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Blogs by Vena McGrath
Christmas Eve - 4.50 pm dst Sydney Australia 12/23/2007 9:48:50 PM
Merry Christmas to all I've been neglecting my site on AuthorsDen. Life gets that way at times. However, today I resolved to drop in and leave a message in my blog for anyone that happens by. May you have a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones and a Happy New Year for 2008!
The weather in Sydney is very mild for this time of year and the storms of the past weeks seem to have gone elsewhere. We have been promised some rain today, but so far it's been a fine cloudy day with a soft breeze. The humidity has been higher than desired at times, but the lack of that awful searing heat that we often have this time of year is a blessing.
Tomorrow will be much the same with temperatures about 23C which is very desirable for a nice Christmas Day when you actually feel like eating. The pool looks inviting but I'm not sure whether anyone will be motivated to dive in tomorrow. The solar reading is around 28C so that's a nice warm swim temperature. Of course with that temperature the pool needs extra care and dosing up with some chemicals to ensure that the salt water chlorinator can do its job. But if the winds stay away along with all the bits and pieces out of the garden and the gum leaves, it will look pristine tomorrow.
We are planning on an unconvential Christmas Day, with snacking most of the day on all things BAD, and then in the evening, a barbecue with salads. We have a large leg of ham to cut during the day for anyone feeling the need for something a bit better than munchies. My daughter has bought a damper loaf of bread and we scoop the middle out and fill it with sour cream, bacon, onion, dry soup mix and cheese, heat it in the oven till the cheese melts, then put all the top back on in bite size pieces. It's a nice way, and unusual way, to have a dip. Bread is so much nicer than cracker biscuits :)
She and I have a bottle of baileys irish cream and a bottle of butterscotch schnapps and we have decided to unwrap ourselves by having plenty of 'shots' of the two mixed together over ice. It's actually called a Cowboy Cocksucker, for what reason I daren't imagine :) There will only be 7 of us, perhaps 8, so no big deal looking after people. After all, Christmas should be a time for getting together and for everyone to enjoy the day, not for the few or one unlucky one/s to be stuck in the kitchen and playing waitress/waiter to the freeloaders.
I spent yesterday, the second day of my much awaited holiday, in the gardens. After all the rain we have had the weeds were once again taking over. I decided to get myself a skip (dump bin) for Christmas so the hire company dropped it off out front on Thursday. I will spend the next couple of weeks filling it up and there's quite a bit in there now from the gardens that will eventually squash down further.
The Christmas tree looks lovely after my daughter and grand daughter decked it the decorations and lights. At night it sparkles away, with all the gifts underneath it. Shaye has been a good doggie and hasn't attempted to touch anything. Last year he was after any decorations that were silly enough to fall off ! We took him for a walk last night to see the lights on the houses around the area. Half way back he decided to lay down on someone's front lawn and refuse to move any further lol. However he did get up after a short rest and we meandered back home. Suffice to say he is quite tired today and I'm quite sore from blasted arthritis in my legs. One of the joys of advancing years.
I made rumballs on Saturday and they are lying in wait in the fridge. I really love the recipe that I have and it is very easy to put together, albeit a bit messy. I use 16 weetbix and crush them with my fingers, 4 tablespoons of cocoa, 2 cups of raisins, 2 cans of sweetened low fat condensed milk and then the rum. I don't bother measuring it though the recipe says 4 tablespoons full. That isn't nearly enough :) So I just pour it in until it tastes groggy. You put the mix in the fridge for an hour then take it out and get all messy rolling balls that you toss in coconut. The last one I made started to fall apart, bit like a rissole without enough binding. So of course I couldn't leave it there looking sad; I ate it. And I found out why it was falling apart :) It must have had a tablespoon of rum in it - I had a snooze later :)
So here I sit in wait. I'm not sure if I am having visitors tonight or not. My younger son and his partner were supposed to be coming to stay the night but the phone has been very quiet. I never count on him to be where he says he will be when he says he will be there, so if they turn up fine, if they don't, then there is always tomorrow. Taking life as it comes is a much easier way to live and less stressful, and I have Shaye and Jasmine the moggie to keep me company anyhow. Who could want for more?
Once again, have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and be safe :)
