A Happy Reunion in London.... (London Part One)

.... with DD1 was had by all, practically as soon as we had landed and we finally got to meet her new boyfriend, too! 

Luckily, he has passed the parental test and is a lovely young man and we approve of him (especially as he is an Aussie, too, comes from Melbourne, barracks for the Mighty Tigers just like us and his first and surnames are the names of our two sons - maybe he is just right?????)

(Click on the pic to see the Instagram video)

We missed the snow in London and had a bit of rain on and off, but on the whole it was not too cold with our very warm puffy jackets.

My sister and I started our London adventures at Madame Tussauds whilst TraderVic and DD picked up DS2 and his girlfriend (there was a tribe of us altogether) from the station and went shopping for food - TraderVic just loves to wander the streets of whichever city we visit.

Here are a few of my favourite Madame Tussauds pics - I must admit that the celebrities on display had changed a bit since I was last there in December, 1985!

I thought that Helen Mirren was very true to life.

... and who could resist Colin Firth?

 .... and George Clooney?

... or James Bond???? (who is looking supremely indifferent to me standing next to him - lol!)

Now, who is the more scary monster?  

Do you know, I have never ever seen the movie "E.T."??????

One of my passions: The Tudors....

... and I had to stop and say hello to our Kylie (Minogue) - I can still remember back in the day, playing Charlene on Neighbours.

Dear Sister with a Wookie!

After Madame Tussauds, we went on a bit of a wander....

Who remembers the risque but very funny "Carry on ..." movies?

... and, of course, the ubiquitous red London Doubledecker buses!

Okay, I am going to leave it there - just a taste of the start of our trip.

Please come back to view more of our adventures but you can see more up-to-the-minute photos if you follow me on social media....

FB: Kaye De Petro

Instagram: Kaisievic

hugs, 

Gifted Gorgeousness_ January Update.... PLUS FF and FNSI....

But first, in case you do not know what I am talking about ...

Gifted Gorgeousness (or GG) is a SAL run by the wonderful SAL Mama, Jo from Serendipitous Stitching.  Basically, on the 15th of each month, we post anything which is stitchy gift-related.

Kitten Stitching and the Friday Frolics (or FF) is a SAL blog run by me to help us  work our way through some of our WIPs and UFOs, each Friday.

Friday Night Sew-In or (FNSI) is a monthly SAL, run by another wonderful SAL Mama, Wendy from Sugarlane Designs, again to help us get some of our stitching goals accomplished.

Let's get started with GG.  So, for this month I have a very big Happy Dance - DD's London Blanket is finally finished.  Yay and Double Yay!  Can you see me doing the Fandango all over the house????

Way back on my last GG post (in November last year - where oh where does the time go?) I had stated that I hoped for a finish soon on the blanket but alas! It was not to be and it was still two more months before it was done but here it is at last.....  (It has only taken me SIX months to knit it - lol!)

It will be winging its way to DD later today, alongside her "shopping list" of Aussie foodstuffs:

• Smiths Crinkle Cut Salt and Vinegar chips
• Burger Rings
• Twisties
• Double-coated Chocolate Tim Tams
• Vegemite 
• Milo (the drink not the cat!) 

She is obviously on a health diet, not!

My next Gifted Gorgeousness piece, also doubles up for FF and FNSI.

This pretty design was a gift to me from a dear friend - isn't it pretty?  I am in love with the 32ct spotted grey fabbie (the first pic shows the correct colour).

Design: Do more of what makes you happy

Designer: Abbey Rose Designs

Fabric: 32ct Grey-spotted

Floss: Mixture of suggested and own choice over-dyed threads

Pretty happy with my progress on this piece.

If you would like to see everyone else's stitching for the various SALs, please click on the following links:

Gifted Gorgeousness

FNSI

FF

hugs, 

P.S. I do have some other GG stitching and bits and pieces but they are parts of exchanges, so I cannot reveal them yet .... Next Month!

I

Graduation!

I did promise to show you all photos of my DD's graduation from Melbourne University.  I hope that you enjoy them.

The graduation was held in the historic Wilson Hall at Melbourne University.

Here she is receiving her degree.

 A proud DD afterwards.

DD and her lovely longtime boyfriend.

 Aren't the archways gorgeous?

 One of my DD's childhood friends graduated at the same time - aren't they beautiful girls?

 You can't half tell that TraderVic and I are proud parents!

 It was a very special happy time, one we truly needed in this stressful year we have been having this year.

Love you, my DD, your Dad and I are so proud of the beautiful, clever and independent woman you have become.

.... and love to all of you too, my bloggy friends.  I thank you so much for all your support and friendship, it truly helps sustain me through the tough times.

hugs,

A happy occasion....

Me, DD and TraderVic

Last weekend we had my DD's 21st birthday party at our home.  We had around a 100 guests.  A lot of planning went into it and I am pleased to say that it was a really happy occasion.  Here are a few pics which I would like to share with you:

The flowers, all ready to place around the house.

The cake: a croquembouche, filled with chocolate and vanilla custard - it was a great hit.

DD and her lovely BF.

The Speeches 1

The Speeches 2

The Speeches 3

My DS, DN and DBIL

DS1 and a friend

My dear friend, Kim, DS2 and one of his friends (whom I taught when he was in Year 8)

I hope that you have enjoyed the party.

hugs,