Counting My Winter Blessings.

Hello Blog chics. Thanks you for your lovely comments on my last post. It reminded me to count my blessings, and that there many to count in the winter.

We haven't had our first frost yet, so I can still get photos like this beautiful dew laden nasturtium.

I can spend all morning snuggled up in bed reading my favourite magazines, and moving some things around on the dressing table to create a new vignette to photograph.

And I can look out the window on a winter's morning and see the work of many spiders over night, adorning the hedges.

And this! because she can climb up the pergola and get onto the verandah roof!

And there are still the last roses of autumn hanging on.

And I don't have to stress about watering the cuttings I have transplanted from the other house, because it just keeps raining!

And my red geraniums are doing well, sheltered under the eaves.

And I am planning the beginnings of a bluebell wood here by the woodshed.

I dug up some bluebells from the other house today and put them in.

And the cats are keen gardeners, never minding the rain, posing happily for blog pics by the woodshed.

I'm putting it all to bed until the spring, when it should be wonderful.

Until then I will enjoy the spring and summer in other people's gardens. Thanks to the magic of the blog!

Babushka with Pine Cones!

Another useful thing to do with vintage fabric bags.

Gets me out of going for an official walk today.

It's pretty chilly, and wet under foot. I didn't fancy walking up our busy road because I have to dive off into the long grass whenever a car comes along. And get wet up to my knees! UGH!

So I went off down to the 100 Acre Wood to look for a Woozle.

Didn't find one, but I did find a few pine cones along the fence line.

Meanwhile, I have been progressing with the picnic quilt a bit more.
It will be quite spectacular on the lawn in the summer time.

Sitting inside by the fire now, burning pine cones because I can!

And reading my June NZ House and garden, and dreaming of spring.

I'm such a sook about the cold!

Quickly while it's not raining.

Hello Blog Chics.

It's been a while. Real life has been all consuming. Most specifically keeping up two big gardens and two sets of lawns, in the small intervals when it doesn't rain, and rain, and rain!

And then there's the ever present problem of trying to get the washing dry. I confess at times I have just piled it into the car and taken it into Mum's and put it in the dryer.

Most reluctantly, because I am an ardent fan of line dried washing - especially when I have a lavender enclosed meadow to hang it in.

AND - I've been forcing my way through an extremely boring assignment for a paper I'm doing for work. Sooo boring, mostly about legislation and medico legal considerations. Put you off the whole business if you let it! But I've finished it all thank goodness, so onto better things Blog Chics.

I'd hate anyone to think I was moaning. On the contrary. I am totally consumed with it all in a good way, and I love the house and both gardens, and I even like my job. I just have no time for anything else because of the rain!!!!

And no blogging! I've had a few goes and deleted them in the embryonic stages because they were just not worth reporting. Or the photos were rubbish. Might resurrect a couple and put them into a different context when I feel more creatively inspired.


This has been my one source of creative inspiration lately, and I have really had to be disciplined and psyche myself into doing it because it's good for my soul. A bit like that assignment!!! My soul is ABSOLUTELY not improved in the slightest way since the assignment, I can assure you.
But it has been slightly buffed by my foray into the world of "Material Obsession Two".
But again it has taken on a character building flavour, as while I admire pieced quilts, and the use of colour in this book, I have had to challenge myself to actually take it on.
It's very spatial, but once you've cracked the formula it becomes boring blog chics, and the only buzz you get is from choosing the colours. But I suspect it's a bit like weeding, when you're finished you're pleased you put the effort in because it looks great. And it will use up all the random things in my stash that are not my kindred colour palette. I imagine it will become a favoured picnic blanket!




Give you an update soon when I've had time to get batteries into my camera!
Today I am happy to report some watery sunshine has penetrated the standard grey of the 'Naki skies, and I can even see three quarters of the mountain through my kitchen window.
The question remains ... to hang or not to hang - the washing !

Chics in Aprons.

This is what happens at a typical party here in The 'Naki.

I don't know weather it's a universal thing, or not, but this is what the girls do here at a party!

We all hang out in the kitchen get busy, and have a fabulous time.

Everyone loves my aprons, and they had to take turns for the photos.

These are my friends Patrice, Heather and Leigh on clean up duty.

You wouldn't think it would be fun would you, but it absolutely is!

And this is what blokes do at the same time as the Sheilas are fighting over the aprons.
You wouldn't think it would be fun would you? Would you?
They look pretty happy about it.



Maybe it is a universal thing at parties.
Does it happen at Northern Hemisphere Parties too?

Can't have a party without cupcakes (and aprons).

Grannies like aprons too.

Lemon meringue pie - a shared triumph!

Cath Kidston apron.

Pudding!

Walter and Willis Go Hunting For Eggs.

This morning the Easter Bunny came to Mawhitiwhiti Rd.

I captured her in full motion, like those old photos of faeries at the bottom of the garden.

Leigh and Willis are here for the weekend.

Big housewarming party at our place this evening!

Leigh is my Jo Seager Cook School friend, so I'm getting her to do all the difficult bits.

Willis is really called Ron, but to us he's been Willis for years. As in , "what you talking 'bout Willis ?"







So Leigh and Willis took full part in the performance of the Easter Egg Hunt.

And this is where the Walter part comes in. That's Willis' name for Hubby, to even things up. makes it easier to tell stories about Walter and Willis' adventures. Alliteration really helps in theses matters.

Callum got a Transformer egg from the Easter Bunny.

And here's the customary random photo of my cat - looking very "House and Garden" amongst the autumn leaves.

Then what else would you do but the cross word with your Granny!