A FUN DINNER

Every month our village administration put on a dinner for the residents. Each dinner has a different theme. This month it was a Japanese dinner. The reason being a group of villagers went to Japan for a  short holiday. We didn't go because we had been before. Anyway the chef cooked two lovely dishes for an alternate drop. There are 80 people for dinner.
For dinner we had MISO SALMON on SHIRATAKI NOODLES with FINE VEGETABLES. TERIYAKI CHICKEN BREAST & RAMEN.GREEN TEA CAKE with YOGURT WASABI ICE CREAM, SWEET MANGO AND FRUIT COMPOTE for dessert.

Some residents spent time making origami table decorations.

We had a Japanese guest speaker and a demonstration on how to wear a yukata and obi. CEO and two staff members were the models and two residents volunteered to help by following the expert's instruction.

The finished dress called a yukata or summer kimono. Karen on the left is the village manager. Dana on the right is the office manager next to her is our CEO and owner of the village Chiou See. The Japanese lady in black did the demonstration.

Some residents dressed up too.

The high school students who came to help the chef and to do the serving. They are catering students.

Some of the group that travelled to Japan as well as some high school students who help the chef and their teacher and the guest speaker.

THE FAMILY IN 1977

My Story continued

Do you remember those photo albums that had sticky pages with a plastic overlay? They were popular in the 70's and 80's. Well mine have lost the stick and photos are falling out besides the fact that the glue was harmful to photos. So I am in the process of putting the old photos into new albums. While I do that I scan them to make a book of them as well so each daughter can have a copy if they want.

Three and Five

  Sonya's third birthday

 OMG the fashions then??? Safari suit and long day dresses.

 My brother David came over from England to visit us. First he went to Sydney and then he drove my Mum, Dad and Aunt Ada to Brisbane to visit us.

 First photo of my brother and I for years.

It was a long time since we had our whole family together.

BIRTHDAY AT THE BEACH WITH A GOLDEN BEAR

For my birthday this year, with my friends and Birthday Bear, we went to Noosa Heads for a few days.  Those not familiar with our Birthday Bear tradition click here. I like going to the beach in winter. It's not too hot and there are less crowds. We booked into Sun Lagoon Resort over looking a lagoon (of course), and Noosa River. We explored a little and had a delicious dinner at Rock Salt Restaurant.

View from our apartment

 We explored Noosa Heads where the river enters the Pacific Ocean.

The Birthday Bear Group

 I forgot to take photos of the delicious food except when dessert came with a birthday sparkler and the whole restaurant joined in singing Happy Birthday. By the time that was over the sparkler was finished. The dessert was Eton Mess, with berries, meringue and white chocolate mousse.

 Birthday Bear was waiting for me when we returned to our apartments after dinner. Chris dressed bear this time to reflect our golden anniversary last month. She was dressed in gold with gold shoes and balloon. Golden chocolate coins and table decoration were at her feet as well as a gorgeous photo of Bill and me with golden sequins inside the picture frame.

 This morning, Mary and I went for a walk along Noosa River to Hastings Street the main hub of the bustling tourist town. I didn't realise Mary had never been to Noosa before so I enjoyed showing her around.

The beach was empty this morning with the cool winter temperatures but it was crowded yesterday being a Sunday.

WINTER MORNING WALK WITH A NICE ENDING.

 It is cool and dark when I get up for a morning walk. By the time I set off the sun is rising over the village

 I enter the forest and I love the way the sun lights up the trees.

and how the rays colour the grass.

 As I wind my way through the forest the light changes direction.

 Nearly home the village is on the right.

 The trees in the village gardens look like they have been sprinkled with diamonds as the sun shines on the rain droplets from the night before.

 The people who enjoy playing in the workshed have made a series of beehives for our native bees. They are scattered throughout the village.

 Some residents have made beautiful gardens around their units.

When I arrived home my daughter and son in law were waiting to say goodbye as they return to Sydney after a quick visit. Carol had come to Brisbane to attend a 30 year reunion of her high school graduation. David visited his parents in north Brisbane then they came to see us for one night. It's always lovely to have a visit from them. 

BIRTHDAY BEAR OR IS IT PANDA BEAR

It was Chris and Bob's birthdays recently and our little Birthday Bear Group celebrated both their birthdays on the same day because they live quite a long way out of Brisbane. However, they came down to the suburb of Redcliffe where we had a delicious lunch at Preece's overlooking the pier and bay.
Chris and Bob have just been to China for a holiday so Ann and Helen dressed Birthday Bear appropriately. Bear morphed into a Panda Bear for Bob and later Bear became a tourist visiting the great Wall of China and the zoo for Chris.

 Helen and Ann dressed Bear in  Panda Bear suit to remind Chris and Bob of their trip to China.

 Here come Chris and Bob.

 Mary, Bill, George, Bob, Chris, Ann and Helen then I swapped places with Ann from behind the camera for the next pic.

Chris and Bob travel a long way to be with us.

CELEBRATIONS

We were spending 5 days in Melbourne to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary, Mother's Day and Fox's birthday. We had a free day from celebrations so we went exploring in Melbourne. Carol and David used to live in Melbourne so they showed us around. We went to Federation Square where there is nothing square in the huge steel and glass buildings. The Art Gallery is here. It's a lot colder in Melbourne than in Brisbane.

 We were intrigued with this installation called 'Somewhere Other' by John Wardle Architects. It was a bit like a maze.

 We checked out the famous Melbourne Laneways, some were interestingly grungy.

 Most lanes were full of restaurants and cafe's.

We caught a free tram to Bourke Street Mall where no cars are allowed only trams. Lots of posh stores in this street. It was a fun day. 

The next day was Mother's Day and we were invited to Sonya's house to celebrate Mother's Day and Fox's Birthday.

Sonya's Husband, Bernie (on extreme left) is from a big family. They all came for the celebrations. Bernie's mum and dad, Helen and Nev, have 4 boys and 1 daughter, 3 daughter in laws and 1 son in law and 9 grandchildren. (one is missing)

Fox blew out 9 candles. We all sang happy birthday, happy anniversary, happy mother's day to everyone all at once. It was funny.