Winter in Orange, Australia

Scenes of Winter in Orange, Australia and surrounding area

Sprucing up Round-abouts

Winter afternoon stroll

Frosty mornings

Beautiful Rainbows after a winter shower

Spacious landscapes

Winter Roses

		All Things Bright and Beautiful
		~Cecil Frances Alexander
		All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset, and the morning, That brightens up the sky; The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell, How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.

Pioneer Christmas in July

On July 21st Our Orange Branch here in Australia had a Pioneer Christmas in July party.   Petra  worked so hard on this activity.     She always comes up with such cleaver fun activities for the Branch.     
Christmas is normally in the middle of summer here in Australia.   Since July is in the middle of winter here, she was hoping for snow.   But we did not get any.   We got bright sunshine and a little wind making it a little cool.   Oh, well, she tried to order it.
Since the party was set so close to July 24, Pioneer Day, she wanted everyone to come dressed as Pioneers.    Elder Tietjen wanted me to make some costumes for Nikita (8 yr) and Mackayla (5yr).    In our far reaching travels we hit all the DI's (Vinnie's and Salvation Army stores) to find just the right material to make mine and the girls' costumes. 

I found a bedspread for $15 and made me a skirt and 3 bonnets.

A queen size sheet for $4 and made 2 adult aprons and 2 children aprons

I then found a large 2 section curtain (I had already cut up one side before thinking to take a picture)

I made 3 girls skirts with pink riffles on the bottom and 3 bonnets to match.

Out of other material I found I made other colors of bonnets.

Blues and Yellow

I sewed and sewed not waisting a spare second.  (7 pm -12 midnight)  One night till 2 am. 

At the DI's we found 2 little shirts to finish up the outfits.   The girls were so excited.

A sister in the Branch (63yr) had commented last Sunday that she could not find a bonnet, 

so she was just going to have to wear a scarf.

I  made extra bonnets and took a yellow and a blue bonnet over to her on Friday night (July 20).  I let her pick the color she wanted.    She just squeeled like a little kid.   She was so happy to get a bonnet.   She hugged and kissed me and could hardly wait to dress up.  By the way, she picked the blue one above.

I then went home and made another blue bonnet and finished an apron for Denise.

We also were able to find this collection for the boys, Jamie (13), Keegan (12) and Nicholas (2).
And a few extras for whoever. 

 Pioneer Christmas in July

A festive Christmas table setting

 

The Relief Society was assigned to bring the food.   
I volunteered to bring the Sour Cream Potatoes (Funeral Potatoes)   
I love and use my sister-in-law's recipe.   
It was such a big hit with many of the men that they were asking for the recipe.  
They had to make sure that their wives knew that theirs was good too,
but mine was "different" (said one brothern) and he liked it.
Thanks Cindy, I love your recipe.


 

Children playing pioneer games:
left to right: Emma, Nikita, Mackayla, Nicholas, Luke, Cody, Braydon, & Brock (green jacket)

Everyone got a present from under the tree or could take someone elses still wrapped present.
After everyone got the present they wanted (kind of) we all got to open them.

Traditional European plum pudding smoothered with custard.   M-m-m-m good stuff

My sweet little pioneer children
Keegan, Jamie
Mackayla, Nikita
Nicholas

Pioneers, Elder & Sister Tietjen
What a wonderful Pioneer Christmas in July we had with this small Branch in Orange, Australia. 

4th of July in Australia

Since there is no celebrating in Australia for the 4th of July, Elder Tietjen and I decided to celebrate a little our selves.  
Every Wednesday evening we usually go to the Doyle's home for dinner.   I made up some cute little patriotic cards and a fruit pizza to take with us.    After seeing that Nancy also made a fruit pizza, I thought, creative minds think alike.   Right Nancy?   Well, here is my version.
 

We looked all over for fresh blueberries but could only fine some mushy canned ones.   So that was what I used.   They were not very blue. 

Here are the cards I made.  

The Doyle's enjoyed discussing the history of the 4th with us.    They really liked the cards to help them visualize things.    They also loved the fruit pizza.