General Chat

still raining.. whos molly? just made the coconut ice, but i can see i'll have to make 1/2 truckload more before the piggies get sick of it. found some fruit mince while we were out. Miles want mince pies, but only the ones I make. no choice anyway as I refuse to buy them. think that the plonky recipe could be very popular, except takes too long to sit before drinking. alright for you jood seeing you're on the wagon. should be doing junk mail cept i might get too wet. the shade cloth blinds are nifty, that stuff is so versatile. its good for big bags too. poss. aint my hubby but doesn't perform too well with too much stirring or poking love Yvette x

Good afternoon Wattlers Since recipes are all the go, I thought I'd share this one. I found it in the front of an old CWA recipe book which I've had since Adam was a boy! TO PRESERVE HUSBANDS 'A husband, like peaches, will not keep the year round unless he is well preserved. First, select him carefully. Be sure he is not too green, nor over-ripe. He might look very tempting and mellow in the market, but if he is too old he will not stand the test of the preserving process and will expose his hard, stony heart. Husbands grown in the tropic of pleasure look very fine but are usually insipid. The home-grown are best. Select yours from a family tree growing on the sunny side of the church. You will be sure he is sound of heart. Unsound husbands, like unsound peaches, often have to be sorrowfully cast away. Having selected your husband, you should have a clear, steady fire of love. Your preserving pan (the home) must be neat and clean. Husbands, like peaches, often look vey black if this is untidy. Give him plenty of sweetness. Much sugar is needed and vinegar is never used in sweet preserves. If you think he demands a little spice, use it with caution. Do not keep stirring him. Neither should you keep poking him with sharp points to see if he is done. It will spoil his looks. If you follow the above recipe, love will be well preserved.' Oh my giddy aunt - what can I say!!!!!! X Anna

Hi Wattlers, Seems like ages since I left a message, but I have been looking in every day. I don't know why but we have been really busy. Had to go out on Monday morning and called in to buy some shade cloth. we then spent the rest of the day and next morning making shade cloth blinds for out westerly facing windows. It amazing the difference it has made. Best $100 we have ever spent. We had friends round last Saturday and they have been here again this morning bringing another friend. We have been invited out for lunch on Saturday, which I am really looking forward to. And here was I thinking Christmas was going to be quiet. Oh and we have got a duckling for chrissie dinner, there are just the 2 of us so a turkey would be too big. Sorry fluffy. Tony, you are so clever, I will be doing the same as Tassie, few faces I don't recognise though. Thanks for all the lovely cards, hope I manage to find the time to return same. Mary are you sure you are not giving out a false gender and its really you who got that nugget? LOL That would get us all to Kew. It's too hard for my poor brain to remember everything that has been going on, but I hope that every one that has been ill is starting to feel better. Those that are partying hard don't have too bad a hang over and those that haven't started are getting prepared. And I hope that Molly gets his dog back. Luv SuzyQ

Arvo...:>)) Very smokey here in Melb,with visability down to about 1km. Heard on the radio and in the bank this morning that there are fires at Maiden town, also near Walhalla, Rawsons, and Erica. Glad you liked the chrissy tree...:>)) Yes...i forgot to add meself...:>((( ....CRAFT moment....lol Just stopping for half an hour for a bite to eat, before hitting the roads again. Rudes Xmas recipe: Remove V.B tablet from fridge. Rip head of bottle top. Drink....:>))) Hope everyones havin a great day. catcha ron. Rudes...:>)))

Hi Wattlers, a recipe for Irish Cream Liqueur ( at Lews request) 1 x 750ml bottle of Irish Whiskey 83/4oz milk choc 2 x 14oz cans sweetened condensed milk 2 x 12oz cans evap milk 21/2 cups heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon instant coffee Pour small amount whiskey into large bowl. In top of double boiler, melt choc,stiring constantly until smooth. Mix melted choc with whiskey in bowl. Gradually stir in sweetened and evap milk. Stir in cream, coffee and remaining whiskey Pour into 3 x 750ml bottles,seal and store in fridge. Best if left for 1 month before using. Shake well , serve over ice. Thaks Tony for the wonderful xmas tree....very clever ~~~ to all the Wattlers Flakey

Afternoon Wattlers Lara the miserys must have been popular yesterday. I felt a bit grump, and still do. Dannielle came home from school red as red can be from sunburn on the face and arms. The grade 6's went for a walk to local golf course, which is a 5 k walk each way, they spent the day there swiming in the members pool and playing games, well it was a warm day of 21 degrees and a uv factor of 11, the teachers took alll the kids bags in the car so they didnt have to carry them, which was good, but some of the children had their hats in the bag, sooo after a 5 k walk with no protection, most of the damage had probably already been done, why the teachers didnt get the car to come back so the kids could get their hats or lend them some out of lost property or something would be better than nothing, and this is from a school that wont allow the children to play outside in the sun at recess or lunch even for 10 minutes without a hat. Then on top of that the teachers also forgot the sunscreen that is supplied by the school for such occasions. They was out in it all day. So Dannielle woke up this morning with her cheeks already starting to blister, being a redhead she burns easy, I know the kids should take a bit of responsibility, but still they are still only kids and dont always think. Grrrr ok I'll get of my soap box, sorry about that but I just needed to let off some steam. Ok on a brighter note, looks like David and myself will be having a few days break down at St Helens, we asked our landlord and his shack is empty so whoo hoo, looking forward to it, might even take a trip to Wineglass Bay as we wont have any children complaining about the walking. And sitting on the balcoonie with a Jim Beam in hand watching the sunset over the bay,mmmmm nearly as good as our printhess' Balcoonie in Sydney, hee hee Loved the chrissy tree and still trying to put name to a couple of faces, but it was very artistic. I have printed it out and got it stuck above the puta screen so everytime Im on here I can look at our tree, and think of all the lovely times we have had over the last year. Thanks Wattlers :-))))))) Cheers Sue

Sorry Lara, did get your email, thanks. Only getting one email from you - but getting two from Jood at the moment! Yvette, here's another fun meal you can do with rice paper rounds: Finely shred lettuce, carrots, greens of choice, sprouts,mushrooms, pineapple, mint, other herbs of choice, omlette, avocado and anything else you feel like. prepare dipping sauce of choice. prawns, crab meat if you like AND very finely sliced beef or pork from an asian shop. get your electric frying pan or wok on the table with constantly simmering water in it (can add dried fishes to water to freak kid's out if you likeThey sort of 'swim' around as the water boils :) Add slices of meat to cook in water and immerse rice paper in the water VERY carefully to just soften it but not so it falls apart. Spread it out on your plate, add meat etc and small amounts of vegeys. Fold up and eat. is a real hands on meal - caters to all different tastes - and is really good fun. Vonny

Well I am back and I have done most of my Christmas present shopping and am feeling very proud of myself...Did it all in 21/2 hours, and it was made easier as daughter in Orange sent me a list of what the children would like and all I did was go in and buy it.. so really I was cheating as it usually takes me hours walking up and down isle after isle..Called in to see our old nextdoor neighbour to give her her Christmas present and took one look at our old house and thought ,,,no I dont miss it,, Lara If you are on your own for Christmas why dont you book into a flash restaurant for Christmas lunch..Saves cooking and gives you a break from dishes..lol You are always welcome at daughters in Orange for lunch if you can make it..Just let me know you are comming and I will set 2 more places.. Yvette and Sandra ,, Looks like you two got all the rain.. We got nothing and I could count the drops if I didnt walk so fast. Loved the sound of the rice paper rolls..Were you making them all day,,30 odd is quite a number..You sure you not selling them in a shop or smfink...lol,,,yummy... Hope the Printhess Lolly is driving careful and watching out for all the lunies out there who only know one way to drive,,,flat out,,, Lonch calling as I can feel those little gremlins in my tummy grumbling.. Love Mary xxxxx

gday all, Joodles I would be bringing up two bottles at a time just in case you discover an off one hehe take a sign to the Hoffman Cup ok saying 'Hi to the Wattlers '. Tony you're a legend thanks lot for the Christmas tree with the Wattlers on it ,its terrific you are clever cookie. Drive carefully Printheth and don't go rushing home I know how anxious you are to be there , having a lovely Christmas at home will be great . Yvette good on you re the job hope it's a good one doing nothing much and getting payed heaps hehe Vonny did you get the email as thje putor is playin g up I never know if they actually went or not and I am sorry if any peeps are getting two of everything from me as each time this b lap top turns off when I start it up again it downloads all the same emails again ohhh grrr and I dont know if it sends again too Mary chill Christmas is still 4days away hehe and I havn't sent all my cards yet as yesterday was a sit and do nuffin sort of day , had the miserys till I talked to some lovely peeps on msn thanks you mad lot . Well better do yesterdays stuff you know H/W now and then go and buy some food for Christmas , still havn't got the Chrissie feeling first year ever that nobody is coming here so feel sort of weird don't know what to do with no visitors ' bye for now, love Lara

hi wattlers, been out on the bike in the rain to do my last weight class of the year. its been raining since last night but not bucketing down. still very pleasant. Rice paper Rolls 1 packet rice paper rounds (woolies sell them) 200 g rice vermicelli julienne carrots, cucumber. other protein content of your choice (i use thin sliced fried tofu - 350 gm packet, and a 4 egg pancake sliced thin) can use shredded chicken, bbque duck, pork, cooked prawns etc garnish inside with coriander leaf dipping sauce 2 T sweet chilli sauce 2 T fish sauce 2 T white vinegar finely chopped cucumber for prettiness prepare veg and protein stuff soak vermicelli in very hot water 10-15 mins drain & rinse in cold water, drain again use a plate with damapened paper towels or tea towel and do one at a time. be careful with the rice paper soak each piece in warm water until going soft and put on the plate in the middle organise smallish bed of noodles load up with protein and veg ( a small smear of wasabi is very good too) wrap like a spring roll so it end up about 10 x 4 cm eat as soon as possible. this amount feed all of us as they are quite filling, each person has 5-6 (do the math) there are 5 of us got to do the taxi run into town now so catch you all later love Yvette x

Morning All. Very smokey in Mudgee today. Glad you're feeling better Vonny. Perhaps you should have asked our Queen to send down one of the brothers to help! Tony, you clever little stick, but how come I can't find you??? I thought you'd be there with your graduation hat on Lovely to chat with you yesterday Your Majesty. We shall do it again soon. Loz, drive careful as there's heaps of lunatics out on the roads at this time of year. Anna, rice paper rolls are yummy. They're more like a transparent pancake shape that you fill with lots of vegies and things and roll up. Then you can dip them in soy or chillie sauce. Very tasty Off to finish cleaning. Guests for dinner and the house needs the once over. ~~~to all the Wattlers~~~ HRH Printheth Lew Lew xxx

Morning Wattlers, Wet, Wet, Wet in the Gong it's been raining all night and cool. Tony, you clever man, but as Anna said why dient you put your own dial on there, loved it. Mary. did you watch sunrise (tv ) this morning?? a retired engineer found a gold nugget down in Ballerat somewhere ,it weighed in at just under 4 kilo. What a find AAAA. Safe journey to those who are traveling this week, Laurie I expect you may have left already. catch you all later Sandra in the Gong

Morning to all, Cool and cloudy here too, but no rain so far. Feeling much better this morning - just in time to do the HW!!!!! Clever little sausage Tony, nice Chrissy tree. Hugs to everyone this morning :) Catch you round :) Vonny

Morning all. Dull and overcast at the moment, Looks like we had some showers overnight but not much..hope we get some more today.. Printhess Lolly Drive carefully today as it is not a nice day for it. ,,, Rudee, The Wattle Tree is fantastic.. Joodles Still sleeping away in WA, lol she would find it hard to be first on here when in WA. nip down to the garage and bring up a bottle for tonight,stick it in the fridge and it will be nice for dinner, Anna Hows the tank going..full yet?? Must away and do a coffee.. Love MAry xxxx

Day Seven Nuala, W e are not amused by your little joke. Seven swans-a-swimming is a most romantic idea but not in the bath of a private house. We cannot use the bathroom now because they've gone completely savage and rush the door every time we try to enter. If things go on this way, the mother and I will smell as bad as the living-room carpet. Please lay off. It is not fair. Gobnait

Goodnight all Don't you just love Tony's masterpiece? What a treasure. I'm a bit disappointed he's not on it though. After all - a recent University graduate would definitely add a bit of class. Fanny - what are rice paper rolls? I gather they are not toilet rolls made out of rice paper if you had them for tea. Hope the sickies are feeling better. Mary - glad you got the puter fixed. Jood - that's a long time between drinks!!! We went out tonight to see the Chrissy lights around the town - met so many people I knew. It was a real talk fest - Katherine was getting fed up with all the boring oldies! See you all tomorrow X Anna

thanks to everyone for the lovely cards I have been sent. thankyou for the unreal christmas keepsake tony. you are sooo clever!!!!!! night mary. I think I need to find my car and put it in the drive. Its hiding out the back again and I never know whether it will still be there in the morning. although - 1984 poverty pack volvo, I could be a bit ambitious. might be bed for me too love you all yvette x

Awwww Fanny - I'd love to have a drink, but sis & bil dont drink :(( She said they had bottles in the fridge in the garage, they were going to tip them out, but now she has said I can open one at a time, and see if they are ok - over the next few weeks, and what happened tonight? We forgot !!! However, come what may I am definitely getting a bottle of Lyn's storberry wine for new years eve. pppppppppppppppppppp lol Isn't our Tony a clever one? Jood

Well I am off to bed so see ya all in the morning.. Nite Nite Love Mary xxx

Hi Joodls Go easy on the plastic.. When you get home its got to bend the opposite direction and just may snap..lol Looks like we are leaving for Orange on Friday so better start on the Christmas shopping before I go..Great about getting the ticket for the Hopman cup,, I will watch it on the telly.. I like to get the comentary on the tv as well which gives you a bit of insite to the players.. and also I am probably to plumb lazy to get up and go..lol Trifley I thought they were the picks of Neffer and his brothers.. he.he.he. Tvette What sort of job did you get..and when do you start..How many rice paper rolls did you make.. you would need a lot to fill hungry tummys ..no wander you havent had the time to do some H/W..but then who wants to do H/W,,,not me.. Love Mary xxx