Lots going on...Valentine's, Disappearing Trees and WOYWW

There's a huge amount of noise and activity radiating from our place this morning...

We live in a quiet suburb normally, but not so today!

All because a healthy tree has become a problem...it's outgrown its space and therefore isn't welcome anymore.

Not by me you understand...I hate to see a tree even pruned, never mind uprooted and murdered, but I know this has to be done. The Ficus Elastica is going to cause problems soon with its root system spreading at an unbelievable rate....across to the neighbour apparently and so she must go.

I'm hoping that something else will be put in its place but I'm not holding my breath...

 It's a beautiful tree and I do feel rather sad that it's got to go just because it doesn't fit in!

I'm just hoping now that there's such a gap where it used to be....that my neighbours aren't the sticky beak type...there are no net curtains on that side of their house, so maybe we'll be okay?!?!

There was also another tree that needed attention today due to one of its high branches snapping and only just hanging on. I'm not sure when or for how long it's been like that...so we've been living with the danger and not even knowing that a huge branch could have fallen on any one of us who just might have been unfortunate enough to be standing underneath. But thankfully it didn't fall and so has been carefully removed.

 Gulp....note chainsaw strapped to his waist?
My hubby would be very pleased to see all the PPE though.
(That stands for Personal Pretection Equipment just in case you haven't got someone telling you all about this sort of stuff...even when you're only using a whisk in the kitchen!!!!)

 And to show just how high this guy is...

Oops I should have said initially that if you're here for WOYWW then please scroll down (and anyone who hasn't visited before or knows what that term means...it stands for 'What's On Your Work desk'. As the title suggests each Wednesday we show and tell what's on or happening on our desk. 

(It sounds like I'm spouting from the fountain of knowledge today lol) 

Julia over at Stamping ground hosts a plethora of creativity each week for you to enjoy...so why not nip over there and take a peek at everyone's desk? It's allowed...they're a friendly bunch!

So here is my desk....

There's more space than work to display this week but I have had a little doodle! 

I'm a little later taking this photo because as stated above, there's a lot happening here today.

Unfortunately the sun has left this side of the house at this time of day, but it is beating down on the other side...you can just see outside where the wisteria hangs just how bright it is. 

Put your sunnies on if you want to look!

We still haven't seen any rain here and finally there's that photo I wanted to post last week which highlights just what happens when the rain decides to take a holiday!

This isn't my garden by the way...it's a riverbank a little further out of town.

I feel decidedly thirsty when I look at this don't you?

I'm not pleased with the production of this photo (taken on my phone which is usually okay) and will be retweeking it...it's caused me nothing but bother since I first took it...but you get the idea....its dry!

And so what have I been doodling I hear you ask? Well I can pretend can't I? I'm harmless enough ;D

I'm aware that it's Valentine's Day on Thursday and although it's never a biggy in our house, I thought I'd enter into Jenn's Valentine challenge this week over at Just add water silly  Jenn is always encouraging everyone to think outside of the box and I'm sure she'd be kind and generous no matter what we entered into the Artist Play Room...she's just like that, but I thought I'd keep in with the theme...well loosely!

So here he is....my ♥ LURVE BUG♥!

 I love ladybirds (as I've always called them) so I liked the idea of this chaps shell being a heart shape...and then I just got carried away with my usual quirkiness and this was the result! 

I hope you get bitten by the LURVE bug this week, but if you don't then don't disappear...I think it's so much better to have a spontaneous day to show how you feel about someone whenever the mood takes you...not to be told what to do on what day!

I'm sending all my followers/readers and visitors a little lurve bug here to say thanks for stopping by.....I always love to see and hear from you all.  

But I think there may well be some pink heart shaped crepes appearing for breakfast around the 14th...well I have the mixture already so it would be a shame to waste it! 

I'm not going soft ~ honest!

And lastly peeps, I've got to give a shout out for the lovely Cynthia over at Cottage Remnant

She noticed that I didn't have a badge for my blog as many people have, so she very kindly helped create one for me ....did you notice it on the way in, at the top right hand side? 

I've been going to try design one of these for quite some time but never got around to it. Truth be told I'm not even sure I'd have a clue where to begin or be successful...but I was going to give it a go anyway...that's what blogging has taught me if nothing else.

But now thanks to Cynthia I've got my own...yay.....(grinning like a Cheshire cat here :D)

So make my day as the header says...I'd be thrilled if you took it and attached it at your place. 

Phewph...well I think that's enough for today peeps...you're cuppa or tea-break must be over by now. 

So have a wonderful Wednesday whatever you have planned...enjoy, have fun and most importantly keep smiling or better still laugh! 

Catch you later....

What a world of difference....

Over the last week I've become incredibly aware of the vast differences in both season, climates and weather conditions between the Northern and South Hemispheres.

Take for instance here in Melbourne, we've been experiencing quite a dry spell and although we personally nipped off to the Canadian winter for Christmas, I believe that there hasn't been any significant rainfall here; other than a few millimetres since the beginning of December. There was a time during last month that 'they' reported that Melbourne was having its driest January since records began...but then there were a few spits and spots and that tipped the balance thus the record was broken! Personally, I think it's far better to have the rain....but only in moderation. With the extreme high temperatures accompanied with hot winds, there is  the ever present threat of bush fires and the state of Victoria has been experiencing many of these fires during the last month. It's hard to take in the fact that these fires can burn for months. 

The CFA (Country Fire Authority) are incredible hero's and have been battling against incredible odds but thankfully their expertise and a cool change in the weather means the risks have been substantially reduced. 

Whilst on the other hand ex-cyclone Oswald has wrought destruction across Queensland bringing back bad memories of the state's devastating 2011 natural disaster. Some residents are dealing with catastrophic flooding for the second time in two years, which is unimaginable. 

That's just a brief variety of the weather experienced within Australia at the moment....

I should have a warning on the next few photos because they could cause distress to the green fingered gardeners amongst you...me included! 

Here is a Magnolia that I brought from our last property...I should add here that I'm hoping for a miracle but if anyone knows what I might be able to do to bring it back to life, other than watering then please let me know...I had thought to put it out of its misery but I still can't help hoping that once the cooler weather comes to call, it will suddenly burst into life!

 And brace yourself because it gets worse....this is my beautiful blueberry bush (SOB...SOB)

But look...help is at hand...thankfully we have an 11,000 litre rain water tank that has been kindly saving all the rain water over the winter months and it has to be said it was rather a wet winter. The tank was full but it has now reduced considerably to just below the writing on its side.You can tell the water level within just by knocking on the tank with your knuckles from the top downwards. The sound changes once you reach the water level. Also I've noticed that the shape of the tank changes.

But it's not all doom and gloom in the garden...there are some very happy plants stretching tall to meet the sunlight.

 

The Bird of Paradise Tree (Strelitzia Nicolai) is extremely happy.

We've also a vine which has obviously resided on the premises since time began....

It has a beautiful twisting trunk that wraps itself around the canopy of the al fresco area. 

There is a slight problem here too but not due to the lack of water...we are having invations of the feathered kind. Namely the blackbirds are visiting regularly throughout the day....in fact in the photograph below there are at least three young blackbirds feeding greedily on the grapes. 

It's a kind of game of where's Waldo?

The trouble being that our outside eating area is just below this lattice roof and we are having leaves and grapes drop constantly upon the table, loungers and us!
The birds never seem to tire of this feast and it's quite incredible to see them pick a grape, then pop it whole into their beaks before they swallow it whole. 

I'm looking down here from an upstairs bedroom window in this photo...trying to capture a decent shot of the flybys! 

I have yet again spared a thought to the BBC, National Geographic and wildlife photographers out there...they have untold patience to capture the shots they do.... I knelt until my knees were numb waiting for the little darlings, but each time I gave up and went to sit below...yep you guessed it...in they would swoop. I'm sure they were watching and having a giggle at the windup!

 

 Again a view from above the vine....not a bad crop eh? 

And then...AH HA...there gotcha!!! (Just slightly to the left just in case you missed him too)

 This is one of the overhangs and I just loved the way the light shone on both the leaves and grapes.

 This is a little peep hole...see I'm sure they were just toying with me!

Onto another success story....
I was thrilled when we returned from Canada to find that my avocado stone had sprouted. I've tried to grown one previously but without success. I have been so impressed with this one's progress, but alas I've just read that this plant probably won't fruit....ever!
I previously had a little success after following all the instructions on how to grow avocados but then nothing happened. But this time there's a big improvement and I was so hopeful.

 

 Hopeful...that was until I read an article that told me that the seedling needs to be grafted with a fruit producing tree in order to produce fruit...plus it would take 5+ years even if it had all the correct temperature and conditions. So basically I think I'll be getting my avocado from my local veggie shop for a few years to come! 

(The avocado (persea americana) is a tree native to Central Mexico, classified in the flowering plant family Lauraceae along with cinnamon, camphor and bay laurel. Avocado or alligator pear also refers to the fruit of the tree which alas I'll never see on this plant!)

 

....and it looks so healthy too... :-(

So on to a little success story now...don't you just love happy endings?

My strawberry plants are doing great, although I suspect that a few feathery boozy birds might have their eye on them. I'm going to need to bring in reinforcements....ie netting soon if I want to enjoy the fruits of my labour!

And finally....(as the BBC news broadcaster used to announce for the last item of the news) for everyone in the grip of winter and desperate to see some colour...here's a little something from my walk this morning!

Don't worry I hear that autumn is coming on 1st March which means you'll soon be into spring. 

 Just a thought after mentioning the winter chills...

We've all heard the latest reports of the severe snowstorms that hit parts of Canada and the America's north-eastern region in the last few days with hurricane force winds...I'd like to take a moment to pass on to everyone whom may have been affected, my sincere best wishes. Stay safe and warm.

And on a lighter note....finally finally.....

Today is the most important day of the traditional Chinese holidays....it is Chinese New Year

In China, it is also known as the Spring Festival.

This year it is the year of the snake, which is the sixth sign in the 12 year Chinese zodiac and stands for "steady progress and attention to detail".
A signifying feature of the year of the snake will be the need for attention, commitment and focus!

"Ancient Chinese wisdom says a snake in the house (which would be the last thing I'd want, quite frankly) is a good omen because it means that your family will not starve", 

祝大家新年快乐

 Jong xi fa cai

I hope your day is 'Purrfect'? ~ WOYWW

Today is going to be a toasty day here in Melbourne, with the temperature rising up to near 40C degrees once again, so I'm going to stay in my studio! 

There that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!

Maybe if you are currently viewing from the Northern Hemisphere then with any luck my photos might radiate a little warmth for you. :D

By some freaky universal switcheroo or some greater force, I've actually managed to be able to spend quite a lot of time in the studio over this past week, which has been both surprising and thoroughly enjoyable. 

I have to confess there hasn't been much work done...more a sorting, collating and thinking process....

OKAY... PROCRASTINATING!

Well at least I've got some desk space now to actually do something, when hopefully I have an idea fight its way through to the front of the queue, over all the pandemonium that is going on in my head! 

There is a silk scarf draped over the frame at the end of the table. I had planned on painting it for someone's birthday but then the birthday came and went! I suppose I can paint it and keep it until next year ...imagine me being early for once...now there's a thought!!!!

There's also my cuppa which is never far from my side...I just couldn't function without my cuppa at regular intervals during the day. I love fine boned china cups but unfortunately I like to drink my tea at the molten lava temperature and I find that china just doesn't work for most of the day in a china teacup. It only works for me when I'm sitting giving it my full attention. Otherwise I get distracted and it quickly goes too cold before I can get to it. So thank goodness for Denby!

There's also a few calendars that are just waiting to be adopted...if anyone knows of a good home then please contact me....they've been reduced in my Etsy shop so they're a great bargain right now! 

But having said that there's been no work done, there has in fact been one drawing that just appeared out of the blue...

I'm totally aware that my posts are very one sided in the pet department (mainly poochy posts) so this  sketch is for all the cat lovers out there.

I'm not entirely sure he's finished yet? The more I look at him the more I keep adding.  
If you would like to see more desks and creativity then pop over to Julia at Stamping Ground. 

I'm having terrible trouble with my internet, emails, mobile phone and posting today...maybe it's the heat, so I think I'm going to call it a day....I've got lots of photos to show you so maybe tomorrow might be a better day. Don't you just love all this technical stuff when it's working well but when it isn't???!?!?! GRR!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone.

for stopping by...I'll look forward to seeing you again soon.

Giveaway Prize Draw...and the winner is....

'The Party's Over' (as the song says) but it's not quite time to call it a day....sadly I didn't get to meet everyone at the Grow Your Blog Party...I obviously took too long chatting to just a few interesting people and my time ran out! But thankfully the invites are still there, so I'll continue to blog hop about for the next few weeks....

But let's get onto the exciting bit...the giveaway draw for the 2013 calendar. 

Mufftypup was bathed and groomed within an inch of her life, which unfortunately just happened to be on a day when the temperature dropped and the rain came! 

As you can imagine she was not amused and if looks could kill, I would have been six foot under. 

She just kept staring at me whilst shivering...so much so that in the end I gave in (don't I always?) and had to put on her new Aran jumper (which was a kindly sent all the way from Canada from Jenn's Mum over at Just add water silly....which I didn't think would be worn until next winter) 

Eventually the shakes subsided.

Here's Muffy modelling it....isn't it fantastic! 

Jenn was very crafty in gaining Muffy's measurements so never underestimate that lady's sneakyness but all  for a good reason and her Mum's knitting is fantastic! It fits perfectly....

I then had quite a time convincing the 'Diva' to come out of the 'Green Room' (namely her bed) for her big screen performance...her public were waiting after all!

She insisted she needed more time to prepare, but finally hunger pangs and the prospect of fresh chicken treats lured her out from the cosy confines of her bed.

 So without further ado let's get on to find out who the lucky winner is.....

Drum roll please....and the winner is.....

 CONGRATULATIONS goes to Linda, Jackie and Boo

I'll be contacting you soon for your mailing address. 

So Mufftypup decided not to pick just one name out...she picked THREE! 

I knew she'd get me back for that bath earlier!

But don't dispear if you didn't win because you can still get your 2013 calendar over at my Etsy shop...at a bargin price! See my sidebar for details....

As you can see...it all became too much and a serious snooze was in order...or was the full tummy a contributing factor? It's tough at the top! ^..^

Autographs later please (or should that read pawprints?)

I need a lie down myself after all these shenanigans!

I never got to visit many people at the party or certainly not as many as I would have liked, so I'll apologise right here if I missed you. But never mind as I may well turn up at your place sometime over the next few months.

Once again just a huge thank you to Vicki for organising this event. 

Why not nip across to Vicki at 2 Bags Full ...you'll love it I'm sure.

Thanks also to everyone who visited me here whether you became a follower or not, or who just nipped in but was too shy to add a comment. I appreciate your visits immensely and hope you'll continue to pop by.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. 

The sun's shining here so I'm off to make the most of it!

xoxo

A Giveaway...Plus What's on Your Work Desk? WOYWW

It's Wednesday and I've finally managed to catch up with the WOYWW gang! I've been missing for a few weeks, but I'm back and to make up for my absense I'm including a link to my 'giveaway'...but you'll have to be quick to enter because the giveaway ends tomorrow. 

Click here for the details. 

It's very simple to enter...all you have to do is leave a comment on the post and Mufftypup might draw your name as the winner. She's raring to go for the draw because she knows that they'll be lots of chicken available if she does a good job ^..^

Check out the last giveaway draw.

Yes I know I haven't given you much time to enter and I should have told you earlier ~ sorry!

So let me explain for all of my new followers that WOYWW stands for What's on Your Workdesk and is the brainchild of Julia over at Stamping Ground. 

Nip across and check out all the various artist and crafters desks across the globe. They're a great bunch and very friendly...they'd love to meet you I'm sure.

Now I'm thinking that this could be a monumental week because not only am I involved with the WOYWW  creative, crafty gang, but I've been partying with the lovely Vicki at 2 Bags Full who has organised a mammoth Party Blog Hop! So if the two come together here...WOW that would be amazing!

Well without further delay (because WOYWW is supposed to be a brief post ~ which as you know I have great difficulty keeping brief...it's just not in my makeup apparently...see here I am waffling about keeping brief! (sigh)

So what's on my desk this beautiful sunny day? Well there's lots of wonderful light for a start! 

Apologies if the sun has left your part of the world, but I'll let you have a quick warm from mine ;D

 There are a few new things and one little package that I picked up yesterday from the art suppliers. Well I just happened to be passing but then how can you pass? If you know how then tell me...but on the other hand...never mind I don't think I want to know! Its harmless enough isn't it?

One of the reasons why I didn't make last Wednesday was because I'd made a card that had to reach the UK and I wasn't sure if it would spoil the surprise if I posted it before it arrived.

Now if I tell you my nephew has crabs I don't want any sniggers please! That includes you at the back there!

He has a beautiful tank and keeps sending me little video clips of all the latest inhabitants. 

So instead of sending the usual birthday card featuring golfers, beer or wine, or boat...not that there's anything wrong with those designs...but I wanted something different so I decided I'd draw something that was relevant to him....hence 'Hermit the Crab'.

 

Apologies for the quality of the photograph, but I quickly had to snap it and rush off to the post box in order for it to arrive in time for the birthday. 

Now let me explain...(or give my excuse)...this is only the second time that I've tried to draw with the ink nib pen set that my daughter bought as part of my Christmas present and I realised very early on that I need to spend time practicing. Especially with regard to the lettering!

So there you have it my entry for WOYWW but I'm also thinking laterally and joining in with Jenn's Artist Playroom which this week has 'Mail Art' as its theme.  Jenn will be pleased I'm sure because she's always encouraging us to think laterally! I'm a happy bunny because I've been missing from the APR too but today I've managed to tick quite a few boxes with double entries! 

Yay!!!!

My card has travelled half way around the world to keep me in touch with my nephew and I think that's special. I 'm thinking that post landing in the post box will delight him as much as it delights me. I don't think you can beat snail mail and since blogging I've had such wonderful post from very generous new friends from all over the world. I'm hoping my bright envelope with all the Australian stamps will brighten his day :D

So don't forget to enter for my giveaway if you're interested, or if you have the time check out the other links...there are lots for you this week.

Have a wonderful week everyone ~ whatever you have planned. 

Enjoy and keep smiling

Australia Day and Classic Lemon Tart recipe (although I suppose that should read Pavlov)

Well this is turning into one incredible weekend...and I've already been partying for the past week with Vicki's Grow Your Blog party invitation. I've met some lovely fellow bloggers across the globe, collected some followers along the way, which is always exciting and I've still got so many people to visit.
To add to this weeks partying today is Australia Day and everyone is up for having lots of fun and activities with family and friends during the long weekend. There's been a 'cool change' here in Melbourne, which doesn't mean we've all changed into designer clothes or trendy sunny's (sunglasses for those people outside of Australia) but the wind has changed it's direction from the North to the South, which means the high temperatures we've been experiencing have dropped. One night last week the night-time temperature didn't drop below 27C degrees! Yuk! I had visions of floating about in the pool all night in order to try and get some sleep...but eventually I managed to grab a few hours.
Finally at one point it did plummet...about 10 degrees in an hour!
As I've said before...there's never a dull moment with Melbourne weather!
Maybe that's why this Brit feels so at home here...there's always something to say about the weather!
 So with the cooler temperatures everyone will be able to enjoy the long weekend.

Someone started extremely early though...we woke to find Arthur had already got an early start!
By the look of him he's a serious partying bear.

So let the partying commence....
Yesterday I watched Andy Murray in the Melbourne Tennis Open qualify for the Final beating Roger Federer.  He will meet Novak Djokovic on Sunday...and I'm already excited.
Here's a poster that appeared in a local newspaper called the Herald Sun that gave me such a giggle...

For those of you who don't know Andy is from a little town called Dunblane in Scotland.

Sunday is going to be a busy day because after brekkie, we'll be off go-karting with friends, then later on to a pool party in the evening with neighbours! Hopefully I'll be able to see the match in between these activities!

We're also out later to dinner but I thought I'd just have time to post a quickie because there has been some interest in the Classic Lemon Tart recipe that I posted as part of the GYB party...and I've now become aware that what I thought I'd done...namely including the recipe into the post...I'd obviously dreamt because there's no sign of it anywhere!
I know that for Australia Day it should be a Pavlova, but I'll include that another day. 

So here it is...I hope you'll give it a try and let me know what you think of it?
It's my hubby's favourite ;D

Classic Lemon Tart

Classic Lemon Tart (serves 12 at least)

Ingredients: 

• 10 eggs
• 380g caster sugar
• 500 ml Double cream
• zest and juice of 8 lemons
• butter, for greasing
• 225g sweet shortcrust pastry  (see recipe below)

To Serve100g mild goat's cheese
50 ml double cream
2 tbsp icing sugar, plus extra for dustinga little whipping cream 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.
2. To make the filling, break the eggs into a bowl and whisk gently to break up the yolks. 

3. Add the sugar and continue to mix, then add the cream and lemon juice, but not the zest. 

4. Pass the mixture through a sieve, add the lemon zest and leave to one side.

5. Butter a 20cm plain, loose-bottomed flan tin with softened butter and roll out the pastry to get a thin even depth to the pastry. 

6. Carefully roll the pastry back over the rolling pin, lift over the tin and roll the pastry back over the tin very loosely. If you don't leave the slack, the pastry will rip or shrink too much when cooking.  

7. Tuck the pastry down the sides of the tin, pressing into the bottom edge well, but be careful not to tear or stretch the pastry. Don't trim the pastry.

8. Line the tart with a circle of greaseproof paper that is bigger than the tart and allows the paper to rise above the ring.

9. Fill the tart with either baking beans, rice or ceramic baking beans. Bake for 10 minutes.

10. Remove from the oven and remove the beans and greaseproof paper, then place back in the oven to colour the bottom of the tart. This should only take 3-4 minutes.

11. Turn the oven down to 100°C/225°F/Gas Mark ½. 

12. Pour in the lemon mix to reach the top of the tart and bake for 1 hour until the tart is only just set. 

13. Remove from the oven and trim off the edges of the pastry. Leave to cool for about 1 hour.

14. To make the accompanying cream, mix the goat's cheese with the double cream and icing sugar.

15. To serve, dust the tart with plenty of icing sugar and grill under a hot grill to caramelize the top. 

16. Remove from the grill and cut into wedges and serve with a spoonful of the cream.

Rich shortcrust pastry ~ makes 300g

200g plain flour

 ¼ tsp salt 

  2 tbsp icing sugar (if making sweet pastry)

100g cold unsalted butter, cubed

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp lemon juice

2 tbsp iced water

Method

Mix together the flour and salt (and icing sugar if making sweet pastry). Add half the cubed butter to the flour. Gently and swiftly, rub the fat into the flour until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the rest of the butter and mix until it's the size of small peas. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. 

Mix the egg with the lemon juice and water and gradually pour into the well a little at a time, rubbing it through your fingers, until it forms a dough (you may not need all the liquid). 

Turn out onto a floured board and knead lightly until smooth. 

Shape into a ball, wrap in clingfilm and refridgerate for at least 30 minutes. 

To line a tin or mould, roll the chilled pastry onto the rolling pin, then unroll over the tin, draping the pastry into the tin or mould. Gently press it in place using your fingers.  

I tend only to bake this tart for special occasions...but to simplify the recipe I suppose you could use (sharp intake of breath) packet pastry!!!!

I have to warn you that it tends to disappears very quickly. 

If you are struggling with the quantities then check out my side bar where I have included a conversion table. 

And because it's such a special weekend...I've got an offer on...it's a sort of buy one get one free. 

One recipe being the lemon tart but here another favourite...as a bonus!

 Creme Brulee.

I've checked and this time the recipe is definitely contained within the link! 

Well that's me off to put my glad rags on...there's more partying to be done.

Don't forget to leave a comment in my previous GYB post if you want to be entered into my 'GIVEAWAY' draw...click here for the link and details.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone... 

"HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY" to all of my Australian readers 

and I'll hopefully see you all again soon.

Grow Your Blog Party....plus a 'GIVEAWAY'

WELCOME EVERYONE...hey let's Party!!!
Just when you may have hit the January blues and recovering from all the holiday festivities, we have another invite to a party! Yay!
This one is a blog party and everyone is invited.
It's the brainchild of the lovely Vickie over at 2 Bags Full.

Grow Your Blog Party

 There's even a 'Giveaway'... a kind of party bag for the lucky winner.
So let's get started....

Let me introduce myself...I go by the blog name of 'Neesie' (a nickname that my brother has called me for as long as I can remember) but my name is Denise...not a lot of people know that!

(Initially when I started blogging I wanted to be anonymous)

I love to natter and some say I could even talk under water, so hence the name Neesie Natters!
I first started blogging back in 2009 which is a revelation to me when I checked back to the initial date, because it just feels like it was yesterday.

My daughter suggested that I start to write a blog and I have to admit when she first mentioned it, I hadn't a clue what a blog was never mind how to write one.
And so the steep learning curve began...I've had my ups and downs, my success and my disappointments especially when things didn't go as I thought they should. But that's all been part of an immensely satisfying journey...and one I want to carry on with for as long as I can.
I've met some amazing people along the way and formed some wonderful friendships that I hope will last.
I've also be so incredibly inspired.
I'm trying to improve my writing and photography skills too and when I look back over my posts I can see the progress I've made but it's an ongoing process.

(This photograph was taken in South Africa a few years ago) 

So what else can I tell you....?
I've been an expat for the last 24 years or could that be 25 now? I've been travelling around the globe with my hubby and family. I have one daughter aged 27 years old, who now lives in Edinburgh and a son aged 20 who is here with us in Melbourne.
I love nothing better than to have my little chickadees all in one nest at the same time and we've recently been lucky enough to have spent Christmas in Canada together on a wonderful winter wonderland holiday.

I've posted lots of recipes like my Classic Lemon Tart ....

....but my artwork seems to have taken priority lately. That's not to say a recipe might appear at any time.
I'm happy about finally being able to dedicate more time to my art, so I'm a happy bunny!
Here's a little peak into my studio.

And so onto the diva of the family ~ Muffin or Mufftypup ~ our mini shuh tzu.
She is an expat too...flying on her own all the way from the Middle East to Melbourne to be with us.
If you want to see her story then click here. 

Muffy loves nothing more than doing tricks for some fresh chicken and so when I mentioned that I was going to do another 'GIVEAWAY' she immediately volunteered to take part.

Muffy will once again pick the winner of the 'GIVEAWAY' for all my visitors who leave a comment attached to this post.
She had such a great time last time and don't worry she was well rewarded for her participation.
If you'd like to see her in action click here

So let me show you what's on offer....it's a 2013 calendar containing some of my designs.
I realise that January will be over by the time the winner actually receives this, but hopefully the remaining months will make up for missing January.
Here's the front cover....

So let the party commence...but don't forget to leave a comment below to ensure you're in with a chance of winning.
At this point I should say to all my regular visitors the giveaway is for you too...how could I not include you all....just take a moment and add a comment below and I'll pop you in the draw.
Good Luck everyone!

I'm off to visit all the other party animals now...but why don't you join me? 

Click here to link with Vickie our lovely host over at 2 Bags Full and see lots of other party people.
It's going to be lots of fun!