gingerbread men...

followed by a little gingerbread cutter and a felt one...

Lynn figured that JoJo has a sweet tooth...

and yes Lynn, you are dead right about that ha ha!!!!!

My parcel also included some fat quarters...

A very pretty tea towel and pot-holder...

And here are the goodies all together...

Part of the card read,

"When I read your first post about SSCS2011, and how excited you were to be participating in it,

I knew it would be especially fun for me this year......

My goal this year was bright and fun and happy"

And here is Lynn's bright, happy and very fun table topper!!!

Santa on a surfboard...palm trees...blue skies

This pretty much sums up an Australian Christmas Lynn...

Sun, surf, beach and of course Santa...

Not to mention Salty Blue Days on the beach...

And the back of the topper...just as much FUN!!!

This whole swap was fun...thank you so much Lynn and once again to Chooky!!!

A Trip Up To The 'Big Smoke'...

Mr Armchair commutes to work and one day a couple of weeks ago JoJo and I went with him up to Canberra for some shopping and a dental appointment...

We left the Bay...some of the scenes just before we crossed the bridge...

and headed up the Mountain...

One of my favourite shops...The Essential Ingredient at Kingston and not far from the Dentist and when we come up here we always call in and get a little something...

Beautiful timber boards...

Colourful tagines...

French cheeses on offer...

and Cornichons...we bought a little cheese and 2 jars of these Cornichons!!!

Later on JoJo had a chocolate biscuit...

and I had the best breakfast

Home made Hash Browns...the best scrambled egg...and tomato topped with rocket lettuce...

just perfect on a cold winter's day...

This is the cafe...as you can see not much action outside due to the cold day...

but lovely and warm inside...it will probably be busier later on in the day!!!

After that we headed off in to town to meet my Daughter and 

Grandson who both had a ride on the merry go round ...

a must do while up here!!!

The original organ, the hand-carved woodenThe merry- go-round started life in Melbourne in 1914. The fifty two hand carved wooden horses and two elephants were specially imported from Germany. 

The twisted brass upright poles came from Scotland. 

After extensive restoration work, the merry-go-round began operating in Canberra's Petrie Plaza in 1974. TTTThe ed wooden horses iand the two elephants were imported from Germany, while its twisted brass poles came all the way from Scotland.

And here's a big wave from Ryan!!!

After that we wandered around for a bit and then headed off to have a coffee...hot chocolate and chat before going in different directions and then finally back home again...

A Great Day!!!

It's been quite cold here this Winter although not as cold as where we came from inland...

Keeping warm and cozy inside and not venturing out too much is what's happening here...

Getting JoJo off everyday on her programme and being here when she comes back...

and of course too many stitching projects to do...

How come I keep wanting to get more!!!

A litte bit of baking and cooking been happening here too this week...

All good for the Soul!!!

Keep warm...Dzintra