When The Gallery called for trees this week, ‘Because you can never have enough trees,’ I stepped into my garden, camera in hand, a prime specimen to seek. As I walked barefoot through the grass, with Alice toddling along precariously and our cat not far behind, I considered that if it weren’t for blogging I […]
Garden
4 Seasons: Summer Solstice a Washout
Today it is the Summer Solstice in New Zealand, but it felt far from summer this morning. Rain pelted down and winds funneled through the valleys making walking a challenge. Second day of the school holidays and not the best way to start, but the garden is grateful and so too are the birds. We […]
The Gallery: White
‘I’m dreaming of a white Christmas… just like the ones I used to know…’ But actually, I’m not! Though I still love that song and it does make me feel all squishy and nostalgic. In our garden we have plenty of white, but of the flowering variety. I find my eye is especially drawn to […]
Christmas in the garden & at the beach
National Jandal Day couldn’t have asked for better weather. Wellington was bathed in sunshine with collectors reaping the rewards for Surf Life Saving NZ. Charlotte spent most of the day with her entire school at the fabulous Wainui Summer Pools, whilst Sophie, Alice and I had a quiet morning at home and in the garden. […]
4 Seasons: Riding the first wave of summer
Officially the first day of summer in New Zealand is 1 December. This past week summer has come early. Normally we have a fair bit of unsettled spring weather all the way up to Christmas, but not this year. Calm, sunny skies have made for some primo beach visits. For the first time ever Charlotte […]
The Gallery (Week 35): Before and After
In the past four years, since we moved into our new home, there has been much growth. The garden, once a section with nothing much than a lot of grass and a couple of trees now looks lush and inviting. A little 9 month old Sophie, that chuckled in her Daddy’s arms on the swing […]
Wardrobe Wednesday – dreaming of a picnic
I love this white, romantic skirt from Lakeland. It was bought in the beautiful Lake District of England, whilst holidaying there in 2007, by my dear Mum (and the green top was a Christmas present from my Mum – from New Look in the UK). Looking back on these Wardrobe Wednesday posts my Mum is […]
Running in the spring sunshine
There’s a feeling in the air, Which tints fair skin that’s bare, Turns pretty petals to its stare, And makes children want to run without a care. The school field fills with bare footed running, On daises and clover that bows to their chanting, Potato and spoon races, high jump and long jump, Sack races […]
The Happy Den
Where we live is surrounded by trees and close to the sea. The garden is what really attracted us to the property. It’s not easy to find a flat section in the hilly topography of Wellington. And to find somewhere set back from the road with a safe driveway for the children to ride their […]
Day 2 of the hols – chilling out
Day 2 of the school hols was all about chilling out and embracing the p-jays. So nice not to have to rush out the door. The girls creativity is coming out in bounds and they’ve completely taken over the garage with cardboard boxes, glue, glitter, tissue paper… the car is officially parked on the drive-way […]
The bog’s dried up, time to play!
It seems like ages since we’ve simply ‘played’ in our garden. For months and months it’s been too cold, windy and wet. But, finally, there’s more finer days and the grass is actually drying out enough between drenches for us to give it a good mow. We can actually put down a picnic rug and […]
If trees could SMILE: The Gallery – Week 28
I like to think that this tree is smiling at me and my family. Its branches wave hello to us as we greet it with our eyes each day. The leaves wink green at us in the breeze and signal ‘go’ for brighter days to come. It’s been a rough week of weather around the […]
Spring is nature’s way of saying, “Let’s party!” ~ Robin Williams
I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature’s rebirth? ~Edward Giobbi And Spring arose on the garden fair, Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere; […]
Charlotte the Cicada Fanatic
Charlotte is fascinated with cicadas this summer. Ever since she’s watched ‘Bindi the Jungle Girl‘ Charlotte’s discovered a new level of confidence in handling creatures great and small. Cicadas are the sound of summer and this year we’ve had a few ‘pet’ cicadas accompany us out on various trips – in a well sealed and […]