General Chat

Well I am back and I have done most of my Christmas present shopping and am feeling very proud of myself...Did it all in 21/2 hours, and it was made easier as daughter in Orange sent me a list of what the children would like and all I did was go in and buy it.. so really I was cheating as it usually takes me hours walking up and down isle after isle..Called in to see our old nextdoor neighbour to give her her Christmas present and took one look at our old house and thought ,,,no I dont miss it,, Lara If you are on your own for Christmas why dont you book into a flash restaurant for Christmas lunch..Saves cooking and gives you a break from dishes..lol You are always welcome at daughters in Orange for lunch if you can make it..Just let me know you are comming and I will set 2 more places.. Yvette and Sandra ,, Looks like you two got all the rain.. We got nothing and I could count the drops if I didnt walk so fast. Loved the sound of the rice paper rolls..Were you making them all day,,30 odd is quite a number..You sure you not selling them in a shop or smfink...lol,,,yummy... Hope the Printhess Lolly is driving careful and watching out for all the lunies out there who only know one way to drive,,,flat out,,, Lonch calling as I can feel those little gremlins in my tummy grumbling.. Love Mary xxxxx

Sorry Lara, did get your email, thanks. Only getting one email from you - but getting two from Jood at the moment! Yvette, here's another fun meal you can do with rice paper rounds: Finely shred lettuce, carrots, greens of choice, sprouts,mushrooms, pineapple, mint, other herbs of choice, omlette, avocado and anything else you feel like. prepare dipping sauce of choice. prawns, crab meat if you like AND very finely sliced beef or pork from an asian shop. get your electric frying pan or wok on the table with constantly simmering water in it (can add dried fishes to water to freak kid's out if you likeThey sort of 'swim' around as the water boils :) Add slices of meat to cook in water and immerse rice paper in the water VERY carefully to just soften it but not so it falls apart. Spread it out on your plate, add meat etc and small amounts of vegeys. Fold up and eat. is a real hands on meal - caters to all different tastes - and is really good fun. Vonny

Afternoon Wattlers Lara the miserys must have been popular yesterday. I felt a bit grump, and still do. Dannielle came home from school red as red can be from sunburn on the face and arms. The grade 6's went for a walk to local golf course, which is a 5 k walk each way, they spent the day there swiming in the members pool and playing games, well it was a warm day of 21 degrees and a uv factor of 11, the teachers took alll the kids bags in the car so they didnt have to carry them, which was good, but some of the children had their hats in the bag, sooo after a 5 k walk with no protection, most of the damage had probably already been done, why the teachers didnt get the car to come back so the kids could get their hats or lend them some out of lost property or something would be better than nothing, and this is from a school that wont allow the children to play outside in the sun at recess or lunch even for 10 minutes without a hat. Then on top of that the teachers also forgot the sunscreen that is supplied by the school for such occasions. They was out in it all day. So Dannielle woke up this morning with her cheeks already starting to blister, being a redhead she burns easy, I know the kids should take a bit of responsibility, but still they are still only kids and dont always think. Grrrr ok I'll get of my soap box, sorry about that but I just needed to let off some steam. Ok on a brighter note, looks like David and myself will be having a few days break down at St Helens, we asked our landlord and his shack is empty so whoo hoo, looking forward to it, might even take a trip to Wineglass Bay as we wont have any children complaining about the walking. And sitting on the balcoonie with a Jim Beam in hand watching the sunset over the bay,mmmmm nearly as good as our printhess' Balcoonie in Sydney, hee hee Loved the chrissy tree and still trying to put name to a couple of faces, but it was very artistic. I have printed it out and got it stuck above the puta screen so everytime Im on here I can look at our tree, and think of all the lovely times we have had over the last year. Thanks Wattlers :-))))))) Cheers Sue

Hi Wattlers, a recipe for Irish Cream Liqueur ( at Lews request) 1 x 750ml bottle of Irish Whiskey 83/4oz milk choc 2 x 14oz cans sweetened condensed milk 2 x 12oz cans evap milk 21/2 cups heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon instant coffee Pour small amount whiskey into large bowl. In top of double boiler, melt choc,stiring constantly until smooth. Mix melted choc with whiskey in bowl. Gradually stir in sweetened and evap milk. Stir in cream, coffee and remaining whiskey Pour into 3 x 750ml bottles,seal and store in fridge. Best if left for 1 month before using. Shake well , serve over ice. Thaks Tony for the wonderful xmas tree....very clever ~~~ to all the Wattlers Flakey

Arvo...:>)) Very smokey here in Melb,with visability down to about 1km. Heard on the radio and in the bank this morning that there are fires at Maiden town, also near Walhalla, Rawsons, and Erica. Glad you liked the chrissy tree...:>)) Yes...i forgot to add meself...:>((( ....CRAFT moment....lol Just stopping for half an hour for a bite to eat, before hitting the roads again. Rudes Xmas recipe: Remove V.B tablet from fridge. Rip head of bottle top. Drink....:>))) Hope everyones havin a great day. catcha ron. Rudes...:>)))

Hi Wattlers, Seems like ages since I left a message, but I have been looking in every day. I don't know why but we have been really busy. Had to go out on Monday morning and called in to buy some shade cloth. we then spent the rest of the day and next morning making shade cloth blinds for out westerly facing windows. It amazing the difference it has made. Best $100 we have ever spent. We had friends round last Saturday and they have been here again this morning bringing another friend. We have been invited out for lunch on Saturday, which I am really looking forward to. And here was I thinking Christmas was going to be quiet. Oh and we have got a duckling for chrissie dinner, there are just the 2 of us so a turkey would be too big. Sorry fluffy. Tony, you are so clever, I will be doing the same as Tassie, few faces I don't recognise though. Thanks for all the lovely cards, hope I manage to find the time to return same. Mary are you sure you are not giving out a false gender and its really you who got that nugget? LOL That would get us all to Kew. It's too hard for my poor brain to remember everything that has been going on, but I hope that every one that has been ill is starting to feel better. Those that are partying hard don't have too bad a hang over and those that haven't started are getting prepared. And I hope that Molly gets his dog back. Luv SuzyQ

Good afternoon Wattlers Since recipes are all the go, I thought I'd share this one. I found it in the front of an old CWA recipe book which I've had since Adam was a boy! TO PRESERVE HUSBANDS 'A husband, like peaches, will not keep the year round unless he is well preserved. First, select him carefully. Be sure he is not too green, nor over-ripe. He might look very tempting and mellow in the market, but if he is too old he will not stand the test of the preserving process and will expose his hard, stony heart. Husbands grown in the tropic of pleasure look very fine but are usually insipid. The home-grown are best. Select yours from a family tree growing on the sunny side of the church. You will be sure he is sound of heart. Unsound husbands, like unsound peaches, often have to be sorrowfully cast away. Having selected your husband, you should have a clear, steady fire of love. Your preserving pan (the home) must be neat and clean. Husbands, like peaches, often look vey black if this is untidy. Give him plenty of sweetness. Much sugar is needed and vinegar is never used in sweet preserves. If you think he demands a little spice, use it with caution. Do not keep stirring him. Neither should you keep poking him with sharp points to see if he is done. It will spoil his looks. If you follow the above recipe, love will be well preserved.' Oh my giddy aunt - what can I say!!!!!! X Anna

still raining.. whos molly? just made the coconut ice, but i can see i'll have to make 1/2 truckload more before the piggies get sick of it. found some fruit mince while we were out. Miles want mince pies, but only the ones I make. no choice anyway as I refuse to buy them. think that the plonky recipe could be very popular, except takes too long to sit before drinking. alright for you jood seeing you're on the wagon. should be doing junk mail cept i might get too wet. the shade cloth blinds are nifty, that stuff is so versatile. its good for big bags too. poss. aint my hubby but doesn't perform too well with too much stirring or poking love Yvette x

Hi Wattlers, Haven't been around much - cept early in the morning to countdown - lol Well the cash registers are ringing but nowhere near as much as in past years but enough to keep me busy anyway. Just 3 more shifts and it will be Christmas - TGFT. 2 days off then veeeerrrry early start next Wednesday - we are opening at 7 am - good grief - means I have to start at 6.30 just so peeps can rush in for the bargains - hey peeps we're open on Boxing day - do it then please cos I'm not working Been a miserable day here and trying to get washing dry has been a non-event - did get some wet stuff - drizzle only so I was able to leave washing on the line - not that there is room indoors as I still have piles of ironing hanging around. If this is summer tho I ain't gonna complain - at least it's not hot No good news on the 3C front - next door neighbour - original owner came over last Friday after my letterbox drop and said the brother and sister of 3C had also disappeared as had 2 kittens she had when she first moved in. Seems there is a sad B*****d who doesn't like cats around our area and he may have had a hand in the disappearance - really hope not as that has caused lots of tears when I think about my little cutie - I miss her banging on the catflap to get in or sitting on the bench in the bathroom trying to drink from the tap. It's 2 weeks today since we last saw her. Tony - no wonder you got a degree from Uni - such talent Safe travels to Laurie & Mary Vonny - hope you're feeling better too Trifley - hope you're doing okay and the family rallying now to look after you ~~~~~~~~ and (((((Hugs))))) to everyone Gwenda

Hi all, I thought I knew everyone in the Wattler group - so who can help me with the ones I dont know??? Who is left of Rebs??? Who are the two peeps right of JA and Jill??? Where is Judy DIY??? My excuse is that my copy of the Wattlers individual pics is way over in Sydney on my other pc. Jood

Hi Jood, Re Xmas tree - Hz is one of the peeps after JA & Jill - the smaller face and is JudyDIY to the left of Rebs????? Maybe someone else can help with the other face along from Hz. Gwenda

Hi guys'ngals, I,m finally back on line on the new puter.Havent read all the news yet but thanks to all of you for prayers. Himselfs scan showed no new cancer and only slight deterioration so wonderful news. Still having a little trouble getting my leg to heal ,and the knee is getting worse if anything and cant get an appt with the specialist till may. Might have to ask for a referral to perth in the new year. Had a great day yesterday with Birth mother. Her story is quite sad but I was able to make her laugh over some of Kevins teenage antics. Really looking forward to xmas day with the whole crew. 27 at last count I think. I'll get lots of pickles then. Love and many hugz to all , particularly any feeling poorly. Me

Evening Wattlers Jood I went through my pics I have a pic that looks like the one on the right of Hz and I have her name also as Heather, possibly from Qld???? Cheers Sue

Hi guys Wilson is bottom right - don't know who is left of her - then Donna from Qld then JA then Jill at bottom left. I think Tony that it would be wonderful if you could do a list of the names for everyone. Please....pretty please...... Thanks mate Anna

Evening all Wattlers Have been partying, so am in a happy mood. Hope you unnerstand me.........more so than usual. Mary, think I might need a few of Dr Lew's pills tomorra. Mel and I are still celebrating - with storbury sparkling wine - while the 'other' pair are out shopping. Anna, not only melted the plastic but totally bruck it......Just as well it was Mels. Jood, keep bringing them bottles outa the garage !! And don't forget the wattler sign at the Hopman Cup.We all want to see you there. Yvette, what is your recipe for coconut ice. The rice paper recipe sounds wonderful. Have kept it for future use....Not a good cook, that was TC's department - not mine. Keep up the drinking practice - you will get the hang of it one day..................... Vonny, glad you are feeling a little better. Need to be in tip top condition to chase the little ankle biters around the Chrissy tree. Sandra, please send your rain up here, Anna's tank need to be filled and my garden is really thirsty. Lew, what is for dinner tonight ? Tassy, enjoy your few days away. I am also trying to put a name to a few faces on Tony's tree. Wow Flakey, that recipe sounds like - lotsa headaches and the need of lots and lots of Dr Lew's pills. Tony - love your Chrissy recipe. But alas, typical male ... LOL SuzyQ - I is not a 'happy Jan'. Fancy eating a poor little fluffy for lunch or dinner. That is just cause you dinny want to eat your chookens - ? Molly????? Dog???? Gwenda, hope that sicko rots in hell. Me - I just loooove puddy tats. They have kept me sane over many years. Hi Merle, glad to hear Himself's scan is good, but just make sure you look after yourself. Okay this wattler has waffled on enough Take care everyone Luv and hugs Ducky

Evening, thought I had finished waffling - but no Won 2 prizes in the raffle this afternoon at the 'oldies computer club' Chrissy party. And the Dr in the house has banned me from any more drinking and use of the computer till I finished dinner.. She is a real dragon. Maybe talk again in a few days ..... LOL Ducky

Gwenda, make a report to the RSPCA / police. That's so sad :( We didn't even get any drizzle up our end of town today. daughter got a few spots, that's all. Glad you are back with a new computer Merle :) Don't forget to visit the Weekender when you have time. So glad your hubby's news was good. We are all worried about your leg! Mary - can you take us all with you next time you go gold hunting? Just one nugget is all we would need :) I think the earth would reveal it's secrets with all us determined wattlers grubbing around. Can you imagine the fun!!!!! John was reading a book about the early gold miners in QLD and they were literally pulling it out of the ground like toffee. Large soft veins of pure gold as thick as your arm!! Oh well - off to dream. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vonny

just got zapped by getting too involved in waffle and lost it. will rewrite the coconut ice recipe out tomorrow, got to be out at 5 in the morning so need to start snoring soon.. dear gobnait, i do look forward to your journal in the mornings. goodnight, love Yvette x

Sorry Hz, I haint seen you before, but I remember that photo now - from Yarrawonga. So for the newbies, here we all are Top - Trifley Next row down Suzy Q & Lara then Pam in pink & red Jood, up a bit Shaz, up a bit more to right, with trararara Laurie Below Laurie is Lyn Next row down with glasses, Leah, then across to Yvette, and then across to Anna. Next row down is apparently Jude DIY (didnt recognize you Jude) and then Rebs (Sharon) and across and up a bit is Lew next row down is Sandra, across is Tassy (oops, Sue) and then Jude (Flakey) Next row down, Vonny, Gwenda and Mary The next 5 in a row are Jill, JA, Donna, Heather and Wilson (also Heather) Missing, Professor Rude MVB Hope you can all understand that. Merle, forgot you were getting a new computer, - do look after that leg. Jood <forgot wine tonight too :( >

Vonny I read where you are still having trouble with the pickle info I sent - you can't print them, you said??? Jood