Pearls.
Simple, gorgeous, and just a little bit posh.
Simple, gorgeous, and just a little bit posh.
Snug
Today is a snug sort of day.Yesterday we pitched the tent on the lawn, and lay on our backs inside reading books and watching the blue sky turn to grey as the clouds rolled in.
Today we're in the cloud, and it's bucketing down outside.
Miss M picked out 'The Jolly Christmas Postman' to read - a perfect rainy day book. Every second page is an envelope addressed to a fairytale or nursery-rhyme character, and each envelope contains a little treasure (board game, puzzle, book, etc) to enjoy. This copy came from The Children's Bookshop in Kilbirnie.
Tea in the pot, sketchbook in hand working on sewing plans for this winter, and a batch of fresh ANZAC bikkies still warm (love Dulcie May's recipe, although it needs more butter!) ... this weather isn't feeling so bad at all!
Start as you mean to continue
2011 has passed by (in a blur).
2012 can only be different and new.
A year of upheaval, hospitalisations, and uncertainty is behind us. We now have a happy and (mostly) healthy family, and we're back from a lovely little holiday with family in the South Island.
I've started 2012 as I mean to continue - with time for the little things.
Today that meant making fresh strawberry jam. Our own strawberries. Mum's ancient recipe.
2012, I like you already!
I want to ride my Bicycle
Continuing my current preoccupation ... here's a little showcase of bicycle related loveliness on Felt:
- Biking on a sunny afternoon bookmark - Songbird designs
- Born to ride pendant - Vibe Designs
- I want to ride my bicycle tote - Black Swan Designs
- Hessian vintage bicycle cushion - My Heart Sings
- Vintage bicycle pendant - Art Divine
- Born to ride bib - imba
- Limited edition bike ring - run.cutie
- Pure silver bike earring - Pretty Pear
Ride on
My Mother used to embarrass me terribly. When I was a teenager, she used to ride about town on a huge old vintage bicycle - no gears, back-pedal brakes, straight back, big wheels. It looked a lot like this one: 
I, on the other hand, got around town on a nifty new mountain bike with more cogs than I have fingers and toes. It even had alloy rims. With the benefit of hindsight I now realise that Mum was truly ahead of her time. I asked her recently about the fate of that old bike - evidently she still has it. It's out in the barn and the starlings are pooing on it.
Some time ago I came to hear of a shop in Island Bay called Mamachari - restoring and selling old bikes like this. I was hoping to pop in last Sunday whilst we were visiting Island Bay, but sadly found them closed (no doubt out and about enjoying the weather like we were). If I could choose from their current online selection, mine would be this one (because it's yellow and makes me think of riding along on it whistling, possible joining these lovely ladies on some sunny afternoon outings).
Truth be told, however, it's not at all likely I'd ever get the thing out of the garage even if it did happen to come into my possession. Living on the side of one of Wellington's steepest hills (actually named a Mountain) is not at all conducive to bicycle riding (although it doesn't stop my uber fit neighbour!)
Our trip to Island Bay included a visit to the Marine Education Centre. It was fairly packed to the gills in there (fish and people) and Miss M had a lot of fun exploring the touch-tanks (tentatively at first. Who can blame her. Ever held a sea slug!?)
Our weekend was an enjoyably full one. We also visited the 100 Bikes Project at The Dowse in Lower Hutt. Miss M enjoyed herself tremendously - selecting at random a variety of retro tricylces and ride-ons and trying very hard to get them to move. We enjoyed watching her. I had a few nostalgic moments spotting trikes and bikes similar to those I grew up learning to ride on. What is it about stuff from your childhood that pulls at your heartstrings?
If you've got kids home for the school holidays I'd highly reccommend a visit to the exhibition. There are literally dozens of beautifully restored trikes and bikes oozing retro cool to choose from, free entry, and a huge white gallery space to zip around in. What's not to love?
I, on the other hand, got around town on a nifty new mountain bike with more cogs than I have fingers and toes. It even had alloy rims. With the benefit of hindsight I now realise that Mum was truly ahead of her time. I asked her recently about the fate of that old bike - evidently she still has it. It's out in the barn and the starlings are pooing on it.Some time ago I came to hear of a shop in Island Bay called Mamachari - restoring and selling old bikes like this. I was hoping to pop in last Sunday whilst we were visiting Island Bay, but sadly found them closed (no doubt out and about enjoying the weather like we were). If I could choose from their current online selection, mine would be this one (because it's yellow and makes me think of riding along on it whistling, possible joining these lovely ladies on some sunny afternoon outings).
Truth be told, however, it's not at all likely I'd ever get the thing out of the garage even if it did happen to come into my possession. Living on the side of one of Wellington's steepest hills (actually named a Mountain) is not at all conducive to bicycle riding (although it doesn't stop my uber fit neighbour!)Our trip to Island Bay included a visit to the Marine Education Centre. It was fairly packed to the gills in there (fish and people) and Miss M had a lot of fun exploring the touch-tanks (tentatively at first. Who can blame her. Ever held a sea slug!?)
Our weekend was an enjoyably full one. We also visited the 100 Bikes Project at The Dowse in Lower Hutt. Miss M enjoyed herself tremendously - selecting at random a variety of retro tricylces and ride-ons and trying very hard to get them to move. We enjoyed watching her. I had a few nostalgic moments spotting trikes and bikes similar to those I grew up learning to ride on. What is it about stuff from your childhood that pulls at your heartstrings?
If you've got kids home for the school holidays I'd highly reccommend a visit to the exhibition. There are literally dozens of beautifully restored trikes and bikes oozing retro cool to choose from, free entry, and a huge white gallery space to zip around in. What's not to love?
Recipes from a Chef's Garden
I love gnocchi. And scallops. So when I heard this interview with Chef Bevan Smith from Riverstone Kitchen near Oamaru on Radio New Zealand National this morning, I decided this is one recipe I’m going to have to set about making very soon indeed!
The recipe hails from Riverstone Kitchen’s new cookbook ‘Recipes from a Chef’s Garden,’ published by HarperCollins and available in bookstores as well as through Riverstone’s website.
You can see some sneak previews of pictures from the cookbook here on the blog of sweet emmelie. Do take a look at her blog – she’s has an eye for colour and design that I’m sure you’ll appreciate.
I had good intentions to get out to the supermarket tonight to pick up the scallops and potatoes so I can make this for tomorrow night's dinner. But... game plan changed and I came home to settle the crying baby instead. I'm loving online grocery shopping!
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