Spring's coming.

 I haven't been blogging much lately. I've had a cataract op so my eye is still on the mend but the fortnight prior to the op I also had a cluster of migraines. Not fun believe me. I have checked in a couple of times but haven't been up to commenting, so I apologise for that. I really need to wait until I'm discharged before I'll be able to see properly to type much. I still have a little double vision and some blurring but otherwise I seem to be healing well.

Anyway, I thought I'd post a few spring blossom and flower pics I've taken while out and about when the weather is nice. Not many though. Camellias seem to be blooming well just now. And the garden is my daughter Jacqui's.

Your new town - Tuesday 4

 Welcome to Tuesday 4 begun  by Toni Taddeo and kept up in her memory. We are so glad to have you joining in!   You can make your post as elaborate or as simple as you wish. The object really is to share with others.

This week let us talk about a new town/city/village that you are going to create.   It is brand new.

1.  You are establishing a new community.    Where will it be located? What will the surroundings be like? Describe the environment and the weather which you get to create.

Not too big or too small. Large enough to have all the shops and facilities that we need but small enough to have a community feel. It would definitely be located further north of here but I would like it to be near the sea or a lake so I could take walks on the beach. The weather would be temperate, not so cold it snows but not too hot either - but it's nice to experience all the seasons.

2.  You are in charge of naming this new town.   What will you call it and is it a town, village , city? Is it country, suburb or city? 

We're in a town and it would be named Mackburgh.

3.   What features will your new town have? Library? parks? restaurants?  Rural or metropolitan area?

My town is in a rural area but with access to a larger city and has good public transport for those times city visiting is necessary. There would definitely be a library, books are expensive to buy and childrens parks as well as spaces for teenagers to skate, bike or whatever. A couple of supermarkets and primary and secondary schools as well as daycare facilities for babies and the elderly. There would be motels and a hotel and of course a restaurant or two, most of us like to eat out occasionally.

4.  Your new town has a high school and it is your job to name it.  What name do you give it?

The high school is called The Aurora Secondary School and it's colours would be red and blue.

Join in the fun at Tuesday 4: Your New Town

And that's it for today. 

Keep well, and enjoy life.

 blessings

Diana

Random ramblings

It's been a much slower week and to be honest I think I needed it. My cold didn't get too bad but I had a couple of days where I had no energy and didn't do anything much except sit. I couldn't even be bothered reading - and that's not me. But apart from a blocked nose and a post nasal drip (yay) I'm pretty good. I just need it to clear up completely before I go for my cataract op in about three weeks.

The country has experienced a couple of big earthquakes in the past couple of weeks. One in the South Island and one up north. We were relaxing in the evening when our chairs began rocking and we were getting ready to head to a safer position in the house when it stopped. Phew. It was centred on the other side of the island and lasted about 30 seconds and was felt all over the South Island. The second one was just a couple of days ago in a more populated area but no injuries and not a lot of damage to buildings thankfully. My granddaughter was woken by the jolt but the rest of the household slept through. Of course there were the normal slips and roads out in both events. But that is the joy of living in the shaky isles on the Pacific ring of fire :)

The Commonwealth Games have begun in Glasgow, and we watched the opening ceremony yesterday. There are seventy-four teams and I did feel sorry for the King and Queen having to sit there smiling and clapping as they all paraded in. We watched a few of the events yesterday morning, it was too cold to do anything else. It was snowing in the hill suburbs but thankfully not here. We'll watch more as they go on, depending on what sports are happening. I enjoy the swimming as that was my sport when I was young. Bob just enjoys sports :)

My niece has started a fb page this week which she has named The Creaky Knees Group :) She's hoping to encourage people to keep moving and have fun as well. Our fun thing this week, yes I joined, was to paint a stone or rock with dots. Well I found a stone, bought some paint pens and had a go. I was disappointed with my result but after a second coat it looks better. I may even do a third coat. Why do retailers hang things (read paint pens) upside down when the instructions say to store flat or tip/nib down? I'm sure it would have turned out better if there had been more paint in the tips.

My paint offering after a second coat. Not the ideal stone but the best I could find. And not a masterpiece :)

And I think I'll leave you there.

Have a good week.

Blessings,

Diana 

A busy week

I've had a busy but enjoyable week. Last Saturday I was invited out to an afternoon tea for the local cooks for Friday Light. I didn't think I'd know anyone except Christine who cooks the alternate month to me but was pleasantly surprised to find there was only one person I hadn't met. And I was seated next to a friend of my son who I haven't seen for quite a while so we had a bit of a catch up.

Church in a school hall. We've doubled in size since this was taken.

On Sunday I was early to church as I was a door welcomer. I quite enjoy doing that, I usually take the outside door (but stand inside it at this time of year) and say a hello to people as they arrive. Some like to stand and chat as well. Our little congregation is growing but it would be nice to see some families. Still, I'm sure God knows what His plan is for us. :)

And on Monday there was a daytime Aglow meeting which I helped to organise with my friend Kay. A lot of our members are getting older and don't like to go out at night in winter so we organised a soup and bun lunchtime meeting. It was a great day and about 50 people turned up. I estimate we had 20 litres of soup and only enough left over for Bob and I to have a cupful each for tea that night. It was a long day though, Kay and I were there setting up, running the meeting and dismantling from 10:30am until 4pm. Too much for just two people I've decided :) I was meant to go out on Tuesday as well but spent the day recovering - and napping. We're not as young as we used to be.

Aglow communion table.

I was at the shop on Wednesday and Thursday, I was quite pleased it wasn't busy, the days were bitter and not many people about.

Our second hand book section

And yesterday, Friday, Carol and I went for afternoon tea with Kelly. She lives on a lifestyle block on the outskirts of town and she met us with one of her 'friends'. I think she said they have twenty ducks and some of them are sitting on eggs. They're going to re home the drakes, I wonder why :) She's busy doing up the old shed in the background and is thinking of using it for flower arranging.

Kelly also has a lovely little gift shop in the old barn. Ducks Crossing Barn Shop. It's full of all sorts of goodies including handmade articles made by local artisans. It's good to see her supporting the local art/craft community.

Kelly and Carol in a corner of the shop. It's a bit chilly inside but there is a fire that gets cranked up when customers come in.

And a warm drink station with dainty bone china cups and mugs to drink from. I love that stained glass window. She did tell me once upon a time where it came from but for the life of me I can't remember. The property is one of the original ones on the Taieri Plain and has quite an extensive garden attached.

After a wee wander we went inside for a lovely cup of tea and warm apple cake. We were greeted there by a couple of little powder puff dogs, not at all what you expect on a lifestyle block :) And then I looked up and half a dozen chickens had arrived on the deck and were waiting for treats. We'd already treated two of the ducks, they ate out of our hands but I wasn't interested in chooks doing the same.

We had a lovely afternoon and I nearly forgot to leave, Kelly is so warm and welcoming.

But somewhere amongst all that someone has very unselfishly shared their cold with me and I'm a bit under the weather at the moment. I won't be going to church in the morning but will watch our mother church on live stream, that's what Bob does on a Sunday morning so I'll join him.

That's it from me for now.

Keep well, 

blessings, 

Diana

The past week.

The past week has involved food to quite an extent. It's been quite a busy week and it doesn't seem like it was only a week ago we were lunching with our daughters at Kades Restaurant. It was Bob's birthday and we had a lovely meal and chat with the girls.

Then later in the week I was cooking for Friday Light, the local Anglican church's outreach. 

But before that I managed to get the cake baked for the GF dessert I was making for Saturday night's dinner. Once the F.L meal was cooked and down at the church I started assembling the dessert. I thought it would be nicer if it could sit in the fridge overnight but I left the cream until just before we left home. I hadn't made one, a banoffee trifle, for quite a while and wasn't sure how it would turn out, but it was good. And none leftover on the night.

The hall looked really nice with decorated tables and fairy lights strung up. And a little Christmas tree by the door. The food was plentiful and delicious. It was a lovely dinner and a great crowd, over 70 people arrived, but there was enough food to feed an army :) The place was buzzing.

We'd had a red weather alert not long before we left and the rain started as we were leaving home for the dinner and it stopped about 2 hours ago. So it poured for about 42 hours. We weren't affected apart from a little surface flooding but others weren't so lucky. There were evacuations overnight as properties flooded and to make matters worse a valve failed at the waste treatment station and sewage leaked out into the floodwaters. And needless to say the Silverstream is in flood but hasn't breached the flood banks. Once upon a time I would have walked down to take a photo but you'll have to take my word for it this time :) Florida, you could have some of our rain if you wish.

Our storage box is floating and I'm not sure the lid is fully closed but I'll check that when the weather improves. Too late now anyway :)

*****

And just because I can, daughter Jacqui's cat, Sooty, letting the world know what he thinks:)

 

That's all from me today.

Stay safe and well.

blessings,

Diana

Catching up after a busy week or two

 

Winter has really arrived now that the shortest day is over :) We knew it was winter but it has been fairly mild. Then came the shortest day followed by snow just over the hill from us. A couple of mornings ago it was -8C degrees in Middlemarch, which is just 64kms away and we could certainly feel it. There has been a cold wind blowing since and not a lot of sun. So we just need to rug up and get on with things. (but ya feel it in ya bones).

So, apart from my usual stints in the bookshop, what have I been up to?

Over the last couple of weeks I seem to have spent a lot of time at the eye clinic in at the hospital. I've had to have laser surgery for high eye pressure and that required an eye check followed a few days later by the actual surgery. I had to sit myself down and have a chat to myself as no one had told me anything and I was imagining all sorts of silly things happening. Then I was told I needed cataract surgery as well and that required another visit for pre op. I made sure I asked questions this time. But the silly thing is that each time I went in, even on the surgery day, I was given all the same tests. In fact the nurse and I were on first name terms, she was a lovely smiling Rachel. I'm still awaiting a date for the cataract surgery, probably up to three months away. Enough! Except to say getting older is not for the faint hearted :) 

This coming week will be busy as well. Bob has his birthday on Monday and we're going out for lunch with the girls. Just up to Kades Restaurant at the local tavern, so not too far to go. But we're looking forward to it :) Apart from anything else it's always good to catch up with family.

Then I am cooking for Friday Light again this week as well but that is an easy one pot meal. Sausages or mince depending on what is in their freezer and I decide what to make with it. So that is not too onerous.

Saturday is our church midwinter Christmas dinner and outreach. We have six interns from our mother church doing evangelistic work in the community this week and it will end with the dinner. As I've invited two people who are gluten intolerant I thought I should volunteer to make a gf dessert. I'll make a banoffee trifle which I've only made once before so I hope it'll be okay. I've still to bake the cake for the base but will do that about Tuesday. That's the plan anyway :)

Then when we are at home there is all the sport on telly. I'm never sure what we'll be watching, if I leave the room and the football (soccer) is on I could come back to the cricket or the darts or even the netball. Never a dull moment :)

That's all from me.

See you next time,

blessings, 

Diana

Tuesday 4 - Our Town

Did I mention the word dull in my last post? Well remind me not to say it again! On Sunday after church I went to visit my friend Bon in the resthome. Backed into the gate I'd forgotten to open while distracted with other things. Needless to say I was not popular. And to make things worse I collected the gatepost while turning back into the drive on the way home. The car is going to need a trip to the panel beater but at least is still drivable. I think I'll let Bob do the driving until after my cataract op which is about a month away. I have the pre-op visit on Monday.

And for those who wondered - the feijoa loaf was successful. Nice and moist.

And with that lets get into Tuesday 4, for which I am a little late.

 OUR TOWN

Hello! This is Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we ask just 4 questions each week in an effort to get you blogging, thinking and learning about others.

Maybe we can discuss the town you live in. It might be nice to find out more about where you live and why you live there. Sometimes we just fall into a place and other times we \choose. 

Here's a chance to sing the praises of your town or uncover it's faults. have at it!

Michelle Byrne painting

1. What are the good points to living in your town? Could you interest us in moving there?

Good points? Hmm, heaps of them. It's flat. Ten minutes' drive on the motorway to the city. We have parks and gardens. Adequate shopping. A choice of supermarkets. Twenty minutes' drive to a boating and swimming lake. Ten or fifteen to the beach. A couple of hours to the mountains and a short drive to the bush if that's your preference. And a reasonably good climate, (sometimes) too warm in summer and (always) too cold for me in winter. Gyms, sports clubs, other clubs and churches. Four primary schools, an intermediate and a high school. It's all here. 

2. Are the things you need convenient to your home? (shopping, library, schools, entertainment?)

It's ten or fifteen minutes' walk to the town centre which is where all the amenities are. The ones I use anyway. The kids all walked or biked to school, today the roads around the high school are full of the kids parked cars. How things have changed. 

Unfortunately the only picture theatre we had has closed but there is an amateur drama group who put on a good show once a year. Other than that it's head into the city to be entertained.

If you need to get into the city and don't drive there's a good bus service.

3. Did you choose your town or did you just end up there? 

Bob applied for a job here and so here we are. Bob knew it slightly as he had an aunt, uncle and cousins here when he was young. By the time we moved here they had all gone elsewhere.

4. Is your town known for any special foods, activities, places or people? 

Peter Johnston. He was an All Black, a member of the New Zealand national Rugby team from 1949 - 1951 and captained the side in his final year. That's quite a feat. The local rugby ground is named after him. Back in that era every boy's dream was to become an All Black.

All Black insignia - the Silver Fern

And if you would like to join in here is the link:  Tuesday 4

Keep well,

blessings, 

Diana :)