Holiday Pics Part II

Photos of Sister-in-laws garden

Hi There,
How are we today?
No sun here today, a little cool if you ask me.  Tomorrow + rain = MOVIE!

Enough about that, time to ramble on about the holiday.
One thing I have I liked about being home is all the home comforts you miss when you are away.  The comfy bed and couch, a washing machine that works and the toilet not being that far away!  Oh how I hated walking in the dark across wet grass to the communal toilets.  It was a little scary at 3 in the morning.

Ok...

MATAMATA HOLIDAY PART II

The second half of the holiday started with a very wet day.  But this didn't phase us. We set off to Te Aroha for lunch, a look around and a swim.

I fell in love with the quiet slow paced atmosphere.  Not to mention the old cute buildings.  I have a real soft spot for old historical buildings.  If I had the money and could convince Hubby to move into one I would be there in a heartbeat.  There is something about these buildings.  They have a soul and character, something a new home has to work on.  I LOVE THEM!  

I wanted to move into this one.

After massive amounts of 'oooing' and 'aaahing' we ran through the rain to the Te Aroha hot springs.

We hired a private spa for half hour with the littlies.  What a hoot!  They have never done something like this before.  It wasn't relaxing that is for sure as they were so excited, giggling and splashing about.  It was great to see them enjoying themselves though.  

Also while in Te Aroha I spotted this pink canna lily.  I never liked these plants but since planting a few in the garden they had gone NUTS!  So I have now fallen in love with them.  This hot pink one was in someone's garden and it looked amazing.  So I am now on a mission to find my own. 

After Te Aroha the rain cleared and this was the evening view.  All set for a beautiful next day.

The next day didn't disappoint. 28 degrees C.  So where else do you go when it is hot.

Yeap!  The beach.  Mount Maunganui.

Stunning!

It was so hot I actually went for a swim and boogie boarding.  I have never been on a boogie board before.  What a laugh and a lot of fun!  Poor littlies had to settle for castle building until mum gave back their boards.

Oldest littlie's symmetrical fort

The excellent day at the beach ended with Hubby winning the gliding day in his class. Clever man!

The rest of the holiday was spent relaxing back at the airfield, helping in the kitchen to prepare yummy food while chatting with the local ladies. The littlies spent their days ipading, reading, drawing, eating and running between clubroom and cabin. 

Hubby being towed up to those puffy clouds

Also a little bit of crocheting got done.  I am on a mission to finish the 'blue blanket' for my bed before winter.  Fingers crossed.  I will keep you posted.

It doesn't look like much at the moment but I promise it will.

So that is it.  Holiday complete.  Only two and half weeks to go till school starts.  A few trips to the beach are in store I think, if the weather stays nice.

Tomorrow, resolutions.

What are yours?

Lxx

P.S... Almost forgot clever hubby won the National Gliding Championships in the 15m class.  All in all a great successful holiday.

Holiday Pics Part I

Hi There,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Yes I know it is a little late, but one can't rush these things! 

While the blogging world has been screaming full steam ahead with loads of posts I took a step back (a very very big one) and had a lovely two week holiday. BLISS!! 

But now I am back and I have a dilemma. Do I write about resolutions or holiday first?  

Maybe get holiday pics out the way first then I can babble on tomorrow about resolutions and what exciting things I have in-store for myself.

OH excitement!

Anyhow...

Here goes...

MATAMATA HOLIDAY PART I

On 29th Dec we took a two hour drive to Matamata (Hobbiton capital of NZ).  The Hubby was competing in the NZ Gliding National Championships.  Very exciting!  It was the first time in a very long time that they have had the Nationals in the school holidays which allowed the two little lovelies and myself a chance to 'hang out' with Hubby/Dad as well as have a holiday.  

Matamata weather - changeable 

The little lovelies were that much older this time around and were a lot freer to do their own things without Mum lingering around all the time.  They rode their bikes around the area happily while I crocheted or read a book.  It was nice not having to watch them like a hawk.  I actually felt like I had a holiday.  Another thing I didn't need to do was cook.  OH BLISS!!  There was a lovely lady there who cooked all our dinners for us, even pudding!  I was very spoilt.

While on holiday we went and visited friends in Rotorua and went for this amazing magical walk in the forest. The walk was called 'As You Do'.  As you are walking and breathing in the fresh clean air you have to find all the little creatures that are tucked away in various spots.  It made the kids forget that they were walking for a long time and focus on what was around them.

Here are some of the 90 creatures we found.  The little mouse and the owls were my favourite.

Aren't they cute?!  What a great idea to get kids out and about exercising and having fun all at the same time. CLEVER!

On the way back the walk was a little too exciting for me.  We decided to go back a different way and my friend and myself ended up slipping and landing on our bottoms which was a little painful. The group of littlies thought it hilarious though. Remember NEVER have your phone in your back pocket.

Another walk we did was to 'The Waterfall'.  I am sure it has a proper name but the locals simply call it the waterfall.

So off we all trot on a 45 min walk.  The scenery was like stepping foot into the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit movies.  Beautiful!

After loads of rain

After rain has gone

Breathtaking! I'm not sure there is much else to say about it.  I think the pictures say it all.

And so I will leave you all there.  End of part I.  I thought while writing this I would split it as I would imagine like me, you have a lot of other things you need to be getting on with, without sitting here reading a novel length post.

So until tomorrow,

Take care,

L xx

Christmas Goodies

Hi There,

I hope you all had a very festive christmas day with family/friends.

Ours was a very quiet affair at a local hotel.  It was lovely to go somewhere to eat yourself silly then leave and not worry about all the clean up.

Princes Gate Hotel

The Prices Gate Hotel in Rotorua was such a beautiful venue.  The interior was so decadent you really felt like you had stepped back in time.

We all felt very 'posh' having lunch there.  Ham, turkey, roast vegetables, salad, pavalova, christmas pudding with brandy sauce and christmas fruit mince pies...mmmmm... We went home WAY too full but very very happy.

We ended the day playing dinosaur monopoly and eating roses chocolates (as Miranda would say, "Such fun!")

_____________________________

And now...the secret things I have been making for others in the lead up to Christmas. I couldn't share them until after they were opened.  I have been so so excited to show you so...

INTRODUCING...

JINGLES THE CHRISTMAS IMP

The cheekiest christmas imp.

He was made for a secret santa at work.  He was easy enough to make but me being the over the top perfectionist that I am, I ended up making four different arms and legs until he was just right.  I fluffed around with his face for ages too.  At one point he was made with white felt then at the last minute I changed it to beige (more gingerbready looking).  I do not recommend this to anyone as it left me a little stressed!  But the end result was worth it.

I then had fun wrapping him.

Along with a note.  Which once was all wrapped up I realised I had made a spelling mistake.  Not a good look for a primary school teacher.  I unwrapped it and fixed it. Crisis averted.

Once wrapped he sneakingly got added to the secret santa sack.

On the day I had a fantastic view of the lovely lady opening my gift.  She was very happy, giggling with her friends at his quirkiness.  It was the most satisfying and best feeling watching someone enjoying your handmade creation.  I am definitely going to make more stuff next year for gifts.

Another creation was crocheted bags and dilly dot dolls for the nieces.

My nieces haven't received these yet as we were all in different places for christmas but in a few days we are having a belated family christmas get together.  I can't wait to see their faces.  

So that is all the christmas goodies done!  All the stuffing of face is done!  Last minute tidying of the house and garden done!

Now it is time for a wee break.

I hope you all have a super fun New Years with friends and just a 'little' of bubbles are consumed.

Take care,

Lxx

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Hi There,

Pretty tea lights in jars decorated with Christmas ribbon

Why does December always fly by too quickly?  

Every December is a busy one.  Busy but fun with end of the school year prize giving, work Christmas parties, family BBQ's to attend, compulsory Santa photo to see to, last minute present shopping. As well as baking goodies for gifts and a new thing I started last year, crocheting christmas decorations for friends.

I wish it would slow down a little sometimes so I could enjoy it a little more but alas it just continues to fly by.  So I fly with it...

In amongst the flying I have been crocheting christmas trees as gifts for friends.  The cute design came from a favourite blog Annaboo's House.  She (I think I have said this before) makes the most delicious things I have seen.  Her blog is very addictive!

Set of three sent to Canada

I have enjoyed making them.  They are super fast to make which is nice when you are in a hurry to make gifts for people.  But while I was making these little trees an idea popped into my head...MAKE A BIG ONE!! Sure why not, I have LOADS of time...
And so I did...

THE BIG CHRISTMAS TREE

All 43 rows of it!  Perfect! It sits proudly on the dining room table looking all Christmassy.  I love it! I took the little tree pattern from Annanoo's House and increased every three rows until I was happy with the size. Then I played around with the base until it was big enough to hold the tree up.  The fun part was decorating.  I went crazy with little sparkly ball beads, sequins, stars and tiny beads.  Yummy!!

I just need to find the right star to go on top.  I tried crocheting one or should I say three but none seemed to look right.  I will keep looking around for a star button or a good crochet star pattern and finish it one day but for now it looks OK without one.

Anyway, I am off on a road trip soon so...

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas day wherever you are and you get to relax just a little bit.

Take care,

Lxx