The Best of Friends

Hello best of friends!
It is so nice to see you!
Thank you for being my saving grace.

 I am really struggling with my health again at the moment, but knowing that you are there & that I can visit with you makes all the difference to my getting through the week in tact, just now.
I am working closely with a lovely homeopath & continuing all my "nourishing traditions" & trying hard to believe that I will come through this strange time (eventually) enriched, empowered, humbled, more compassionate & knowing a lot more stuff! I am reading that menopause can be a transformational time for many woman. I think, that for some of us, it is the time to take stock of many things, including the impact of the past on our emotional & physical health & to find new ways of moving beyond the dumb legacies. I am going to become a wise woman called "Katie the Gatherer" ; ) instead. The biggest challenge for me, just now is anxiety, depression & ridiculously sore teeth..that almost never let up. So weird!
 I am, however, a gatherer (in case you hadn't noticed) & I am so glad to have a pile of choko to eat through these chilly autumn evenings. Sometimes I don't feel like eating much but these yummy vegetables that my friend Ruth has grown, are just delicious. The name seems to be a bit of a stumbling block for many people. Chayote, another of their handles, doesn't overly improve the situation much. They taste like a firm kamo kamo or very tasty zucchini. I used my peeler to make strips & cooked them with a little butter & leeks the other night & that was yummy.
The textured green things are another gatherer find..unnamed, probably best not eaten!

 Kaitiaki is coming to visit on Mondays for a while after school while his mother is busy.
That's good 'cos Pop has a day off on Mondays & he can help Kai with his favourite subject..maths!
This week the help was aided by an abacus & a brussel sprout.

 For $2 from the Farmer's Market & with a double life & purpose that seems pretty good value to me.
Luckily Pop adores brussel sprouts...& so do I.

 Isn't this the sweetest idea.
I found it in the first few pages of my April Country Living magazine.
Could easily be made as a brooch too don't you think?

 Rob immediately spotted our new colanders cousin, a page or two over..

 What's the story with the handle on the inside do you reckon?
I am loving our sweet persimmons. Very yummy for lunch.
 Aren't they nice & bright & happy?

 Aren't pears just huggable!
I found some Taylor's Gold this week.
Sometimes I admire them too long & forget to eat them in time.

 My best tree of all is my guava.
Such a great small evergreen tree & the birds even leave the fruit alone.

 I have other friends though.

But then my other favourite autumn fruit is the feijoa.

I am always so sad when the season is over.

I wander round & round under the tree for weeks afterwards hoping for one last little fruit to fall out of the tree.

 They really are moreish.
I shouldn't have wandered off & left this lot alone!

 They are delicious with figs too..especially with a drizzle of honey & a splash of rosewater & then leave to macerate for half an hour or so (hidden if necessary).

 One of the funnest, most useful things I have found in ages are these vintage enamel egg poachers.

 I just love them & they make a fabulous job of my eggs.
Yes, a bit watery on the plate I know, but it was delicious.

 This vintage Sanderson made it's way to my house this week. I adore the richness of the colours.
I just need to get over myself & get on & make some cushions with it now...after I wash out the old musty smell.

 We walked down at Pakowhai Country Park again this morning.

 Everyone else seems to have a dog or two in tow..

they sure come in all shapes & sizes.

The sausage dog was too far away for a photo ; )

It was a very crisp

  but beautiful morning.

 Well, best of friends...aren't these little ones so sweet?
The book was a discard at the library.
I was so delighted to find it...& for 50c.
I felt as if I had been given a special gift, just for me.
That I can also share with you : )

I'll show you some more of the pictures another time.

Thanks so much for dropping by to see me.

Hope you have a lovely week.

MUCH

 ♥♥♥♥♥