More travels of a redundant mum

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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........

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

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.