Sweet Mary

I am out of action for a wee while - I had varicose veins stripped from both legs last Friday. Still feel a bit woozy from the general anaesthetic but I am up and about and by next week should be back in my workroom. Looking forward to "lumpless legs" this summer !

I loaded these photos up on Friday with the thought that I would get back to finish my blog by the end of the day but its now Monday and I am not sure where the last two days disappeared to. Anyway the above pic was taken early Friday morning from our lounge window looking out over the orchard. We woke up to a frosty morning. The house was very cold and I admit to dreaming quite alot about centrally heated houses. The dreams consist of pushing a button and by magic - instant heat! The sun soon came out though and our pretty baby, Annie, found a warm spot in the sun curling up on layers of vegetation at the edge of the bamboo patch. I spent a happy few hours in my workroom (heater on) finishing an order for Redcurrent in Wellington. My lavender wheat bags sell there and at the Redcurrent in Havelock North.

Over the last few days we have started the final autumn clean-up. Its officially winter here now in New Zealand but there is still alot of autumn colour around. I love pansies so like to fill any spare pots with them - these ones will be red and in the white washed pots should look very striking when they flower. I think these pansies are mixed colours with an underplanting of anenomes and ranunculus. The bamboo canes are there to support the sweetpeas planted as seeds which hopefully will be climbing up them come the spring. I wanted to leave this mountain of leaves as a haven for hedgehogs but the landlord doesn't agree so I will pack them into bags tomorrow to mulch down over the winter. My favourite tree on this property is this glorious copper beech - it is huge and the most perfect shape. Photo taken from the rose garden where I am still picking the odd bunch - see blog below. Today was a cold but sunny, cloudless, blue sky day.

I have had a blogging break. I didn't plan it - it just happened. But now I am back and I have lots of pretty pictures to post over the next few days. Last weekend was a 3 day one celebrating the Queen's birthday but unfortunately we spent a lot of it huddled around the fire as it was so cold. By Monday I had had enough of that and decided that if we had to stay indoors at least we could enjoy ourselves by eating something delicious. An afternoon tea with friends cheered us all up. I baked the Victoria sponge, something I haven't done since leaving the UK over 6 years ago and it was very, very good if I may say so myself. Peter made the very delicious cumin and cheese scones (my favourites). I know he would happily give me the recipe or I could maybe work it out for myself but its just not the same if I can't harass him into making them. Off now to start on a new order for Redcurrent in Wellington but will blog again tomorrow.

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