Christmas baking

 Christmas is coming and as I've been making mini Christmas cakes and will soon be starting on my own Christmas cake I thought I'd share the recipe I use.

Condensed Milk Christmas Cake

Boil together:

1 cup water

1 kilo (2lbs) mixed dried fruit

225gms (8ozs) butter

small tin pineapple ( I use crushed pineapple) 

1 Tblsp mixed spice

1 Tblsp vinegar

1 Tblsp marmalade.

Cool it. Once the mixture has cooled add 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tin of condensed milk. Mix well.

Add 2 large cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 Tblsp sherry.

Place in a 10 inch tin and bake at 120degs Celsius for 4 hours.

I turn the heat down once the fruit starts boiling and leave it just bubbling away for about 5 minutes. That way it doesn't get too dry and makes a nicer cake.

Take care and we'll all catch up later.

Diana

It's been busy

Just checking in so you know I'm still around. It's been a busy couple of weeks and when I look at my calendar leading up to Christmas I can get a bit overwhelmed. So I don't, I just look at what's happening tomorrow and leave it at that. 

It started a couple of  weeks ago when I volunteered to make mini Christmas cakes as gifts for people at a Christmas function. Usually I make a big cake and it's cut there and we partake with a cup of tea or coffee but someone thought it would be nice if we gave everyone a mini cake to take home. They're done and in airtight containers waiting to be packaged up. I don't mind really as I enjoy making Christmas cakes and usually make up to half a dozen each year for the family and ourselves. I'm just not sure when I'm going to get time to do the family ones. It'll have to be after the wedding in a couple of weeks.

We've been back down to the Owaka in the Catlins for a church service and it was nice to go in the morning on a lovely spring day. After another delicious lunch we went and had a look at the local museum - my friend's father was an archeologist and came from that area and there was a display  - photo's and some of his equipment along with a book that had just been released on his work. My friend's wedding dress was also on display and I should have taken a photo but didn't. :(

And we've been out to lunch with friends, some of whom were down from Auckland for a few days. I was pleased my GKB came as since he has started losing his hearing he hasn't wanted to go out so much and I think he's becoming a bit isolated. It was a nice enjoyable couple of hours.

In between times I've been tidying up the two spare bedrooms so my sister and my grandson have somewhere to sleep when they come to stay. Our middle granddaughter is getting married in a fortnight and they're arriving for that. Does anyone else tend to store things in the spare bedrooms? I had three or four bins that needed to be moved out, full of all sorts of stuff that you think you might need but have nowhere to put. I've had a good cleanout of books and they've gone to the book sale bin at the supermarket and our son took another bag that had been left here as well. They were supposed to go to the book sale too but didn't make it.

Granddaughter was told she needed a garter to wear on her wedding day and her mother and aunty thought it would be nice if she could wear mine as some of the other brides in the family had also worn it. But do you think we can find it. I thought it would be with my wedding dress but no! So I'm assuming it's with the lucky horseshoes and slippers I was given at our wedding but I can't find them either. And none of the other brides has it. A mystery. Oh well, still one or two places to look.

And that's it from me for now. 

Take it easy over the next few weeks and enjoy the season.

Diana

 

Wellington and a Tui

 Some photos taken by my GKB and me as we wandered around the area of Wellington we were staying in last week. The hotel we stayed in overlooked Oriental Bay and our room was on the 11th floor overlooking the bay/harbour. We got a shot of the Bluebridge Ferry departing one evening for the South Island and saw lots of small yachts out sailing another evening, we must have been near a yacht club we think.

Street scenes.

The Michael Fowler Centre, where I spent most of my time.

Parliament building aka The Beehive.

Three different views from our hotel window.

My GKB at the bayside after lunch at Te Papa.

And this beautiful Tui was sitting on a flax bush outside Te Papa, 

the national museum.

Celebrations in Wellington

We flew up to Wellington last week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Aglow in New Zealand. We'd already had our local celebration and now it was time for the national one. Women and men came from all over New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands and we had a wonderful few days, and evenings, together. Our first event was afternoon tea at the Beehive, or more correctly, at Parliament Buildings. 

It began two hours after our plane flew in, which gave me just enough time to get to our hotel and store our luggage and catch a cab to parliament. I had no idea where I was going and the taxi driver didn't know where to drop me off either so we just went to the front entrance where I ran into another three people who were just as lost as I was. So we went looking together. 

 Afternoon tea was served in the Grand Hall. As we were going in the press were just dismantling their equipment and one of the party leaders was walking through so I guess they had just finished a news  conference of some sort. Tea and cakes was preceded by welcome and speeches, brief. The Grand Hall is quite impressive, the colours are not dark but nice and light. Mind you I'm not sure which part of the building we were in, the old or the new.

My GKB went for a wander around the area near the hotel while I socialised and he waited for our room to be ready. We had a lovely room, on the 11th floor overlooking Oriental Bay.

The rest of the conference was held in the Michael Fowler Centre and it was only a twenty minute walk from my hotel so I walked there and back. Once more I really didn't know where I was going so when I saw three ladies who looked like they might be going there I stopped them and asked the way. Yes that's where they were going and when I said I was lost one of them laughed and said turn around.  I was across the road from the entrance with my back to it!

Mostly I had a great time but the first night when our group sat at the back I couldn't make out anything the key speaker was talking about. That improved when we managed to get seats nearer the front for the remainder of the time. All in all it was a wonderful few days although I wasn't much company for my GKB when I arrived back at the hotel in the evenings. Late nights (late for me anyway) and early mornings meant I pretty well fell into bed when I got back.

In the foyer of the MF Centre were two beautifully carved Pou (pawh). I wish I had taken a photo of a section of one of them as they are very intricate. The eyes are whole polished paua shells.

I have to admit it was nice to get back home and sleep in my own bed when it was all over though. I had a great sleep that first night home, I didn't realise I was so tired. :)

Now I need to go and catch up on some blog reading.

Keep well, I'll see you again soon.

Diana

A cause for celebration.

But first let me say how sorry I am about all the devastation that has occurred in Florida and nearby states. I can't do much from here except let you all know I think of you and you're in my prayers.

******

And now for the celebration.

It is just on a year since the family gathered to celebrate our son's ordination. As we were still meeting in the rugby clubrooms we 'borrowed' one of the local Baptist churches for the ordinations. We offered to swap buildings with them but that offer wasn't taken up. I can't imagine why not :)

Newly ordained, the bishop standing behind Aaron.

As well as Aaron there was another young man being ordained, and a young minister from the US being licensed to work in New Zealand while he is here studying. There was a little humour in the service but it didn't detract from the purpose and so at the same time it was still reverent. 

being congratulated by his proud big sister.

Afterwards we were able to have a catch up with friends and family over a delicious afternoon tea and have photos taken. It was a blustery day so the outside photos weren't terrific, my GKB and I opted for indoor ones.

family photo.

Aaron had waited a long time for this moment and we were very happy for him and proud parents :)

with his sisters, out in the wind.

It will be another couple of years before full ordination, at present he is a deacon in the church, but if the time goes as quickly as the past year has gone it'll be here before we know it.

******

Some of you wondered how I found Prince Harry's book 'Spare'. If I'm to be honest I didn't want to like it. I'm pleased I read it though as it gave me an insight into why he acts the way he does. There were parts I just skimmed over, especially part 2 when he was in the army - I'm not interested in the why or how of helicopters and planes. I just like to know they're going to get me where I'm going in one piece. And I wasn't interested in his frost nipped body part, which he went on about. The other thing that really struck me was his obsession  with his mother. I know he lost her when he was a young boy but he's in his 40's now and she was a constant thread throughout the book. He never spoke about her death or had counselling of any kind until just before his marriage. I found part 3 very interesting, his meeting Meghan and his marriage.

Anyway, would I recommend it? Yes and no. If you want some insight into the why and wherefore of his life, go for it. I don't think it is as bad as the media made it out to be. 

******

 And that's it from me today.

Diana

Record rainfall

As I sit here typing the sun is shining after a very wet few days. We've had a bit of a weather bomb dumped on us. I'm fortunate in that it hasn't affected me or my family but not everyone has been so fortunate and at the moment nine homes have been red stickered with possibly more to come.

Early in the week we were forecast for one months rain in a period of two days. As it turned out we had two months rain in a couple of days. The rain started on Wednesday morning and we woke on Thursday to be told 80 families had been evacuated from their homes overnight.

 The worst of the flooding, but not all, was out in South Dunedin which is mainly built on reclaimed land. Thankfully the Silverstream at the bottom of our street didn't breach the flood bank, but it came close. But not all the damage was done by flood waters, some was through land slips. 

Eventually the rain stopped late on Friday night, the city having recorded it's highest rainfall for over one hundred years. Roads were closed or cut off to the north, south and west with the sea on the east.

I am very grateful to have escaped this weather bomb unscathed. We didn't even get much water lying around in the yard which is unusual in heavy rain.

The rain has stopped but now the cleanup begins.

That's it for today. 

Keep well, keep safe and I'll be back in a few days.

Diana

Thelma

On Sunday the movie Thelma was recommended to us. 

It stars June Squibb as Thelma and has a great supporting cast.

Thelma is a 93 year old who is scammed out of $10,000 and sets out to get it back. I'm sure some parts are embellished slightly but it was based on a true story and we saw the real Thelma at the end.

On Monday we decided to go and watch it.

So on Tuesday we caught the bus into town, free for Gold Card holders, and arrived at the theatre about 20 minutes before the movie started. Tuesday is also reduced prices at the movies for seniors (sometimes being older has its benefits).

So armed with our popcorn and a coke each we went in and spent the next hour or two thoroughly enjoying the movie. If you haven't already done so and get the opportunity it is well worth a watch and had it's laugh out loud moments.

When it was over we wandered down to the bus stop and arrived about five minutes before the bus left for home. In all it was a very enjoyable time out.

Have a good week,

Diana

Mission accomplished

I am not arty or crafty so when youngest granddaughter gave me a Diamond Art picture a couple of years ago it really challenged me.

Why? You may ask.

Because it was a kit and I had to make it myself.

I would sit of a winters afternoon and take it out, look at it and put it away again. It is only 4x6 inches but it scared me. What if I did it wrong and spoilt it?

But this winter I bit the bullet and started on it. And guess what? I actually enjoyed doing it. It is now framed and sitting where my granddaughter can see it next time she comes over :)

So, mission accomplished :)

Enjoy the rest of the week.

See you next time :)

Diana

 

A mundane week

It's been a pretty mundane sort of a week. I've done my chores, and worked at the shop. So this post is a mish mash of nothing very exciting.

The most exciting thing to happen was when the recycling bin wasn't picked up and emptied. 

I arrived home from the shop to a very irate husband, he watched the truck go right past so he rang the council. They said leave it out and they'll come back for it. That didn't happen which meant waiting another fortnight and more recycling building up as we only have a small bin (which is usually big enough for just the two of us). I think his reasoning was that we've done our bit, the council could have done theirs! Never mind, if that's the worst we have to worry about we're lucky :)

****

It's Maori language week or Te Wiki o te Reo Maori. I look after the  fb page for our local Christian bookshop and I nearly forgot to list our Maori language bibles and other books. But it is done, phew, and the week is not over yet :) Next week is Chinese language week, I hope I remember to list the Chinese bibles.

And thinking about the shop, one of our volunteers has just finished so we are left with only three of us to cover the shifts. But so far we are coping and have another girl arriving back in town in a week or so. As soon as we decided to go back to our summer trading hours the weather packed up so less foot traffic at the moment.

****

Vanessa, youngest daughter, had her birthday on Tuesday but has been unwell so her card and wee present are still sitting on my kitchen table. We'll pop over when she's feeling more up to it. It's also a friends birthday in a few days and she will be celebrating at the glaciers on the West Coast with her family so I'll get hers to her on Sunday when we head into church together. 

****

I'm trying to read Prince Harry's book Spare. I'm not happy with him but thought I should read the book in case I am misjudging him totally! It has been known to happen :) I'm not sure how far I'll get with it. I found the first chapter a bit cringe worthy but it seems to be getting better apart from his obsession with his  mother. I'm only up to chapter 8, very short chapters.

****

And here's what my GKB dished up for tea last night. Curry rice rolls and chips. I'm not complaining :)

And that's it from me for another few days. 

Have a good weekend everyone.

Diana

A trip to Owaka

A couple of Sundays ago son, Aaron, was invited to preach at the little church down in Owaka. I decided to go down with him and his wife as I have a friend who lives down there and attends this church. It's just over an hour to drive down. We stopped for coffee on the way as the power was off all over town all day and we didn't want to arrive early and discover we had nowhere to go for a drink while we waited.

It's a protestant church which serves a mixed congregation, mainly Anglican and Presbyterian. They don't have a full time minister so once a month they invite a guest preacher. Son goes down two or three times a year. The service is very relaxed and the people are friendly. There's also a Baptist church in town and probably a Catholic one nearby as well I'd say.

Daughter in law, Sofi, had been asked to dance, she does 

Hawaiian dance in worship. The dance was beautiful and

 everyone appreciated it. She is so graceful :) 

(And thank goodness the power was back on as it was a cold 

winter's afternoon). 

After the service we were treated to a wonderful meal and great company before being sent off into the cool winter evening to head home again. Normally the service is in the morning but because of the power cut it was shifted to late afternoon. (Why does routine maintenance have to be done in the middle of winter I wonder? Especially down here?)

Teapotland, across the road from the church. 

It used to be a delightful wee place to spend a few minutes but sadly, due to the owners failing health, it's now getting a bit rundown.

And that's me for another few days,

Keep well until next time.

Diana

The last day of winter

It's been a quiet day and I'm pleased about that. I didn't sleep well so was thinking I might need a granny nap this afternoon but I've managed to get through without it :)

It was a lovely day and by lunch time was a pleasant 20 C. The washing was on the line so after lunch I put the cushions on the  swing chair and took my book and sat and indulged myself for half an hour. 

 Then it was time for a drink, inside by now, and I thought I should get out for a walk.  I'm supposed to walk for at least 20 minutes per day to help keep my blood pressure down. I told the doc I don't do cold if it can be avoided and definitely don't do wet and cold. So I've been a bit remiss over the winter, only been out occasionally.

It was lovely to be out and about and much to my surprise 

I really enjoyed it. Spring was in the air and there were quite 

a few others out and about as well. 

When I got back home I took a wander around the yard and came across this little clump of snowdrops and a solitary daffodil down by the back fence. The jonquils at the front of the house are in full bloom as well and look lovely.

And over the fence this is one of two beehives on the neighboring  property. The house is empty now but  the grand daughter of the owners is the beekeeper. There were a few bees about but not many, the wrong time of day I think and maybe not quite warm enough yet. 

And finally I decided to tidy these shelves in the kitchen/dining area. I've still got the very top to do and the toys at the bottom. And I now have a table covered in 'things' I don't recognise (probably my GKB's), books to give away and small games to find a box for. 

Now our evening meal is over and we're sitting relaxing, my book is at my elbow and the paralympics are on the TV.  Well they were, I see my GKB has changed over and is now watching Midsomer Murders :)  I don't mind.

And that was the last day of winter 2024.

Have a great week,

Diana

Looking back...and to the future

In June last year we took a road trip to Hanmer Springs with our son and his wife. They had a discernment retreat to attend as he was seeking ordination in our church. Several couples from all over the South Island were in attendance. 

The cream house in the picture above is where they were staying and my GKB and I stayed in a motel in the township and did our own thing.  Yes, we were up in the mountains, somewhere between Canterbury and the West Coast. And as it was June it was getting near to the middle of winter :) The first night away we stayed in Rangiora and  headed to the pub next door and had ourselves a hot meal. It was cold outside but the days were dry, crisp and clear so the cold didn't matter so much.

We took walks and had a look around the area. The old sanitariium where TB patients were sent to recuperate in the early part of last century was here and we wandered around the grounds. I remember when I was a child that people were also sent here when they had had a nervous breakdown. I imagine it was a restful place to recover from either of these maladies and it is only a couple of hours to town if needed.

The day we left for home we went to the hot pools. I had my togs but my GKB wasn't interested, He took photos and relaxed in the cafe while he waited for us, which was most of the morning. 

Son, Daughter in law and me enjoying the pools. We eventually thought we should get out as we were heading for Dunedin and that was a good six hour drive away. It was hard to leave those lovely hot thermal pools though. They were very relaxing and rejuvenating.

And just because I can, a photo of Alice at her fifth birthday party today. It's hard to believe she starts school on Monday! Where did that time go?

Have a wonderful weekend,

until next time

Diana