Tui in a Tree

As I was hanging the washing out this morning I heard a whoosh of wings, followed by a gorgeous song. A Tui had decided to land in the tree above me. I dashed inside to get the camera as these stunning birds don't grace our garden very often. He was rather camera shy sitting up in the highest branches but he didn't mind singing for me at all.

Autumn Arrangement

There are still some roses in the garden! They are looking a little battered but gorgeous nonetheless. I picked some early this evening and arranged them in a teacup with some leaves. Perfect for in front of my mirror.

In Search of an Apple Tree

Briar and I went on a little outing yesterday to buy an Apple tree. On a rainy day last year she randomly remarked that she would like to plant one. I thought it would be quite fun to do one day and yesterday off we went. After wandering around the farmers market we had breakfast in the garden centre's cafe; a gorgeous tea house that serves tea in antique china cups. Briar chose Strawberries and Cream tea which we shared along with a croissant and in Briar's words "a very rich slice". So cute. It was all very delicious and then we went to look for the apple trees. There were none to be found! Apparently they aren't sold until June. I was a bit more concerned than Briar however, she was more interested in exploring the garden centre. So we bought a pretty stock plant in a pot to give to Mum instead.

Then we stopped to take photos in the rose gardens, Briar loved the wishing well. "It's like the well in Snow White".

It was a very fun morning. And we might just have to do it again in June!

An Autumn Jewel

I took this photo this morning and just love the way the sunlight catches in the droplet and turns it all sparkly like a jewel. Dad planted one of these trees at the front and back of our house when I was about eight. Now they are among the tallest trees in our street and look so beautiful every Autumn. They definitely grew a lot faster than me.

Compositions

On Saturday I had a trip down to Auckland to attend a seminar at the University music theatre. When I got there they were selling second hand music books and I must confess I bought this one entirely on first impressions. It was just too beautiful to leave sitting there. I hope I can play some of the pieces in it but at the moment it is sitting on my book stand, giving my room a very cultured feeling!

A Restful Day

What a restful day I had today. I slept in! And had breakfast in my pajamas! Then I spent the afternoon with a friend and her gorgeous children. I played lots of peekaboo with little Hayley. She had her first birthday party last Sunday and I offered to make her cake. I can't help myself. She loved it, especially the petals!

(The above photos are from the party. )

Rainbow Over the Sea

Lately I feel as if someone pushed the 'on' button in my life and has forgotten to turn it off. There is so much to get done and so many things on my mind that I have to do. The great thing is through all the busyness I am feeling God's presence and I feel like I am right where he wants me at the moment. It's amazing what a difference it makes. This last weekend I escaped with two friends to a friend's beach house an hour and a half drive away. It was such a refreshing time, we left Friday night, spent Saturday down there and came back early Sunday as we all had lots to do! It really was a snatched break and one that was needed. On the Saturday afternoon we dodged the raindrops to go for a long walk to the end of the beach. It was beautiful (and freezing cold) and as we walked back we happened to look back to see one of the most stunning rainbows I have ever seen. The photo doesn't do it justice, it reached all the way from the horizon of the ocean across to the edge of the hills on the other side. Exquisite. And a beautiful reminder of God's compassion towards us.