Nicola's Daisies

I love a good Op shop day

2012-01-29T22:16:00.003+13:00

I was having coffee with Keriann from Sweet Mary the other morning and she suggested we could go visit a couple of op shops. The couple of shops then turned into quite a few. A well worth few shops. I found lots of things I like all for $5 or less. I love a bargain. And I also found lots of fabric to use over at Coulter & Coulter. The best fabric bargain was 6m of pale blue cotton that I found hiding at the bottom of a basket. The best item found does not look like much, in fact I did not see it, Keriann pointed it out. And I could not believe that I found this item.
When we moved over here I brought with me a light fixture from Ikea that I really, really liked. Unfortunately after it traveling all the way over here, it got broken being moved from one box to another when we were unpacking. There are no Ikea stores in New Zealand, the light fitting had been discontinued. I even found two little lamp shades for $2 last week that on looking at I thought wouldn't they have gone really well with that Ikea light. I had no hope of ever finding one. Until Keriann pointed it out to me, hidden at the back of the junk shop in dusty cardboard box. Yay, synchronicity. I have no idea where I will put it, but I will take special care of it until it is hanging up somewhere in my home.

Back to travels of a redundant mum - day three

2012-01-15T21:06:00.008+13:00

I know that it has been a long time but if you cast your mind way, way back to here - the story continues with a road trip from Taupo down to Wellington. Before we left the shores of lake Taupo we had to visit some bubbling mud pools, they were on Sheena's "Things to see in New Zealand" list. We took a little detour off the road to Wellington through Turangi to the village of Tokaanu.
Next to the hot pools in Tokaanu, which are well worth a visit, is a little walk full of native flowers and wildlife and bubbling mud pools.

and steaming pools and beautiful vistas.

The little creek that runs past the hot pools was teeming with fish. I have never seen so many fish, just basking in the hot water and sun shine.
It felt like you could just reach forward and pick them up. It was good to see that the creek was designated as a spawning ground and fishing was prohibited.

Back on the road again we were off down the desert road heading for Wellington. I have never driven down the desert road before and was really looking forward to the trip.

It is such a fantastic drive with stunning views. It is so high up and so beautiful, right on top of the world. I was driving so not to many pics taken by me. We did stop for a quick couple of snaps though.

Hopefully it will not take as long to post the next two days of our travels, a day in Wellington and the drive home.

More goodies from the garden

2012-01-13T21:35:00.005+13:00

It seems to be a good year for plums in our garden. The first tree to ripen has been covered in yummy, succulent plums, lots of which I have stuffed in the freezer. I have given away a few tubs and I have eaten lots and lots. And left a few for the birds.
The other plum tree is weighed down with a lot of fruit. The branches are touching the ground.
I am looking forward to them ripening. Lots of plum crumble and plum cake to come.
Plums aren't the only fruit ripening in our garden. The figs that have been hanging on the tree for months have decided to ripen right now.
One of the pair of fig trees has never produced any edible fruit, until this year and one enormous fig has grown and grown.
I thought it would never ever ripen. But it has and it was as scrummy as it looks. Now there are a lot of little figs on the tree ready to ripen.

After the rain there's got to be a ...........

2012-01-10T21:28:00.001+13:00

a little bit of sunshine.

Wet and Windy Wild Sunday

2012-01-08T21:00:00.002+13:00

Today it rained and it poured and the wind howled. My poor little fig tree was almost touching the ground with the big blasts, thankfully it survived.

No sitting out in the sun today. More like cowering on the veranda playing with my new camera (still).

Purple Snow

2012-01-07T21:25:00.005+13:00

Purple snow in a very wet Napier.

And the culprit is the amazing Jacaranda trees with its incredible purple flowers.

Fresh from the garden

2012-01-06T21:22:00.001+13:00

Bugs

2012-01-04T20:54:00.005+13:00

I am still playing with my new camera, getting used to the new facilities, maybe one day I might read the instructions. The photo above is a moth on our house. I kept walking past it all day, catching sight of it out of the corner or my eye and thinking that the paint was chipped and I could see the wood underneath, then remember, nope its a moth disguised as a bit of wood. If it had been sleeping on the bark of a tree I would never have spotted it.

The bug below, so I am told by my sarcastic husband, is a cricket not a spider. Just because I happened to say it had legs like a spiders. Another bug with a great disguise, if it had been sitting on a leafy plant I would never have been able to spot it either. But luckily for me it decided to sit on a rather dusty surface in our garage.

Spotty Dotty

2012-01-03T22:16:00.002+13:00

I gave my sewing machine a bit of a makeover today. I thought it needed a bit of a new look. The boys in my house found it amusing to joke about the sewing machine having measles or that one day they would wake up and the whole house would be spotty. Hmmmmm, I am tempted - roll on April 1st.

Its great to have the time too............

2012-01-03T22:08:00.002+13:00

Its great to have the time too............ make some new clothes. I used to make nearly all my own clothes. For some reason, probably small children using up my time, I stopped. So its been great these holidays to have time to try out some new patterns. The fabric I used I found in an op shop, four metres for $4, I love a bargain. Especially one that works out well like this one. Unfortunately my second attempt did not work so well, the fabric I used was just not right and made me look like the back of bus.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T19:35:00.002+13:00

Happy and peaceful 2012 from me and my new camera.

Best Christmas Pressie ever - well so far anyway

2011-12-30T20:18:00.003+13:00

For my Christmas pressie this year I wanted a new camera, my old one has developed a few quirks. I thought I was going to have to wait for a few months before I could save up enough. But my lovely, wonderful hubbie got one for me today. Thank you Peter. But can you see something wrong with the pictures. Spotted it yet. Yes, you are right I am taking pictures with my old camera while the boys play with my new one, typical.

Its great to have the time too............

2011-12-30T20:10:00.002+13:00

Paint the new chair for the veranda. I picked it up in a second hand shop for a fraction of the new cost. And paint and reupholster another bargain I picked up on my travels with my friend Sheena when she was here. And no I have not forgot that I have not finished posting all the pictures of that trip.

Walking

2011-12-30T19:54:00.004+13:00

The last few evenings to attempt to counteract the excess of food we have been stuffing down, Peter and I have been going out walking. I don't know if the walking has been working but the views are great.

My kind of Boxing day

2011-12-27T21:16:00.003+13:00

Kitchen table cleared, sewing machine out and off I go. Sewing for myself, after months of sewing for Coulter and Coulter, its great to do some for me. I did not get all the stuff I cut out stitched up, but I made a big dent in it. What I did get done is four cushions and one skirt. Plus a few Coulter and Coulter bags. Hopefully I will get a chance to get more done in the next couple of days.

Wishing you a Merry Hawkes Bay Christmas

2011-12-25T18:25:00.003+13:00

Roses are flowering and the Christmas decorations are up.

The tree in Napier has lost its rugby balls and gained its Christmas decorations. Complete with golden angel.

If you are a fellow Dr Who fan you might have been a bit freaked to see the angel.

The farmers market is brimming over with produce of all kinds, especially fruit.

The pohutukawa trees are in full flower.

Carol singers appearing every where.

Merry Christmas to you all, thank you for reading my blog and have a peaceful and productive New Year.

Anyone for a spot of Cluedo

2011-12-17T20:37:00.003+13:00

No prizes as to who did what to who, in where, with what.

It was Rev Green in the Lounge with the Candlestick, poor Professor Plum had no idea what hit her.

Really we haven't gone barking mad. Well possibly just slightly mewing mad. Really, we were on our way to my works Christmas function, Cluedo night at Peak Restaurant.

Agapanthus time again

2011-12-17T20:34:00.002+13:00

All around Havelock North and Hastings the agapanthus is bursting into flower in their own stately way.

Redundant Mum on the road again Day 2 Taupo to Huka Falls

2011-12-11T19:19:00.008+13:00

Day two in Taupo we decided to walk to Huka Falls. It would have taken a couple of minutes to drive there, but the two hour walk seemed like a good idea at the time. The walk starts from Taupo Bungee, which just happens to be quite near to an op shop I like to visit. Handy that. Needless to say neither of us wanted to try out the bungee jump.

Not sure where the owner of these boots has gone.

This sign rather confused me. Confidence course to the toilets, does that mean you should pay a visit before going on the walk, so you can be confident you won't be caught short. I don't know, do you? Please leave a comment if you have any suggestions.
We did find the thermal stream steaming its way down to the Waikato. Looks peaceful from this side, but behind me it was full of scantily clad people enjoying the warm water.

I am sure these lupins are nasty weeds, but this whole meadow of them looked stunning.

The views over the river were beautiful, accenting the amazing colour of the water, so many shades of turquoise and green. I am going to run out of enthusiastic descriptive words soon.

I had to take a picture of this pretty thistle.

The views on our side of the river were not to shabby either.

Although the path did meander up and down quite a few wee hills, it was well looked after and easy to walk. Why did I imagine that a walk along side a river would be all flat. My legs ached for the next couple of days, I am not used to walking up and down hills.

Another must take a picture of flower.

Eventually we reached the falls, we could hear them from quite a distance. The photos don't do justice to the amount of water that rushes through the narrow gorge, the power of which was incredible.

Again the range of colours in the water was really inspiring.

Unfortunately once you get there you remember you then have to walk back. Luckily there is a little kiosk selling reviving ice creams. And the walk back was not to bad, mainly because we talked so much, we did have four years worth of talking to catch up on.

More details of day 3, 4 and 5 coming soon.

Redundant Mum on the road again Day 1 Taupo

2011-12-11T18:57:00.005+13:00

My oldest friend from back home has just been over for a visit and while she was here we went off for a trip to see a little bit of New Zealand. First stop Taupo for a couple of days.

I borrowed a friends house over looking the lake, with amazing views.

Surrounded by flowering rhodies.

With some interesting neighbors.

Unfortunately there was a lot of low cloud hiding the distant volcanoes.

But making for some amazing sunset shots.

Where to start, where to start, I know - with a Daisy

2011-12-10T20:48:00.004+13:00

And what a Daisy to start with, I was really pleased with this photograph. It just captures the way the daisy was turned to soak up as much sun as possible.
And this one I just love the raggy edges, so cute. Anyway back to the story. My forever best friend, who I have not seen for about four years, has been over to visit me. For the two weeks that she was here we have walked, and talked, and shopped, and taken pictures, and driven miles and miles, and drunk a few bottles of bubbles, and eaten in a lot of cafes and best of all had a really, really great time.
I have a lot of pictures to show you of the trip and I thought it would be good to start with some of the flower pictures I took along the way.
This bunch of flowers were found in and around Taupo on our first stop.

More travels of a redundant mum

2011-11-20T22:15:00.004+13:00

What do you think of this beautifully cute little cottage. Wouldn't you like to stay there for a weekend.
Lucky me, this weekend I did. Keriann from Sweet Mary and me with my Coulter and Coulter hat on were doing a fair at Cross Hills Gardens near Kimbolton in the Manawatu. Its a long drive and an early start so we decided to stay over and make a girls weekend of it. Leaving Peter at home with the youngest and six Star Wars videos, lucky him.
Our journey down was one of many stops at every op shop, junk shop and antique shop on the way. While driving around trying to find the last op shops before they closed we came across this amazing den of bargains. I could have spent all day there. Unfortunately, we arrived at almost closing time. No I don't think I will share its location, because I want all those bargains for myself. It was a veritable Alladin's cave. If only there had been more room in the car. We drove off with Keriann sitting with a pile of amazing goodies on her lap.
On the way back we stopped for morning tea at The Herb Farm. Before having a walk around we stopped in the cafe for morning tea of Cheese and Herb scones, yum yum yum. The garden walk was wonderful, thank you to Keriann for persuading me that the $3.50 fee was well worth it. Apparently the elves and gnomes come out and frolic in the evenings we did not see any of them moving.
My favorite part of the garden was the herbologists cottage. It was so cute, I want one in my garden.
I really loved the glass in this window, in the herbologists cottage, thistles and roses. Something else I want.

The whole garden was a little on the wild side and full of beautiful plants.

The only problem I have with this wonderful garden is that it was full of amazing plants that I would like, but they did not have any for sale. Not even a tiny little pot. When we asked the bemused staff said, yes lots of people ask that. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Today's Projects

2011-10-30T21:31:00.003+13:00

Today, in between ironing, cleaning bathrooms, washing, making hats and pillowcases for Coulter & Coulter, I actually managed to get a couple of my own projects done. I decided I wanted to use for myself one of the vintage furnishing fabrics I acquired for Coulter & Coulter. I dithered a bit about what to make, cushions or a skirt. In the end I managed with a bit of pattern squishing to get one skirt, see below, and two cushion fronts cut out and ready to sew. The first item of clothing I have made for myself for years and years. I really enjoyed drafting the pattern from scratch and having it turn out exactly as I wanted. Now if there was an easy way to get rid of my spare tyres live would be slightly more perfect.

I also had time to sew up another cushion I have had cut out ready to go for weeks. The fabric I used is the last piece of one of my favourite Ikea fabrics.

That really can't be that comfortable!

2011-10-30T21:22:00.003+13:00

At my front door is a wood basket full of twisty willow twigs. This morning there seemed to be a bit of a commotion out there. I could not see anything when I first glanced to see what was going on.
Then something in the bottom of the basket twitched. Mad Rana the cat had decided to sleep in among the twigs, almost as if she had made herself a nest, daft cat.

Evening Stroll

2011-10-28T22:28:00.004+13:00

I love this time of year when the evenings draw out, and I can go for a walk after clearing the tea dishes.

Pretty Little Things

2011-10-28T22:26:00.003+13:00

On my treks around Op Shops looking for bargains, I have come across a couple of pretty little things. Which I have to sneak into our house. The first one is a very useful pretty thing. Only $2 for the pretty tin box full of pencils.

The second one is a neat little Italian trinket box another $2.

And to match the trinket box, found in a totally different Op Shop, a tiny little thing for putting my earrings in.

And last but not least, a tiny little jug from Holy Island. I could not resist. Who would have thought that, in an Op Shop in Napier, I would find a jug all the way from Northumberland. Another $2.

Today's Daisy and Springing into action - yeah right

2011-09-15T20:16:00.004+12:00

Last week my car broke down, well it did not really break down, it just made a very, very loud squealing noise continuously. I am very lucky I can work at home, so getting to work is not an issue. Usually I drive my son to school, for a couple of days I had to walk him to school and back. And I really, really enjoyed it.

Snow capped mountains.

Blossom on the magnolias.

And young green leaves that have just unfurled. How could I not enjoy it. I vowed to do it again even after my car was fixed. That was a week ago and life has taken over once more, there has just not been enough time. Next week I hope there will be.

Sunset in a Spring garden

2011-09-04T20:57:00.003+12:00

Although my garden does not have stunning views of lakes and mountains, that we enjoyed last weekend, there is nothing like a Spring Evening as the sun sets. Just wandering around my garden and seeing whats starting to appear again.

Enjoying the golden light filtering through branches.

The calla lillies and the helebores I planted last year are flowering and look amazing.

The flowering quince is also looking amazing as usual.

Just in case you have not had enough snaps of Taupo........

2011-08-31T20:59:00.005+12:00

While waiting for Peter I took some more snaps of the lake.

And some of its inhabitants.

And more views. Ok, think I am finished now, you will be glad to hear.

Chilling, chilling, chilling and more chilling

2011-08-30T21:09:00.008+12:00

An amazing view, don't you think. Wouldn't it be great to just spend the weekend sitting looking at it. That's exactly what I have been doing this weekend. Peter had to attend a conference in Taupo and some friends of ours lent us their holiday home for the weekend.
Above is the view from the bedroom, I could really get used to waking up to this every morning.
On the estate around the house there were lots of amazing walks down to the lake shore.
There was even a small friendly dog called Rusty to accompany us on our walk.

We meandered along the side of the lake.

Through the native trees.

With even more glimpses of the lake.

Peered into small caves.

Then sat in the evenings watching the sunset drinking a glass of wine.

All my stresses just flowed away, I was so relaxed.

So relaxed that while I was waiting for Peter to finish his conference, I sat in the bar of the hotel drinking wine and doing nothing. Two things I have never done. I have never ever gone into a bar by myself. And I never ever sit and do nothing. I was really impressed with myself that I could manage the sitting still and actually enjoy it.

Todays Daisy

2011-08-29T20:10:00.003+12:00

Today's daisies, knitted daisies, have popped up on trees around Napier. A bit of knitting graffiti has been going on.

Even a knitted mermaid.

An alien looking piece of knitting.

And at the end of the street a welcome to any Canadians that are in Napier for the Rugby World Cup.

Wrong time

2011-08-21T19:26:00.002+12:00

Opposite the building I work in one of the pohutukawa trees is in full bloom. The rest will probably not bloom till Christmas.

Todays Daisies - Enjoying Winter Sunshine

2011-08-09T21:43:00.002+12:00

I really enjoyed the sunshine at lunchtime, so did the daisies, the butterflies and the bees.

Random Napier Windows

2011-08-09T21:40:00.000+12:00

Some random Napier windows, just because.

A tale of two cities - city two - Auckland

2011-07-13T21:28:00.006+12:00

Two days after we got back from Christchurch we left home and headed for Auckland - driving this time. One flying trip was enough for me. Auckland had that buzz about it that you expect to find in a big city. That buzz that I thought was missing from Christchurch. Hopefully that buzz will return to them soon.

We stayed in the suburb of Ponsonby, just far enough out of the central city to be away from the sky scrapers. But close enough to have these views.

In an amazing suburban apartment.

With views looking out over Ponsonby to the sunset. We were just far enough away from the main street not to hear the traffic, but close enough to enjoy the best chip shop, the beautiful cafes and the very interesting people.

Lots of cool houses to "Oh look at that one" over.

I nipped out in the morning for a stroll to take some snaps of interesting stuff.

The church window is the only daisy I noticed, I am sure there were lots more I just did not see them.

There was lots of lovely food. So lovely my son had double helpings of crepe and had to be dragged away still asking for more.

The reason for our trip was to see some dinosaurs in the Walking with Dinosaurs spectacular. And it was a spectacular. And it was really worth it - our youngest found the whole experience amazing. I don't think he has ever been that quiet, ever.

And just to finish it all off we passed this caravan at the side of the road on the way back home. I wonder if it had had its tyres pinched!

A tale of two cities - city one - Christchurch

2011-07-10T20:55:00.007+12:00

Last week we spent a few days down in Christchurch, visiting my eldest son. When I got home and downloaded my photos there were none of Christchurch itself. I did not feel I could take any snaps of the city, it just felt wrong. There is definitely a strong atmosphere in the city, an attitude different from any city I have visited before. So different from our last visit. This was highlighted by the fact we had a trip to Auckland two days after our Christchurch trip. The atmosphere in Auckland was the normal big city atmosphere, so different from where we had just come from.
On the first day of our trip to the South Island we had a drive down to Ashburton. I pretty little Kiwi town. With an interesting little museum and gallery. In the museum was a display of honey pots. I used to collect them, but they are very rare here, making them expensive. I only enjoyed collecting them when they were cheap.

Peter and the giant salmon at Rakai.

The bunch of air force personnel above are most of my family, the middle one is missing and replaced by the eldest's girlfriend. We were on a visit to the Air Force Museum at Wigram Air Base. When you go through to the cold hangers you can borrow a coat to wear. They look like they just escaped from an episode of Dr Who. The boys really enjoyed there trip to this museum, in fact they managed to spend almost three hours there. Not so much fun for Catherine and I, but well worth the visit. I would recommend a visit if you get a chance.

The exhibition of a house in war time was interesting. I really loved the colour of the hydrangea wallpaper.

Above is a parachute silk wedding dress, one of the more interesting things there.

Due to the volcanic ash clouds we had to fly really, really low on the way home. Way to low for comfort in my case. But the view of the snow capped mountains was stunning. Almost distracted me from my over worrying at the flying malarkey.

That secret project

2011-07-06T21:32:00.003+12:00

My eldest son will be 21 soon (where did all those years go). I made him a quilt as part of his birthday pressie. His nickname at school was Scotsman, so I thought he would appreciate some tartan. Thanks to my mum for sending over the fabric.

Amazing what a little bit of ash does .........

2011-06-19T20:52:00.002+12:00

Half way around the world a volcano throws out ash. Causing havoc to airlines from here to there. Making the most amazing moonrise,

moon set and

fiery sunsets.

Crafty projects

2011-06-12T21:12:00.005+12:00

You may be wondering why I have not been posting any crafty posts recently. There are two reasons. Reason number one - is I am working on a secret project, you can see a little glimpse of it above. Reason number two - is I have been using up all my crafty creativity over here.

Some more winter garden colour

2011-06-12T21:07:00.003+12:00

The quince is flowering at the moment. As the last rays of the sun fall on it in the late afternoon, it looks like there is a fire in the heart of the bush.

Limes

2011-06-12T20:47:00.004+12:00

From tree to basket -

from basket to plate.

Vintage bargains

2011-06-12T20:34:00.004+12:00

On my lunchtime walks through Napier I like to wander around the op (charity) shops and junk shops. It is amazing how many I originally wanted the picture above for the black frame and cream mount. The picture itself has kind of grown on me, I think I will leave it there for a while.
How could I resist this pair of dotty lovelies. I wish I had spotted them a before my birthday party.

More sunset.................

2011-06-12T20:23:00.004+12:00

Beautiful sunset, looked almost as if a huge red planet was sliding past us.

Today's daisies and some extras

2011-06-09T21:12:00.007+12:00

Here are a few of the daisies that are flowering in my garden at the moment.

The dual images are inspired by one of my favorite blogs at the moment, Fryd. I don't have her knack for taking amazing images yet, but maybe one day.

I could not resist including these other extras. Not daisies but amazingly beautiful, especially for bursting into bloom in winter.

Its hard to believe its winter

2011-06-06T20:49:00.002+12:00

Yesterday was an amazingly sunny, warm day - 21 centigrade. Hard to believe that its already 5 days in to winter.
The little oriental magnolia at the front door is confused. It is still hanging on to its autumn leaves, but its spring flowers are starting to pop out.
These pretty starry shaped narcissus look so cute. But don't be fooled, don't go to close and do not ever bring them into your house. Why? They stink, they really, really stink. I think I could describe the scent as a cross between cow yard poo smell and the smell you get from somebody who has a really stinking blocked up snotty nose. Cow poo snot. Not something you want to scent your house with.

Another Ahuriri sunset

2011-05-29T21:51:00.004+12:00

We enjoyed our eating out experience earlier in the week so much we decided to go back. Takeaway pizza this time and lots more sunset.

Shafts of golden light.

Glowing horizons.

Floaty wisps of pink fluffy clouds.

Reflections.

And as we ate our pizza

We watched the skies grow dark and the stars start to twinkle. Heavenly.

My favourite flower is ...........................

2011-05-29T21:24:00.005+12:00

Surprisingly, no daisies are not my favorite flower when it comes to scent. For me freesias have the most wonderful aroma. When we first arrived in New Zealand it was September. On the first morning walking down into the village, I could smell the blooming freesias. What a brilliant country I thought.

To bulk up the small bunch of freesias I bought I added some leucadendrons.

I was going to add some gardenias to bulk them up, but the scent of the gardenias was a little strong and did not add to the freesias.

An exceptionally beautiful flower.

When you look at them closely. But in my garden they flower on a bush that looks like somebody emptied a waste paper bin on it. Perhaps I need to prune it to a more compact shape.
While out in the garden picking flowers, I got a little sidetracked by autumn colour again.

The liquid amber has almost lost all of its leaves but the colour is still amazing.

And while looking up at the liquid amber I spotted this beautiful kingfisher on the telephone wires.

Stunning isn't he, I love the colour of his tale.

Today's Daisy

2011-05-26T21:15:00.003+12:00

Today's daisy snapped quickly as I rushed past on my lunch break, trying to get back to work before the rain started. Unfortunately, I did not rush fast enough and got soaked. Luckily, it was very mild today.

Sunset at Ahuriri

2011-05-26T20:59:00.003+12:00

Peter had to pick me up from work a couple of nights ago. We decided it would be nice for a change to go for fish and chips at Ahuriri.
As I don't like fish very much, we went to the Hot Chick, for chicken and chips. It was surprisingly very pleasant sitting eating chips and chicken and watching the sun set. Or it would have been if there had not been a child talking nonstop in the background. Just joking of course, it was lovely the three of us watching the sunset.

Today's daisies and a lunch time walk in the Autumn Sunshine

2011-05-17T20:26:00.006+12:00

The sun was shining beautifully at lunch time today. The daisies were blooming and bees buzzing. A perfect day for a walk, so I took a slight detour on my way to the shops to buy a savory muffin, which was delicious in case you were wondering. The Olive Branch Bakery in Hastings St, Napier makes the best savory muffins for only $2 each, try them out next time you are in Napier.
I always find it amazing to see how daisies can manage to grow in the strangest places. We primp and preen our gardens, feed them, pamper them and water them. Then we turn around to find them growing out of a concrete wall, quite happily.
Mind you, I know plants don't have eyes, but if they did then this is the view that little patch of daisies would have.
I think the back of the building below looks like a giant cake tin. Not what they had in mind when they designed it, I suppose.

On the last corner before I reached the shops, I found this bougainvillea hanging over a wall.

Comfortable cat

2011-05-17T20:19:00.003+12:00

Ranna sitting in front of the fire looking comfortable I think, but there seems to be a bit of a scowl on her face. Perhaps I was blocking the heat from the fire.

Playing in the woods down at the creek

2011-05-15T21:15:00.005+12:00

In one of his books, Monty Don says that gardening is playing in the mud for grown ups. I agree. As a child I liked to play in the woods, I loved just wondering around and sitting eating a secret bar of chocolate in among all the greenery. Now as a so called adult nothing has changed. I still love to muck about in among the trees. I am so lucky to own the smallest wood in the world, with a creek running through it.
A few weekends ago I had a spare day with no jobs to do around the house, no bits of wood to rub down or oil, no meals to cook as Peter was at home. So I gathered together a few cutting tools, my radio in a handy basket and off I toddled into our wood, to spend the day clearing up.
I am glad I did, the previous few days winds had blown down a lot of walnuts, which were just lying around ready to grab.
I was not alone down there. Mr Blue Eyes the eel was interested in what I was up to.
Little Miss Fantail, was also not far away. Tweeting away in annoyance at every little branch I moved.
There were even a couple of Tui's hanging around. And I swear they were singing along to the music from the radio, 70's hits. Or maybe they were shouting at me to turn it off and stop spoiling there peace and quiet.
At the end of it all a good bonfire, to clear up all the dead branches. Which is when the rest of the family turned up with sausages, bread and ketchup. Wish they had brought some marshmallows too.

2011-05-12T22:15:00.000+12:00

Autumn leaves, spring flowers and summer temperatures.

Today's Sunset

2011-05-12T22:11:00.000+12:00

Fiery Autumn skies. For a beautiful Autumn day.

Be prepared

2011-05-02T21:28:00.001+12:00

Autumn is on the way, be prepared for lots more pictures of Autumn leaves.

Time to start gathering this year's apple crops

2011-05-02T21:07:00.002+12:00

Autumn is here again. The apple tree is laden with rosy apples. The trick is to pick them just when they are ripe, before the birds get them and before they drop from the trees. So far I have picked two baskets full of deliciousness, made batches of apple sauce ready for freezing and a eaten a few bowls of apple crumble. Rana was not impressed that her basket was full of fruit. Amazing how cats can get you to do things for them without saying a single word.

Failed flapjack makes an interesting reapperance

2011-05-02T20:30:00.003+12:00

For some reason my flapjack did not stick together, instead all I had was a bowl full of crumbs. I am talking about traditional tray bake flapjack made with oats and golden syrup. If you know how to make it stick together, please leave a comment. I thought the heap of crumbs would be nice with some apples, we have plenty of those at the moment.

It made a brilliant topping mixed with some crumble topping. Yum, yum, yum all it needed was some custard. But the cupboard was bare, I did not have any tins of custard or custard powder, there was not even any ice cream left in the freezer. Peter had already left work and was on the way home so he could not pick up any at the supermarket. How hard can this be I thought, I can make my own custard. With the help of the internet it was easy, why have I never made my own custard before. Was it the memory of lumpy school custard with a skin on the top? Probably. My custard was not lumpy and it was eaten to fast for it to get a skin on it. No more tins of custard in this house.

Perhaps a bit of blue too far

2011-05-01T21:29:00.003+12:00

The outside furniture was looking a little tired, so I thought I would spruce it up a bit. My first thought was black. While I was mulling this over I noticed we still had quite a lot of the blue I had used for the windowsills on the outside of the house. Ah ha I thought that might work. Now that it is done I am not so sure. Keriann suggested maybe the basket chair needed to be a couple of shades darker. I think she is perhaps right. What do you thing? I don't know why but it makes me think of Aristocats, the disney movie, weird.

Drum roll please................

2011-05-01T21:04:00.004+12:00

Out go the old patchwork bits of old work bench. Out goes the yucky tap.

Ready for the recycled stainless bench and sink.

More bits of recycled, stripped down, sanded and oiled bits of rimu.

Quite a lot of rethinking and maneuvering had to be done. A couple of takeout meals eaten, its not easy to cook when you have no water or sink or dishwasher in the kitchen.

Tada one finished kitchen, fifteen months in the construction, about two years in planning, recycling at its best.

Well worth the wait.

This weeks lunchtime walk

2011-04-12T20:23:00.003+12:00

Today's lunch time walk wasn't a walk it was a lovely lunch with my lovely hubbie at the Wholefood Kitchen in Napier. I wonder why he has such a smug look on his face. Was he perhaps pondering whether or not I would give him my lump of bread.
We both had carrot and coriander soup, which was lovely but it there was just way too much off it. I only managed half a plate.

Spring flowers in Autumn

2011-04-11T20:08:00.002+12:00

Half way through Autumn and there are Spring flowers around. Not that I am complaining I love hyacinths. Thank you to Keriann who gave them to me, as a thank you for all the driving I did on our trip. Which although only a week ago, now that I am back into normal life again, it seems like it was months ago.

This weeks spotty bargains

2011-04-10T19:45:00.003+12:00

I needed a new cover for my ironing board. The choice of cover was not very impressive and at $25, did I really want to pay for something I did not even like. Then I spotted a whole ironing board for $19 complete with a nice spotty cover and I love spots. A good price for a cute item. And the big bonus is that this ironing board fits in the space in the study that Peter made for it, the old one didn't, its almost as if he knew this one was out there waiting for me to find it.

And just to confirm I love spots, I also found the bargain below. A whole dinner set for $14. You have got to love the Warehouse sometimes.

Today's Autumn Dasies

2011-04-10T19:32:00.002+12:00

In my Autumn garden the pink daisy anemones are flowering, all over the place. Another flower I have been told is a weed.
I am not convinced. The colour is a bit strong and perhaps does not really go with the red roses. But sometimes I think you need to enjoy what is.

The best way to chill out and de-stress is ........

2011-04-05T18:49:00.019+12:00

Look at this very happy, very chilled out person, its been too long since I felt this way. Its not the cheesecake in front of me that cheered me up. It was a road trip with the girls. I have not laughed so much or had so much me time since I don't know when. This is a long story, hope you enjoy a peek into what we got up to.

Friday morning I dropped my youngest at school and I was free. I had the driving job for the trip, so first task was to pick up the girls and off we went. After a few toilet stops, what do you expect with a car load of ladies, we reached our first main stop Carterton, which I have just found out is the daffodil capital of the world. Keriann, had already done the research and selected Cafe Mirrabelle a very nice little french bistro for lunch. And as usual she was spot on. The food was perfect.
We managed to drag ourselves away from the french pastries and other delicacies, via quite a few vintage shops, where we all ohhed and ahhed, and eventually reached the car and the next stop on our journey. A visit to Agnes Coy, a little studio shop. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

About 10 minutes outside Carterton is another very pleasant shopping town, Greytown. It is stuffed full of lovely shops, cafes and pretty hotels.
We knew we were in a posher place because there were broken wine glasses in the gutter instead of beer bottles.

This has got to be the cutest shop in Greytown.

Finally we reached our destination Martinborough, we were all totally exausted from the journey but still had enough energy to have a stroll around.

Martinborough is built around a main square and they have managed to hang on to a lot of their old buildings.

The view up the main shopping street with a beautiful blue sky - perfect weather for our gallivanting.
I loved the name of this pub, how appropriate, especially if you pronounce it with a strong Scottish accent.
The following morning we hit the town. Keriann, the vintage shopping ninja, knew all the best places to find bargains. One of which is this treasure trove of interesting things.

Piled to the top with things you know you will need some day.

Each of the drawers in the plan chest was full of bits and pieces it would take a month to look at it all.

Eventually, after having a quick lunch of french bread, cheese, pork and pistachio terrine, figs and apples. We headed off to the main event, a French Country fair, the reason for the trip. We were a bit unsure what it would be like, none of the locals seemed that keen to go.

The entrance ticket booth, so far so good.

And we were in to an Alladins cave of trash, nice crafts, good food, interesting cafe we decided to avoid, plants for sale, fudge, a very cute french man, pleasant music and lots of nice vintage items just lying there waiting for us to snap them up. And of course lots and lots more laughter.
Final destination of the day another visit to Greytown. We needed a break for tea and visits to the little girls room. Which is where I had the cheesecake and the smiley face. The cafe I mean not the little girls room. There is a picture below of the walls of the cafe toilet.
Our last night in Martinborough was spent in Cafe Medici stuffing our faces as usual. The portions of food we were served were to big even for me and I have to admit I had to refuse dessert, a first ever. I was about as stuffed full as my car was for the journey home. Seriously we had snapped up a lot of vintage lovelies, I am not sure we could have fitted much more in.

Before we left I nipped out to take a couple of snaps of the area. While the cat sat and watched.

On our way home we stopped in Greytown again to have coffee and pastries at the French Bakers and for Kerry to buy wild boar pies at the delicatessen. And as the shops had just opened we thought we should do a final hunt for vintage items.

Down a little street past a daisy window. You just knew I would sneaked one in.

I found my favorite junk shop, in it was the cutest little coffee set, dark blue daisies on white. Unfortunately, I could not afford it at the time. Maybe one day I will be back and it will still be there and I will have some money in my pocket. The street appeal of the shop was perfect I think, very Kiwi.

Complete with its own private dunny.

Jane spotted a builders we needed to visit. They build the cutest little cottages. I would love to buy one and stick it on to our house.

It would make a cute extension, I can always dream a little or quite big actually.

And that was it on our way back home to family life, still laughing so much I could hardly see to drive.
There were still interesting things to view on the way home. A car parked on a veranda above a shop.

The viking guarding Dannevirke.

The International Police museum in Dannevirke, who would have know it was there. I think it might be worth a visit just for the novelty factor.

A detour to look at interesting old buildings.

And beautiful vistas.

Just taking time to stand and stare.

And most of all thanks to the lovely bunch of friends, who took me off for the weekend, made me laugh till I cried, wandered around every junk shop in the Waiarapa with me and reminded me what life is really about. Not the running around stressing that we all do. Its about the joy and the fun and the just being who you are. Thanks Girls.

Favorite Flowers #2 - Agapanthis

2011-04-04T21:06:00.004+12:00

My second favorite flower is Agapanthis. I love the way the flower heads raise themselves above the rest of the plant.

I used to think I just liked the blue variety and was not so keen on the white ones.

Until this bunch grew in my garden, they look stunning with the light on them against the dark woodland behind.

I know they are considered a weed here in New Zealand. But weeds are just plants in the wrong place. In my garden they are definitely in the right place.

Before you go swimming.........

2011-04-04T21:03:00.001+12:00

Always remember to check your swimming bag for small tortoiseshell cats.

Lunch time walk number somthing or other

2011-04-04T20:52:00.004+12:00

Just around the corner from the office I work in is a little public garden.

With an huge waterfall.

I was just going to walk around the garden, but decided to go a bit further up the hill.

Past some lovely little cottages

and some weird cloud formations.

And eventually ended up outside Napier jail. Which is now run as a back packers.

I decided to take the little short cut down to work.

Which has amazing views out over the Pacific and

over to Cape Kidnappers.

Yet another sunset picture

2011-04-04T20:49:00.001+12:00

Sorry to bore you with yet another sunset picture.

Still working on that Kitchen Makeover

2011-04-04T19:36:00.007+12:00

For a year our kitchen has not had fitted work surfaces. It had a patchwork of old bits from the old kitchen. The sink has been balanced on a couple of lumps of wood. Not really very easy to clean or hygienic.
I kept checking Trade Me to see if I could pick up some lumps of rimu that we could convert. After months and months of looking we found this couple of table tops complete with chewing gum.

Next step, lots of sanding, staining and oiling.

The end result three sections of work surface completed and in place.

Now all is needed is the long section under the window. I have a cunning plan more about that soon.

The kitchen looking like a proper kitchen almost.

The sink is at last fitted into a work surface, the wrong work surface, but at least there are no more gaps.

No extra bits of work surface sticking out to catch your arms or clothes on.

The french doors will eventually get put in place, just not for another few months, maybe next Spring. The nights are too cold now to have a large hole cut out of the wall.

After all the work we were shut out of our lovely kitchen while my eldest son and his mate were working on some software. Which we did not really mind as they were doing it for the Red Cross in Christchurch. Well done guys.

Where the hedge used to be

2011-04-04T19:22:00.003+12:00

Between my wild garden and our formal garden there used to be a hedge. One day I decided to take it out instead of trim it into shape. The idea was it plant it up with native grasses, flaxes and hebes, so that the two parts of the garden would merge together seamlessly.
My plan has worked and I think it looks brilliant. I love to watch the grasses as the breeze makes shadows and light through them. It is now possible to see the ferns and agapanthis which were hidden by the hedge.

Another lunch time walk in Napier

2011-04-04T18:59:00.003+12:00

After a lovely lunch with some people I work with, at Milk and Honey, I decided I needed a walk.

It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining and everything was beautiful.

On previous occasions, when I have walked along the boardwalk at Ahuriri, it has been cold and wet.

About half way through the walk I realised why I don't do this walk on hot days.

There is no shade not a single little bit and I was way, to hot. Beautiful views but next time I will take a hat.

Its the little things......

2011-02-25T17:04:00.006+13:00

Two years ago I took my eldest son down to Christchurch to start University. I thought we would spend a couple of days together exploring the city before I left him behind to get on with his life. He had other ideas, it was a bye Mum, and he was off into the scrum of freshers week. Leaving me to explore the city for myself, which was great, I had a wonderful time going to all the things I would enjoy, and felt so proud of him. The pic above is one I took on that trip. Since leaving him there, in what I thought was a safe city. He has gone through two major earthquakes, with out a scratch on him, thankfully.

The beautiful, garden city of Christchurch and a lot of its people have not been so lucky. The devastation of last Tuesdays' earthquake is still difficult to understand. Much has been said all over the world's press about it, about all the big things that have happened. I would like to mention some of the little things that made me proud to live in this country.

A big thumbs up to the large companies that have bent over backwards to do something.

Air New Zealand - They almost immediately increased the flights in and out of Christchurch and lowered their fares. Also made it possible to move flights either to get out of Christchurch earlier or to get back to Christchurch without any extra charges, for the next few weeks.
The Warehouse - Giving out free food and water to anyone that could go and collect it.
Fisher and Pykal - Setting up three free laundries in the city. A very little thing, but a very important thing.
Sanitarium (the breakfast cereal company) - Giving out water from its factory.
Telecom - Free phone calls from all phone boxes that they have got working in Christchurch, so people can let family know they are ok. Telecom are also collecting up old type house phone,s that can be plugged in with out any electricity, from all over the country and shipping them down to Christchurch residents.
Five of the large banks - Suspending payments and interest on loans for Christchurch residents.
The local health board - All visits to Doctors and all prescriptions are free in Christchurch.

These are just a few of the amazing helpful things I remember hearing about. I do not know if this would have happened anywhere else. Then there are all the little small businesses helping out. Like the bike shop that was offering free repairs to bikes, to make it easier for people to get around a city where the roads are mostly torn up. The people who were giving away water from their bore hole. All the thousands of students that volunteered to help. The people all over the country that are offering their homes to the people who have been made homeless by the quake. The people of Wellington who opened their homes to the displaced tourists who lost all their documents and luggage.

On the flip side I have got to say a big thumbs down to the idiots who are taking advantage of the situation. The looters, need I say more. The store that was charging $15 for a two litre bottle of milk that should have been just over $2. The individual who went to the queues for water and tried to sell water containers for $20 each, while others were giving theirs away for free. The petrol station in a town 2hrs away from Christchurch that hiked the price of petrol up by an extra 25%. And especially to the looters, who seeing the teenage children getting the news that their Mother would not be coming out of the wreckage of the CTV building alive, calmly went to their house and burgled it.

For all this gloom, it is very, very heartening to know that the good massively out ways the bad. For every idiot there seems to be hundreds of people who want to help, and who want to make a difference.

One idea that was suggested to me yesterday, sounded really good to me. It is not something that will help now, but something that could be done in the future when the people of Christchurch are starting to rebuild their lives and their city. In every community it is the small businesses that help gell the community together. The hairdressers where you can go for a gossip, the local corner shop, the drycleaners, the bakers, the local chippy and takeaway shop. Even if their buildings are not damaged I would imagine that their fixtures and fittings are. How long does it take for them to get new from the insurance? Small businesses don't have the capital to refurnish from their own funds. And without an income, will these businesses be able to continue? Wouldn't it be good if other small traders, from all over the country, could get their spare items to them. I don't know if its possible? I don't know how you would go about doing it? But if you or somebody you know has the expertise to do this, pass the idea on, maybe there is somebody out there with the knowledge.

Napier Cathedral

2011-02-20T21:44:00.002+13:00

On many occasions I have walked past the Napier Cathedral and thought I should really look in there some time. So I did, dragging Peter with me.
It is very much a monument to concrete and in comparison to other cathedrals I have visited it is not really pretty. But in its own way it has a certain style. I think it is the proportions that give it that awe inspiring feeling of magnitude that you get in cathedrals. In no other building do you get that sense of all surrounding space. In my personal opinion I think the combination of the huge floating cross and the tiny rose window, emphasize the enormity of the height of the ceiling.

For me the main attraction of church buildings is the stain glass lead lights.

Some of which are very, very new.

An almost perfect day

2011-02-20T00:38:00.004+13:00

The last few weeks and weekends have been very busy. Today at last there was a day with nothing much to do. The grass was cut, the ironing was done, there was nowhere I needed to be and nobody I needed to take anywhere. I did not need to get up early. I was able to laze in bed for a bit after having had the best nights sleep in a long time. My youngest and I had breakfast at a cafe in the village, I had a very, very tasty Almond Croissant and he had a very, very large slice of chocolate cake. We then had a little browse around the junk shop together, the first time he has been old enough to be trusted in a cluttered shop full of china. It was very pleasant being able to rummage around with him. He would now like for his birthday a Cash Register, a silver goblet and a picture of a black panther. Hmmm. I spent the rest of the day in the garden sewing and listening to radio 4 over the internet. I started of on the veranda but had to move down where there was more breeze to keep me cool.
I was still out there sewing when Peter came home for tea. He took this sneaky snap while I wasn't looking. As usual catching me from a very unflattering angle.

Buffy was enjoying the breeze and the cooler weather too.

Did I really agree to this.......

2011-02-20T00:12:00.005+13:00

In a few weeks time I am going to take part in a triathlon as part of a team. I have been volunteered for the swimming part, a swim of 600m. I am prepared I have all the gear - hat, togs, goggles and rashie top. I decided that a wet suit would not be a good idea at all. The distance did not bother me, I swim between 1000m and 800m in the pool at least a couple of times a week. That was until last week when one of the other members of the team accompanied me down to Pandora Ponds to take a look at the course, to have a go at swimming in the cold sea and against the current. Now the distance bothers me. I have to swim out to that far off distant white dot on the horizon and back over to the other side and then down to the shore. That seems to be a very long way! Then there is the other bit I had totally forgotten about. The clambering out of the water and running up the pebbley shore, dripping wet in my togs to tag the next member of my team. If anyone dares take any pictures of that bit they will be in very big trouble.

Its that weekend again ....

2011-02-20T00:08:00.002+13:00

Its that time of year again and Art Deco madness has hit Napier once again. The city is full of old vehicles of every shape, colour, size and era and the feather boas are out in force. Its quite a spectacle.

Today's Daisy

2011-02-20T00:00:00.003+13:00

While rushing to an appointment at the ophthalmologists the other day, I noticed this daisy on the door of the council buildings. I have past them lots of times and failed to notice it before. Either they have changed their logo recently or on the past occasions I was too busy looking at something else, or perhaps the door was open. I don't know. What I do know is that I should look around more often instead of being wrapped up in rushing to get everything done.

Today's Daisies

2011-02-17T20:22:00.002+13:00

Remember that ice cream I ate among the daisies, here are some more of those daisies.

Study Makeover - Good to know everything fits

2011-02-17T20:14:00.003+13:00

We needed to use the study as a spare room for a couple of days. It was good to know with a minimum of fuss the bed did fit. One day it will be finished.

Supriseing things you find on the compost heap.....

2011-02-14T21:17:00.002+13:00

A couple of days ago I was lolling about in the garden, as you do on hot days. When a white rabbit hopped on past. After checking it did not have a pocket watch, I realised I was not asleep and dreaming of Alice in Wonderland. There really was a large white rabbit hopping around the garden. The next place I found the rabbit was sitting happily on top of the compost heap. Apparently, our next door neighbours have decided to allow their rabbits to free range. Which is very nice having them in the garden, but I just hope they keep safe. So far our cats are very wary of them. The white one brought his friend over to visit too.

Lunch time walk in Napier

2011-02-14T20:31:00.007+13:00

When I walk to the shops from work, at lunch time, I pass these steps. I wondered where they led too. Thought you might like to see too.

They led up to this path past some lovely Napier Hill villas.

To this amazing view of the County Hotel and out to Cape Kidnappers and Te Mata Peak.

Or back down the path through the Norfolk Pines to the Pacific.

Spotted a daisy shape on the trim of one of the beautiful villas.

There were more steps to attract my attention, these ones lead up to somebodies garage, a bit of a dead end.
I was tempted to keep exploring, but I don't have a watch and was worried I would get lost and be late back to work. I thought the best idea was to head down the hill.

Very much attracted by these lovely pink flowers.

And there I was back in the centre of town.

Getting back to work was a short walk past the cathedral, more about that building later.

Looking back up that hill towards the houses I had walked in front off, you can not tell the path and steps are there at all.

Round the corner past the museum.

Across the road to the park with the interesting sign. Is passive recreation like passive smoking. If you just hang about in the park are you affected by others recreation?

Lingered for a while among the daisies.

Enjoying an ice lolly, imagining I look like the girl in the Kapati ice cream ad. You can watch it here.
Then noticing myself in the window of the War Memorial Conference Centre - and remembering I am not a young, slim, floaty girl - but actually a short, dumpy, middle aged, unfloaty woman.

And finally back across the street, past the actual war memorial,

round to the steps - a hop, skip and jump back to work all within my lunch hour.

A wet Sunday walk in my garden

2011-01-25T20:51:00.004+13:00

Are you ready for a walk round my garden. The rain has eased a bit its just drizzling. We start at the front door and go past the recycling centre disguised as an old sideboard.

Past the red geraniums and a couple of plants left out ready to plant.

A quick check on the veggies, still there, the caterpillars are not winning yet. We did attempt to have some broccoli for tea. Peter thought I had washed it, and I thought he washed it. Neither of us could bring ourselves to eat it after it was cooked with the dozen juicy caterpillars that did not get washed out. We did not tell the kids and they seemed to enjoy it.

Past some beautiful roses in full bloom.

Then over to have a peer at the caster oil plant, I love to see the rain trapped in its leaves.

Another veggie check, this time to see if the tomatoes have turned red yet. One of them had something to nibble on as I wander about in the drizzle.

Down the lawn heading for the wild part of the garden.

The figs really needed all this rain to allow them to ripen into delicious juicy fruit.

When I bought the two fig trees I was told they were both brown turkey. You can clearly see they are different varieties, I am guessing the one below is the real brown turkey. More research is required to find the variety of the above one. Not that it really matters as long as they taste good.
The previous hours of heavy rain have weighed down the twisty willow from next door. You now have to duck to get down the path under it. I think it looks so magical above the path to the wild bit, I just don't want to trim those lower branches.
With some of the turf Peter cut out of the lawn, a few months ago, he has constructed a curved seat and planted the top with chamomile and low growing thyme. Eventually it will have some wooden duckboards to sit on.

Back up and along the new border. It is really blending into the background now.

A peek down the bank to see how far the creek has risen.

I love the scent of this geranium. It is so pleasant to brush past.

Combined with the scent of the fennel, heavenly.

And more fennel at the side of the garage.

And back around to the front door again and more red geraniums, my favorite colour. I hope you have enjoyed the wet Sunday potter around my garden.

I did - even though I ended up a little soggy and disheveled as usual.

Favourite Flowers #1 - Hydrangea

2011-01-23T17:57:00.004+13:00

I am sure I don't need to tell you that I love Daisies, I think you might just have guessed that by now. What I would like to do is list some of my other favorite plants and flowers.

Just because they are in bloom and looking spectacular at the moment, I am going to start with Hydrangeas. I know they are not fashionable and can be considered an old ladies flower.
That does not stop me loving them. What I really like about these mop head ones is the champagne bubblieness of the centre.
The mixture of limey greens, purples, pinks and lavender shades are so pretty. You can almost hear all those little bubbles in the centre popping away. Or is that just in my head.

Wet Daisy

2011-01-23T16:22:00.004+13:00

On one of the very hot days last week I rather stupidly said, "I wish it would rain." Somebody must have heard my comment. For the last 3 days it has poured. The cats are not impressed at all.

Summer Pudding

2011-01-23T16:19:00.001+13:00

This year's attempt at Summer Pudding came out quite well, even though it looks a bit like a tie dye bowler hat.

Study Makeover - The end is in sight

2011-01-23T15:13:00.004+13:00

Firstly, my notice board is in place at last. Really looks good there I think.
With some vouchers we got for Birthdays and Christmas we bought the materials to start making the shelves. Eventually, they will go over the door and down the other side too, with a little bit wider shelf for Peter's record player and other junk. The gap at the side was for the ironing board to slot into, unfortunately we did not measure it first and guess what the ironing board is far to wide.
I recovered some cheap boxes with some Ami Butler fabric to store some of my quilting fabrics. Hopefully, I can find some more Ami Butler fabric to cover some more boxes sometime soon, as the four of them look a little lost.

Some Christmas stuff - another very late post

2011-01-23T14:52:00.003+13:00

I still find it hard to feel Christmasey in the heat, sunshine and warm weather don't really bring out the festive spirit in me. But what is good about Christmas time in Hawkes Bay is the abundance of fruit. The farmers market is full of soft fruit and stone fruit, yum yum yum.
Our ugly plum tree provided us with three bowls full of the most delicious plums again this year. They are so yummy most of them get eaten out in the garden.
One big down side of the heat is I can't manage to make a nice Christmas wreath without it turning to brown dried up wrinkly stuff in a couple of hours. So each day I just keep adding to it with different leafs and plants to find something that will look good, most do for about 5 minutes then they just wilt away. The fennel on the one I did this year did smell lovely. Maybe I should add to my New Year's resolutions this year - dry out some hydrangeas and other stuff in Autumn and save them for next years Christmas wreath. Watch this space next Christmas, bet I forget all about it again.

Birthday Pressies

2011-01-23T14:40:00.003+13:00

Although my birthday is now a dim and distant memory I thought you might like to see a couple of my favorite birthday pressies. Thank you to Keriann for the beautiful spotty tablecloth below and the lavender heart to add to the collection.
And a very big thank you to Katherine for the wonderful real American Quilt. The colours of which match perfectly with the curtains in the study.

Happy Belated New Year

2011-01-23T14:15:00.005+13:00

I like to make New Year's resolutions, every year I come up with two or three of them. Quite often I actually carry them out. Last year I decided to swim a couple of times a week (tick), do Yoga at least 5 times a week (tick) and lose some weight (tick) - putting half of the weight back on again doesn't really count. The not buying any new fabric till I used up what I already had went well almost. Considering my love of fabric two small 'giving in too temptations' is ok. I have to admit that was probably due to last years severe financial limitations, not to my will power.

This year one of my resolutions was to get my blogging mojo on track again. Towards the end of last year it kind of just dissipated, not sure why. It has taken a few weeks, but here I am again. Hope you have not forgotten me and please bear with me as the next few posts will be in a bit of a random order.

Its party time, or it was .....................

2010-10-31T15:50:00.007+13:00

This year is mine and Peter's 50th birthday, which we had to celebrate - it is half way to a whole century. The planning has gone on for months. There has been manic gardening tidying by me, to no avail, because as soon as I finished one border I would notice another full of weeds.
A quick garage makeover to tidy it up. I hated the yukky cream colour it was painted originally, and love the new black garage.
Since this was a significant birthday we thought it would be a good idea to celebrate the decades and asked everyone to dress in clothes from the decade they were born in. Peter decided to tie dye his own t-shirt.
Keriann lent me some of her beautiful red and white bunting for the marquee and I made some of my own, too tie to the mail box instead of balloons.
We had it all planned for a lovely evening - hoping that we could leave the sides of the marquee and have the lights rigged up outside. The weather did not cooperate - it was cold and wet. We had to abandon the light and put the sides back on the Marquee.
By 6:30pm we were all ready to go. Peter I think is Shaggy from scobbie doo, I was attempting to be Sandy Shaw with my bare feet. Peter did suggest instead of going as Twiggy I would have to go as Trunky - he is still being punished for that suggestion.
Despite the rain, I think everyone had a good time. I did. A lot of hippies turned up for the event, along with Lulu and Cher, and a generic 80's girl.

More peace loving hippies.

Another bunch of celebs John Travolta from Grease, Sonny and Anchor Man. At least thats what they told me.
No party would be complete without Austin Powers and a groovy chic.

There was also a young lady from the French Resistance who would say things only once and managed to avoid getting her photo taken. This has given me an idea for our next party in 10 years time, it will have to be a spy party.

There was even a very young Jedi running around drinking Sith beer, I think he needs to brush up on his spelling.

From the looks of the debris from the pary it was a great night. I hope all the guests enjoyed themselves as much as we did.

All the food disappeared - thank you to Justine for taking over and serving our guests.

Thank you again to Keriann for the use of the bunting.

Finaly the garden back to normal as if nothing at all had ever happened.

A Sunday afternoon stroll in the park

2010-10-10T17:58:00.007+13:00

This Sunday afternoon I went for a stroll in the park, well not really a stroll more of a duathalon, with a team of my work collegues.
As this was meant to be a fun family event, we decided that it would be a good idea to dress up. I was very certain we would not be winning the race, infact I was pretty certain that we would be last. None of us had done any training, well hardly any training. So we decided to go very all out on our costumes.
Our team was made up of three software developers, it was suggested that we should be the bugs and dress as spiders! We thought for a while and came up with the Ladybugs, after we walked into the shop and the first wings we found were red spotty ones.
Don't you think we all look amazing. The duathalon was a 5km walk by Linda on the right, 23km bike ride by Vicki in the middle and another 5km walk by me.
Just thought you would like to see the reverse side so you could see the full costume. We made the tutu's ourselves from quite a few meters of tule, some buttons, ribbons and a feather boa. We were ready to strut our funky stuff.
Linda, first up, arriving back at the end of her lap at high speed, looking as fresh as a daisy.

Vicki looked amazing speeding along on her bike wings flapping in the breeze.

Linda and Vicki joined me for the big finish and we all walked over the finishing line together, 33 minutes faster than we had anticipated. Strangely enough we were not last, there was still another walker a minute behind me.

There was a bit of competition from some dodgy looking pirates for the best dressed prize.

They did not stand a chance, the Intersoft Ladybugs were the best dressed team. Our prize was a bottle of Hawkes Bay wine each, yummy.

It must have been a lucky day for me I also won a mug tree with a set of six mugs. Excuse me while I go and check my lottery ticket, just in case.

Lunch time walk

2010-09-21T21:43:00.003+12:00

No snaps of daisies on my very short lunchtime walk today. I have a bit of a fluey virus and felt a bit wobbly so went back to the office early. I did manage to snap a butterfly and a beautiful orange aloe.

Today's Handbag Daisy

2010-09-21T21:22:00.004+12:00

This is the remains of the lining of my handbag. Slowly over the last year it has disintegrated and became more holes than lining. I wanted to reline it but have been putting it off because I thought it would be difficult. Amazingly, it was much easier than I imagined. I was even able to add lots of little pockets around the sides for my bits and pieces - even my umbrella has found a space of its own. And to top it all, without realising, I choose a fabric that matched my wallet. There will be no more half eaten biscuits stored for not so small children in this handbag.

Celebrating half a century of Peter

2010-09-19T22:08:00.005+12:00

This weekend Peter was a whole half a century old. Something worth celebrating I think.
What he decided he wanted to do for his birthday was to go to Waimarama and eat fish and chips on the beech.
A very good choice I thought. Unfortunatly, it seems that fate was perhaps working against us.
First of all the weather - seemingly a storm the size of Australia was about to throw all its force at New Zealand, with sea swells of 18m and hurricane force winds, and weather warnings telling us to stay away from the beeches this weekend. As you can see from the snaps - it was a little wild but not to bad.
Then getting the fish and chips was the next chore. The local shop that provides the fish and chips takeaways in Waimarama was closed for this weekend, the only weekend in the year that it is closed. Luckly the local cafe Jarks was able to provide us with a couple of scoops of chips to take down to the beech. Where we ate chips, walked along the beech and roasted marshmallows over a fire.

In the evening our good friends Keriann and Ian came over for a light supper. Bringing with them some lovely armenian street bread and an absoulutly delicious chocolate and hazelnut tart, as a birthday cake. Yum, yum, yum. I have to admit it was me that pinched the roasted hazelnuts that you can see are missing from the tart. In case you are wondering it tasted as good as it looks. A perfect end to a perfect day.