Counting Down...

Annoyingly, Blogger doesn't support animated gifs. Pity. Click on the image to see what is was supposed to look like.


Ann

Merry Chistmas To All!

When I was in primary school, the end of year concert was dominated by some wonderful Australian Christmas songs. Here's three of my favourites.

Christmas Day
The North Wind is tossing the leaves,
The red dust is over the town,
The sparrows are under the eaves,
And the grass in the paddock is brown;
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.

The tree-ferns in green gullies sway;
The cool stream flows silently by;
The joy bells are greeting the day,
And the chimes are adrift in the sky,
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.


Carol of The Birds

Out on the plains the brolgas are dancing,
Lifting their feet like war horses prancing,
Up to the sun the woodlarks go winging,
Faint in the dawn light echoes their singing,
Orana! Orana!Orana! To Christmas Day.

Down where the tree-ferns grow by the river,
There where the waters sparkle and quiver,
Deep in the gullies Bell-birds are chiming,
Softly and sweetly their lyric notes rhyming
Orana! Orana!Orana! To Christmas Day.

Friar-birds sip the nectar of flowers,
Currawongs chant in wattle-tree bowers,
In the blue ranges Lorikeets calling,
Carols of bushlands rising and falling,
Orana! Orana!Orana! To Christmas Day.


Christmas Bush for His Adorning

All the bells are gaily ringing,
Birds in every tree are singing;
Let us in the golden weather,
Gather Christmas Bush together.
Christ is born! The angels thunder,
Thru’ the Heavens their tale of wonder,
While we pluck for His adorning
Christmas Bush this hallowed morning.

Christ has conquered Evil’s power
Hear the bells rock every tower
Birds and beasts lift up their voices,
Freed at last the world rejoices.
Onward with triumphant chorus,
Following the road before us,
Singing thru’ the golden weather,
Gath’ring Christmas Bush together.

My sincere thanks to A Growing Delight who posted these and more on her site, bringing back some wonderful memories.

Wishing you a peaceful Christmas and a New Year filled with hope and joy.

'Tis the Silly Season

If you've got nothing better to do today, why not take...

The Wrapping Paper Test

You are Considerate and Mature

You approach the holidays with responsibility and co-operation.
You'll do your part to make sure that everyone else has a happy holiday.

You aren't particularly picky or high maintenance during the holidays.
You're happy to be in the company of people you love, and you're willing to "go with the flow."

Of all the types, you are the most likely to give someone exactly what they want.
You're also the most likely to wrap all your presents well - to prevent peeking!

Well...I did say it was the silly season!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Photo

This is Australian folk singer John Williamson's version of this terrific song...definitely my favourite Chrsitmas song.

I have included the words for those of you who may have trouble understanding his *accent*.

Click here or on the picture below to listen to the song. Be warned it's a big file...3.5Mb.

Merry Christmas!

It's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Christmas tree, native pine
Lights and tinsel, all entwined
Put a fairy on the top
There's Gran and Pa and Joan and Pop
Ham and turkey's organised
Won't the grandkids be surprised?
When Santa comes in big black boots
In the back of Jacko's Ute

Spoken
Hey Santa’s really Uncle Peter!

It's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Gather around for a photo
Hang on Dad, where did Sam go?
I gotta get everyone in the picture

Spoken
Oh here he is, come on Sam
Now say Cheese,
Cheese!!
Wait a minute, Bubbles is missing!

Oh yum, yum pig's bum, Christmas pudding
All the ladies do the cooking
All the men are really slack
Slappin' each other on the back
How ya been Tangles, how was your year?
Might rain tomorrow, have a cold beer.
I hear young Greg’ is playin' fullback,
Guess he gets it all from you Jack,
Blah, blah, blah, blah.

Spoken
Who’s for a game of cricket?
Me!

Oh it's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Gather around for a photo
Hang on Dad, where did Sher go?
Gotta get everyone in the picture

Spoken
Oh here she is, c’mon Sher
Say Cheese,
Cheese!!
Wait a minute, Annie’s not here!

Oh me not out, oh yes you are Nick
It's your ball, Max don't bowl too quick
Oh Nick has run off with the bat
After him across the flat
C'mon Cub you've had a bowl
Give the ball to Christie
Tom Tit, Pee-Wee, Brookie, Side Kick
You're on my side, grab the bat quick
Now he's run off with the stump
Better give that Nick a thump

Spoken
Think I'll have another beer, hun

Oh it's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Gather around for a photo
Oh hang on Dad, where did Amy go?
Gotta get everyone in the picture

Spoken
Oh here she is, c’mon Amy
Everybody now say cheese,
Cheese!!
Wait a minute – Hettie’s not here
Oh!!

Oh see the goanna up the gum tree
He's gonna get a feed today free
When the campers leave the lake
Bits of chook and chocolate cake
It's Christmas time for him as well
See his big long belly swell

Oh it's December in Australia
Time to remember all the family
Gather around for a photo
Hang on Dad, where did Fox go?
I gotta get everyone in the picture

Spoken
Oh here she is. C’mon on out Fox
Everybody say cheese
Cheese!!

Hold it there now…

Got It!

Oh it's December in Australia

This beaut cartoon from Nicholson is a pretty accurate representation of my memories of childhood backyard cricket! Click on the image to see a larger version.

7 Things I Like...

About Christmas!

The lovely Dzintra *tagged* me earlier in the week. She shared seven favourite things. I thought I would run with a Christmas theme.

Before I forget... here are the rules:

Post a link to the blog that challenged you and add these rules to your post: Share 7 things about yourself. Challenge 7 other blogs at the end of your post through naming their blog and post a link to it. Let them know they've been challenged by leaving a comment in their blog.

Fruit Mince Pies

Each year I try different sorts from cafes and bakers but homemade are the best. I prefer a full pastry top on mine.

The Christmas Tree

It doesn't really feel like Christmas until the tree is up and decorated. It's always a shame we we have to take it down again.

Handmade Crafts

I just love giving and receiving handmade things.

Vintage Christmas Cards

I'm a sucker for a good Christmas card and especially like the vintage postcards.

Christmas Bush

Christmas in Australia means summer and heat and this wonderfully vibrant plant.

Christmas Carols

Especially the ones about snow and cold weather!

Christmas Pudding

Even when it's in the high 30s, low 40s I still like Christmas Pudding. I enjoy making it and everyone has to stir the mixture for good luck.

Well, that's some of my Christmas favourites.

Thanks Dzintra, that was fun!

Ann

Christmas Bag Tutorial - Part 3

Making the Lining and Finishing the Bag

Click on the image to see a larger version. All seams are 1/4 inch unless otherwise stated.

For the lining take two pieces of fabric 20 inches by 22 inches and pin with right sides together. On one long side measure down six inches from the top and mark with tailors chalk, pencil or a flower head pin. Measure a further four inches and mark/pin again.


Stitch around the sides leaving the opening and top free. Backstitch well at the side opening to give it strength. Pin the lining to the bag right sides together. Stitch a half inch seam all the way around the top edge.

Carerfully pull the bag through the opening.



Push the lining inside the bag and gently press the top. Topstitch 3/8 inch from the top edge to stop the lining from rolling out.


Sew a decorative button to the opposite side of the loop for the closure.


All finished!


Happy Stitching.

Ann