Random stuff

It's an awful  day outside today, winter decided to let us know she hasn't quite finished with us yet. We were going to head over to the Rotary book sale at Wingatui but decided to just hunker down for the day. It's on for another couple of days so we have time to get there before it finishes. So I thought I'd just do a bit of a random post and keep in touch.

First of all let me tell you I was really surprised to arrive back at the bookshop after my holiday and discover some of our Christmas stock was already on the shelves! Not only Christmas cards but books, tote bags, nativity sets and decorations! I know it's only three months until Christmas but...

We don't have any fruit trees on our property but the neighbours feijoas overhang our drive which gives easier access to the bio security officers when they come round to monitor them for pests. We get a nice thankyou note and a card from them at Christmastime. This is one of the officers doing an inspection below.

Youngest daughter has had a birthday so we bought her a nice crystal flower. It didn't have a box when i picked it up so  asked the young fellow behind the counter if there was one with it. I'm sure there should be. It will have been stored away from the display area.

This is what he came back and gave me! I just grinned and said I'd make it work but I'm sure there is now a stray box lurking in a storage area somewhere!

Halloween is on display in the shops. Some of the stuff is nicer than others. I liked these friendly looking pumpkins and ghosts but didn't buy anything. We don't get anyone much coming trick or treating but usually have a few treats on hand just in case.

The North Island great grandkids were down for a few days recently but we only saw them briefly at their grandmother's house. They were here for a graduation celebration for the other side of their family. This is a photo of them with one of their southern cousins - you can tell who the southern one is, the kids who are born here don't seem to feel the cold :)

And because i haven't really done a springtime post I thought I do a couple of collages of some of the photos I've taken around town in the last week or so.

Mosgiel is very pretty in the springtime with the blossoms in full bloom and the spring flowers out in the gardens and on the verges.

The daffodils from my last post are on the edge of town.

And that's it from me for another day or two ... or three.

Keep well.

blessings,

Diana

Wiliam Wordsworth

 

I wandered lonely as a cloud,

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

*****

I remember learning this poem by the English poet William Wordsworth in our English class when I was at high school but can't get beyond the first verse these days. So that's what we have above. I thought of it as soon as we saw the daffodils along the side of the motorway. We had to take a short  detour from our normal route to get the pictures but that was no problem. 

Does anyone else have these things spring to mind when you see or hear something like this?

Blessings,

Diana

Lets Blog - Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4

 

Let's Blog!

Welcome once again friends to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and how about talking about blogging this week since it's something we all do anyway.   

Get yourself a cuppa, come sit down at your computer and let's think about blogging for a bit....

Blog is short for Weblog, a log or diary on the World Wide Web or internet.   Your journal or diary can hold personal stories, ideas, opinions of all kinds and can be private or public as you wish.  It is an excellant way to document your life or interests.

1. Why did you begin blogging?  

My niece mentioned she was blogging and I had no idea what she was talking about but she showed me her site and I thought "if she can do it so can I". So I had a go and found I enjoyed it. I started off trying to copy her upbeat style but decided that wasn't me and so now it is more "me".

2. What benefits does blogging offer you?

It keeps my brain active. I'm at an age where the words don't always come as easily as they used to so I need to keep it exercised. And I get to interact with people from all over the world - how cool is that?

3. Have you made friends from blogging?

I like to think so. I appreciate when you take the trouble to comment and although I've never met any of you I look forward to reading what you've been up to and how you're faring in your corner of the world.

4. Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Do other bloggers influence you?

Sometime other bloggers will give me an idea but I like to take my inspiration from what is happening around me including what is going on with the family. And I do enjoy taking part in a collective blog like this occasionally, it makes me think!

So if you want to join in or read what others have to say join us here at  https://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/

see you in a few days,

keep well,

have fun

Diana

Church and cake.

 It's been quite a special day. 

This morning was the first service of our new church plant here on the Taieri. Our new pastor has been here for several months and there has been a lot of background work and prayers going on to get us up and running. But today we did it with a small group of just 25 plus four children. We're meeting in a school hall and it was freezing with snow on the local mountain. Some mentioned bringing cushions and a blanket next week :) But the morning tea and conversation afterwards in the staffroom was lovely and warm and I met new people which is always good.

And then of course it is Father's Day and so both the girls arrived over to see their Dad and bearing cake. 

It was great to see them and catch up with the news over tea, coffee and cake. Vanessa and her hubby have just arrived home from their holiday in Perth, Australia and so we had a fun time comparing notes on our respective holidays and travel experiences. Only the second time travelling to Aussie for Vanessa and her hubby's first time. He's a real homebody and I don't see him going again any time soon :)

We're anticipating a phone call from Aaron and Sofi this evening, it would be unusual for them to miss calling on a special occasion.

And with that I will finish.

Keep well until next time,

Diana

Tea Break - Tuesday 4

Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

The longest living cat on record, Creme puff,  lived to be 38 years old and was given coffee at breakfast all his life.  Breakfast for him was bacon, eggs, broccoli and coffee.

The previous owner of the record was Grandpa Rex Allen who\ lived to be 34 years old on the same diet.

Coffee reduces chances of Alzheimers, Parkinsons.  

Tea without adding milk can "tan" your bladder making for many problems  Milk binds the tanic acid making it safe to drink.

Homemade food increases an animal's life span too.  Let's talk about it, okay?

1. Coffee increases a bee's memory and does the same for you.      Bees love caffeinated coffee  flowers.  What do you love about coffee or tea?

I love two cups of tea first thing in the morning with my breakfast and I'm quite fussy about it so like to make it myself. It sets me up for the day.

2. If you opened a tea or coffee shop in your neighborhood what would it be named?  How would you decorate it? Would pastry or cake be served?

I'd have to call it 'Tea Break'. I have no idea how I'd decorate so would have to give my daughters almost free range, but it would have to be cosy and comfortable. And definitely cake...and pastries. And biscuits (U.S. cookies) and scones with cream and jam, (U.S. biscuits).

3. Beethoven required 60 beans per cup of coffee.  How particular are you about your coffee or tea?

I'm quite particular about my tea. I like Dilmah, preferably English Breakfast. If I'm away I'm happy with whatever the hostess gives me but it's always good to get back home to my preferred tipple.

4.Italian clergy in1600s  declared coffee the devil's brew and forbid it.

Pope Clement the VIII wanted to taste it, loved it and blessed it ... today, new research shows black coffee is drunk mainly by psychopaths... 

Sweden banned coffee in 1746 as dangerous and Islam banned it for causing free thinking!

How do you take your coffee you free thinking, radical and what's your favorite brand of devil's brew?

I love my Dilmah tea, none of this free thinking radical stuff for me, mainly because it triggers migraines, unfortunately!

Have a good week, 

blessings,

Diana