Wednesday 30 December 2009

Off to Africa we go - The BAARTS 25-12-2009

Hey there EVERYBODY.......

Just some pics and a line or two to tell you about our Christmas.
It was my turn to host this year so we had 25 for lunch. Our theme this year was "Books and Music". Kev cooked a turkey on the Weber - instructions and recipe said a 4kg turkey needs 3 to 4 hours to cook. So....Kev lit the braai and was ready to put the turkey on at 9:30am. All went so well BUT the turkey was beautifully cooked at 11:30!!!! Anyway, it was served cold but was so juicy and yummy. I did two stuffed ducks which were wonderful. I have attached my menu for the day.
We ate all afternoon and seem to have not stopped yet - 2010 is inviting weighless to be my best buddy!
The flower arrangements I made with old books about music I found at the Hospice book shop for R10. I cut out the middle and put in oasis and then added holly from my garden and sprayed the ball and pine cones gold - voila! Carol you should be proud of me.

We had a super day but I missed you all and thought about you so much.

Just a wish for 2010.....

May 2010 mark the beginning of a whole host of wonderful challenges that are just enough to grow you and expand your horizons. May all your dreams come true...

And to borrow a friend's favourite quote...
The best day of your life is the one in which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses, no-one to lean on, rely on or blame. The gift of life is yours – it is an amazing journey and you, alone, are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life begins..”

Abraham Maslow

All our love Mon, Kev, Katie and Nick

Tuesday 29 December 2009

its now in California - THECOWLES

You guessed it next stop - Christmas with THECOWLES.......
a short visit for us all - but well worth it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from PLEASANTON CA
CIAO - THECOWLES - 2009

Monday 28 December 2009

Christmas Down Under

We have Christmas all over the world us Cowles, we have been to Dubai, now we are in Australia. Next stop who knows.............................

Merry Christmas Everybody - the BECHARDS

Sunday 27 December 2009

Chistmas in DUBAI with the Coopers

it was JINGLE BELLS ALL THE WAY



Merry Christmas to all & a Happy New Year



I hope there is deserts after this...........


For He's a JOLLY GOOD FELLA, and so say all of US
Hi All

Just cannot believe it's a year ago that we all put those wonderful Christmas messages together and clever Bill loaded onto the Blog. Well its that time again and I have been trying to find something really inspiring and meaningfully and managed to come up with a few things that I would like to share.

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.

For the Cooper side of the family, the past year has been good and we are thankful for so very much. Courage for the present - well courage is a Cowle's 2nd name so attacking the present with courage is part of who we are. Hope for the future - my wish to all of you is that your cups overflow with blessings and wish you everything you wish yourselves.

We are spending Christmas day at home and have a few friends joining us for lunch. Shaun will be with Allan's mom in Ipswich. Will drink a toast to your all a 3pm UAE time, and with everyone all over the world, have no idea what time that will be your time!

Remember that - Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away.

Here's hoping there are moments this Christmas take your breath away.

Love you all

Allan and Tricia
25-12-2009









LET'S WATCH TV

Why not, after a hard day at the office, put your slippers on, sit back and relax.

Channel 25 & 37

Sunday 13 December 2009

TOOT - TOOT here comes the TRAIN

One Sunday afternoon while Elizma's folks were here, The Cowles all went to the local model train park. Did I say "MODEL" well judge for yourself, these dedicated men and their toys produce exact replicas of the real thing, fully to scale and 100% operational. I am not to sure who enjoyed it the most, Liam, Leon OuBill or OupaDanie. What a cracker of a day out we had.
Liam just loves his TOOT TOOTS
I am sure there is a song that goes " You say it best- when you say nothing at all" so enough said, sit back and watch the choo-choo's while Elizma sits back on her virtual computer and directs the show.

Chatanooga Choo Choo - TOOT TOOT

FOR THE BIRDS


Tessy sent these two beautiful pictures of her two love birds

My love birds Witkopie and Princess (budgies) kissing and cuddling.

My 2 lovely budgies.

I have a lovely lady, Sabine Pieper, who comes in 6 days a week for 2 to 4 hours to help me shower, dress and get put in my legs (wheelchair) and clean (house work) as much as she can within that time (funded by the government). After telling her my story of "Daddy's Yellow Rose" and how I missed it. It died while I was in hospital, last year.
Sabine went out and bought this rose bush for me and this was the first rose bud. Since I got it I have had 5 more roses and I have 2 more new ones just started.
I still pick them and put them in my very special (Mommy's) vase. The rose sits between the photo of Daddy and My Sis, Carol.

Tuesday 8 December 2009

Franky and Charnelle in Dubai - November 2009

Franky was in Dubai for the Dubai Air Show in November.

He was joined by Charnelle and the Coopers for a photo shoot and a walk through Dubai with his camera in hand.


There are stacks more photo's just at the click of a mouse - just click here

We on the BLOG trust the trip was enjoyable and fun was had by all

Thursday 3 December 2009

a Christmas Pudding

Now this is something to share, we have all had emails saying lets share reciepies, but this one is something else. Molly sent it in, so sit back and enjoy - JINGLE BELLS for 2010



Christmas Cake recipe!!

Ingredients:*

2 cups flour* 1 stick butter* 1 cup of water* 1 tsp baking soda* 1 cup of sugar* 1 tsp salt* 1 cup of brown sugar* Lemon juice* 4 large eggs* Nuts* 2 bottles of wine* 2 cups of dried fruit


Sample the wine to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the wine again.To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Repeat twice.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.


At this point it's best to make sure the wine is still OK. Try another cup... Just in case.


Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner.. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the wine to check for tonsisticity.


Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something.

Check the wine.


Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or some fink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window.


Finish the wine and wipe counter with the cat.


Go to Woollies and buy cake.


Bingle Jells!