Camp Oven Cooking

Last weekend D and I entered a camp oven cooking competition with three friends. 

And fun was had by all!

It was a community fundraiser for the local fire brigade, which consists of many volunteers, and this was it's first year. Fingers crossed there will be many more to come.

The firemen lit the fires for the coals at 3 am.

We arrived there at 8:30 am. 

14 teams registered but only 5 turned up on the day. This was both disappointing (the lack of support for a great cause) and pleasing (there was a really laid back, non competitive feel to the day).

We all chatted to each other, swapped recipes and peeked at each others offerings. 

There were 4 competitions. Damper or scones, soup, roast meat & veg and dessert. We came third in the damper making, second in the roast and we won the dessert making golden syrup dumplings.

The above picture shows the damper cooking and then we got so busy cooking and socialising that we took no more pictures. I'm really disappointed with myself but I'll have to try and do better next year.

D and I got back home at 5:30 that night and carrying on the theme of the day we sat outside with a drink, watched the sunset and ........ look what we won! 

No prizes were necessary but I have to admit that this is the best thing that I've ever won in my life.

We've been chopping wood and sitting around the fire for the last few days now. I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon. Maybe.

So, I've got another baby blanket on my hook right now. Yep, another baby is due to arrive at the end of the year. The last four years have seen the family breeding up really fast. Sometimes it's difficult to be surrounded by so many new babies coming into the world when it's not something that D and I will be blessed with. The happiness for my family wins out in my emotions but sometimes it's a bit delayed.

I'm still enjoying my bright skittles colours but this time I've decided to make a stripy blanket. This is a fun pattern, very simple but a great project to chug away at in front of the TV.

Do you like my vase? I love it. I bought it when I went back home. It was made by a local artist and I just couldn't walk past it. I babied it all the way back to Oz on the plane and I was so relieved that it made it here in one piece. It's beautiful with or without flowers in it.

Also news is that the Oliver tractor which has been parked up near our shed since I came to live here eight years ago has been sold and is going to a good home where it's going to be lovingly restored and put to light work.

Hope you've had a memorable week.

xXx