Summer Garden: come & sit a moment

Thanks for visiting...wander past my angels trumpets...their scent is

 exquisite & help yourself to some raspberries on the way

....come down the garden path 

and sit a while...I'll make you a cup of tea : )

A Special Day the 1st of March

Kaitiaki is 4 today yay!!!

Vintage Inspiration: Calendar March

I do!

March picture..just lovely.

Op Shop & Vintage Finds

I found this lovely Annah S dress in an op shop a few weeks ago.

 It was a little big & a fraction shapeless so I have gathered it under the bust, added lace & made a velvet flower which I am quite pleased with. Looks better on!

Lovely clear instructions on the flower making thing..just click the word flower (either one)

"The secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life"

William Morris 

I adore this pattern that I bought recently..just trying to decide what fabric to make it up in.

I love old green glass. This was a recent op shop find. Love the shape.

This too was just soo sweet.

Very happy to find Jesus today : )

Ninos & Other Delicious Things

These are the silliest little bananas that I have ever seen!

Sitting on a bread & butter plate.
They are called "Ninos"

A really tasty wee salad that I made the other night. Black doris plums, giant mixed raisins soaked in a little white balsamic vinegar, fresh figs, red & orange peppers, a little fresh chilli, chive flowers & a pinch of chinese 5 spice, olive oil, good salt, ground black pepper.

 Goes really well with fab pork sausages from the Farmers Market.

My favoutite spice..fresh tumeric. I was so excited to find some more

 at a market in Matamata a few weeks ago. 

Adds real magic to all kinds of things. Delicious in a tomato/ pepper relish.

These heirloom tomatoes make the most amazingly colourful salads

and are available through Epicurean Supplies at the Farmers Market 

Precious & brand new. Welcome to the world Nina

Little Nina, my brand new niece arrived safely on the 15th February.

 Held in the strong & adoring arms of her big brother Luca.

What joy a new wee precious life.

Coming Home to Te Aroha

Te Aroha Mountain Lodge is one of those "best kept secret" places. Sshh don't tell  ; ) A glorious mixture of "coming home" & adventure. Greg & his love of family, Te Aroha, people, music & food saturate everything around him. That passion & the place seep in to your pores just like the remarkable hot soda spring water (the only hot soda pools in the country.) Since the "Lodge" was full that weekend we were generously offered the Honeymoon Suite...a perfect Valentine treat!...complimentary bubbly, flowers, the pools booked for us...glorious! 

We are soo grateful.

Once a maternity home in another life!

All just right out the door!

Foot spa..divine in the dark late at night!

Greg....never still!

Aroha Mountain Lodge

The old bank, steeped in history. Now a great cafe. Really good antique shop next door.

 Max is a master in the restoration business.

The road home