Out and about in my little town.

We get a little mid week paper that is free and delivered that I always rummage through.  I find out all sorts of things that are going on in my little town.  Two things caught my eye so I just had to go check them out.

This new art installation is called 'Large Cloud'.  It was hoisted high up in the trees by some of the City Park Arborists down by the kids playground at Lake Rotoroa.  A group of 41 women called the 'Crochet Crew', from a face book group crocheted this amazing piece.

The white twine was donated, and at the end of summer when this gets taken down the twine will bio degrade as it is a twine used for gardening. 210 33x33cm squares make up this cloth, making it 10m long.  The day I went to see it, the wind was blowing like a bastard so it was floating about in the trees.  It looks amazing, so thanks to all those crocheting gals that put it together.

My next thing to check out was installed and unveiled on Armistice Day 11/11/2017 in Memorial Park. I love this park and ended up chatting to one of the gardeners for a while, thanking him for all the good work he and his team do at maintaining such a beautiful place.

This life sized 300kg Bronze horse statue was made by a former Defence Force Artist and commissioned by the Waikato Combined Equestrian Club.  I believe the raised the $220,00.00 it cost to make. The 'War Horse Memorial Monument' is in honor of the 8,000 horses sent to South Africa, and the 10,000 sent to WW1.  Only 1 from South Africa and 4 from WW1 returned. I hear that the Armistice Day service and unveiling was lovely, emotional, but beautiful.  I love the fact that the horse has been designed to be interactive as you can climb up and sit on it.  If I ever manage that I will let you know!!  Might need some steps!

Finally we have been getting some glorious days that end with stunning colourful sunsets.  This has meant more time outdoors enjoying the weather.

The girls have been doing their bit in the egg department so get to roam the garden in the afternoons as a reward!!

 

So much colour is flowering away, and the Sweet Peas are on overdrive.  I pick and they keep on flowering, the scent is divine.

 All the pets round here are living the dream.

You will find Big out the front of our place most days, happy to have his head scratched.  In the evening he retires indoors to the comfort of the couch.

My little old man Oscar basically mooches about and then sleeps.  He insists on being wrapped in a large towel after his bath!!

Sheba is happy as long as she has a toy and company, the most obliging dog ever who patiently sat while getting a make over into a tradesman dog!

 

Then of course their is Toebee, stalker of wild life and hammock lounging cat.

 

The garden is so green and lush at the moment.  I am looking forward to those summer days outside on the garden swing with a good book and a cold drink.

Quite a few years ago my dad built me an Avery that sits on the deck.  We haven't had any birds in it for a while now so I have filled it with potted colour.  I think he would approve.

Our front door is looking colourful, I have to water the flowers daily as they start to droop and I don't want to lose them.

 I collected some Granny Bonnet seeds today.

Work is busy, that end of year panic is starting to happen.  This time of the year the Festive decorations are in full swing.  I found these little beauties in a pre Christmas 50% off sale.  I am looking forward to bringing by pine tree indoors in December and decorating it. That is about as festive as I get, my tree!

 These two are still in love!

Big thinks it is such a Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh thing!!

I have been out to the movies twice lately, went and saw the film 'Maudie' which was really lovely.  I do like a movie based on fact, and she was quite the artistic character.  The second movie was 'Murder on the Orient Express', I rather enjoyed that to.  Of course there have been a few lunches out and some day trips.  Off on one tomorrow so you may well get another blog before the end of the month!!!!!!!!!!!!

***Bye for now!!***

Some wisdom for all your Northern Hemisphere peeps....

and for everyone...

 

Paying homage to Mother Nature and Father Time

A week ago I found myself not able to go to work as I was unwell.  I figured I had a dose of MANFLU as I felt that bad!! In fact I stayed home for four days, which is not like me.  A phone call to the Doctors confirmed that it was indeed not MANFLU but a REAL VIRUS.  I had already come to that same conclusion as the only two remedies I have ever  heard for MANFLU were to 'Harden the $@%* up or take a Concrete Pill.  The doctor prescribed neither!! 

Close call though!!

The op shops are slowing improving, as the seasons change good stuff arrives.  I couldn't resist the brass candle holders, small Russian pot and the Willie the Waiter tray.  I have a good haul of clothes on the washing line today from visit to the SPCA shop yesterday.

Can you see what Toebee has?  He was so excited that he brought it inside at about 1:30am in the morning, you know, Silly o'clock!!!  He woke me up with his running around, and off course he let it got so they could play!!

I am currently having a go at raising seeds.  I think they will be ready to pot soon.  I could not buy Echinop plants anywhere so I purchased seed, so fingers crossed they grow into big lush plants.  Off course while ordering seed on line I ended up buying lots of other lovely things for the garden.

Everything in the garden is growing at a rate due to the warm but intermittent wet days we have still been getting. I put the egg next to Toebee and he looked at me as if to say "@%#* I've gone and laid me an egg".

 The potted colour I added to the bike basket is thriving.

It would be fare to say my garden has truly

woken up.

TOF had success on the sea last weekend.  The large Kingfish got smoked and the Snapper got filleted and devoured. Fresh fish and lemon from the garden was a perfect feed.

Who knew dressing up your pets could be so much fun!!  K-Mart has so many hilarious pet costumes at the moment and so cheap that buying lots is a must. 

 Note Big did not join in,

he is more of a Ba-humbug kinda pet!!

With our lawn smothered in Daisies there was only one thing to do, make a Daisy Chain. I had forgotten how long it took to make one but how enjoyable it was.

Yep, they too got Chained in Daisies!!

OMG!!

Then there was Halloween too.

Thanks K-Mart!!

Before someone calls the SPCA on me, it was all good clean fun, no one got hurt, slightly embarrassed, but not hurt!!

The other day while out in the garden I gathered some bits and bobs.  One thing lead to another, my stamps came out along with the macro lens for my camera.

I am thinking I might enlarge this photo for my wall.

Paying homage to the two things I believe in.

So blessed to have this crazy cat in my life. 

Dorothy is clucky and resident egg warmer at the moment, you risk life and limb removing eggs from beneath her!!

My beautiful Pooches, I have just pimped my EFTPOS card on line today, my new one will have this photo on it. 

 

Toebillicous!!!

Yesterday I went and visited Julie from Threadbear Cottage, just out of Kihikihi.

I got Toebee off Julie back in January and have been trying to catch up with her ever since.  But we keep missing each other.  Yesterday the planets lined up and a visit was arranged. 

A cuppa and cake with a good chat always happens first then I love to go into her delightful little Cottage shop set in her gorgeous garden.

The Cottage is full of beautifully hand crafted treats, and you have to look up, down and all around to take it all in.  So many delights to see.

Her garden is as delightful as the cottage and I came home with a couple of plants that have since been potted up. 

I met Julie from Blogging, yet I feel like I have known her for years.  We can chat for ages and both enjoy gardening, op shopping and many other similar things, like CATS!!  Blackie and Pippie were cruising around the garden, they have the best home ever.

If you have never been to Threadbear Cottage you should take the time to go and visit, believe me you will not be disappointed. Take your purse!!!

There are even residents in her bird house hanging on the deck.

From Julies I then drove to Karakariki to visit Sue W .

She may not have been blogging lately

but by golly she has been busy in her garden!!

 

Jinx the minx followed us on our garden walk about.

Family, friends, pets, and gardening,

all the things that make me happy.

What makes you joyful? 

Wisdom:

 and

 **Love to you all**