You can never have enough...

[Jan]

I look forward to it Jan! Love a good opportunity to argue, lol...

I had a lovely gift today. I was scooting really slowly through a busy Devonport when a woman tapped me on the shoulder in a very gentle and loving way and spoke to me in te reo. I smiled at her and nodded, with no idea what she had said but knowing it was well meant. Got home and googled the phrase, to discover it was 'manaaki koe, whaea' - or bless you auntie, obviously supporting my choice to fly the tino rangatiratanga flag on the scoot. The response to that little act has been interesting over the months since I started, ranging from outright stares, to celebratory toots, thumbs up, and lots and lots of kia oras from all kinds of people. And only one negative response from a man who called it a divisive act. Just one.

Makes me smile, and proud to be a kiwi...

Hunni - We adopted a beautiful mixed race baby boy - first time I took him to Plunket told  the plunket nurse he was part Māori - she was horrified told me I would be walking down the street with him in his push chair people would say he has a touch of the tar pot and when he has children I am going to be embarrassed as one could be black - suffice to say his plunket book has only one entry - but I must say I don’t agree that his children should get privileges because of that mixed blood

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies We have fog, hopefully it will clear soon.

lol Lilith, the Furry One is an older gent now so sleeps in

OMG Jan, I can't believe a Plunket Nurse said that, even back in the day! That's a terrible thing to say and I'm not surprised you never went back.

We had lunch with MrK's three sisters yesterday and came home with a jimbos container full of petticoat daffs Had to laugh when my sister-in-law gave them to me as it was only a few posts back OHH mentioned them. There were a few family matters to discuss which was dealt with without toooooo much fuss by a reluctant sister-in-law. I also came home with a 1970's embroidery booklet for 'panels'. The pictures are too large for our home, but they could be reduced in size I'm thinking cushions

This morning it's back out in the garden, little and often seems to be my motto these days. But it is amazing how much can be done in a short amount of time.

Happy crafting

[popeye333]

Morning everyone.

The sun is up again. It was Beautiful yesterday.

I always said if I had have had kids they might have turned out Brown cos my Grandfather was the same colouring as Precious Mckenzie. Will never know of course. My two nephews that are 1/4 Māori are / were a beautiful brown.

That plunket nurse needed shooting.

May have someone interested in the single bed, but I want her to work around me. I need to take my library books back and pop into new world.

Might have a relaxing day today, which will probably mean Ill just do a couple of boxes lol.

Turns out that Jess who lives 2 doors away on our shared drive, her partner is one of the Moving team lol.. AND I found out the two between us are both teachers at the college lol.. Jess didn't know first names . I told her he was John but I have no idea who she is. I've been their neighbour nearly 6 years and only found out when our Courier parcels got muddled last week lol.

She is pleased Ill have more of a life around the corner. And she walks passed there with Jack so will pop in.. on their walks.

Have a fab day all

[kiwimade64]

The petticoat daffs have been planted and the hyacinths repotted. Was gutted to see I had only two hyacinth bulbs, the other four were long gone. Oh well, we'll have to wait and see what colours there are. Knowing my luck, they will both be pink! The garden the big tree was in is coming together. A few groundcovers will finish it nicely. Amazing how much space there is now the salvias have been moved.

Our neighbour bought over some of those red berry kiwifruit. Her friend is picking them now and they were all given some 'rejects'. Can't see anything wrong with these ones! They are quite a bit sweeter, MrK loves them. I still prefer the green.

Time for a rest, I overdid it lifting the 30-liter bag of compost... ooppps!

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I had a bad experience with a Plunket nurse on her first visit, so opted to have the local Public Health nurse help me through those first months, and boy was that a great decision. She was wonderful, and brought in the Medical Officer as her supervising doctor, so we had the best of care and no racism, or negativity about me being both an elderly first time mother and a single parent. Quite the opposite in fact which was fantastic. Didn't get quite the same level of support elsewhere, but that was okay, I had family around me back then which made things a lot easier. I do not envy solo parents who don't have that, either for themselves or for the child, raising kids is a family business, it is hard enough with, immensely challenging without.

I finished sorting the bulbs in the trough and replanted most of them, I will need more potting mix for the last of the lachenalias, next year I must find new homes for some of those because I will run out of pots. So I will get that organised for delivery with the strawberry mix and the compost this coming week, and maybe pick up a bag of blue hyacinth bulbs for inside, though cyclamen are my usual choice - we'll see. That and mini cabbages, greens, and leeks in the punnet section and by the end of the week my winter planting should be done and dusted. Then I shall finish off the winter pruning, the mutabilis, a rampant fuchsia, and one of the cutting grown hibiscus have got a bit too big for their boots and need sorting out as soon as the Green Bin is emptied after my last lot of 'trimming'.

Must say I am not a fan of kiwifruit, but those kiwi berries are lovely. I put a lot of fruit in my salads and they are a wonderful addition, and so colourful. I like the red ones too. I noticed on farcebook they call them kiwi grapes in the UK, but then the Brits always were a bit strange...

[Lilith7]

Love the Jack Russell image Jan.


You have to hope that plunket nurses now are a great deal less ignorant.

Did our earlier than usual, & slightly longer walk this morning, its always good to have the rest of the day clear.

But alas,I'm in the dogbox/catbox today; flea treatment day just isn't their favourite somehow...

[kiwimade64]

Ungrateful creatures, Lilith. You would think they would appreciate being flea free!

My cyclamen grow outside in the garden, OHH I noticed they have lovely green leaves already. I still have so much to do lol but that's OK. It usually takes me around six weeks to have the garden sorted for winter. This year it will be a bit longer but slow and steady wins this race.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Yes, I put mine out into the garden each year when they get tired, and they do quite well, though really they aren't designed for our climate. There was a garden in Blenheim, a very old one, where the ground by the front gate was shaded by a huge old tree and underneath was this spreading carpet of the tiny neopolitana cyclamen. It was a glory to see. My German friend Susanne, who breeds daylilies, has a similar planting in her garden, and sends me photos every year when they bloom, knowing how much I love them. They like the cold I think, and here we rarely get that level of crisp these days...

I learned something today, about magnolias. Apparently they are one of the most primitive plants we have, 100 million years old fossil records, and they predate bees, hence their particular form in petal and reproduction. Another one I have always loved.

[popeye333]

Yes, I put mine out into the garden each year when they get tired, and they do quite well, though really they aren't designed for our climate. There was a garden in Blenheim, a very old one, where the ground by the front gate was shaded by a huge old tree and underneath was this spreading carpet of the tiny neopolitana cyclamen. It was a glory to see. My German friend Susanne, who breeds daylilies, has a similar planting in her garden, and sends me photos every year when they bloom, knowing how much I love them. They like the cold I think, and here we rarely get that level of crisp these days...

I learned something today, about magnolias. Apparently they are one of the most primitive plants we have, 100 million years old fossil records, and they predate bees, hence their particular form in petal and reproduction. Another one I have always loved.

I Love magnolia and Camelias for the Flower drop. I love seeing flowers surrounding their previous bodies.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Yes! There is something very beautiful about a coloured carpet of fallen blossoms around a tree, jacarandas do that, and every year there is a pale pink snowfall of peach blossoms on the concrete path beneath...

Like minds popeye, like minds!

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies rain is coming again, thank goodness as the ground is still bone dry when you dig a little.

The Crusaders are back!! lol. Two big wins in a row now.

I'll spend a bit more time in the garden this morning, there are a few perennials needing to be shuffled around to give everything space to grow. Our neighbour is taking a bit of a big bossy dahlia, and the aquilegias need digging out. Somehow, they seem to have taken over this summer. I'll cut back Albertine in preparation for its removal and so I can work around it. And the begonias will be moved from pots to under a tree. The wheelbarrow is so full it can't be moved lol, so it sits there waiting for the wheelie bins to be emptied. Sadly, there is convolvulus through it and can't be composted.

Time to get cracking, MrK and the Furry One are both sound asleep.

Happy crafting

[popeye333]

Morning everyone

A chilly start. But the sun is coming through.

I always enjoy Saturday night with two Ghosty shows. but its always a late night lol Woke up to Madam running around like a nutter. She always does after ablutions, but I dont like being part of the race track lol.

Im taking my Enid Blyton collection around to a sister friend who has two wee Grandchildren. Some are already 60ish years old, so they are going to last alot longer. As these kids have awesome parents and grandparents who will make sure they are looked after.

Im very close to finishing Missy the 3rd. Depending on what I do when I get home it might get finished.

The first thing I will save up for is getting frames that match the first.

Have a fab day all

[Mica]

Morning all 
Fine day

But late start just sitting down after doing cleaning bathrooms and washing the floors. DH should be home soon he can make the coffee.

Finished hand stitching the binding on quilt I am pleased with how it turned out next step to take photo

Have invited friends around  tonight  to share BBQ chicken dinner

Enjoy your day

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies What a stunning sunrise we have this morning. As soon as it is light enough, I'm putting the hose on the garden. It's so dry thanks to the wind. It must have been cold last night as I woke to find the Furry One under our covers.

Same old, same old stuff for today. Bit of gardening, some housework desperately needs doing. Just another ordinary day. Makes a change from all the dramas we have had over the years

happy crafting

[Roma]

Good morning. 

Another hot day ahead today ... walking along the beach is still like high summer with people still in, out or on the water! Yesterday brought in extra visitors with great conditions for the cricket. 

We look forward to when the garden and lawn no longer need regular watering but can be done thanks to the bore. The resident birds appreciate our efforts  Beans still going and feijoas dropping a few most days.

School pick up only today so the day is mine. Baking and garden on the agenda.

Enjoy the day all.

[popeye333]

Morning everyone

Tad chilly Yay..

Was in my wardrobe last night think Oh I wish it was cooler. I have lots of clothes for the cooler temps Im eagerly awaiting to wear. Finally put my wool jackets into their covers. Im glad I got them cos the wardrobe space in the next house is Very Limited. I have a rack that I got years ago when we did markets so that will come in handy. I might also put a second rail in one of the wardrobes so tops and bottoms can go in one place.

Had a nice relaxing weekend off. Im into the Sewing room today.. Have to empty three pantries and box up the loose stuff.. Which thankfully cos of My recent efforts isn't a lot.

I've finished Missy's Picture. Its soo realistic, which is cos of the mixing colours. The more colours the better the reality. Ill upload pictures later. I think of the Three I love this one the best.

Have a fab day all

[Mica]

Morning all 
Misty drizzle

Done my bits and bobs this morning just having a rest after manhandled fabric storage containers. Since we moved have them stacked 4 high and of course what I wanted was in the bottom container. Fabric is so  heavy..

Pulled out piece electric blue duponi silk and a rather bright piece of silk lining in purples blues with a smattering  of black. Going to make an anorak jacket posh fabric in casual style my project for May sewing retreat, got the snaps just need to get thread and zipper. 

Enjoy your day

[kiwimade64]

The jacket sounds gorgeous, mica

The car is finally in the panel beaters. We have a very small courtesy car, hopefully I can fit MrK's walker in the back. If not, he will have to stay home!

Housework done and garden watered. Love our bore as well, roma. The new sprinkler makes a huge difference and has cut watering time down by half. Checked on the salvias I moved to the main road, and they have barely cared. They should do well along that fence line and give some nice colour to passersby as well as keeping the bees busy.

MrK has frozen more beans, we have quite the stash in the freezer now.

[popeye333]

Done two hours in the sewing room. two pantries and a cupboard MrP made me years ago.

Three things I've learnt..

1- Don't pack and tape the box when you want a laminating sachet.. So it has to wait..

2- Don't stack empty banana boxes under a crate of books.. Had to move stuff around to get to them.

3- Don't come back as a Taurean if you get a second life. I collect stationery, pens, cards , envelopes etc.. They are Heavy. I have some long brown envelopes that will be good for something.. ONE DAY.. I've had them 28 years lol. And could I throw them out? Nope Ill need one, one day lol

Di is Struggling. She needs Mums ashes back and her Sister keeps delaying it.. They are hopefully going out for lunch tomorrow so fingers crossed.

[Lilith7]

In my experience, the things you put away carefully can almost never be found, & if you do happen to find them they're invariably under, on top of or behind some other thing or things.

Odd weather here today, no sun & first cold,then so warm you expect the sun to come out at any minute. But it didn't & now its getting colder again.