tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10671464008741355252024-03-28T12:54:46.359+13:00Life In New ZealandAt Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.comBlogger697125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-76332857361435016392024-02-24T09:42:00.001+13:002024-02-24T09:42:46.897+13:00Going Into Recess<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever felt that sometimes your life has turned a
corner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, as my uncle used to say,
started a new chapter in the book of your life?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">After recovering from my surgeries last year, I am finding
that my whole lifestyle seems to be changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have different priorities and my life is taking on a slower pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a few short weeks I am going to turn 70
years old, which makes me feel like I’m becoming a Senior!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6lvepnBbQTr86NaIjXQZ6p2Q9dsBaxW6ZUQFUURqd0MwSM9nQHd9sFTA4Elta2PaHv5JT5CCw-OQBOcDg9xZ5hB1dfKqOse990ykH7P_PLRPXuKirpQae0QplEersoaCoPuq33ZlcfsApI8ckMDrKxa8y5z65DCAuldd0drk9V5c-zPKlAi2_hxaM4c/s4032/+blog%20240224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6lvepnBbQTr86NaIjXQZ6p2Q9dsBaxW6ZUQFUURqd0MwSM9nQHd9sFTA4Elta2PaHv5JT5CCw-OQBOcDg9xZ5hB1dfKqOse990ykH7P_PLRPXuKirpQae0QplEersoaCoPuq33ZlcfsApI8ckMDrKxa8y5z65DCAuldd0drk9V5c-zPKlAi2_hxaM4c/w640-h480/+blog%20240224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I found this cute little kitty in a thrift shop recently</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I find I am struggling to get back into blogging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The joy has gone out of it for me (at least, for the present), so I am
going to put my blog into recess for a while and take a break.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I want to say thankyou to all the lovely friends I have met
through blogging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a great way to
make the world feel like a smaller place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">No doubt I will occasionally pop in to see different blogs, but
a decision of if or when I return to writing a blog myself will be left to the
future. I may just make a few postings at odd times, when I am feeling up to it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">One never knows what the future is going to bring!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">All my love,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-25178212720302640592024-02-07T08:19:00.000+13:002024-02-07T08:19:09.199+13:00Cicadas and Crickets<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We are now one week into the “last month of summer” and it
is becoming obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All day we have
cicadas singing in the trees and all night we have crickets singing in the
lawn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The place is becoming quite noisy!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This cicada, no doubt in search of a willing mate, spent
some time chirruping from the perch of our deck umbrella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no idea whether the serenades were
successful or not.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGcOGPC6h3J8DXIi3y7U1Ir2YTSs8uSlVoGkoQIpPYSgUB43tHYhs8cLGh0mbzJnUNr3ONI6hDE7Y4RNGenfs1M7vQcgAxT9jjQbaGw21dDgoKQOicXX-Gwyxj6wRM7rEqcepjntLI8YOZ9f6mJjZRH1hDhEGVnwd5BKsWRndQCVdP012yFtRcYCdsBc/s4032/+blog%20240207%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGcOGPC6h3J8DXIi3y7U1Ir2YTSs8uSlVoGkoQIpPYSgUB43tHYhs8cLGh0mbzJnUNr3ONI6hDE7Y4RNGenfs1M7vQcgAxT9jjQbaGw21dDgoKQOicXX-Gwyxj6wRM7rEqcepjntLI8YOZ9f6mJjZRH1hDhEGVnwd5BKsWRndQCVdP012yFtRcYCdsBc/w640-h480/+blog%20240207%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There are no safety catches on my bedroom windows, so I dislike
having them open during the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
last night the room was quite stuffy so I opened them up for 15 minutes to let
some of the cooler air in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The noise from the crickets was deafening!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Now that the new Expressway is open we seldom hear traffic
at night any more, so this change from relative silence was quite a surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Cicadas and crickets are not the only busy ones at this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found this paper wasp nest on the fence –
thankfully, it doesn’t have to be me trying to get rid of it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will leave that job to the expert (aka, my
son).</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnEylpR1PrBO4mgM6zxhx7Kt_qSvpb_6e0Q2QS_EtcLbwGiTLgdBcsV_qr2xTrfj2SZWdm-GMd3ysbmCFlqfSZoUd2DpSqPapKMBb_AO1aTd3KQh1H2SShmbtVj_TDHVljqN2J6tBkshgNNzPjjuaJNvtYHJ__caqSdCBeLcH28nBVglQsGVku8MZ-5A/s4032/+blog%20240207%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnEylpR1PrBO4mgM6zxhx7Kt_qSvpb_6e0Q2QS_EtcLbwGiTLgdBcsV_qr2xTrfj2SZWdm-GMd3ysbmCFlqfSZoUd2DpSqPapKMBb_AO1aTd3KQh1H2SShmbtVj_TDHVljqN2J6tBkshgNNzPjjuaJNvtYHJ__caqSdCBeLcH28nBVglQsGVku8MZ-5A/w640-h480/+blog%20240207%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I know the length of the days is changing as I am once again
getting up before the sun rises. <o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Summer does not seem to have lasted very long, although I remember
from past years that February can often have extremely hot days.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Stay safe and be happy, whatever you do today <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-37051654433741091192024-02-03T09:04:00.000+13:002024-02-03T09:04:34.758+13:00Dipping Sheep<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Until 1993, it was a legal requirement in this country for all
farmers to dip their sheep, as a means of controlling/eradicating external
parasites.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The sheep would be forced to jump into the swim-pit, where
they were to be “dunked” at least twice so that they were completely wet
through to the skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can remember my
uncle doing this, and how much the sheep hated it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It may have worked to eradicate parasites, but, unfortunately, knowledge about
toxic chemicals and their effect on humans, animals, and the environment, was
woefully lacking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Many of the early dip chemicals had arsenic as a main
component, and there are thousands of contaminated dip sites still existing
around New Zealand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbelievably, some
of them are now being declared Heritage Sites, as evidence of early farming
practices.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My grandfather died at the age of 36 years, and I now wonder
if these chemicals played any part in his untimely death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a photo of him in the early 1920s,
dipping his sheep.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzMDWG9hMLfQNK9Pt9_5rRDpZeuRb947JVO24ThXVZYcJ2yyYp_1og6aNGhmqwKqwI468m2ChfVKu4JJz5XKFJkv48vz4HQ1mASiExmKR3mly9SuFXb9H8PnD4GhhYGajSSEbbTW7TQ2YyAcHQvVUC9p8mwPn_3qKRUuWnmu1coNyGIaYy95UAAtusnA/s704/+blog%20240203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="704" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzMDWG9hMLfQNK9Pt9_5rRDpZeuRb947JVO24ThXVZYcJ2yyYp_1og6aNGhmqwKqwI468m2ChfVKu4JJz5XKFJkv48vz4HQ1mASiExmKR3mly9SuFXb9H8PnD4GhhYGajSSEbbTW7TQ2YyAcHQvVUC9p8mwPn_3qKRUuWnmu1coNyGIaYy95UAAtusnA/w640-h374/+blog%20240203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Generally, farm chemicals are more regulated now and there
is much more awareness around safety issues.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Dipping sheep has become a thing of the past for most
farmers, although there are some who prefer it as a superior method of
controlling fly-strike.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Personally, I do not like the use of chemicals but I would
much prefer to see them used responsibly, and thus avert much pain and
suffering that an animal might otherwise endure, than to not use them at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a bit of a balancing act, really.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-50589906395198026132024-02-01T07:51:00.000+13:002024-02-01T07:51:50.218+13:00Chocolate Mint<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I no longer have a herb garden as such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those days are past me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I do have, though, are a few herbs
dotted around the garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of them are in pots as a lot of herbs seem to like
sharing their space with other plants, or swamping them altogether!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I did a wander around the other day to see how many I actually
have available, and was surprised to find there are 14 of them: borage,
calendula, chives, comfrey, garlic chives, lavender, mint (garden), nasturtium,
parsley, rosemary, sage, salad burnet, thyme and a little patch of violets
(yes, violets are classed as herbs too).</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIbf7uT4cCWhDd55JC5bUNUrZXe1HwnkD5p9KlaNTPQOXE_95A1jcRhgZmdPsBCfYpkDRo7ZRJFkZyFKyGNnc147slvQIzC0yB7bFGfW3LcZtEUQTb6Nx_6PmnnNHLKhsPgAN62ek50cWC9yB4oj1k5f1V-zhL-YRSFdN1IB3LxxGDg3eN96o-MbWvOQ/s4032/+blog%20240201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIbf7uT4cCWhDd55JC5bUNUrZXe1HwnkD5p9KlaNTPQOXE_95A1jcRhgZmdPsBCfYpkDRo7ZRJFkZyFKyGNnc147slvQIzC0yB7bFGfW3LcZtEUQTb6Nx_6PmnnNHLKhsPgAN62ek50cWC9yB4oj1k5f1V-zhL-YRSFdN1IB3LxxGDg3eN96o-MbWvOQ/w640-h480/+blog%20240201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I went to the garden centre the other day and saw this
Chocolate Mint for sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The smell was
enough to make my mouth water, and I thought what a delicious tea could be made
with its leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have since found a tea recipe online, but will need to
wait for this little baby to grow a bit bigger before I start raiding it for
leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope it grows fast!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever tried using this herb for anything?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">HEADER PHOTO FOR FEBRUARY 2024 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Between Tauranga and Whakatane, in the beautiful Bay of
Plenty, there is a small coastal camping ground area known as Pikowai
Reserve. Back in 2008, we stopped there
for a while and I took this photo down on the beach beside the Pacific Ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nDu663VoGa9Y_nQFViri2szvvpXMqUn_nRNVyPlXbd2oKexS49LxBiEScWUIAEJqEEUeKykKYWuzPB7SntrgZlRzF5SHtWntzBX0rMK95pXSFHJMkuD2CH_I_Ve5CnL_S8rR-csev8ZWsCb-8tjqsiHStS2LR-GloGvCl_NgbM3oMrl9rUaPhw7t3kY/s3264/+HEADER%20240201%20Pacific%20Ocean%20at%20Pikowai%202008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nDu663VoGa9Y_nQFViri2szvvpXMqUn_nRNVyPlXbd2oKexS49LxBiEScWUIAEJqEEUeKykKYWuzPB7SntrgZlRzF5SHtWntzBX0rMK95pXSFHJMkuD2CH_I_Ve5CnL_S8rR-csev8ZWsCb-8tjqsiHStS2LR-GloGvCl_NgbM3oMrl9rUaPhw7t3kY/w640-h480/+HEADER%20240201%20Pacific%20Ocean%20at%20Pikowai%202008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-70447686357642867452024-01-30T09:33:00.000+13:002024-01-30T09:33:35.049+13:00January Skies in 2024<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">January is our mid-summer month and, here in Hamilton, is
usually the sunniest and one of the driest months of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We average 230 hours of sunshine, a maximum average temperature
of 24C (76F) and an average low of 15C (59F).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rain can be expected around 20% of the time, and relative humidity
averages a little over 70%.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Overall, the weather in January can be quite pleasant most
of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of our local hot-air balloon enthusiasts agree with me,
and we have seen this sight out the window on several early mornings this
month.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT5_606NnyD3KVl93lrwQarZjhgiJlEY5ExoR1WkJBe6kgOzP6UiMfM9I7LS22Xzj23yDpPbHGm6n6o2FGWgk4OrkZ1yfROe-M3PbCHkj_qNnq21DLWf2d25_hC7TdG18HuWeiM22s_jRlOWr0J15D0s32rUOB3fWGUh_lmnmWOOvbM3ztftd3M4Ic14/s4032/+blog%20240130%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqT5_606NnyD3KVl93lrwQarZjhgiJlEY5ExoR1WkJBe6kgOzP6UiMfM9I7LS22Xzj23yDpPbHGm6n6o2FGWgk4OrkZ1yfROe-M3PbCHkj_qNnq21DLWf2d25_hC7TdG18HuWeiM22s_jRlOWr0J15D0s32rUOB3fWGUh_lmnmWOOvbM3ztftd3M4Ic14/w640-h480/+blog%20240130%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Enjoying a balloon ride soon after dawn</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of our days have been blue skies with fluffy white
clouds, and lately our temperatures have been in the late 20sC but thankfully
dropping back into the mid-teens during the night.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRXRhr3J-UiDFd3zyK3hMeFOL3-VGFMxWej7lit4PwFZVCQStg0jURPdKkasnatVLTSYYToYYbW301dOFsjON5LJjAtBcPkrqXg1V-JcEeznX8Qb2eug3Em7rUs0lZdg9VRa8bxXH4nIjyXYwxsvHIsvP1URD6bcTgdKZQTV5LYwGs50k8jNSnZ81KIY/s4032/+blog%20240130%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRXRhr3J-UiDFd3zyK3hMeFOL3-VGFMxWej7lit4PwFZVCQStg0jURPdKkasnatVLTSYYToYYbW301dOFsjON5LJjAtBcPkrqXg1V-JcEeznX8Qb2eug3Em7rUs0lZdg9VRa8bxXH4nIjyXYwxsvHIsvP1URD6bcTgdKZQTV5LYwGs50k8jNSnZ81KIY/w640-h480/+blog%20240130%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Cloud building up on a sunny afternoon</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We have also experienced some rain, and even a bit of
thunder. This photo was taken about ten
minutes before a torrential downpour.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgh5rY2dDr01aACcmnd6SRBkPnymR117mtj8CxnJdGajP6dEoeNEMB3F9XCXzPy7Ju0KSp758OSvZgPi7R6wyzn72EAHMe_HOqAY_i7XszfsqPD28QaRxRiWuvQpWEVjmogLSlm_7HOnF-BeOJ3G6s7i9mmgMGk_gU93rq9q9fdxFjmda_JQy0_Dw02A/s4032/+blog%20240130%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgh5rY2dDr01aACcmnd6SRBkPnymR117mtj8CxnJdGajP6dEoeNEMB3F9XCXzPy7Ju0KSp758OSvZgPi7R6wyzn72EAHMe_HOqAY_i7XszfsqPD28QaRxRiWuvQpWEVjmogLSlm_7HOnF-BeOJ3G6s7i9mmgMGk_gU93rq9q9fdxFjmda_JQy0_Dw02A/w640-h480/+blog%20240130%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The sky was much darker than the photo shows</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It is not very often I get to see lenticular clouds, so was
thrilled to see this one recently. They
usually form over mountainous areas so I am picking it was actually sitting
somewhere above National Park, roughly 150km away “as the crow flies.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Y6znNcYxA6wIC-bSHrbnfUV_CQUSvUEytnsAhbZ0zbtHxSaEl-Dt8GbvqeagIaLMb9kEFThVlMv_ClCOj-2GBC5PyerD5sf6odLkRewUkrgnaipLUWdPfTGTTjTTr11zpG3TWXxP1OqLu0eRS0zciQVoSSOEMSrisvFMxZGP_AE6WXANuMipOcjPB_Y/s4032/+blog%20240130%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Y6znNcYxA6wIC-bSHrbnfUV_CQUSvUEytnsAhbZ0zbtHxSaEl-Dt8GbvqeagIaLMb9kEFThVlMv_ClCOj-2GBC5PyerD5sf6odLkRewUkrgnaipLUWdPfTGTTjTTr11zpG3TWXxP1OqLu0eRS0zciQVoSSOEMSrisvFMxZGP_AE6WXANuMipOcjPB_Y/w640-h480/+blog%20240130%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>I was sitting beneath our umbrella!</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">January seems to have passed by very quickly, but I feel it
has been a productive month. I have
achieved a few things (decluttering, organising etc.) that I have been wanting
to do for a long, long time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Life is good <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-80314788888277920802024-01-28T09:39:00.000+13:002024-01-28T09:39:43.240+13:00Butter Spreaders<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Several months ago, one of my dinner forks decided to leave
its companions and take an adventure all on its own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been waiting for it to come home again
but so far it hasn’t yet turned up, so I went and purchased another one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Sitting beside the loose dinner forks, as part of the same cutlery
set, there were butter spreaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I
know these have probably been around for ages but I have never used one before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Growing up, we used bone-handled flexible blunt-bladed
knives to butter our bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The knives I
now use are slightly larger and still have the blunt blade but are not
flexible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve been seeing these spreaders in use in several of the
Japanese and Korean housewife vlogs I’ve been watching lately (a good activity
when the afternoon gets too hot), and a French internet site told me they are
specifically designed for evenly spreading butter, jams, pates etc. onto slices
of bread, crackers or rusks.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0963YEYE3mVI65-8Zy8bd5V0N1eIRJJ77sEf8035Zp51X_IcFHPPXN1tW4RPBpIW_mwVGcXTqXAj_BfsgLQXwO8RTHy3lZFlV3z_-53v1PSmrZKDrSm0Fe1uP8yznaCgsSyT5KpML6X3_rPBef-N5mpWyt0DfhFI0YDStNqhUm8pyAlyVsWOC2GQnWM/s4032/+BLOG%20240128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0963YEYE3mVI65-8Zy8bd5V0N1eIRJJ77sEf8035Zp51X_IcFHPPXN1tW4RPBpIW_mwVGcXTqXAj_BfsgLQXwO8RTHy3lZFlV3z_-53v1PSmrZKDrSm0Fe1uP8yznaCgsSyT5KpML6X3_rPBef-N5mpWyt0DfhFI0YDStNqhUm8pyAlyVsWOC2GQnWM/w640-h480/+BLOG%20240128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My cutlery set now has seven new additions (counting the
fork), and I can report that I love using the spreaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are slightly different to using a knife,
but feel good in the hand and the act of applying a spread to the bread felt
like a work of art instead of something you do automatically (though no doubt
that feeling will change!).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Isn’t it nice to have something different for a change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It adds a little bit of spark to daily life <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-80758361424283948102024-01-24T20:28:00.000+13:002024-01-24T20:28:17.696+13:00Our Garden In January<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The warm humid weather may not have been the best for some
of us humans, but the plants have been loving it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lawns have been growing well, although
they are beginning to dry off now, and the weeds have been having a field day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The garden often shows off a few bright spots and I thought I
might display some of them here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This nasturtium has done well this year in my tub garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a non-trailing dwarf named Empress of
India.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGShumsEM7SYOvLieNiGJQ93mtqa9tNIQJg9bFsLfjKyHPknrUG1gujIKX2uBHv26uhershuFUHY9bFkICwzulZeym7-I2J6ZewwnZ5xp3rE_CKggDL7dDK5Z3Ed5cJaFqRWvZgJI8OMZ004A-t6MaW0mMXFUQMjSHkDnFUGbQ3tL_x9IGf8FAHEnqdM/s4032/+blog%20240124%200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGShumsEM7SYOvLieNiGJQ93mtqa9tNIQJg9bFsLfjKyHPknrUG1gujIKX2uBHv26uhershuFUHY9bFkICwzulZeym7-I2J6ZewwnZ5xp3rE_CKggDL7dDK5Z3Ed5cJaFqRWvZgJI8OMZ004A-t6MaW0mMXFUQMjSHkDnFUGbQ3tL_x9IGf8FAHEnqdM/w640-h480/+blog%20240124%200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of the grasses have seeded this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are all planted in pots, and they are growing well under son’s tender
loving care.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQBdZW8ZgiIy0cJacPSVtwLq3VZVZK4lyQ0Ni1LaVjxFc6uQISQxTjaJpxX_a17ttoekmkMWX6jTgASS_uV_w0D5YueRP0rFCCDu1pT7mh1GeoxXbHPZd5O8yFcyRyWrmkwlxD5bcXDZTb10FtPuv8oV2ROBWIYt-4WYdkDBBhkAK4XCANxbBWuYOEy0/s4032/+blog%20240124%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQBdZW8ZgiIy0cJacPSVtwLq3VZVZK4lyQ0Ni1LaVjxFc6uQISQxTjaJpxX_a17ttoekmkMWX6jTgASS_uV_w0D5YueRP0rFCCDu1pT7mh1GeoxXbHPZd5O8yFcyRyWrmkwlxD5bcXDZTb10FtPuv8oV2ROBWIYt-4WYdkDBBhkAK4XCANxbBWuYOEy0/w640-h480/+blog%20240124%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The large potted cyclamen has gone into hibernation for the
summer, but a couple of these little ones are still flowering.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1vKOPjaHbrfgzs4y2ZU-ncseCmw3OB8t7BYpxSdxub3654kObPQBlIMmhvNOnwGIE29yad14oArWzc22PJ_w97ziC6IfetpDSPxCY2m0tP7LZKvRpRtG-2Oq6Myko7z53xnynFrjXSi6d2m3LyALsI0tO6tI6AGugKlalT4PfMn8cqkPuhvLduiHFcs/s4032/+blog%20240124%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1vKOPjaHbrfgzs4y2ZU-ncseCmw3OB8t7BYpxSdxub3654kObPQBlIMmhvNOnwGIE29yad14oArWzc22PJ_w97ziC6IfetpDSPxCY2m0tP7LZKvRpRtG-2Oq6Myko7z53xnynFrjXSi6d2m3LyALsI0tO6tI6AGugKlalT4PfMn8cqkPuhvLduiHFcs/w640-h480/+blog%20240124%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The rhubarb is about ready for us to make another small
harvest. I like seeing the lobelia
flowering beneath them.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BvMi0oI3d2H1TxVEYN5r7ZkesGXDmiK7F1jvtAI2In1y9hOrWD2d54VES7Qe0IDKragRvxzMWh7yso2G-rW4_uQIrF-9XQqieX5voac_IzQNrPjVJSD3X3uBEe4KyUrlmXbseTozv5QGcSIOlC-KUFv_4L8yI4H98-PguSkD9iaGN_9Aji6VIRXJY8k/s4032/+blog%20240124%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BvMi0oI3d2H1TxVEYN5r7ZkesGXDmiK7F1jvtAI2In1y9hOrWD2d54VES7Qe0IDKragRvxzMWh7yso2G-rW4_uQIrF-9XQqieX5voac_IzQNrPjVJSD3X3uBEe4KyUrlmXbseTozv5QGcSIOlC-KUFv_4L8yI4H98-PguSkD9iaGN_9Aji6VIRXJY8k/w640-h480/+blog%20240124%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This salmon-coloured geranium has flowered and flowered.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeR4r5RNK81ldzzWKZ2VMIJM8xrb9QiuNdFLBSrb9XaktU8QYEZTj1SdAFhEDR8Z2NBMRR-a8IositpwSqF4kP8Mil3FGTXTxeKTewvcfAZvrlCVRBLRphlR8-ggWLjEIGP1lErmww5P-TI9J0fWcurR4eCoIHg9-W6ClFdKiKwNyF-LUpXzSMZmu33-s/s4032/+blog%20240124%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeR4r5RNK81ldzzWKZ2VMIJM8xrb9QiuNdFLBSrb9XaktU8QYEZTj1SdAFhEDR8Z2NBMRR-a8IositpwSqF4kP8Mil3FGTXTxeKTewvcfAZvrlCVRBLRphlR8-ggWLjEIGP1lErmww5P-TI9J0fWcurR4eCoIHg9-W6ClFdKiKwNyF-LUpXzSMZmu33-s/w640-h480/+blog%20240124%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The marigolds have also flowered well. We often let the seeds set on them as the pet rats find them a tasty treat.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyFy6OTTUlqmEcXEg0fl1l7yytG_6YSltkz1FPd25L9hY9eUO5fYCewXZUmtlRz8xhTylBISq3KMf5kLszpTd5cunN3coIh0tflHaZR977V0jdYJ7AljpgB4HjKcfMPaP7R5JjOYoywpJKbBhyphenhyphenQyKxT0fpZtPl-xq-8Uv5btf1MQ71Se26l7H220j1c8/s4032/+blog%20240124%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyFy6OTTUlqmEcXEg0fl1l7yytG_6YSltkz1FPd25L9hY9eUO5fYCewXZUmtlRz8xhTylBISq3KMf5kLszpTd5cunN3coIh0tflHaZR977V0jdYJ7AljpgB4HjKcfMPaP7R5JjOYoywpJKbBhyphenhyphenQyKxT0fpZtPl-xq-8Uv5btf1MQ71Se26l7H220j1c8/w640-h480/+blog%20240124%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This day lily has been living up to its name, and most days
gives us a bright splash of colour.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7y72SVzMBHed6SpTmmZOUMfbe07V47rQ0yqVwPxeeee15SE40sflftsbrofDj-X_ubjIkFVF9RCgrZDn7XYHJ8f6fUDWT515wYzgtkRqvEmKpm7nKwwlLBqraXI9sWbT5GAIJCVpeJpK7fhWgXN_g_0P6EovbqkHr473oDaezR8ZcSANEKcrfuuCOBA/s4032/+blog%20240124%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7y72SVzMBHed6SpTmmZOUMfbe07V47rQ0yqVwPxeeee15SE40sflftsbrofDj-X_ubjIkFVF9RCgrZDn7XYHJ8f6fUDWT515wYzgtkRqvEmKpm7nKwwlLBqraXI9sWbT5GAIJCVpeJpK7fhWgXN_g_0P6EovbqkHr473oDaezR8ZcSANEKcrfuuCOBA/w640-h480/+blog%20240124%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I couldn’t remember the name of these pretty flowers, but I think
they were asters.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWXrpZJ1l-QwMA_R-nRq5YIZ1_fo7Vh9b-yZJmVwydpsYbef2UqiPMHfh2qZetvZgnYtulPy7yuZr5fNmBVhJDr6yMLptHtna4XtllqKvTQ8RnBto07G7NRH-75UP-Hjr12YinbJ__XS3QOcMK8gibz1bboifUfBCu-cK4SSA53beNdmZKgeAT4_KOpQ/s4032/+blog%20240124%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWXrpZJ1l-QwMA_R-nRq5YIZ1_fo7Vh9b-yZJmVwydpsYbef2UqiPMHfh2qZetvZgnYtulPy7yuZr5fNmBVhJDr6yMLptHtna4XtllqKvTQ8RnBto07G7NRH-75UP-Hjr12YinbJ__XS3QOcMK8gibz1bboifUfBCu-cK4SSA53beNdmZKgeAT4_KOpQ/w640-h480/+blog%20240124%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Dwarf impatiens brighten up this corner, but, as you can
see, the weeds are growing as well as the plants!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t9JK2oez_BDiw5JEHAxcM-qKO8A3yaPJYmGP1WL2e3Yb1cUcW-RIUskwvxQjbC8DbfgS1wwpQEeAoevuPGNMRby43G92tZ6QssmNuCdi2fYrkn7Hcg08ksJphK0MRU8b0znkTpeWV3QxkgQhIB7s5-h-wwBGrvr01QUQHlT225aCLJTY9sntSHRINw8/s4032/+blog%20240124%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1t9JK2oez_BDiw5JEHAxcM-qKO8A3yaPJYmGP1WL2e3Yb1cUcW-RIUskwvxQjbC8DbfgS1wwpQEeAoevuPGNMRby43G92tZ6QssmNuCdi2fYrkn7Hcg08ksJphK0MRU8b0znkTpeWV3QxkgQhIB7s5-h-wwBGrvr01QUQHlT225aCLJTY9sntSHRINw8/w640-h480/+blog%20240124%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Most days I enjoy wandering around looking at the garden (I’m
not able to do much work in it now). <o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There is always something new to be seen, and a garden can
truly be said to be a place of joyous experiences (and, perhaps, sore backs!).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">May gardens always bring you pleasure <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-78693700025030292512024-01-21T10:15:00.000+13:002024-01-21T10:15:04.647+13:00Half Cup Puddings<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I love food!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eating delicious
meals is something I really enjoy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trouble
is, as I grow older, I’m finding I need to adjust more and more how and what I eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned in my last post, I am sometimes using
chopsticks to help me eat a bit slower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
also trying to watch the portion sizes that I serve myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The recommended size of one serve of pudding/dessert is half
a cup, which doesn’t seem very much but is actually quite adequate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Dinner just doesn’t seem complete without something sweet to
finish with, and I’m afraid fresh fruit doesn’t usually do it for me (even
though I enjoy it for breakfast and lunch).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Feeling guilty about what you eat is a terrible way to live,
so I am not going to deny myself the pleasure of eating pudding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just want to control how much I eat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And so it was that when I went op/thrift shopping last week,
I was delighted to find these two wine glasses that hold half a cup each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t you just love the neon blue colour of this blueberry
jelly? Although I shudder a little to
think what colour it will make my insides!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I only make up half a packet at a time, so I can finish it
within two days. I will have one tonight
and the other tomorrow night, and eat them (slowly!) with a small teaspoon.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDwN1GmQMd4RFhmjFbb12aPexr_3nhh9czVTbUTXg42Lp-lGOlNnz7cD6oRcKU8dgRCNFuzEsTFGx-lEVopAFdXyWVZ1W0tzGDLCfTKgNcJ-op8vzP73LdI-d1hrX-R8j1spxekeAk3JSeYaA172cDykKBRnzifT-wUCrS-W6n6j2l37UFjFrEyFgBq0/s4032/+blog%20240121%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDwN1GmQMd4RFhmjFbb12aPexr_3nhh9czVTbUTXg42Lp-lGOlNnz7cD6oRcKU8dgRCNFuzEsTFGx-lEVopAFdXyWVZ1W0tzGDLCfTKgNcJ-op8vzP73LdI-d1hrX-R8j1spxekeAk3JSeYaA172cDykKBRnzifT-wUCrS-W6n6j2l37UFjFrEyFgBq0/w640-h480/+blog%20240121%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The other item I was delighted to find was this decorative
china plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one of a 1996
Bradford Exchange issue by artist Lena Liu, and I just loved the whole pretty
picture it made.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_9xTHbgvLsInqCwvwirklSeN2gFmnET5bw5yxRG2MjWUvuZYDsEP6q-Qr_ntw29GulTcBCaYSs9HqMj-9G8WD0uraARUNhAyDyy-MwGvyeM-H7Yp2DYfL_5WkA6RGAl0k32RCP73iwTGWvY1j7_LaQjR3W3QjLq1rWc7r9jm4gwXcwWj-_YCGwWOz7k/s4032/+blog%20240121%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI_9xTHbgvLsInqCwvwirklSeN2gFmnET5bw5yxRG2MjWUvuZYDsEP6q-Qr_ntw29GulTcBCaYSs9HqMj-9G8WD0uraARUNhAyDyy-MwGvyeM-H7Yp2DYfL_5WkA6RGAl0k32RCP73iwTGWvY1j7_LaQjR3W3QjLq1rWc7r9jm4gwXcwWj-_YCGwWOz7k/w480-h640/+blog%20240121%202.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We continue to have hot weather here, often quite sultry. Thankfully it is a little cooler in the
mornings so I can get things done around the house.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The pets struggle a bit.
Son gives the rats cold ice cubes to gnaw on and they spend a lot of
their time sitting on stones and staring out the cage towards any air movement
(we often have a fan directed at them).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The cats find the coolest spot they can, usually the
concrete beneath the carport in the shade.
They sprawl out with their bellies on the ground, and their fur seems to
all be standing up on end (the worst of being a long-haired cat). We brush them both regularly but they are
still shedding hair.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This is Mittens enjoying the deck before the sun began to
bake it.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2aa4T53gm76aJJQKSfyjgwpkJ1LitMv9bnAqWl6PZMeO_0j5aFVtKFJJXJCCavP3mFvx5YpUWhh4NjUk7TY0zY-v2ZNCH9ZctyEynm4dr77E80XO2Bx7aWcJk02pTzKxAL9k9V_kylseQTQ6i6zMuqUipfWEqoHg7Y-mWXJW9QKK03mZ1oXK4gRTzR4/s4032/+blog%20240121%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2aa4T53gm76aJJQKSfyjgwpkJ1LitMv9bnAqWl6PZMeO_0j5aFVtKFJJXJCCavP3mFvx5YpUWhh4NjUk7TY0zY-v2ZNCH9ZctyEynm4dr77E80XO2Bx7aWcJk02pTzKxAL9k9V_kylseQTQ6i6zMuqUipfWEqoHg7Y-mWXJW9QKK03mZ1oXK4gRTzR4/w640-h480/+blog%20240121%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope your day is a good one <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-36987178293207963082024-01-18T11:21:00.000+13:002024-01-18T11:21:03.693+13:00Watermelon<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">A lovely way to start the morning is to have a serve of fresh
seasonal fruit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t always get to do this – and sometimes I incorporate
the fruit into my cereal – but this morning I enjoyed a delicious bowl of
chilled watermelon before my muesli.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The mint garnish was added to make the plate look more
appetising, and the green certainly helped the red to look a little brighter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Chopsticks were the utensils of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am inclined to eat my food a little too
fast, and using chopsticks slowed me down – by quite a lot actually, as I’m not
very good using chopsticks!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26ZN4xyb4qLjKAo1nREnu6yXU1PGszp8G07gnnEC7jrStAnO2bxqwW2j5gq6SvwoIGa6BtDysEFRTT8iXc08d5qhfXtTLAijX9UqdtJDo5CYcMEGmLswKwe_lUqsKFBPkxI2NgscPmq4LDwYmKrKkS8G_I9fhS9nAPs1tWfEVXT-pF2oGMEfs8uz2Grw/s4032/+blog%20240118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26ZN4xyb4qLjKAo1nREnu6yXU1PGszp8G07gnnEC7jrStAnO2bxqwW2j5gq6SvwoIGa6BtDysEFRTT8iXc08d5qhfXtTLAijX9UqdtJDo5CYcMEGmLswKwe_lUqsKFBPkxI2NgscPmq4LDwYmKrKkS8G_I9fhS9nAPs1tWfEVXT-pF2oGMEfs8uz2Grw/w640-h480/+blog%20240118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">After cutting the watermelon into cubes I proceeded to use a
paring knife to pick out all the pips.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Eating outside and spitting pips out onto the lawn while
juice dribbles down your chin can be fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been known to do this, but not for
breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Breakfast should be a meal, not a messy adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Funny how we make these rules for
ourselves).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I should also mention that I have this thing against pips in
watermelon and grapes, but strangely don’t mind them when eating passionfruit
(although I can’t crunch them).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
husband used to think I was odd!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Always appreciate the food you eat <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-21310569267079825892024-01-16T15:50:00.000+13:002024-01-16T15:50:12.022+13:00Two From A Teapot<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years I have decluttered and decluttered and
disposed of endless items, and some of them are a bit like boomerangs and make
their way back to me again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I seldom regret what goes out the door, and most of them I
never think of again, but just occasionally I do miss an item and when I find
it again I am powerless to resist adding it back into my collection of stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">However, sometimes unexpected items also make their way back
to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A family member recently moved
house and came across a book that had belonged to me as a young child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I want it back again?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I was thrilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
almost forgotten I had owned the book, but still remembered the story and have
enjoyed going through it again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The book was called Two From A Teapot, published in the
mid-1950s, and is the story of Tabitha Tabbitail (a kitty) and how two little
mice, who lived in a teapot, cared for her when she was ill during one winter.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a charming tale and is illustrated with some
delightful drawings and pictures.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUwaKDvI1wsoCSt2LeTFaLvwD0qPGWDrp-4IsJ6PaQ8Oqb_r6itwDQrq5LQSR9va-VZUoxyTA-boredCJ8umUHRYBpyUE4WDfSyHgYftea_fgBj1EiUEuYCAkX_Fm346hfO6Qrn-YkQspI_2-xH50tnSjdCRGuC1WknD5x2nO5jy9QZqnXDCfk6v9tM4/s2590/+BLOG%20240116%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="2590" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUwaKDvI1wsoCSt2LeTFaLvwD0qPGWDrp-4IsJ6PaQ8Oqb_r6itwDQrq5LQSR9va-VZUoxyTA-boredCJ8umUHRYBpyUE4WDfSyHgYftea_fgBj1EiUEuYCAkX_Fm346hfO6Qrn-YkQspI_2-xH50tnSjdCRGuC1WknD5x2nO5jy9QZqnXDCfk6v9tM4/w640-h486/+BLOG%20240116%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNLMi2U7Wc4u5giiFSZsFOm2IREpmF9hca8JkWDBYQxxM328hKIVwsnm1Itg8kLbHY3Ar0nhLdsT8KSRWDzS2LM4JU_arMT9Dj3eYCy-iOi8GMveCIqppvtxTIIAY-Bq6xiRboqcEgXNt1bv56l5ya2rCJSUWmVqLKNIikjLku4HSNTODAj3itjUyCkA/s4032/+blog%20240116%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNLMi2U7Wc4u5giiFSZsFOm2IREpmF9hca8JkWDBYQxxM328hKIVwsnm1Itg8kLbHY3Ar0nhLdsT8KSRWDzS2LM4JU_arMT9Dj3eYCy-iOi8GMveCIqppvtxTIIAY-Bq6xiRboqcEgXNt1bv56l5ya2rCJSUWmVqLKNIikjLku4HSNTODAj3itjUyCkA/w640-h480/+blog%20240116%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcQH4mtbtAnZ9wK46zMRTbeLPwb_NuOos5rJ2GVn5_xlFqAMhKKZFFejCAS94RkjSmD1FU1Jk4sL5SQ1TjWkwu_PGdwcHIP-fXpbHQ10sLZJVif9HJkMnNS7NL2VtWuRh1HE_MrHbxpPbCY3mnrmd4zO0pNJGE5TAt3ZL3fK6ZofWHzjv4mAd2N45grA/s4032/+blog%20240116%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcQH4mtbtAnZ9wK46zMRTbeLPwb_NuOos5rJ2GVn5_xlFqAMhKKZFFejCAS94RkjSmD1FU1Jk4sL5SQ1TjWkwu_PGdwcHIP-fXpbHQ10sLZJVif9HJkMnNS7NL2VtWuRh1HE_MrHbxpPbCY3mnrmd4zO0pNJGE5TAt3ZL3fK6ZofWHzjv4mAd2N45grA/w640-h480/+blog%20240116%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeqV-HOhHyOwTLPY2VB9qU2BoVd96yaqDgIsFgsVNwlvuu8bY0sgEvBHjWGrRBnxCSs2CZFQT6eepJT7dOFqHZlY_hnw1z7D1NycR0iPKzXzXdMqGqYsB5as3kBIf6ZI-udvYCamyyI8E6NniSGvECe5A4V13b6WFh0FFQJy5rc69BlUF5Zg1p9zIzjs/s4032/+blog%20240116%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeqV-HOhHyOwTLPY2VB9qU2BoVd96yaqDgIsFgsVNwlvuu8bY0sgEvBHjWGrRBnxCSs2CZFQT6eepJT7dOFqHZlY_hnw1z7D1NycR0iPKzXzXdMqGqYsB5as3kBIf6ZI-udvYCamyyI8E6NniSGvECe5A4V13b6WFh0FFQJy5rc69BlUF5Zg1p9zIzjs/w640-h480/+blog%20240116%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Sometimes it is rather nice to feel a bit sentimental </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">😊</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">Margaret.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-44291130552001569642024-01-14T07:19:00.000+13:002024-01-14T07:19:23.368+13:00Mustard Relish<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I was not long married, and
learning to cook by experimenting on my long-suffering husband, my paternal
grandmother gave me her recipe for Mustard Pickles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">My mother had a similar recipe
that she called Piccalilli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between both
recipes, and my own changes, I have now arrived at a recipe I call Mustard
Relish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Part of the reason for changing
the name was that my husband and I preferred ours to be spreadable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither of us were that keen on chunky
pickles dolloped on our dinner plate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">We also had preferences when it
came to the vegetables we used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the
years, after much testing and trialling, we settled on a mostly cauliflower
relish, with onions and green beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was what we liked the most.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The end result of all our
experimentation was finely chopped vegetables in a mustard sauce that goes
really well with tasty cheese on a cracker or in a sandwich. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Early one morning this last week,
I utilised a large cauliflower from the greengrocer and made Mustard Relish for
myself (son is not that keen on it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is only a small recipe, as there is only me to eat it!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFatUXhWBoLiFxJb03wUN4O-BKU-nW9sBgDDxIhspnaf1GXcfj8pmGsNyAOGE5LpimAvisIE9LxK0LXAk7sKxipMAc7XxTRvkBkBIrDzuOgFR6JQu9ACAg-51KIZ8QYdySsXVP5RiYl74sq7nCC-c0xxnNszXiSWamNFQqtfQ-gmnwrmS11sO97YuRGaI/s4032/+BLOG%20240114%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFatUXhWBoLiFxJb03wUN4O-BKU-nW9sBgDDxIhspnaf1GXcfj8pmGsNyAOGE5LpimAvisIE9LxK0LXAk7sKxipMAc7XxTRvkBkBIrDzuOgFR6JQu9ACAg-51KIZ8QYdySsXVP5RiYl74sq7nCC-c0xxnNszXiSWamNFQqtfQ-gmnwrmS11sO97YuRGaI/w640-h480/+BLOG%20240114%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Preparing vegetables for the Relish</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeY79CLld01lfuEA5kBfHXN6LEcAFOgvAfsOTxB3l2fMmr0FgK7rTx3_Aq8gajfc_o9HutbcabUPC4DTL2Y-EHyUYuFmqXR-V9WkG1DCtHj0KJq4KOarMQzkCwRc2LkOcm950U9ZXdPltPFO6YW9GEv8xVeCupqhpPYyGBrWutjRxLlmC1WSpAYExt-g/s4032/+blog%20240114%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeY79CLld01lfuEA5kBfHXN6LEcAFOgvAfsOTxB3l2fMmr0FgK7rTx3_Aq8gajfc_o9HutbcabUPC4DTL2Y-EHyUYuFmqXR-V9WkG1DCtHj0KJq4KOarMQzkCwRc2LkOcm950U9ZXdPltPFO6YW9GEv8xVeCupqhpPYyGBrWutjRxLlmC1WSpAYExt-g/w640-h480/+blog%20240114%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Waiting two hours for the brining stage</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtDUeNYcKn2iRtpLKbg4-p_mah4CFU-m1QbCg82wXt6mPN6kR4Lk-q86ZLdJ4d1pYhbyR1Bj27zdttZe49QRvl5PluW9HAZ2TsbFd4HU0u4JnzBAE0Ew4Hhy9jTStoeBPX5XpT3tqg4oIgHKuOSvXoHegb7yQFUFFlH5rlWKnHnZJUh1JPDMGU7-8EYo/s4032/+blog%20240114%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtDUeNYcKn2iRtpLKbg4-p_mah4CFU-m1QbCg82wXt6mPN6kR4Lk-q86ZLdJ4d1pYhbyR1Bj27zdttZe49QRvl5PluW9HAZ2TsbFd4HU0u4JnzBAE0Ew4Hhy9jTStoeBPX5XpT3tqg4oIgHKuOSvXoHegb7yQFUFFlH5rlWKnHnZJUh1JPDMGU7-8EYo/w640-h480/+blog%20240114%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The end result</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">MUSTARD RELISH<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Total time taken: 3 hours 45 minutes<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Prepare the vegetables:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>peel 2 large onions and cut into fine dice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Top and tail 100g green beans and cut into ¼
inch slices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weigh them and make weight
up to 1kg with cauliflower florets (about half a cauliflower).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cut flower part off floret into small chunks
and dice the stalk part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add to the
onions and beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making everything
small helps the relish to be more spreadable, instead of being chunky.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Sprinkle with 2 tsp plain salt and mix well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lightly cover the bowl with a cloth and leave
to sit on the bench for 2 hours (or overnight), before transferring the
vegetables (do not rinse them) into a preserving saucepan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Add 1 cup white sugar, 2 tsp mustard powder, 1 tsp mustard
seeds, 1 tsp ground turmeric, ½ tsp ground cloves, and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add enough white vinegar to just about cover
the vegetables (about 4 cups).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Bring to the boil and then simmer for 1 hour, stirring
often.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Mix about 2 Tbsp cornflour with a little extra vinegar and
use it to thicken the mixture (use more or less cornflour to obtain the
consistency desired).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Remove from heat and spoon relish into hot sterile
jars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This recipe filled four 300ml
jars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Screw on the lid, if using pop-top lids, or else let the
relish cool completely before covering it with melted paraffin wax and a lid.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxw7vv7pwXGkTZ2N1qvNNIaWCnkdzvk-vNzXVj5uaf5yfNtdxRs9TxxzOlvTxgCBa-uCh-RaE_WWtb3GUeIjM40rqPN6z7Plxy7BmwpHZzAQai06kXEE9lA69RcSkqCH9J0vcwhEAP89DSJQNnxRmWEMuIyadOAycR8eKtjvm20JTYKXtqkJToPpaL3A/s4032/+BLOG%20240114%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxw7vv7pwXGkTZ2N1qvNNIaWCnkdzvk-vNzXVj5uaf5yfNtdxRs9TxxzOlvTxgCBa-uCh-RaE_WWtb3GUeIjM40rqPN6z7Plxy7BmwpHZzAQai06kXEE9lA69RcSkqCH9J0vcwhEAP89DSJQNnxRmWEMuIyadOAycR8eKtjvm20JTYKXtqkJToPpaL3A/w640-h480/+BLOG%20240114%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Delicious on a Cheese Scone</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Bon Appetit <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-40093927986433365612024-01-12T09:17:00.000+13:002024-01-12T09:17:55.790+13:00Breakfast On The Deck<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a pretty sunset last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat outside on the deck (again!) and
watched as the clouds changed through the oranges and red colours and finally
became dark (the colours were more intense than what has shown up in my photo).</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStB7m6P5r0kQjMvI5lU_o3AvkqHp4iWKJnJBB8no8jnDUkR-FlQxge96H4CCReHz_1gPoLyOtdIhsOrwk11UafixVDcFqhWeH5t55Xhdub5twz-aWoTZic8VeSp8Eqzp0-AxjiTH8BYMZGVkti3Iwq8pEE6grsKpUEWseVuIMjJkNwcW3qNudc6B0f04/s4032/+BLOG%20240112%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStB7m6P5r0kQjMvI5lU_o3AvkqHp4iWKJnJBB8no8jnDUkR-FlQxge96H4CCReHz_1gPoLyOtdIhsOrwk11UafixVDcFqhWeH5t55Xhdub5twz-aWoTZic8VeSp8Eqzp0-AxjiTH8BYMZGVkti3Iwq8pEE6grsKpUEWseVuIMjJkNwcW3qNudc6B0f04/w640-h480/+BLOG%20240112%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Mittens sat in the grass garden and watched me.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfx6t0yn_xtAufYFg5mpm5mUXzNHdAqjCoJFA6FkxBwxRSptOdz9rIqmnavhiZp_9aJnDq3eszP-V72dNNPiycao8XeyMP6xiKqUwRDwqJU-Lc6bf5q9H4ujfTcbC6EOK0eoUq93VC9_WC0kB6xLz07BzCbdV5darqwuvrH9WQlZbJJwBwlp-AUNGgmQ/s4032/+blog%20240112%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfx6t0yn_xtAufYFg5mpm5mUXzNHdAqjCoJFA6FkxBwxRSptOdz9rIqmnavhiZp_9aJnDq3eszP-V72dNNPiycao8XeyMP6xiKqUwRDwqJU-Lc6bf5q9H4ujfTcbC6EOK0eoUq93VC9_WC0kB6xLz07BzCbdV5darqwuvrH9WQlZbJJwBwlp-AUNGgmQ/w640-h480/+blog%20240112%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Breakfast this morning was taken on the deck at 7am, with
the sun peeping above the neighbour’s roof and the temperature sitting at a
very pleasant 17 degrees Celsius.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I had rolled oats (straight from the packet) with chia seeds, a fresh plum
(it was meant to be two, but one had gone rotten), milky yoghurt, a drizzle of
maple syrup, and a sprinkle of nutmeg.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My tea was Lady Grey, with no milk or sugar.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUI4cq-CxGkMKapygI4ysjCvrUGr7mah-lbdvJmJW9Yd2xP5Ek76l2IfETXexfcImNlL24XtCrKSTZUi22NwofjL30BkjaGzlSpNcTBTCLsszKDX5db2V-pbyHuo6_n7pvRVd9G8nSPAmgTLx5sWsLj7r0M1qKO5ERxYXN02mNNUUYeFCfb8kfgXVR74U/s4032/+blog%20240112%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUI4cq-CxGkMKapygI4ysjCvrUGr7mah-lbdvJmJW9Yd2xP5Ek76l2IfETXexfcImNlL24XtCrKSTZUi22NwofjL30BkjaGzlSpNcTBTCLsszKDX5db2V-pbyHuo6_n7pvRVd9G8nSPAmgTLx5sWsLj7r0M1qKO5ERxYXN02mNNUUYeFCfb8kfgXVR74U/w640-h480/+blog%20240112%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Most mornings I have a chewable vitamin C tablet, as it
seems to work well with my constitution.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The other object on the tray contains the last remnants of
my latest block of comb honey. It is an
expensive treat (this one cost me $28), so I have only been having 1 teaspoon
of it each morning. Delicious!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope your day will be a happy one <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-90847873857187034002024-01-11T08:03:00.000+13:002024-01-11T08:03:12.855+13:00In The Cool Of The Evening<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">How pleasant it is to sit outside in the evening after a hot
sultry day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that we get as hot or as
sultry as some places around the world, but it is enough heat and humidity to sap
all the energy out of me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I am rising early in the mornings to get done what must be
done, and then the rest of the day is spent seeking the coolest spot in the
house and finding something non-energetic to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">As the temperature cools down again in the evening, I love
being able to sit outside on the deck with a tall glass of chilled water and
watch the night close in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Our solar fairy lights never all come on at once (we have
four separate strands), so I sit and watch them too as they flicker on.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2xUN25Qt4AFkIL7ivqRTOnTkVXyUrCHNyX82jK_6Nk64VCSylo75xB1eXpgwenUhEbOZJ1LgWMLv-uKQv5izWs2BmebGJXI3DMIuJbNP0Es89NmQ2jRfng6n2YDzEi1OgqwsKYfoPO63FEIjVknt0nTAEeEuDiWAiMfnSYDv8CZ-UakV3uyZyjBHX7w/s4032/+blog%20240111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2xUN25Qt4AFkIL7ivqRTOnTkVXyUrCHNyX82jK_6Nk64VCSylo75xB1eXpgwenUhEbOZJ1LgWMLv-uKQv5izWs2BmebGJXI3DMIuJbNP0Es89NmQ2jRfng6n2YDzEi1OgqwsKYfoPO63FEIjVknt0nTAEeEuDiWAiMfnSYDv8CZ-UakV3uyZyjBHX7w/w640-h480/+blog%20240111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of the birds have settled down for the night, but there
is always the odd one twitting and flitting around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">A kind of hush seems to fall across the human world, with no
lawnmowers going, no happy children playing next door, no noisy traffic zooming
up and down our road – I guess they are all having dinner or watching
television.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, the mosquitos also enjoy the evening!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have two citronella candles that I light
and sit on the deck beside me, and they seem to work at keeping most of them
away (for some reason, mozzies think my blood is delicious).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have a favourite way of ending a hot summer’s day?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-8449245288882161002024-01-08T14:09:00.000+13:002024-01-08T14:09:49.994+13:00A Family Celebration<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My eldest son has turned 50 years old!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did that happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like yesterday when he was just a babe
in arms and I was a new mother trying to work out how to do everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It doesn’t help that I can remember quite clearly
celebrating my own half-century sojourn in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time certainly has a way of moving on,
regardless, it seems, of what we do or don’t do in our lives.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9myrCmgmIsFE1orKqbGzL9efwTJ3Kx6-HlhtR-v-4jV_NTDs0fOIg1DWESg11ZgeciAQGwePACnxKme9pnC8q0vSBL5-w7fTZt2RYQS1ubbD7f-x1fUQwehL9HdDNnBlo8XzQHNtnTZkVZCNYYmwPl2ilVLbwSE4BrRXY7RNEu5sLTqAw36er34T62BE/s4032/+blog%20240108%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9myrCmgmIsFE1orKqbGzL9efwTJ3Kx6-HlhtR-v-4jV_NTDs0fOIg1DWESg11ZgeciAQGwePACnxKme9pnC8q0vSBL5-w7fTZt2RYQS1ubbD7f-x1fUQwehL9HdDNnBlo8XzQHNtnTZkVZCNYYmwPl2ilVLbwSE4BrRXY7RNEu5sLTqAw36er34T62BE/w640-h480/+blog%20240108%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We celebrated with a quiet family dinner, cooked by his
daughter.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNDFSaPkTVjYeyuQq7-gBrLE0F0Bngxjq1HYAWo3i6HzdHWKENGfgnZ9szDUKpGHMPXljxv044S3gErMVIM_aYGYqCvcBxNC_K8icDDywFJcI8s10sKKgdBxECH0YY8PHszhN0rhHDnDX8qBQ4ju2h-FJp8g-MKqnacqzLdm8fX7Q8kqZRvMczrgC9iI/s4032/+blog%20240108%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNDFSaPkTVjYeyuQq7-gBrLE0F0Bngxjq1HYAWo3i6HzdHWKENGfgnZ9szDUKpGHMPXljxv044S3gErMVIM_aYGYqCvcBxNC_K8icDDywFJcI8s10sKKgdBxECH0YY8PHszhN0rhHDnDX8qBQ4ju2h-FJp8g-MKqnacqzLdm8fX7Q8kqZRvMczrgC9iI/w640-h480/+blog%20240108%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Followed by the obligatory homemade birthday cake (carrot
cake with cream cheese icing).</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vRWcOOx0QtAhi5udxkXHu-jjPfAbAqU9zxqR2v2anax3hbVAKLagLzCDOQ0C5-7K4OwK5ZIwcdfZJ0HqtPKdMF2y11HihwsIFCMgGvRWMHVuRRhBOTQ1iv0dI10M1HKcnzOFVYT-CRClrGBQ27kEPfwNttkv4VqwF92lzsq0UV_Jr_yxEhdb9PAJ-VM/s1549/+BLOG%20240108%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1549" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vRWcOOx0QtAhi5udxkXHu-jjPfAbAqU9zxqR2v2anax3hbVAKLagLzCDOQ0C5-7K4OwK5ZIwcdfZJ0HqtPKdMF2y11HihwsIFCMgGvRWMHVuRRhBOTQ1iv0dI10M1HKcnzOFVYT-CRClrGBQ27kEPfwNttkv4VqwF92lzsq0UV_Jr_yxEhdb9PAJ-VM/w640-h476/+BLOG%20240108%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">As I write this, on a Monday afternoon, the weather here is
quite sultry. Every fan in the house is
going and all the windows and outside doors are wide open to catch the
slightest hint of breeze.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The forecast is for our temperatures to be in the late 20s
(Celsius) this week. Thankfully the
mornings are cooler and I can get most of my housework done then, before I
blob-out for the rest of the afternoon!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a happy day <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-72186618116307687332024-01-05T10:22:00.000+13:002024-01-05T10:22:41.773+13:00Pineapple Upside Down Cake<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It is many, many years since I last made a Pineapple Upside
Down Cake so cooking this one was a bit of an experiment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy with how it turned out – and the
ones who ate it, were happy too!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I recently purchased a 10.25 inch Lodge cast iron skillet
and read that Upside Down Cakes were particularly good when cooked in one, and
that was enough prompt to get me to try it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Turning it out of the pan was a mission though, as I don’t
own a heat-proof plate large enough to cover the top of the skillet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That problem was solved by utilising a
ceramic tile that is usually used as a hot saucepan placemat (well washed, of
course), and then using two egg slices to carefully lift the cake onto the
serving plate.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuqfluf9p9dBjV8pkCDL8CpUk0PGX-gQoN4YtE8Ti_MTsH79ZuTPDlq-zMmN7d5bpeoA5IwyImDViwhDmqz7wFNVZCgrIUajoa6f_k111N1LkQFDvsxDBWgp9L7QTu6hxbNhmuvtiQI5zvtyY6xb4x8py9rMVkf7Yi6SSTXW8DeWGkOY99flNwApf1X8/s4032/+blog%20240105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuqfluf9p9dBjV8pkCDL8CpUk0PGX-gQoN4YtE8Ti_MTsH79ZuTPDlq-zMmN7d5bpeoA5IwyImDViwhDmqz7wFNVZCgrIUajoa6f_k111N1LkQFDvsxDBWgp9L7QTu6hxbNhmuvtiQI5zvtyY6xb4x8py9rMVkf7Yi6SSTXW8DeWGkOY99flNwApf1X8/w640-h480/+blog%20240105.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It may have turned out a little dark, as I ran out of brown sugar and had to use some muscavado</i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is the recipe I used:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size: large;">PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Drain a 420g can of pineapple rings (it contains 8 rings and
I needed 7) and make the juice up to 3/4 cup with water (if there is not enough
juice present).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place 2oz butter into
the cast iron skillet and pop it into the preheating oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the butter has melted, remove from the
oven and add 1/2 cup of brown sugar, stirring so that the base is evenly
covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arrange 7 pineapple rings in
the bottom and place a glace cherry in the centre of each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set the pan aside while making the cake
batter.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Sift together 6oz flour and 2 tsp baking powder and set
aside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cream 6oz butter with 4oz white
sugar, then beat in 2 eggs and 1/2 tsp vanilla essence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix together with the dry ingredients – the mixture
should be just pourable, so if it is too stiff then add a little milk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Pour the batter over the pineapple in the skillet, spreading
out with a spoon so the top surface is even.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes, until the cake is
golden brown and will spring back when lightly touched in the centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove pan from oven and allow to cool down
for 10 minutes (watch where you place it, the skillet is very hot).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Run a blunt knife around the edge of the cake to loosen it,
then place a plate face down on top of the pan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Using oven mitts, hold them closely together and quickly turn over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove the pan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Pineapple Upside Down Cake can be served warm as a dessert,
with whipped cream or icecream on the side, but is also nice eaten cold.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have also read that you can make this using other fruit, and
would be interested to hear if anyone has ever done this and how it turned out.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">May all your puddings be good ones <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-86581726119376414302024-01-02T12:50:00.006+13:002024-01-02T19:59:15.100+13:00The Wind In The Willows<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Ratty and Toad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mole
and Badger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can one not love these
little creatures in Kenneth Grahame’s adorable children's classic, “The Wind in the
Willows”?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There are many books that publish this tale, or parts of it,
but I was thrilled when I received this unabridged version.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is many years since I have read the whole
story – and I doubt many youngsters today would understand some of the archaic language!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It is only a small book, barely larger than a photograph,
but it is light to handle and the print is easy to read. I have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with my
old friends in this edition, put out as a Collectable Classic by Flame Tree
Publishing.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6fKmxUwDI018tMZATtuFFE9BBnWpnrBpxf6o7-uCYwqgB9PEIg3jOP-XXrbeVFA3r6bZewAWvCf5ByozREPJsEJ4OMEUtFjzPvRk8NDv0IlQJfkLibkzNRwaIXVHlPWcua9hye5cvgiqFoDDL6exctiAhA50I0HpoK17YbFoM1ypb1QFFMCVfKUJxgw/s4032/+blog%20240102%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6fKmxUwDI018tMZATtuFFE9BBnWpnrBpxf6o7-uCYwqgB9PEIg3jOP-XXrbeVFA3r6bZewAWvCf5ByozREPJsEJ4OMEUtFjzPvRk8NDv0IlQJfkLibkzNRwaIXVHlPWcua9hye5cvgiqFoDDL6exctiAhA50I0HpoK17YbFoM1ypb1QFFMCVfKUJxgw/w640-h480/+blog%20240102%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Our weather today is sunny and fairly calm, a bit different
to the gales we were punished with yesterday.
But apart from the slamming of a couple of windows (which thankfully
didn’t smash) we had an enjoyable day doing very little.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Our comfrey is growing well (almost too well!) and the bees are loving the flowers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii18I9C6GGfFkLo45S5H0B0hytLKVDOzb8xAQ8aQg95Xl6SrdaKr6aMo-ffyIqOH1R0JFagoJ-rfSojXMZFhBEarSm62Mzjge6PPQULok6LIUO1r5mA_DTghFASG1oCrRrPaYeWFPkvLsVW8wRGH1SHTCLTBI78OFFObFGzleooSxxhPyw16oWxbe_gd8/s4032/+blog%20240102%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii18I9C6GGfFkLo45S5H0B0hytLKVDOzb8xAQ8aQg95Xl6SrdaKr6aMo-ffyIqOH1R0JFagoJ-rfSojXMZFhBEarSm62Mzjge6PPQULok6LIUO1r5mA_DTghFASG1oCrRrPaYeWFPkvLsVW8wRGH1SHTCLTBI78OFFObFGzleooSxxhPyw16oWxbe_gd8/w640-h480/+blog%20240102%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I even had time yesterday to create this in my journal.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-5l9wVAxsK0qSv39Vx2DAnwI3Uc6H5dIt35STka6k04kE7U6Vy3X9xDBzlRjd9liisUs_GCElIl5a0hRQ6CShxNTI_swd9o-wGx89ycMaLKymAsQgWElSMFd0E6NFntieOryNdZ9QbzQxBAFe9nP7QRW8bKPAhMsd6f8Gmz7CNNYsE2VQf7jGOQJiTo/s4032/+blog%20240102%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-5l9wVAxsK0qSv39Vx2DAnwI3Uc6H5dIt35STka6k04kE7U6Vy3X9xDBzlRjd9liisUs_GCElIl5a0hRQ6CShxNTI_swd9o-wGx89ycMaLKymAsQgWElSMFd0E6NFntieOryNdZ9QbzQxBAFe9nP7QRW8bKPAhMsd6f8Gmz7CNNYsE2VQf7jGOQJiTo/w640-h480/+blog%20240102%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Holidays everyone <span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-60882057597316463582023-12-31T15:45:00.000+13:002023-12-31T15:45:23.839+13:00New Year Resolutions<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Making New Year resolutions has never been a big thing in my
book – perhaps I instinctively knew that it was extremely unlikely I would keep
any of them!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">But the start of a new year, like the turning of a page,
does seem to be a good time for starting off on new ventures and making new
plans.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0Uu3j9uSmc1J7DU5I5X3RluG4hLValZm5Tl17QT7VflOOXZOwWU0ztV20lklScLGvZBQcpciZJ_RYGCDAHhWtqRQg9vC9F10cDG-PiReODG9QpP6enr57ihP0s2wVNo9oxUvTdmn3F4vwg23LSG2bob3HkB64_V6Uk1tVVgqoNb4pCsb_mBCu3jBvMs/s4032/+blog%20231231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0Uu3j9uSmc1J7DU5I5X3RluG4hLValZm5Tl17QT7VflOOXZOwWU0ztV20lklScLGvZBQcpciZJ_RYGCDAHhWtqRQg9vC9F10cDG-PiReODG9QpP6enr57ihP0s2wVNo9oxUvTdmn3F4vwg23LSG2bob3HkB64_V6Uk1tVVgqoNb4pCsb_mBCu3jBvMs/w640-h480/+blog%20231231.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>A sunny day at Raglan </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps I might have more success with making resolutions if
I followed the advice of Bishop John H. Vincent and reminded myself of them
every day. He was a Methodist minister
who died in America in 1920, and in 1909 the Chautauqua Press published this
prayer by him in one of their calendars:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-size: large;">“A Resolve for Every Morning of the New Year<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I will this day try to live a simple, sincere and serene
life, repelling promptly every thought of discontent, anxiety, discouragement,
impurity and self-seeking, cultivating cheerfulness, magnanimity, charity, and
the habit of holy silence, exercising economy in expenditure, carefulness in
conversation, diligence in appointed service, fidelity to every trust and a
child-like trust in God.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I wonder how well he succeeded?</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBhu5RYM9PHqt9v0o2zbu1TP988_3Q_OHjJwHZqa07bLNr61PW4O0EuscVBdyjjFQl7q1Ez1QbqNrzy1OtbO8cVIDgy40Wd6WqeVim3vBQqjfpxT-eZ1_2c3gh4LzO1i5gB3hirWWQ1EUA9ffphJ4L49hpF4W8aZ2TjbPPebDQ43EyRezGM1mqsbWuBY/s3264/+blog%20231231%20sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBhu5RYM9PHqt9v0o2zbu1TP988_3Q_OHjJwHZqa07bLNr61PW4O0EuscVBdyjjFQl7q1Ez1QbqNrzy1OtbO8cVIDgy40Wd6WqeVim3vBQqjfpxT-eZ1_2c3gh4LzO1i5gB3hirWWQ1EUA9ffphJ4L49hpF4W8aZ2TjbPPebDQ43EyRezGM1mqsbWuBY/w640-h480/+blog%20231231%20sunrise.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The dawn of a new day</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Mittens and I wish you all a safe and happy New Year’s Eve,
and a great year in 2024 <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p> </o:p> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">HEADER PHOTO FOR JANUARY 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I took this photo in 2008 while on holiday at Papamoa beach
in the Bay of Plenty. It shows the
walkway we followed through the sand dunes to reach the white sandy beach and
the blue ocean beyond.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-63194265728043919222023-12-28T07:09:00.000+13:002023-12-28T07:09:46.205+13:00Gladioli and Grass<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I woke early this morning and decided to write this before I got up.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Butterfly Gladioli have been flowering in my garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have such pretty colours and frilly
edges and don’t grow as tall as normal gladioli, so are perfect for my little
tub-garden.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU19VZNLETonwPZ0-HhzOF5fBU7jf0D2I89qNSfQpEjNQ8MUjiHu5_6zUb0xzw43-4Qy8ZaOawh020L0gb3dFx_dKHZPEqz_9jsK_vRIugNiM8acEVleJOG4sxBWMFieum-j-luNo4wr9CNGT57HcpdYeln3fCUz1T5jfcP1eg6OwPMS8SGXa-TkhVLRw/s4032/+blog%20231228%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU19VZNLETonwPZ0-HhzOF5fBU7jf0D2I89qNSfQpEjNQ8MUjiHu5_6zUb0xzw43-4Qy8ZaOawh020L0gb3dFx_dKHZPEqz_9jsK_vRIugNiM8acEVleJOG4sxBWMFieum-j-luNo4wr9CNGT57HcpdYeln3fCUz1T5jfcP1eg6OwPMS8SGXa-TkhVLRw/w640-h480/+blog%20231228%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I seldom pick gladioli for the house, preferring to watch
them as they gradually bloom all the way up the stem, but yesterday I decided to pick some
of the tops and bring them inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This one brightens up a little spot beside the kitchen sink.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCC0nnWQU8ROaxVFF1sKV3D86hp43HZGDf9BHZySWSdLQymwSTGLIPWZgjPt40hTj2k7D_1Uo0ECckvszWDTGjZW9YyOkS0Gevcjc14kFhT1OZXJy962kpzGiI-Wxff7XqjE8wYA7q6iT0Ov-LqEE-cemi9QAfADMeYgDEOOggH4YGZnIG6K-3K_xR_M/s4032/+blog%20231228%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCC0nnWQU8ROaxVFF1sKV3D86hp43HZGDf9BHZySWSdLQymwSTGLIPWZgjPt40hTj2k7D_1Uo0ECckvszWDTGjZW9YyOkS0Gevcjc14kFhT1OZXJy962kpzGiI-Wxff7XqjE8wYA7q6iT0Ov-LqEE-cemi9QAfADMeYgDEOOggH4YGZnIG6K-3K_xR_M/w640-h480/+blog%20231228%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">When I also brought a bunch of grass seed-heads indoors, my
son thought I was a bit balmy. But now
he agrees – they really do make quite an attractive picture when you look at
them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The grass was growing wild and I have no idea what it’s name
is, I just liked the look of it!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9w8yHIhPVNz5XpD6Vtv5Iudf0Kxm28B6r-Ib8gyrwU7t_DC02bBpM7K2ZAQuOx6eUT7vt16o4lurF-9c9DVz_mejBMDj_xgWvwH4Ikr48U0gijKkX9fkYjkpxZoyQHDKsATHdZZo5KJu-xVIPi6r6TCCV37T1iRG3Ws0kAE8pvVAvz1prsZN99IhdwE/s3024/+blog%20231228%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="2161" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9w8yHIhPVNz5XpD6Vtv5Iudf0Kxm28B6r-Ib8gyrwU7t_DC02bBpM7K2ZAQuOx6eUT7vt16o4lurF-9c9DVz_mejBMDj_xgWvwH4Ikr48U0gijKkX9fkYjkpxZoyQHDKsATHdZZo5KJu-xVIPi6r6TCCV37T1iRG3Ws0kAE8pvVAvz1prsZN99IhdwE/w458-h640/+blog%20231228%203.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-36325043793691633102023-12-24T22:03:00.000+13:002023-12-24T22:03:43.418+13:00The Joy of Happiness<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Happiness is a personal choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever stopped to think what a simple pleasure
Happiness is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems to me that it is
so easy to fall into the trap of saying “I will be happy when ….,“<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>instead of appreciating the moment right now
and taking joy in it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Even when things look bad or when one is struck down with
illness, there are still moments in life when we can choose to feel happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">A decision to find happiness and gratitude for at least one
thing every day, along with a smile on the face, can help alleviate even the
worst of personal suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t
remove the problem, or make a situation any better, but it certainly makes
things easier to endure when you cultivate a happy and thankful mindset.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS7qZujq_eo0SJZGHS_EqVvN3WvgQOAP22XycxJuIrjEAY0Qi79yC7iNeDF-Nv6qtIETMpNiPvXs9i0CiZ1oTBK8Omwa54e_acRlPx26fgtE95JGDnzxl6k7V5DZrgHrwT40D2mQAvlQAyR4GiKzJup_vKNkh4EreQ7AmhSRcUeGFBlBX5NC6kEc4Yi4/s4032/++blog%20231224%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZS7qZujq_eo0SJZGHS_EqVvN3WvgQOAP22XycxJuIrjEAY0Qi79yC7iNeDF-Nv6qtIETMpNiPvXs9i0CiZ1oTBK8Omwa54e_acRlPx26fgtE95JGDnzxl6k7V5DZrgHrwT40D2mQAvlQAyR4GiKzJup_vKNkh4EreQ7AmhSRcUeGFBlBX5NC6kEc4Yi4/w640-h480/++blog%20231224%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The world we live in is a beautiful place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, awful things happen all the time, but
that is not an excuse for us to stop seeing the beauty in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">A baby or small child, sweet in all their innocence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chirping of birds, or the glow of a
pretty sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Patting a purring cat,
painting your fingernails, the smile of a friend, the sound of rain on a tin
roof, the scent of an unobtrusive flower – all these and so much else can bring
happiness into our life if we allow it.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nDC1qvYMdc6tzdLsY-ez5HvLDJUK82BNBbeGztjAXppJVReliYapeD58xrCEICk-FLTdK1gp1TuW7VucthEMbYF7b_wktGn9pbLEB0S02zZVesIRqrkOoPKSXTIok0XsbkLe8F6NZ5IFiEGmvWPzOThAuyhdXlCrIa6UagwaLa3GSLHbrqrtoEpjj3Q/s4032/++blog%20231224%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nDC1qvYMdc6tzdLsY-ez5HvLDJUK82BNBbeGztjAXppJVReliYapeD58xrCEICk-FLTdK1gp1TuW7VucthEMbYF7b_wktGn9pbLEB0S02zZVesIRqrkOoPKSXTIok0XsbkLe8F6NZ5IFiEGmvWPzOThAuyhdXlCrIa6UagwaLa3GSLHbrqrtoEpjj3Q/w640-h480/++blog%20231224%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Bible says “Seek and you shall find.” It was speaking about our relationship with
God, but the principle behind it remains valid when we consider choosing to be
happy. Seek out the joyful parts of your
life and let them put a smile on your face. <o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">May you blessed with a Happy Christmas this 2023, as you
celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ our Saviour <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-50845936361469483642023-11-10T08:38:00.000+13:002023-11-10T08:38:09.621+13:00Taking A Break<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">After several months of ill health, I guess it was
inevitable that I would eventually end up in hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I am back home now, after a battery of tests and two
abdominal surgeries, and facing six weeks of convalescence with orders to do
little or nothing for most of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have decided to take a little blogging break during this
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully, if things work out alright,
I should be back again around Christmas or New Year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep smiling (the best way to face adversity, and it gives
you less wrinkles than frowning!),<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span> xx</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-6015707877476045622023-10-19T15:35:00.000+13:002023-10-19T15:35:57.874+13:00Firsts<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a first for this coming summer season – we put the
umbrella up out on the deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was
almost too warm to sit outside in, and I appreciated being able to sit beneath
the shade of the umbrella.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDRjGXWI3tBcjvyPTEmmM4_TLs1u0lubTJe09V7A3n4NcyDtlLivFuNx3doDuXoQ3BrJSH5HZDgu9QgrrGfagt0sJi6T5CT4YF2j1mDSLDelN4UNULIWKJa1jPnE4Op6saOQEsNBUh5fidyGUM5U5BLeKQSfvFbPXISnptDC6x_284Pqri8Dawxh35lg/s4032/+blog%20231019%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDRjGXWI3tBcjvyPTEmmM4_TLs1u0lubTJe09V7A3n4NcyDtlLivFuNx3doDuXoQ3BrJSH5HZDgu9QgrrGfagt0sJi6T5CT4YF2j1mDSLDelN4UNULIWKJa1jPnE4Op6saOQEsNBUh5fidyGUM5U5BLeKQSfvFbPXISnptDC6x_284Pqri8Dawxh35lg/w640-h480/+blog%20231019%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Millie and Mittens enjoyed being outside with me.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3P-dHHE7gaA38U0D9nllQs54SxEI1AVHnuhTzh92rdkqlePL8ltowjWpY4-DvFUB3N7EGkahdKtMELsHQdg2XhRhbGNvKtgPdbwazekM4jav_BigF-yXNye0-_gbCWYrXBj2Epuo9Y8byjyGRbOCQMc2xsiH3kpgM8RedR4AiwyB2x0EyOeRnSganqBs/s4032/+blog%20231019%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3P-dHHE7gaA38U0D9nllQs54SxEI1AVHnuhTzh92rdkqlePL8ltowjWpY4-DvFUB3N7EGkahdKtMELsHQdg2XhRhbGNvKtgPdbwazekM4jav_BigF-yXNye0-_gbCWYrXBj2Epuo9Y8byjyGRbOCQMc2xsiH3kpgM8RedR4AiwyB2x0EyOeRnSganqBs/w640-h480/+blog%20231019%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The garden is also showing signs of First – this is the
first time my iceplant has flowered for me.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_BK3mexb9GsQbf3SAvxnm2JCeZ7cl8vSzg6yOvEwczXpV9EXGHCLzMJnDb-UP2KPF0DVqUqEWhfYZ5VmYYDZFpbIeLBYmfqZpMcPTs3GpCYvsfA9b208dHb9QF4puQwsrz-6Rl4dcTdlJgw0LaCI1dauCfOoBTKAxW05V3TvzeQOXvH20v-tLepLWCk/s4032/+blog%20231019%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_BK3mexb9GsQbf3SAvxnm2JCeZ7cl8vSzg6yOvEwczXpV9EXGHCLzMJnDb-UP2KPF0DVqUqEWhfYZ5VmYYDZFpbIeLBYmfqZpMcPTs3GpCYvsfA9b208dHb9QF4puQwsrz-6Rl4dcTdlJgw0LaCI1dauCfOoBTKAxW05V3TvzeQOXvH20v-tLepLWCk/w640-h480/+blog%20231019%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The first of the strawberries are beginning to ripen.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIFEChLxmTvVa8ZsjqEw2Smplr9WD4Parox4A8lQToH48ay0ztIB6ros2o3t7UucBfoAx2_DBYW7dcHvFyofTojfH52WywvT_1IKudpJnpcAiVWG3rSIeRBCDqDi1KzoNUibSoZTl5TDBBp0g3nvUSzbDWo2QhGWSqTjHShyZECX1M3KgnHIndmGvLt4/s4032/+blog%20231019%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIFEChLxmTvVa8ZsjqEw2Smplr9WD4Parox4A8lQToH48ay0ztIB6ros2o3t7UucBfoAx2_DBYW7dcHvFyofTojfH52WywvT_1IKudpJnpcAiVWG3rSIeRBCDqDi1KzoNUibSoZTl5TDBBp0g3nvUSzbDWo2QhGWSqTjHShyZECX1M3KgnHIndmGvLt4/w640-h480/+blog%20231019%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">And the first of the grapes are beginning to show
themselves.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLFOyZzivZFn0Zt3-RlNHjSn-ARoM8C3yy43KLYEARrFc7U0eOH2VEaVCTJY8ymElMO-Gwdib7Hl_wbNss-xAq8neJq7f3k4AcfrkH8FXlG-ZXyirhFlXyzDkhbQV7OetekoIKQhceBTmqNIHjBXQloeRiGmRh4LSg-FxgjCrsH19lrgT4NUklwfgLkU/s4032/+blog%20231019%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLFOyZzivZFn0Zt3-RlNHjSn-ARoM8C3yy43KLYEARrFc7U0eOH2VEaVCTJY8ymElMO-Gwdib7Hl_wbNss-xAq8neJq7f3k4AcfrkH8FXlG-ZXyirhFlXyzDkhbQV7OetekoIKQhceBTmqNIHjBXQloeRiGmRh4LSg-FxgjCrsH19lrgT4NUklwfgLkU/w640-h480/+blog%20231019%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I am still struggling with health issues, so my apologies
for not visiting blogland very much. It takes so long to get to see a doctor
these days (unless you are a medical emergency and can call the ambulance), and
I still have a week to go before I get to see mine again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">At least the sun is shining <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-15911622810834664762023-10-08T09:37:00.000+13:002023-10-08T09:37:53.726+13:00Te Parapara<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Last Wednesday, when I went for a stroll through Hamilton
Gardens, I mentioned I visited a few of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One was Te Parapara, the Maori kumara garden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the entrance gate to the garden.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljyFuYl3AlfJkRCkoh4qr4s6bZZNNP_ShyphenhyphenPtRqmaj-jJNP6S7oQWTd-EehPpv75JhMQzFfdd5LDCZNb9fyXjarmPjU04YoZ4wmg_bKuD4DPBrFzZn_VMUKa8c_d3AGubRvB4Zu2HGbbQ5BF2yFZ5vg2r-yP2cJBTXUPxIiRZdf_I-KBGZceP_5W0P9u0/s4032/+blog%20231008%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljyFuYl3AlfJkRCkoh4qr4s6bZZNNP_ShyphenhyphenPtRqmaj-jJNP6S7oQWTd-EehPpv75JhMQzFfdd5LDCZNb9fyXjarmPjU04YoZ4wmg_bKuD4DPBrFzZn_VMUKa8c_d3AGubRvB4Zu2HGbbQ5BF2yFZ5vg2r-yP2cJBTXUPxIiRZdf_I-KBGZceP_5W0P9u0/w640-h480/+blog%20231008%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Outside the enclosure was this building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a pity that there is not more signage
around, as I would have liked to have known what its purpose was meant to be.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfASP8u9oQ7j5B9XCLE0Z8A5VRlFVx7y0kCw6BV_itEj6EQHh8-ynVeJAfzl9XvjJAnpMIqFK6MSaQmEXzalhAUZ6d45hlT4HZJWzLVLJw5-KaQHr20ManAKG4LYmaMHksc4mSmeXYvXIqTvdnetE_1QgrWz3QCP12dgZx4kuovLQkNGGxouH8QQhF6yY/s4032/+blog%20231008%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfASP8u9oQ7j5B9XCLE0Z8A5VRlFVx7y0kCw6BV_itEj6EQHh8-ynVeJAfzl9XvjJAnpMIqFK6MSaQmEXzalhAUZ6d45hlT4HZJWzLVLJw5-KaQHr20ManAKG4LYmaMHksc4mSmeXYvXIqTvdnetE_1QgrWz3QCP12dgZx4kuovLQkNGGxouH8QQhF6yY/w640-h480/+blog%20231008%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This building, built to sit above ground, looks like a storehouse
for the kumara when it is harvested.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38aZeJh4CQXSBzFpW561AAWOnE2PoSVipLlG4o5qXSTXJxONjS8S2U6o5eR6WU9V855Sr-LEn4xe3VHSfWErDmPmhQsiZZHk-Ifiyx6i7glNc3jiwL6IcNo98CbqTqbUgmWTzte6RuLYcjutgmSy08rwc0Lwqzjhjdso8LUaDCVN1S4eDYeMo5bq6nKA/s4032/+blog%20231008%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38aZeJh4CQXSBzFpW561AAWOnE2PoSVipLlG4o5qXSTXJxONjS8S2U6o5eR6WU9V855Sr-LEn4xe3VHSfWErDmPmhQsiZZHk-Ifiyx6i7glNc3jiwL6IcNo98CbqTqbUgmWTzte6RuLYcjutgmSy08rwc0Lwqzjhjdso8LUaDCVN1S4eDYeMo5bq6nKA/w640-h480/+blog%20231008%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The ground is currently being prepared to be ready for
kumara planting time, when that arrives.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9_iHwEWUq96G87IuIcBI0KRYizZ-5aZrT4ik4wQLKQJ-rRuiWaawBBdg9j_HdKi3kB9dvYwSzdOYTDQum3Cf4cYUX08rCZ17SiqFCdDUDxR-XDzT5umDoOrPQsJq8fwJwRRwovbMlvU7EHwqBATDIUFJ9ZbPSMpZgFHvnhuwdWksXXLGSU9wgr5hYfA/s4032/+blog%20231008%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9_iHwEWUq96G87IuIcBI0KRYizZ-5aZrT4ik4wQLKQJ-rRuiWaawBBdg9j_HdKi3kB9dvYwSzdOYTDQum3Cf4cYUX08rCZ17SiqFCdDUDxR-XDzT5umDoOrPQsJq8fwJwRRwovbMlvU7EHwqBATDIUFJ9ZbPSMpZgFHvnhuwdWksXXLGSU9wgr5hYfA/w640-h480/+blog%20231008%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This photo, taken in 2020, shows what the kumara look like
when they are half-grown.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfzXPZ_QQ7Y7da9KuRbJXO7JiGwQT476u3_iCatWcIBeY7Qmpme8d0hDWghSzCl6l97ySij0VlJQ_IXP-7sSCYVucfwboMX5W_UkIDr7eVYmEdbPkiLLvOrNqUfyo3GphvOIBg-jzjUDP5Qk3-WIuT_5YhsQ4k8R2jaUK6vqljgYRyPVXVcykWDTzkAw/s640/+blog%20231008%205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfzXPZ_QQ7Y7da9KuRbJXO7JiGwQT476u3_iCatWcIBeY7Qmpme8d0hDWghSzCl6l97ySij0VlJQ_IXP-7sSCYVucfwboMX5W_UkIDr7eVYmEdbPkiLLvOrNqUfyo3GphvOIBg-jzjUDP5Qk3-WIuT_5YhsQ4k8R2jaUK6vqljgYRyPVXVcykWDTzkAw/w640-h480/+blog%20231008%205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m not sure what this building represents (it may be another
type of storehouse), but it is obviously tied up with fertility!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMgXo18tn36X-egRgn8xV5m0G6-5x4qyiQ2TLKac9x4kgUpAKQh2ItyAbkJ8eiLGmGCyS0F4X_j6c90zJhD1jb8GVkS_v7Vfd63j0D9uAOFivqc4yosa6GieFlBF_hMTPto_aG2_pK-xKcrfnV5GZskCO-lELgVkBtcyMFoEARBsRxeCx18KtP5sWxLg/s4032/+blog%20231008%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMgXo18tn36X-egRgn8xV5m0G6-5x4qyiQ2TLKac9x4kgUpAKQh2ItyAbkJ8eiLGmGCyS0F4X_j6c90zJhD1jb8GVkS_v7Vfd63j0D9uAOFivqc4yosa6GieFlBF_hMTPto_aG2_pK-xKcrfnV5GZskCO-lELgVkBtcyMFoEARBsRxeCx18KtP5sWxLg/w480-h640/+blog%20231008%206.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">These carvings look to me like they are there to protect the
crop.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mt7PnwJI7miTclrh83kR_6QWitVe7Q-2pbBQLtc7GFNkiyt4tFvWtJidZAyNF6zruB89YcytxEgEmwPafCmmh1_ITQuaqEiV7YcLOKr6fRuNOdcG9zaRETik92KNVzMm7kPXELougzrrSV0fdWYqVRP5pacT84p8lPzGYBTvkRJF2lPK12IleCBFkkc/s4032/+blog%20231008%207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1mt7PnwJI7miTclrh83kR_6QWitVe7Q-2pbBQLtc7GFNkiyt4tFvWtJidZAyNF6zruB89YcytxEgEmwPafCmmh1_ITQuaqEiV7YcLOKr6fRuNOdcG9zaRETik92KNVzMm7kPXELougzrrSV0fdWYqVRP5pacT84p8lPzGYBTvkRJF2lPK12IleCBFkkc/w640-h480/+blog%20231008%207.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Around the outside of the garden there is a planting of native
plants. I believe these are to represent
the food that was gathered from the wild, as opposed to what was cultivated.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NMIXSMJ1Zo2BKHu67iFq1YIIayakG0Q9nbPAtoTOCIwBzrFMV1NfgTDmpOIsengQybdYn0Hfl94th34xAKTyfVn3uw9sIGMc7vcW9Bh0-YPCGu8PTa9QSasGtnbtiMs1zaFaqImxSgZnPqbB-9wXiijtK1uG-ZJImlN5fVq5XpwHHn-_QnW8ETJyZbc/s4032/+blog%20231008%208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-NMIXSMJ1Zo2BKHu67iFq1YIIayakG0Q9nbPAtoTOCIwBzrFMV1NfgTDmpOIsengQybdYn0Hfl94th34xAKTyfVn3uw9sIGMc7vcW9Bh0-YPCGu8PTa9QSasGtnbtiMs1zaFaqImxSgZnPqbB-9wXiijtK1uG-ZJImlN5fVq5XpwHHn-_QnW8ETJyZbc/w640-h480/+blog%20231008%208.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Our weather today (Sunday) is misty drizzle. Hopefully, this coming week will bring some
more lovely sunny days with it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Stay happy <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <o:p></o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-36780478049472128762023-10-05T10:26:00.000+13:002023-10-05T10:26:32.811+13:00Chinese Scholar's Garden<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It was such a sunny day yesterday that I visited the
Hamilton Gardens for a walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I especially wanted to visit the Chinese Scholar’s Garden
(also known as the Garden of Retreat-in-Flowing-Happiness) so I could see the
wisteria in bloom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This garden follows the Taoist tradition and portrays a
miniature of the cosmos (mountains, lakes, cliffs etc), where scholars could
relax, meditate, write poems, play music and so on.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEOeJdyzDLfy5T0vPuZRFiVBJi4yKgW8NBb9Pjvxq_IYENnfroeuRt9w0Lie8siMWGY-B5385npEWEnh3FwuAxAd9jhoXCrmV6d5GXJMuJQjRBBTZiRtR29E-JAtogiLQGDDPlDJuHe6PRTT87bX3becCME5VGMIDFurNwShRys-0ueRpB-gtyX8pj90/s4032/+blog%20231005%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEOeJdyzDLfy5T0vPuZRFiVBJi4yKgW8NBb9Pjvxq_IYENnfroeuRt9w0Lie8siMWGY-B5385npEWEnh3FwuAxAd9jhoXCrmV6d5GXJMuJQjRBBTZiRtR29E-JAtogiLQGDDPlDJuHe6PRTT87bX3becCME5VGMIDFurNwShRys-0ueRpB-gtyX8pj90/w640-h480/+blog%20231005%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">A short walk leads down to the Blossom Court where one can
enter the Arbour of Lingering Fragrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jasmine grows freely over the arbour frame and the scent can be
heavenly.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVUAehxm3xh1ZIaTqv7DZpwWODKNSjAWABCybgZyaiitJCERl5EmmqfpAgzJA4USpv_aJbjH2dDGSOZTpaCuLXEx_AUUTw0XqaY6sH_2_AwmR_1KWbhcbcSX_AehhExHLas1dhBfabveUVmt9DOUwmbendNaeb8U-f_BBbgNZQn8hW6G8-DiKnnTdmmM/s4032/+blog%20231005%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVUAehxm3xh1ZIaTqv7DZpwWODKNSjAWABCybgZyaiitJCERl5EmmqfpAgzJA4USpv_aJbjH2dDGSOZTpaCuLXEx_AUUTw0XqaY6sH_2_AwmR_1KWbhcbcSX_AehhExHLas1dhBfabveUVmt9DOUwmbendNaeb8U-f_BBbgNZQn8hW6G8-DiKnnTdmmM/w640-h480/+blog%20231005%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Exiting from the Arbour through a Moon Gate, the Moon &
Lily Lake and the Wisteria Bridge come into view.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsR8MRxOSkMmW9Ye6A1qinFNfJET8JpCQqxuIO28EB8-x-JPIpedGMDOIg87kYIqG1eXHHY4gePBq-9zbg3pZcTXVDAcc8WHhA5CinX45T-GzWME-vZfF7040B89z9_LvxxQCOWZgK6C4Ejp2TGeePk60FSgoJraH0xitY_0J20lGMi78Vxq0DJzjecM/s4032/+blog%20231005%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsR8MRxOSkMmW9Ye6A1qinFNfJET8JpCQqxuIO28EB8-x-JPIpedGMDOIg87kYIqG1eXHHY4gePBq-9zbg3pZcTXVDAcc8WHhA5CinX45T-GzWME-vZfF7040B89z9_LvxxQCOWZgK6C4Ejp2TGeePk60FSgoJraH0xitY_0J20lGMi78Vxq0DJzjecM/w640-h480/+blog%20231005%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately the wisteria was not in bloom, although it was
in other parts of the garden. I am
wondering if perhaps it had been severely pruned this last year and was still
in recovery mode.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I found this photo, taken in 2019, to give an idea of what
it can look like.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6omjf3PFHDoKE44zn3pTmJqendk0T5cmJt1thj-qTglEdnzOpSaNC4wtvHQfeYR0rPaLE384pCdo-YTw_Qchc6RibcmX84-zGOhf5BZ_brH5rgHTZ_-eNCqITWkmjTMYO8x-p88Zzyv-C1QAh5ladbEhrLpZCnrFoOMMLdXoUoFzEd-IQ7VWkgXKCug/s4320/+blog%20231005%204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6omjf3PFHDoKE44zn3pTmJqendk0T5cmJt1thj-qTglEdnzOpSaNC4wtvHQfeYR0rPaLE384pCdo-YTw_Qchc6RibcmX84-zGOhf5BZ_brH5rgHTZ_-eNCqITWkmjTMYO8x-p88Zzyv-C1QAh5ladbEhrLpZCnrFoOMMLdXoUoFzEd-IQ7VWkgXKCug/w640-h480/+blog%20231005%204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The walk continues over the Wisteria Bridge and on to the
Island of Whispering Birds (don’t you just love all the names?) before crossing
the Willow Bridge and entering the Bamboo Walk.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4KFM2I05s7_d52I-DkAMOv0eLSju8OzNAIKRZvtgEILZO2HL2-2sj5JXPUN_etYV4T4Na0kpa6DIEvjEsFtkvxGst8JKchrnZulaA4e0w3XkMf_AhYNNdnX7lREMNzOC7-h1xPjCw-hZc12W1YfO7GO6QIdCdGqWtHRruOC-bo6I_lp9Hi2IBappgLI/s4032/+blog%20231005%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4KFM2I05s7_d52I-DkAMOv0eLSju8OzNAIKRZvtgEILZO2HL2-2sj5JXPUN_etYV4T4Na0kpa6DIEvjEsFtkvxGst8JKchrnZulaA4e0w3XkMf_AhYNNdnX7lREMNzOC7-h1xPjCw-hZc12W1YfO7GO6QIdCdGqWtHRruOC-bo6I_lp9Hi2IBappgLI/w640-h480/+blog%20231005%205.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">At the top of the hill, can be found the Celestial Turtle of
Taihu Lake, presented to Hamilton by its Chinese sister-city, Wuxi.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYiIWfdMhAdaGhRV3Ck47YfQMYn87d2Suo41ys7W3WcDDfDbJKIHAmi-QiXuy4gnCO_yIV88eFQCclKR1kC-6qApmjRT17QlBTwbId-0e4d8y1Mva1Bd76v6tQILCDmpBY-BBM5VjrYnwVb-6rHPy2RJce9j1-fabjbszsRg5INcoNc0jAYaIU1dh5ZU/s3092/+blog%20231005%206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2319" data-original-width="3092" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYiIWfdMhAdaGhRV3Ck47YfQMYn87d2Suo41ys7W3WcDDfDbJKIHAmi-QiXuy4gnCO_yIV88eFQCclKR1kC-6qApmjRT17QlBTwbId-0e4d8y1Mva1Bd76v6tQILCDmpBY-BBM5VjrYnwVb-6rHPy2RJce9j1-fabjbszsRg5INcoNc0jAYaIU1dh5ZU/w640-h480/+blog%20231005%206.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Nearby is the Golden Pavilion, a great place to stop for a
while before heading back down to the garden’s exit.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH39j2NX2u7nArP0P0sgdiZKbxeZKAWBSyUH72AJaKSMjEGyBNNG-On0e05DnNl_BerJUmkn2jdD_90rfYCaneZ3fQyM9LkSWvV2PCtqZI47p2_ovWuI-ODpvZ2Y6NVgy9_eAp8xtD6FG5nAWXMQLJJkpZjMTBnRXIqxxfYVfa4fwU8jpT-zvZodOistY/s4320/+BLOG%20231005%207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH39j2NX2u7nArP0P0sgdiZKbxeZKAWBSyUH72AJaKSMjEGyBNNG-On0e05DnNl_BerJUmkn2jdD_90rfYCaneZ3fQyM9LkSWvV2PCtqZI47p2_ovWuI-ODpvZ2Y6NVgy9_eAp8xtD6FG5nAWXMQLJJkpZjMTBnRXIqxxfYVfa4fwU8jpT-zvZodOistY/w640-h480/+BLOG%20231005%207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I also wandered around a couple more gardens, but those can
wait for another day <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-82017904433651180042023-10-03T11:09:00.000+13:002023-10-03T11:09:39.059+13:00Morning Tea For One<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Crackers with cheese and some kind of relish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has become my standard mid-morning snack
(sometimes I add a piece of fresh fruit as well) and seems to be doing the
trick.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My doctor wanted me to eat smaller meals more frequently and
so that is what I have been trying to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It isn’t easy!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Old habits die hard, and I have found it difficult to eat
less for my main meals and increase my daytime snacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the results are showing the effort is
worthwhile, and my digestive system is coping much better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Not that you want to hear too much about my digestive
system!!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuQefyDXZEVa3vd56t2yDUjAQCe94q2CTZw_mw8WY7L79y8OHHBZbbkPfYO2JjvI3zebVEVqUGlGUuCMAD8ujr_XuOnnT7Ytd3wrL9qLDl6BBNCGGudNJvGtgsX8g_tn3Rm-Z3xEQ9LsE11rAPmls4zooCn7wC3VTeW1xz3AdWq79B9rh3187PlgOrGs/s4032/+blog%20231003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuQefyDXZEVa3vd56t2yDUjAQCe94q2CTZw_mw8WY7L79y8OHHBZbbkPfYO2JjvI3zebVEVqUGlGUuCMAD8ujr_XuOnnT7Ytd3wrL9qLDl6BBNCGGudNJvGtgsX8g_tn3Rm-Z3xEQ9LsE11rAPmls4zooCn7wC3VTeW1xz3AdWq79B9rh3187PlgOrGs/w640-h480/+blog%20231003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Our weather continues to be typical springtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From gale force winds and rain overnight,
today it is much calmer and the sun is even shining at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow morning, they are forecasting
near-frost temperatures for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Nature takes it all in her stride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The birds continue nesting (the sparrows have
fledged now) and the plants and lawn are growing apace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep smiling <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067146400874135525.post-12226229769538388802023-10-01T09:01:00.000+13:002023-10-01T09:01:49.880+13:00The Orchid Show<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The National Orchid Show (named Orchids & More) has been here at Hamilton this
year, so I took the opportunity of visiting it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Orchids may not be my most favourite bloom, but I was impressed by the
variety available and the richness of so many of the colours was amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Each individual Orchid Society had their own display – some
of them quite impressive – and there were also stands selling plants and pots
and fertilizers etc.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5IgwAizh8rC7M1xCzF-cqjKWw60p_prW-vQp63VwBWn-NNiHj_4rAU_Fee_tHhcXX90tksQjrAREttKxXxSrq4c-kAjkKcAf47Hsoj9We7Px8_OTZgCLNaxxXrImrdFda3iaHswFAl3FjmNFnQfxtqdwo18v2LzvWG7Ew-0lFS5X_a1UpAAs66_4QE4/s4032/+blog%20231001%2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5IgwAizh8rC7M1xCzF-cqjKWw60p_prW-vQp63VwBWn-NNiHj_4rAU_Fee_tHhcXX90tksQjrAREttKxXxSrq4c-kAjkKcAf47Hsoj9We7Px8_OTZgCLNaxxXrImrdFda3iaHswFAl3FjmNFnQfxtqdwo18v2LzvWG7Ew-0lFS5X_a1UpAAs66_4QE4/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRsS8AlKw9sAvZ2YLQROULS8OStvTHJsxgAQn5ZAczEcw12-D0Wg0cFRKPyoj5Ivo-5AeTRmmqIeWDJbUxj5en3JTc8jQpL2wWhZXVU90k9Tn0N5Ye-2V1SyBp1id9Dq20Sc4aielcR-6SineTNh-CdH7GOMQIJ_UG8i_2MSOwvHDX675YLWU9yXFzyc/s4032/+blog%20231001%2002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRsS8AlKw9sAvZ2YLQROULS8OStvTHJsxgAQn5ZAczEcw12-D0Wg0cFRKPyoj5Ivo-5AeTRmmqIeWDJbUxj5en3JTc8jQpL2wWhZXVU90k9Tn0N5Ye-2V1SyBp1id9Dq20Sc4aielcR-6SineTNh-CdH7GOMQIJ_UG8i_2MSOwvHDX675YLWU9yXFzyc/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pmRDtqinzrQne1wFpIXtB75AEfTfZlFpO1WcLSc4kv7O1AITQF9MW2E5Flaj5jvXhAaM5ypLs0pLzMMRBOjpOrKRLoZIeygARVSO8XbnOSzl5m5CTN83R_xKsC5d929vAp8HhQBiNo2bMVnhLY6kpvkIDaUtvIx3q0WER4-D-MQvsoENBlWcjTC18BM/s4032/+blog%20231001%2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pmRDtqinzrQne1wFpIXtB75AEfTfZlFpO1WcLSc4kv7O1AITQF9MW2E5Flaj5jvXhAaM5ypLs0pLzMMRBOjpOrKRLoZIeygARVSO8XbnOSzl5m5CTN83R_xKsC5d929vAp8HhQBiNo2bMVnhLY6kpvkIDaUtvIx3q0WER4-D-MQvsoENBlWcjTC18BM/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5hNFv99bQUSMdOCdJokW5k9VaQodVPybL72WgIa_Q39XpiasLsa0T-owqAXuoKlF3TT6nVe8JVWSN1x_AzWy1Poo-DN3-IK2TKK_wOKax9RLcIwvBC5Iuwm650mfGFt_cwh1zpb7AQLKy7-OkSLI24jL3eJTHdHtEqibem_YZLfE9jhlbnuV0fk-J6Q/s4032/+blog%20231001%2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5hNFv99bQUSMdOCdJokW5k9VaQodVPybL72WgIa_Q39XpiasLsa0T-owqAXuoKlF3TT6nVe8JVWSN1x_AzWy1Poo-DN3-IK2TKK_wOKax9RLcIwvBC5Iuwm650mfGFt_cwh1zpb7AQLKy7-OkSLI24jL3eJTHdHtEqibem_YZLfE9jhlbnuV0fk-J6Q/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsytb7-2tfH70QYVuWhz7MxKUlblNz0lQ3S_y2gpQWMYURd5lNUeKGiuzh4Vb3KAPfOafqsxG6ZQMC8zDjv1ZSjo-SKw0ov6dYEIhSLs7dDBHUDLShH7eq9LmF0xdQOZPzxrRsBddufkPvcLtXBrJLoYFouyztpKGABnK7ByclgQu7g8FBmB2WHwCji8/s4032/+blog%20231001%2005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsytb7-2tfH70QYVuWhz7MxKUlblNz0lQ3S_y2gpQWMYURd5lNUeKGiuzh4Vb3KAPfOafqsxG6ZQMC8zDjv1ZSjo-SKw0ov6dYEIhSLs7dDBHUDLShH7eq9LmF0xdQOZPzxrRsBddufkPvcLtXBrJLoYFouyztpKGABnK7ByclgQu7g8FBmB2WHwCji8/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWZcxc5SUBt6GQ-qDkfL3cq2Ct2qY_w2eJSznwC0HEMupUSywwy20mlEp80v10kYosjW5pJbZuGXWwxSQ_mITyxGqciYgLqnH7jddox1U3ER7Fc-6lqzBu1c139P6OFcRlHMUw6ppZwUkWUxGlEXXX8akU_R7ynxTQ0gRLe2cGZ8l2l9WYEUSGrkVh1w/s4032/+blog%20231001%2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWZcxc5SUBt6GQ-qDkfL3cq2Ct2qY_w2eJSznwC0HEMupUSywwy20mlEp80v10kYosjW5pJbZuGXWwxSQ_mITyxGqciYgLqnH7jddox1U3ER7Fc-6lqzBu1c139P6OFcRlHMUw6ppZwUkWUxGlEXXX8akU_R7ynxTQ0gRLe2cGZ8l2l9WYEUSGrkVh1w/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fyVx74rrDLfNkfO4Zm_EYg3cRJmMR4gLU0PkyjPQazY3PcaGbFnSRgp32WXtEtBPxJRPxRjb95g1iNbiJMArTMriZn7Cl9W6FGsWjSk_KLb-Ud_A3GUfKg6EQ-5SsH90F9q3rPRCY0TCIjW79U6VxuMB5qXk30AblO5lI56YwzIypGm1TRxcs6ttbkw/s4032/+blog%20231001%2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fyVx74rrDLfNkfO4Zm_EYg3cRJmMR4gLU0PkyjPQazY3PcaGbFnSRgp32WXtEtBPxJRPxRjb95g1iNbiJMArTMriZn7Cl9W6FGsWjSk_KLb-Ud_A3GUfKg6EQ-5SsH90F9q3rPRCY0TCIjW79U6VxuMB5qXk30AblO5lI56YwzIypGm1TRxcs6ttbkw/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVPNw65-n0yMsKrwyybTGkZZIQ1_tScN6Jh4INF-WZtyMiy6niLsWJ9koDikdq3swtA4MJPUH_2-Lx1WsFsZyIL05R2hdcmbxhVD6uXe9x7OFzdk0YAi-p6zznf_eVwcYpCoM26nWLRrwAy7NTlzFYr-mnu0CKzBPFp8_34RhhKomwCLqfH5W-CNgyoA/s4032/+blog%20231001%2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVPNw65-n0yMsKrwyybTGkZZIQ1_tScN6Jh4INF-WZtyMiy6niLsWJ9koDikdq3swtA4MJPUH_2-Lx1WsFsZyIL05R2hdcmbxhVD6uXe9x7OFzdk0YAi-p6zznf_eVwcYpCoM26nWLRrwAy7NTlzFYr-mnu0CKzBPFp8_34RhhKomwCLqfH5W-CNgyoA/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-frDyOMZF9GYtdU59VXcg5qTCNU9r4MkILSwl019MCgOc6w4sg0r1d0rE8wq7aQmPDEeFpvINpcVPN2QJV-ohJNjp8JDgn1f0KyXdgiSG95djUyKXNEe7kg8kBnZsXPDIzKqGXSHCN0uJ7avzTgcu28EUYIOMzBMG6sOkBpwIVdEx7GC_ILTMK13W_k/s4032/+blog%20231001%2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-frDyOMZF9GYtdU59VXcg5qTCNU9r4MkILSwl019MCgOc6w4sg0r1d0rE8wq7aQmPDEeFpvINpcVPN2QJV-ohJNjp8JDgn1f0KyXdgiSG95djUyKXNEe7kg8kBnZsXPDIzKqGXSHCN0uJ7avzTgcu28EUYIOMzBMG6sOkBpwIVdEx7GC_ILTMK13W_k/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1SHI9Xr5eSQ92H5BvUWm3LbsHiVFWwoQGA6HelmB7aFdgBW7mcE_hmk8cFQfyOeoDeWgKhRmEKg6q3NmI8njEj8T1EYNzVR9YHl0KZ9kouWndoYMcoKOept6VEMbsb3gzqcQ0HlC1CYgK5o1Ysw6sP_P2ZacSOkRhDBWhxo-rvK-p6yw16QkBZZ5Qq0/s4032/+blog%20231001%2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1SHI9Xr5eSQ92H5BvUWm3LbsHiVFWwoQGA6HelmB7aFdgBW7mcE_hmk8cFQfyOeoDeWgKhRmEKg6q3NmI8njEj8T1EYNzVR9YHl0KZ9kouWndoYMcoKOept6VEMbsb3gzqcQ0HlC1CYgK5o1Ysw6sP_P2ZacSOkRhDBWhxo-rvK-p6yw16QkBZZ5Qq0/w640-h480/+blog%20231001%2010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">It did not take me very long to see everything, but I will
say I really enjoyed my visit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Margaret <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">HEADER PHOTO FOR OCTOBER 2023<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Wairere Falls has the distinction of being the highest
waterfall in the North Island (153 metres) and is found in the Kaimai Ranges
near Matamata. It is visible for miles
around, and after heavy rain can look quite spectacular. There is a track that leads to the top,
involving a steep flight of steps at one stage.
Although the walk is quite picturesque, it can also be quite challenging
for the unprepared. The views from the
top are what makes the trek worthwhile.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Bu1f8HUT8wi3p41PdQgDFEAWGo0szS5CnWaj3UurTMIJtLY5PGs8e5k0BEvkaNEo_5z3Q3VgoxVHHa3hzQw8CT9JjQo18C15oIBE6fe6VHOUfZ4bllomgtNGrLuL_e4hWv9-8aZiRdJQ77nsW9AHNSJQzxaCJOArLRrdd2CywrAzVeS6ekNzmrtO4VA/s3264/+HEADER%20231001%20Wairere%20Falls%202008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Bu1f8HUT8wi3p41PdQgDFEAWGo0szS5CnWaj3UurTMIJtLY5PGs8e5k0BEvkaNEo_5z3Q3VgoxVHHa3hzQw8CT9JjQo18C15oIBE6fe6VHOUfZ4bllomgtNGrLuL_e4hWv9-8aZiRdJQ77nsW9AHNSJQzxaCJOArLRrdd2CywrAzVeS6ekNzmrtO4VA/w640-h480/+HEADER%20231001%20Wairere%20Falls%202008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>At Home In New Zealandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.com10