Tinned Beetroot

Happy New Year 2012

2011-12-29T19:50:00.000-08:00

Open to offers

It may or may not be over your head
It may get tricky
It may surprise you

Hey hey holidays

2011-12-18T19:07:00.000-08:00

I have just spent a week in Wellington with family and friends and had a wonderful time. This goes some way to describing just what I did on my holiday.

The Swim Meet

This was an entirely new experience for me - the whiff of chlorine, mandatory goggles and caps, no divas and wooden clapping blocks to start each race.

Diving in

Going like the clappers

After the race

Kindergarten Christmas Concert

This was such a misty eyed event that there are no snaps and you will have to imagine the assembled mini Santas and superheroes along with some very fine party dresses and saris. This person was all ready to sing her heart out.

... and eat some of the MASSIVE feed afterwards.

Transport

I spent a lot of time on suburban trains some days four trips to take the two girls to school and bring them back home. All went well apart from the now legendary time when Ms 8 and I were so captivated by the charming French family opposite that we both missed our stop and went all the way to Wellington. I also walked a surprising amount both in the city, around local footpaths and in the Otari-Wilton bush.

There was also one magic night galloping alongside a tall person using crutches to try and make the train to Johnsonville. Didn't make it. We were able to fossick around in the Tardis of the New World Metro at the station. Great liquorice allsorts, ate the lot because we needed the energy after the manic walking.

Eating

No surprises that this happened and included delights from the Nada bakery in J'ville, breakfast at Floyds in Island Bay, the best pizzas crafted in Crofton Downs, kebabs in town and a glass of fizz at the hairdressers. Coffee at Mojos, coffee at Mojos.

People

They were the whole point.

Proud parents awwwwwwwww

An uncle and an aunty. One has a stylish haircut and the other has crutches for a sprained ankle, you guess.

Mery Xmas to you and yours and best wishes for good times, good health and good fortune.

Winter encore

2011-10-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

St Clair beach looking out at strangers.

St Clair beach looking out at waves.

These snaps were taken on my recent trip to Dunedin and hark back to winter which has struck again today. They have that long Sunday afternoon feeling of waiting for something to happen and are a complete contrast to the happy family time I spent getting to know grandies and their parents.

Constellation prize

2011-07-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid

Selwyn Toogood used to travel
New Zealand bringing his show
'It's in the Bag'
to small towns like the one I grew up in.

There was a big prize
usually a trip to Honolulu
which sounded so foreign,
exotic and glamorous.

Even now I am thrilled
to imagine Honolulu
from the perspective of
my landlocked childhood self.

The constellation prizes
were a consolation
for missing out on
The Big One

glamorous whiteware
labour saving devices
of every description
in those giddy post postwar times.

This constellation prize I bought myself
a reward for enduring
the coldest tiny movie theatre
watching a French film

Romain Duris did not keep me warm
but these antique glass earrings
warmed my spirit.

Oh so lovely!

2011-07-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

Although I was captivated by these crazy-ass height adjusters online, I went for these more conventional laced up beauties from the local shoe shop which were ON SALE too.

Going to New York

2011-07-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

Yes well here we are in July already already which means that I am one year older and that it is winter and the school holidays. This added up to the need to GO OUT in Nature and take in some art as well.

Here is some manicured nature outside the window of the Pah Homestead.
To get inside, number three son and I bravely walked around the building from the car park. He was back from warmer climes and looked resolute but frozen by the time we battled our way through the brisk breeze.

I wore wollen dress, cashmere coat and scarf so found it more thrilling than chilling. There is only one entrance and it is not at the top of the steps in my snap. Go figure!

Thanks Toss, love your work.

Going arting at this grand restored house was a little fraught as I was so alarmed at their hectic website that I did not look for the opening hours. After all - who closes at 3pm on a week day in the holidays?? Yep, you got it.
There is a silver lining to this cloudy tale as we lucked into a screening of 'Bill Cunningham's New York' in a gorgeous setting in Dominion Road.

..and this is the story of how I went to New York for my birthday.

The Flood Plain

2011-06-22T00:08:00.000-07:00

'Do you know it floods?'

'Well I do now.'

This is not the 100 year event that one neighbour said that it was, it happens every time we have relatively sudden rain. The little stream merrily tumbling past at the bottom of my garden turns into a raging torrent which detours surely across the 'lawn' then runs back to rejoin the stream.

These snaps were taken the morning after Stormy Weather so there you go, yet another post about the weather.

Stormy Weather

2011-06-16T23:12:00.000-07:00

Friday night at Castor Bay with wet weekend in view.

Milford in the distance

Rangitoto overseeing evrything and impossible to hide from around here. I know it's another slightly off centre snap but that is what my camera loves to do.

Almost west coast wild.

Grey skies
drove home

grabbed the camera

scurried to the beach

sand got in my eyes

took some snaps

Stormy Weather is also a jazz standard and this rockabilly queen would do it proud.

The Guest Room is OPEN

2011-04-28T22:43:00.000-07:00

Your verdant view.

A view of another kind.

Inviting huh? The kimono dog is pretty excited.

Holiday trifecta

2011-04-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

Anzac Day coincides with Easter Monday this year. This is the memorial in Takapuna which will be covered in wreaths tomorrow.

I don't have any war stories from my parents so I rely on Gaylene Preston's Home By Christmas and her other work to get a sense of what it may have been like. If you haven't seen that film, I recommend it. There will also be more of her work projected LARGE at the Auckland Museum.

In the meantime I will eat another Easter egg off the installation in the living room. The ones above are very pretty, solid china and plucked from a White Elephant stall.

But Easter is not all about chocolate and marshmallow is it? No - hot cross buns are also important. Ate some pappy supermarket special chocolate ones and they didn't really taste of anything and dissolved instantly. But Wild Wheat made some wonderful ones although I feel sure that the Number One Son probably made some beauties of his own to feed the rellies.

Got out and walked around the Centennial Track in Milford to shift some of the damage.

Try not to

about the past .

Mellow fruitfulness and all that

2011-04-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

Down on the flood plain of 'The Water Runs Through it' formerly known as the bach, there are loads of leaves from the two poplars which may once have been a fence line. There are a few leaf haters out there I realise but I love them. Deciduous trees drop their leaves and reveal as much light as possible and perhaps more of the neighbours across the ditch in the winter. I just wish I could rake them into little mounds and set fire to them and then go indoors and eat chestnuts or knit something complicated by a fireside. Autumn brings out the cosy or gezellig in me. I have not gone down the preserves road although there has been baking. The days are still warm and there is enough political intrigue and good cricket to keep everyone amused.

It has been a long time since the last post and in typical Kiwi fashion I make my re-entry talking about the weather. I attribute this to my dad who wrote diary entries which were about nothing but the weather. He also had a few pinups which were not trees or leaves.

Soon it will be the school holidays and time to write a few more entries which may progress beyond the weather and move on to people and places.

Instament 2, outside and downstairs

2011-01-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

Side view. This gets morning sun, outhouse looking part is the bathroom and the kitchen is on the left hand corner and the lounge bit on the right hand corner. Window down the bottom belongs to the spare room which is crammed with everything else that you can't see in the pictures.

View from the road. There is room for another car and the front door is ajar.

Back view with newly installed clothesline. The overflowing stream comes up to the green pole.

Left bottom window is the one in my study, the one on the far right isn't there on the inside as it has been sacrificed to have a shower over the bath. The deck upstairs looks great and gets the afternoon sun.

Going downstairs, first flight.

This is what is at the bottom, two little steps up to the main bedroom and the spare bedroom. The laundry, study and bathroom are on the same level below the steps.

If you were confused, this may help to sort the levels, to the left the second flight of stairs, in centre stage is the laundry complete with sink.

My study which is much smaller than it looks here and much darker too. The bookcase is one wall and the edge of the desk is the other.

Close up of the steps and just an indication of how much stuff is crammed into the spare/guest bedroom. Not quite ready for sleepovers yet. Lino to the right is the bathroom and there is a toilet just before you get right into it. Visit and see. To the left is my study.

Bathroom. There is also a vanity with a large mirror which faces the right end of the shower/bath.

The main bedroom, I just can't call it the master bedroom, the chair marks the edge of the room. The wardrobes work well but we are getting more sets of drawers as there are still little piles of things left over.

So there you have it - upstairs, downstairs and outside of the new downsized bach.

Here it is, instalment one, the top storey

2011-01-28T20:34:00.000-08:00

View from the front door last week, more typically there would be a runner and a couple of cyclists and a few cars. We are on the other side of the street from these mansions and are much more modest in appearance. There is a great cliff /walk/ park beyond them.

Front door is to the left and this is the TV/music lounge which gets the morning sun.

Turning a little you can see the stairs to downstairs in the distance and to the left of that, is the kitchen. Stripes from the venetian blinds have turned the sofa into a zebra.

Getting the picture? Magically everything fits. I think we will be happy here.

Kitchen in all its glory, the stove has a booklet which is just as well as I couldn't figure out the symbols by Bosch.

View out the kitchen door to the morning sun deck.

Now you can see the afternoon sun deck with a familiar table and more plants are out there. We will go downstairs next time, just turn around a bit more.

Yep, room for these and the deck runs along to the end of the window.

The dining space.

So I have been standing pretty much in the middle of upstairs and showing you around. On the right is the telephone table which used to be in the hallway and is now opposite the front door. Cougar cardi at the ready with Crown Lynn treasures and opshop tray.

It has been described as 'cute' and 'pretty unique' by the SKY technician.

The upstairs part is a great space which works well, downstairs is a little curious and will be in the next instalment.

Probably some pix of the outside may be helpful too.

No snaps, no news, no life?

2011-01-10T13:41:00.001-08:00

Hammy New Year to you! Actually it has been a very hammy and desserty holiday up until today which started with a strict walk and no dawdling to shift some of that ham and dessert. 'It's not what you do one day, it's what you do every day' so I am in for a lifetime of walking!

In this house there are no cameras and so there are no snaps to share until Tower insurance send me a letter. Good things take time and I have been waiting a while now. Oh well better get some perspective, at least I haven't been in an earthquake and had my house demolished.

So if you can't see what I have been doing
does that mean that I haven't been doing anything
or does it mean that what I do doesn't count
unless I can show you?

I think it means that I prefer to put up a snap and a sentence or two rather than rabbit on about My Holiday.

MH started with a very warm, relaxed Xmas at the beach with family which involved getting the new togs full of sand boogie boarding at Ohiwa and the treasures of the Opotiki retro shop. I can't go on in that linear way so here are some other stars; the Mercer cheese shop which deserves a whole entry of its own, the fabulous dinner at The Chateau which rescued the formulaic 'welcome' from the terminally disinterested receptionist who seemed to be having a tiff with the porter, the foresty drive home along the edge of Lake Taupo with a quick dash past Tok and Tirau to Hamilton and home on the expressway.

What is the difference between a motorway and an expressway anyhow?

Wellington was eating and drinking on the new deck and marvelling at the Brian Brake exhibition at Te Papa with a number of other touristic things to entertain the Netherlander in our midst.

And did I mention New Plymouth? Catching fish, walking the entire walkway in the sunshine and seeing the fairy lights at Pukekura Park. No. Well I did them all.

Thanks to everyone for making it all so great, a wonderful start to the year which kicks off with three of our households moving. Spooky. It is obviously time for shifting.

End of holiday comp

2010-10-09T23:16:00.000-07:00

Where is this?

Prize of my choosing for the winner. Good luck!

Malling, not squalling

2010-10-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

The end of the school holidays feels like this.

Retail, it's war out there and prisoners are being taken in the malls.

Iliveinabigcity.com

2010-09-29T21:30:00.001-07:00

It's so big it has sculpture and very tired people.

Big buildings, gosh what is that one to the left of the middle?

I see now.

Well although I have had a car written off and a house ransacked I have not been as comprehensively done over as investors in South Canterbury Finance. This building is in my big city and I can imagine that it will soon be renamed or torn down or even more likely, turned into apartments.

My big citywhich is about to become a supercity although I am less sure of what that is. Perhaps something like the picture above, lots of glitz and BIGNESS and one old building left at the centre. A bit like a caramel in amongst more trendy ephemeral chocolate treats. Read about a campaign to save the St James theatre here in Norkland. It was a brilliant space and the Film Festival used to be held there. More recently I saw Gilliam Welch and Dave Rawlings and it was faded but still fabulous. Bring her back I say!

Cheers to General Store at 54 Customs Street who have a Happy Hour from 3-6pm on a Saturday. Roaring Meg and a stonkingly good time. Go there. They are very pleasant.

Double whammy

2010-08-28T22:10:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you get lucky. As I drove home from work last week another car, pursued by the police, crossed the centre line and smacked into me. I am fine but my car is not.

Timing could have been worse too, just around 5pm turning into West End Road with other commuters behind and in front. I was towed by GHL Recovery and Salvage and his wife gave me a lift home too. The panelbeaters at A1 Autofinish have her now. Haven't heard from the police although I did crack and phone Central to get a file number at about 10pm the night of the accident so I could make an insurance claim.

I did consider speeding along Great North Road to get their attention but decided against it.

That same night a couple driving home from the gym in Christchurch were not so lucky and were killed in a different police pursuit. Time to review the protocol.

Now for something more uplifting, thanks Nature for this beautiful sunrise.

Any other princesses out there?

2010-08-08T01:20:00.001-07:00

This is for all of you.

It is parked in Wellington and this was taken after a wonderful dinner which started with a superb elderflower martini at Floriditas.

My son visited some weeks later and the bedroom was still there. He didn't have the martini so it is not essential.

Tell me a story about it!

See gull on holiday

2010-08-08T00:56:00.000-07:00

Let's start the holiday snaps with something reverent.

Kirking around revelling in the vaulted ceilings, they don't make 'em like that any more.

Gull likes to sit on Robbie Burns head and give him a cowlick you would never want.

Then flies off to look for ... fish I expect.

One Moeraki boulder and if you really care, I have plenty more snaps which I could show you on a slow winter whisky evening.

I grew up in the King Country a long way from the sea. I love crashing waves like these at St Clair beach. Look really carefully and you may see a wet suited surfer just on the brink of THE BIG ONE!

Not a cheerleader in sight

2010-07-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

Takapuna beach at lunchtime in winter with Twilight teens in hiding.

More dramatic view, tide in and not a cheerleader in sight.

Growing more fond of the Shore and may even investigate living there. Taka closes down after 5 o'clock and everyone can run, bike and dogwalk to their heart's content. It's quieter and somehow that is becoming very important.

It's Auckland innit?

2010-07-02T22:07:00.000-07:00

Flash cars and street art

Just Fu-Ling around

2010-06-15T00:08:00.000-07:00

Love the chairs and the food is wonderful, plentiful and well priced. Lots of Chinese people eat there and it is opposite the flash new station, er transport hub, in Henderson in the heart of Westie territory.

Prices $39 for Peking duck but get there early, aroundabout $18 for a whole battered fish. Lots of greens and tofu for those so inclined.

Agave actually

2010-06-15T00:02:00.000-07:00

... and just beautiful. These little flowers are all up the stem and start opening at the bottom so that by the time the top is flowering the bottom will have finished.

Mrs McGinty's plant

2010-06-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

Over the long weekend which celebrates a Royal birthday I hope that I will be watching this flower while many others will be running to the shops in a retail frenzy.

It grows taller every day and is making a bid for the bathroom window.

I am not afraid.

See what I mean?

Wellington, ah yes

2010-05-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

Stayed here at The Cambridge Hotel last weekend and a fine time was had by all especially the bloke who kept knocking on the door looking for Vince at about 5 in the morning. It was a bit Cheech and Chong but otherwise everything was lovely and the ensuite had BATHROOM written on the frosted door to stave off any confusion that it may have been a closet with a shower, toilet and basin in it.

Queen Victoria kept a stern eye on the goings on in Courtney Place.

This is in Petone should you ever need the Tongan High Commission. Also in Petone is a fine ladies' dress shop where I bought a pair of black pants which I wore on Friday. Yes, I had to have them taken up since I left my Husqvarna on the kerb for someone else to love.

This is Otis Hall's painting of one of Wellington's icons and I like it very much. It was above the bed in our room at The Cambridge and there were more pictures from the school that he went to around the place.

Went to Home by Christmas by Gaylene Preston at the Embassy. Recommended.

Due to rips in the fabric of time and changes in circumstances we won't be coming to live in Wellington as soon as we had hoped but we will still visit so lock your spare room!

Lovely city, lovely times with lovely people.

Hue and no cry

2010-04-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is how they offer you a drink of water at Hue.

They have Harpers Bazaar, Marie Claire and House and Garden in neat glossy rows. They have a chandelier and wonderful colouristas who are specialists because they do nothing but colour hair.

I went to their Franklin Road salon and had the kind of experience where you feel better when you walk out than you did when you walked in. There is no idle chatter amongst the staff about their Friday night, their shifts or gossip about friends or soap stars. They seem interested in you - and your hair.

Loved it, recommend it, please be kind to yourself and go there. Unbelievably it is cheaper than all those chains of salons out there and a quantum leap in service and relaxation.

Did I mention the vibrating chairs at the basins? Bliss.

'I seen the little lamp' - Katherine Mansfield

2010-04-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

This is the new star of our bathroom and it is a little beauty. Made of plastic, easily put together by two dolts - or one dolt with three hands -and created in New Zealand.

The light is glorious with just a touch of 6o's coffee lounge.

Picked out harmoniously in K Road at Iko Iko on a Sunday afternoon.

Autumn and high jinks in the pavilion

2010-04-16T23:23:00.001-07:00

Marilyn watches

as the girls get ready

Betty bouncing

Ella leaping

A few snaps of two girls' exuberance on an autumn day in the Hamilton Gardens.

Marilyn was more subdued, probably overawed by the splendour of the tree. Of course, for those in the know she couldn't possibly have seen the girls so perhaps was miffed at missing out.

Being eternally two dimensional was probably not so hot either.

Easter pleases

2010-04-02T21:33:00.001-07:00

To work off eating far too many toasted yeasty spiced bread products yesterday, I put up a few crosses around the place.

Tomorrow I might plant some silverbeet seeds - very rock and roll. Right now my runner beans are a symphony of green gorgeousness and I pick them daily.

Have a wonderful break!

Love it, want it, can't afford to have it!

2010-04-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

I am talking about the car, snapped out the window of my stationwagon while stopped at the lights on the way to work.

Probably could afford to have it, just not keep it on the road. He was first out of the starting blocks at the lights, then took the right to the hospital. I trundled happily along to work thinking about how orange is such a fine colour.

Firmly fermee and overwrought

2010-02-15T20:44:00.000-08:00

Travelling is a delicate mix of planning and serendipity, of sallying forth and being open to new experiences, of taking 'the road less travelled' and so on. Other times it is about having a plan which doesn't work out TWICE in one day.

We missed Bonaparte.

Tantalising view of what might have been and we had two euros worth of map to help us find Many Famous Dead People. Jim Morrison would have been turning in his grave as the crestfallen punters were firmly shut out.

The bars were still open. Magic!

Gallicentric universe

2010-02-15T20:22:00.000-08:00

She is gorgeous and beautiful even if you can't get to the top balcony and she glows in the dark! Yes well, this is a backward glance shot.

Taking care not to get too close to the edge exclaiming "Wow' and other profundities. A vertiginous experience for some with one handed pointing, the other hand clinging.

A swivel ...and another gasp

Swivel the other way.

Views from the top

2010-01-30T21:10:00.001-08:00

Two views from the Rotterdam apartment. You need to do a little bit of work for this.

Stand up and imagine you are looking straight ahead, Good, now swivel your feet so they are pointing a little to the left. That's the night time view.

Now shift your feet more to the left and look down at the still snow covered footpath and notice the bicycle path and the tram track. There are no cyclists as they move at the speed of light on their own 'road' which they share only with scooters. They will mow down pedestrians on crossings if required.

The tall pointy building reminiscent of the Sky Tower in good old Auks in the night one? That's Euromast and no didn't go up it as I was saving myself for the Eiffel Tower.

The perfect club sandwich

2010-01-30T20:49:00.000-08:00

So - flew to Seoul and was stupidly surprised to find that it was snowy even though it was just after Christmas. After a night in the Hyatt at Incheon Airport (highly recommended and completely unexpected) we went back to the terminal. Big ups to Korean Air - will fly again!!

This is where we encountered the perfect club sandwich. I love the styling.

Refreshed and restored we got in a plane and flew to Schipol Airport (Netherlands). Then only a little worse for wear we got in a car and were driven to our temporary home on the 15th floor of an apartment building in South Rotterdam. Collapsed after the technical tour of the apartment and several excited moments dimming and undimming all the lights with the remote.

All lit up/spooky miss

2010-01-30T20:21:00.000-08:00

This spooky miss was part of the fabulous Franklin Road Light Show at the end of 2009.

She's beautifully lit and her wings and halo are stunning but I found her a little unsettling. Perhaps it was the contrast with the well dressed houses but she reminded me more of a marble angel for a child's headstone than a festive fairy.

No matter, there were hordes of people, buskers and charity singers, coffee and cameras and we all played nicely so that everyone could have their 'ohh, ahh' moment.

The best thing was the empty house lit from inside with a changing palette of contrasting colours. Yep - watched it for ages.

Go camping why don't you?

2009-12-27T19:26:00.000-08:00

Sand in your toes
Bites on your ankles
Boogie boards in the surf
cocktails and good times

Happy new year from the new world!

Best wishes for health and happiness in 2010.

More party animals

2009-12-20T17:40:00.000-08:00

With only a few more days until I get away from it all, this means broadband folks, I wish you all the compliments of the season.

Catering hint: Remember it's just one day and that two spuds is ample for the vegetarians amongst you. They will just have to get into their secret stash of miso soup.

Party animals

2009-12-18T19:43:00.000-08:00

Another use for those festive earrings.

'Tis the season to be jolly

2009-12-08T11:41:00.000-08:00

or
merry making
stingy, cheeseparing
cheeseboarding - could this be a new torture?
grumpy, snarling
beatific
bountiful
thankful

you're alive after all

smiling
smidging
smart - that's for you Emilia
foolishly seasonal

laid back
horizontal
beachy
sandy
rueful, smooful

Happy holidays everyone!

Zebby goes to Ritaland

2009-11-27T15:52:00.000-08:00

Yes well it's been a few Japanese Slippers and far too much work since there was a post so here is a little holiday magic.

Been hit by a few philosophical dislocations lately, the main one being the old cliche about 'valuing diversity'. This is heard a lot in educational circles and, surprise surprise, it isn't true.

Diversity may well be valued as a concept but in practice it seems that we like to be surrounded by those who are similar to ourselves and turn feral when someone different turns up. No longer the comfort of strangers but of the familiar. I think that this grouping together is a recessionary response similar to frontier wagon circling.

Was Da Vinci a team player?

Beggar off buskers!

2009-11-11T23:18:00.000-08:00

This notice has recently been put up in the entrance to the Pt Chev mall.

It sucks the joy out of life to see this in my neighbourhood which is made up of people who are damaged and deranged, those on the way up, those on the way down and those treading water. The quality of busking was wildly variable from the great Maori guy with the fabulous voice to kids raising money for more violin lessons but - that's the point. If you don't like their work you don't give them any money.

Now for the beggars - same diff, they may try to bum a fag or get some cash for drinks but they don't get ugly when you say 'Thank you, no' when invited to contribute.

Steve Braunias has written more eloquently in the SSTimes about the Pt Chev mall and its people and commented on the sign.

But it's still there. Suggestions please.

Snapper or cutter?

2009-11-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

I am talking about asparagus and will get to the horses later.

If you are a snapper you snap off the ends and if you are a snipper you cut them where you think they stop being fibrous and where they start being succulent. I'm a snapper. How about you?

Here's a recipe which is more like a protocol than a recipe, I'll get back to the horses after that.

Ingredients
Bunch of asparagus
streaky bacon
evo (extra virgin you know the rest)
Grill

Snap asparagus until they are succulent
Wrap in streaky bacon
Drizzle over evo
Grill

How long? Not that long, just trust your nose, they will smell done and it isn't very long at all. Do not leave the kitchen to play guitar, write your blog or practise belly dancing or you will miss it.

The horses are from Helensville and are charming and were not at all involved in the Melbourne Cup. They look a bit fey but are just playing hard to get. When you do get them they have velvety noses and smell gorgeous.

Prize for name for the asparagus protocol.

Just one damn thing after another

2009-10-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

Something to remind us that there are beautiful things out there. Hold that image.

Check out a beautiful thing which is being sent to hell in a handbasket this week by the government. Take a look at this from the day after Labour Day .

Restate your right to a tea break now. Have a cup of tea or coffee if you are really sophisticated..

Getting a handle on Labour Day

2009-10-25T22:55:00.000-07:00

Today is Labour Day which commemorates the 8 hour working day. It is a public holiday when people who run cafes and restaurants leave little informative notices explaining that, as they now have to pay EXTRA to their staff on this day, they will pass their costs on to us.

There are a few who don't - please buy from them.

The 8 hour day is a wonderful concept which eludes many; the unemployed, SAHMs and SAHDs, 'mobile' workers ( you guys are in for an interesting time with the new no hand held phone legislation aren't you?) , real estate agents, businesses which run 24/7 and people on their way up the slippery career pole. The list is not exhaustive.

Consider working 8 hours only tomorrow and then see if you can keep it up all week.

Or have a cup of tea.

Through the bathroom window + Thugby

2009-10-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

No matter what it says at the top of this blog, this was snapped through my bathroom window this morning, Monday 19th October. Of course this was just the start and there were many permutations of weather to be experienced later.

The Hindu New Year kicks off tonight which reminds me that the Thugby World Cup kicks off in 2011 and apparently the RU don't have enough money to finance it. Lovely, unlucky ratepayers in Auckland City will not only cough up for Eden Park but also 'contribute' to Party Central. Talk about having a shark bite you on both legs!

How about each ratepayer calculating an amount, random works for me, to deduct from their rates?

Praise for beans and a carrot cameo

2009-10-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

Broad beans are outstanding.

They grow over winter and keep your garden looking busy.

They have stunning black and white fluffy flowers.

They taste fantastic podded, blanched and put in a salad. There is no need to peel them, no matter what the recipe says.

They keep producing so fast that you can watch it happen in the warm, moist weather.

The Giant Carrot of Ohakune is another matter.

Water lilies

2009-10-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

Something soothing to look at after the first day back at school after the holidays. Getting up at the 'normal' time is now unnatural and alarming. Want another helping of daylight saving anyone?

Great Expectations

2009-10-09T12:34:00.001-07:00

No, I'm not pregnant, just hoping for this magic potion to smooth my furrowed brow. Beautiful green bottle, product of Aotearoa (spelt New Zealand on the bottle), organic as all get out and with a suitably medical dropper - 'cos you only need a little right?

You can stop laughing and remember that no animals were harmed in the making of this product and I didn't need to take out another mortgage to buy it! Go on, find out more about organic skincare .

No money was involved in the writing of this post but I could be open to negotiation.

Titty titty bang bang

2009-10-08T17:32:00.001-07:00

Keep fondling.

You can also become more informed about breast cancer, give money to the cause, give time and support to friends.

You could save your own life or help save someone else's.

Home grown

2009-10-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

Effortlessly, gorgeously beautiful.

When it feels like it is permanently buggety o'clock, Nature can just sneak up and slap a smile on your face. Home grown and fabulous.

Acropolis now

2009-10-06T20:34:00.000-07:00

One for all those snow dome fans who like things a little less snowy and with a subtle sparkle. This little beauty can now sit on my mantelpiece - or anywhere I care to put it. Of course it could become a weapon against a particularly small headed burglar, but luckily I am a real girl when it comes to throwing.

Road trip in October

2009-10-05T15:51:00.000-07:00

Excited awe struck snow bunny shot of actual snow, unbelievably thrilling to a Norklander. This trumped the trip to the south which included seeing Cao Fei's Factory Fairytale at The New Dowse, coffee with mates at Go Bang in Petone, a little real estate perving and more good food with lovely people.

What recession?

Dust bunnies wear these!

2009-01-15T17:01:00.001-08:00

This was found under the bed with the other dust bunnies after some spare bedroom 'cleaning'.

Obviously I am not a manic housekeeper as this hat would also fit a 5 year old girl like the one who visited back in late September.

Comments on other weightier subjects postponed until I have applied speed cleaning tips.

Segueway (sic) into Xmas

2008-12-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

As the western world aproaches Xmas we have come over all binary; 'Going away for Xmas?', 'Done your Xmas shopping yet'?', 'Ham or turkey?', Beach or home?', 'Love it or hate it?', 'Saving or spending?', to list just a few inanities. Then there are internet jokes, shopping guides, late nights at the mall, mad displays in the supermarkets, fake felt antlers, Xmas earrings and all that bloody goodwill.

There are also people who will miss out on all of this because they are blind, deaf, oblivious, depressed, broke, cracked but not yet broken or just plain resistant.

Well, best wishes for whatever makes you happy that doesn't involve hurting anyone or running up an enormous credit card debt. May you have time to enjoy the little things like raindrops on roses and a few of your favourite relatives and friends who keep you cheery.

I will resume in the New Year to rant about the impending Thugby World Cup in Auckland and about politics generally.

Here's a quick hit of Crown Lynn to see the New Year in.

Well helllllooooooooooooooo

2008-10-27T01:31:00.000-07:00

Yep, back again after a short reprise/ trip back/ deja vu to Renovationland where happy times were spent sleeping in the lounge to avoid the polyurethane fumes from the newly done floors in another part of the house. When will it end you ask? Quite soon I think and my fingers are crossed just to make sure.

Garden is ahumming with tomato plants in and basil seeds planted. Labour day has been sunny and a quick culturetrip was had to the Walters Art Prize finalists at the New Art Gallery. I'm not picking the winner, although Lisa Reihana is a popular choice among the viewers.

Looking to survive the New Austerity? Watch this space to enjoy tips to survive - nay enjoy - the Credit Crunch.

Tip 1 Flirt with thrift, trying saying 'Hmmm, maybe later'
Tip 2 Embrace kerbside recycling - put stuff out and make someone else happy!

Don't forget to vote and for goodness sake think about it. Who wants three years of Mr Ambiguity and don't give me that 'time for a change' rap? It ain't beach cricket, it's your services and infrastructure.

Anorak moment - who said the title statement in which TV series? Character or actor required and bonus points for the situation.

Been a long time, been a long time

2008-08-30T17:24:00.000-07:00

...since I put anything up here and today is the day to start the trip back from Renovationland which has been dusty, dirty and weird but with some surprises.

Oh yeah, like what?

The generosity of others - an apartment to live in while the worst of it was happening and other offers. Thanks guys!
The old zen of becoming increasingly aware of not needing so much, not so much space, not so many things and not so many clothes, although I don't know how long that might last.

Of course it isn't finished yet but it is getting much closer. We live mainly in one room and picnic in the front room at an outdoor setting for two. All the essential working parts of the house; bathroom, toilet, kitchen and laundry are all fine. Pictures soon, yes really.

For a bit of fun we went out to Sal Rose for their Italian Long Table Dinner last night and feasted on fabulous food, met some wonderful people and were amazed by the opera singing waitstaff. A great night out in Mt Albert, highly recommended.

'We're killing our kids - here!'

2006-07-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

Collateral for the Dead Kidz campaign

Fast arty montage of as series of shots of any number of sunny scenic Aotearoa/New Zealand locations using the tagline "We're killing our kids - here!" for a new twist on the swinelager campaign. Free postcards in bars and cafes as collateral.
Similar series in more urban locations, low rent look, no sunshine shots, suggest state house area, running dogs, car bodies hip hop soundtrtack over same tagline "We're killing our kidz - here. Bit cliched but some may think it's edgy. Good opportunity to link in with CD collateral.
Grittier urban realism film noir in Picasso black and bruises, tagline rendered by known graf artists such as these guys. Radically chic and arty, may appeal to bankers. Limited edition graf prints collateral.
Contrast montage of high end suburbs with whiny but thoughful soundtrack and pix of those cute as kids with some evidential numbers overprinted. Get some figures from someone who cares. Excellent opportunity for ailing telcos to gain some community credibility.
Something for the more sports oriented audience - Headline "Our All Blacks are great but we are only third in the OECD countries for child abuse! What do we need to do to come first?" Could make reasonable print column in the Sundays. Alternatively use headline "Jerry Collins didn't get the bash from his dad for pissing on the field" or "Headbutts make for dialogue - non!" to be code inclusive.
This one has been done before for youth suicide but it is still a winner. Stage Fight for Life boxing event with celebrities bashing one another to draw attention to child abuse in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Potential for brain damage gives this one genuine long term clout.

And I haven't even ventured into animation. Any ideas?

If all this was far too serious then take a break and have another latte.

Lips, latte and lemons

2006-07-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

This is for all those lipstickers out there who are searching for a longer lasting lippie which doesn't cost so much money that the purchase involves not eating for a week or two. It is the Boots No 7 Stay Perfect range and only $22.95. Your lips will not dry out and your colour stays put through any eating which you can now afford to do.

In line with occasional food meanderings from Point Chevalier the fabulous Cafe Latte folks are away until August the 1st which means no more steaming bowls of mussels and other delights. Venture down to Grey Lynn to the coffee roasters because the wonderful proprieter there produces the best ever lemon cheesecake with almonds in the base, baked cream cheese in the middle and home made lemon curd on top. No it's not cheap but we all like it because it is sold out very early in the day - dammit. She doesn't open on Mondays either if you are resolving to leave the duvet early next week.

2006-03-07T17:13:00.000-08:00

Best bakery I can only cook the old fashioned things

This from a man in a tiny bakery in Point Chevalier named Take 5 in response to my question abou the Lancaster Lemons in the window. What drew me in was the lunchtime queue of burly workman in overalls and I was also taken with the handwritten sign on the pie warmer which said 'Do not open' a sure sign that self service was not encouraged here. The shop is a temple of delights with genuine custard pies made with cream and eggs and no nasty yellow pastry. There were tarts galore, neenish and varieties of fruit tarts. In the middle of the second row in the window was a stack of afghans with nuts in and a swirl of chocolate on the top.

All the baked goods are stacked neatly in the window with a few flaky pastry apple turnovers inside. As for the man he is a modern wonder, an anachronism really and his cooking is divine.

Pay him a visit - for two custard pies and a Lancaster Lemon he only wants $5.20. You don't need to wear overalls.