Some unexpected visits

 It's been a real autumn week weather wise but that didn't stop us from catching up with both our southern great grand boys.

First off was an invitation to have morning tea with Theo and his Mum and Granma at the Village Green. And of course we didn't turn down the opportunity. It was a miserable day but we had all gathered just after 10am. The Village Green is part way between both our suburbs and is at a sports ground - so no searching for a carpark. Yay! And the first thing we saw as we went through the doors into the restaurant was a roaring fire.

We put our orders in, my GKB and I had cheese rolls for breakfast, and were directed to a reserved table by the window. Youngest daughter, also known as Granma, works here so the boss came over and sat with us for a few minutes and had cuddles with Theo. Orders arrived and we spent a very pleasant hour or so chatting together.

Later in the day I called around to a local rest home and visited with a friend. She has no family here and so there is a little group of us who visit and do her personal shopping for her. You can see the state of the weather in this photo but it was nice and warm inside.

Then the next day I had a message from eldest daughter, can Arlo and I come out and visit this afternoon? Of course we said yes. That was another wet and miserable day but a little better than the one before. My GKB set up the construction set before they got here, he always likes to play with it and it takes a bit of putting together and he can get the Lego and a few other games out himself. Guess what he decided to play this time? Chess! None of us play chess but we have a set so at some time one of the kids must have played. I think it was our son.

He taught himself how to set the board up, and we had a lot of fun playing 'Arlo's rules', but we have told him that there are other rules and he will need to learn them if he wants to play with other people. He is 4, turns 5 next month and will be away to school. Where has that time gone? He is the eldest of the great grandkids and Theo is the youngest at 6 weeks. 

Today the sun is shining and it has been nice and warm. We went for a drive to Outram for an ice cream and I went for a stroll up the street afterwards. As you can see, a beautiful blue sky day.

That's it for today, until next time

 be kind to yourself :)

Diana

A nice day for a short walk

The sun was shining, there was only a slight breeze, a pleasant day for a short autumn walk. I went to the top of the street and turned right which takes me out into the countryside. Well almost. It's rural shall we say. Plenty of autumn colour, the leaves are starting to turn now.

Autumn coloured hydrangeas.

Half grown calves watching me .

A few yards further down the road there is a small orchard.

The traffic was starting to get a bit heavy and no 

designated walking paths so I didn't go much further,

 just beyond these trees.

Nearly home again, about 30 feet to the corner 

and we're back in town.

I love living on the edge of town, I have the best of both

 worlds to pick from when I go walking.

I hope you've had a good week. 

Until next time,

Diana

 

Easter weekend

 Easter was a quiet time for my GKB and me.

 As well as it being Easter quite a few people tack Otago Anniversary day onto the end which gives them a five day long weekend. Many head off for a holiday break and sadly there are usually a good number of accidents and deaths on the roads at this time of year.

On the Saturday we had an unusual visitor. A magpie! I haven't seen one for years, probably since the big tree they used to nest in a couple of sections over was chopped down about forty years ago. So it was a bit of a thrill to see this one, we didn't get too close though, just left him in peace to do his foraging for bugs. He hasn't been back since so our backyard can't have suited him as a pantry :)

I attended the Good Friday service at our church which was quiet and contemplative, a lovely service. Who knew our pastor could sing like that? Wow! 

Sunday was a day of celebrating our risen Lord but I watched the morning service on live stream. We have a 25 minute drive to the other side of the city to attend in person. But Sunday night was a different story We had three adult baptisms happening and seeing as one was the son of a friend I wanted to be there for that. It was a wonderfully joyful service and the young folk who attend the evening service put on a lovely supper for everyone - and gave us goodie bags to take home!

For my four little people Easter had a different focus. Easter eggs.

Arlo had an Easter egg hunt at his grandmothers place. She only has a little garden but big enough to hide eggs for a four year old.

Alice and Sitiveni also had Easter baskets to fill, they had a hunt around their back yard and it was fun watching them looking so hard that they missed some right in front of their noses. I had a video of them hunting that I hoped to share but it refuses to load :)

I also like to get the little ones a book telling the Easter story and this year the older ones received The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story. The newest family member got a board book with felt pictures. I like to start them young with books. And both Alice and Arlo enjoy reading which is really good.

Exhausted after a busy day :), I think the kitten has more bed than wee Sitiveni. (For those of you who wonder, Sitiveni is the Tongan way of saying Stephen. He is named for his paternal grandfather which is also traditional for the eldest grandson).

Theo had a sleepover at his grandparents home over Easter as well.

And that is my round up of Easter.

Keep well, 

until next time, 

Diana

Resurrection Sunday

 

Hallelujah! 

Christ is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

Good Friday

Behold Jesus!

The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!

He was pierced for our transgressions!

The punishment that bought us peace was on Him, 

and by His stripes we are healed!

John 1:29b & Isaiah 53:5

 

A wander around the garden

We'll take a wander shortly.

 First here is a pic of my GKB with young Theo. We were invited over while he was up so that Great grandad could meet him with his eyes open :) but Theo had other ideas. He did eventually open his eyes for a short time though so they have now officially eyed each other :)

We didn't stay too long as my GKB was the only male there and he gets a bit restless when it's all female company - and it can't be much fun when it is all baby talk to boot :) 

We decided to do some grocery shopping on the way home and then I wanted to have a look at the rose garden in the Memorial Gardens - which are just across the road from the supermarket.

The entry from the carpark. I love this entry at any time of the year.

Walk through a wee way and you can see the adjacent skate park through the trees on the right. There were a lot of birds flitting away from me here but too quick to get a picture - and they blended well into the trees.

Look in the opposite direction and there is a lovely big green, just right for picnics or taking the little ones for a play. Nice shaded seating as well, under the trees.

 

Entrance to the rose garden. The garden was fenced in this red brick as well, until a few years ago. I'm not sure why it was removed as I think the gardens themselves looked better - more formal if you like - which is how I think a rose garden should be. But that's just my opinion.

And finally the memorial rose garden itself. Looking a bit shabby at the end of summer and after the wind and rain of the past few days.

But more roses still in bloom than I thought there would be.

There is also a fenced children's playground out near the carpark. It's a lovely garden in the middle of town.

 I hope you've enjoyed a little look at a small part of our town.

Until next time, take care.

Diana

Autumn is here

 March has certainly come in like a lion, but it is the beginning of autumn here so not altogether unexpected. Further inland it is snowing but at least it is just squally showers here today. The mornings are darker too, so it is harder to wake up, and the evenings are drawing in. Time to think about putting the winter sheets on the bed.

Early morning.

Today was gym/walk day and we had thought we would meet up with the new mother and take baby for a walk but it was too cold and blustery. Instead youngest daughter and I ended up at the gym and on the treadmill before heading over to participate in baby Theo's bath time and have cuddles. He's a good, contented baby. So Sassy missed out on her walk with me today. I also took the opportunity of delivering the baby album my GKB and I had bought for them. 

At the end of last year I joined a small collective where for $7-50 I can get a small bag of vegetables that last us for 2 weeks. You're informed of what's in the bags before you order, there is not an option but I don't mind as we like most veges, and if you don't like the selection there's no need to order. This week we received potatoes, onions broccoli, marrow and a cabbage. No root veges this time but no matter, I already had some in the fridge. There's also the option of buying a meat pack, and extra vegetables if you want. And you can opt in and out as you want so you don't have to buy every week if it doesn't suit. A good deal I think.

And apart from that it has been a quiet week. I haven't been out much as my hearing aids are playing up and it's not much fun when you can't hear what people are saying and can't hold a conversation. But hopefully next week will be better - I've had an appointment with the audiologist and she has hopefully fixed the problem :)

So not much to share.

Until next time look after yourselves,

Diana