May 16th The Storm That Came

With a storm predicted, I decided it would be a wise choice to walk Minnie as early as possible. Fortunately I made the right decision because as we were out, the clouds definitely started gathering and were getting ominously darker.

We were home before the rain hit. Unfortunately the same could not be said for George. He had been in Christchurch for the day for work, and flew back early evening, right in the middle of the thunder and lightning that eventually struck. It was his worst flight ever, to the extent that he was worried about being sick.

Meanwhile back home, Minnie and I were snuggled up with all the blinds drawn.

May 14th - 15th It's All About The Food

A wonderful quiet weekend here. Chores were completed, the grass was mown, laundry done and put away. Yes, a very quiet weekend. And it is nice to have weekends like this to not only catch our breaths, but also it gives us a chance to give recipes a go that require either more time or are new.

Saturday was a Butter Chicken Day (made from scratch). Actually it could easily be done any day of the week, but I like to marinate my chicken in the turmeric, cumin and nutmeg spices for a few hours first, Which doesn't always lend itself to being completed on a working day. Also to be brutally honest, lying in bed on Friday night, and I don't know why exactly then, but the thought came to me that I haven't done home made butter chicken for a long time. So guess what Saturday's main meal was

Sunday was George's turn. When stocking up on some new BBQ supplies at the BBQ shop, he was gifted a BBQ recipe magazine  We both liked the sound of Aubergine Parmigiana. So  this was our main 'meal' for Sunday. We topped these with home made Parsley Pesto, Tomato, Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheeses, and cooked on the BBQ. These are wonderful, and would make a lovely starter dish. But we like to be different, and munched on these for our dinner

A little (well a big one) Mouse couldn't wait to taste one - hence the gap

May 13th Friday The Thirteenth!

Did you know that a fear of Friday the 13th is called 'friggatriskaidekaphobia'.  I am a veritable goldmine of information aren't I? Not that I myself suffer from friggertrickadelphia (easier way to remember it). Nothing bad befell me on this day. Well apart from one small spot of bad luck. I was sampling a new brand of porridge for my breakfast, which coincidentally I don't like the taste of. Neither the taste or texture was to my liking. Also this is a microwaveable porridge and I followed instructions to the T, next minute look what happened!

 

May 12th A Bad Season For Avocados

We have had a very bad season for Avocados.  They are retailing at very exorbitant prices, and the quality has left a lot to be desired. The nation is in the throe of an Avocado woe - I kid you not!

Can you then imagine my response when I was gifted these today, home grown here in Hamilton. Believe me we aren't mucking around with these (very large) babies and risk them going off.

Oh and you may like to know that the humble Avocado is not a fruit but a single seeded berry. You can thank me later for that wonderful piece of information

May 10 - 11 Hello Auckland

I was in the busy metropolis of Auckland for two day's training. The brain cells had to concentrate on matters at hand for 2 solid days. I have another 2 day session coming up next week so my brain matter is really working overtime.

But it wasn't all hard work fortunately. Firstly I was the lucky recipient of this stress package present from a colleague (who knows me too well me thinks).

My keyboard will be a sticky keyboard like this one soon

All work and no play, makes Irene a dull girl. Here is what passes for a wine glass in a named establishment?

On the last day, stumbled on a good Mexican place to eat. I am coming back here next week again for my lunch

May 9th What Is This?

Well may you ask! It actually is a humble Shower Cap. And you may also well ask, Irene why are you posting a photo of a shower cap?

The reason I am posting a photo of a shower cap, is that I have an abundance here at home of shower caps. Mainly due to the number of hotels I stay at, whether it is for work or pleasure. Other guests may take the moisturisers, the tea, the coffee, the soaps, but not me. I take the shower caps (and just between you and me, I make sure I put them in my suitcase every day so they are replaced on a daily basis - but I am telling you that in confidence)..

Why I took a photo of the shower cap today, is because this evening was the first time I have ever used a shower cap for its intended use. I had been to the hairdressers, and wanted a shower and wanted to protect my perfectly coloured and perfectly styled coiffure

Usually shower caps are used for a very different purpose in this household. They make the most perfect food covers when storing left overs in your refrigerator.

May 8th Sunday Servings

A normal Sunday here, with some differing sightings. Firstly at the supermarket for our weekly shop, saw this lovely old girl

Then we were stopped at traffic lights and there were roadside plantings on the traffic islands. This coincidentally is a wonderful feature throughout Hamilton. It is great to stop at traffic lights and see lovely plantings of flowers and greenery. However the latest planting at this island had me surprised. There was lots and lots of parsley planted in the middle, and it was growing in abundance! I doubt it could be picked and eaten due to traffic fumes, but what a wonderful idea. The photo unfortunately isn't very clear as I was in the passenger seat on the other side, and we weren't stopped for long.

It was a grey, dismal day. Which was a contrast to the previous day which was a summer's day, with blue sky and 25 degrees. Today was the exact opposite, with lots of cloud cover. Therefore it was very surprising to be treated to a spectacular sunset in the evening

May 7th We Are Family

Yay, yay, yay.  A great time spent with my sister Sophie, my niece Paula and my great-niece Claudia. We don't get to see each other often enough due to them living in Silverdale, Auckland (just a few kms away), so it was lovely to catch up.

I also took them around for a little tour of Hamilton. Paula grew up here, so took them to see local sights and old houses and to see the how the little metropolis of Hamilton has changed over the years. But first we had to indulge in some lunch. You can't do such an undertaking on an empty belly!!

May 6th The Day Of The Cards

'twas that day of the month

a time when George says out loud "you can't"

When egos get a boost

When Chickens come home to roost

When Irene has yet another win (yawn)

And Bree-Arn loses and do you really think I would mourn?

Joined for a laugh by Cristina and Crae

And this is why each month, cards we do play

May 5th The Black Box

For at least a year now a phenomenon has been sweeping social media here in NZ, where you sign up to receive free samples and post a review, both on social media and via a survey.

My turn has arrived to receive one of these sample boxes - called 'The Black Box'  There are a variety of products to be sampled

Below is proof as to why I don't do selfies.  

Minnie is much more photogenic then I ever will be

It's all about product placement

May 4th Walks With Minnie

Today on our walk we encountered this metal bar with this strange inscription, which I have never heard of before. Of course I came home and consulted with my friend Mr Google, and SFNZ is apparently a New Zealand organisation dedicated to supporting families in mental illness. This metal bar was a random find in the park,   and I would love to know what it's use is

Being Autumn, the leaves are always wonderful. Here is a local tree with every possible Autumn leaf colour available

May 3rd Beautiful Hamilton

I attended a trade event, and fortunately it was held in a beautiful location. So instead of waxing lyrical about various South Pacific destinations, I was in awe of the beauty of my outside surroundings. Autumn colours and dusk on the river - it was an artist's palette.

 

And here is some arty farty-ness spotted as I left the function

May 2nd The Mystery Of The Hidden Sugar

I have no idea what prompted me to check out the ingredients list on a packet of Panko Crumbs in my pantry. These are Japanese style breadcrumbs, purchased recently. Imagine my shock to see listed in the ingredients list 'Sugar'.

And  it is quite ironic that the importer of this brand is a Japanese food importer and yet these are a product of Thailand!

Which then led me on a small goose chase. George actually had a loaf of sliced bread in the house. I decided to check whether your normal, every day, loaf of sliced white bread had sugar in it. The answer to this is a big resounding no.

I happened to  have another brand of Panko Crumbs in our pantry, and checked the ingredients list, and noted it had absolutely no sugar.

So be aware!  They may be only crumbs, but they are not all created equal.

April 30th and May 1st Weekend Shenanigans

The week that has been, has had a chain of unusual circumstances relating to my birthday, which was two months ago.

It started with a decision to go under the tattoo needle again, which George had stated would be a birthday present from him. He was gifting me a balloon ride, but the weather gods saw fit for that to not eventuate. So instead it was a tattoo, that has taken a while to decide on.

That was the first event. The next was as covered in my previous day's blog, a lovely lunch with two lovely friends - which has taken two months to eventuate due to timetables.

Finally culminating this weekend with receiving another belated present, which due to distance barriers meant it wasn't easy to get here.  Shirley, who does not live locally, designed and made this garden totem,, and it was a gift from our friends, Raewyn and Danny in Perth. I just love it, and with the elephant theme, it certainly suits our home

I certainly am very lucky to still be receiving birthday wishes and gifts two months after the event.

We were also very lucky to have our eldest granddaughter stay for the weekend.

Havana decided that for Sunday breakfast, that George could join us at our very special, secret cafe that only us girls have been to.  I can't tell you the name of the cafe as I have been sworn to secrecy and it is only for us, and now George, to enjoy. But I can tell you the food they serve is the best and never fails to please.

Oh and if locals do want to know where this is - I am open to Bribery and Corruption!

April 29th Being Madam Woo'd

It has been two months since my birthday, and that is how long it has taken for friends Helen, Judy and myself to get together to celebrate my birthday, over a lunch date.

Madam Woo is the talk of the town, only being opened here for just over a month, and whilst it was another visit for Helen and myself, it was a first time for Judy.  I definitely did not mind dining here again.

Thanks Girls for a wonderful Birthday lunch!!

April 28th Mushroom Encounters

Walking with Minnie today, we encountered some strange mushrooms on a lawn, which were not your usual common mushroom you find in grass.

Firstly this one, which would actually be great if you could polyurethane it and use as a bowl - if you were arty that is. I have seen similar growing at the base of tree trunks, but this was the largest of about 5 and they were all on the grass, with not a tree (only the wooden fence) in sight.

This next lot were prolific. When I first sighted them I thought some owner had let his dog do it's number twos everywhere, but on closer inspection I realised they were a dark mushroom - not one I have encountered on a suburban lawn before

April 27th Cilla and Cyril

It was a damp and foggy Waikato morning. Fog hung in the air like a bad smell permeates a room, after someone has broken wind. It took some time to lift.

Cilla was worried. Something she had done or said had upset Cyril. They did have a small spat when they hit the nest finally last night. Their chicks were all but ready to leave the nest and then just when they were about to enjoy some alone time, the damned pregnancy test was positive. There was only so much room in one nest.

What with mouths to feed, a nest that they could hardly afford, and she knew she should not have complained about living in this barren wasteland, with hardly a tree to be found. There were better areas in town, with more foliage and less exposed.

Oh well. Such is life she thought to  herself as she kept searching for the elusive worm. The fact that they constantly slept in, was of no help in catching worms.

Yes Winter was coming, and it did not bode well for the Plover Family.

April 26th Puzzle Of The Day

We were out at Raglan and were mortified to find it was after Wine o'clock time. We called into the local Establishment for a tipple,and spied this puzzle. Can you guess the answer?  Please private message me if you think you know the answer - no spoilers

Where were we? At the grand old lady, The Harbour View Hotel in Raglan

April 25th Forget Lipstick On Your Collar

Who remembers the very, very, very old song 'Lipstick On Your Collar'.   If you are too young to remember a late 1950's hit sung by Connie Francis, click here for a link to the song.

Well today on my walk I was treated to a 'Lipstick On a Bollard'

Found a lipstick on a bollard, 

bet you think it can't be true

Found a lipstick on a bollard

in a very bright pink hue

Bet your bottom dollar, 

this never was on a collar

Cause, Lipstick on a bollard, told a tale on you! 

OK, OK, I know small things amuse small minds

April 23rd and 24th Weekend Observations And The Homeless

Saturday the weather was lovely. I took Minnie for her walk and I decided to be the one in charge of the route as I had a specific destination. Minnie constantly took exception to this and tried to re-route me. Undeterred we carried on, her pulling one way, me pulling the other. There were some sort of championships being held at the local BMX track

I was a Fishing Widow for the day. George was off sailing the high seas and I must admit I was most envious when I got a text that they had spotted a pod of Orcas. The closest I got to any fish was what he brought home all cleaned and filleted, and the following when we headed out to the Night Market for our dinner. I think that is an Octopus, served alongside Pork Ribs and Prawns - a bit of a strange combo?

On to Sunday, and I stumbled across someone homeless in our back yard.

I almost felt sorry for it. Do Snails/Slugs grow new houses. Or are they allocated one at birth and that's it? And if they lose their homes, as has happened here, do they crawl off and die? 

All these questions and more were quite a bit to digest for a Sunday!

April 22nd Wild West Coast

Out to Raglan we went. And we can't hit the West Coast with also saying hello to our Granddaughters. They couldn't wait to show us their find from scavenging for treasure on the beach today

The Guardian Of The Door

A lovely Autumn Evening's view. 

April 21st When Doves Cry

I got up this morning to write about my daily photo, only to be met with the news of Prince's passing. I think some artists we really connect with, and I loved not only  his music but also the individuality of Prince.

So in remembrance of a true artist, today's photo has to be a Dove. Obviously not taken yesterday, but this photo was taken by myself a couple of months ago

And so you don't think I am shirking my daily photo, I did indeed take a photo yesterday. This was my view out of my office door. Minnie basking in the sunshine and a pretty flowering Orchid beyond.

April 20th The Beast

A lot of you will know of the beast that lurked in our garden. A few years ago now we were in a shopping centre and saw a tiny wee cactus, it was small and not a spine on it. We thought it safe to bring home.

Well we bought home a demonic monster. The minute we planted this in our garden it grew and I am sure faster then Jack's Bean Stalk. A neighbour ended up with a hospital visit after a brush with our cactus. It got to the stage where, as an art installation we even stabbed it with old forks and left them inserted; chopped off limbs and covered them with little pots. It would not die. George at one time removed all needles, thinking to render it harmless. Did that work? Oh no. The needles returned like something out of a horror movie, except with even stronger and more needles. 

In the end we had no recourse but to totally chop it down. Do you know even chopped off it still was a lethal weapon. We had large pieces laying on concrete that we gave away on one of those free websites, and after something like 6 months it lay there out of the dirt and still as green and menacing as ever. When pieces were given away, we had to relate its history out of sympathy for receivers.

That is all historical and you may well wonder what it has to do with the present? Well in a fit of pity, we decided to keep one tiny piece and plant it well away from the house, down our driveway. For once it did not fare well. It received very little sunshine. I used to say a little triumphant harrumph every time I walked passed.

Until today, that is. All of a sudden The Beast is back. It is healthy, spines are appearing and it looks as if it is about to return to its old shenanigans. Time to remove it now me thinks before history doth repeat itself

April 19th Chop Chop

There has been a fair bit of chop, chopping going on over the last three days, with the final culmination happening today.

When the house was first bought, this Cabbage tree was only half way up the bedroom window but now 13 years later it has really taken hold and we made the decision that sorry darling, we love you, but you are just too big for us. You have to go.

And today she went, and now is a former stump of her old self. To ease the blows, at dusk I decided to focus on the setting sun instead

Peek A Boo - I See You