Thursday 31 July 2014

July 30th Two Chairs

George came up with an idea that it would be nice for Havana and Samara to each have their own chairs when they visit. Samara is still a little too young at 18 months to be involved in the decision making, so it was up to her big sister.

Matching Chairs? Yes Please
Colour? Pink
Both in Pink? Yes Please

So the first one was duly completed and Little H said it was cool. We asked her to sit on it - and she refused. We asked if she liked her chair, and she said "Yes, it's so cool"  Which of course then led to the query "Why won't you sit in it?" Her response "Because it's not fair for Samara. Her chair isn't finished, so I will wait until her chair is finished"

Well you can guess what happened. That sent George into a flurry of hammering and building, to get Chair No. 2 completed.  Last weekend he finished it and we decided to send off a photo of both chairs next to each other, and duly completed.  The response "But Nana, where are the cushions that should be on them?"  Quick, let's take another photo


Wednesday 30 July 2014

July 29th A New Wives Tale Proven To Be True

I have heard over recent years that if little kiddies are suffering from bad cough's - and overnight is often the worst -  at bed time to rub Vicks VapoRub on the sole of their feet and cover with socks. This is supposed to give them a cough free sleep.

I have often wondered why this wouldn't work for adult feet. Now that I have the 'Billion Times Worse Than The Man Flu'  and have started coughing and spluttering, I decided to put the theory to the test

The test results have now been collated and are in. Dropping off to sleep there were still a few cough episodes. However for half of the night, I had a cough free sleep and slept well. The second half was still a good sleep, but interrupted not so very often however, by a short coughing episode every now and then.

So I can recommend this method. All hail the mighty Vicks VapoRub

ps because I am suffering from the 'Billion Times Worse Than The Man Flu' - my photo of the day is a screen shot I took to send to George, so he knew what to look for at the supermarket and to purchase for me. Don't split hairs - it is still a photo!!

Tuesday 29 July 2014

July 28th Today's Blog is Brought To You By...

Coldrex Cold & Flu Tablets. For when your cold and flu is a zillion times worse than the Man Flu. Well OK I can be a sook, maybe a billion times worse!


Monday 28 July 2014

July 27th Doggy Antics

This was a welcome sign when we went out for lunch. Unfortunately we didn't have Minnie with us, as this is not the norm


 Later when walking Minnie, we stopped by to see her toyboy, Monty. Looking at this photo, where does Minnie end and Monty begin?


Sunday 27 July 2014

July 26th Eggs In the Oven and Curd, Spread or Honey?

Last week I stumbled on a hint for 'hardboiling' eggs in the oven. Yes, you read that right. It intrigued me and so I decided to give it a go. I am reporting back that all went well. We ended up with perfect hard boiled eggs! This will be the way going forward with eggs for me from now on.



We also had a glut of gifted Lemons. There is only so much Gin one can have - and it is not really my tipple of choice on a winter's evening.  So I decided to make Lemon Honey/Lemon Curd/Lemon Spread - depending on what side of the tracks you are from


Saturday 26 July 2014

July 25th The Girl That Went To The Op Shop

The Girl that went to the Op Shop, went specifically to see if she could buy some light shades. This was to put on a 3 shade hanging light, circa 1920's, where 2 of the shades had been smashed - within one week of each other. Not naming any names or pointing to the guilty party, but he has been forgiven!

She did not find any light shades. But managed to come away with a wonderful crystal bowl. Which is made of nearly the same material as the light shades we want. That's close isn't it?


Friday 25 July 2014

July 24th It Was Right Under My Nose

I was determined today that I would manage a mid afternoon break, and take Minnie for her walk. The responsibility has fallen on George for a few days now.

The sun was shining, 
the sky was blue, 
but it was still cold, 
what do you do?

I digress, the other reason for my walk is they serve a dual purpose.  Our walks are where I often find subjects/objects that inspire me to take a photo of the day   Which I did. However when I got home and took time out to admire the up and coming spring garden, it was one beautiful bud so close to home that opened my heart.

Here is our very first Freesia bud of the season. Not long until it opens and the others with it, and we are enveloped by their absolutely, heavenly smell


Thursday 24 July 2014

July 23rd The Day From Hell

You know it has been a day from hell when you don't leave your desk all day - except for mandatory toilet stops of course!. Then it gets to after 5pm and your coffee cup is replaced with a wine glass, courtesy of a loving husband that knows your stress levels are to the maximum


Then you stop. Go to close the blinds on a winter's evening, and this sunset is there to greet you (complete with what looks like a baby elephant outlined in the clouds) and you know tomorrow is another day, and all will be.... shite again. Didn't expect that one did you. I bet you were waiting for some flowery prose!





Wednesday 23 July 2014

July 22nd Time To Try Another Thai

Yes it was time to dine out and try another Thai restaurant This time we headed out to Ginger Thai. I wasn't even aware the restaurant existed, let alone the block of shops it was on. Obviously I don't get out to that side of town very often.  


All smiling, so the choices were good


Sticky Rice and Mango - my favourite

Unfortunately this intricate carving would not fit in my handbag. Although confession time - we saw some amazing ones in Chiang Mai, but I just do not have the wall space left for one so they stayed in Chiang Mai

Monday 21 July 2014

July 20th A Bridge To Somewhere

No matter how many times I drive over the Fairfield Bridge it always appeals, whether I am on or off it. When trees are bare there is even more to see from this angle.


Sunday 20 July 2014

July 19th Two Cars

It is not often our individual cars have an outing together. But today they did, comparing engine sizes, deciding which is the best oil and the best petrol station to make you purr. What it is like staying at the front of the house compared to being around the back. You get my motor drift.

Where were we? Inside deciding on a new light fitting for the hallway.  This week George was replacing light bulbs and I am sure the light fittings we have are originals from when the house was built, circa 1920.  They had a bit of dust on them so he decided a clean would be in order. Well unexpectedly one of the three glass shades decided to shatter. So a new light fitting was in order. I met George after he had finished work. Off we went to find something that was new but that looked 1920s!


Saturday 19 July 2014

July 18th The Seat Of All My Problems

Well the seat of all my problems from Monday through to Friday that is. I don't know if it is just a very weak fabric on my office chair (that is what I am gunning for) or I have an extremely abrasive posterior?


Friday 18 July 2014

July 17th Food Snobbery?

Have you  noticed food snobbery creeping into the repertoire of daily life? I wonder if this is due to the dearth of cooking shows - we must plate our dinners and for food to past muster it must appear exotic and be imported. But then if imported foods are the one that appeals, what do the Italians and Spaniards look upon as exotic - imported NZ food? NZ foods that some of us look down our noses upon?

The above thoughts led me to look at the packets in my pantry. Yes I use packets. I love cooking and try and do as much as possible from scratch - but that doesn't always work. Have you tried making the Good Ole Kiwi Dip from scratch? It was time for my packet container to have a tidy up anyway so I went delving to see what was in there. All ok - but a packet of powdered Tomato soup? That one is a quandary as it is something I would never buy? I am wondering if it was part of a prize or hamper won at some time. I guess I am going to have to make up some tomato soup now

Here is the evidence from my pantry...


Thursday 17 July 2014

July 16th The Last Of The Little Pricks

Yes I was pricked there, there oh and of course not forgetting there. We are fortunate to have in our area a most wonderful Chinese Acupuncturist, who certainly knows what she is doing. Su, whom I refer to as Madam Su, is nearly 70 years old,and has written books and is acclaimed in her field. I have had 4 sessions over a month now and have a vast improvement.  Yay to Chinese Acupuncture and Medicine - as opposed to Western Acupuncture which I have had in the past and hurt - which it shouldn't!!


Wednesday 16 July 2014

July 15th Teppanyaki Night

When you hear Daikoku have a month of July special available for dining - what is one to do? Sit at home and contemplate navel fluff? Cut your toe nails in a vertical fashion? No, you get off your wobbly butt and head out for the evening. Which we did, but only thanks to our friends Alvin & Alicia informing us of the special. A lovely night out with good company, good food and Teppanyaki Theatrics - I caught the piece of egg in my mouth!!




That Pyramid is going to become a choo choo train and end in a blaze of glory with fireworks

The chef wrote this in salt at the end of the meal - UPSIDE DOWN!!

Tuesday 15 July 2014

July 14th The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

I am not sure how many other car park facilities have these. Lights up top so not only is there a lit up sign telling you how many empty spaces are down an aisle, but also these lights up top that indicate green for empty spaces and red for taken. Although  I have seen the odd purple one pop up and have no idea what that signifies. If anyone could enlighten me that would be appreciated.


Monday 14 July 2014

July 13th Laundry or Dinner? Laundry or Dinner?

Today I underwent a great dilemma.  What to post for my photo of the day? It is slap bang in the middle of winter here, it was Sunday and we weren't venturing far. George has been working all hours and all days of the week, and he was actually home and just wanted to get reacquainted with the sofa and a few good movies.

Which brings me back to my dilemma?  I am sure you don't want to see a photo of my shower. Laundry items being folded and put away? A big fat no. So you will have to settle for our dinner. I was lucky there was just enough cabbage for the pan.  A good rustic meal for a wintry evening - Pork Mince and Cabbage in a White Wine Cream Sauce.




Guess what's for dinner tonight?

Sunday 13 July 2014

July 12th It's An Outing

It was an outing but with the weather as it was, my only outing for the day. Time to do the weekly shop before the heavens really opened up


Friday 11 July 2014

July 10th Pillow Testing

Time to buy new pillows and this time I made my buying decision very wisely. On good advice, I decided to try before you buy. It was actually quite nice to take my shoes and glasses off and lay down for 5 minutes.


Thursday 10 July 2014

Wednesday 9 July 2014

July 8th Oh Please Vote For Me

Well a double entry in today's blog  Firstly let's do the important, very important, most extremely important self promotion.

Over on http://www.foodlovers.co.nz/ there has been a competition involving different recipes using a cooked chicken - leftover or otherwise. I am not sure if you remember a recent blog where I utilised a leftover roast chicken meal and cauliflower cheese, and made a pie out of leftovers. Then entirely coincidentally, Helen of Foodlovers announced her competition, in conjunction with Tegel Chicken, for tried and true new recipes using a cooked chicken.

What is a girl to do? I recreated my recipe for Chicken and Cauliflower Cheese Pie and posted an entry. There are 2 different lots of judging involved. There is a judging panel and then there is .. drum roll.... wait for it as this is where you come into it.  The Public Vote. Yes, that is you, you and you trying to look nonchalant in the corner over there.

Here is my recipe, a photo of the completed product taken by yours truly, and the link for you to push that magic button if you so desire http://www.foodlovers.co.nz/food-news/tegal-chicken-competition-voting.html  Scroll down to the aptly named Chicken and Cauliflower Cheese Pie  and vote for me. Note I am saying that as a pretty please all tied up in a sparkly pink bow with little grey elephants on them.

Next... you thought I had forgotten my photo of the day diidn't you! I very nearly did, but I had a Doodler at my table. And here is the result. And they say our doodles (who invented that word?) have a hidden meaning from our subconscious within!






Monday 7 July 2014

July 6th What to do on a Sunday




The park was almost deserted today. And then I came upon the seesaw and a pair of jandals/thongs/flip flops leading to them. Maybe the ghosts were out to play and scared everyone else away?

Sunday 6 July 2014

July 5th Hip Roses

The Roses have hips (a lot, and I mean a lot smaller than mine). Tis the month of July. Which means it is rose pruning time. Out with the secauteurs it is and time to chop, chop, chop


Saturday 5 July 2014

July 4th Walks With Minnie

Another walk - another sofa


I don't think we live in a rough area as such. It is an older area - but I can't get over the amount of sofas (and previously mattresses) I come across in my walks.

Is this a new trend I have missed out on?. Couch Surfing on the Street? Or making sleeping rough better for the homeless?

Friday 4 July 2014

July 3rd A Water Reservoir

There are two notable Water Reservoirs in Hamilton that I have been aware of. They have always been part of the Hamilton skyline. In recent times however I have wondered as to whether they are still utilised or are they just too big to do anything about.

So I decided to use modern technology at its best and sent the Council a message via Facebook. This is what eventuated

A question I have often pondered when out and about in Hamilton. The Water Towers - ie up by the Lake and on Forest Lake Road - are they still used? Can you please put this mystery that stops me sleeping at night to rest (not that bad, but every time I see them, I do wonder!!)

Their Social Media person responded almost immediately which I think deserves a pat on the back. Should anyone else in Hamilton ponder the Mysteries of The Tron, here is what they replied:

Yes, the water towers (water reservoirs) are both operational and are used on a daily basis!

Reservoirs provide water for emergency storage, as well as helping with the supply of water during periods of high water demand.

The city has a total of seven operational reservoirs of different sizes located in various locations around the city as well as on site water storage at the Water Treatment Plant.

Hope you can get some sleep now!


So now when I pass or see these giants in my travels, my mind can be put to rest. For those of you wondering what on earth I am talking about? Here is a picture taken today on my daily travels

  

Thursday 3 July 2014

July 2nd A Present For Me

George came upon this for me. The weird thing.... when we were in Perth, there was an identical one for sale in a gift shop. However it was some ridiculous price of $AU60 or similar. At the time I said as much as I love elephants and I would love an elephant incense holder - I am not bringing one into my home at that price

Guess what George chanced upon in a shop yesterday for me - and at a respectable NZ cost


Wednesday 2 July 2014

July 1st Winter Hibernation

Not much on the go here today. So another Winter weather photo will have to suffice for the day. I am sure this photo is preferable to one showing acupuncture needles sticking out of me (my only reason for poking my nose out the door today)


Tuesday 1 July 2014

June 30th Efficiency At Its Finest

I had surgery in November, and for legal reasons was advised that I should ask to have all removed tissues returned to me.  I received this letter the other day that they were ready for collection. I do have to wonder where my tissue have been hanging out all this time after seven months . Bit of partying, or pulling themselves together for the reunion with their original owner?

The phone call was made today to arrange collection. There was absolutely no address on the covering letter. It appeared all very covert and undercover. I had to specify the date and time I would be making the collection. Then to cap the call off on a hilarious note, I was advised that Michael J*** would be the person to see and he would take me down. Me thinks I had better be ready to call for back up

Am I - or my tissues - going to be in a James Bond movie?