Sweet Mary

This is the fantastic holiday home in Wanaka that we have stayed in for the past week. The inside is decorated in a mountain lodge theme with every mod-con you could want. It will be hard to leave tomorrow after such a pleasant stay.

Twenty-five years ago today my lovely husband and I got married. It seems such a long time ago but also seems just like yesterday. As we don't need anything we agreed to not exchange gifts but honey surprised me this morning with this very pretty vintage-style bracelet. Please excuse the old hand - can't imagine who it belongs to! I would have chosen it for myself and will treasure it forever.

A pretty picture taken near Wanaka where we are on holiday for a week - click here to see the really good shots of this stunning area. Lake Wanaka (below) - a 5 minute walk from our holiday home. I will blog about this fab house in a day or two. After a late start today we drove out to Tarras on State Highway 8 in Central Otago, on our way to Cromwell. We had been directed out to visit Mrs Robinson's shop by a helpful local. If there was ever a more perfect shop for me this would have to be it. If you love beautifully displayed vintage ware then this is the shop for you. I don't have a suitably sized table for this tablecloth but its so gorgeous I just had to include a pic of it. Fiona Robinson has colour blocked areas throughout the four rooms in her home based business. It really is a delight and a feast for the eyes. If you are ever in the area you must call in - she is a very friendly lady: Mrs Robinson Tarras Village State Highway 8 Central Otago

Sweet Mary Lavender Wheat Bags are on sale at Redcurrent (Wellington & Havelock North) and Now & Then (see left for details).

Nicola took some lovely photos of the autumn leaves around our home but it did make me think it was time to tidy up a bit so my son and I bagged up many hundreds of these gorgeous leaves. Click here to see Nic's "before" photos.

My lavender and wheat bags made from Amy Butler fabric are now on sale at Now & Then in Havelock North. Juliette has opened a fabric studio at her home but also sells lots of very beautiful "must haves" sourced from New Zealand and around the world. I will also be selling a range at Redcurrent in Havelock North and Wellington from the end of next week.

Last Saturday we drove over the Gentle Annie to stay a couple of nights at my godson's holiday home in Ohakune . We drove past the beautiful Mount Ruapehu at about six in the evening and stopped to take this photo. The first of many that we took over our two days of rest and relaxation and one slightly challenging walk. Its not far, my husband said, and very easy! Last Monday, we drove home again to be welcomed, late afternoon, by this gorgeous autumn scene on the driveway leading to the house. Last Wednesday, I finished the quilt for baby Isabelle and posted it off on Friday. Last Friday, yesterday, Nic and I had a drive out to The Paper Mulberry Cafe for a fix of their excellent date scones. Their coffee is very good too. We sat outside, at a table that was once an old blue door, the sun shining on a perfect autumn day with views across the countryside. At that point, life seemed pretty good. Last week sometime, I started to pick up and eat the feijoas from the orchard - ...