The memories of nine year’s ago are still as strong as ever. It was a magic day, greeted by sunshine. A little rainfall came just as we were about to retreat inside for dinner at the idyllic New Mill. It was one of those humid, summer days when the feeling of a storm was heavy […]
Sarah
Vomiting bug strikes!
Monday was a regular day. I took the girls swimming, to the library, even hung out at the airport for an hour so SJ could watch the airplanes. They both fell asleep by 7.30pm and with my monthly ‘visitor’ due I was exhausted and ready for a good night’s sleep. 8.00pm Dan goes out to […]
What’s on your bedside table?
In my first year of motherhood my bedside table was stacked high with a wide selection of parenting books. The subjects of most interest at that time were sleep, health, breastfeeding and developmental milestones. My reading of parenting and child psychology books became a little obsessive. There was a time when the only other items […]
Amazing Mothers
Mother’s Day, like mothering itself, is varied and diverse in its history and when it is celebrated. I myself, have to work hard to remember Mothering Sunday in the UK is earlier in the year than in New Zealand (last Sunday was Mother’s Day in New Zealand) – so I have one day of celebrating […]
Kingfisher in the garden
Pony Riding at Mackay’s Crossing
A couple of weekend’s ago we drove up to MacKay’s Crossing on the Kapiti Coast and the girls enjoying pony riding at Stables on the Park. Sophie, in particular, is currently a horse fanatic. She wants to watch ‘Saddle Club’ all the time, has a pile of books out from the library and is always […]
Art Take Over!
It’s Sunday and I really needed to have a break and be in my own head-space. Dan has been out all day with the girls and it’s been so peaceful. But I’m never alone. There are always delightful surprises carefully placed around the home to remind me of how lucky I am to have such […]
Meeting fellow expats to be…
Recently we were delighted to meet up with Craig of the wonderful blog ‘One Way New Zealand‘. His lovely wife, Rachel, had contacted us (as well as mutual friend Marrisa of ‘Dawes in New Zealand‘ blog) with her exciting plans of emigration from the UK to New Zealand. Craig and Rachel have a gorgeous son, […]
Such a tragedy: Nature can be so cruel
I feel cold to the core when I think of the tragic death of the beautiful young people and their heroic teacher in the flash flood in Tongariro National Park this week. These amazing people, united through their love of nature, felt the cruel hand it can also deal. My heart goes out to the […]
A Beautiful Gift from a Special Friend
My special friend Marrisa came round today to for a lovely lunch to give me an early Birthday present: a stunning painting by Bay of Plenty Artist Heidi Stook. I was overwhelmed with her thoughtful gift and generosity. I shall treasure it forever; just as I cherish our friendship. The words on the back sum […]
Making Real Friendships
Making real friends as an adult isn’t always easy (On the garden wall’s post ‘Stalking Frally‘ sums up many of my encounters of new friendships). I’ve made some beautiful friends over the last ten years I’ve lived in New Zealand; but sadly most of them have moved overseas. With renewed energy I put myself ‘out […]
Action Family!
Today, Chez Lee certainly lived up to this! After spending the first few hours of the day clearing out our dustbin on wheels (you could call it a car), cleaning the art-room/laundry (it looked like the aftermath of a paint ball session!) and doing the other mandatory house-hold chores we were keen for some action […]
Urban Sanctuary
This morning I was treated to ‘Green Coffee Body Wrap‘ at the ‘Urban Sanctuary‘ in town. I’m not ashamed to admit to being a little nervous about what the experience would be like; but was very quickly put at ease and found it blissful beyond words. As I listened to gentle nature music and felt […]
Turn back the clocks and pray for SNOW!
It’s a little early for snow, but we’re turning back the clocks in New Zealand this weekend and the cooler days herald the arrival of the ski/board season. For anyone with a love of snow; winter is a season to celebrate! When it’s raining in Wellington we’re praying for snow on the mountains and eagerly […]