ANZAC Day - April 25th

To commemorate ANZAC Day I decided to make a batch of Anzac biscuits (cookies) to share with friends and family.They were quite tasty if I may say so myself.

Here's a little history on the Anzac "bickie":

An Anzac biscuit is a sweet biscuit popular in Australia and New Zealand, made using rolled oats, flour, desiccated coconut, sugar, butter, golden syrup, baking soda and boiling water. Anzac biscuits have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) established in World War I.

It has been claimed the biscuits were sent by wives to soldiers abroad because the ingredients do not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well during naval transportation.

I extended my ANZAC Day holiday to span across 5 days. A nice long weekend - fabulous. We dropped Bindi off at "Granny Cheryl's" (MIL) for a week then headed to Sydney for the Camping and Caravan Show. We also slipped in a quick trip to Costco before we left the city. Gee, it's wonderful they are here in Oz now and I can buy large paper towels and Monterey Jack cheese again. It's funny how many of the little things you miss about home.

The next day (Friday) was spent getting ideas and quotes for our kitchen, laundry and guest bath remodel. Hopefully my jaw doesn't break from hitting the ground too hard when the cost estimates come back. We could be in for a big shock. Priority is for the guest bath to be complete first because it's been gutted for over a year now...it's time!

Shower and tub area

Vanity area

The rest of the weekend my was spent re-organizing my pantry - a monumental task to say the least. It's amazing how much can accumulate overtime and how much crap you have hiding in the back of the shelves. I do think we'd could feed the entire neighborhood for 6-months if all the grocery stores when on strike tomorrow.

This morning (Sunday) the wet fog settled on potted California Redwoods we have in our backyard - beautiful. I can't help but smell them every time I walk by just so I can transport my senses back to the wooded forests of Yosemite..ahhhh! I truly miss that incredible smell that seems to completely envelope your mind and spirit.

Return of LuLu

I am truly thankful for my friends back home who keep me sane and remind me that no matter how far  away (7487 miles to be exact) we're separated by this big pond they call the Pacific Ocean, they will always be there when I need them. Cyber technology in the form of Skype has been a real blessing to me since I landed in Oz. I can now stay in better touch with my friends and family - sometimes like almost being there but nothing will ever beat the warmth of a good ol' hug!

Last night (afternoon for me) I had a priceless gab session with my besties Bud and Ro. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to fall of my chair. Laughter is definitely the best medicine especially when you have a bad case of homesickness...thanks girls! I miss you and love you both so much.

The one thing you can always count and love the most about your girlfriends is their honesty. Ro bluntly reminded me I hadn't updated my blog in a long time. Actually it's been almost a year. Yes, I have been very bad, but Lulu is back.

There has been so much that has happened over the last 12 months I can't even begin to squeeze my thoughts into one or even 50 posts. I will say that probably the biggest highlight during this time period occurred last June when we went to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the middle of Australia with our friends the Lewis'. Our adventure was incredible and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I've never seen as many stars, bluer skies or breathtaking sunrises/sunsets than I experienced camping in the outback....absolutely and un-describably amazing!

Living in the country of Australia you never know what critters you might come across from one day to the next. This weekend, for example, has been extra special. Friday night we had a poisonous brown snack slither his way between the panes of our sliding glass door into the house. Luckily we scared him back outside in which he received the business end of a shovel. Then this morning I decided to unfurl my patio umbrella to create a nice little shady spot our guest during morning tea (white chocolate & raspberry muffins -yummy) and what did I find hiding inside????? A bat! What's next, a platypus in my bathtub?