Sunday 29 December 2013

Missy the manx minx


We have been kitten sitting for a few days. 

Missy is an 8 week old manx kitten
 and she had fun trying to demolish the Christmas tree.


When that didn't work she decided to climb to the top,
 but couldn't quite get to replace the star.
She did manage to dislodge 
several decorations  on her way up though.


And after swinging on tinsel and lights for a while
she collapsed in a heap on the back of the couch and slept.



Oh, Claude was not impressed 
that we had a kitten in the house, 
even a female one.

Keep well as you prepare
for the new year
Diana

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Unto us a child is born...



    Luke 2:1-20 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

    So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

    And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
    Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
    "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 


    So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
******************

wishing you all 
a blessed Christmas 
and all you hope for 
from the new year
Diana

Saturday 14 December 2013

A silly week

Pohutukawa flower (N Z Christmas tree)
It's been a silly  week.
Or I should probably say a busy week.
Yesterday was the last day for youth group,
I organize and wrap their Christmas presents
then help to ferry kids to wherever their breakup is being held.

Tomorrow is the Sunday school break-up, 
I help organize their prizes
 and food for their 
Christmas party.
And help set up the hall for said party.

Guess who volunteered to help at
a kids craft day as well?
And I am not a crafty person, gulp.
There have been several meetings for that, 
and a prep day as well.
It'll all happen on Tuesday this week,
so that the mothers can have an extra day 
shopping before Christmas, without the kids.

I'm not complaining, you understand,
 but I will be pleased when it is Wednesday.

So just to relax a bit, and be a bit silly, 
I'd like to share this New Zealand version 
of a well known Christmas song with you.
I think you'll guess the tune.



A PUKEKO IN A PONGA TREE

On the first day of Christmas 
My true love gave to me 
A pukeko in a ponga tree

On the second day of Christmas 
My true love gave to me 
two kumera 
And a pukeko in a ponga tree 

On the third day of Christmas 
....
and so on, until... 
On the twelfth day of Christmas 
My true love gave to me 
Twelve piupius swinging 
Eleven haka lessons 
Ten juicy fish heads 
Nine sacks of pipis 
Eight plants of puha 
Seven eels a swimming 
Six pois a twirling 
Five - big - fat - pigs ! 
Four huhu grubs 
Three flax kits 
Two kumera 
And a pukeko in a ponga tree! 

Kingi Ihaka

Pukeko
Ponga  fern


 

A summer Santa and two silly pukeko



Have a great week, folks.
Blessings, 
Diana



Saturday 7 December 2013

Girls day in town

Yesterday I had a day in town with my daughters.
And two of my grand-daughters.
Ooh and I'd better not forget youngest grandson, Danny.
After doing some of our shopping 
we headed to the gardens for lunch.

Pizza in the park
One of the grand-daughters' beau had 
appeared on the scene by this time.
(Isn't it funny how blokes can sense when there's food around).
Although we'd had cold (warm) drinks with lunch
it was such a hot day we decided to head to eldest
grand-daughters' flat for tea and coffee
and a bit of relief from the sun. 
She had just finished decorating her Christmas tree.

pretty blue & silver tree
Her first Christmas tree away from home
 and she is very proud of it.
As she is of her garden.
She has put a lot of work into it.
Of course I went out and looked around 
and encouraged her, she's really keen.

a work in progress

Then after a social half hour or so 
 it was time to head home again.



Enjoy your week,
don't be too busy,

Diana





Sunday 1 December 2013

Christmas is coming

Some of the parcels are wrapped
 - and posted away.


Some parcels have arrived 
and await a place under the Christmas tree.


The Christmas tree in the church is decorated,


and the Nativity has been set up.


Today along the main road of town 
the Christmas tree is being erected.


All I have to do is finish wrapping my parcels 


and write out and post my cards.


I love this time of year,
especially as it gets closer to Christmas.
I know some people think it's a hassle
 but I love the hustle and bustle, 
the crowds and the noise,
the kids excitement (and sometimes tears),
the end of year school concerts and other functions,  
the decorations in the streets and shops,
the carols and songs
and the busyness of it all.


So I wish you all a hassle free December
and a wonderful Advent
as we lead up to Christmas
and the celebration of the birth of Christ.

Diana