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

 

Spring is coming

"What is this?" youngest daughter wanted to know. 

"I've never seen one before."

Someone suggested an onion flower!

She sent a closeup so we could all see it properly.

Of course it's a snow drop, but she'd never seen one fully open or with the green spots.

That started everyone posting photos of  their spring flowers.

Jonquils on my kitchen windowsill, blown over by the wind

 so I rescued them.

A collage of eldest daughters spring garden,

and some close ups.

Eldest daughter has inherited my grandmothers green thumb,

 I haven't :)

She always has a nice display whatever the season.

So although the weather hasn't quite settled down yet and the sun is shining at the moment and we've been told it could be a wet and windy weekend, the promise of spring has arrived.

 

Sunset at the village

Last weekend I went down to Gore for a women's retreat with American author Sharon Garlough Brown. I went with a couple of friends and we shared a unit at the hotel. We were asked not to take photo's at the retreat but I thought I'd show you these that I took at sunset the night we arrived.

We were filling in time until we went out for our evening meal and so decided to visit the little heritage village across the road from the hotel.  I thought I had one or two more of the buildings but no :(

Once through the gate we were met by this flock of ducks, and the occasional goose, on the grass just beside the stream.

Some of them objected to us disturbing them and departed for the water where I guess they thought we wouldn't follow them and as it was winter they were right :)

There was a display of old farm implements.

The gate to the right of the church is a memorial to the 

pioneer women of the district and was erected in 1944.

(Though probably not in this spot, I'm not sure).

We wandered over a little bridge, around the path and up the 

side of the stream opposite where we had entered.

Then across another little bridge where we were met by this duck and goose who had wandered away from the main bunch.

It was a nice walk but by then it was starting to get dark and colder so we headed back to the hotel, got in the car and went out for our meal. Chinese, it was delicious.

That's it for the moment, I'm sorry some of the photos are a bit dark, but it was just on dusk.

Have a good week,

blessings,

Diana

We're coming home

Jack rang his mother and said, "we're coming home. Can we stay with you?" Mum and dad decided they didn't have room in the house without moving the current occupants around so they opted for getting a sleepout for the yard. It duly arrived and the yard went from this...

to this...

via these steps...

The sleepout was backed up the drive on a trailer...

carefully removed...

lifted with a small hydraulic crane...

and swung over the cars that were parked in the yard.

My GKB and I were on hand to watch the process

 having gone over to daughters home for a visit and a coffee. It was interesting because they had a tight space to do it in. 

Of course we were not being nosey :)

Regardless, Jack and his partner are now safely ensconced and I think everyone is happy.

A 50th celebration

Aglow in New Zealand celebrates 50 years this year.

We decided at a local level to have a celebration meeting for those who can't travel to Wellington later in the year to join in 

the national celebrations. 

A lot of work went into advertising, sending out invitations and organising rides for those who needed one. Then there was the actual meeting to put together and the afternoon tea to get sorted and only three of us to do it!

We sang a lot of the old songs, shared memories and stories and just generally enjoyed each others company. We had eight past presidents attend and half a dozen ex advisors. As well as others, who for various reasons, no longer come along. One lady came from a rest home, she was 96 and still going strong.

Once the meeting was over the cake was cut and then it was time to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. People didn't seem to want to go home, and I think that is always a sign that they have enjoyed themselves. 

It was a wonderful afternoon but I've decided that I'm getting past this organising of events lark. I think it's time for a younger generation to take over.

That's it from me this week. 

Take care until next time

Diana

A birthday

My GKB (good kiwi bloke) had a birthday last week. Youngest daughter visited him on the day with a little gift for him and a silly card.

A couple of days later eldest daughter arrived and gave him a copy of an 87 year old weekly newspaper commemorating the coronation of King George 6th. He laughed at that and hoped she didn't think he was quite that old :)

Some of you older kiwis might remember the old Weekly News. I remember it coming home with grandad when I was a child. I used to love looking at the centre photos.

Son and his wife were away last week so we caught up with them yesterday. Those of us who could went out for lunch together. Unfortunately the girls couldn't come as they were both in different parts of the country for the day.

 

"Would you like to eat western or Chinese?" he was asked. "Chinese would be  nice," was the reply. So the kids picked us up and we headed in to town to the Golden Harvest restaurant.

The food was delicious, we had chicken, beef and pork dishes plus a vege one. Son and daughter in law had steamed chicken feet, we drew the line at that and just watched them enjoy it. Yuk!

I'd like to say I used the chopsticks to eat with but it is about 16 years since I've used them and was a little bit rusty so opted for a knife and fork instead, otherwise we might still have been there! It was a lovely meal out, we all enjoyed it and the company was great.

Have a good week,

Diana

Fun in the park.

It was a lovely sunny day day even if a bit nippy. Middle daughter called to say she might bring her two North Island grandkids out later.  We decided to meet at the playground and then come back to my place for a cuppa and, as it turned out, lunch for the kids. Eldest daughter joined us at home for a drink as well.

Fun in the sun.

On the climbing ropes.

Teamwork.

Higher Granma.

Quiet time with Lego after lunch.

It was great to see the wee ones from Palmerston North, down for a big birthday celebration. One of their cousins is about to turn one and that is a big milestone in the Tongan culture and they celebrate BIG.

That's it for today, 

until next time,

Diana

Matariki

 Celebrating the Maori New Year

This is a new holiday in the New Zealand calendar, this  year is only the third year it has been celebrated nationally.

 I have to admit that it took me some time to work out my feelings about it as this is a cultural celebration belonging to the Maori people and as such has some aspects I'm not entirely comfortable with. 

I've come to the conclusion that those who wish to will celebrate in the way it is intended and others will treat it as another reason for a long weekend with the majority taking part in activities in much the same way as they would at Christmas or Diwali or other cultural celebrations - without having a full or true understanding of the celebrations.

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. In Japan it is known as Subaru and in Hawaii Makali'i, and by various other names throughout different cultures.

It is also known as the wishing star. Māori traditionally would use this star to set their desires and dreams for the year, commonly known now as New Year's resolutions. (notes from the internet).

The pictures above are our town's depiction of the Matariki cluster and it looks quite special in the darkness, much better than in the photos.

Whatever you are doing this weekend have a wonderful time.

Keep well, keep warm, keep cool and enjoy yourselves.

Diana

Winter time

We've had a lot of cold, wet, windy weather of late. In fact just what we would expect at this time of year. Winter. At least it hasn't snowed. I've probably told you before that I don't really enjoy the cold wintery weather but we live in the south of the south, so that's what happens. And Dunedin is a nice wee city, I enjoy living here. Except in the winter!  :)

We have had the occasional break in the clouds and one day were rewarded with this hint of a rainbow.

So in the mornings I've been cooking up a small pot of feijoas and then putting them in the freezer. Why a small pot? Because it's quite a time consuming job. So far I've done up a bucketful and have about half a bucket on the bench waiting. These ones are too small to give away except to family if they want them. 

They're falling off the tree before they are properly ripe and we don't always bother to pick them all up at this point of the season.

Today was one of my days for volunteering at the bookshop so was  my GKB's turn to make tea. When I started volunteering I suggested that he could get tea on the nights I was working. He hadn't thought of it but he is happy to do so, especially when I said I didn't care if it was sardines on toast as long as I didn't have to come home and start preparing a meal. So tonight it was 'greasies' or curry rice rolls and chips. Nice and easy, warm and filling and no dishes. What more could you want?

Have a good week, keep warm, or cool, 

whichever the case may be, 

and we'll catch up again another day.

Diana