December 22nd Some Flower Advice?

Our Christmas Lily has flowered just in time for Christmas. As an aside, I wonder if that is why they call it the Christmas Lily? Although if it is a summer flowering Lily, then in the Northern Hemisphere I am guessing it wouldn't be called a Christmas Lily would it.

Anyway I am on a Christmas waffle.  The scent of these are absolutely divine I am wondering if anyone can tell me how they last as a cut flower. I would like to pick them to have inside, but if I do that and they don't last very long, then I would rather leave them in the garden. Decisions! Decisions!

December 19th, 20th and 21st.. A Whirlwind Weekend

It was a whirlwind weekend. Friday wasn't too bad, but I did work. What's wrong with that you say? Well usually at this time of year no one is booking travel and it really is a time to sit and pick my nose and contemplate my belly button. But not so on Friday. Only one photo was taken, and it is of the departing storm clouds (well I thought they were departing, but bad weather returned Saturday with a vengeance)

On Saturday morning, my body went into total shock syndrome. I woke it up AND got out of bed at 5:00am. George is used to early starts, but not me - or Minnie for that matter. We were heading up to Algies Bay - which is about a 2 hr 20 minute drive away, and above Auckland city on the East Coast. Our reason for heading there? Our wonderful friends from their farm near Laurel, Montana, US are enjoying the NZ (what is supposed to be) Summer again. It was so lovely to see them and this visit, we decided to make the most of their stay and get up earlier then the birds to spend time with them. To say we had a wonderful day is an understatement!

This is what a 5am start resembles (for my own record as this is not a common occurrence!!)

Greg & Leslyn at Algies Bay original Post Office (note it was originally called Mullet Point)

Two Wonderful People at a Wonderful Location

Local Oysters harvested by Greg & Leslyn themselves - guess what we enjoyed on the BBQ as a mid afternoon snack - and brought home with us. Oink Oink!

Time to drive home and try and get home before dark. It is still Xmas lights night. We left Algies Bay in torrential rain. The lights were calling us - come home, come home, switch us on. Can you imagine our disappointment at driving all the way home and the torrential rain followed us home. No Xmas lights tonight - or so we thought and for a brief period around 10pm we managed to switch our lights on for a friend.

On to Sunday and another day and another tale! Our two beautiful granddaughters currently have Chicken Pox. We cannot spend Xmas Day together as George & I have never had Chicken Pox. Even more upsetting was the thought that they could not get here to see the Xmas light display. Our display is done for friends and family, and these two beautiful girls are at the top of the list. They do not live locally. With good planning, we vacated the house so they could enjoy both inside and outside. On returning we found what I think is the best Xmas Presents ever!   Havana wanted to gift and wrap a present for us especially (and the one on the right hand side is a great effort for a 5 year old)  Not to be outdone, little Samara (nearly 2) wanted to do the same So she took a piece of wrapping paper apparently and used sticking tape - and that was her present. This is when you know that the value of a present is truly the thought that counts.

Merry Xmas to all as we wind down to the big day!!

December 18th A Tree and a Bird of Paradise

There is a newly opened up part of Hamilton that was formerly farmland and is now going to be an industrial area. Currently there is a through road, one transport depot and not much else. But I know over the coming months that will change. I am not sure if you are aware of the Joni Mitchell song lyrics "They Paved Paradise and Put Up a Parking Lot''  Everytime I drive through here, that song goes through my head.

I am glad to see however that even if a lot was razed and flattened for the coming project, that one tree managed to stand tall and proud and remain as a beacon of light for nature.

Then evening dawned. The sentries parading as Birds of Paradise remained on watch, to make sure that all was well in our world

December 17th Reflections on Romania and Pakistan

It is 25 years ago that Communism collapsed in Romania. I don't think those of us who are brought up in a democratic society can ever fully comprehend what life could be like for people such as those in Romania. A regime of fear and not knowing who to trust. Every move and thought was constantly watched. What it actually was like is George's story however, and not mine.

When we travelled to Romania in 2007 the reason was to allow me to meet George's immediate family and to see where he lived his life before coming to New Zealand. That visit certainly brought it home to me, even after knowing what George had shared with me, what his life was like growing up and being an adult in a Communist regime.

We flew into the city of Timisoara, and this city is where the revolt to overthrow Communism and Ceausescu's regime started. We stayed with a lovely couple, Ana and Marin. Our first day in Timisoara, we went into the city to go sightseeing and see the beautiful city sights. First up was the wonderful Cathedral in the Town Square. We were with Ana, Marin, Ana's sister Ileana (George's sister's best friend), Felicia and Johnny - George's sister and brother in law.  We made our way up the steps of the cathedral, and can you imagine to be standing there and then to be told on the day of the revolution soldiers were firing at innocent people in the town square, and they rushed to seek safe haven in the Cathedral. They were gunned down on the Cathedral steps - where we were standing. I still am reduced to tears when I remember standing on those steps and hearing of that event. Bullet holes can still be seen in the facade of beautiful buildings throughout the town. We were walking around and then Marin stopped in a doorway to show us more bullet holes. This was the doorway where he was shot. He tried to shelter there and was shot in the back, and does not know how he survived.

The revolution spread throughout the country and finally to the capital, Bucharest, where Ceausescu and his wife were eventually shot dead.

That was 25 years ago. Today I read that in Pakistan, the Taliban entered a school and butchered innocent children and a teacher.  Is this humanity? Is human life so shallow that people are willing to end others lives in a most inhumane way, and for what? For their own ideals? What the answer is I don't know.

I can only be thankful that due to a turbulent time in Romania's history, that George was able to travel to NZ. We would never have met if Romania had remained a Communist country. I am thankful for that fact and that my life here in NZ is only beset by ''First World Problems'' Be thankful for what we have and the lives we have. I just wish that happiness and security can be enjoyed worldwide. Isn't that the true meaning of ''Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Men"

December 16th We Are Family

Yay for Family!!  It was wonderful to have my big Sis travel down from Silverdale, Auckland and stay the night. The Weather Gods were kind to us and it was a lovely evening to look at the Xmas lights.  And don't ask me what we talked about, but we never stopped.  A wonderful, wonderful visit xxx

December 15th Xmassy Xmassy

We received a lovely Xmas gift. Beautiful cupcakes from 'The Ready Kitchen'. Jennie has a wonderful food blog  (Gluten Free Recipes) and you can follow her on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/thereadykitchen?fref=ts

Can I just say these Vanilla cupcakes were seriously divine.

And because it is Xmas, Minnie decided it was time to purvey the scene and check all was okay with the world

December 13th and 14th What an awesome weekend...

Saturday was a normal Saturday - ie a fishing widow for the day and my only outing was to the supermarket. But here is an interesting fact about the supermarket.  I now have a Fitbit which is a fitness tracker, ie measures steps, sleep patterns etc and you can track a particular piece of exercise. So out of interest today I decided to track how much walking is involved in supermarket shopping.  From leaving the car to returning to the car (and I actually wasn't parked too far from the entrance).  Do you know this particular shop was 2.8kms!  OK it can't be classed as exercise as such, but gives you an idea of the size of supermarkets these days.  Here is a screenshot of my shop - which is widely erratic, but the distance will be accurate. I thought this data was fascinating (you know the saying small things....small minds).

I came out of the supermarket to find some 'Lower then a pregnant snake's belly' lowlife had left a large dent and scratch in my back bumper. George rang me to say his car had given off some serious warning light and he didn't catch one fish. So that was the Saturday that was.

Sunday morning loomed. I was heading up to Auckland for Fine Travel's Xmas Get Together. Here is a handy hint of the day, especially at the moment here in the Southern Hemisphere where outside BBQ's / Parties are happening. If you are taking dishes to share, before leaving home take a photo. Then when you are leaving said destination and returning home - you know exactly what dishes you need to bring home with you. Especially when you have Old Lady Fart Brain Cells like myself!!

Cheesecake - check

Basil Pesto - check

Home made Crackers - check

Three Serving Dishes of varying sizes - check

That was just the useless tip of the day. A lovely get together with all my fellow Fine Travel colleagues. Pardon the pun - but it was a Fine day. Not weatherwise unfortunately, as the Winter Weather Gods decided to visit us again - did someone say it is Summertime? But a Fine get together.  Oh and look at this car.. I have never seen one of these before and it is like a toy car and I have to share it with you

This is a 1991 Nissan Figaro.  I have never seen one before and yet apparently they aren't that rare. I could almost give up my Beetle and go to the dark side for this one. It is so cool. 

So that was Sunday. I drove home in the most blustery conditions and actually thought my Beetle was going to be blown off the road. Back to Hamilton and visitors to see our Xmas lights.  Actually the lights are a good way to catch up with friends you keep saying ''We must catch up" to.....  Lovely to have Kaye here. Then Chris, Judy, Tania and her 4 boys. And to finish off my weekend blog... here is Chris playing the Bagpipes

December 12th A Walk and Wee Fest

A Walk and Wee Fest, for Minnie that is.  Rubbish Day is not the best day to take Minnie for her walk as she has to leave a little sprinkle on each bag.  Even when walking normally, I wonder how much her bladder can hold when she is sprinkling away for merry heaven, let alone on rubbish day when she adds her mark to the bags

Eeny Meeny Miney Mo, Which Bag I Don't Know

This week I came to the realisation that as she walks me, this little dog of ours is putting her mature years to use, and our walks are a lot shorter then we used to do. So I decided today that this was my day, and I was walking her. We went along one of our old routes which takes in the local lake. It has been so long since we have done this, and to see old favourite scenes again was wonderful.  For instance my furry plant, which I always have to rub when we walk past. It is like stroking velvet and feels so nice

And now I am going to leave you with some images of Rotokaeo Lake - or Forest Lake as it is known to us hoy polloy. Most people wouldn't know where Rotokaeo Lake was - but mention Forest Lake and it is well known.

December 11th The Perils Of Being Home Alone...

This could only happen to me.  Talk on the phone. Go to put the phone down. Find my bracelet hooked up in my earring in an impossible way. Not the earring on the bottom lobe. The earring that is irremovable (is there such a word?).

Drum roll and Mr iPhone to the rescue so I could see exactly what was going on and extricate myself from an icky situation. A new reason to take a selfie.

Re the bracelet - bought in a Fremantle, Perth market and made by a New Zealander who is from Waiheke. It's a small world fact of the day

And on a prettier note.. the Gardenias are starting to blossom in the garden. Here is a pretty Gardenia picture

December 10th Biddy Bids and an Anniversary Dinner

Today was our 9th Wedding Anniversary but as everyone knows that doesn't stop life from going on. Minnie still needed a walk. I am noticing at the moment a proliferation of Biddy Bids. When we get home she is covered in them and we have to do a Biddy Bid inspection. Which I did this afternoon - and which led me to wondering are these even called Biddy Bids? Is that just something that I have named them (and now George has as well) or is that the common name? And why on earth Biddy Bids? It sounds quite ludicrous when you think about it. Here is today's collection of Biddy Bids

And to get away from the Biddy Bid dilemma, here is what you do at dinner. Take a photo of your other half taking a photo

December 9th Xmas Xmas

Time for some Xmas lights me thinks, as the big day looms closer and closer.

December 8th This Looks Like.....

I couldn't resist purchasing a Dragon Fruit, which we rarely see for sale. It was disconcerting however to lay it out at home and to find that it resembled a red fish!! Had I been sold a ring in?

All fears were put to rest when I started peeling and dicing. Bon Appetit!

December 7th Time Warp Sunday

Today was a day spending time in the kitchen and filling the biscuit tins - for unexpected guests and functions thank you. Not just for my rotund self. It all started well. A double yoker anyone?

What do you do if you find a double yoker? If the recipe calls for two eggs only use these two? I actually still used another egg as the recipe called for 2 large eggs.  Oh the dilemma I would have faced, if the second egg broken had a double yoker as well!!

Another question I have to ask? What is it about baking/cooking and having music going. And I have to have it loud. And I have to stop what I am doing and break into dance. By the way a wooden spoon makes a good microphone.   I didn't realise how loud things were, until George came home (he had been out in the car) and was hysterically laughing. He had pulled up in the back driveway, and with the car windows up, and all he could hear was "It's just a step to the left and then a step to the riiiiiiii-ght" Yes Time Warp was at it's best rendition ever.  And me pulling off my best Time Warp moves in the kitchen.  Which is all well and good - but if George could hear all that with his car window up and he was outside - what could the neighbours hear? A screeching nana - it's a wonder the police weren't called!!

December 6th A Fishy Tale

Let me tell you a tale about a fish

that ended up as a family dish

the fishermen went out to sea

in quite a large boat, in water past each knee

Well to protect our fish we have a quota

I really am not trying to be a big noter

but the fishermen were home fairly early

they had each caught their limit, you see

So this large chappy came home to us

To cook for dinner without a fuss

I decided on Thai flavours to add that bite

It wasn't that hot actually, even though in spite

So one hubby was happy with what happened to his catch

And one poor fish wished that hook he did not snatch!!

December 5th A Little Bit of Red Cherry In My Life

Now the 'We Must Get Together Before Xmas' meet ups begin.  Today it was lovely to get together with Judy and Helen at Red Cherry Cafe in Hamilton.

What makes Red Cherry Cafe special, is that it is where my younger sis Lynette and brother in law, Ian were married.  And if I am not wrong, they have a wedding anniversary coming up in the next week or so.

This establishment over the years has been a fine dining  restaurant, a wedding venue (obviously) and then I think fell into shady times for a while there as a brothel. Now it has defined itself as a cafe.  A definite grand old dame of the city

December 4th Irene's Secret Addiction

Yes, I have a dark and terrible secret addiction. I try and hide it. When George returned home from work he found me indulging. The look of guilt on my face said it all. I did try to not succumb but desire overtook me.  I guess now it is time to confess to my addiction and own up.

My name is Irene and I am a Bubble Wrap Popper.

There! It is out there, I said it and now the world knows it.

December 3rd It's Not All Pretty

With the focus at the moment being Xmas related. that is where most of our evening energy is going. We have one recalcitrant inflatable 8 foot snowman - who every night requires a stern talking to. He has his scarf jammed up his nose or around his back and requires attention every night. Needless to say he gets a few choice words in his ear. Then various light settings decide to reset themselves after being off during daylight hours, ie instead of lovely waves of light there is manic flashing.  Then batteries die or as in the following case, to even get to the battery dispenser a screwdriver is required. 

The above is when things aren't all pretty and sugar coated. And then even the photography goes that way.....

December 2nd These Piles Are Really Bad...

Ha gotcha.  You really, really expected something else didn't you.  I was talking about house piles silly, house piles!!!  Not '"The Grapes of Wrath"

ps not our house

December 1st Try And Move Me...

Hi its Minnie here. Thought it was time I made an appearance. Well not so much an appearance but just to share my thoughts. Don't expect anything to deep such as the falling price of oil, global warming etc etc There are more important things in life such as where my next treats are coming from.

So the Xmas lights have been switched on and life has returned to some normality in our house. I can't say this weather appeals however and we have had constant wind and rain, causing me to miss out on my walk on Sunday.  She did buy me a coat at one point in the past. But it was imitiation leather! How ghastly. I know being four legged, I should not appreciate leather but if it is going to adorn this wonderful body, I want it to be the real thing. OK the one she bought me did resemble a biker jacket and would have kept me dry, but I absolutely refused to budge a physical inch the day she tried it on me. I would not be seen in public in some imitation thank you! Only the finest for this girl - and.... I am still waiting on some diamonds. Knowing her taste and dislike for opening her wallet, it will be cubic zirconias. Bwah - let her try that and I will stuff them down her throat with all four paws!!

Anyway with life back to normal, it was good to start the week on a lazy note. She wanted to make the bed and I did not want to vacate the bed. So she got this look from me. The one that says 'So, what are you going to do about it'.  I managed to loll around here until 10 am. Life can be just so hard at times.. it really is a dog's life I will have you know.

Until next time my darling fans, woof woof!!

November 30th Someone's Not Impressed With Xmas Lights!

We may think the Xmas lights are great. Actually I am going to digress here a little bit - be prepared for a lot of Xmas light photos over the next month.  We have visitors and those of you that know George well, are well aware that is when the camera comes out, along with his trusty tripod, for group photos.  Actually it is so lovely looking back and seeing photos of friends (and how the light display has grown and changed over the years).

Enough of my waffle!!  Back to today's blog and photo.  As I was saying we may think the lights are great and I am gobsmacked no matter how often I see them. But tonight two dogs were quite disdainful. Xmas lights? Nothing compared to a wonderful treat and smelling other dog's butts thank you. Photo? Come on guys, we are well over the required 100% of the cute dog requisite, and photo sessions are a bit of a bore for us two.

So Minnie and Benny looked the other way - but Ian, Trent and I managed a full on smile!

November 29th Let's Light Up Our Xmas

Well I am a sorry state of affairs aren't I?  Tonight our Xmas lights were turned on. I took photos of the house, a photo inside - more comprehensive photos will follow, but then realised I didn't take photos of our Switcher Onners!  How rude am I? It has become a tradition that Rob, Jo and Raewyn turn on our lights. Raewyn - a welcome recent addition, as there are 3 main switches to be flipped, and George gives the countdown, and I supervise (someone has to have a supervisory role?)

I am going to share with you today (so be prepared for a novel) the history of our Xmas lights, and why they are important to me (and just about kill my poor darling George, installing them).  My younger years were spent as a Jehovah's Witness - which meant no birthdays and no Xmas.  In my very late teens, I suffered an allergic reaction to that particular religion, and left - before they officially booted me out.  That is neither here nor there, but explains my manic obsession with Xmas. Another obsession I have is Bling. I often think in a past life, I must have been a Magpie. If it is shiny, and glistens and sparkles I want it.

So now let's go back a few years not long after I had married George. We were shopping one Xmas, and saw Xmas light decorations. I said to George, how I loved Xmas decorations, and wouldn't it be nice to have just a few outside decorations (note the use of the word 'few').  He said well why don't we? My counter argument was that we live up a steep driveway, tucked away from the world and no one would see it. His counter counter argument ... well who would we do it for, for us or for others. So I did one of my excited jumps and waved my hands in the air and said why not, let's do it. So we bought just a few. Got home and George installed them immediately. Well thank goodness for late night shopping, as in that one night we made a further two trips back to the shop to purchase more. And then the after Xmas sales followed so we got more.  And from there it grew.

Now we have a massive Xmas light display. I pretty up the lounge and decorate the extra trees on the outside deck. George does the outside.  There is a competition for the first time this year, and we have NOT entered it.  Our mutual decision is that we do this for ourselves, and for family (especially two grand daughters who had a sneak preview), friends, neighbours and word of mouth. Yes we get strangers who come up to see what is going on, and they are welcomed. Our Xmas light display is done with love.  And as my son said to George today... "You don't do this for anyone else do you, you do it all just for Mum".  Aren't I the blessed one.  So my early years were spent pining for Xmas bling and decorations (never mind the presents, I don't care about those), and from now until Xmas, I just look in wonderment at the beauty surrounding us, and that I can share it with loved ones. Oh and thanks to technology - with you all as well.  Here's wishing you all a wonderful and festive Xmas season. 

Love Irene xxxx

The lounge mantelpiece

November 28th Xmas, Xmas!!!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Xmas

Everywhere I go

Our lights are just about ready

to set the neighbourhood aglow

We may be stymied by wind,

but we don't have to worry about snow

Time to do the beauty checklist

which goes just like this

Hair at it's most Pink

Eyelashes you can feel when you blink

Nails adorned in gold

let the season unfold....