Weed eater

I recently purchased a new weed eater.

Well - six actually.

Bottoms Up!

And to be honest, they don't discriminate between weeds and non-weeds.

I'm on the hunt for some good names - any ideas?

Autumn Magic

I'm sure there is a hidden doorway to a secret world through there!

In Japan the changing of the autumn leaves is given a word all of its own, "koyo" and it is a national pastime following the wave of leaves changing as it sweeps the country. Here in Ripple Bay, where the climate is totally different, teetering on tropical, the koyo is like a game of hide and seek, with the added bonus that when you find a tree or a small gathering of trees in full flight of change then the effect is spectacular and heart warming. Each time I walk our Big Dog I watch to see the changes to a particular tree and by the time it has completed its circle and dropped all its leaves it feels like an old friend.

With winter on its way, I looked out my massive woollen blanket handknitted by my Great Grandmother and a quilt that I have made in Japanese blues, with the added twist of crimson embroidery.









The flowers and spirals were designed by Miss Blue and both Small People drew round their hands and added the date so that I have an embroidered record of their hand prints. I feel muchly pleased with myself about this small feature which means such a lot to me.


Happy Koyo, Blue x

A breath of fresh air

Sometimes you need a breath of fresh air ... a break from small people (and not-so-small people), work or the crazy stuff that life dishes up.

Today the local woods tucked away at the edge of Ripple Bay provided just that.

 

My friend and I traipsed the tree-lined paths under the watchful eye of a cheeky fantail. A smiley dog came over to approve our collection of autumn leaves and sniff our sandwiches.

At home the colourful leaves and some watercolour pencils inspired handmade wrapping paper and gift card. Just perfect for a mothers day gift of sweet red tamarillos nestled in an egg carton.
















Of course I still need to get the gifts in the post, but tomorrow is another day.

 



 

Grey Sunday

Taking Shelter

We got caught in the rain today on a walk, rock hopping along the adjoining Bays. Luckily there was a massive pohutekawa to shelter under and we watched the rain and the white horses driving into the beach. What is it about the mix of ocean and weather that makes it so addictive? 

After that I felt no compunction at staying indoors for a big chunk of the afternoon and planning Autumn projects. I was given these chestnuts and when the rain lets up I am going to have a go at seeing if I can roast them outside without them exploding.....!!

planning with coffee, crochet and chestnuts

Last day of school holidays, Blue x

Preserving and Saving

Autumn and the smell of the air has changed. On the sea it has become more metallic and on the land it has a colder sharper tone in the evening so that the warm scented days and the stunning sunsets are really appreciated.

At sea we have been catching kawhai and smoking it with our neighbour's fish in our home made smoker, made (or should I say hand crafted with love!) from our old stove and a gas burner. The wafting smell of the manuka smoking is very autumnal and bonfire like.

In the garden I have been removing all the tomato plants and in the kitchen preserving the last tomatoes. I thought I would have a go at freezing them, I know this is not the usual thing to do, but somehow I just didn't feel like fiddling with all the canning stuff. I wanted to get on with it and get it done.

Funny how we are packing and preserving a bit like squirreling away nuts for the season ahead!
Blue