Grandma and her boys

Tuesday 29 June 2010

My Turn to Ask for Help


My cross stitch is growing and it is so relaxing to do..
BUT once again ( I never learn do I it has happened before)  the red thread has marked the white linen
Is there is a way to stop this ? if so  I would love to hear it

The other way out I am thinking is to dye the fabric after it is finished, may be light tea dye or  weak beetroot juice... red currant / cranberry juice ...   may be you have a good natural dye tip. Or can think of a colour that  I could dye the fabric that would work with the red which is DMC 115 variegated.

Just 4 sleeps

Just 4 more sleeps....can't wait
Have packed my fabric and bet I am taking far far to many...but would hate to be caught out with out the right fabric.
Now what am I going to wear ?

Sunday 27 June 2010

Oh! the taste was delicious

A friend called on me yesterday and gave me what she called "Real Eggs"


By this she meant that they were laid just yesterday from free range chickens
 I had some for breakfast this morning, what a treat and what a flavour ..
I did not realise how tasteless the supermarket eggs were, I made a pledge there and then I would go back to buying eggs from the small holding in the village, at least for the eggs that I eat.

Saturday 26 June 2010

The sewing room and Cross stitch

I decided to start some Cross Stitch, being something I don't have to tax my brain to do.
BUT while looking for the pattern etc
I realised that my sewing room was a bit of a tip so I started to tidy the patterns I had emptied the shelves when I thought  ( Now not a good move for me thinking it always involves more work )
 I really don't have a good cutting table area in the right position, so I started to empty the room and switch all the furniture around so as the two large tables were back to back,  giving larger machine and cutting area.   Two bookcases needed moving so had to empty them completely, final got everything in position and had used up all my energy, so they are still awaiting the tidy up not only what you see in the pictures, there is another couple of piles waiting to be put back on the shelves,
one of those jobs that will take longer than planned, you know looking through and thinking wow!!  have not seen that pattern for ages... or think I will try that pattern and so on. 

So Cross stitch got started today I have spent a great day I gave myself  at 9.30am one hour to clean up, shower and be ready to sit down this morning  I did it and I have sat watching  2 films on DVD or should I say listening to them, while I stitched.  Stopping for lunch of warmed up leftover  casserole from  yesterday and afternoon tea and a comfort stop.

I am using variegated thread and it is an "Antique Hussif" sewing purse it will have a few small items to go inside... I am doing it on 32 count linen I must be off of my rocker !!!
So I am wearing magnifiers over my glasses, not a pretty sight.

Friday 25 June 2010

Just one week ... 8 sleeps

So, you say !
What is all the excitement ??
These lovely ladies have arrived from Australia to give stitchers here a treat.
 Classes, like we do not get enough of, may be after this visit more designers will realise the potential here in little ole' NZ

Rosalie and Leanne are giving classes in Christchurch this weekend
and will be arriving here in North Island next week end to do a full weekend retreat.
I have treated myself to the weekend at Oreti Village Resort in Taupo

To everyone taking the classes this week have a great time and enjoy every minute, I am sure we will.

It is over...but they are our Heros


New Zealand was awoken early today by the brilliant All Whites' World Cup campaign but the dream of winning through to the next round is over.
The All Whites are out of the Cup after a 0 - 0 draw with Paraguay.

They will now disperse, rightfully proud of their historic achievement of gaining three World Cup points.
They have made the country proud and excited Kiwis' imaginations

Thursday 24 June 2010

A Face lift

It was bathroom cleaning day ... nothing unusual in that you say .. and I agree but while cleaning I was looking at areas that were annoying me, the main one was beside the vanity there was a small area between it and the wall that was no good to man or beast... the other was beside the door  ... so after some thought I came up with a non expensive solution ( rather than remodelling the room).
I took off to (The Big Red Box) Warehouse and purchased a couple of their flat packs....
Voila !!  The areas that had no use are now  practical storage solutions. For the small cost of $25.00
Although I wish I had bought 2 three tier ones, may be I may change that corner one ( can always utilise it in sewing room)  and do away with the corner shelf or move it up a bit



Tuesday 22 June 2010

Shopping in Napier


A couple of weeks ago I attened a funeral of a friend in Napier.
While there my friend Prue and I had a morning to shop and I found JJ's  Patchwork and Embroidery shop in  Napier
What a lovely shop ..  I found some fat quarters and some verigated Perle Cottons ready for some Hardanger pincushions and needle cases I want to do.
They had some lovely threads and I had wished I had had more time to have a good look  .. I am sure I would have spent far to much, so may be it was a good thing we were short on time after all.
so here is a picture of my purchases.

Patchwork and stitching


For some reason still unbeknown to me at this time, I have still lost my passion for Patchwork.
I have stacks of UFO's, WIP's and PHD's.
I keep digging them out of the cupboard and after half an hour, I end up leaving my sewing room and doing something quite different, so I am going to put the patchwork on the back boiler and go back to Embroidery for a bit, with out even thinking about the UFO's.
My fabric is in a bit of a mess and I have no urge to tidy it up, this is not like me at all, so I am going to give it a good go on Thursday and pack  all the fabric away in the cupboard, so it does not fade and hope that my urge comes back in the not to distant future.
I will continue to go to Patchwork group and keep the ideas alive.
I am stitching blocks for a quilt at present and I will continue with them but save the making up until I am ready to do it.
I do hope my passion returns soon for I have four Grandsons almost ready for a quilt now they are past the baby stage.

I have files of stitching and embroidery patterns that I want to do in fact I could go almost the rest of my days with out buying another.
I am  enjoying doing "smalls" at present .... pincushions,  needle cases and chatelaines.
I am also going to concentrate on Christmas and be ahead of myself.
So watch this space and I will let you know what I am doing and what I have finished.


How about a nice winter warmer soup


As most know it is winter here in NZ
I just love parsnips and they are not popular here, although they are available,  they are quite expensive so you need to make them go along way.
So loving soups I found this great soup in a magazine and have made it numerous times for many years.

Parsnip Soup with a hint of curry

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
4 parsnips, peeled and chopped
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoon curry powder
4 cups vegetable stock
1 apple, peeled and chopped
200ml lite coconut milk 
1 cup chopped fresh coriander optional
salt and pepper
few dashes Tabasco sauce (optional

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onions and garlic and fry lightly for 5 minutes until soft. Add the parsnips and cook for a few more minutes, then stir in the turmeric and curry powder. Add the apple and pour in the stock. Lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the parsnips are soft.
Pour the mixture into a blender (or use a stick blender) and purée until smooth. Pour back into the saucepan and reheat, then pour in the coconut milk. Season to taste. Add the coriander and optional dashes of Tabasco just before serving. Serve with crusty bread.




Monday 21 June 2010

White Hot Hero's



New Zealand achieve the greatest result in their history by holding
 defending World Cup champions Italy to a 1-1 draw.
New Zealand can dare to dream.
With a fantastic 1 - 1 draw with the World Cup 2006 winners Italy really upsetting them.
Who would have thought or imagined that they were capable to go even this far.
Little, old New Zealand with just 25 professional footballers - Italy has 3541.
A country which had played just four World Cup matches before this morning drew with one which has won four World Cup titles. Crazy YES!!.

Regardless, it stunned the healthy crowd at the impressive Mbombela Stadium and for a second - maybe four - New Zealand fans could be heard over the drone of the vuvuzelas.
It just spurred Italy into action. They were wounded.
They don't lose to teams ranked 73 places behind them.






Saturday 19 June 2010

Inner Wheel NZ

Inner Wheel is the club formed by wives of Rotarian's, it is a group world wide who meet for fellowship and fun and personal service.
I belong to Rotorua Branch of district NZ293,
while belonging to the Rotorua group I have held different offices on the committee, among them Secretary and Vice President and of course this led to President twice,
I am now just an ordinary member of the committee.
Today was our district AGM as you can see it covers a large area of the North Island.
I went along with 7 members of our club.... while the AGM  was in process the District Committee let it be-known they needed an Editor for the newsletter...after some gentle persuasion, I seem to have landed the job, and I thought all the people on my table were my friends.
I really don't mind it is not an onerous job, and I am quite happy using publisher on the computer.

Inner Wheel Red Rose Badge

Thursday 17 June 2010

An apple a day keeps the Dr. away

Okay! I have had a head cold now for about 10 days now and  have had enough of it, I stayed in bed first couple of days ...just like you should  and thought that should deal with it ... But no way!! every 3 days it comes back with vengeance, . I can taste nothing and my head is fit to leave home, the brain is not working  on full power.
I have tried all the remedies people keep giving me, the best one so far was a "hot toddy" twice a day, at least that one was pleasant to drink.
I even read yesterday that hot chocolate is no good as it helps the mucus to develop due to the dairy in it ... shame I always head for hot chocolate when I am sickly.... you know comfort food.
So I have swallowed things, sniffed things and drunk things ... all to no avail...

"Okay I have had enough of this now,  it is beyond a joke anymore"
So if you have a family remedy,  I am open to all suggestions, willing to try anything.


Wednesday 16 June 2010

Go the Kiwi's

I am sure you don't need me to tell you the score with 23 seconds to go... Oh! oh well I will
We drew 1 - 1 a world record for New Zealand a first time ever score in the world Cup
As a reporter in the Telgraph said today the all whites next game is Italy......
"New Zealand can say 'right, let's go out and keep our shape. Let's look to deny them time and space, let's try to get our free kicks and corners better than they were against Slovakia. Let's try and keep the ball a little bit longer and not give it away in dangerous areas'.

"If we do that, the longer the game goes on and Italy can't score, they're going to get very stressed out. Who knows what can happen then, that's when players start to make mistakes.
"And everybody's on one point so we could still lose the next game and qualify. It could come down to goal difference, there are quite a few groups that have started like that."

Go the Kiwi's


Monday 14 June 2010

The World Cup

Having been in New Zealand now for almost 10 years ( yes!! whee time flies) well with a little coming and going in there....but not any more home to stay now.

I really can say I have not really missed anything from Europe or any other country we have lived in...BUT !!
This week I realise I have missed something : SOCCER

I am not that certain that I watched much of it before but guess because it was all around me I just took it for granted... With a Husband who was a class 1 referee and a son who was also a referee the talk at home obviously was soccer.
Till this week and the coverage of the World Cup, I now realise that I haved missed it.

I never ever thought I would get excited about football on the TV, but, yes I am, I have even bought a TV guide so I know the timings of the matches and broadcasts.
So if I am missing for awhile just look for me in front of the TV...

GO THE ALL WHITES

Thursday 10 June 2010

Being a Mother.. email sent to me

Both men & women, sons & daughters - need to read this
BEING A MOTHER.....

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to
Take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She
Said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves
You and would love to spend some time with you.'
* * *
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit
Was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years,
But the demands of my work and my two boys had
Made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
* * *
That night I called to invite her to go out for
Dinner and a movie.
* * *
'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
* * *
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a
late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign
Of bad news.
* * *
'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some
time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'
She thought about it for a moment, and then said,
'I would like that very much..'
* * *

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick
her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her
house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous
about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was
Wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last Birthday
* * *
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an
angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go
out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said,
as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date.
* * *
We went to a restaurant that, although not
elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my
arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat
down, I had to read the menu.... Her eyes could only
read large print. Half way through the entries, I
lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at
me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I
who used to have to read the menu when you were
small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and
let me return the favor,' I responded.
* * *
During the dinner, we had an agreeable
conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up
on recent events of each other's life.. We talked so
much that we missed the movie.
* * *

As we arrived at her house later, she said,
'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me
invite you.' I agreed.
* * *
'How was your dinner date ?'asked my wife when I got home.
'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
* *
A few days later, my mother died of a massive
heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't
have a chance to do anything for her.
* * *

Some time later, I received an envelope with a
copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place
mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I
paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I
could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two
plates - one for you and the other for your wife.
You will never know what that night meant for me.
I love you, son..'
At that moment, I understood the importance of
saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved
ones the time that they deserve... Nothing in life is
more important than your family. Give them the time
they deserve, because these things cannot be put off
till 'some other time.'
* * *

Fancy cup cake wrappers


While surfing the net of blogs, I came across this wedding blog 
I am not sure what I expected to find on this blog
But they showed how to make cupcake wrappers.
They are so easy I tried one and it makes your cupcakes look beautiful
 ( if a cupcake can look beautiful)
Make sure you measure your cupcake depth and width before you cut your doilie,
just in case you don't want to go the blog ...you just stick the ends together with a glue stick.
One of the neatest "did I need to know that"    things I have found on net for ages.
It could make your next afternoon tea with friends a treat.



Wednesday 9 June 2010

Oh! Just look what the post bought today


from my Tiny Treasures swap partner in Nova Scotia  Canada
A very neat pincushion with a tiny fob.
Also some Maple syrup  sweets... how did she know I adore maple syrup.
Thank you so much Vivian.

I gave a talk today



Today I gave a talk to the Senior Net Group
This is a group for seniors to learn about computers
they have tutorials and talks.

What did I talk about well!! you should have guessed "blogging"
I think I may have a couple of people interested in trying it.

It was quite interesting to see my blog up on the "Big screen"
It looked good...even if I say so myself

Tuesday 8 June 2010

The school boy..and uniforms


This is the smart boy in uniform.


Me and my big brother off to school.
Seems he went off as though he had always been there.
check out here

How comfortable kids look in the new type of uniforms
 I remember my uniform in 1950's, I had a shirt and tie, skirt, long socks and lace up shoes, a blazer and a hat, which if not on your head bought about a detention, these I had on consistent regularity it is so difficult to keep a "straw Boater " on your head while riding a bike, thus it would land down the back of my neck with the elastic beneath my chin.
 I reckon there were far to many prefects from my school who lived on my way home who were keen to put you on report.
I therefore saw the outside of the Heads room at least a couple of times a week.