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

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

Out in the paddocks

Driving home through the centre of the island earlier in the week these are some of the things we saw out in the paddocks.

A deer farm, blurred because we were on the move.

Cows, beef I think (not dairy). Again blurred

 a little because we were still on the move.

Sheep, naturally :)

Honey Bees.

Free range chooks.

We also passed free range pigs but I never managed to 

get  a shot of them as I didn't have my camera ready

 and we were on the move, just at the beginning

 of our journey. I don't like to ask my GKB

 to stop on the highway.

joining Stephanie at:
roses of inspiration 

Short posts this week as we are just back
from holiday and I am still in holiday mode.
Keep well, enjoy yourselves whatever you are doing
and I'll see you next week.
Diana

Oh, their bags are packed...

...and they're well on the way. 

In fact they must almost be back in Christchurch 

to catch the flight back to Sydney tomorrow.

Then they will separate and head back to 

their homes in different parts of the country.

Yes, my youngest sister and her family have been and gone - 

doesn't time go quickly when you don't want it to?

We had a great visit, they stayed with my little mother 

so she was always invited to join them on their excursions.

Sometimes she went with them and sometimes not

coffee in the back yard

The day we all went into the Warehouse she decided

 to join us. We had a good day out and enjoyed lunch

 at Kelly's Cafe while we were there. On the way home

 I suggested we call in to my youngest daughter's home 

so the wee fellow could play with the kids for a while. 

I can do it...I think

He is only four and had been so good. 

So the boys played and we all relaxed

and had a catchup over coffee until it was

 time to head home for tea. It is so nice not to

 have deadlines or timetables to be adhering to.

sisters, cousins, aunties and grandmas

Sis and her daughter took turns at the cooking and I think 

little Mother cooked one day when she stayed home.

As on this day when we had a family gathering at the park.

As it's school holidays we decided to have lunch at the park - 

pizzas and playtime I called it. $5.00 pizzas didn't set us

 back too much and we all took some home afterwards. 

A nice easy day out for kids and adults alike.

climbing...

And of course there was lots of playing. 

The only fly in the ointment, so to speak, 

was a bee sting. And that happened as we 

were leaving. Maybe next time the child 

will keep his shoes on when he's told to :)

...and even more climbing

A couple of nights ago we went out for dinner

 with my brother and his partner and his two sons. 

We don't see a lot of them so it was good to have

 a catchup with them as well. The meals were very big, 

well worth what we paid, and I ate far too much.

 I should have stopped at the main but I didn't.

 I had dessert! It was big, decadent and too much,

 but I ate it anyway. All in all a lovely night out.

That's me on the right with my GKB beside me, then my brother and his partner,
his sons at the end and coming back up the table, little Mother,
 my great nephew, his mother and my sister across from me.

I went for a long walk the next day, with the odd bit

 of gentle jogging thrown in for good measure.

Looking back I see we gathered a lot over food, I think 

that is a good way to socialise, over the common meal.

I shall miss them for a while but look forward

 to seeing my other sister in a few weeks time - when we

 shall have a very different sort of holiday with her.

joining Martha at:

Martha's Favorites

and Stephanie at:

roses of inspiration

That's it for this week

or for a few days anyway.

Keep well until next time,

Diana