Monday 30 April 2007

She's Home in London and we miss her so...


Abigail #1, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

I took them to Sydney Airport last Monday afternoon and in seven days...
They all flew to Singapore
Tom flew on to Macau then back to Singapore
They all flew to London arriving at 6am Saturday
They caught a taxi to their home in North London
They jumped in the Station Waggon
They drove 4 hours to Yorkshire
They Celebrated Emma's Grandmothers 90th Birthday
They stayed in Yorkshire the Saturday night
They drove 4 hours back home
Tom flew to Athens today.... all that in one week!!

Briony


Briony #2, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Briony had a haircut last week and I just love it, but when I hear myself telling her how much I love it and I hear her saying she knew I'd love it I'm reminded of my mother... we often went through the exact same scenario more than 45 years ago.
Update on Joon.
That Article (Blog 27th April) is actually four pages long and tells the story of the Korean Resource Centre which Joon helped set up 20 years ago. The Article lists many of the Centre's achievements which are numerous to say the least and although many of the people involved in it have moved on Joon is still in there helping Koreans in Australia and not only South Korea but North Korea as well... very impressive.

Sunday 29 April 2007

Happy First Birthday Charlie Ripley

Thompson's on Charlie's First Birthday

Charlie's First Birthday Quilt Top

This is the third 'First Birthday Quilt' I've made like this, can you read the writing in the sashing?? Only a top unfortunately, far too much going on so far this year for me to have finished it for the big day... please don't tell Charlie though!!

Saturday 28 April 2007

Colour in my Garden - April 2007 - Yellow


Yellow, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Colour in my Garden - April 2007 - Pink


My creation, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Colour in my Garden - April 2007 - Red


My creation, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Friday 27 April 2007

Joon is Famous


Joon is Famous, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

I'm not quite sure what he's famous for but this article was in 'Top Women' The Monthly Korean Women's Magazine in Australia... confused?? Me too! :-) I missed out on the conversation that was going on here last Sunday so I'll have to ask next Sunday when they all come here again.

Thursday 26 April 2007

Hay & Parker Street, Sydney


Hay & Parker Street, Sydney, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

I love walking around the hustle and bustle of the City and coming across beautiful old buildings just like this one hidden away in all the tall modern stuff. This beautiful warm red brick building was built in 1893, it's been well looked after.

Grumpy Old Women


Grumpy Old Women, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

David and I had a beaut day in the City today... Yum Cha at our favourite Chinese Restaurant then a short walk to the Capitol Theatre to see Grumpy Old Women staring Jenny Eclair (who we'd seen a lot of in England, actually her home in South London won an architect award while we were there) Linda Robson (who we've seen on our telly for years) and Dillie Keane (who we've never heard of... ) it was a very funny show with many lines hitting the spot perfectly... bumped into a fellow SCQuilter Jill O'Connor who was sitting in our row a few along, I could see her laughing each time I checked! This is the Stage Set, no one is on stage yet :-)

Wednesday 25 April 2007

Lest we Forget.


Lest we Forget., originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Today is Anzac Day, today is the day we remember our brave men and women who fought in Wars all around the world. Here is My Dad... a young faced Lieutenant about to journey to the Desert and the Battle of El Alamein. Thanks Dad we may not say it often enough but... We are very proud of you!

Jackson helping make Anzac Biscuits

Charlie's first Anzac Biscuit

Tuesday 24 April 2007

All about Mark


About Mark, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Tomo wrote this (his first sentence) when he was 5 years old, we'd just arrived back in Australia after two years of living in England and he'd started at the local Infants School. Nowdays Mark and Tomo are best of friends, Mark was one of Tom's best men at his wedding and Abigail loves to play with Mark and Belinda's two children Leila and Jesse. We've never discovered why Mark bothered Tomos but I did keep the proof LOL

Mark Belinda Leila & Jesse (and Abigail)


Mark Belinda Leila & Jesse, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Monday 23 April 2007

Farewell my Darlings... but wait there's more!!

So sad to see my little Pommy Family leaving today, they're off to Singapore for a few days staying with friends then they fly into London at 6am on Saturday, head home for 5 minutes before they jump in the car and do the 4 hour drive to Yorkshire for Emma's Grandmothers 90th Birthday Party. Abigail Rose is going to miss us all very much, I spoilt her as was my duty and she really fell in love with Charlie, Jack, Madi and Casey... we're all missing her already.
But wait... there's more... no time to dwell on our loss, look who's moved in for 5 or 6 weeks. The home they were renting was sold and they can't move into the home they're buying till early June so a great big Welcome to Nerys, Tim, Jackson Harry and Charlie Ripley!!

Sunday 22 April 2007

See how we've grown in just one year.

This is us today, all 14 of us, see how we've grown in numbers since this time last year.

Griffiths Family 2, originally uploaded by Pennie David.


This is us one year ago... only 12 of us.

David & Pennie with Grandchildren

Are we lucky or what eh!!

Grandchildren with Grandparents & Great Grandparents

Our In-Laws


The In-Laws #2, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Here are our two Son's-in-Law and our two Daughters-in-Law what a lovely group of people they are.

Tom Singing 'Phantom of the Opera'


Tom Singing 2, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Tom kept singing when Abigail wanted in on the act.


Tom Singing with Abi, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Very appreciative audience singing along.


Audience 5, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Friday 20 April 2007

Playing with Petals


Playing with Petals, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

These three little cousins are getting on so well now, during the first couple of days there were incidents of 'Mine' being shouted loudly and the odd push and shove but they know each other better now and play so well together... oh dear we're all going to miss our little Abigail Rose so much and Matilda May of course and we can't wait for their next visit even though they still have 3 more sleeps left.

Thursday 19 April 2007

Off to a Gig...



Tomos to Opera House #2, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

The Gig was the 70th Birthday Party for Lindsay Fox at the Sydney Opera House, everyone was there Tom's tells us... from movie stars to old politicians, everyone but me :-(

Wednesday 18 April 2007

Look what they've done to my grapes Ma!


Grapes eaten!, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Look what they've done to my Grapes, Ma
Look what they've done to my Grapes
Well they picked it like a chicken bone
And I think I'm half insane, Ma
Look what they've done to my Grapes!

Was it Possums or Lorrikeets I wonder??

ARTIST: Melanie Safka
TITLE: Look What They've Done to My Song

We still have these though.


Grapes, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

When should we pick I wonder... do they keep ripening after being picked??

Tuesday 17 April 2007

Work in Progress


Work in Progress, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

This is the hand work I've been doing for a couple of years now, it's easy to pick up - do a couple - then put down again, I have no idea how big it will be but I think I've defined my edges now, I only have to decide what to put in the Zig Zags, Corners and Triangle spaces... BTW the hexagons are half inch across.

Monday 16 April 2007

Double Roman Jonquils


Double Roman Jonquils, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

According to my latest catalogue these are supposed to be 'Late' flowering Jonquils but every year they are up in April (which for us in the Southern Hemisphere is mid Autumn) and no where near Spring. These Jonquils must be more than 50 years old because we've lived here since 1971 and they were in the old well established garden back then... we've moved them over the years but they still pop up in the most unexpected places.

Sunday 15 April 2007

Go the Swannies!!

I've always given our children a book each at Easter time, much better than cheap chocolate eggs I say... anyway this year... seeing they were not only in the same country at the same time but the same city as well I decided to give them a day out instead. Just the four of them with their partners which makes eight. I ummed and arrred and eventually decided to send them to see an Australian Football League game... more commonly called Aussie Rules... and of course they all went for the Sydney Swans (the only NSW team). Only two of the eight had ever seen an AFL game so I was a little nervous about spending so much money on tickets for something a little unusual for them but I needn't have worried they all had a fabulous day with a very exciting game to watch which was very close until the last quarter and thankfully the Sydney Swannies beat the Brisbane Lions 96 to 69!
When we were only a family of 6 I used to put in their Christmas Stockings each year a ticket to see a One Day Cricket Match and I always cooked up a delicious lunch to take with us... sooooo.... I did the same for them today... the Menu is below which some may say is a bit posh for a footy game but nothing came home except much praise.
Menu for Swannies Day
Smoked Trout, Goats Cheese and Avocado Egg Rolls
Mini Kumara & Leek Frittatas
Asparagus wrapped Prosciutto with Lime & Ginger Dipping Sauce
Marinated Grilled Chicken Pieces (Cumin, smoked paprika, fennel, cloves, Australian Sea Salt)
Lamb, Mint and Honey Sausages
Hand sliced raw vegetables (Carrot, Cucumber & Sugar Peas)
Fresh Fruit (Strawberries, Blue Berries & Grapes)
Creamy Mint filled Chocolate Eggs
Great Aunt Carol’s Fudge

In the meantime and back at the Ranch as they say, David and I organized for two of my nieces to come and play with Jackson Harry, Charlie Ripley and Abigail Rose. (Matilda May went to see the Swannies with her Mummy) Cousine Madison and Casey were real gems and our Grandchildren had a wonderful day... except for poor Charlie who was running a temp.

Off we go!


Off we go!, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Backpacking with prams!

Jackson and Casey heading up the driveway.

Wait for meeee...


Wait for meeee..., originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Calls Abigail Rose....

Stop for an Ice-Block


Stop for an Ice-Block, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

What a lovely little group of cousins!

Child Minders Extraordinaire


Child Minders Extraordinaire, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

Thank you very much Madison and Casey, you were both wonderful people to have to help us play with our beautiful Grandchildren.

Saturday 14 April 2007

There was Movement at the Station...

THERE was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That Gwil and Em had got away,
They packed and packed their belongings for an apartment has been found,
And the family all gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted packers from the stations near and far,
Had mustered at the homestead during the day,
There'll be more movement soon --- so leave that door ajar,
And we the parents - snuffs the battle with delight.
Loading up with a little help from brother Tomo.
First Load off and out...
Bye Bye...
Apologies for butchering the well loved poem of Banjo Patterson but it was going around in my head all day.
Here is the real first verse.
THERE was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses — he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,
And the stock-horse snuffs the battle with delight.

Friday 13 April 2007

Happy 4th Anniversary to Tomos and Emma


Tom and Emma celebrate their 4th Wedding Anniversary today, at the same place they celebrated their Honeymoon down in Manly... this year they have two beautiful little girls to help them celebrate... Have a lovely day you two!

Thursday 12 April 2007

The Office.

The 'Cows' (A group of 12 SCQuilters who live all over Australia) decided we needed to see each others Work Stations as in where we sit and email each other. I tried but firstly Gwilym got in the photo, then Emily... but thankfully they left for work and I was able to take a 'proper' photo showing the old London Destination blind.
Gwilym in all his glory...
Emily in some of her glory
Thank goodness they've gone to work!
My office at night.

Wednesday 11 April 2007

Wednesday is Tennis Day


Wednesday Tennis Ladies, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

We've been playing tennis for 21 years, we first met at the local Primary School when our children were in the Infants School... those children are now 30!! Only five of us here today but we played some excellent tennis, had a lot of laughs and even produced a bit of a sweat!

Mavis, Pennie, Val, Robyn and Lorraine.

Monday 9 April 2007

Gwilym and Abigail Rose


Gwilym and Abigail Rose, originally uploaded by Pennie David.

There is a story about what Abigail is wearing. Way back in 1967 when David had first arrived in England, he sent a parcel of small gifts for me and my family, he sent this apron for my mother. (It's a bra and suspender belt) Rosie never wore it and gave it to me... one or other of us have worn it over the years but we're not really apron people so it's still in good nic 40 years on.
The other day Abi was running around naked so Gwilym tied this apron around her and she thought she was the ants pants just loving wiggling her bottom and running around... I won't tell you of the tantrum when the apron had to be taken off so she could be dressed to go to Manly... suffice to say just two words 'bribery' and 'chocolate' were needed.

Sunday 8 April 2007

These two are good with babies.............

Emily holds the record for being able to keep Matilda May quiet and asleep for more than 90 mins... Emma has never had so much uninterupted time since Tilly was born, she does sleep at night thankfully.
Gwilym does a pretty good job as well.

Saturday 7 April 2007

Family Gathering at Easter...

The family came to our home today for a little get together and to meet Matilda May... it poured and poured with rain so every thing was moved indoors including the Easter Egg Hunt... here is a photo of the major Egg Hunters enjoying some of their spoils, there are heaps more photos on Flickr on the right.