Thanks 2019!

December has been a truly great month for us, with a super fabulous holiday for the first part and lots of family bonding for the second half.

We were completely busy for the last 2 over weeks. Only started our yearly Christmas preparations when we returned, meaning we were only left with 10 days to settle decorations, buying the remaining gifts plus wrapping, planning Christmas menus and getting ready for the Christmas parties.

Brought our Christmas tree home the very morning we landed.
We bought it just before our trip and kept it with the nursery.

Also bought some pine branches to make our own Christmas wreath. It has been a “tradition” for me since a couple of years ago.

It would have cost us about S$300 for such a big one but we only spent like 20% to make our own. And we have so much leftovers that I could make …

… and a slightly smaller wreath for Sis.

Pillar candle bought from France. It smells nice, very Christmassy.

Added to our Christmas decor was this stollen we bought from Munich’s Christmas market. Love it…

The first Christmas party was on 21 Dec, with my inlaws.
Ala mini buffet style, cooked everything except the satays.

The bar was open and the celebration started from early dinner time.

Our Christmas Eve dinner.
My first attempt on pork chops and it was a success!

No meal is complete without a dessert and tea.

All ready for our Christmas party 2.
The Christmas afternoon tea (in the background) was awaiting us.

Roasted the 2nd chicken in 4 days 😄 And a salad as appetizer.
Sis made Truffle mushroom soup… Yummy.

A coffee between lunch and afternoon tea.

Our lovely niece was fascinated with our home café.

Also took the chance to catch up with a cousin during my office Christmas-New Year closure.

Well, year 2019 ends very well for us and I know 2020 will even be a better one!

Cafés in Perth

Bar Botanik
North Perth

Zamia Cafe
Kings Park

One of our favourite cafés in Perth

Sayers
Leederville

Peninsula Tea Gardens
Maylands

Till now this is still my favourite afternoon tea venue. Love the tranquility while enjoying those sweets, paired with the sparkling.
This time round was much better than the last 2 visits as there were no crows trying to befriend us and no rain.
It just felt so relaxed to be enjoying the Swan River view and basking in the late afternoon sun at about 10°C.

Gordon Street Garage
West Perth

The Tenth State
Crawley

Bread in Common
Fremantle

Hush Specialty Coffee
Fremantle

This was so good that we bought 2 to bring home, or maybe because it was our last day in Perth (in fact 3rd last stop before our flight)

Her 80th birthday present – II

Day 3

Replenishing our “stock” at House of Honey

Homestead Brewery

Baudin’s Macadamia

A picture with the friendly owner of Baudin’s Macadamias, Paula

Had a therapeutic walk at the Swan River in Maylands before our afternoon tea.

Day 4

After breakfast, we went for coffee and shopped for a couple of hours at Watertown Brand Outlet.

Also made a trip to Angove Street Collective. all of us (except mom) purchased some items to bring home.

Dinner was with Sis’ friends and their family.

Dinner in an Italian restaurant – Siena’s of Leederville

We had converted the TV room into packing room.
Tough homework that night… to stuff all the shopping loots into our luggage.

Day 5

We had to check out at 10am. Too wasteful to throw away the leftover food (like bacon & bread) as it was not nice to leave them to the host.

Enjoyed our breakfast in the park… sunny yet cold

Next stop was Fremantle, it was only a 10-minute drive.

Look at what my beloved Sis did while “carrying” her big blister

Made a very brief stopover when driving along Marine Parade

Her 80th birthday present – I

Asked mom if she wanted a banquet for her 80th birthday or a family holiday, without any hesitation she chose the latter.

Off we went in Aug (her birthday month). Niece could not join as it was still school term.

We had a free upgrade to a bigger car without us asking for it. So blessed!
Good thing it was a bigger car as we had some problems stuffing all baggages in even with a larger boot size.

For the both of us, we prefer to take red eye flights as we would have a full day upon arrival. But with an 80 year-old, we chose a morning flight and reached Perth at about 1pm.

We did not do much during the 5D4N. Just walking around a bit, visited some cafés and a bit shopping… mainly some elderly-friendly activities.

It was past 2pm by the time we collected our car, so went for late lunch first before checking in.

After settling in at the house, we made a trip to the nearby supermarket to get our next 5 days’ supplies.

Had dinner at one of our favourite restaurants (because of its beers), Little Creatures Brewing and ended the night earlier.

Had a minor accident that night when Sis was boiling drinking water for all of us. She scalded her foot when pouring the boiling water as the kettle was not closed properly.

For those few moments, we wished we did not stay in a big house as we had to run up and down to get first aids items (initially we did not know her scalds were quite serious).

3 day old wound 😨
The other 2 were smaller ones

Day 2

Had breakfast at a café and thereafter a stroll in Kings Park.

We made a doctor appointment for Sis to treat her wounds after breakfast. I found a clinic that was near the next destination. I wanted to visit a curated grocer.

Sis was tough, she walked as normal for the next 5 days. Glad that our activities were very lax, suited the senior citizen and the injured lady well.

The Shorehouse

We were not hungry so ordered small dishes and sides to share instead.

Duck fat potatoes, fried garlic, rosemary

Lake Monger

Had afternoon coffee after Lake Monger and paid a short visit to Sis’ friends & family who migrated to Perth more than 10 years ago.

Hotel Stay

For the convenience, we booked a room at Pan Pacific on the wedding day of my SIL.

A short but very comfortable stay – spacious room, including the bathroom, with everything we needed. Just a pity that we did not really have the chance to fully enjoy the room.