World of Wearable Art Winner

World of Wearable Art

Each year in Wellington, we host the World of Wearable Art, an amazing competition with entries from all over the world. Here is a poster advertising it. The winner this year was an artist from Alaska who made a crinoline from planed wood. It was extraordinary.

Sign language at the office

Earlier this week, the battle of words between two colleagues notched up a level. The person who posted it, just before he left the office for the day is now in serious trouble.

Small pleasures

I hate washing up. This morning, elbow deep in soap suds, I wanted to sneeze (why does that always happen?). Milliseconds later a large moth fluttered by my nose and landed next to the dish rack.
I didn’t want he / she to get wet and impede take off, so I dried my hands and tried to catch her, to help her escape through the kitchen window.
She decided to play hard to get and fluttered off. Mindful that my “I like to snack on moths and stick insects” cat was hovering, watching the proceedings, I knew I couldn’t leave moth-brain to herself. She was now basking in the shade on a piece of wall too high for me to access. What to do? I have a gammy leg at the moment, and wouldn’t trust myself to stand on a chair.
Enter stage right, large yellow feather duster. Ah yes, the perfect way to collect a moth. She dutifully hopped on a feather and enjoyed the ride down to my nose level. After saying a fond farewell, we parted, she through the gap in the kitchen window, and me, back to my soapsuds.

Scirrocco, Harmatan, Schamel

Photo Reuters
....I'm not sure what we should call the red dust storm which hit Sydney and Queensland, except perhaps scary. Today the storm is due to hit NZ, with severe weather warnings up and down the country. Farmers have been advised to keep their livestock indoors as flooding is forecast in many areas. Oh and asthmatics have been warned to stay indoors.

Forever grateful

I have been having trouble with my achilles tendon and more recently the back of one of my knees. in combination they have caused me to have sleepless or restless nights. During the day I have been in pain. Today I managed to see a doctor who recommended physio and losing weight. The latter is easier said than done.

As I was being pulled and manipulated in the surgery, feeling VERY sore, I had cause to give thanks. I mean, I'm 48 years old soon. I may be overweight, but at least I HAVE two legs that work. I can still walk around when I want to. I don't have to walk with calipers or crutches or sit in a wheelchair. How many tens of thousands of adults and children have lost limbs to landmines or cancer or serious accidents? How many more of my generation were born without them during the thalydamide scandal?

So, even though I'm sore and find it painful at the moment to walk, I can be thankful it is temporary.

Window in Blue

Part of our Sunday promenade.

Aaah...... Sundays

Our lovely boy, protecting the property at the Eastern side of the compass.

Squatting seagulls

We have a delightful porcelain seagull called Sydney who resides in our garden. At this time of the year, he struggles to stay on his post under the weight of bluebells and African Lilies

Hindrance Desk

I have often joked at the misnomer of some "Customer Service" telephone numbers. Shouldn't the number be called a "Hindrance Desk"? Sometimes you can hang up and feel more frustrated and confused than before you called.

A colleague played this joke on another colleague yesterday. He typed the notice and attached it to her desk. She will see it when she comes in tomorrow, and boy is he going to pay.........

Early mornings

I love the early morning light. We are surrounded by native trees and birds, so no need for an alarm clock at this time of the year.

I love to watch my cats wander out into a bright dawn and sniff the air and contemplate the thousands of smells that attack their whiskers and send messages to their tiny velvet noses.

I love to hear a rustle in the undergrowth as a bird wrestles with a worm or finds a juicy insect to chew for breakfast.

I love the flowers that wave good morning to me through the kitchen window.

I love the smell of coffee and the faint taps of hubby answering emails in his office.

Good morning world!

L'Shanah Tova

We celebrate the Autumn Festival of Rosh Hashanah in the Spring here, but just for my Jewish friends in the N. Hemisphere, a photo from the beautiful S. Island (where some trees actually turn to autumn colours and shed their leaves)

Outside the local post office

They blossom even in our fierce southerly winds.

A chorus line

Bears knitted for orphan children in the Pacific Islands

Missing in Action

Have you ever noticed that there are certain items in the universe that can never be found at the point or time of need? In my household these include:
1) replacement staples
2) matching knee-high socks
3) a new tub of baking powder (by spring there are 4 tubs lurking in the dark corners of the pantry)
4) Sticking plasters for cuts
5) Tape measure
6) Electric fuses
7) Replacement batteries for the garage remote/tv remote/digital camera
8) Padlocks for suitcases.

You probably have your own list.

I think this would be a great starting point for a creative wedding or new home gift; to fill a large ice cream tub with a collection of stuff that you can never normally find in the house.

Ahhh, Sundays

For chicken lovers

Olive was an Orpington
who wished she'd been hard wired,
for every day just after lunch
she got extremely tired.

When really low on energy
she'd spit upon her comb
and jam it in those three point plugs
you have around the home.

After 30 minutes
she'd be recharged again;
it's just a thing you have to do
if you're a battery hen.

by Garrick Tremain

From our Sunday walk

Trial run for Rosh Hashanah

This recipe is from the late Leah Rabin. Send me an email if you would like a copy. Oh, and it only has a teaspoon of fat in it, for those of you who are watching the weight.

Messing around in boats

Boatsheds, Titahi Bay, NZ

Ruby Tuesday

Taken at a local outdoor festival. Fairy outfits for kids