Nicola's Daisies

14 January 2008

Tuki Tuki Valley

Ever since we moved here I have wanted to take some snaps of the Tuki Tuki valley. This afternoon I had to transport a bunch of teenagers down to the river so they could cool off with a good swim. They were not behaving well so I thought I better hang around to make sure they did not get up to mischief. The ideal opportunity to have a wander around taking some snaps.

This is the view looking down the river towards the ranges.

The view looking up the valley.

Wish I had taken my togs with me, I was so tempted to just strip off and dive in in my underwear, but after reading Posy's blog I am glad I didn't. Plus I think my teenager may have died of shame.

Fennel - Weed or Amazing Structural Herb

Down at the Tuki Tuki river Fennel grows beautifully wild. Is it considered a weed here or not. In my garden I have planted a few as they are such an amazingly structural plant, they fill up the borders with their beautiful feathery form. I may live to regret this, in a couple of years time my garden maybe just fennel. But is that such a bad thing?

Te Mata Peak from the Other Side

Some views of Te Mata Peak from the other side in the Tuki Tuki valley.

Today's Daisies #16

Today's daisies down by the river.

Early Morning

Cabbage tree in the early morning light.

13 January 2008

Waimarama

We had a short trip to the beach today. Our youngest only let us stay long enough to have a swim as he thinks every time he goes to the beach he gets a headache.
I think he needs to have a hat on more often. Or it could be that he is really short sighted, just like his mum and dad, and taking his glasses off while swimming could be causeing the headaches.

So he sat under the umberella for ten minutes before dashing down to the waves and joining us for a swim. I love the colour of the sea down here in NZ as you can see in the above snap.

Agapanthus Season

If spring is Daisy time and early summer is Rose time, then mid summer is Agapanthus time. Havelock is swarming with them. Be prepared for a lot more pics over the next few weeks.

Should have been Agapanthus

These should have been some pictures of Agapanthus behind the Silk Tree. But I kind of got my focus wrong.

12 January 2008

Perfection

My view from where I was lazing around on the front lawn. The grass cutter guy has not been to visit us since Christmas Eve. Hope he turns up soon. I love the look of the lawn at the moment, but this is New Zealand and the neighbours will start complaining soon.

More Christmas Books

Peter's brother sent us a gift voucher for Amazon, for christmas, which we divided up evenly between the five of us. Some of the younger members of the family decided that they would prefer the cash. So I had a double share to spend. Above are three of the books I choose. I had a lovely time lying in the shade browseing through them and drinking Bundenbergs Ginger Beer. I am all full of energy now to start quilting and rush out to find vintage fabrics use all around the house. Just need to get that Daisiez quilt out of the way first.

Dragonfly #2

Dragonfly on a windowsill. Think perhaps I need to repaint the window frame sometime. Just goes to show what you don't notice until you look closley.

Today's Daisies #15

Today's daisies are Gerberas in a vase with some of my alliums.

08 January 2008

Today's Daizies - Still Going

Today's Daizies or on the quilt I am still working on. After 18 months I am not going to be defeated. But I will never do one like this again. Way to much hard work, it took all the fun out of patchwork. I will finish it soon. Would anyone like it, because by the end I will be sick of the sight of it. Or perhaps I should just put it away for a few years then I may have changed my mind and like it again.

More Fabric Bargains

Spotlight was selling off quilting fabric for $2 (about 60p in GBP) per metre. A good bargain I thought. I bought some more chicken fabric, some more of the fabric I used for Callum's curtains and some of the purple fabric I love (but nobody else does).

07 January 2008

Lounging Around

Remember that lounger I got for christmas. While I was slaving over the ironing on Sunday afternoon, I happened to glance out the window! Peter had moved from his usual spot at the table and taken over my new seat. Looks like I might have to buy one for his christmas next year. As soon as I had finished ironing I sent him in to cook the tea and I spent the rest of the afternoon in the same place.

Farmer's Market Again

Isn't it sad that the highlight of our weekend was a trip to the Sunday morning Farmers Market in Hastings. We bought some delicious Hohepa cheese, Nectarines, Gerberas,

ripe and juicy Cherries (which I ate while sitting listening to this weeks performers)

and some plants from the organic stall.

It was too hot to sit in the sun for to long, we had to escape to the cool air-conditioning in our car.

01 January 2008

Happy 2008

I would just like to wish everyone a happy and peaceful new year. 2008 has kicked off really pleasantly for us. To see us through to midnight we had Indian snacks, a nice bottle of wine and watched a DVD of Jools Holland's Hootenanny, in front of a roaring fire, very cool. Then today we went for a very relaxed New Year's Day lunch with Kerrian and Ian in their garden. More good food, good wine and good company. If 2008 continues in this way I will be very happy.