Happy Birthday to Me ....

This year I hit a milestone Birthday and was determined to not let it pass without doing SOMETHING special.

So I packed everyone into the car and headed for the Mornington Peninsula.

Our first stop was at the Arthur's Seat Chairlift.
There has been a Chairlift at Arthur's Seat since 1960 and after years of problems and accidents it was finally replaced in 2016 with a new European style all weather Gondola system.

Although as a child, I spent many weekends holidaying at Dromana, I have never ridden the lift (sitting on a seat swinging in the breeze was not my 'thing' even way back then). So when I heard it was being upgraded I couldn't wait to check it out.

The verdict - not nearly as terrifying as the Cairns/Kuranda Skyrail.
And one day - I will get to ride one of these things when it is not raining!

Next stop was the township of Flinders - it sits on the 'other side' of the Peninsula where Western Port Bay meets Bass Strait.

The township has certainly changed since I was there last and afternoon tea was a delight at Mornington Peninsula Chocolates.

There was one last place I wanted to visit before we headed home.

I do love lighthouses!

To me they symbolise safety and protection and steadfastness.
And remind me of all my favourite childhood Sunday School songs.

This one is at Cape Schanck and has been faithfully protecting all those who pass by her since 1859.

I did fully intend to be well on the way home before dark but, time got away from us and. . .

- well - 

What a perfect way

 to finish the day!

Lactose Free Ice Cream anyone?

I have mentioned in other posts that we have a member of the family who is Lactose Intolerant and that the one thing he misses the most is decent Ice Cream.

So, once upon a time, I bought a Compressor Ice-cream machine (so I didn't have to pre-freeze the canister) and tried to make his favourite dessert.

Over the years these efforts have been a bit 'hit and miss'...

But with every failure there is learning -

and as my DD said to me the other day "I have just learnt 200 ways NOT to do something!"


Finding a REALLY good recipe that you can adapt is also an advantage.

As is the range of good quality Lactose Free products that are now available

I don't bother making plain Vanilla anymore as we have an awesome commercial Vanilla Ice cream readily available in the supermarket.

So when I had left over Cream from another recipe - the only question that had to be asked was "What Flavour?"

Choc - Mint please?

Done!

The recipe says "Keeps for 3 days"....
Um....
Not around here it didn't!


While the machine was out I also made a beautiful Chai Spiced flavour and served it with warm Apple Crumble - YUM!

It is a Good feeling when . . .

You can finally say -

It is finished!

Quilted with an all over pattern it is the cosiest quilt I have made

and an even better feeling to know it is just in time for what is going to be a very cold Winter!

* * *

May 18th 2016

I started Allietare as a challenge to see just how long it would take me to make a Bonny Hunter Quilt - then life got in the way and it became a WIP.

A year later I can happily hand it over to DS and DDIL 

(who are still patiently waiting for their Wedding Quilt!)