Holly's Baptism...

It seems like ages ago I wrote a post about the family heirlooms ( as in a 59 year old gown and petticoat and a 138 year old crocheted bonnet) that Holly would wear for her baptism. Well that all happened on November 11, so no wonder it seems ages ago.

I arrived before everyone else so I could help set up for the ceremony...especially boiling the jug in the vestry so the hot water could be added to the cold tap water in the big brass ewer jug.  Thus the water would be warm for the baby...😊

Pretty soon the 'star' arrived with her mum, dad, one of her godparents and some friends. Holly was just wearing the petticoat at this stage.

I was given the job of dressing  the baby in the gown and putting on the bonnet. Earlier, when DD2 and I were planning the christening and she was checking out the gown and bonnet, I got the distinct impression that she only wanted to borrow the gown. But something made me soak the bonnet a few days before and get to work with the iron on the crocheted flower motifs. And I took it with me to the church that day...and DD2 was very keen for Holly to wear it! Thank goodness I had got it ready and brought it with me.
 

Some photos before the ceremony...

Father B always likes to involve any other children in the congregation in the ceremony and pretty soon Holly's cousins were helping...

Father B is of aboriginal descent and since being in our parish, he has introduced a tradition of taking a newly baptised child around the church as all women and girls reach out and touch the baby gently. It is surprisingly moving.

I particularly wanted to get a photo of Holly with myself and Grandma P...as I have photos of my mother and mother in law holding DD1 at her baptism...

And a lovely photo of Anthea, Holly and DsD2

And one with grandpa!

And DD2's godmother had come along and she and I did a bit of reminiscing of DD2's christening at the same church 33 years ago.

After the ceremony and heaps of photos were taken, everyone headed off to the local hotel where quite a bit of the restaurant had been reserved for a celebratory lunch. Looking at the next photo I can understand Father B's quip about there being more people gathered for Holly's baptism than at the Sunday services. 😉

And DsD2 had made a christening cake ( well 2 actually) for all to share after lunch. 

It was a lovely day and was timed perfectly, as from November 13, I was back temporarily in the workforce,  working for DH on the state election and this time around, I found those 8.30 to 5pm days really tired me out more than ever before. I guess the years are catching up! lol

Last Friday night...

Last Friday night DH and I went to the Opening of the Parish Art Show...

Craft in the church...

Paintings in the Hall...

I was so busy checking out the craft tables, I forgot to help myself to a glass of wine...food and drinks are included in the admission price! Lol

The weather had turned cold, so knowing how chilly the church and hall can be, I 'rugged up' a bit...

The show was opened by Kate Jones, MLA, our local state member. She is the Education Minister in the present state government...if I still worked, she would be my 'Supreme boss'! Lol. While she waited for her official duties to begin, Kate sat next to me!!

 Pretty soon it was time for the Speeches...

This year I did not complete my usual knitted throw donation...it's still half finished...

So to help parish funds, DH bought a painting instead! In the next photo, DH is supervising the placing of the red dot sticker for sold...

The painting is called Abandoned and we thought it was an excellent choice as a gift for a relative who lives overseas...old farm buildings and gum trees.

I bought a number of smaller items, mainly gifts for the little people in my life...my niece's children. This is my favourite purchase...

A little portable blackboard with pockets holding chalk and a blackboard cleaner...

The show ran all last weekend. But numbers were down as were the proceeds. But everyone in the parish helped in some way and that always makes it special. 

Signs...

I forgot to put this photo in my last post. It is the sign at our church which is on a busy road. Apparently the spelling mistake is deliberate. Paul, our wonderful quiz master was responsible for this sign...

We had the best roll up in years for last Friday's Trivia night...now I wonder was that because this sign does get attention?? Lol. 

Last weekend...

The weekend action started Friday night for DH and I...the annual parish trivia night! An evening of fun, fundraising, friendships and laughter. For a few years now our team has been beaten for first place by just a point!
Each team brings along some nibblies for their table...the glass platter in front is the one that I prepared :-)

 We were a team of 7 and we called ourselves 'The Jimmies' as we were all from St James...
The team below were a family so ages ranged from toddlers to grandparents...

 Hmm...what are these people up to??? It's a game of 'Heads and Tails' ; to play, you need to put a gold coin in the baskets being taken around...more funds for the parish! The man in the striped shirt won the first game!

Here is Paul our quiz master extraordinaire...9 rounds of questions with 10 questions in each...

 Time for supper now...

 Here's DH bringing back some coffee for us...

People still lined up to load up plates with cakes, slices and other sweet treats...

Pretty soon we were at the end of Round 9...

 Neil, one of 'The Jimmies' team reacts to the latest update in the scores...

We've won by 11 points!!!

 These are our prizes!!

 Tidy up time...everyone helps in some way...

Dishwasher is fully stacked and running...

Some items get washed by hand...

And that is Adrian who just wasn't fast enough dodging the camera! Adrian is a retired teacher as well; he taught in the school just over the hill from my last posting.

Saturday morning DH and I headed to Nambour to attend the Sunshine Linus Quilt Show and Open Day. This was such a marvellous event, I will write a separate post about it. Here's a little preview...

We ate a delicious morning tea that was included in our entry...

 I shopped ...

 And I was absolutely enchanted/entranced/enraptured by the quilts on display in the church adjoining the hall...their beauty, workmanship and just the sheer number of them!

More next time...promise!