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