Friday 1 July 2016

Winter activities at home

Yes, I do in fact, spend time at home and in the winter
 it is a matter of finding things to do on long dark evenings.


So, no. 1: I like to read. This is the latest book I have finished for the reading challenge. A Fistful of Summer by Peggy Dunstan. 
It is a collection of short stories written by a New Zealand author and based on her childhood in Christchurch and Wellington. Although set a decade or two before my childhood days,
 probably in my mother's, I could relate to it and so 
thoroughly enjoyed it. I may have to read it again.


No. 2:  Now I don't neccessarily like to knit but have found myself enjoying it more now that I am not trying to keep my family warm with nice woollen jerseys. It was such a challenge to make sure they all had nice new jerseys for the winter, then as they got older there were those  jackets worn by Starsky (or was it Hutch), and everyone had to have one or they would be the only kid in school looking uncool. I find it more relaxing these days and as well as the snoods for my daughters I have knitted this beanie hat. I will probably put it on a bring and buy table later in the month.


No 3: I quite enjoy doing and completing a jigsaw. This is the latest one and let me tell you it took me as long, or longer, to do the sky as to do the rest of it. The one before this was shades of white and grey with a little bit of blue, this one is shades of pink and peach with some darker shading. I pulled out the next one in the pile and it was shades of white and grey with touches of gold! No! I wanted a change so have opted for a more busy one, I've done it before quite a while ago but am finding it more challenging this time.


No.4: I have had a few cards to send out this month, bereavements, birthday and invitations. But finally they are all done. Well no they are not really, next week youngest grand daughter is turning 18.   So I will be on the lookout for a nice card for her over the next few days, and a gift to go with it. I can't believe how quickly these kids have grown up.


And so to no.5: Once a month I am rostered on to help in our church hall in the kitchen, I generally enjoy this particular evening out. An alternative church service is held each Friday night and I usually make a dish and take it down. The service is attended by some of the more marginalised people in the community some of whom travel out from the city to attend. They start off with a cuppa and a sing along followed by a bible teaching, then they have a hot meal followed by another cup of tea or coffee. It's my night tonight and I have made a big fish pie. It looks a bit pale in the picture but is set to go into the oven to brown up before I take it down. Maybe I'll grate some cheese onto it as well.

And that's my five for this week.
I'm joining Amy and friends for: 
Five on Friday

Diana

21 comments:

  1. Thank for the smiles....have a Joyful weekend...(is it winter down there? I guess it is, smiles)

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  2. We too enjoy a jigsaw on a cold evening in front of the stove. The fish pie looks delicious, sounds good with some cheese on top.

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  3. Diana, I am channeling some of your cold weather as I sit in my armchair in the sweltering early morning heat!! It is hard to believe it is the first day of July!! I love your beanie..the colors are amazing. And you are right, doing things at your own pace makes anything more fun. I love to do jigsaws on my iPad. My husband just cannot stand puzzles for some reason...they make him anxious. It is interesting that what is calming for one person is exasperating for another. Have a lovely time at your church fellowship!!

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  4. oh of course it is Winter on the other side of the world, I always think you have sunshine all the time. I like the hat, it has some great colours in it. I love to do a jigsaw too but get very territorial if anyone tries to join in. The fish pie looks delicious! Have a great weekend xx

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  5. Your jigsaw puzzle looks great. I don't think I have the patience! Your beanie hat looks nice. Sometimes it's good just to craft for fun not because you have to - much more relaxing!

    Have a great weekend

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  6. Sounds like all good ways to spend those long winter nights. : )

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  7. I am sure that your fish pie was very tasty and very gratefully received and enjoyed. You have some good ways to spend the winter evenings! I sympathise on the jigsaw puzzle, they can be so hard to do when the colours are all very similar can't they. I hope the next one has more shades for you! Thank you for joining in with Five On Friday. I hope you have a fun weekend! xx

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  8. I like your five! Always enjoy working puzzles, I have one started, but haven't gotten very far on it.

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  9. Wonderful winter activities for sure. How nice of you to send out handwritten notes. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  10. You certainly have found a challenge to get you through those winter evenings, I couldn't imagine tackling such a difficult jigsaw such as yours! Good luck with the next one, bon weekend from Normandy.

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  11. Winter seems to be the best time to enjoy activities inside!
    Your hat is lovely. I like the colors.Your activities in the church looks busy but it must be fun. Enjoy your day.

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  12. Love jigsaws too in the winter. Lovely activity to do as a family or solo. Perfect x

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  13. Diana, that hat is absolutely adorable!

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  14. I enjoyed learning about your cozy winter busyness! Some in our household especially enjoy putting together puzzles, and most of us enjoy reading, too. The hat has lovely colors and I can imagine the fish pie was appreciated by those who ate it! Happy Weekend!

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  15. Hi Diana! Sounds like you're keeping your tiny self pretty busy! I sure wish I could knit, I've tried but just can't get it. I guess I'll just have to stick to crocheting! That dessert looks yummy! Keep staying busy and thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  16. You've found lots of worthwhile projects for this time inside. It's so hot here right now, I'm looking for things to do inside too. I have a craft project to work on today. We both like to keep busy, don't we? Sweet hugs, Diane

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  17. I just finished an outdoor project and it was waaay too hot for an olden like myself....today, I am going to paint some shelves for my kitchen and I'll do it INdoors...xoxo

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  18. Thank you for giving me a peek into your life. It does seem that you keep pretty busy in the winter. Have a great day.

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  19. You have found some lovely ways to pass time throughout the winter. I would love to learn to knit one day. I crochet a bit but have never tackled knitting.

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  20. You've been busy, Diana! It's so hard to believe that you're in winter time and we are in the heat of summer!

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  21. Indeed, you have been busy. I am just loving the sweet hat you knitted :) And oh my, the dish at the end of the post has my mouth watering!

    Hugs to you!

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