Retiring For The Night

 

Here is today's quote:

“In retiring for the night, it is well to remember that early rising is almost impossible, if late going to bed be the order, or rather disorder, of the house.  The youngest members of a family should go early and at regular hours to their beds, and the domestics as soon as possible after a reasonably appointed hour.  Either the master or the mistress of a house should, after all have gone to their separate rooms, see that all is right with respect to the lights and fires below; and no servants should, on any account, be allowed to remain up after the heads of the house have retired.”

This little gem of wisdom was written by Mrs Isabella Beeton in her 1861 book “Beeton’s Book of Household Management.”  This book became a famous English compendium on how to run a home (with servants), and how to cook almost anything. 

The book I own is a first edition facsimile and makes a fascinating read.

Margaret xx 

Cupboard Cleaning

It looks like I am getting Spring Fever in the house as well as the garden this year (the gardening bug always bites me in Spring).

I have this urge to further downsize my possessions. I think part of it is laziness - I want things to be really easy to care for.  Gone are the days of energetic housework!

First it was sorting the pantry (which is working well), and now I have  turned out the small sideboard cupboard and removed several items I seldom, if ever, use.

A wipe down of the shelves, things put back, and I am happy it no longer looks crammed with items.

I tidied the top as well (the flowers are artificial but perfect for this dark corner), but still have the drawers to do yet.

Cleaning and clearing things out feels good!

Margaret xx 

Our Garden Today

Our skies this morning were cloudless and blue, and I took advantage of the sunshine to wander around all of our garden.

This pretty show of snapdragons and wallflowers is part of my tub garden. 

The geraniums are starting to flower.

I see in the photo there is a paper wasp sitting on the house wall. Horrible things.

These Dutch Irises have only opened in the last couple of days.

The jellybean succulent is blooming.  It always reminds me of my grandmother who used to grow the same species in this same urn some sixty years ago.  It was one of the first plants I ever remember noticing as a child.

(Those are paua shells surrounding it)

One of our neighbours have let their clematis scramble over the wall, making a pretty show in our shared driveway. 

I love the shadow silhouettes as much as the flowers. 

I gave the new seedlings a watering and picked some sweetpeas to bring indoors.

Their scent is almost too strong, but still enjoyable. 

Have a great weekend 😀 

Margaret xx 

New Flowers

Son and I went to the local hardware store and bought several punnets of seedlings for our respective gardens. 

I bought these ones.

Son cares for the main gardens and I have my little tub garden.

Last year I wasn't well enough to be able to care for the pots on the deck, as I had done previously.  

This year is so different, and it felt good to be potting up seedlings again.

Now we wait for them all to flower!

I'm looking forward to sitting in the shade of the umbrella on a sunny summer's afternoon, looking at all the pretty flowers.

Roll on Summer!

Margaret xx 

Toon Tree Menace

You know Spring has arrived when you see the bright pink new leaves making a spectacular show on the Chinese Toon tree (Toona sinensis).

Our neighbour's tree is pretty in Spring but fairly inconspicuous the rest of the year, when the leaves revert to green. 

The problem is, it suckers and is planted too close to our driveway wall and damage is beginning to show. 

There have been discussions over solutions, but nothing has been done yet.

I've been told it's not my problem to worry about, so I'll just enjoy the pretty leaf colour while it lasts.

Margaret xx 

An Iron With No Steam

Several months ago, my 12 year old iron ceased to steam and I've been using it as a dry iron.

Nothing wrong with that, really, but I do miss having the steam function. 

I went searching for a new iron and found some really fancy ones, but they were all so heavy to lift that I never bought one.

Recently, at a different shop, I found a lightweight Panasonic steam iron that I can lift easily.  It came home with me and has now replaced my faithful old one.

It works really well, so I am very happy with my purchase. And don't you just love the violet colour?

Margaret xx 

Show A Sunny Disposition

"Cheerfulness comes from health and hope.  Animal spirits make us cheerful in the enjoyment of life and its sensations, but hope and charity give a spiritual cheerfulness, and even gayety of manner, which is very delightful.  As far as possible, we should never show gloom or melancholy to those around us.  If we carefully conceal what is unpleasant in our bodies, we should do no less with our humors or dispositions. We should never let it be seen that we are angry, cross, peevish or low-spirited, where such mental states can give disquiet or pain to others. But the best way is never to be angry, cross, peevish, fretful or disagreeable."

Wisteria is all in bloom now

I have many old books in my collection, so thought I could perhaps post a few quotes from some of them.

The above came from "The Glory of Woman or Love, Marriage and Maternity" by Monfort Allen and Amelia McGregor, published in 1896.

Imagine what the world would be like if nobody was ever disagreeable!

Margaret xx 

Happy Anniversary

I was married 51 years ago today.

We have started a new tradition so I can mark the occasion with a special afternoon tea. 

Eldest Son made a carrot cake and Youngest Son joined us for tea and cake.

The dove-and-ring ornament on my slice of cake is the only decoration I still have from my wedding cake.

This particular cup set always reminds me of my husband as he used to make tea in it for me on special occasions. 

Sweet memories 💖 

Margaret xx 

Lost My Marbles

Mum: I've got a bit of a headache.  I think I'm a bit dehydrated this morning. 

Son: I haven't seen you drinking much lately.  Where are your marbles?

Mum: I'm not sure. I've not used them for a while.

Oh no, I've lost my marbles! 😂

I found them eventually, sitting on top of a bookcase. 

Each time I have a drink I place one marble in the blue dish.

It helps me keep track of how much fluid I have had throughout the day. 

Do you have a system to keep track of how much you drink?

Margaret xx 

MyGardens Pass

Hamilton has an amazing asset with its collection of themed gardens, and they attract thousands of visitors each year.

From this month onwards, there will be an entrance fee for non-city residents.

I completed my initial application online, then visited the Gardens to finalize things and receive the card that allows me free access for two years.

The entrance to the Gardens has been revamped,  and I feel it has been done very tastefully. 

It is only the specialty gardens that are being charged for. There are still many acres of other gardens that remain free to wander through. 

Margaret xx 

A Delicious Lunch

Every now and then I meet up with a long-time friend and we enjoy a café lunch together. 

My hot peppermint chocolate was delicious, and not something I have tried before. 

There was lots of laughter and lots of talking, between mouthfuls of a cheese bacon and onion toasted sandwich (my friend had scrambled egg on a toasted bagel).

A bit naughty, but I finished with a piece of lemon slice (tut, tut, just look at all that cream!).

It has been a day of squally showers, so it was lovely to spend a couple of hours indoors with a friend for company.

Margaret xx 

A Young Me

 

This photo popped up on my slide show this morning.  It was me – some 50+ years ago! 

I was almost overcome with memories, as the photo had been taken by my boyfriend who was soon to be my husband.

I remembered the day like it was yesterday, with the sunshine, the kowhai tree flowering, the cows in the paddock, the oak tree bursting into leaf.  It was taken outside the old homestead that I was brought up in, and we had made a sentimental visit (for me) for the last time as the farm had been sold and my parents were moving into town.

I now have a grand-daughter who is older now than I was in that photo!

This next photo popped up a couple of days ago, taken around the same time period.  It is of a brother and myself boarding the railcar (I was so fashionable LOL, with my big handbag and mini hemlines!).

Don’t the years pass by quickly when you look back on them?  At the time, life just seemed to be going along one thing after another but when you look back it seems to have whizzed by so fast.

Take time to appreciate each and every day,

Margaret xx

 

Cleaning Out The Freezer

It felt like winter again today, with heavy morning rain, wind (sometimes very strong), and a high of only 11C (52F).

I stayed indoors and took the opportunity to organize the small freezer on the refrigerator (we have a larger freezer in the shed and son cares for that one).

You've no doubt heard of things that lurk at the back of the fridge - well, they can lurk in the freezer too!

I found a few items I'd forgotten about (how do you forget chocolate?!!).

Some stray blueberries became a smoothie. 

And the unwanted shrimps got fried up for my lunch.

A quick wipe-over of the freezer drawers and everything was placed neatly back again.

I feel like I've achieved something today!

Margaret xx 

Strange Things

We found this lying in the garden. It looks like a deflated helium balloon that presumably had its origins at somebody's party.

We've not noticed any parties around here recently, so who knows how far this has traveled. 

The other strange thing we've noticed recently are these holes appearing on some of our lemons.

They are most annoying, as they let rot into the fruit.

We're not sure if they are bird pecks, slug damage, or are being caused by something else.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Margaret xx 

In My Pantry

As I grow older, more and more I am wanting to simplify my life.

I decided it is time to stop wanting and start doing, so this morning all the pantry contents got pulled out and examined.

When I married, I had far less items in my pantry. We ate white bread (none of that stuff with 'bits' in it), quinoa was unheard of, and yoghurt was something that hippies ate. 

I use all those now, but I still have things like buckwheat (don't like) and dill seed (no longer use) that I can dispose of.

I'm about halfway through the job, but am not rushing it.

The afternoon was taken up with watching another Ranfurly Shield rugby game, this time between Tasman and Wellington. 

It was an exciting game, wtih Tasman successfully defending their title.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend. 

Margaret xx 

Corn Chowder

Corn Chowder is a thick hearty soup that is perfect for supper on a chilly night.

This is the recipe I use, originally found in Alison Holst's 'Dollars and Sense Cookbook,' which states it will make four servings. 

Dice an onion and saute in 2 Tbsp melted butter for 2-3 minutes. 

Add 1 grated medium carrot, 2 diced stalks of celery and 1 cup of chicken stock (or water).  Bring to the boil then simmer until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. 

Add a 410g can of creamed corn, 1 cup milk, and 2-3 Tbsp chopped parsley. 

When soup is hot (but do not let it boil), thicken as desired with some cornflour (corn starch) mixed with a little cold water. 

Season to taste with salt and pepper and a generous pinch of white sugar (the sugar intensifies the corn flavour, but its use is optional).

Serve hot.

Enjoy!

Margaret xx 

Lunch By The Lake

It is a long time since I last had McDonalds for lunch.

I enjoyed the Quarter Pounder burger but never finished the chips and orange fizz.

The weather was overcast, so the Lake wasn't looking its most attractive. 

Parking at the hospital and in the nearby CBD are both being pushed to the limit.

I noticed a lot of vehicles parked by the Lake - areas that are normally next to empty. I imagine it would only be a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Lake to a workplace. 

I came home for a cup of tea (nothing beats a lovely hot cup of tea), and curled up for the afternoon with a book.

Margaret xx 

Spring Sunshine

My husband used to say every year that I suffered from Spring Fever - the irresistible urge to be outdoors working in the garden and enjoying the warmer temperatures before the days got too hot.

The sunshine was beckoning me this morning, but I had to hang out the washing first (like many New Zealanders we line-dry all year, either outdoors or under the carport).

You can see my Little Garden beside the house wall.

I planted out some parsley seedlings, 

weeded the strawberry patch,

tidied up the silverbeet, 

and shuddered at the reappearance of the Paper Wasps. 

Then it was time to sit down with a large glass of lemon water. 

That was enough gardening for me for one day!

Margaret xx 

My Watering Can

I have needed a new watering can for some time now, so called at a garden centre on my way home from buying groceries. 

I found what I wanted - but it was a bright neon lemony colour. Not something I could live with!

Then I spied some darker green ones up on a high shelf. A very helpful assistant found a ladder and got one down for me.

She then relieved me of $16.99 and I became the owner of this 5 litre watering can.  I really like the way the sprinkler part can be removed from the spout and kept somewhere it won't be lost.

The weather today has been very unsettled. I hung the washing out on the line but it got wetter instead of drier!

Happily, the wind was blowing and it dried during one longer gap between showers.

The dark part of the photo below is heavy rain.  There is also a helicopter in this picture - can you see it?

The cyclamen beside the driveway is flowering.  This plant is several years old now, and I just love the colour of its flowers.

I keep reminding myself that if it never rained, we would have no rainbows to enjoy!  

May we always have rainbows in our lives.

Margaret xx