Monday 28 March 2011

My Quilt World -- Ripe Strawberries II --Progress report

Here is an up date on the smaller version of Ripe Strawberries


I have nearly finished the borders and I am working on 
the basket with sashes sections.



It should be finished before our 'Grand Tour' of 
Europe begins in August.




Until next time.... Kim

Sunday 20 March 2011

Autumn Festival Parade 2011

Today was Armidales autumn festival and the Car Club took part…… right up at the front to escort the dignitaries.
Autumn Festival 2011 070
Unfortunately, it is a bit dull and drizzly today, but still a lot of people turned out.
Please visit the Car Clubs brand new website

(I’ve just installed windows live writer so if the blog looks different its because I’m practising).

Until next time … Kim

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Golden Wedding Anniversary

Mum and Dad have just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. 
Graham and I  spent the weekend in Sydney to help them celebrate.

We flew down to Sydney on Friday the 4th March,
after leaving our furry kids with 
Grandma Vi so they could share their doggy love!

Graham at Darling Harbour

We stayed at the Ibis, King street wharf - which is near Darling Harbour. I liked this hotel - and I've stayed in a lot of hotels in Sydney and elsewhere in the world. You usually know what your going to get with an Ibis, a small room, but clean modern, neat and at a cheaper price. This one was so close to everything . A  few minutes walk to the restaurant strip and a 10 minute walk to Department stores like Myer and David Jones! (For those who know Sydney its not far from Wynyard Station) No view, but we could see the Maritime Museum through the gaps in the buildings. This Ibis also did a great Breakfast for the price - we will certainly stay there again if the opportunity arises.


Mum and Dad booked in there too so had a mini holiday in their own city!!


Ibis King Street Wharf

Seagull and the Glebe Island Bridge

On the Friday afternoon and after meeting up with Mum and Dad, Graham and I went to the Sydney Aquarium at Darling Harbour -- I've never been there before. The Dugongs are soooo ... beautiful !!! 
For more info go to  www.sydneyaquarium.myfun.com.au  



A beautiful Dugong





As that night (4th March) was Mum and Dads anniversary we all went out to dinner at Nicks Bar and Grill -- I think we all were a little disappointed with the meal -- I've had better prawn cutlets at the local pub!! But it had a nice atmosphere and good company. We then walked off the meal with a circuit of the Darling Harbour precinct. It was very busy, lots of people throng to Darling Harbour on a Saturday night.

Darling Harbour at dusk



Mum and Dad

Please compare restaurants ...LOL!!! click on for links - Nicks bar and  Grill  OR The Grand Hotel Armidale!!

Saturday,, After breakfast - and the excitement of a car commercial being filmed in the street outside our Hotel--- (IT IS that sort of street, clean/modern/city) --- the four of us set off for the gallery to see the Terracotta Warriors exhibition.


Library

It took less than 30 minutes to walk via Martin Place , past the State Library , through the Domain, and onto one of my favourite places the Art Gallery NSW ... This was the second to last weekend of this exhibition and we realised that we were lucky to get there early  as the queues to buy tickets when we left were three hours long.

Art Gallery of NSW

The Warriors are on loan from China -- Mum and Dad have seen them before, insitu --.  I found it fascinating to see them so close up,,,,  so much detail in their faces, clothing and hair. People must have spent a lifetime working on these figures -- although - it reminded me as a bit like the building of a large public building -- for example -- Canterbury Cathedral -- it kept people in employment (which means money) , gave them worth and a  trade/skill which they could pass on to the next generation and they had the respect of working for their God or King.


Then it was shopping time!!! ....Off to Myers ladies fashion ---  Graham had to amuse himself somehow....
I've found a great trendy fashion range that fits my curvy size ---TS 14+ (Gift vouchers welcome.. he he)
(And, we went to JB HiFi , under the strand arcade and spent $ on silly stuff, like the complete series  on DVD of The Vicar Of Dibley).

Saturday night the family all met up for dinner at the Genghis Khan Mongolian BBQ restaurant. This is one of those places that you choose your own ingredients and they cook it on a hot stone while you watch.  I think everyone had a good time.


Step 1 - Choosing ingredients
Step 2-  Line up and wait for your turn
Step 3 - food cooked quickly on the hot stone
Graham and I
My sister Cathy and my niece Rachel
The cake with an edible photo was made by Rebecca and was yummy!


 What I forgot to mention was that this dinner took place on the same night in Sydney as the Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, So the city was really busy and there were hundreds of same sex couples out and about, often wearing feathers and sequins. This was an eye opener for the children and older people alike as Mum and Dad did have an adventure during their evening stroll after the dinner!

Until next time .... Kim
 P.S -- Here also is the invitation I made for the night on smilebox ... I luv smilebox!!

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