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

Catching up after a busy week or two

 

Winter has really arrived now that the shortest day is over :) We knew it was winter but it has been fairly mild. Then came the shortest day followed by snow just over the hill from us. A couple of mornings ago it was -8C degrees in Middlemarch, which is just 64kms away and we could certainly feel it. There has been a cold wind blowing since and not a lot of sun. So we just need to rug up and get on with things. (but ya feel it in ya bones).

So, apart from my usual stints in the bookshop, what have I been up to?

Over the last couple of weeks I seem to have spent a lot of time at the eye clinic in at the hospital. I've had to have laser surgery for high eye pressure and that required an eye check followed a few days later by the actual surgery. I had to sit myself down and have a chat to myself as no one had told me anything and I was imagining all sorts of silly things happening. Then I was told I needed cataract surgery as well and that required another visit for pre op. I made sure I asked questions this time. But the silly thing is that each time I went in, even on the surgery day, I was given all the same tests. In fact the nurse and I were on first name terms, she was a lovely smiling Rachel. I'm still awaiting a date for the cataract surgery, probably up to three months away. Enough! Except to say getting older is not for the faint hearted :) 

This coming week will be busy as well. Bob has his birthday on Monday and we're going out for lunch with the girls. Just up to Kades Restaurant at the local tavern, so not too far to go. But we're looking forward to it :) Apart from anything else it's always good to catch up with family.

Then I am cooking for Friday Light again this week as well but that is an easy one pot meal. Sausages or mince depending on what is in their freezer and I decide what to make with it. So that is not too onerous.

Saturday is our church midwinter Christmas dinner and outreach. We have six interns from our mother church doing evangelistic work in the community this week and it will end with the dinner. As I've invited two people who are gluten intolerant I thought I should volunteer to make a gf dessert. I'll make a banoffee trifle which I've only made once before so I hope it'll be okay. I've still to bake the cake for the base but will do that about Tuesday. That's the plan anyway :)

Then when we are at home there is all the sport on telly. I'm never sure what we'll be watching, if I leave the room and the football (soccer) is on I could come back to the cricket or the darts or even the netball. Never a dull moment :)

That's all from me.

See you next time,

blessings, 

Diana

A catchup and Tuesday 4

Spring came roaring in like a lion and as well as bringing us all the beautiful colours and flowers of spring it has thrown a good variety of weather at us us. We've had rain, hail, gale force winds and even some snow on our local mountain. And surface flooding on some of the streets.

I've been to a day retreat where it was warm enough to sit out on the deck for morning and afternoon tea.

I've worked in the shop on a couple of days when it was so cold and windy there were very few people out braving it and no customers.

 

I cooked for Friday Light one night and hope it stuck to their ribs. It was another bitterly cold evening and I was pleased to get home and hunker down in front of the telly.

And we've been to a hardware shop shopping for stuff for the bathroom. And no it wasn't exciting - it was new toilet seat. What I'd really like is a whole new bathroom but I don't see that happening any time soon. Oh well...

And that has been my week. Not very exciting but life is like that and I'm happy for the calm times.

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And now here is Tuesday 4

https://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of  our friend Toni Taddeo..

Most people love to read.  It opens other world's to us.  Autumn weather is often conducive to reading as weather can be chillier and rainy. Cozying up with a book can be a lovely way to spend some time.

    How do you relax in the evening after dinner?

Generally we settle down and watch telly, but if there's sport on that I'm not interested in I read.

     Do you read in bed? What kind of books do you read?

Yes, I read in bed, first my bible and then whatever book I happen to be reading at the moment. It helps me sleep - usually. My taste is pretty eclectic but I don't like psychological thrillers. 

    Do you have a list of books you look forward to reading?

No, but I have authors I enjoy and I look out for them.

    What is the best book you've ever read and why?  Or.. how about the worst book you feel you wasted time reading?

Apart from the bible? Hmm. I really enjoyed the Lord of the Rings about ten years before it gained a cult following and was made into movies. I can't think of any books I particularly wasted time reading, oh hang on, what about Crime and Punishment. That was pretty awful, it took me about 10 years to read. But it wasn't really time wasted as it put me to sleep it was so boring 😕 and I only read it when there was nothing else on hand.

1. 
2. That's it for this week,
3. blessings,
4. Diana

A blah day

  It's been a cold, wet and miserable day.  My GKB Bob had an early appointment so he was up earlier than normal. When he left home the temp was -2° C. That's 3° warmer than when he got out of bed. I think our high for the day has been 2°. So a good day for inside stuff. And today I had plenty to keep myself occupied. 

When Bob left the sun was shining and although it was cold I thought I might get a load of washing out and, maybe, even dry. Didn't happen. Just as the washing finished the clouds came over, not from the south which is normal, but from the east. Low, grey clouds. They looked like snow clouds to me and the breeze coming ahead of it was bitter. With the clouds came drizzly, sleety rain which has continued all day. So the washing is draped on the clothes horse, in line with the heat pump, and will hopefully be dry by morning.

I've also spent part of the day preparing a one pot meal for Friday Light, an outreach group which meets at one of the local churches once a week. It's so much easier to prepare these days, when they first started we prepared meat, potatoes and veges and it was quite labour intensive. I only cook once every couple of months now so it's no hardship. 

There's also a jigsaw on the go so I got some of that put together. Still a way to go but getting there. 

And I finished my book. I'm sure I've read this one before but I quite enjoy Donna Andrews' books, they're light, easy to read and humorous. Good for giving the brain a bit of a rest if you've been studying or just reading something a bit intense or challenging.

Did I say I was planning on stewing more feijoas today? Well that didn't happen. By the time I'd cooked the meal and done a few chores I just wanted to relax for a bit. But I'm sick of them covering my bench so I think I'll need to get into it tomorrow and as the forecast is for more of the same what else will I do?  I picked up about four dozen today so took some down to Friday Light, hopefully someone there will enjoy them.

And so I think I'll finish there.

Keep warm if you're in my part of the world

 and whatever else you do look after yourself.

Diana

Congratulations and busy in the kitchen

Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

on the birth of their little boy.

How wonderful.

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

And now I am used to the name I think it is really cool.

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A couple of weeks ago middle daughter came to me and said,

"Steve has given me this giant marrow and my lot won't eat it, do you want it?" So I said yes, it would be great for the Friday Light meal in a couple of weeks.

Once a month I am on KP (more commonly known as kitchen duty) for Friday Light, at my church. Friday Light is a  community outreach which, among other things, provides a hot meal free of charge for those who come along. We get about 25 regulars with others dropping in at times so I usually prep for about 30.

Once upon a time I cooked a meat dish but I've been relieved

 of that duty and now all I need to do is provide a vege or some

 sort of side dish to go with the meat.

Well the marrow turned into a more substantial type of squash whilst in transit. It is half a metre long and half a metre in circumference! I've used about a third of it.

I really wasn't sure what to do with it so it has been cut and layered in a roasting dish and covered with onion and tomatoes and I'm hoping it will taste okay tomorrow night. Now all I have to do is prepare a large pot of potatoes.

Bon Appetit.

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Diana

An ordinary week

Although the temps are still pretty cold at times it has warmed up enough for the bumble bee queens to be out looking for warm dry places to make their nests. After having had half a dozen or so exploring our lounge over the past few days we decided it was time to put up the screen curtain. The bees are quite clever though and have been known to come in low and crawl under the screen and then go exploring :) Last year we had a nest under the house for the summer. If it happens again we may have to have them removed, unfortunately.

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Even though the weather has warmed up enough for the bumble bees to be out and about exploring there are still days when it is cold, wet and with a hint of snow in the air. That is when I get the crock pot out and make up a big pot of soup. Guess what we're having for tea tonight? I think we'll have hot buns with it :)

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We went for a wander up the street one day this week, well we went for lunch originally and then took a leisurely stroll afterwards. It was one of the nice sunny days we are starting to get now. I like to poke around the bargain racks when I come across them and so while my GKB looked through a couple of second hand shops that's what I did. I was very pleased with a couple of tee shirts I got for around the house over the summer. Just $6.00 for the two of them. A real bargain :)

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I've also just spent a morning blanching and freezing broccoli to use next week when I am on duty for the Friday Light outreach meal. I don't cook a meat dish any more but when we are given free veges I think it is shame not to use them. May make a cheese sauce to pour over it, hmm.

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looking in from the doorway of Colour me Crazy

While we were in Aussie we took a short trip to Airlie beach and had a couple of stops on the way. There was a shop everyone said I had to go into in Proserpine. Colour me Crazy was just that ,very colourful and very crazy. Even my GKB was fascinated. I'll take you inside next time I see you.

Diana

A slow week

It's been a slow week.

My little mother has gone home and it is 

a bit strange not having her in the house.

Our son and DIL have also been offered a flat 

and will be moving into it in the next couple of weeks.

We shall be empty nesters once more.

Tete a tete - miniature daffodils

My GKB and I decided to drive to Outram one day

 to see if the cherry blossom was out yet. It wasn't 

so we opted for an ice cream instead. While we were 

eating it I spotted the spring bulbs on sale 

and decided to buy a pot for DIL to take to her new home.

They are getting past their best now but will be lovely

 in a pot next season.

Chopped and ready to freeze

I was rostered on this week to do a meat dish for our church outreach and as the man in charge was to be away he asked me to do a big pot of potatoes as well. That was fine but what he failed to do was let the lady know who usually cooks the veges and she had done a big dish of roast potatoes. Oh well. For some reason our numbers were down so we decided not to use my spuds and I brought them home. I'll freeze them and turn them into a potato/vegetable bake dish for next week. AND I shall remember to tell everyone, lol.

I finally found a Jan Karon book and must say I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it a bit hard to get into as looking at the cover I imagined Mitford was an English village and couldn't work out why the author was using American words and expressions. Thank goodness for the internet, I looked up Jan Karon's books and discovered these ones are set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, phew. You don't realise how much easier it is to read something when you have it all in context rather than a wrong world view of it. I found it very hard to put this book down :)

Enjoy your week

Diana

Winter activities at home

Yes, I do in fact, spend time at home and in the winter

 it is a matter of finding things to do on long dark evenings.

So, no. 1: I like to read. This is the latest book I have finished for the reading challenge. A Fistful of Summer by Peggy Dunstan. 

It is a collection of short stories written by a New Zealand author and based on her childhood in Christchurch and Wellington. Although set a decade or two before my childhood days,

 probably in my mother's, I could relate to it and so 

thoroughly enjoyed it. I may have to read it again.

No. 2:  Now I don't neccessarily like to knit but have found myself enjoying it more now that I am not trying to keep my family warm with nice woollen jerseys. It was such a challenge to make sure they all had nice new jerseys for the winter, then as they got older there were those  jackets worn by Starsky (or was it Hutch), and everyone had to have one or they would be the only kid in school looking uncool. I find it more relaxing these days and as well as the snoods for my daughters I have knitted this beanie hat. I will probably put it on a bring and buy table later in the month.

No 3: I quite enjoy doing and completing a jigsaw. This is the latest one and let me tell you it took me as long, or longer, to do the sky as to do the rest of it. The one before this was shades of white and grey with a little bit of blue, this one is shades of pink and peach with some darker shading. I pulled out the next one in the pile and it was shades of white and grey with touches of gold! No! I wanted a change so have opted for a more busy one, I've done it before quite a while ago but am finding it more challenging this time.

No.4: I have had a few cards to send out this month, bereavements, birthday and invitations. But finally they are all done. Well no they are not really, next week youngest grand daughter is turning 18.   So I will be on the lookout for a nice card for her over the next few days, and a gift to go with it. I can't believe how quickly these kids have grown up.

And so to no.5: Once a month I am rostered on to help in our church hall in the kitchen, I generally enjoy this particular evening out. An alternative church service is held each Friday night and I usually make a dish and take it down. The service is attended by some of the more marginalised people in the community some of whom travel out from the city to attend. They start off with a cuppa and a sing along followed by a bible teaching, then they have a hot meal followed by another cup of tea or coffee. It's my night tonight and I have made a big fish pie. It looks a bit pale in the picture but is set to go into the oven to brown up before I take it down. Maybe I'll grate some cheese onto it as well.

And that's my five for this week.
I'm joining Amy and friends for: 
Five on Friday

Diana