Sometimes, waiting or sacrificing things is actually just opening the door for God to grant us the desires of our hearts in a spectacular way...

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A Wonderful Birthday Weekend!

This weekend was such a treat!

 A beautifully set table...

It started off with a fabulous gourmet meal lovingly prepared by my daughter and her dear friend...


 Sarah and Anna

What a joy to see the two young girls working together in the kitchen!

They spent time planning out the menu, shopping for the groceries, and preparing each course with careful thought and attention to detail.

"The Menu"
Italian Bread stuffed with 
Italian Sausage and Mozzarella Cheese

Mixed Green Salad

Chicken Rollatini

and for dessert...

 Carmel and Chocolate Tart topped 
with cream and fresh berries



Beautiful Presentation...


We all enjoyed the fabulous meal and wonderful fellowship and are looking forward to the next one!  


This weekend also included a short trip out of the city... We headed inland toward the Blue Mountains for a day of exploration and enjoyed "bush walks" in lush fern forests and beautiful, quiet, countryside.


Waterfalls near Leura


We stayed near the town of Leura.  From there we were able to head over to Katoomba and Echo Point for a view of the "Three Sisters".



Morning Mist Burning off of the Valley Floor

The Three Sisters at Echo Point


A curious Currawong

 A Native Australian Aboriginal playing the "Didgeridoo"

We wound our way around the mountain, exploring Historic sites like Hartley Village and followed the old Zig Zag Railway for a few kilometers... We also admired the quiet little communities and estates in Mount Wilson.

 The beautiful grounds of St. Georges Anglican Church in Mount Wilson


The road less traveled...

Waterfalls near Mount Wilson

 

We ended our tour of the area visiting the Botanical Gardens of Mount Tomah... overlooking the Hunter Valley in the far distance... and perhaps inviting us to a future weekend adventure!
 


 Sarah and her sketch book...

 Her subject, a "Blue Mountains Water Skink"


 The gardens and beyond...

3 comments:

Kristi Knifong said...

Oh my goodness, how BEAUTIFUL!! I love the photos you take. I feel like I went with you! Sarah's luncheon looked AMAZING!! Are you sure you didn't get your pictures mixed up with a lunch you had in Europe last year? She's got talent! I'm so glad your birthday was special, as special as you are. Much love to you friend....

Tara said...

I'm so glad you made it to The Blue Mountains! Did you find the teapot shop at Leura?
You take such beautiful photographs, it makes me want to hop in the car and get upthere myself! I had a chuckle at the first photo...the backdrop behind the flowers looks so green and lovely.....you can't tell what lurks right underneath those trees. :)

Anonymous said...

Good job girls!!!
Hope you had a wonderful birthday. Buon compleanno, baci ed abbracci
uncle Andreas

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