Thursday 28 April 2016

Busy as a bee with a bum full of honey!

I am sitting here killing time while the kittens are off having their little kitty ovens removed (spayed).  I am hoping they are fine, sure they will be, but foster mothers do worry you know.

One thing I do know is they are going to be very hungry babies as they haven't had anything to eat since 8pm last night, you know the whole nothing for ex number of hours before surgery.  This was taken last night while they were having a before bed cuddle with me, check out the dogs in the background!!  Look close and you will see Sheba with her green Dino in her mouth.

This was them playing hard out last night,
bet that won't happen tonight!

Oh check out my latest trade me scores.  The Iron Fist shoes arrived in the post today and the Sylvac vase I collected.  The vase reminds me of my grandmother and nana, the sort of style they had in their homes.


Yesterday I called in on a couple of op shops and found some pretty cool things.  A 1979 tea towel $3 (I was a teenager then), a very cute coffee mug $1, and a pair of New Birkies $4 which are going to my sister at the beach.
 
I was stoked when I came across this Fitz and Floyd mug $2, I have had one for years and they are pretty out there.  The silver bangles were $1 each, they were all super tarnished but after a clean they look pretty fabulous.  Not sure if they are sterling silver but one of them has been engraved inside which makes me think possibly, as you wouldn't engrave something on a shitty bangle would you.

I may not have bunches of gorgeous colourful flowers in my garden right now, but I sure do have my share of fungi growing.

All growing in the chicken area, not that the chickens are spending much time there. They have totally embraced their title of 'free range' as at least 5 of the 9 are sleeping in the Jasmine growing on the fence at night!
 
I have plants going to seed and leaves in abundance, oh and look, Bird of Paradise is doing it's thang!!

Last week (you may have noticed this post is in reverse order) I bought this delightful Cobalt Blue Velvet coat at a lovely little recycled clothing shop I visit in Frankton.  The owner is always doing deals with me, to make me more tempted than usual.  I also bought the Peacock velvet burnout shawl, it has bead trim and it is divine!!

Our weather is all over the place lately, the lady and the man in my German Weather Vane are fighting on who is out and who is in these days!

Amongst the remaining flowers and garden art we have some Broccoli just about ready to be consumed.  In fact I had the best raw Broccoli, Cranberry and Pine nut salad with my dinner last night (from the supermarket).

I searched for the colour in the garden and I found it!

My dear friend Lou Lou Belle (Louise) visited me from Auckland last week and gave me gifts.  A hand made crocheted bath cloth and yummy smelling soap, pretty sure it's not because she thinks I stink!!  And some cute as bird shaped clothes pegs that got a trial on my washing. We spent some quality time chatting and laughing, and lunching outside in the garden.  I love my catch ups with her!!

Last Saturday TOF and I went to the spares rugby game that was out of town.  We got to drive on a new road and it was fast,
and scenic!

The game was at a lovely little country place called Hinuera, a farming community and the photographic opportunities were many.  I had to keep reminding myself that I was actually at a rugby game.

The spare went off part way through the second half with a thigh strain, or something like that, but as you can see from the score board, his team won (they were the visitors).

 
 A lichen covered farm fence.
One of many.

The cutest little church was across the road from the rugby ground.  I see it as a dinky little house I could move and live in, others see it as the place of worship that it still is. Either way it is very cute.


We took the back roads coming home as the countryside is amazing.

We crossed the Waikato River via the dam at Karipiro, which is a rather famous spot for competitive rowing.

Our weekend was a long one in New Zealand as it was ANZAC Day on Monday.  I haven't been to an ANZAC service since the boys were young so I decided it was time to get my butt to another one.  I would love to attend a Dawn Service but I am struggling to find a eager companion to brave that time of the day.

The Anzac Service in Hamilton is held in Parana Park where a Cenotaph and Memorial Wall are.  Last year Bridge Street which crosses the river was renamed to Anzac Parade for the 100th year service.

Standing on Bridge St bridge I did wonder if it is now going to be know as Anzac Parade bridge, well after all the parade does cross it.  How glorious the Waikato River was looking on Monday while I awaited the beginning of the ANZAC parade.

The parade was led by mounted soldiers.


Followed by the best band and veterans.
 
 There were Marching Girls,
and numerous groups being represented and an army truck.

And last but not least there were horses representing all the War Horses.

I was pleased to see a hearty crowd of people that like me had decided to attend and honour those that fought for us all those years ago.

Poignant moments like The Last Post, a Minutes Silence, Firing of the Gun (which made me jump), prayers, singing and then the Laying of Wreaths.

Both my grandfathers went to war, and many relatives before them.  Sometimes we get busy with our lives and forget what went on before our time.  I am so grateful I never had to wave off TOF and the lads to go fight in a war.  I think for this reason alone I shall be attending again next year and those after. 

On a happier note, although I miss those funny little extra toes on dear wee Toby I have been told one of the ladies at the SPCA has adopted him, and why wouldn't you.  I better get ready to go pick up my little girls and prepare to give them the very best post operative care ever.

As for my post title today,
my grandfather used to say it when asked
"are you busy?''


 

 
 

Friday 22 April 2016

Live in the moment, discover and delight in simple things!

This morning I delivered the fur babies to SPCA so they can all have their  kitten making toys taken off them.  So with no distraction I thought I should re cap the week.  Our weather has continued to be glorious except today is not so.  Most afternoons when returning from work I have made the most of the pre Winter sunshine and just chilled in the garden.

I am having to search for the colour in my garden at the moment and happy to say I can still find some.  Small Fuchsias are flowering and I must admit the colour of my flax is pretty nice.

Perfect weather for blowing bubbles and wearing summer frocks with under skirts Of course a jacket is required in the morning but it soon gets ditched as the day moves on.

Instead of brightly coloured flowers I add my jacket!

Lucky I still love all the greenery!

Little Gypsy will be up for adoption next week along with Pixie below.  They have grown so much while I have had them and I am convinced they will all be adorable pets for some lucky people.

Pixie has come such a long way from the hissing wild baby that she was.  She is scared of nothing these days and has blossomed into a pretty little lady.
Of course there is darling lovable Toby extra toes. He will be ready for adoption tomorrow and I know I will have to go in for one last cuddle with him before he moves on.  I thought I would be sad to be parting with them all but knowing more babies will come my way seems to make it easy.

Did you laugh? My attempt at felting.  Slight, well maybe massive fail.  Look at it's ears and eyes and nose! My scale is all to pot, but on the upside, there is room for improvement. I need to learn how not to keep stabbing myself with the felting needle, and get my proportion right.  Might help if I actually read the book rather than going by the pictures!


Last weekend, well starting on Friday, there was a surf contest out at Raglan, Manu Bay to be exact.  I decided to go out on Friday and have a look as there was a possibility of it being crowded over the weekend.

The contestants walk across the rocks and leap onto the water.  Then they all had to float about waiting for a decent set of waves to roll in.  Raglan has a world famous left hand break that just wasn't performing on Friday. Typical really.

Even though it was overcast, the waves that did roll in were making a bloody good splash on the rocks!

I found a good spot to just sit and enjoy the afternoons offerings.


This was the view I enjoyed while having a late lunch in my car.  I purchased a delicious salad sandwich and took out a thermos, perfect spot to eat.

From high on the hill looking down on the bays.

I drove down my favourite waterside road, Cliff Street.









This is where I would love to live, but this is probably one of the expeny parts of town, so drive bys is what I do.


I called in on my two mates that live and work out at Raglan to say Hi/Bye.


Then off home I headed with a massive amount of traffic driving toward me as it was the last day of school term. 

I stopped on the top of the Deviation to take photos of the view.







 Looking back toward Raglan over all the hilly farmland.

Look back the same way but toward Te Uku and the Wind Farm.

On Saturday after a day of faffing and rugby watching we got ready after dinner to go out to a friends 60th birthday. It was a dress up as someone/something you wanted to be.  I went as a Garden Fairy and didn't have time for a full outfit shot only a few quick head shots, as I was pretty stoked with my hairdo.
TOF went as Hugh Hefner.


 As luck would have it someone managed a phone photo of him on the pull!

I bought the old Crock off Trade Me.  The pick up was out near Dawns place so I mozied on over to hers after picking up my Crock!

Fresh from her kiln was this Cheshire Cat! 
Isn't he gorgeous.

This beehive letterbox has been returned from a Gallery so now up for sale with her. How I would love that but living in town the chances of it being stolen or vandalised are too high to risk having such a letter box.


The Flying Pig totem is finished and so deserved some individual close ups.

I had a play in the clay but all will be revealed when it is all finished and looking fabulously blog worthy. So watch this space!

More delightful days to layer my clothes lightly.
By adding layers to my summer things I get more wear time!

My garden continues to be my happy place,
especially when I discover brightly coloured fungi.

UPDATE:  Just got a phone call to pick up the girl kittens.  Too many bookings at the vet so they are back with me until next Thursday when they will hopefully get their little lady ops.  They are so happy to be home, and there are so many babies available for adoption anyway.


Things to make you smile:


The Heir and the Spare are doomed here then!


So funny and so true!

My weekend has started - yay!
When your one arrives
go forth and enjoy it!