The Magnolias & Miss Phryne Fisher

Everywhere I go,

 just now... I see magnolias.

I adore them!

They are so regal & serene..

But then again, some are most surely..

bursting with joy,
spontaneous,
belles of the ball,
full skirted, giddy with life.

And there's not a leaf to be seen.

Some days there's azure blue sky.

Some days it rains...& rains..
mossy, muddy, sodden paths & lawns abound.
Other days we have bright ideas like: replacing the terribly old rowdy fridge out in the larder with a handsome, local Trade Me find.

One owner, still goes fine.
Just doesn't fit through the door into the larder (aka the shed out the back).
And it is somewhat bigger than expected.
We have a fresh new plan...hopefully to redeem our oversights.
 I'll let you know. Meantime, can I count on you to shout loudly should we make murmurings about rather liking the look of that old fridge...over there or anywhere!

Do you know about chia?
It's a remarkable little seed. It contains miles more omega 3 than salmon, weight for weight. People run marathons on the stuff. We have decided that it might just be the best possible back-up plan for emergency rations (you know, be prepared & all that). Honestly, who really wants to eat cold baked beans out of a can for a week?! This newly invented version of chia pudding could even be prepared with ease on a Lucy adventure.

Half a cup of chia makes a large bowl of pudding, that is, if you add plenty of coconut cream (Trade Aid is the best brand round here) & the secret ingredient...some of that mango puree that you can only buy at Indian shops.
It's even better the next day.

I've started a little crochet project..

And made a new cushion for Lucy.

 It's fun experimenting with patterns & colour.

 I made smaller bunting for down this end.

 The sleeping bag looks a bit busy in the picture but it's fine in person, truly.

I found three books this week, all for less than a $1 each.
Happening upon things is just that, a random delight.

"Don't Let The Peas Touch" has kept me thoroughly entertained...

I love it to bits!!
There are three different stories with in the same book. The last one is about Sophie wanting a pet & so her sister gives her a seed to plant & grow.

She's so proud of "Tiny" & shows it off to everyone & everything,

but the waiting gets a bit much & she begins to think that she might have been conned..

then one morning she awakes to find..

a little plant

Isn't it sweet?

The Anne of Green Gables book was given to someone in 1951.
I think I might start reading it...slowly.
Do you love Anne?

I am so enjoying Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries on Saturday nights.
I've never heard of the name Phryne before, have you?

"The Honorable Miss Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) is a thoroughly modern woman of the late 1920s operating in a mostly male world. The glamorous "lady detective" goes about her work with a pistol close at hand - and, more often than not, a male admirer even closer. To the dismay of Detective Inspector Jack Robinson (Nathan Page), Phryne's investigations take her through the back alleys, jazz clubs, and shady markets of Melbourne. Ignoring the dangers all around her, she seems to glide through life determined to enjoy every moment. But beneath her devil-may-care attitude, Phryne hides ghosts from the past that continue to haunt her."

The sets are just divine...look at the colour of her bedroom.

Miss Fisher has a chutputz that I find inspiring & energizing..

she's intelligent, sassy & inventive & has a penchant for saving orphans & mis-treated servants. 

If you haven't heard of Miss Fisher & "she" looks like you, you might like to keep your eyes peeled.
The series is based on author Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher Murder Mystery novels.

I am so thrilled that you popped in to see me.
Remember not to let the peas touch!
See you soon.
Much

 ♥♥♥♥♥

A Little Kitsch, A Conquered Gnome and The Fairy Shop

My faithful little car has developed a chronic case of bronchitis through the winter months,
it was thought that a longish Tiki Tour out & about might do it some good.
So, we headed to Napier to warm up the engine

& take in a hill or two.

We paused at the top of Hospital Hill to wander in the Botanical gardens for a few minutes & discovered this flowering tree..

resplendently orange, although I have no idea what it is? Any thoughts?

Out the other side,

overlooking the central city.
The Guys Hill lamp post was feeling a little giddy.

And this angel just couldn't bare to look.

I'm sure she only had eyes for this crisp new daffodil.

How else would she know that it is spring?

Just across the road stands Ormond Chapel, one of the oldest buildings in Napier. Built around 1869 as a school room, it was moved all the way up the hill to stand beside the cemetery in 1919.

 I can't imagine how they undertook such a feat..
but here are the faithful old doors.

And perched on high, the resident feline bell-ringer.

"And just exactly who might you be?
And what do you want?"

We incorporated other very important jobs like having a cup of tea at The Kitchen Table into our itinerary

While sipping tea & finding a book about how to knit your own dog, we came to the conclusion that we feel so comfy amidst vintagey things because they are so friendly, welcoming & familiar...

& frequently silly!

Do you take life too seriously?
It's pretty easy to do,

I find, anyway.

Mind you, you just never know what's going to be waiting around the corner in life, now do you.

Retro things are often thoroughly entertaining...

& frequently surprising.

I thought, when I found this knitted blanket at Connections a while back, that I might give it to Anna & Kaitiaki but I'm not too sure about that idea.

We think the vehicular chestiness may have improved a little since our excursion.

We love to walk around our own neighbourhood when there are winter sunshiney days.

Expect the unexpected is quite a good motto. And keep your eyes peeled.

Sometimes it's been pretty chilly here & especially when I don't feel so well, I have been running some lovely deep warm baths & adding this strange looking mixture in to the water. 

No, you don't just throw it in like that!

I tie it all up in muslin first.

There are plenty of recipes for bath salts & many more potions to be found in every chemist in the land but this little combination is pure heaven & especially wonderful for scratchy skin conditions.

In my bowl is 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup of marshmallow..the herb. Either the dried leaf or the root is just the same, then comes a small handful of dried lavender & a drop or two of your favourite essential oil. 

I love rose or ylang ylang the best. Tie it up with ribbon or string & throw it in the running bath. To all of this, add one cup of baking soda (I keep a big jar of it in the bathroom) & yourself!

The oats & marshmallow will soon release their goodness & sooth away all your cares... at this point you can give the bag a little squeeze. Marshmallow is highly mucilaginous & feels amazing rubbed on to the skin. This is a very useful help for kids with ezcema too. You can use the bag once more if having another bath within a few days, sometimes I just top it up a bit. This week I am going to make up a few bags in advance.

When I found this nice old coffee jar at the Market last week I didn't think too much of it until Rob looked up Strangs & discovered that it was indeed quite a goody.

It seems that:

"David Strang had a factory in Esk Street, Invercargill from late 19th century till 1960 that produced spices, jellies, essences and coffee. Strang's were the first New Zealand firm to produce Instant Coffee." 

 And what a surprise to find this delightful story on stuff : 10/7/2012

"For two Invercargill women the David Strang coffee mill in the city was a place of romance, picnics, dances and, of course, work.
The historic facade of the mill was uncovered last week when walls were demolished at the rear of the Southland Education building in Esk St.

Freda Gorton and Margery Williamson, who worked at the mill during the 1940s, contacted The Southland Times yesterday to tell of a "great place to work" and much more.

They believe they are the only surviving staff members from that time.

The 85-year-old Invercargill ladies laugh and giggle like schoolgirls as they recall the mischief they got up to at their first job, where they immediately struck up a lasting friendship.

They tell tales of love and romance, picnics organised by their bosses and dances most nights after work.

Mrs Gorton can still name all the "handsome delivery boys" and with a twinkle in her eye, she describes one that gave her a cuddle, but that's all she is telling..." read more here

Camelias are the joy of winter, for certain.
Scentuous is so pretty & a nice compact little bush.

Oh dear, my friend Wendy told me about the Fairy Shop in Auckland yesterday, she took her granddaughter there recently. Isn't it delightful! Shall we have a fairy party?

 I really, really want to sit on one of these little toadstool seats!

Thanks so much for coming to see me. You are amazing.

I hope you live amidst flowers & fairies & kindness this week.

MUCH

 ♥♥♥♥♥