Well another year over and we all had a wonderful day. The ladies all loved their gifts and now I will have to think about next year's theme. It was quite warm here today high 20's so the air conditioner and fan were going full pelt.

by pennifold 15 Dec 2016

Thanks Gerry yes we had a lovely day lots of chatter! Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 15 Dec 2016

Thanks Pam for your kind words and concern. I'm loving doing the hydrotherapy and it's definitely helping my situation. All of our grandchildren finish school tomorrow Friday 16th and then we are on Christmas holidays till the jchildren return the last day of January 2017. I already have a couple of ideas floating around for next year's luncheon. I will be reducing my sewing time due to doctor's orders and Trev and I gojng on a new exercise routine. Love o Chris

by pennifold 14 Dec 2016

Thanks so much Terri, it did look impressive. I usually like a bigger centre-piece, but then it's hard to see the other ladies faces. Love Chris

by pennifold 14 Dec 2016

Thanks so much Maria, yes, it was great that we all had Christmas colours on. I always ask the ladies to wear, red, green, gold or white. We only had one lady in green this year. It's not my colour, I do like bright colours. I love the season of Advent too Maria. Love Chris

by pennifold 14 Dec 2016

Thanks so much we had a great day and they all loved their gifts. Love Chris

by pennifold 14 Dec 2016

Thanks so much Debbie, it takes a bit of time for me to get it set up, but that's half the fun. Thanks for your comment. Love Chris

by pennifold 14 Dec 2016

Thanks Gerry, you are always welcome whenever you come on down to Australia. Love Chris

by pennifold 14 Dec 2016

Thanks so much Toogie, we were so fortunate in that the weather only reached about 26C. On Tuesday and Wednesday it got to 38C a couple of really hot unbearable days and so early into our summer!!! Never mind the air con and a swim in the hydrotherapy pool did wonders. I've been seeing an Exercise Physiologist and she is helping immensely along with the hydrotherapy. I can't believe the difference in only 3 weeks. I've finished all the sewing for now except my navy blue and white quilt. My Brother machine is merrily stitching away at only 350spm at the moment as I write and as it's all white thread - no changes!!! Yeah! so I don't even have to watch this one.
We've got most of the family coming Christmas Day but Amy and Steve and the girls (Ophelie and Delphi) are having us over to their place for Christmas Eve dinner. That will be nice - I don't have to do anything! Wishing a very merry Christmas too with you all your loved ones. You also need to rest up, I think there are quite a few of us on here who need to listen to our bodies! Love Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Kay, it was hectic trying to talk to everyone, but we managed. Love Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Marg, just used the colours I've got, love Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks so much Patti. It was a lovely day and so tiring too! It's been so hot here and it's draining. The Navy quilt is a WIP (Work In Progress!!!!!) Love Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks so much, I think a lot of Cuties were there in Spirit! Thanks for commenting, love Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Suzanne, I did just that!!! Stood and admired the settings. Mum still looks great, the picture is a bit fuzzy, but she's pretty sure good for nearly 83! Cal the lady next to her is 89! And had the funniest sense of humour! Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Pam, they do. Kaye the lady in green gave me a huge hug and told me "You have no idea how much we appreciate all the time and effort you put into this yearly event" - I said "Yes, I do!" Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Pauline it was beautiful wasn't it? I've still got it set up now for Christma but you know me I love Black and White too. It would be so dramatic! Love ❤️ Chris

Hope you are enjoying life way up there! Love to you all.

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Di much Shirley the Christmas theme always looks so festive love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Ha ha ha thanks so much love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Miss Lillian, all of my regular Cuties were with me in spirit. I know you'd love to be with me. Thinking of you always. Much love to you and Ron and families. Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Hi Laura, I took my time doing them so it was no stress on me mostly till the middle of September and then I just stood at the machines. Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Ha the only sewing buddy is Meg, Carolyn! The others are old folk art painting buddies, mum and her friend and my ex boss' wife Chris and then Sue my best friend from Melbourne days. They are such a happy group. Love ❤️ Chris

by airyfairy 12 Dec 2016

I realize that there is no mention of your menu. Would love to know what you cooked for your ladies.

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Hi Sarah, thanks fir commenting check Jerrilyn's post for what we had to eat. Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Angie, I start planning in January what I'm going to make. It's going to be a stinker of a summer. Yesterday was 36c and today the same and it's only just the beginning of summer! Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Lynn, ha ha no I don't like green at all!!! That is Amy's favourite colour though! I usually rotate my colours so I'll check what I've got in my Christmas cupboard for next year. Love ❤️ Chris

by designgirl 13 Dec 2016

i am with Amy, green is my favourite also. Hugs and Love Lynn

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Jerrilyn, no thank goodness - these are friends of over 30 years! Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Kim, thanks for your beautiful coaster design it was very well received. We had roast turkey, triple smoked ham BBQ chicken. For the salads a tossed garden salad, a fried rice a coleslaw and a platter of roast vegetables. We had little multi grain bread rolls and for dessert individual Newcastle Pudding lady's plum puddings with either brandy custard, plain custard, cream or ice cream. For coffee it was a vanilla roasted Arabica plunger coffee that I buy from a specialty store. We also had a beautiful summer punch and a bottle of my favourite champagne Piper Heidsick. A great feast all round!!! Love ❤️ Chris

by dragonflyer 14 Dec 2016

Y-U-M-M-Y....all sounds so delicious. I have never had Newcastle Pudding but you had me with the brandy custard! Glad you also had your bubbly at hand...can' really have a celebration without it....

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Karen, you know too well what it's been like. I wish I could have rested, but I had a call from Amy asking for help with pick up and taking girls to school. Then to collect them from school and babysit tonight (it's now 11.00) just had a text they are waiting on a cab, won't be long. I've been to hydrotherapy today and will go again tomorrow and that is so relaxing. Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

It's easy when you are a Christmas fanatic. There is a whole cupboard at the end if our back room full of Christmas ornaments!!!! Love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks Meg for such lovely words. I loved sewing all the things you got. Of course you saw them all on here before, but they always look better in real life. Looking forward to next year! Love Chris

by pennifold 13 Dec 2016

Thanks it was a lovely day love ❤️ Chris

by pennifold 12 Dec 2016

Ta very muchly Sue! Love Chris

by pennifold 12 Dec 2016

Thanks Michelle, funny you should say that as that's what they all said! Love Chris

by pennifold 12 Dec 2016

Thanks Jerri, it was great, fantastic food and my gifts all went down very well. It was great that Sue could make it as she now lives a 2 hour drive from me, so a turn around trip of 4 hours. She only moved into her new home on the 1st December, so I was thrilled that she could come. We've known each other for nearly 35 years. And yes, everyone had a fabulous day. Meg didn't leave till 6.20pm. Love Chris

by pennifold 12 Dec 2016

Thanks Sandra, yes, it is always a happy occasion when we all get together. Pity about the weather being so hot, but we got through it o.k. Love Chris

by pennifold 12 Dec 2016

Thanks so much Caroline. Trev set all the tables up for me yesterday and in the afternoon I got them all 'dressed'! Took me some time to get everything put away this afternoon once everyone had gone home. Love Chris

by pennifold 12 Dec 2016

Thanks Lorraine, it went really well and the Christmas colours were gorgeous. I hope you have a Merry Christmas too. Love Chris

by marianb 12 Dec 2016

Oops I meant tea towels not napkins..

by pennifold 12 Dec 2016

Thanks Marian, everyone was very impressed! Love Chris