Week 50/52 -A week full of colour from beginning to end.

At the start of the week I found myself going for an unexpected drive.  Only in the way that I thought I was going to one place and ended up going to another.  I had purchased some large jars off Trade Me and the seller stated that pick up was in Cambridge, not that far from Hamilton.  Then it turned out they actually were not in Cambridge but further out of town in Karapiro.  A pleasant drive so not that big of a deal for me.

I am still picking , saving and drying things from the garden, mainly petals and they don't take long to dry once I put them in the hot water cupboard.

They look so lovely in  of one the large jars I got.  The ones from my Trade Me drive.  I think it will end up as Potpourri, which I have no idea how to make, but a google visit should sort that out.

 

Later that same day I took another drive, this time out to Raglan for a spot of Christmas and Birthday shopping.  With a birthday in December and another one in January I like to get those gifts sorted before the Christmas stuff. Also I am trying to buy local, handmade, eco etc this year.

Of course no trip out to the beach is had without a stop out at Manu Bay and it was such a gorgeous day to be seaside.

There was a handful of guys out surfing and the waves were smashing into the rocks. I had all those rocks to myself too.

I headed back into Raglan as I needed a 'comfort stop'.  I also had a strong desire to paddle in the ocean.  So very glad to have been able to dip my toes into the cool sea and walk on that wet sand, oh and enjoy all the flowering Pohutakawa Trees.

 Stunning and very welcome sight.

Back in the garden a Blackbird took advantage of the bird baths new position and splashed around for ages, not bothered one bit at me watching and taking photos.

On sunny days Big is outside but when it rains he slinks in doors to find the ultimate sleeping place.

We had a week of lovely mornings and stormy afternoons.  Warm, then wet and wild.  So much thunder and lightening.  The garden is enjoying anything thrown at it weather wise.

 

Praying Mantis are everywhere so I guess they are all hatching.

If you are looking for Toebee, most days you will find him in this old basket on the dining table.

I have Straw Flowers about to burst open,

something else I can pick,

hang and dry.

So many things have appeared in the garden with all the rain.  I love Lupine and totally enjoying the huge Red Holly Hock that has shot up.

At the end of the week I had an appointment with a very talented Tattooist.  I took photos in the garden that morning to give him ideas as he was going to be free hand drawing and tattooing my arm. I had the utmost faith that he would do good as I have seen him working on Max's girlfriends tattoos. It was her cancelled appointment that I swooped on, so only having to wait 5 weeks not the 10-12 months as he is so busy.

So do you want to check it out?

He drew on my arm first,

then did very fine outlines,

then added colour.

All in 3 hours.

I am so stoked with how it all came together but I am super happy with the little Hammer, that is for my dad as he was a builder, now he is with me always.

 

The week ended for me enjoying dinner in the country last night.

It was Sue W's husbands birthday so we all took something out to theirs for dinner.  It was a lovely evening of good food and company topped off with a beautifully colourful sky.