Birthday Pressie

I was surprised that Jonathon bought me a gift on top of my birthday trip. It had already been such a wonderful day.

A Chasseur French Oven! No wonder he didn't want to bring it into the restaurant. It weighs 6.8 kilos EMPTY.

I was bawling my head off when I got a pressie from my girls. The note said, "Mama we love to hear you play." This is a baby Djembe which is much lighter and easier to haul around than my big one.

Bellucci's

I asked the concierge to recommend a restaurant where the locals go for dinner. He did not disappoint! Bellucci's is now in my top five restaurants EVER!

I was looking at the tea menu and found Fruits of Eden.

It is lovely....what a sweet reminder of my baby girl.

I was expecting a little more basil in my tomato, basil and goat cheese salad.

Pumpkin and goat cheese rolled into a this very thin pasta and baked in burnt sage butter. It's to-die-for!

Sunset

We enjoyed a beautiful sunset at this lake behind our hotel.

Sunsets always make me think of the glory that surrounds God.

"Thank you God for this day, for my birthday, for my best friend, for my two girls and for reminding me of Your awesome creation."

Me and my beloved.

The Sweet Copper

While out shopping, a nice lady recommended Sweet Copper for arvo tea.

So darn cute!

Orange and almond cake. Oooh la la, I had visions of marzipan dancing in my head. Unfortunately, this cake was DISGUSTING.

What the Sweet Copper lacked in pastry skill, they more than made up for with a flat, weak, skim hot chocolate.

Wiccan

This bumper sticker was very disturbing. They took the Christian icon, the Ixthus, and turned it into an icon of Satanism.

The Greek word for fish is "ixthus" or "icthus." The Christian fish symbol that many Christians place on their cars is known as the “ixthus.” Five Greek letters form the word “ixthus,” and those letters inside the fish form an acrostic which is a message that Christians clearly identified with. The first letter represented the word Jesus. The second letter represented the word Christ, the next two, God Son, and the final letter represented the word Savior. This adds up to “Jesus Christ is God’s Son, the Savior.”

Au Lac Vietnamese Vegetarian Food

Jonathon really despises tofu, so it was a wonderful treat that he took me to this vegetarian restaurant. I can't rave enough about Au Lac. WOW! Phenomenal tofu chicken!

Mmmm, soy beef. I can't wait to get back to Canberra for lunch.

I must confess, shortly after this snap was taken, I asked for a fork! : D

Delightful lunch Jonathon. THANK YOU FOR SUFFERING FOR ME! xoxo

Cockington Green Gardens

Jonathon took me to Canberra for my birthday this weekend.

Our first stop was Cockington Green Garden. They have heaps of famous buildings on display which are mostly 1/12 the size of the original, although some of them are as much as 1/50th the size.

This was my favourite model, but the real one in Petra, Jordan is MUCH more impressive!

I took this snap of Jonathon because it brought back great memories of when we lived in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Mama and Papa

Merino Shop in Goulburn

The famous towering sheep monument in Goulburn.

Jonathon and I are standing in front of this enormous concrete sheep which houses a store specializing in Merino wool.

You can climb up inside of the structure to learn how they make it and why it is so valuable.

What a complicated process to go from sheep to sweater.

This signs says: Reflect a while dear friends upon the silent servitude of sheep that give us wool to wear while they go in the nude.

Halloween Bunco Party

Bunco is my most favourite game on the planet. We play a very rowdy version of it.

Norm, Paul and me.

I was opening up a pressie from them. It is a book on Aussie slang.

The was the first time Diana and Jacqui had played.

Salee is the Bunco addict. I could call to tell her we are going to play and she'd be over in five minutes.

I was so happy that I brought this jack-o-lantern cake pan to Oz with me. I haven't seen it for sale over here.

Halloween Watermelon?

What's wrong with this picture?

$3.99 per kilo for a Halloween pumpkin, or.....

$1.68 per kilo for a Halloween WATERMELON?!

$26 for Pumpkin?

Are YOU willing to pay $26 to make a jack-o-lantern?

The Gap and Natural Bridge

"Mind the Gap."

We hiked to see this natural bridge.

And....we were escorted by a legion of flies. Gross!

The Nutcracker Ballet

After seeing the ballet, I am inspired to put up our Christmas tree!

The State Theatre is such an elegant venue.

Jonathon managed these two snaps from his phone before a speaker advised that no photos were to be taken inside the theatre. Darn! I'd love to show you the interior.

Ben and the Q-Tips

Ben moved to Sydney three days ago to take up the position of pastor at Calvary Chapel Sydney. He and I are friends for life after he brought me Q-tips from the States.

Eden's Rose

Another beautiful rose from Eden's rosebush.

Ella the Biker Angel

Danielle invited me over for morning tea.

Ella, the biker angel, lives upstairs. She was SOOOO cute. I couldn't resist a snap of her in that adorable costume.

Jessica, Victoria, Ella and me
Despite me being invited for tea with the mums, I always end up playing with the kids.

Kelly's Surprise Visit at Bible Study

Kelly surprised us by popping into Bible study tonight. She had baked Norm a birthday cake.

Kelly, the cake and Norm

Jonathon, Fajita and me

We have had some wonderful times together! Love you girls. xoxo

The Outback

Meet some of the crew at The Outback.

Rebecca the manager

Jessie is one of the wait staff from COLORADO! She is in Sydney studying at the Hillsong School of Music.

Brewery

The girls and I went to a new brewery for lunch today.

OK, how bad can it be? They are playing gridiron on big screen TVs.

Me and Monique

Norm and Amp
The company was enjoyable but I can't say the same for the food.