Saturday, February 28, 2009

Birthday Quilt




For my birthday in December my family gave me a voucher for a quilt. But not just any quilt. Mum knew I loved a particular shop in town called The French Hen; which is full to the brim with all sorts of absolutely gorgeous things including quilts. So a few weeks ago I finally went in to choose one. After much indecision on my part; it is such an important decision you know, and lots of help from the friendly ladies in the shop (one of whom is called Antoinette! ) I decided on this one and I love it!

Friday, February 27, 2009

Rainy Friday Evening

It's pouring with rain here tonight and after a week of late nights and extreme busyness I have decided to go to bed early with a book to enjoy the sound of it on the roof. Friday night is a lovely night; my favorite I think. There is such a different feeling about it. Almost like it's saying "Just relax and rest. You've done enough rushing around." But before I hop into bed I'm going to quickly set my room to rights; the surface mess has been creeping back slowly and I am determined it shall not win!

What a Day


Wow. I had a crazy day today. I went along to work as usual this morning, knowing that this evening I would have to work as one of the evening workers had to attend a family funeral this week so we are all pitching in. From 6 am till 1 pm I was at work and then I rushed home, had some lunch, rushed out the door to meet a friend for coffee( a very refreshing break) then went home for an hour before leaving to get to work at 4 pm. And I just got home 45 minutes ago at 11.40 pm...phew! Thankfully Dad's letting me come in at 7.30 tomorrow. But it was quite fun I must say and I am on such good terms with the vegetables after spending all that time with them!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Today Will Soon Be Yesterday

Today that seems so long, so strange, so bitter.
Will soon be some forgotten yesterday.
Author Unknown

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Vanilla and Rosewater Madeleines


I have wanted to make Madeleines forever and finally today it happened! I am going out this evening to visit one of my friends and wanted to make something to take. Though I am a bit of a traditionalist and have always meant to make the 'proper' recipe for them, the recipe for Vanilla and Rosewater Madeleines in Donna Hay Magazine (Issue 41) looked so nice my resolve crumbled. They worked perfectly and are so very pretty. I never knew they were so easy either.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Favorite Teacup


This afternoon armed with a hot English Breakfast tea in my favorite teacup I started the rather daunting task of cleaning out my bedroom. It has been looking rather dishevelled lately, too many quick surface tidy ups. I managed to get it looking much better. Tea has a wonderful way of making the most tedious jobs more enjoyable doesn't it!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thankful


I have been thinking so much lately of one of my dearest friends and her family. They lost everything they owned this week in the terrible fires in Australia. I am just so relieved and thankful to Jesus that they survived as so many didn't. They were two hours north at a reunion when the fires ripped through their town (Marysville). Seeing all the loss and sadness certainly puts life into perspective.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Mrs Beeton's Lemon Cream








Mrs Beeton has long been a favorite of mine. I have two of her books, one of them printed in 1901. And the other one was bought for my great grandmother by my Nana when she was a girl ( sometime in the 1920s). They are such a window into the world of the Victorians. I love just looking through them, imagining what it would have been like to live in such different times.
With all this hot weather I have been feeling like something lemony so today I decided to try Mrs Beeton's recipe for Lemon Cream. My little sister Briar helped me and we made little individual ones instead. They are lovely, cool and creamy with a hint of lemon.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Berry Smoothie




What a hot day it has been today. One of the hottest this summer I think. With my family all away at the beach I decided to make a berry smoothie for dinner. So simple but so delicious.
Here is my recipe:

Berry Smoothie:

1/2 to 3/4 cup frozen berries( I used strawberries, raspberries and blackberries)
1/2 cup ice
1/2 a banana
3/4 cup yoghurt
1 scoop icecream
1 teaspoon honey

Put everything into a blender and blend. And thats it!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Waitangi Sewing Day


Today I did some sewing. I almost finished these two bibs, aren't the piggies cute? But where oh where did I put the snaps. I couldn't find them anywhere so they will remain unfinished till I get some more. I also started cutting out a tote to put all my music books and papers in for ease of carrying when I go to my teacher's studio. I picked some rather colorful fabrics which is unlike me but I think I like them!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Sunflower in the heat of summer


It has been a gorgeously sunny day here today. Almost too hot. But I think that is because I am feeling a little bit sick; too many late nights mean a cold for me. Today I dragged myself through work but there were some great moments amongst the normal things. A Thai chicken curry that Dad made, sorting cherry tomatoes while chatting with the two of the other staff who came in to eat their lunch. They are two lovely older people who are so genuine and easy to talk to.
And now I am sitting in our little wooden attic typing this with the windows open to the sunset and the crickets chirping. Summer is lovely!

Monday, February 2, 2009

The Beginning


I have thought about writing my own blog for so long and finally I just did it! I am so looking forward to writing snippets and ponderings about my life here. It will be great to look back on when I am old and grey. May this be a place of rest and peace for all who come here...and point people to Jesus!