A birthday on 'Girls Day'

March 3rd is Hina Matsuri or Doll Festival in Japan. 

It is also known as Girls Day. 

My daughter in law, who lives in Japan, 

was excited to find out it is also my birthday.

The Japanese Hina dolls  are very formal.

photo taken from Wikipedia page showing Hina Dolls
displayed in a store in Los Angeles. 

The dolls at the top represent the Emperor and the Empress.

In all there are seven tiers,

each one ranking lower than the one above.

I thought I'd show you a couple of my dolls.

They're both porcelain and quite different.

This elegant lady, dressed for the snow,

was given to me a few years back 

for Christmas by one of my daughters 

and her family. Isn't she gorgeous?

It's a pity the colours don't show up well,

 the dress is a beautiful emerald green 

with gold snowflakes.

And this wee sweetie...

...dressed in a pink petticoat and ribbons and lace,

would be all of four inches high,

 if she could stand.

She was also given to me for Christmas

by a friend and workmate several years ago.

I have more dolls but I'll show them to you another day.

wishing you all the best 

in the days ahead,

Diana

just kickin' back

While I was out and about today 

someone asked how our holiday had gone.

Great, I said. 

It was sunny and hot the whole time, 

what more could you ask?

We set the caravan up under a tree because 

our usual spot was taken.

I think it was a better site.

Took a leisurely trip over to Lowburn 

and filled our water container with beautiful, 

fresh, mountain spring water. 

Just leave a donation in the box. 

We went down to the lake, I slothed 

and sunbathed a little while my GKB fished.

It was a public holiday so lots of people out for 

the day on and around the water. 

So hot.

My GKB caught tea...

...brown trout , basic salad veges

 and fresh bread rolls.

 Yum.

And I spent lots of time just kickin' back 

 and a sittin' and a readin'.

All in all a very relaxing few days away -

and it was all over too soon.

Have a wonderful week everyone,

Diana

A Southern Cat

Our Claude is a Southern cat.

 Born and bred in the south. 

Southern cats are not used to temperatures 

in the high 20's as they've been lately.

He doesn't know where to put himself. 

Even under a bush in the shade 

doesn't keep him happy for long.

 He is moulting frantically, 

trying to get rid of his fur coat. 

I try to help by brushing him. 

He loves it.

The Southern cat was really happy today 

when the sun started 

to go down and the temperature with it.

 catching the breeze

aaah, thats better

Unfortunately he will have to grow his winter coat 

back in before too long.

Have a good week,

Diana

Keeping up with Danny

I hope you don't mind if I post mainly photo's today.

Yesterday I spent the morning at the playground with my youngest grandson aka Danny.

He was dropped off at my place and half an hour later we set off.

He was on his scooter and I was on my feet.

disappearing into the distance - the scooter park was in sight

After doing some jumps and whatever else little boys do on scooters it was over to all the play equipment.

Guess who ended up with the scooter.

whoops

better keep my balance

disappearing again

playing is really thirsty work

hanging on

hey look Granma, no feet

time for an ice cream before we head home.

I don't think I can make it Granmaaaa.

sucking on a plum that was hanging over the fence

Danny finally home, pooped.

It was a really hot day so when we arrived home we had lemonade and a snack before getting some lunch.

Then he told me it was my fault for making him go to the playground. Kids!

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Thinking of all you people in Aussie affected by the bush fires and now by the floods. Look after yourselves and keep safe.

blessings,

Diana

where have all the honey bees gone?

can you see the bumblebee near the middle?

Where are all our honey bees? They have disappeared this year. Usually the flowers and bushes above are alive with bees in the Summer but this year not a one. I think I have seen one honey bee and three or four bumblebees. The only good thing about it is that there are no wasps about either.

I guess this will push the price of honey and fruit and veges up in the next 12 months as nothing will be getting pollinated. I read on the internet that this happens occasionally, that the bees just disappear without a trace and no-one seems to be able to explain why. It is quite uncanny to be sitting outside,
 having a coffee, beeless so to speak.

This is the calendar I won last year from
Miyako at Orchids Daily Voice

The photo does not do it justice, it is very pretty with lovely delicate colours and I have it on a shelf in my lounge. Thank you Miyako.

We have had a lot of extended family around during December and January and so it has been a rather social time. Last Friday night we went to Woodhaugh Gardens and had a barbecue and a game of cricket. Well the kids and grandkids played cricket and the four grandparents did what we do best, cheered them on. While they were here three of them celebrated birthdays and another 2 celebrate in early Feb so we hired a small hall and had a combined party for them. Lots of family and friends, lots of fun.

oh dear, we missed a name

 And guess what one of my wonderful daughters gave me for Christmas? A Pohutukawa or New Zealand Christmas Tree. They are very large trees in their natural state but when I rang the garden centre they told me I could grow it in a pot so that is what I am going to do. I hope. I don't have a lot of success with growing living things. Wish me luck, or wish the tree luck really.

Thank goodness for pots - a great solution. I really didn't know where I was going to put it as everywhere I thought of when I looked there were power  lines or it would block the sunlight or shade the neighbours...
and this way if ever we move I can take it with me :D)

Have a wonderful week, 
Diana

A few pictures...

...as promised a few pictures of the demolition

 of the gingerbread house.

And a couple from our lunch down on the plain a week or so ago.

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The photo's are loading again - all I had to do was switch to 'google chrome'. I thought we were already using it, but no.

 So simple. 

One or two other little niggles I had have 

now also disappeared.

Thank you Rian.  (at - Older, but better...?)

...just checkin' in...

I know it's a little late to be wishing you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year, but there you are, the year is disappearing already.
I hope that 2013 is all you are wishing for.


 I can't load any photo's at the moment apart from ones I've already used so I'm hoping that blogger/google will straighten it out soon seeing as several other people seem to be having the same problem. So today my post will have to be a little naked. Oh dear.


We had a whopping 35 or 36 degrees Celsius yesterday, today we are down to 16. Grey and wet. Somewhere in the middle for a few weeks would be really nice. Yesterday was lovely for lunch out with eldest grandson and my little mother. We drove down the plain to a little tearooms and sat out under the trees. Grandson has been staying with us since just before Christmas and is away back to Wellington/home tomorrow.

My GKB and I have both worked through the holidays so we are taking time off at the beginning of Feb. and heading away to the caravan. I'm looking forward to it, slothing by the lake and watching the fisherman. We have thought we should occasionally do one or two of the touristy things as well, so we can say we have, but I draw the line at bungee jumping. I don't mind watching but I don't see the point in tying myself to a large rubber band and jumping off a bridge! I shall pursue more sedate activities - like jet boating or white water rafting, ha ha. Or maybe just a leisurely ride on the lady of the lake - the SS Earnslaw.

We have finally demolished the gingerbread house. The kids from 4 to 83 all enjoyed it, a lot of fun. Have photo's, will show some of them someday :D)

Well I'm gonna sign off now and hope the photo thing gets sorted out soon.


Have a good week everyone.
Diana