Five degrees.

It has been over a week since we arrived home from our trip to Australia. We are back into work, play group, cooking for ourselves, cleaning etc. The sad thing about holidays ending is that you get back into your daily routine without having time to savour your holiday. There really should be a mandatory 'holiday savouring' period. For now I'll have to settle for blogging to appreciate the events of the past 8 weeks.

Our visit to Australia was all things fun, amazing, entertaining, relaxing and wonderful. My previous blogs have touched on a few of our holiday experiences. Our last two weeks were spent at the farm in Colac. We had a few days with the McMahon's before they trucked out, (and they do truck out) on their annual family retreat to Renmark in South Australia. They are all doing well. Terry had another successful tree season. He planted thirty thousand trees this year compared to his usual ten thousand. They take about 4 years of growing and careful pruning before they are harvested. Lisa is her usual busy self, looking after the family, working on the farm and taking care of the house. I think she even finds a bit more time for herself these days. Brigitte is entering her 3rd year at R.M.I.T. Her course in Valuation is keeping her interest and she speaks with optimism about her post uni opportunities. She recently won a scholarship from a firm in Albury and has developed a relationship with them. I think she may be doing work experience with them soon. She has expressed a desire to work in the rural areas and I'm sure she will find it easy to get a job. Kathleen is heading off to Melbourne to begin her first year at Melbourne University. Her chosen course is Commerce. I'm looking forward to hearing all about it during the year. Tim is entering his last year at high school. He turned 18 a few weeks ago and a few days ago he got his drivers licence. He's been dying to get behind the wheel of his new car - a jet black Holden Commodore station wagon. He was a little deflated when Jo called it the family wagon but we all had a giggle about it. Michelle is her usual sweet self only much taller. I can't believe she is 14. She is going into year 9 (I think) and is quite a good tennis player. Liam is missing a few front teeth and is his usual cheeky, energetic self. He goes into grade two this year and recently turned seven. We all enjoyed a family Christmas dinner on the veranda. The conditions were perfect and the view was breathtaking. Jo and Andy came with the girls. Erin has really grown up. She is going into grade three and Summi is about to start. Both are lively and lovely. Jo is coaching swimming and rowing. Andy is as busy as usual with his job and still travelling overseas alot. I apologise for the sketchy details about Erin and Summer. I may be incorrect but I'm close. I'll check with Jo and edit the details if necessary.

After the McMahons left we settled into the farm. Its a good place to be when the weather gets hot as the big grey stone bricks keep the house cool. There are so many rooms that no matter how many people are around you can always find a quiet place to sit and read a book. The farm has a way of making everyone feel relaxed. Unless the McMahons are all at home and then it takes a strong constitution to survive. No offence McMahons. I did puzzles in the formal room, Kirk read books. Harper played cars up and down the big hall. We were joined by my friends David and Anna and their two girls Nelly and Veronica. Harper loved playing with the big girls. We had a lovely dinner on the veranda, grilled porterhouse with a herb vinaigrette salad. Complimented by a bottle of All Saints 2002 Cabernet Shiraz that we had stashed in the McMahon's cellar about five years ago. Incredibly, the 6 other bottles we put down there were also still there. Most likely because the cellar is kind of creepy and no one ever wants to go down there. WELL DONE KIRK FOR BEING THE BRAVE ONE. Also thank you to Anna for the delicious banana cake. I think Harper may have enjoyed it for breakfast the next morning. Mum and Dad chose not to join us for dinner. Instead dad took mum for a romantic night at the Colac R.S.L. Lucky mum. No offence dad, just having a laugh on you.

With conditions so dry and many trees suffering the drought it is no surprise that one of the big fig trees along the drive way came crashing down, or at least one third of it. Fortunately no one was under it.

Harper had his first salon hair cut. It was slightly traumatic and but with the promise of a chocolate milk shake we all managed to survive.

At the beginning of our visit I caught up with an old friend, someone I hadn't seen in about 18 years. We had shared a flat together in Melbourne but I lost track of him after he got married and moved to Sweden. It was great to see him again. He has two boys and two girls. We got talking about family and I mentioned that Lisa had moved to a big old farm house in Colac. Nick asked if the name of the property, by chance, was Yeo. As it turns out his Great Grandfather, Oliver Winter Irving, bought the farm from the Austin's ( the original owners) after the WWII. Their family lived there - his Grandpa William Winter Irving with his Brother Clive Winter Irving and when Nick's great grandmother died the property was sold to the McMahons. It's a small world. I hope to keep in touch with him.

Almost forgot, apparently the farm is haunted. The McMahons and many friend have had ghostly experiences. They believe it's the old gal, Mrs.Winter Irving. One of Lisa's friends claims an old lady was standing over her while she slept. She woke up to find this old lady's face staring down at her. Could this explain the creeking floor boards in the middle of the night even though everyone is alseep.

One of the best things about going home is catching up with two of my oldest and best friends, Carolyn Laffan (Caz) and Anna MacDonald. Unfortunately Caz and I didn't get to spend as much time together as we had hoped. We keep in touch with skype and emails whenever possible. We all have young children and busy lives. I have to thank Caz for starting me on the road to blogging. Like Caz I have always fantasized about keeping a journal but never have. After I read hers I knew this was for me. So Caz, thanks for getting me started and I always enjoy your writing. I must get a copy of that amazing travel book, Folio Society edition of 'Colours: Travels Through the Paintbox' by Victoria Finlay. Thanks also for the cookie recipe. I plan to make them over the weekend. Hope you don't mind me sharing the recipe. Look for it at the end of this blog.

Anna, I have completed cutting the fabric for my first quilt in many years thanks to your inspiration. The sewing began a few days ago. Although I may strive to catch up to you,you have set the bar high. You are my new Quilt Goddess. Erin will be the recipient of my quilt (please keep the surprise) and I have another design in the works for Summer. I believe I am hooked again. Photo's will be posted upon completion.

Of course no trip to Australia would be complete without a trip to Myrtleford.  As usual our host, Aunty Anne, otherwise known as 'Nin', spoilt us.  The weather was perfect and we made good use of it with trips to the play ground, iced coffee and chocolate milkshakes at our new favourite coffee shop and deli, and time spent with Nin.  Unfortunately Ann had a bout of hives and we hope she is feeling better now.

Our flight home was tedious and exhausting and despite delays out of Melbourne and luggage issues in LA, not to mention all the extra security checks, we still made it home as scheduled. Harper travelled so well. It took us about a week to get our sleep routines back to normal. We came home to 10 degrees and sunny but the weather has taken a turn for the worst. We are back to zero in the mornings and about 5 degrees during the day. I am reluctant to go outside unless I have to. Fortunately we are all flying down to Florida in March for the annual Nederpelt family holiday. I hope my tan doesn't fade to much before then. Kirk is only staying a week. Harper and I will stay on for an extra week before driving back to Toronto with Jack and Judy. A week at the new farm and then home by March 25Th. We're looking forward to our road trip up the east coast of America.

Harper had his first day at pre school and loved every minute of it. He will officially start next week and is quite excited by it. He also had his first trip to the dentist today, although that wasn't quite so successful. I told him we were going to the dentist and he said 'does it talk mummy'. At least he scored a toy from the toy box. Below is a picture of sleeping beauty after a big day. He didn't even make it to his bed.



The following photo was taken by Harper two days after we arrived home.



Tessa Kiros' Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies

75g butter, softened
50g soft brown sugar
1 egg
few drops of vanilla extract
160g plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
110g dark semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
50g dried cranberries


Preheat oven to 190C (375F) and line two baking trays with baking paper. Cream butter and sugar, mix in egg and vanilla. Sift in flour and baking powder with a pinch of salt. Beat with a wooden spoon to make a soft sandy mixture. Stir through chocolate and cranberries.

Lightly moisten your hands and roll teaspoons of mixture into balls. Arrange on trays leaving room for spreading. Bake for 12-15 mins or until golden in centre and darkening on edges. Remove from oven but leave on tray to cool and firm up. Makes 30 small cookies.

I Hope these cookies are tasty. Harper will be pleased.