the beach hut

Kia Ora

2011-11-24T17:23:00.002+13:00

Of course I couldn't stay away... Crikey dick, but I've missed being here.

Now that life has settled back down and I've got the hang of being a power suited city slicker it's time to softly shake the creative brain cell that has been slumbering these last few months.

The new job has changed me a little that's for sure. I'm busier, stressed and in bed by 9.30pm most nights; on the plus side I have a sh*t hot wardobe and I've fallen in love with the city I work in. I'm learning to deal with the stress and running for the bus in heels is a breeze, but the real difference is my newly found reverence for all that the weekend brings. Whether it's a bustling Saturday market or a rainy Sunday curled up with a book it's all about the weekend baby!

I've puttered around a craft fair, walked on the beach, lunched with a friend and spring cleaned the daughter's first flat. I made a salad so sexy it curled my toes, planted the first tomatoes of the season and drank one too many Corona's. Add to this seven loads of washing, three Op shops and a sunburnt nose... two very happy days.

Devonport

Mozzarella and tomato salad

Now Monday morning beckons. The house is tidy, the family is fed and tomorrow's outfit is hanging on the wardrobe door. Time for bed x

High Heel Heaven

2011-07-28T16:06:00.004+12:00

So a whole week has passed... a whole week of heels, coffee to go and early morning bus rides, I love it! I skip along Queen St to my new theme tune. Guess, go on have a guess... can you guess what it is?

'Working 9 to 5' of course. I tried Sheena Easton's version but the train bit put me off so it's all about the divine Miss Dolly.
In my new high powered, big hair and shoulder pads role I've noticed that there is definitely an odd power attached to a high heel...
On my 3" black leather boot days I'm really rather assertive, slapping my thigh and booming "Thank you Driver" as I stride from the bus. In my strappy red stiletto's I'm very Barbara Windsor, all giggles and eyelash fluttering and it's only a matter of time until my bra pings off! My favourite day so far has been my shiny Flamenco shoes. I stand infront of the microwave whilst my soup warms up and I tap my heels very fast and swish my skirt... awesome!

Today's little beauties are not the most comfortable footwear I grant you, but did you spot the bright pink soles. Worth every bunion!

Welcome, Kia Ora, Boas-vindas, Bienvenue, G'day!

2011-07-17T17:33:00.002+12:00

Just wanted to say hello to all the lovelies who have recently hit the follow button...

I'm a bit full on today as it's off to my new job tomorrow and as usual I've left most of my organising until the very last minute. I'll be back soon with an update on how I coped with high heels for an entire day, but in the meantime....

Welcome to the Beach Hut

Crepe-ity Crepe!

2011-07-14T10:49:00.006+12:00

Last night we ate dinner with my mother and I was introduced to the delicious world of frozen crepes. I’ll interject here that I’m not a complete philistine… I’ve long been a lover of all things pancake, waffley and drop scone-ish but those wafer thin French crepes were always a little outside my comfort zone.

No more… in a perfect world I’d be a soignée home cook with a chignon, stiletto’s and a pencil skirt but for the time being I’m defrosting these little beauties and serving up the quickest, easiest, most delicious pudding ever.

Last night we smothered our crepes with mascarpone and blueberries. Tonight I’m going seasonal with toffee apples and vanilla ice cream… Lordy, I’m drooling!

If anyone is interested I have an easy-peasy DIY mascarpone recipe?

Blueberry crepes

Still thinking...

2011-07-12T09:53:00.000+12:00

2) Reading

Thinking about things to do on the bus...

2011-07-07T13:58:00.000+12:00

1) Knitting...

organic cotton dish cloths

One for all, and all for one!

2011-07-05T12:15:00.009+12:00

John Lennon said, ‘Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans’. What a properly, clever bloke!

Whilst I’ve been focusing hard on little clumps of time, the atmosphere has been filling with all sorts of big stuff and last weekend the heavens opened!
I’d only just got my head around a 4 day job fix when I got a bloomin’ offer. Unbelievably, blogging helped the interview process as the position is within IT and my new boss needs someone who can feel her way around a web page. It’s a fantastically exciting, challenging and frankly, a pant wetting career move. It’s also full time, in the city and requires high heels, posh frocks and make up…YIKES!
This should be enough, shouldn’t it? I thought so; however the same inbox that held the job offer also threw out an invitation to appear in a new British craft magazine… I KNOW!

A rather lovely lady spotted a photo of my shelves and has asked to put it in Mollie Makes. How cool is that… of course there’s a very good chance that it’ll hit the cutting room floor, but Crikey Dick, I am seriously flattered. The upshot of all this is I’m coming home and will be posting in the Beach Hut once again as my 4 day fixes have proved so successful that I won’t have a great deal of time to blog about them daily. I’m amalgamating. I’m still changing, but perhaps a little more slowly as I’m a bit of a whirly gig at present.

Here's a sneaky peek...!

beach hut kitchen

Teacosies and pom pom's

2011-05-22T10:21:00.003+12:00

I'm spending the day taking photo's and filling up my little shops shelves.
Can't think of a nicer way to spend the day really... maybe just a walk later and a large roast dinner, not cooked by me!
hope you're having a wonderful weekend too, x

A tornado... oh come on!

2011-05-04T11:00:00.007+12:00

I have been feeling rather unsettled of late... hence the lack of posts and photo's. There's no rhyme or reason for this general malaise, just an antsy feeling in the pit of my stomach that won't go away.

The events of yesterday afternoon however have put paid to any self indulgent naval gazing... I got up close and personal with a freakin' tornado! I ran out of the Mall to what can only be described as scenes of carnage. Corrugated iron roofing was whipping through the air whilst trees were uprooted and cars flew. An enormous column of angry black cloud roared furiously before moving off over the rooftops.

When you walk away unscathed from something of that magnitude, when so many others didn't, it's time to start celebrating the positive and ignoring that antsy.

Time to start smiling...

luckily he never reads the blog...

2011-04-20T13:55:00.006+12:00

Happy Birthday darling...

... otherwise he would be less than pleased. However, ignorance is bliss so here's a picture of my first mate, bait boy and kingfish catcher...

Happy Birthday to the Great Alphonso... just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water!

Choo Choo... there goes my bathroom

2011-04-14T10:36:00.008+12:00

I'm knee deep in a bathroom renovation that feels a bit like I've jumped aboard a runaway train. The job description for Project Manager should really just read 'experience coralling cats would be helpful'
I'm not sure if a collective noun for a group of different tradesmen exists, personally I like to call my band of men a 'tutting' or a 'teabreak', both activities of which they are all inordinately fond!
It's been a while since I frittered away an afternoon with my favourite set of brushes although I can now boast to being a dab hand with a paint roller and a tin of pigmented sealer.

Bathnight... 5 days and counting!

A fashionably rainy day

2011-04-05T12:36:00.013+12:00

Today sees a real turn in the weather. Dark clouds loom overhead and the weatherman warns of a stormy weekend.I pop a whole bucket of corn and liberally sprinkle chilli salt and icing sugar; don't knock it 'til you try it, there is something scarily moreish about this hot, sweet, salty combo. We settle down to a cinematic afternoon of DVD's and snacking whilst the wind rages outside. A break in the clouds lets me rush around the garden gathering tools, washing and tennis racquets forgotten in yesterdays sunshine. Unfortunately, the just raked leaves have escaped their tidy piles and are once again a swirling, crunchy carpet.

With the cat hot on my heels I make it back inside just as the heavens open, not that it matters. An enjoyable film, goodie bowls and a blanket mean I won't be venturing out again for a while.

Saturday night and it's my first real excuse to dress up this year. Does that sound a little sad? It makes me think that I should forgo the excuses and occasionally vacuum in killer heels. We attend a fashion show as part of NZ Fashion week and although the models are easy on the eye, the real entertainment is to be seen in the audience. Free champagne, a smattering of Auckland's beautiful people, a slightly creepy paparazzi, infrequent finger food and badly signposted toilet facilities makes for real theatre.

Sunday pottering becomes a relocation exercise when Olli asks to switch bedrooms. I grunt and heave at an old welsh dresser before realising my teenage removal man has wandered off on his fifth teabreak of the morning. Eventually the hardwork is completed and I settle down to a few happy hours of sorting through old drawers and piles of boxes and paperwork until my new office/studio/stock room emerges.

Flowers, enamel and fruit salad bowls

2011-04-03T14:39:00.002+12:00

A very fruitful! weekend jumbling and car booting... and with the clocks going back it feels like today is going to last forever.

Mag 59

2011-03-30T16:06:00.013+13:00

There once was a woman called Lisa
An advert for female alopecia
With a smile barely there
and distinct lack of hair
who can blame that poor moany creature

Linking up to Magpie Tales

Cafe society

2011-03-30T13:30:00.018+13:00

Half the fun of discovering a new favourite place is sharing it with someone else. As we drive through midday traffic I'm hopeful that Lorraine will enjoy 'Little & Friday' as much as I do.

She does!

This gorgeous little bakery/cafe is owned by Kim Evans and her philosophy of baking to make people feel good is working. Local customers donate cutlery, cups and saucers, and even teapots to the cafe, because they feel so much a part of what Kim is doing.

We devour our tea and cakes before racing home. Driving fast is a must when your car has no roof and rain clouds threaten to drop their load at any minute.

all photo's courtesy of Little & Friday.

Time for some Nana love...

2011-03-25T12:22:00.010+13:00

I found this delightful picture on the web today... inspirational for so many reasons!
Trelise Coopers caravan was decorated for The Breast Cancer Cure Research Trust... isn't it gorgeous?

I'm a paid up member of the bunting fan club... our verandah is strewn with the stuff.

I thought about draping Nana with the fabric variety but soggy bunting isn't that appealing and if Trelise says painting it on is all goods, who am I to argue?

Capital Goodness

2011-03-24T11:45:00.004+13:00

A few of the treasures I found during our trip.

Is it a sign of obsession when you pick an hotel based on its distance from the choicest secondhand shops? If I start to dream of boiling bunnies I'll know it has gone too far!

Swellington

2011-03-18T22:11:00.006+13:00

We're back after a jam packed two days...

shopping, walking, cafe's, champagne, vintage, jewels, one award winning restaurant and a huge amount of laughing... to coin a phrase "we lived like queens!"

Happy Birthday Darling... next stop Melbourne!

T.T.F.N.

2011-03-14T19:09:00.004+13:00

I'm packing for an overnight trip to Wellington... there are op shops and vintage emporiums who are closing up for the evening still blissfully unaware that I have them in my sights!

Lily and I are doing the girlie/ shopping/ retauranting thing to celebrate her 20th... which means I have a daughter of 20, WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN!!!

I'll be back with photo evidence soon, until then I leave you with Alfie and me riding the waves on Nana. My 13 year old had his first driving lesson... we ran aground, we laughed our heads off, I swallowed rather a lot of water when Alf went into forward gear rather than neutral and took off towards open sea with me hanging on for dear life, he laughed his head off... a jolly good time was had by all.

A banana and fig day

2011-03-12T22:50:00.004+13:00

The veggie plot is newly staked and almost weed free. Tomatoes glisten after their watering and the smell of basil in the late afternoon sun is overwhelming. Autumn means everything has become a little overblown; it feels like time to start cutting back and hunkering down.

I cut a few banana leaves to liven up this evening’s dinner table and as my day in the garden draws to an end I rub my aching back and head for the shower.

An unexpected but much loved guest pops in with a gift of figs, fresh from her garden. We can’t help but eat them straight way. Creamy, slightly salted Havarti cheese, toasted ciabatta and juicy figs, heaven food. I manage to stretch the Thai Chicken Curry a little further and Alfie cuts me an extra leaf. He thinks I’m bonkers, but the table looks pretty.

The figs reappear accompanied by glasses of my favourite dessert wine and we sit outside until the autumnal chill in the air becomes uncomfortable. The washing up can wait; I boil the kettle and hunt for the hot water bottles stored away last spring. I climb into bed, warm, tired and content. A cup of tea and a bedtime story; a good day.

More ways with old patterns

2011-03-11T11:18:00.004+13:00

I feel sorry for Dolly. Her biscuit beige exterior belies her smoking personality.
I tear and glue those trusty old paper patterns and suddenly Dolly starts walking tall. I take her out, first time this year. She poses for the camera; I may need all my powers of persuasion to get her dressed for work.
See Dolly modeling the new Vintage Tickle collection soon…

Ways with old patterns...

2011-03-08T11:06:00.004+13:00

Fossicking (fossicking, excellent word) through the craft supplies at today's op shop of choice I pick up a pattern for a nurses outfit. I'm sure, in a faded floral or a deckchair stripe, even this outfit could flatter, but I'm buying it for other uses.

Old pattern paper has a myriad of uses, I wrap the red rose napkins and two boxed linens ready for the post office. As I fruitlessly search the bottomless kitchen drawer for string I think WOOL! Tie on my 'hot off the press' tags and a quick brown paper coat, more Vintage Tickle ready for the off.

Just like a bear hunt my route leads me first to the post office, then through the bakery and eventually into the sea. My latte has cooled off by now and I sip whilst paddling. I fill the empty cup with shell rings to add to my jar and wander home.

Little Britain, big bum...

2011-03-06T11:00:00.008+13:00

I'm pondering. Fancy Vintage has asked me to reveal 8 hidden things.

"Slap...Slap!"

"What, I'm in the kitchen"

"Tell me something I do that no-one else knows about..."
.
.
.
"SLAP!"

"I'm thinking...... when you wear your Ann, eh, eh, eh, nightie and you think the kids can't see you, you flash your bottom at me"

He's still talking but I'm not listening anymore... I resolve not to ask him anymore open ended questions, he can't be trusted!

Thank you Miss Fancy, sending blog love back at you!

Shoes, spoons and soup...

2011-03-05T09:53:00.002+13:00

I'm starving!
This silly summer cold has really knocked me for six. I drag myself out of bed whilst most people are enjoying their morning tea. With the boys all suffering too it means the fridge and pantry have been left bare and at the thought of the supermarket, I want to scuttle straight back to bed. My stomach rumbles and drastic measures are taken with left overs... a potato-ey broth warms me up from the inside and I start to feel a little more human.

I self medicate. Watermelon bursts with anti oxidants and now is the season to buy them in bulk. Half now and half in the freezer, where the cold turns my slice into an enormous ice lolly.

Whilst I have my camera in hand I take a picture of handles. These old kitchen tools have been collected over the years and are still regularly used. I'm not sure what appeals to me so much about this tiny corner of my kitchen, I don't analyse it.

Incredibly, these little beauties have the ability to make my red nose and saggy pyjamas look almost stylish! I parade around the laundry before admitting that they're too pointy for my flip flop feet. I sell them in my shop, my loss will be someone else's gain.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Tattoo me silly...

2011-03-03T08:22:00.016+13:00

I'm sitting at the computer, bottom lip trembling. My beautiful, arty-farty friend has just posted photo's of the henna party I was too sick to attend.
Does this happen to you too?
The prettiest party in town takes place the one day a year I'm poorly. I'm sharing the pictures... we can sigh together.

My email box is pinging, somebody wants to get friendly on Facebook. I have only just started using this properly. I've had an account for ages but I use it to play farms; it's a lot less sweaty than gardening.
Now I've made a page where I can celebrate my lack of an inner monologue.

If you're a lover of beautiful crockery then please pay a visit to the delightful Fancy Vintage blog. This is a woman who knows how to drink her tea... from a golden teapot no less!

My happy place...

2011-03-01T12:33:00.005+13:00

I've been thinking about blogging; pictures of op shop treasures, tasty dinners and boat trips seem silly and careless after the events of the last week but these things are me. They're not important, I know that, but they are the things that make the hurdles seem smaller. Planet Blog is my happy place, a cheap, friendly, comfy world that I always look forward to visiting.

I received a text on Friday evening, asking if I was keen to 'rumble in the jumble'; I smiled all through dinner.
As a self-proclaimed junkaholic, nothing excites me more than a morning spent bumping elbows with fellow treasure hunters... and man, we are one motley crew.

Jostling their way to the front of every queue are the stern looking dealers. Behind them, tiny asian ladies grip their enormous carrier bags and bewildered bedheads mill around the edges. Island families show up early with deck chairs, picnic baskets and taupaulins in case of rain; now that's how you work a queue.
A sunny yellow lid peeks through a box of old jam jars and the 7am start this morning is suddenly worth it. After a good scrub this cast iron pot will be cooking up a ratouille storm; along with lemon, garlic and thyme lamb chops hot off the barbie with ciabatta for dunking, sounds like dinner.

On the way home I stop at the Farmers Market where nectarines, plums, sweetcorn and avocado's are piled high. This is a chi chi part of town where the crowd are more yoga pants than gumboots but the prices are low and the produce is as fresh as it comes. No one even notices my bad hair day...

I take the beach road home. A calm sea could tempt me away from weekend chores but wind and white tops mean mopped floors and a full washing line.

Let's hope the fish are still biting tomorrow...

Earthquake

2011-02-24T11:48:00.006+13:00

We've woken up this morning to clear blue skies and a National State of Emergency. This entire country has a population similar to that of South London so degrees of separation here are minimal. We all seem to know somebody directly affected by the quake and this makes it hard... horribly hard.

Donation details can be found here,
REDCROSS

Keep safe Christchurch...
You are in our thoughts...

P.S. Thanks guys, your comments and emails have been really appreciated! xxx

There are no words...

2011-02-23T11:47:00.006+13:00

Calling all cheesemakers

2011-02-15T16:54:00.011+13:00

This has been a bumper treasure hunting week!
Beautiful enamel bowls in pretty shades of cream and green, a buttery yellow swing jacket, a heidi blouse and Hornsea pottery.

The piece de resistance though is... a floating dairy thermometer
Still in it's original packaging, this must have been a serious bit of kit for Mary from the Dairy. When I first spied it the words stamped on the box put me off a little. Doesn't Mercury Dairy Thermometer make you think of cows bums too?

I'm popping my precious in the shop today... please note I've changed the name of my tiny emporium. I had a couple of visits from a strange man who must have typed slap and tickle into his search engine for reasons other than vintage homewares... hmmm!

On a happier note I've been keeping my strength up with meals from another of my bumper hauls... Jamie's Italy... bellissimo!

Have you guessed what it is yet?

2011-02-12T23:44:00.001+13:00

OK, so here's a teeny, tiny clue...

a bargain butterfly

2011-02-11T10:19:00.009+13:00

Are you a goldy or a silvery?
I've always been a silvery lover, in fact I don't think I own any yellow jewellery at all, even my wedding ring is white gold...
UNTIL NOW!

This little bit of lovely was only $2 from the local charity treasure trove; it literally fluttered from under the counter glass and landed on my chest, and there it has stayed.

Even more importantly, taking a photo from this angle allows you to seek and destroy any of those bizarrely lengthy facial hairs that sprout when you're forty.

Come on admit it... you know what I'm talking about!

Edit: Yikes, I feel like I'm advertising under false pretences!
Thank you for your birthday wishes but actually it's not my birthday yet, in fact my next birthday will see me closer to mid forties than early.
Having said that I have just bought myself the most incredible present (obviously not for my birthday, please see above).
Here's a clue...
she's a Beauty, and I'm hOpelessly in love, i've called her nAna and slap isn't Talking to me because i used the electric money....
Good times, x

it definitely starts tomorrow...

2011-02-08T13:00:00.004+13:00

Why is it the minute you go on a diet you just can't stop thinking, dreaming, talking about cake?

eating it too...did I mention eating... cake, mmmmmmmmmmm!

a fuller figure...

2011-02-03T11:28:00.024+13:00

Hellooooo February!

With January's goals going better than expected, I'm hoping to keep momentum up and sort out my wobbly bits and my bank balance...

"Back up the truck", I hear you roar, (sorry, a newly learnt colloquialism that I've been dying to fit into a sentence), "your figure and your finances... are you mad?"

Actually, I'm quite excited about the coming month. At long, long last the opportunity has arisen for me to put my love of all things real estate to good use, I'm doing a Sarah Beeny! We've decided to renovate the beach hut, sell and then go again with a couple of quick do up's back to back. Although we're not new to the property development market (the beach hut is house #9 already) properly project managing the jobs with deadlines and budgets will be a little different from the suck it and see approach I've used up until now.

Watch this space...

As for my expanding waistline; I'm sort of hoping that the demands of a 'developing' life will take their toll and the weight will fall off. Although knowing my luck I'll probably just end up with a builders bum.

Oh well, if all else fails I'll just have to manage my cake intake a little more stringently, up the level of edame bean consumption and occasionally try and break a sweat on the beach... happy days!

treasure hunting...

2011-02-01T13:43:00.009+13:00

I love this photo; I'd keep it if the kids didn't think it was slightly creepy. As a talking point it's great, visitors always ask why this takes pride of place whilst my own childhood family portrait is hidden in the bookshelf... don't judge me, you don't know my family!
I mean, it is what it is, an old, slightly shabby photo of three smiling children sporting rather dodgy haircuts and hand knitted jumpers. The frame is a tawdry gold and white and it bulges slightly at the back, unfortunately there isn't a treasure map or family fortune tucked behind, I checked.

I'm going to sell this, and I'm really hoping that whomever buys it won't mind my asking why?

january roundup...

2011-01-28T10:30:00.021+13:00

Well, January is coming to an end; so how ordered and organized have I become?

Surprisingly I've done quite well… I say surprisingly as my track record with resolutions is pretty poor. I haven't cleared my list completely but the yuckier jobs have been ticked off and I've designated one remaining job to each month for the rest of the year which allows for alot of procrastination should the need arise (it will, of that you can be sure).

So with clean and ordered shelves;

(here's a close up especially for the divine dancing bun)

a folded, contained fabric stash; a sparkling pool; a manageable paper trail;
and a pantry that has been exorcised (it used to behave like a landlocked Bermuda Triangle);

I am striding towards February with a spring in my step… work it baby!

the love boat...

2011-01-27T14:31:00.007+13:00

I'm in love, I'm in love, i'm in love;

If she were mine I'd call her 'flaming nora', I'd polish her and clean her and I'd eat all my broccoli for the next year at least, pleeeeeease!

Edit: Looked amazing on paper, unfortunately didn't match up in the flesh, so to speak... the hunt continues.

rain rain go away...

2011-01-25T10:54:00.015+13:00

When it rains in New Zealand, it properly rains!
No grey drizzle downunder... we've been lashed by tropical, steamy downpours; but they've passed as most things always do and I found these beauties lurking amongst the drooping leaves of the veggie patch.

Tomatoes are in the news here at present, which is something you don't get to say everyday.
With poor Queensland still in recovery mode after all that furious weather and flooding, farmers are predicting fewer crops, which of course leads to price hikes further on down the line. The fallout from this dreadful event just keeps on coming and our hearts go out to all those affected.
If you want to help please click

As to what I did with the tomatoes... there was a lunchdate where we were joined by bocconcini, basil, red onion and some mild garlic oil. A large hunk of bread rushed in at the very last minute but as my Nana always said, the more the merrier...

P.S. Just wanted to say 'Kia Ora' to all the new readers, commentators and followers (when I told Slap I had followers he looked at me with disdain and called me a big head... there's nobody quite like a loving man to keep you grounded)... you are all very welcome and I'm looking forward to leaving 'weird or what' comments on your blogs soon... you have been warned!

P.P.S. Also wanted to say 'Churrr Bro!' to all the gorgeous lovelies who have been visiting for a while now, x

P.P.P.S. Does anyone else think that William Shatner is a comic genius?

you can ring my bell...

2011-01-23T17:48:00.006+13:00

The shopping gods are smiling...

new stock just in, with heaps more to come...

talking like a tourist...

2011-01-18T16:22:00.003+13:00

So as part of January's 'order and organisation' goal I thought I'd clear out my Flickr account. I can't think of a nicer way to spend a blustery afternoon than sitting wrapped in a blanket sifting through images of sunnier times...
I took these pictures a while back; as I was wandering along the sand a swarm of excited children rushed passed me on their way to the kayaks and it started me thinking about the first time I discovered my 'go to' beach.
I remember thinking the picture frame was a bit naff until I looked through it...
I remember sitting on the rocks with three super excited children scanning the waves for dolphins...
I remember asking Slap to pinch me (which he did rather a little too exuberantly for my liking)...
Ten years later with a mortgage, a job, school runs and supermarket shopping under my belt, I'm still able to drag back that 'holiday' feeling every time I take my shoes off to paddle.

Bliss!

life is a minestrone...

2011-01-16T20:05:00.004+13:00

and a loaf of homemade bread and an apricot tarte tatin...

It's been a very mixed up bag of nice and nasty in the tiny bit of 2011 experienced so far... the nice completely outweighs the nasty so I'm taking that as an omen; a sign that my spidey senses, which promised an auspicious 12 months, aren't totally off.

I didn't bother with resolutions this year... instead I'm awarding each month with it's own goal. January is all about order and organisation, so far, so do-able. I'm hoping that by doing all the crappy clutterbug jobs early in the year I'll be able to devote June to hedonism and sloth. Actually, my lifestyle detox is leaving me feeling rather jolly; I'm a massive fan of the list and such a concerted effort to erase a few lines is making my heart sing...

Today a tidy cutlery drawer... tomorrow world domination!

summer lovin', had me a blast...

2011-01-11T00:31:00.008+13:00

beaches and boats, fishing and falling over, shell rings and singing, murder in the dark and mussels, friends and family, tent pegs and tentacles, love and laughter...

how was your holiday!

a very happy kiwi christmas

2010-12-22T10:33:00.006+13:00

Wishing you all an amazing Christmas and an outstanding New Year!

I'll be back mid January with reams of words and photo's I'm sure... bring on Summer!

Enjoy these delightful kiwi kids doing it down under style! I'm off to add 'star outfit' to my Santa wish list...

shop update 2

2010-12-16T14:11:00.006+13:00

Just looking at the pictures I'm wondering if I can really bear to part with my preciousssss after all...
Courage, mon brave!

the office christmas party...

2010-12-15T09:59:00.012+13:00

Everyday I try and take stock. Our move to the other side of the world was an impetuous one, it turns out though that New Zealand was spontaneity at it's very, very best.

If you asked me to describe my slice of heaven, then a day's fishing would place highly and this years office celebration was a perfect end to the year. Looking at the photo above I've noticed that as well as fishing, cards, halves of Guiness and horse racing I'm also rather partial to an old boy's cardi...

Oh well, at least I haven't succumbed to lawn bowls, grey plastic shoes and trousers worn far to high... yet!

The catch of the day was a 12lb Snapper although mackerel, terakihi and gurnard were also biting. Look away now if you have a fish aversion...

Also on my heavenly wish list... fish and chips; on a beach, in newspaper on a bus or even on fine china with silver forks, as long as it's fresh, battered and there's malt vinegar and tartare sauce I'm a happy, happy camper, x

splash of colour week... 1

2010-12-06T17:04:00.009+13:00

Bougainvillea by the pool...

Hurrah! I've managed to get this post in on time, correct day, relevant picture, the lot!

If you want to join in, although you'd have to go some to be as swotty as me, please bash the button or visit Emma at silverpebble (you can buy jewellery too... yum, yum, gobble, yum)

escape to beach hut...

2010-12-01T15:37:00.013+13:00

I am the lucky owner of 20 20 vision, which I am duly grateful for.... BUT, I hanker after a pair of spectacles! There is something wildly sexy about goggles which is why I'm always stealing Slap's.

This morning however, whilst checking myself out in the mirror, I had a rather unsettling experience. I morphed into Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Admittedly my vision was a bit blurry (Slap is almost at bottle top level), so I thought I'd let you judge for yourselves...

Hugh...

Me...

Do you have a celebrity lookilikee?

tuesday morning news...

2010-11-30T13:49:00.020+13:00

This week I've been thinking a lot... please no applause is necessary, this isn't as unlikely an event as it may sound!

This article started me off...

... and although I'm not a naval gazer as a rule, well these five points really appealed.

So, onto point number one.... Don't sit on the fence.

I'm now a Rugby World Cup 2011 volunteer! I have no idea what I'll be doing as I'd put my hand up to be a car park attendant, however I've been signed up to the ceremonies team. I'm hoping this means I'll be the official Mexican Wave starter, but frankly as long as I get a go on the walkie talkie I'm not really fussed.

Point two... Expand your mind (obviously this is a great sentence for your 'Neil from the Young Ones' voice.)

Saturday saw me at a Bokashi lecture... hmmm, who knew compacted household waste would clear your drains! I'm going to give this a go, watch this space...

Point three... Care for your planet

The article tells you to buy eco cleaning products, but I'm already there on that one. I went one better... I bought a worm farm! The worm tea it produces is apparently the Mongrel Mobs fertilizer of choice so I'll be adding it to my crops and watching them go crazy.

Obviously this isn't me... I'm still working on looking this happy holding handfuls of worm poo!

Point four... Think more deeply

I thought and thought and then realised that I am in fact a shallow vessel, so rather than a philosophy lecture or a Ingmar Bergman film I've decided to post a picture of what has been filling my brain of late... (bargain of the week, Fiona McGuiness just $5!!)

Next week I'll be attempting Point four again!

Point five... my favourite point actually... break bread with friends,

Slap and I shared a chicken kebab and a bottle of beer at the U2 concert Friday night...let the good times roll baby!

shop update...

2010-11-25T12:47:00.004+13:00

Just a few more goodies I've unearthed. Scarily, I probably have enough stock tucked away in cupboards, drawers and under the bed to keep my little shop full to the brim for the next six months, at least.
Will that stop me collecting though.....
HAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

x

monday morning news...

2010-11-16T13:47:00.021+13:00

I thought I was going to have to live 'til a hundred before I ever received a telegram, but No!

Look what was waiting for me in the mailbox this morning. How cool is that?... I was planning to send my new penpal a letter in return but now I'm going to have to find a carrier Kiwi bird that can manage the round trip to the U.S. (before you tut tut at my lack of ornithological knowledge, I realise Kiwi's can't fly... I plan to buy it a canoe!)

Happy house move Heather!

So, what else have I been doing recently...

My cinema chum and I have enjoyed a couple of excellent English movies, Four Lions and Made in Dagenham.

I've linked above to the relevant websites in case you're interested, I recommend them both, wholeheartedly.

We actually saw the films in two different cinemas... Four Lions was in one of those old school theatres where the seats are a little lumpy but you don't have to sneak your wine in a drink bottle; Made in Dagenham was a multi plex monster affair, run by twelve year olds with a delicious array of pik n mix lollies and ice cream. Both enjoyable in their own way, although this time I really enjoyed the multi plex because we went during the afternoon and walking out of a cinema into bright, shiny sunshine always makes me feel I've cheated time somehow.

I'm drowning in sweetpeas... which as a way to go would actually be quite nice I think... preferable to a shark attack anyway.

I'm eating rather a lot of asparagus with hollandaise, salt and pepper and I'm baking bread... from scratch... without a breadmaker... this is a big deal... believe me! The recipe is one from Nigella and involves no kneading, yum, gobble, yum,yum, chew!

What have you been up to?

parp, parp…

2010-11-12T10:56:00.005+13:00

Can you hear me blowing my own trumpet? It's only a tiny trumpet and I promise I don't have a swollen head… but today I did something really, rather nice. I'm only telling you about this because of the warm glow I've got going on at the moment… I want to share, I'd like to thoroughly recommend a thoughtful act flavoured with a hint of surprise and a small sprinkling of largesse, because truly, the intrinsic joy of being really, rather nice for no other reason than, well, being really, rather nice… it's delicious!

Altruism isn't something I normally prescribe to… I'm more of a karmic being as a rule; although I cried like a sap whilst watching 'Pay it Forward' and for a while afterwards the kids and I competed for the title of 'most helpful person in NZ'. This was enlightening actually… kindness through the eyes of a teenager. The PIF wars came to an abrupt end when a claim of 'only half beating up my little brother' was put forward as a worthy act!

And the recipient of all this niceness, well she's a very dear friend who deserves all the good things she's got coming.

del boy downunder...

2010-11-10T11:05:00.005+13:00

Today is a good day...

You see, I've always dreamed of one day having a little shop.
I'd fill it with pretty things and useful things, all with a vintage vibe. There would be a bell above the door and a peeling old cash register. I'd put a comfy chair by the counter so friends could sit, chat and enjoy a cup of tea after browsing.
Until this happy day, I'm opening a little online shop...

I've called it slap and tickle for obvious reasons... and if they're not obvious, well isn't it safe to say that everyone enjoys a little slap and tickle! (Please insert Sid James chortle here)

happy halloween…

2010-10-29T11:41:00.013+13:00

... and what could be scarier than a jack 'o lantern light fitting, a bargain from the $2 shop!

I found the article below on a news website... come and have a read, if you think you're brave enough;

TOP 10 HAUNTED SPOTS IN AOTEAROA (New Zealand to the non Kiwi's out there)

1. Kingseat psychiatric hospital, Karaka.

Kingseat is a former psychiatric hospital where many patients claim they experienced maltreatment, and a number of patients died during their time there. Its reputation for hauntings spread so far and wide it is now run as a "haunted house" tourist venture by a company named Spookers.

2. Racecourse Hotel, Riccarton.

The ghost of former licensee Donald Fraser is said to walk the corridors of the hotel looking for his killer.
According to The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, in 1933 Fraser was killed in the middle of the night in his bedroom, where his wife was asleep, by two blasts from a double-barrelled shotgun.
The movements and circumstances of everyone in the house at the time, and of guests at a party held in the hotel earlier in the evening, were checked and rechecked but no one was ever found guilty of the murder.

3. Larnach Castle, Dunedin.

New Zealand's only castle is reportedly haunted by several spirits including the William Larnach himself and one of his vengeful wives.
Larnach shot himself in the head in 1898 after learning of an affair between his young third wife and one of his sons from his first marriage.
Both the first and second Mrs Larnachs, who were half-sisters, died in the castle at age 38.
Larnach's daughter Katie is said to haunt the ballroom, built to celebrate her 21st birthday in 1886. She died just a few years later from typhoid.

4. Waitomo Caves Hotel, King Country.

This is New Zealand's most haunted hotel.
Bathtubs reportedly drip blood, orbs bounce around the driveway and a Maori princess is reputed to stalk the corridors, according to Theshadowlands.net.
The website says some people have experienced the dining room going cold, laughter, the feeling of 'something' walking through them and even the noise of a maid's trolley going along the long stretch of hall in the lower part of the hotel.

5. The Vulcan Hotel, St Bathans.

The Vulcan is haunted by the ghost of a murdered prostitute named 'The Rose'.
A review of the hotel from Suite 101 says the tale begins when, one evening in the early 1880s, The Rose invited the wrong customer back to her room.
Her body was found the next morning on the bed where she made her living. Her killer was never caught. She now haunts the room where she was killed, targeting male guests with her nasty nocturnal visits.

6. The Abel Tasman coast.

This legend dates back to the late 1820s when Maori chief Te Rauparaha and his allies sacked the Waimea pa in Appleby, and found the hiding place of the magnificent waka Te Awatea.A Nelson Evening Mail article says a phantom Maori canoe, with a warrior crew chanting, can be seen in the area on still nights.Sightings of the canoe are often accompanied by the sound of wailing women, representing the laments of the Ngati Apa people as their beloved waka was paddled away.

7. Waimate Hospital, Waimate.

Waimate Hospital is closed, but a tortured spirit dwells within.It is the Grey Lady, and she is restless. The Christchurch Press wrote about the haunted hospital in 1996, saying locked doors were found open, the sound of breaking glass was reported but nothing found, and ambulance officers had told of disturbing encounters with a spirit.Former nurses believe the Grey Lady is the spirit of a former woman patient, who died at the hospital, seeking company in an afterlife.

8. St. James Theatre, Wellington.

There are numerous ghosts reported to haunt this theatre.According to Moonslipper.com, one of the more regular sightings is the ghost of Yuri, a Russian performer who supposedly fell to his death from above the stage. Yuri has been encountered playing with the lights, in particular switching them all back on again once the theatre has been locked up for the night.There is also the 'Wailing Woman', a frequent apparition who is said to wail and moan about, and a boy's choir who is said to haunt the theatre.

9. The Masonic Hotel, Napier.

The Masonic was built in the 1860s, then rebuilt after a fire in the 1890s and again after the 1931 earthquake.In the hotel rooms there have been several natural deaths as well as suicides - and a chef once died in the hotel's bath. Witnesses report music that comes on by itself, lights that turn on without being touched, and apparitions that appear in the night.

10. Spirits Bay, Far North.

Perhaps New Zealand's most famous spot for supernatural beings, Spirits Bay is believed to be a jump-off point for spirits leaving this world.According to Maori legend, during the night hours, groups of spirits and individuals can be seen moving down the beach to a certain point and than disappearing. These spirits are very focused on reaching a particular part of the beach and will not be distracted from their goal.

elephant flavoured mouthfuls...

2010-10-28T12:42:00.015+13:00

A rather remarkable man told me recently that the only way to eat an elephant is with a million tiny bites... and he's right.

After a year that has seen the decimation of a few relationships that I thought were impenetrable, I've taken another very small step in putting the most important one right and it seems to be working.

And now I feel a cliche coming on... doesn't every cloud have a silver lining? I have been truly staggered by the outpouring of affection and support I've received from a remarkable group of women, both tangible and virtual. I received a text during a particularly difficult period which read 'friends are the family we choose".

I am very, very lucky (and clever) to have chosen so well... thank you, you know who you are!

And now for something completely different... do you like my milk bottles?

I found these three knocking around a shed, chipped and battered and rather the worse for wear. However, a quick slosh of creamy, milk coloured paint around their insides and I have three perfect Gerbera vases that sing of summer and happier days...

just pictures....

2010-10-18T08:15:00.007+13:00

a weekend away... and crikey dick, it was needed!

when the street where you're staying has a shed shop on it called 'Flos's this and that', I'm thinking the planets are aligning...

add to this the sight that greets you when you open the front door...

a local chocolate factory...

a days fishing...

secret picnic spots...

beach art...

a bit of lovely...

and the beach... of course, you know you're onto a winner

how's your weekend been?

Edit: I bought... a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and a HEAP of chocolate!

the joys of procrastination...

2010-10-15T10:53:00.005+13:00

Once you've admitted to being a neglectful gardener, what else is there to do but don those gumboots and start digging?

Weeeeeelllllllll.....

there are colourful pencils to be sharpened,

books to be consulted,

pretty plans to be coloured in with the aforementioned pencils,

seeds to be bought,

wine to be drunk,

blogs to be consulted,

more pencil sharpening and more wine buying, and then... and only then, can the gumboots be donned and the digging started.

Oooops, hang on...

I might just need to pop out and buy a new pair of gumboots x

vote for pedro...

2010-10-05T12:43:00.008+13:00

I've just spent a very entertaining 20 minutes perusing the candidate information leaflet that plopped into our mailbox last week.

Local Elections 2010 are imminent and I thought I'd actually have a go at being one of the tiny minority that bother to vote this time around.

Of course, there are heaps of very worthy candidates but the ones that caught my fancy are the extraordinary bunch of (complete nutters) fabulous people who would like to rule my world.

Meet Dave,

Dave would like to be the Mayor...
Dave is an honest man but his law and order policies are a little bit out there,

"I am a criminal in the sense that I smoke illegal substances. But in my heart I know I am not bad"

Then there's Wayne,

Wayne would also like to be the Mayor and although I admire his candid approach, I'm not sure he would really have my best interests at heart,

"To be honest the salary of a quarter of a million dollars for Mayor appeals"

We finish with my personal favourite, The Whale.

I'm just going to quote verbatim,

"I promise not to: Urinate on any trees; Sign paintings I have not painted; Send drunken texts after 11pm; Send drunken press releases after 11pm; Hold important meetings in bars.... Put boozing with my mates on my council credit card; Stop putting piggy noses on troughing politicians; Punch ambulance officers.

Vote for the Whale
Keeping the people honest (and sober)"

My hero....swoon

the naked truth…

2010-09-29T10:29:00.006+13:00

This is a tough post for me to write…

I realize that the Gok lovers out there enjoy bearing it all; however, I am not one of the afflicted. I much prefer to keep the unattractive pieces of me under wraps; hidden away in a drawer with my snuggy pants and elasticated trousers.
Today though, I'm on a mission.
Today, I woke up with the scent of spring wafting through the window.
Today, I bounced out of bed and decided that a spring clean was in order.
Today, I threw open the curtains and blushed; "Hello, my name is Jus and I'm a neglectful gardener"
Time to get down and dirty…

happiness is new wallpaper...

2010-09-25T15:15:00.003+12:00

When I say I'm going to do wallpaper... I mean it!

This is the sight that greeted my fellow beach hutters when they arrived home last night. Reactions were varied and a full gamut of emotions was displayed,

from "Bloody Hellfire... through "Why, Mum, WHY?"... to "(please insert gagging noise here) you are joking"... finishing with happy squeaks and giggles, obviously that would be me.

Note to self; If you are going to wallpaper a wall as a surprise for the men in your life, make sure to have vast quantities of red wine, pizza and chocolate on hand to soften the blow, x

it's space...man

2010-09-15T14:18:00.004+12:00

I have a real affinity for these space pictures.

The last one was all about algae... this one is of a quake hit Christchurch that looks more like a dandelion puffball than a city still in a state of emergency.

Mother Nature....eh?

boing, boing, boing…

2010-09-09T14:20:00.016+12:00

So, spring has sprung Down under … not that you'd notice! Cold and miserable is the order of the day, so I'm taking matters into my own hands and throwing winter out the window with a post that extols my favourite new season virtues; as well as some last season irritants, because what is life without a rascally rant every now and again?

Have you heard of Melody Gardot, an amazing vocalist, with the soul of a poet and an inspirational life story to boot? 'My one and only thrill', is her latest work and it's fast becoming a firm favourite and new 'Jus, the movie', soundtrack.

Actually, I've been wanting to ask someone about this for ages, however I'm not sure I want to talk to a real live person about inner weirdness, so I'm unleashing my egomania onto the bloggy world… does anyone else have a soundtrack to their life? I know that the funeral song has become something of a talking point of late, and anniversary/wedding/first snog songs have been around for ages, but I have a 'walking down the street when my hair's super bouncy' and 'standing in the queue at the supermarket, pulling the zen face, whilst inner turmoil rages as I debate whether or not to throw that Curly Wurly into my trolley' songs. In fact, the list is endless… am I alone?

SPRING VEGETABLES… come on ladies, scream it with me!!!

I am uber excited about the tiny green shoots popping through our waterlogged patch. I am and always will be a lover of a good, hearty stew, but all good things must come to a natural end and I'm craving a crisp, crunchy mouthful of sweet, baby veggies fresh from the garden.

As promised, I'd like to end with a gripe.

I am an avid Op Shopper, blimey I even volunteer one morning a week in the local Sally Army store sorting through smelly linens and old man undies, such is my love for the Charity Emporium; but can somebody please tell me when the Op Shops forgot they were Op Shops and started to believe they were bleedin' Marks and Spencers!!! Sleek merchandising with price tags to match and Saturday girls who simultaneously smirk and yawn are expected in the malls, but I prefer my charity shop to smell faintly of cats wee and moth balls. It needs to be packed to the brim with soft toys, mismatched cups and saucers, cheap clothes and grubby bedlinen and I'd like a law passed that the old dears behind the counter always have time for lengthy conversations about local bus routes, cups of tea and grandchildren.

Thank you for listening… x

sleep tight christchurch...

2010-09-06T18:20:00.001+12:00

You're in our thoughts... x

the decomposing mrs l...

2010-08-22T18:20:00.007+12:00

I think it was meant as a compliment, to make me feel better perhaps; and it worked!

As I was simultaneously coughing and cooking up a storm (admittedly, an offputting image but necessary to my plot) a loud bark of a laugh, followed by a squeaky "Ma!" issued from the living room (teenage boys mean rather a lot of hearty barks and squeaks in the same sentence... aaaah, the joys of puberty)
"Quick, come look at this.... a taller, skinnier, younger, blonder, better looking version of you is on the tele...."

And there she was, Sophie Dahl, also cooking up a storm in a kitchen that looks frighteningly like mine!

Of course, I was beside myself with glee... in NZ I sometimes feel a little lonely in my love for all things clutter and bunting, but no longer. The delicious Miss D has come to 'vintage' us downunder... hurrah!

I smirked into my Lemsip all night!

a little of what you fancy...

2010-08-18T14:08:00.005+12:00

does you the power of good! And when you're truly down in the dumps, suffering with a lick of the lurgy, then the more fancy schmancy the better!

This beautiful fruit bowl verily sang my name as it caught my eye last week. Admittedly, I am yet to do it's bountiful curves justice as apart from it's 'welcome to your new home' bananas it has held only a bunch of keys, 2 receipts and a plethora of rather yucky tissues.
I make no apology for this... I'm poorly.

By the way, do you know what the perfect 'get well soon' gift is for a restless, snotty woman on a rainy, dull weekend?

Ooooh, oooh miss, I do, I do...

Gloomy Sunday... a film that the divine Miss L lent me in my hour of need... better than chicken soup, Vics Vapour Rub or Lemsip, I promise!

To any fellow flu bugs out there,

Feel better soon, x

the moral of the story is...

2010-08-05T12:34:00.009+12:00

... never eat a man sized portion of steak and kidney pie before you zumba.

Actually, there are many rules attached to the crazy world of zumba:

...keep your eyes shut at all times when in front of a dance studio mirror. It's only in your head you look like Shakira.

... never look the instructor straight in the eye. It's only in his head that he looks like Patrick Swayze, and I am one baby who is happy to stay in my corner.

... no matter how inebriated, never, NEVER take your zumba moves to a work conference dance floor... Dear God, will I ever live it down.

... as my Nana used to say, 'just because you can, doesn't mean you should'.
Crumping, when you're an over forty, mother of three is not good for your pelvic muscle (or your career, see above)

Finally however, I'd just like to say that I am enormously enamoured of a fitness regime that allows me to whirl like a dervish whilst screaming 'ai ai ai ai Rrrrriba!' at the top of my lungs.

That's me in the middle!

away the lads!

2010-07-26T11:04:00.006+12:00

Actually, it was away the lady... a quick working hop over the 'ditch', as the Tasman is known around these parts, ending up in Far North Queensland, Port Douglas to be specific.
Known primarily for it's proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, it should also be known for it's amazing restaurants, beaches and scary sealife. Rather different from the English seaside of my childhood, where the most lethal thing I ever spotted was a poo bobbing along on the crest of a wave.
Here, if the sharks and jellyfish don't get you, the saltwater crocodiles certainly will...

Just a few pictures of the beautiful Low Isle, where we spent a relaxing afternoon snorkling, discovering this tiny island and cruising the reef in a glass bottom boat... and not a poo insight!

just another day....

2010-07-15T12:50:00.008+12:00

Man alive, sometimes it takes a complete stranger to remind you that taking life for granted is a crime!

Yesterday I was walking down this beach...

on my way to the old homestead that sits at the very end of the bay.

Whilst I was taking this photo...

a very sweaty man on a bicycle stood next to me upon the verandah and said,
"So you too are visiting this paradise country, ya?"

Not put off by the lycra and perspiration I replied,
"Actually, I live just a few minutes away"

I went home then, all smiley and grateful and ate a bowl of homemade soup.

Good times!!

tea and penguins...

2010-07-08T12:54:00.012+12:00

I apply the sort of dedication to buying secondhand that Roy Castle used to sing about on Record Breakers...it's true, if you want to be the best and you want to beat the rest, dedication's what you need...
However, every once in a while an item of unparelleled form and function drops into my peripheral vision and I'm smitten.
What is it about the Penguin? I'm immediately drawn to that multi coloured jacket with its thick creamy stripe; I find it almost impossible to leave behind on an op shop bookshelf a dogeared copy of a book I already own or have read at least twice.
I put it down to a chance encounter on a train circa 1979.
The first Saturday of every month was a time of ritual and tradition during my childhood years. The Whitgift Centre, Croydon was my mothers church of choice and Marks and Spencer's her alter. My brother and I would trail in her wake, supposedly just "TOUCHING WITH OUR EYES", but I have never been able to resist the feel of fabric and my brother would always try and position himself so he could catch a glimpse of middle aged lady flesh through the slight gap in the changing room curtains; strange predilections even at nine.
Rattling home, tucked amongst the carrier bags and sweetened into submission with chocolate, I spotted my stranger seated across the aisle.
He was wearing an old army jacket and an earring, brown hair tumbling a la David Essex he plucked a Penguin from his battered old satchel. He stopped me in mid chomp.
At this point I'd love to say he noticed me staring, winked and twinkled at me a little before asking for a bite of my Curlywurly. Unfortunately, I'd be fibbing... of course he ignored me but I've always remembered him, the epitome of cool who started me down the path of Penguin love and a thing for men with earrings.

Edit: I'm also mad keen on men with speech impediments, but that's another story...

The cookies are a brownie macaroon mix that I have yet to master fully!

the perfect pear...

2010-07-07T16:43:00.002+12:00

I was greeted by piles of sweet, juicy pears at the greengrocer's yesterday. A delicious autumnal fruit that when perfectly ripe is, I believe, a match for any apple. I bought a paperbag each of Beurre Bosc, Nashi and Packham. The Nashi are perfect lunchbox treats and I'll roast the Packham's with red onion and a spicy olive oil to serve with pork chops. My favourite though has to be the Beurre Bosc; when fully ripe they're gorgeous with blue cheese and walnuts or tossed in a salad with rocket and parmesan. Today, however, they are still a little hard so pudding is a warm tarte tatin (or pear's upside down if you don't fancy rolling your r's)

Recipe-

Peel, quarter and core five or six pears before heating up 4 tablespoons of brown sugar and 100g of unsalted butter in a small frying pan. I use a stainless steel omlette pan as it needs to go from hob to oven.
Stir until the sugar dissolves and the sauce has a runny toffee consistency.
Take off the heat and pack in the pears, I pop them on their sides like domino's.
Cook gently until the caramel darkens to a deep, deep toffee brown but be careful not to burn.
Cut a circle of flaky pastry slighter larger than the pan and drape over the fruit before putting the pan straight into an oven at 180 degrees. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and puffy.
Leave to cool for at least 5 minutes and then turn out onto a plate being careful not to spill any of the hot caramel.

The kids love it with ice cream, but I can't resist a splash of runny cream and an espresso.

an upside down christmas...

2010-07-04T17:51:00.008+12:00

I've been in New Zealand over ten years now but, from time to time an event takes place that really reminds me how far from home I am; Christmas in July is one such occasion. When the invitation came to celebrate mid winter with a slap up turkey dinner, crackers, gifts and all the fun of the fair I was the first one at the table in my flashing Santa hat... Good times!

My donation was a raspberry, white chocolate and vodka trifle, bread sauce, sausages in bacon and a rather frightening hunger attained only by a woman who has not just fallen off the diet wagon but been repeatedly run over by it too...

I made a really simple Victoria Sponge earlier in the week. Cut this into squares and sandwich it together with raspberry jam.
Defrost some juicy raspberries and crush them a little with a heady splash of vodka.
Fill the bottom third of a glass bowl with the jammy sponge and pour over the boozy crushed berries.
Make up a box of raspberry jelly with the juice from a tin of raspberries and hot water and once it has cooled just a little, pour about a cupful over the sponge.
Leave this to set in the fridge whilst you whip up the next layer.

Today, I used a large carton of thick, creamy shop bought custard. I have made my own in the past, either way works for me. When I use a readymade though I add half a bar of melted Green & Black white chocolate to the sauce as it seems to set better. Pour this delicious gloop over the cooled sponge and straight back into the fridge.

Whip up cream into soft peaks and spoon it over the set custard and you're almost finished. Decorate with white chocolate snow and cherry, mint holly or go wild in the aisles and do the sprinkles, sliced almonds and silver ball topping for real holiday cheer!

If you're not a vodka lover don't worry, you don't really taste vodka as such, there is just a depth to the sponge that is rather good amongst all that creamy, sweetness. Alternatively, you could go Amaretto with a chocolate custard or even Limoncello and drop the chocolate completely... just play!

a french sojourn...

2010-06-30T16:11:00.009+12:00

I waved goodbye to a lovely friend this morning as she began her long, long journey to France. Of course, a whole three weeks without my bargain hunting buddy is the perfect gifty excuse, so the beribboned, brown paper bag contains an easy read for the plane and some delicious french hand cream to get her in the mood.
Filling the bag however started me thinking about my own 'can't live without them' airport items;

First on the list has to be my huge, soft leather satchel. It's intact but battle scarred which is the perfect state for an airport bag as it doesn't pay to be too precious with something that's going to spend hours stuffed under the seat infront. The added benefit of soft leather means it can be packed to the brim but is still fairly malleable.

I always carry a couple of books, one blockbuster and one thought provoker, plus a notebook and pen. This means I'm kept entertained throughout any reasonable delay and I can create the illusion of being totally absorbed in a book if my airplane neighbour is a bit odd.

My first aid kit contains a huge bottle of water, pain killers, sunglasses, mints and an all over salve. I keep a bandanna in the bottom of my bag too which can be used as a knapsack, bandage, flannel, hankie or sunhat. However, if you use it as a hankie all other options are probably not quite so attractive.

A couple of museli bars, an apple, a credit card and a clear pathway to Duty Free round up my list of airport necessities.

to eat out or not to eat out... that is the question

2010-06-22T13:29:00.013+12:00

Obviously, in the grand scheme of things, this is hardly a knotty problem but recently I've been offered a couple of restaurant menu's that have left me curling a lip and feeling rather disappointed.
I LOVE eating out... I gave up smoking and went cold turkey with a brand new shoes and homewares addiction to afford me the pleasure of eating out once a month.
"Hello, my name is Jus and I'm a restaurantaholic"
But, surely the whole point of eating out is to enjoy the sort of food you'd never be knowledgable/bothered/brave enough to prepare at home?
I promise, I am not tooting my World Cup horn at this point. I am a garden variety homecook. I'm fond of baking, becoming passionate about homegrown veggies and I'm always keen to experiment a little, but there isn't a restaurant out there that would hire me for anything more than dishwashing. So when I'm asked to pay a premium for a smaller portion of something that I regularly serve at home I sulk.
Whilst pouting like a blow fish and sniffing loudly I found
this quote...

'Do I miss going out for dinner? Nah. Cooking is a great joy: I go home, pour myself a glass of wine and go into the kitchen, the guys come in and peel the cucumbers or whatever and then we have dinner. It's the best part of the day, that part where you put on your blue jeans and a T-shirt and start cooking. It's just everybody there being themselves, and it's much more satisfying.'

Ruth Reichl
Editor-in-Chief, Gourmet Magazine, NYC
New York times Restaurant Critic 1993-1999

and this website...

Beautiful photo's, delicious recipes and enough hints and tips to keep me eating in for a while anyway.
All photo's Sunday Suppers.
Edit: I had hoped this 'eat in' experience would save me a fortune, however there's a mutiny afoot amongst the kitchenhands. I've heard mutterings along the lines of, "half a Mars Bar each is not equal to the minimum wage" so it looks like I'll have to start throwing in the odd Crunchie too!

boxing clever...

2010-06-17T09:50:00.014+12:00

"such pretty things"
It's been an age since I've thought about blogging; no discernible reason springs to mind, just a feeling of ennui when faced with the idea of posting. However, just like the smiling old bloke in the Viagra ad, I'm now pumped and primed and ready to roar... well whimper quite loudly anyway.
To be truthful nothing of any real consequence has taken place of late but in the same breath I can honestly say that life has never been fuller. If you imagine the last four weeks as a medium sized cardboard box, about as big as the one holding Walkers crisps at the cash and carry (salt and vinegar of course, I'm a purist), then my box is crammed full with:

garage sale booty

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but isn't there something really special about being the first one up a strangers driveway on a freezing Saturday morning, cash in one hand, takeout coffee in the other, dragon breath gusting as you clock a dealer who wrestled a stack of linen from you last week. Oooh, the thrill of the chase... especially when you come away with treasures like these...

rainbow chard

The veggie patch is still going strong, with this dark green leaf and its delightfully coloured stalks being my side dish du jours. Last night we enjoyed sticky BBQ chicken with creamy mash and sauteed chard... divine! I fry the stalks first with olive oil and onion before adding the ripped leaves, crushed garlic and a pinch of red chilli flakes, yum, yum, gobble, yum.

the world cup

Oh come on... it's fabulous! Do I care who wins... hmmmm? Can I name a single player on either the English or New Zealand squad.... ummmmm? Do I really, really want one of those howly horn, kazoo-ey type things... YES PLEASE!!!! I'd accept dinner with the Portugese team if nobody wants to give away their trumpet... even if they do look more like Il Divo than footballers.

excellent adventures that necessitate new outfits

What's the first thing you do when you find a diet that works?
Go shopping of course... an upcoming working holiday to Australia combined with some visible weight loss means that I'll be busting out a couple of new looks. Is the planning and anticipation always more satisfying that the actual event...absolutely! I work in the wine industry, not known for it's sartorial splendour, but who cares. I'll be rocking my op shop glad rags with bells on...
and yes, the look I'm going for is when Bear Grylls met a belly dancer...

normal service will resume shortly

2010-06-10T10:28:00.000+12:00

thank you for your patience!!!

a green eyed, ginger haired monster

2010-05-19T14:11:00.008+12:00

I wouldn't class myself as the jealous type… in truth I'm very, very happy with life just the way it is. HOWEVER, of late I've been aware of a strange, churny sort of feeling, twisting in the depths of my tummy whenever my dinner date's meal is set upon the restaurant table. Initially I put this down to the fact that I am always starving, I'm one of those poor afflicted souls suffering from the much maligned disease Greedy Pig-itus; but when there was still churning during a recent pudding I was very glad of the epiphany which came during the cheese course… I have menu envy!

I'm used to town envy, it's a much sniggered over fact that I always want to live in the last place I visited. Handbag envy is a feeling I've managed to control for years, although I have been known to stroke the bags of others when I think they can't see me. The same is true of ginger hair. On a recent trip to Wellington my head nearly exploded when a gorgeous redhead hung her vintage Hermes over the back of the chair behind mine and ordered a burger with 'the lot'… this just after my Caesar salad had been delivered, AAAAARRRGH!!

Wellington's, Cuba St is definitely the object of my street envy affections right now, gorgeous vintage shops, delightful restaurants and the best bar in New Zealand, staffed by the most informative barmen this side of the Tasman. So switched on were the Matterhorn men that they quelled an impending attack of drink envy with a tall glass of icy Grey Goose vodka, lime and tonic, delivered with such aplomb that I became the heady receiver of my first ever dose of 'being the envied one.'

CLASS,… now where's the Henna?

Cuba St, then and now

nautical thrifty goodness

2010-05-11T17:21:00.005+12:00

There are some days when you can trawl the op shops for hours to no avail...
...there are others when you rush in during a free moment to find more seasidey treasures than you know what to do with.

These are the moments which you need to grab a hold of.

Others include;
a parking space where there are usually only cars,
a beautiful eye fillet marked down by 50%,
a basketful of homegrown veggies left on your verandah by a mystery benefactor,
a job where part of your job description is to find school uniform dress ups for 5 adults, i.e. op shopping (legally!) in worktime,

These are the moments where a heavenly choir of angels tra-laa! overhead, and I know it's going to be a beautiful day.

A girl can never have too much tra-laa-ing!

things i'm loving this week...

2010-05-05T16:12:00.008+12:00

this feeling! Swinging on a tyre whilst the clouds scud along overhead.*

this book! Another step closer to realising my dream of chickens in the yard.

this photo! The gorgeous karen is also a gorgeous photographer.

* No I didn't run into Kevin Keegan on the beach... that is me and my outrageous haircut!

life's a bach...

2010-05-03T11:13:00.010+12:00

What could be nicer than four good friends spending a weekend together...
Not much if the weekend is spent here!

Long walks, good food, a tiny bit of wine!, some shopping, scrabble, swimming and more laughing than I've done in a long time.
Thank you ladies, let's do it again soon...

be careful what you wish for

2010-04-29T16:23:00.009+12:00

I know it's mean and rude to be ungrateful because I'm infact extraordinarily lucky to have a husband who will cut my hair. I think it says a lot about our marriage that I trust him with my crowning glory. Admittedly, if he 'does a Vidal' as it's known on Planet Beach Hut, then I'm into him for 3 ironed shirts but that has always worked for me.
There are downsides to this co-op of course: I'm not allowed to bring pictures cut from Hello magazine as he doesn't do styles, I have to wash my own hair beforehand which means no head massage (N.B. I have tried to DIY but much like arm stroking it's definitely a two person job)and because I haven't yet found a large black plastic sheet with neck velcro it's not uncommon for me to be picking tufts of hair from my bra 3 weeks later.

So, what's with the lack of gratitude I hear you ask.... I suppose it's my own fault for demanding a haircut whilst the football was on.

You see,in my head I should look like this...

but in the mirror I look like this...

although the King of the Checkouts in my local supermarket obviously thinks I look like this as he just asked to see my driving license when I added a sneaky bottle of Savvie to the weekend rations!! And no, he wasn't being a smartarse because I asked him and he answered, "No Miss, I am not being a Smartarse"

And before anyone asks, No! the legal drinking age in NZ is not 42... I can only imagine that he thought no self respecting 25+ woman of sound mind would venture out in public with what looks like a dodgy seventies perm and he's probably right but I'm demanding Slap cuts my hair with his eyes tightly shut everytime, it's much cheaper than wrinkle cream...

a weekend at the ymca

2010-04-20T14:12:00.007+12:00

I don't live under a rock, in fact I pride myself on being rather a hip and happening mother of teens. I can talk drop-ins and ollies, I own a beanie and board shorts and I know it's no longer cool to stick your tongue out and holler 'WAAASSSSUUUPPPPPP!' when your fifteen year old and his posse arrive home from school (although busting out a 'moonwalk' and a 'running man' during the school social may have been a mistake… I'm not sure; the boys have erected a wall of silence around the incident?) However, I'm struggling to come to terms with children's birthday celebrations needing similar event management skills as those of that beardy farmer who looks after Glastonbury.

Karaoke roller disco's, paintballing with the SAS and sleepovers at a sea-life centre…what the bloody hell happened to sausage rolls, ribena and pass the parcel around the dining table with five friends and Abba crackling along in the background? Due to this miserly old grump parent with integrity stance, this weekend has been one of testosterone scented sleepovers, homemade chocolate brownie cake and the odd sniffle and teary eye as my youngest child turns 13 and Slap and I are now totally outnumbered by a teen army that marches on its stomach.

"Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique experience, but there's a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor."
— Chbosky

Go Baby!!

the last of the tomatoes...

2010-04-15T23:58:00.007+12:00

Just to prove that I haven't been playing blog all afternoon, here's a quick pic' of the very last of the cherry tomatoes from the garden with a few of the chilli's ripe enough to pick.

I thought I'd make the most of a surprisingly warm couple of hours, so I sloshed a little oil over my harvest and left it to dry in the sun. Admittedly, rain stopped play earlier this evening so the veggies are finishing off in a very low oven overnight. Once they're all wrinkled and the flavours are truly concentrated I'll bottle them in extra virgin olive oil and use in salad dressings, pasta or just over toasted bread for a tangy reminder of a beautiful summer.

2010-04-15T17:39:00.003+12:00

A change is as good as a rest? Once I've sorted out the header!!!

Edit: Actually I quite like it small...

reggie!

2010-04-14T11:58:00.009+12:00

Today I'm having lunch with my father-in-law… He was introduced as 'Meat' over 20 years ago. I laboured under the illusion that he was a butcher for months, my father's Welsh you see and the moniker 'Meat' could only have one explanation; (Barry the Beef, 'Chops' Hughes, Ivor the Engine…you get my drift?) so 'Meat', speaks for itself really. However, I was entering the world of the Cockney and so new rules applied:

1. All woman are called birds…irrespective of age, creed or colour
2. Bingo is an Olympic sport
3. Being posh, a little squiffy and attempting to impersonate a Pearly Queen whilst doing a very poor Lambeth Walk is not how you win over the patrons of a dire pub in The Mile End…Oi!
4. Rhyming slang is not a Dick van Dyke concoction…it's real.
Ergo…Meat = Meat and two veg = Reg = my Father in law, the concrete salesman…Duh!
I love Reg, we share tales of how easy it is to embarrass oneself in the public arena.

Sorry.... you'd like an example.... no problem. So, are we all sitting comfortably… then I'll begin,

Regimental Reg has never been a big believer in the passive style of complaint making, so when his toaster broke for the second time in as many weeks his patience wore thin and he decided the only course of action left open to him was to return said toaster to the manager of the department store from whence it came.
Now this being the 1970's Reggie donned his Trilby, sunglasses and slightly moldy old sheepskin, threw the offending kitchen appliance into his trusty Adidas sports bag and set off into town, his handlebar moustache trembling with consumer outrage.
The Saturday morning crush was no deterrent for this man of action, although it didn't help his mood. He arrived in-store red, sweaty, glowering and demanding to speak with the manager IMMEDIATELY! This is where it all gets a little surreal…
Nothing could have prepared our hero for what happened next. With the fire alarm ringing in his ears he was manhandled into a lift and trapped there whilst the store was evacuated and the bomb squad summoned.
Dressed as he was you could understand Reggie being mistaken for the Manager of Liverpool FC, an extra from the Sweeney or even, at a stretch, an overwrought concrete salesman… alas, the staff at Allders were rather a paranoid bunch and, you've got it, they thought our Reg was a terrorist…
I KID YOU NOT!
He was eventually let out of the lift, his bag was searched and the toaster deemed to be fairly harmless and he was given a warning from the Fashion Police about the dangers of matching a Trilby with a moustache and sheepskin…
For lunch we're having Fattoush….yum!

new lampshade... i thank you

2010-04-11T19:39:00.008+12:00

How to turn a boring, white drum into a gaily ribboned, gypsy lampshade...

Double-sided sticky tape and Martha's on-sale ribbon... an hour well spent.

tick,tock…

2010-04-08T12:53:00.006+12:00

With summertime coming to a leisurely end it's time to hunt out the extra blanket and winterweight duvet, hang up the bikini nana at the beach one piece and adjust the hands on the clock. There's an old adage which I trot out faithfully twice a year, word perfect for as long as I can remember, until now…

I sat and pondered which way do I spring and where do I fall?
I muttered, debated, even got a little heated,

'Spring forward, Fall back,

Spring back, Fall forward'

The first one rings a bell but I feel more comfortable with statement 2. Eventually I asked the nice man filling my car with petrol what he'd be doing with his clock at the weekend; I won't tell you what his answer was, suffice to say I won't be using that garage again in a hurry!

It has occurred to me that I feel more comfortable with springing backwards and falling flat on my face because it suits my current state of mind. Optimism in the face of adversity is proving to be rather more difficult than I'd originally thought, but I'm digging a bit deeper everyday and as a true devotee of the karmic yogi's I know my ducks will waddle into a row anytime soon.

In the meantime I'm feeling the need to wallpaper...

all images courtesy of smallacorns and designersguild

working weekend

2010-04-02T00:57:00.007+13:00

Not many words at the moment but heaps to show you....

The Foodshow in Christchurch is a wine tasting marathon but there was a little time off for good behaviour....(believe that, you'll believe anything.)

The tram in the photo really was moving rather fast, truly, I promise, it really was the tram that was moving and not me that was staggering... yikes, I feel a lecture and a detox coming on!!

elspeth thompson

2010-03-29T10:00:00.005+13:00

Wife, mother, gardener, writer and the leaver of my very first comment.

An inspiration who will be greatly, hugely missed.

Comfort and peace to her family in this saddest of times.

just channel jam…

2010-03-24T13:40:00.012+13:00

When I think of jam I'm immediately soothed…

Can a simple concept be the adult equivalent of a baby's security blanket? Actually I was a thumb sucker, hair twirler and maniacal chewer of all things silly enough to enter the airspace around my mouth; unlike Charlie I would not have stopped at a finger. I'm still a hair twirler but the other vulgar habits have dropped away as the years passed. Adult thumb sucking seems to attract the same confused glances as breast feeding a child of school age and I'm almost certain that furiously chomping around the hem of a skirt would not be amongst the 'Womans Weekly, tips to score your perfect job'. So now, when I'm a little jittery I channel jam,

delicious, gloopy, sweet, red and purple jam…I can feel my shoulders loosening as I speak…jaaaaammmmmmm.

George Burns once said that 'Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city'. If, like me, another city is really not an option I suggest you think jam…or hitmen!

Thank you Sarah, the jam is delicious!

where the buffalo roam...

2010-03-17T13:22:00.030+13:00

This week I have been mostly dreaming about being a cowboy....

Everyday routines are skipped or stumbled through, dinners cooked, uniforms washed, lunches packed, petrol tanks filled and then KER BLAM...you read a book or find a picture and the monster day dreams set in...

You too??

This weeks catalyst was a side bar in the brilliant

'The Selected Works of T.S.Spivet, a novel'

Gene Autry's Cowboy Code

1. The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man, or take unfair advantage.

2. He must never go back on his word, or a trust confided in him.

3. He must always tell the truth.

4. He must be gentle with children, the elderly and animals.

5. He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.

6. He must help people in distress.

7. He must be a good worker.

8. He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits.

9. He must respect women, parents and his nation's laws.

10. The Cowboy is a patriot.

Just one more rule that I'd love to adhere to... the Cowboy or Girl must have some rockin', yeehaa boots!

If I had a time machine the wild, wild West is definitely somewhere I'd be heading for a visit...at least until dinnertime. I'm not sure my delicate constitution could cope with all those baked beans!

thank you flickr and google images.

why do they call it a fun run?

2010-03-15T21:33:00.005+13:00

Well, I finished infront of the chickens in mankini's, but behind the Asian man of 70 who ran the whole thing backwards.....

I don't think there will be any sleepless nights in the Kenyan Olympic road racing squad, but the back to front Chinese pensioner.....I have you in my sights!!

just found out i'm off back to oz.....

2010-03-12T16:21:00.010+13:00

Yippee!!

EDIT; at this point it's just for work, but you never know... I've recently fallen foul of an enduring bout of itchyfootitus...

mmmmm....cake!!

2010-03-07T14:16:00.005+13:00

Friday through Sunday.... a synopsis

Yummy picnic, good friend, informative walk, no delapidated barns but the prettiest driveway sighted in a while, dream home, rather a nice chardonnay and salad nicoise by a pool, more good friends, farmers market, soap selling epiphany, cup of tea and a farmers market danish, water balloons, walk on beach.....and it's only lunchtime!

Hope your weekend's fabulous...

a balancing picnic...

2010-03-05T08:33:00.006+13:00

Exciting times are afoot! The Balancing Kiwi and I are going on a picnic this afternoon... we'll be zooming around the rural lanes of Northland, looking for old barns and similar photo opportunities. I've packed some chicken on dark rye sandwiches and a big bag of plums so we won't starve.

This won't be our first meeting... obviously we've been chatting for over a year now through the power of blog...our first in the flesh experience however was on Monday. We clicked, clacked and clocked all afternoon and I'm looking forward to picking up where we left off a little later.

Back with photo evidence later...have a great day!

wedding drool...

2010-03-03T13:37:00.009+13:00

The lovely Sharda is getting wed...HURRAH!!

So when a good friend tells you she's getting married, what's the first thing to do?

Hit the wedding blogs of course... I had no idea! I have existed for an entire year on this bloggysphere without once coming across these pages of glorious loveliness. My favourite so far

100 layer cake...

All the photo's above are from this beautiful site....

(If you'd like to pretend we're sat together viewing these images, please insert a 'Homer Simpson daydreaming about doughnuts' type noise when reading this post... that'd be me... feel free to make your own noises though)

salt pot, penguins and a tomato...

2010-02-26T16:32:00.007+13:00

A rather literal title I know, but I am lost for words at the magnificence of my thrifty finds today.

The salt pot drew me across the room at a ferocious pace, I was clutching it to my heaving bosom when a couple of Penguins threw themselves off the bookcase aiming squarely at the wobbling wonder that is my breast at full heave.

After a quiet moment in the changing room, where yet again I thanked the Heavens for sending their very tip top angel, Mr W. Onderbra, to live amongst us, I left the shop and toddled on home.

The tomato will live on the windowsill for a little while longer until it's ready to be pinched with salt, the penguins will live on my bookcase. Rest assured they will be weighed down by hefty tomes until they can be trusted not to hurl themselves at the first chesty diva that passes them by...

it's not unusual...

2010-02-23T14:17:00.008+13:00

... to still be singing like a rock god at 70, is it?

Yesterday was spent lazing on a vineyard hillside, drinking wine, sharing food and dancing the night away with some very good friends.

Tom Jones...Legend boyo!

P.S. Does anyone else think he looks a little like an orange Morgan Freeman?

whoops!

2010-02-15T12:50:00.006+13:00

No excuses...I forgot!

Luckily so did he... so another Valentine's Day goes unmarked in the Beach Hut.

However, I did manage to have a recce around the craft market in nearby Devonport and very nice it was too! I am scouting out the best place to sell handmade soap, and although there didn't seem to be a soapmaker at yesterday's fair I'm still waiting for that 'I'm home' feeling to hit me when I first walk through the entrance. Does that make sense?

I love making soap... I used to have a little business in the Isle of Wight (if you were on the ferry circa 1998 and spotted IOW shaped soap, that was me). Farmers Market's and craft shows were a weekly event and I thought that this year I would revisit the art of making soap and give NZ market's a whirl.

Anyway...

Here's a heart for a belated Valentine's Day shout out to the Slap Man

Boooyakershan!

a round of applause for mr bowen.....

2010-02-11T14:15:00.013+13:00

I've just made the most extraordinary discovery!

There's a technique called BOWTECH and, as woman who has been manipulated by all manner of medical people, it's the most successful back treatment I've ever received.

Basically you lie on a bed and someone gives you a nudge every now and again, ( I won't tell you exactly what Slap said this reminded him of but if you rearrange the words 'after 20 years of marriage', 'foreplay', 'bit like', you'll get the drift).

Initially, I must admit to being a little sceptical; I've had a horribly sore back for years and like many fellow sufferers out there, I've had a go at more than a few traditional, non-traditional and 'completely off with the fairies' treatments... a hippy, a wigwam, patchouli oil and being asked to remove everything but my socks springs to mind...

So, it was with complete astonishment that I rose off the bed after the allotted hour feeling at least 2 inches taller and ache free.

Please click on the link and have a read if you're interested... I can't promise it'll work for anyone else but by crikey it certainly worked for me!

You need proof?!?
Here's a quick snap of me jumping out of bed this morning and no I don't think it's at all odd to wear a leotard and full make up to bed!

yah boo sucks!

2010-02-08T13:17:00.005+13:00

I have a backache...it's actually a herniated disc sort of a backache so please forgive the grumpy old woman face and the lack of posts as sitting at the desk for any length of time is impossible...
I bloody hate waterskiing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

homegrown ratatouille

2010-02-01T10:33:00.005+13:00

I know I'm just showing off now, but check out my crop!

Is there anything nicer than roasted veggies straight from the garden, a slosh of olive oil, herbs from the window sill and a tomato passata made just 3 days ago?

Heaven!

anyone for a quick drag around the lake?

2010-01-30T11:21:00.006+13:00

Resolution #7... Step outside the comfort zone.

So when I was asked if I'd like to try waterskiing I squealed with delight and begged them to take me, (OK, that's an exaggeration but I didn't say no and feign an ankle injury which is my usual get out of jail card).

How hard can it be... the family we were staying with have six year old twins and they can do it...

Haaaah!

A complete nightmare, after numerous attempts and having still not even made it to a crouch I admitted defeat and, in as dignified a manner as is possible when the vast amount of lake you've swallowed is determined to exit through the nostrils at an horrific speed, left the water. Once Slap's hysteria had calmed he pointed out with great gusto that if my head had spun 360 degrees I'd have looked scarily similar to that poor girl in the Exorcist!

To add to the humiliation I was then beaten by both twins at backgammon, arm wrestling and count the press ups, although a late win in the 'who has the biggest bruise' competition restored a smidgeon of pride.

Child prodigies....hugely overrated!

P.S. The bruise was an astounding 9cm long and a beautiful shade of greeny blue...who needs to waterski when you can produce skin discolouration to that sort of standard.