Well yes, yes I did spend some money!

While visiting Whangamata I had a little spend. I didn't 'do' all the shops, I really cannot be arsed with the walk the length of the street thing, not my bag actually.  But Whangamata has a few unique shops I always visit and at this time of the year there are even pop up shops.

In the shop my sister Manages, 'Glamour' all the hand made felt Christmas decorations were on 50% so what better time to select a few for the tree.  Problem was deciding which ones to leave behind.

These super duper, lovely jubbly, colourful and soft shoes I bought from a pop up shop.  So comfortable to walk in, in fact I might take up walking!!!  Or NOT!!  Great for my gammy foot.  They are destined for an outing tonight.

Whangamata has two Opportunity Shops with little opportunity!  But I found two bags of mixed trims at the church one @ $2 each, and the old vinyl man bag at the St Johns one for $5.  St Johns is well over priced which is a shame as there is stuff still sitting there from this time last year!!

I wanted some shorts, but you can get either micro short shorts the bog standard teenage look or things that fit and go under your knees, as in Nana pants, both sorts just don't rock my boat.  Luckily I found these patchwork ones which screamed out my name!!  I wore them today and they are mint and so me.

Good news,

we found where the girls have been laying some of  their eggs.

In a bucket if you please!!

My Sunflowers are living up to their name.

I visited my lovely friend Anne today

she has a new baby.

Milo - a chocolate Lab.

Puppy Love!

Her garden has beautiful Hydrangeas in it.

With a new year looming it is time for words of wisdom.

 And

Now you are well informed

go forth and have a...

...and I will see you all next year!!

I went to the beach!

TOF had to work the last couple of days so I buggered off to the beach.  Whangamata to be exact!

People everywhere.

The Wharf was alive with happy holidaying folk. 

Beautiful Pohutukawa are flowering everywhere.

New Zealands Christmas Trees.

 The Main beach was busy but there is still plenty of room

for more sun worshiping holiday makers.

 Miles of glorious golden sand.

You can walk to Clark Island at low tide,

or take a boat, a canoe or a surfboard

to the other little Islands.

 Sand dunes covered in beachy plants

with walkways to make your access easier.

The very pretty Estuary end of the beach.

Town was manic, bulging with people,

so I retreated to the calmness of my sisters home.

 Clutch and Febe.

 White Christmas Lilies.

Sisters, of the very best type.

Thankful that I have her.

I made a couple of videos so you can all see the magic that is Whangamata Beach.  I have been going there since I was four so it has been quite some time now.  This place holds fond memories of good times when life was simple, carefree and basically all about fun.

 

This is the main beach looking both ways with the Clark Island in the middle.  Sunny as today, wind was picking up but very welcoming, and the sky was getting cloudy, but you cannot complain when the sun is out, tho I am sure some still do.

This one I was standing opposite Clark Island, left takes you to the main beach and harbor, and right takes you to the Estuary end.  There is fine golden sand for miles, this place is still beautiful and will always be as long as we all take good care of her when we are there.  It is the least we can do.

My life is still fun but not as carefree as it used to be when I was young.  That is the bugger about growing up, well maybe not growing up but having to get older.  I love that I have a place to stay when ever I feel the urge to drive the hills to paradise, and I thank my sister and her hubby for having me.  

I hope you enjoyed seeing one of my favourite places,

and now you will understand why I go.

There was no boxing here on Boxing Day

I think I have only been to the Boxing Day Sales once and if my memory serves me correctly I went and sat in the car.  Funny how when the shops are closed for ONE DAY how people seem to go into madness and mayhem overdrive and go in the masses to the malls to push and shove and possible Box over something on sale.  

Not for me no siree!!  

Today was all about chilling out at home.  Hang on, don't I do that most days?  Well why stop doing something you enjoy I say!!  And I am extremely good at it to.

We have so many lovely fragrant flowers growing in the garden, so today I picked a small bunch of colourful perfume to go inside.  I also picked peas, strawberries and found one egg!  The elusive layers are still at it, I may have to go under cover and do some surveillance.

How pretty do they look in a little jug?

The girls are seriously being sneaky about the egg laying, they watch me watching them, and they follow me when I go looking, I know they are laughing on the inside!!

Loving my Pink Hydrangea.

Must get me a white one.

Look what Uncle Google told me.

What better way is there to end a day but with a nice cold Beer.  I thought they were Jaks as they were neatly stacked in our fridge getting nice and cold. 

Turns out they were his mates!  

Ooops!!  

Well if they are in my fridge they are mine aren't they? 

Now for a bit of good advice.

Christmas day went a little like this.

It started at a very leisurely time of the morning, roughly round 9am when our eldest Max arrived.  How I remember those early morning wake ups when the lads were wee and full of excitement about Santa, such great fun and good memories.  But now we get to lie in for longer and still enjoy the day but in such a different way, all good.

TOF cranked up the BBQ and cooked bacon, sausages and his favourite Tattie Bread, or Potato Bread for those that do not know what Tattie Bread is.  At our local Farmers Market there is the nicest Irish lady that my Irishman can purchase his Irish treats from.  His mother used to cook these for him, she has since handed me the cook book and that is the end of that story.  Bless you Irish lady at the Farmers Market saving me from attempting to cook as good as his mother.  Back to breakfast, all the BBQ stuff was joined with poached eggs, toast and hot drinks.

The one gift each gig worked really well and everyone was happy with the resulting gifts.  My gift-er was Max who labeled my gift with 'Old Gal' in marker pen because we are way flash in this house.  He got me a cook book I wanted, yes I know I say I don't cook but I can be inspired.  He also gave me some sterling silver hoop earrings which I have worn since getting them.  The gift on the left was from my sister Helen's boss and his wife.  Totally unexpected and truly appreciated.  This is because I take stock over to the beach for them when going to visit Helen.  Such lovely people, and as I said to them, delivering stock means spending time with one of my favourite people.

Max went home to kick back at his with mates, Jak kicked back on our couch with treats and booze, so TOF and I took the dogs out to Raglan.  Our NZ Christmas Trees are in full bloom everywhere out at the beach and looking spectacular. 

I want to be a Sea-gull,

I fancy flying over everything.

Imagine the view.

imagine the photos!!

Sheba and Astrix had a meet in the ocean.

 Oscar tried his very best to keep up with Sheba.

Those little legs let him down!

Sue and her hubby Joe and son Michael and their dogs met us on the beach.  It was overcast but warm and we chatted while the dogs ran in and out of the water.  I shared some bubbles with Sue, as you do and we ate Christmas Minces.  People were surf casting, swimming, walking, even BBQ-ing on the beach, it was marvelous to see so many people taking advantage of the outdoors.  Why wouldn't you, not a drop of snow in our hemisphere!!!

Borrowed photos taken by Sue W of us enjoying the beach.

Snapped!!!

Searching for treasure you may well think.  Actually it was Michaels wallet and phone, both fell out of his pocket, he found his phone in the drink but not his wallet.  Anyway, my mission when the op shops are back open is to find him a man bag, a bum bag, a fanny pack!!  I shall have to put a Willie the Waiter on it somewhere if he is to sue it tho', Michael ain't the man bag kinda guy!!  Sue thinks shorts with zips on his pockets might be an option, but the thing is, would he do the zips up?  Lets see, he is a male, hmmmmmm!!

 Dear old Max, the dog, not my Max, he is a bloke, not a dog!!

And of course when we get together

we make it a SuesDay,

and ham it up for the camera!!

We parted company with the Webbers, loaded our wet, sand laden dogs into the back seat of the truck.  Then we did our standard drive along Cliff Street which will mean nothing to you if you don't know Raglan but it is a street that runs along the edge of the harbor.  I fancy a place in this Street I do.  Heaps of people were having picnics, it was all so casual and relaxing and looking very stress free and enjoyable.  Not a pissed of face was to be seen.  The chilled out option to Christmas seems to be catching.

I nearly nodded off on the drive home, that is what fresh sea air does to me, lucky TOF didn't nod off until we were home.  While he recharged his battery (slept) I threw together desert. TOF had already cooked a leg of lamb and a chicken yesterday so dinner was pretty much sorted. Just roasted spuds and a salad to do which was done later on.  One of Max's old flat mates called in to visit and Max arrived too and some drinking happened.  Beerzies!!!

So our day started with a BBQ and finished with my home made pavlova.  The girls donated some of their eggs and the strawberries came from our garden, and believe me it was delicious!!!  I grated a crunchie bar on top as I didn't have a flake bar, this might be my new topping from now on.

Our little country celebrates Christmas in Summer so no snow down here for us.  I hope to experience a White Christmas one year, but in the mean time I.....

...put a Nordic Blonde through my hair, so this is my White Christmas for this year!!

(PS: Diana you can tell Marge)

Are you ready??

So in my part of world it is now Christmas Eve.

 

Preparations

for the festive season

in this house go a little like this.

 

This is a must and should be done daily even after the big day.

This way you have the very best time!

Make sure you have plenty of delicious supplies on hand.

This is essential!

So our gifts are under our tree

one each

because that is all we need.

What ever you end up doing, go to, and be with on the 25th, make sure you enjoy yourself.  If you don't then it is time to make a change because this day should be about being happy and relaxed.  I want to thank all you people out in Blog land that follow my blog, especially those who comment.  There was a fleeting moment where I nearly stopped, but I am glad I didn't. Life is too short, so laugh at yourself, not others, have an opinion, your own, and never be afraid to try something new.

The last word goes to......