Thursday, May 20, 2010

Christmas Stitchin'...and Part 2 of our Italian weekend!

Another week is almost past and I have finally gotten back to my Christmas stitching. Here is a little peek at a project for a magazine...
 I have some more Christmas projects to finish by Monday, patterns to write up, then posting it all off. With the house still sparkling (I tell you, that iPod is amazing!), I have some free time to slow cook winter casseroles, bake fresh bread, and stitch. A heavenly combination. 
~~~~~
Continuing on our Italian Festival weekend, here are some photos from the rest of Saturday.
After settling in to the caravan park we headed back to Ingham Showground for the afternoon's activities. There were market stalls...
Food!!
A grape stomping competition...
and the greasy pole climb!
The next event was the parade along the main street. It was a tiny parade - 5 minutes and all the participants had passed by - however, we were entertained by two roaming Italian clowns, Guiseppe and Luigi, who apart from being very funny, were given the task of handing out Italian chocolates to the bystanders.

Once the evening had settled into darkness it was back to the Showground for the concert, and the fireworks.
 Next was the main reason we came up to Ingham for the Festival. The winner of last year's 'Australia's Got Talent' competition, 16yo Mark Vincent, was the centre-stage attraction - he has the tenor voice of an angel! A young Pavarotti who started singing for his beloved grandfather. He sang about 10 songs, but our favourites were 'Ave Maria', 'The Prayer', 'Hallelujah', and 'Nessun Dorma' (which brought the very crowded Showground to its feet in applause and tears!)...
(You can watch Mark's performance of Nessun Dorma in his audition for 2009 Australia's Got Talent HERE. He was just 15 at the time! When we heard him on Saturday night he had matured in his voice so much and I cannot wait to hear him in the years ahead.)

After the concert we returned once more to the caravan park and the very uncomfortable bed and the billions of blood-sucking mosquitoes, and slept wonderfully. 

Sunday morning and the trip home will be shared in my next post.
Right now I'm off to Home Ec - some stitches to teach and quilting to play with!
Have a fabulous and blessed day, wherever you are in this incredible planet.
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

12 comments:

FlourishingPalms said...

Thanks for sharing pictures of your Italian weekend. Looks like fun, especially the eating! I also appreciate the link to Mark Vincent. Thanks to you, I've spent quite a few happy moments listening to several of his pieces. Wonderful! How nice for you to have gotten to hear him in person!

Anonymous said...

Oh. my. goodness!!!! Jenny, thank you SO MUCH for posting Mark Vincent's link!! What a powerful voice for one so young! I got goosebumps!! We have to listen to sooo many mediocre singers these days (huh, for decades!), that it is a real treat to come across a God-given talent like he and Susan Boyle have!! I mainly listen to Southern Gospel, but occasionally I'll hear of someone like this (Or Andrea Bocelli), and will listen avidly. I've listened to Mark tonight on various Youtube clips.
Thanks, too, for the pictures of your trip - sounds like it was so much fun!

All the best!
Gerda in Alberta, Canada

Country Nanny said...

Thank yoy Jenny for all the love you have for my country. Italy is waiting for you and Blossom! I live not far from Torre del Lago which is the little town where Giacomo Puccini lived for 65 years long.
It's a very beautiful town to visit.
LOL
Elisa

Kaylee said...

Love the photos Jenny, sounds like you had the most wonderful time. Cheers Kaylee

KaHolly said...

What fun!!! Loved the photos - was almost as good as being there! Great sneak peak. Looks like happy cherries. ~karen

brunella said...

Thanks for all the love that you have for my Italy...Land of your ancestors...Italy is the HOME of the beautifull music...the new Pavarotti,in Italy,is Andrea Bocelli..Listen to his voice and his songs...
Ciao ciao from Italy and see you soon....See you in Italy,you will be proud to be ITALIAN...
A Kiss
Brunella

Jeannie said...

Fun,fun, fun!!!
I love your sneak peek!!

Alice said...

OK, I just got totally distracted listening to Mark and then cute little Jal Joshua. What incredible talent. I used to love watching Australia's Got Talent when we lived there. A live concert must have been amazing. The food looked pretty yummy too. Sounds like you had a wonderful time in spite of the bugs!! L,A-

Allie said...

Well that looks like a spectacular trip - I'm drooling over those chocolates, lol, my favorite! Can't wait to go listen to Mark sing....I'll check out the links in a bit.

Margaret said...

Ingham ? Ingham Chicken and not a one in sight. When I think of Ingham I think chicken, however your Ingham looks a lively place thanks for the journey.

Margaret said...

P.s Loving the blocks

Dawn/wolfmom2ac said...

What a fun trip! I love those chocolates that the clows were handing out! They are one on my all time favorites! If you ever want any more, let me know! I love your blog and always look forward to seeing what fun things you are crafting!
Thank you for letting me see all the wonders on you make!