Swimming in the rain & scones :-)

I made a  large beef/mutton stews this morning.
It was so big I had to split it between the slow cooker and an oven dish on the wood fire.

Not too sure how this big fella got inside but we found him on the window sill.
Azzan released him back into the wild.

Went out to deal to the washing and found this very cute photo.
Mo is pleased to have Jynx back home again.
They find some interesting places to snuggle up!

It has rained steadily all day.
That did not deter the young folk from swimming.
They swam out to the boat.

Then after a while they jumped

 
and dove

and swam

Nick framed by pohutukawa flowers

back to the shore

and very quickly up the steps to the spa to warm up!!

The rain has been very heavy up in the hills.
It caused the rivers to flood and shut the road at Rai Valley.
The guests coming in to the Cottage tonight have had to postpone their trip until tomorrow.
Seb & Phoebe have also put off coming in till tomorrow.
Anson has managed to get home tonight as the road has opened and he is in a 4WD truck.
I spoke to the road contractors office lady this arvo and was amused when she told me that there was a lot of surface flooding and slips and the road was one-way in parts.
Our road is one way in parts most of the time – what’s new?

I have been battling a really bad headache all day.
It seems to be stemming from a tight muscle knot in my back.
I can pinpoint the pain areas to my inner shoulder and hip.
Just wish I could get a really good massage to relieve the pain.
Mahalia tried but is not strong enough to do what is needed.
Resorted to pain killers this afternoon.
Went to bed feeling disgusting.
Kept on getting woken up by phone calls etc.
Then dozed off in the lounge chair before dinner.

Mailboat came in but not much mail today.
Kids watched a movie then Shanni went for a walk and the others went up to rest or play on Bri’s play station.

Finally got up around 4pm and was quite hungry so Mahalia and I made date scones.
The mixed dough

in the oven cooking

hot and steaming straight from the oven

Mahalia getting the butter and honey ready for a feast

Delicious

This gorgeous gladioli is blooming up on the bank by the aviary.

Annaliese made wedges to have with the stew.
Dinner was very tasty, warming and nutritious – perfect for such a yucky night..
Southerly has come through so the rain has eased somewhat.
The waves are pounding in on the beach so I will have the sound of them to lull me off to sleep tonight.

Nice

Mid week chronicles

Tuesday 27th December

A lovely hot lazy day.
Lots of languishing about.
Lots of swimming.
Lots of eating.
Lots of talking.

Tim & Glenn have been working on getting the farm truck going.
It is being a bit challenging.

Had a visit from the police.
They are in the area doing fisheries checks to make sure no one is breaking the cod laws.
While they were in the area they were doing firearms checks too.
Anson has just applied to renew his licence so they had to come do the safety check.
Tim spent a while being interviewed and showing the officer where the firearms are kept.
He seemed happy enough.

The boat came back to pick him up, accompanied by a pod of very large dolphins.
I managed to catch one leaping to the right of the boat.
Jolly hard to photograph as they are so quick.
 

Wednesday 28th December

Azzan woke early and had a 5am spa.
I followed him soon after.
The sky was amazing.
I guess the colours were warning us of what is coming

5:22am


5:28am


5:38am


5:51am


After breakfast Nick, Bri, Abby, Gavin, Shanni & Azzan went out in the new boat.
It reminded me a little bit of the picture in ‘Who Sank the Boat?‘
Azzan was supposed to be going kayaking with the others but decided he didn’t feel safe at the last moment so hopped in with the others and proceeded to then jump into the deep roughish sea and snorkel about with Nick and co.
I am figuring that making the choice to jump into the sea is his choice whereas falling from the kayak is not a choice.
He is still not feeling confident from when he was tipped off the kayak a few months ago.

I went for a wee wander up to find Tim.
He was feeding the dogs unmentionable meat so I didn’t venture too close!


The plums are ripening nicely.
Azzan has been a bit impatient to wait and has been trying to convince us that the plums he is eating are ripe.
I think I prefer mine a little less sour!


Annaliese, Mahalia & Nathan went kayaking over to Pipi Beach.
On the return journey I saw that Annaliese was towing Mahalia.
Apparently her shoulder didn’t enjoy paddling so she lay back and enjoyed being towed


All the older ones played ‘Settlers of Catan’ after lunch.
Later they went walking up the hill in search of llamas – but only found goats.
Azzan & Mahalia were at a bit of a loose end

I have spent any spare time reclining on my bed over the past few days.
Have finished watching the complete series of ‘Kavanagh QC’ and am now totally engrossed in the second series of ‘Downton Abbey‘.
I haven’t had any inclination to actually ‘do’ anything beyond the necessities.
So once the washing and basic cleaning and cooking is under control that’s me done for.
I am sure I will find some momentum soon.
But for now I am being a bit precious about my emotional health.


Dinner was a bbq with salad and new potatoes from Shanni’s garden – most delicious.
I made the best self-saucing chocolate fudge pudding ever.
It was dairy free and I used spelt flour to cater for the various dietary requirements.
It was so incredibly delicious.

Azzan and I had made a cytoplasm from yellow jelly in the morning.
It was set after dinner so he finished the experiment by adding various lollies to represent the different parts of the cell.
Unfortunately the ‘cell membrane’ failed slightly as we inserted the mitochondria, nucleus, golgi bodies etc


so Gavin, who loves jelly, helped to eat some of it


but then the hoards descended and Azzan began to get rather upset at seeing his ‘cell’ getting destroyed faster than he intended!!




Thursday 29th December


The bay is quite grey and murky today.
The rain is beginning to move in.
Very gradually and very gently.
But it is on it’s way.

No swimming, or boating today.
Everyone was a bit tired so a lot of resting was done.

I got dinner and lunch prepared in the morning.
Made a Malayan Fish Dish and Cheesey Baked Potatoes for dinner.
Also made a potato salad, a sausage and tomato casserole & rice for lunch.
Left a monumental pile of dishes which Bri valiantly battled her way through.

Abby helped and then spent time getting Azzan into some extension work about cells.
She was teaching him how to prepare a presentation.

Gavin spent the morning cleaning out the hut and moving into the caravan.
He has opted to make that his new home.

I had a phone lesson with one of our accountants.
Quite funny really.
He is on holiday down in Central but because it is all online we could have a tutorial even though he is not anywhere near his office!
We are changing from BankLink to Xero so have to get my head around setting up a new system.
It should be easier in the longrun.
It is just that I have been using BankLink for so many years now it’s taking a bit to change over and learn the new system.


Jo & Mark came over for a visit with their 4 children.
They have been staying in one of next door’s cottages so it was lovely that they could pop over.
MacKenzie played with Mahalia in the Belville.
Jonathan & Samuel had fun with some of Shanni’s Lego while we chatted.

Then it was time to get dinner turned on.
Abby made a sticky date pudding with caramel sauce.
It was rather delicious

The rain hasn’t come to anything here yet – so we will just have to batten down  the hatches and wait see what the night brings us.

A long hot summery day.

Monday 26th December

I didn’t sleep very well.
Took till after midnight to get to sleep.
Must have put too much coffee in the tiramisu!!
Then I was awake before 3am.
Anson arrived around soon after to get Tim.
The guys were all still at his place and they were very concerned about Nathan.
So Tim & Graham went around to help.

I couldn’t sleep so got up and caught up on emails etc.
Tim returned at 4:30am.
Everything was under control and everyone tucked into bed.
I hopped into the spa with the dvd player and watched the sunrise while watching an episode of ‘Kavanagh QC’.

6:20am and the bay was beginning to lighten.
It was millpond calm.

The sun popped it’s head over the hills at 6:47am.

I was enjoying the quiet peaceful early morning on our deck watching this busy buzzing bumblebee gathering pollen from my roses.

Christian got up at 4:30am and walked to the top of the hill to see the sunrise.
Unfortunately the cloud came in around that time.
But he still got some lovely photos.
He was back in time for breakfast.
Regrettably he had to go back to work in Auckland so spent the morning packing and cleaning out the caravan.

Abby, Annaliese & Shoshannah went out in the dinghy to troll for kahawai.
It was funny watching Abby & Annaliese rowing around in circles
 while they were getting the hang of it
The didn’t get any fish but had fun and were very ready for breakfast when they returned.

The guys were understandably rather reticent about rising after so little sleep so the house was lovely and quiet until quite late.
I started cleaning out my art corner.
It is high time I got myself back in there and as it has been a long time it has gotten very dusty and messy.
I cannot work in a mess.
So the first step is to clean.

Tim topped up the spa water while I was doing the chemicals.
With so much usage I have to be more diligent about keeping that part of it up to scratch.
Of course the hose was forgotten and it was soon flowing over the top so Nick bucketed some out to get the levels right.

Anson & Gavin went out to get the net in.
Then Anson was full speed into packing the truck and loading Christian on board to get him to the airport by 3pm.
They took off at a rate of knots around midday.
He did make the plane, but there was a speeding ticket issued along the way

Abby & Shanni got stuck into cleaning the backdoor area.
Christian helped by decobwebbing  while waiting for Anson.
Shanni with the intention of painting and Abby just cuz she likes clean bathrooms
Annaliese prepared lunch.

I spent a long time on Skype with Jesika later in the morning.
Nick talked with her too.
We had lots of things to talk over so it was great that we both had time.
Sometimes it is really hard being so far apart.
Love you Jesika
It is times like this though that we appreciate the modern conveniences of Skype and cell phones.
It is not really that many years ago in the overall scheme of things that Jesika left home at 16 and traveled for 10 months in South America and we had only occasional contact by fax.
Phone calls were out of the question due to expense and snail mail was slow and often went missing.
Emails were still a thing of the future.
Times sure have changed and the world has become a smaller place.

The day was quite hot so everyone just lazed around or slept for part of the afternoon.
I did some more cleaning around and on my art table after I had my siesta.

Tim was filleting fish at 6:30pm.
The sting rays were waiting for him to feed them.
There was a couple keeping watch for the fish scraps to hit the water.
You can see one in the water just to the right of Shanni & Azzan.

Azzan folded all the washing.
It took a while as his 2 older sisters kept upsetting his equilibrium so he would disappear each time that happen

Mahalia cooked dinner all by herself.
She made pasta with tomatoes.
She did really well – made three different dishes to cater for the gluten and dairy free folk.
I made a salad to add to it and Tim cut some of Nick’s Christmas ham.
A lovely dinner for a hot day.

After dinner the kids decided they needed to go for a swim.
Bri was in first with no hesitation.

The others all milled around debating the temperature of the water!

Next in was Gavin followed by Shanni.
The others eventually all followed and they spent half an hour swimming out to the boat and back.

Half an hour later they all piled into the spa and all the water I had topped it up with in the morning was overflowing!!

Tim and Mahalia disappeared.
I was tired so left everyone to it and headed off to bed around 9pm.
I kept on getting woken up by children and then a phone call for Shanni at 10pm and then Tim coming in a bit later.
He had been out mustering with Hali and then talking with Nathan.
Wasn’t terribly impressed.
It is so hard to go back to sleep once woken from the first sleep of the night.

25th December at our house

I thought today of all days people around here would actually sleep in.
But no!
Anson & Gavin were up with the larks and driving sheep down the hill to the woolshed and waking everyone up!!

Anson has an agenda and nothing will swerve him from it.
Neither Sunday nor Christmas Day.
The work needs to be done so done it gets!

He also manages to fit in fishing and some deck building amongst the work.
The latter two are not considered work to him

It was a clear calm gloriously hot day here.
Everyone – apart from Anson & Gavin – were in holiday mode.
There was sunbathing, swimming, kayaking, fishing and snorkeling all happening throughout the day.

I got up early in the hopes I would be able to get some deserts made before the kitchen was invaded for breakfast.
I didn’t know that the guys were planning an early muster and by the time I got to the kitchen at 7am 4 men were already there

I spent several hours working around breakfasting people, which meant it all took longer than I hoped,
But by 11am I had made tiramisu, a dairy free coconut cream trifle, pavlova, guacamole, hummus, & 3 jellies.
I then made myself a fresh fruit salad and yoghurt for breakfast and left the kitchen clean up to Bri & Azzan while I retreated to the study to eat in peace.

Later on I spotted Bri tackling Mahalia’s hair.
Mahalia hates it being done but had given in to her sister’s whims.

The hair style didn’t last long!
Halia was most unhappy with the ‘babyish’ ponytail topknots Bri had put in and ripped them out immediately.
I managed to convince her to let me do it and tied it back into a half pony tail and she was ok with that.

Graham came down and had lunch with us all.
Then he retreated to his house again to rest up.

I have had a restful afternoon watching Kavanagh QC , whilst keeping cool and relaxing on my bed.
I think I may have done a bit of dozing too as I am sure I missed a few scenes along the way!
Have nearly finished the 4th series.
Am really enjoying them – intriguing stories.

Tonight we all enjoyed a delicious meal at 6pm-ish – minus 3 guys who were out doing more sheep work!
Bri & Abby had brought in pita breads and all the fillings.
It is a great favourite with all of us.
We devoured them along with Tim’s freshly smoked salmon.

Then we had to make room for the desserts.

The errant men arrived in as we finished.
Devoured their dinners and then took off out in the boat with Annaliese for some dusk fishing.

Tim managed to catch Jesika on the phone as she finished work for a chat.
She is working right through the holidays but has a great winter holiday in Italy to look forward to so that makes it a bit easier.
Cat has been sending us gorgeous photos from the top of Mt Footstool where she and Leeann have been today.
Her hands might not be great yet but it is not stopping the rest of her from enjoying the great outdoors.

Tim has tucked Mahalia & Azzan into bed.
Shanni has gone up to watch a movie with Bri & Abby.
Christian has gone to bed in the anticipation of a pre 5am start to his day to get up the top of the hills for breaking dawn photos.
The guys have all gone around to Anson’s for the evening.
Tim & I are about to flop into bed.
It has been a good day

Summertime, And the livin’ is easy…..

Saturday 24th December

Summer seems to have finally arrived.
We have had so much rain lately that it seems almost like summer has happened over night!

Tim took the crew out fishing for the morning.
It was lovely and peaceful back here at home base for a few hours.
They came back with a nice haul of fish.
It is great the cod ban has been lifted,
We can enjoy fresh blue cod again.

Shanni has more wee chicks hatching.
She has a make shift incubator in the house for them.
They are so cute and very funny.

This wee one kept on going to sleep in Tim’s hands.
So funny.

Mother Hen loves her wee chicks.
They are all named too.

The kids went swimming Christian.
The water is apparently around 17.5-18’C.
Quite warm for the beginning of summer.

Bri, Nick, Abby & Annalise arrived just on dinner time.
They left Christchurch quite early but dallied along the way. so arrived later than anticipated.
The younger siblings are very excited to have Bri home

Tim, Anson, and the guys all decided to head up the hill around 6pm and do the stock work that they hadn’t done in the morning due to the fishing trip.
So we didn’t wait dinner and ate at 7pm.
I was well and truly in bed when they arrived back at 9pm and had their late dinners.

Shearing – day 2 – & fun in the biscuit!!

Friday 23rd December

My b-i-l Paul and 2 of his neighbours popped in for a cuppa before breakfast.
They had slept on their boat and were about to head out for a days fishing.

Shanni took a wee break so she could sleep in a bit and do some gardening etc.
Nathan covered for her.

I made beef and relish sandwiches and carrot, pineapple & walnut muffins for morning smoko.
They must have been good cuz none came back!
Anson was shearing all morning so they finished easily at midday.

After lunch Anson did some mustering.
Then he took the troops biscuiting.
Azzan was very proud that he was the only one Anson didn’t manage to tip out.
But, just between you and me, I htink Anson might have been kind to his little bro.
He was far more agressive with Gavin & Shanni

The following photos are off Shanni’s camera.

Azzan.

Gavin.

Shoshannah.

Anson, Gavin, Christian & Nuana went out fishing later in the afternoon.
I think he has drained the petrol tank now!!
They came back with a tasty amount of grouper for dinner.

Shearing – a pictorial of the day

Shoshannah spent the day working in the shearing shed.
She kindly said I could share her photos.

I love this one of her

Christian taking 3D photos of Caleb

Skip and Franka spent the day in the shed too.

Gavin putting wool in the press

Mt Wool!

Anson & Gavin getting the press ready for another bale.

Loading the press.

Just a few more in the pens to do!

Shearing – Day 1

  Thursday 22nd December

I woke to see Anson & Gavin about to head out fishing around 5:30am.
It was the first I had seen of the new boat.

Back half an hour later with a net full of fish to sort out.

Then playtime was over and they had to check in for work!!

Caleb & Michael arrived at 7am.
The crew all began work at 7:30am.
Anson was organising things but he also took the third stand which got the job done in very good time.
Shanni & Christian were shedhanding and Gavin was pressing.
Tim was busy doing everything else!!

I was full on in the kitchen.
Because Shanni was shedhanding and Mahalia was in recovery from her 12:30am bedtime I was pretty much working alone.
I made cheese toasties for morning smoko and resorted to bought biscuits to add to the menu.
Never in my worst nightmares ever thought I would stoop to such such a thing.
But it was okay – the toasties were delicious and made up for the biscuits!!

I had some fish to cook for lunch so made a tomato fish stew with rice.
Afternoon smoko was savoury scone whirls.
They went down very well too.

It was pretty tough going as I was so bone tired but I made it through the day.
When the brain and body are that tired nothing functions well and everything that you normally do takes way way longer
Lenore & Ross were planning to leave before lunch.
But they didn’t manage to.
Too much to side track Ross from leaving
I thought he was packing but then I heard the weedeater.
He was just doing a spot of last minute tidying up around the place for us!

Because they stayed on longer I was able to have a really good heart to heart chat with Lenore.
Hadn’t been able to before this so was really pleased.
They have been good friends for so long now and we have shared our walks, both rocky and smooth, throughout the years.

Then before afternoon smoko just as they were about to say goodbye…..
the word waterskiing was mentioned!

We rearranged everything and Nathan & Ross took all the shop stock up to Waterfall Bay for me in the boat.
Then Nathan took Ross water skiing.

Mahalia & Azzan spent ages decorating the gingerbread men.
They took so long that I was having to push them along to get finished and get the lunch dishes done so I could make afternoon smoko for the men.
But they did well and had fun doing so.

Ross & Lenore finally left late arvo I think but then broke down and had to stay in Blenheim for the night.
But at least the AA paid for their motel.

We had been waiting for our first guests of the summer to arrive.
10 young German students.
They got a bit mixed up as to where they were going but we finally got them all sorted.
They were coming to The Cottage but because of the rain and delayed shearing I upgraded them to The Lodge.
The sheep make such a noise at night and also a lot of mess and gates that need to be kept closed etc so mixing shearing with tourists is not a good look.
Been there, done that, got the tee-shirt, too many times to have that stress added to the mix.

Caleb & Michael didn’t stay for dinner so that was cool.
Two less to feed.
I had some beef roasting in the slow cooker.

Mahalia is enjoying having quiet time playing in the school room with her Belville Lego.
Lately I am often finding her there when she disappears!

Tim was really weary after a day in the shearing shed.
But Azzan was so keen to go biscuiting and it was such a beautiful calm evening that he mustered up his energies and away they went.

It was quite funny cuz when Tim first pulled away expecting Azzan to be following he didn’t!
Someone hadn’t tied the rope at both ends!!
But that was soon rectified and away they went.

They were away for ages around the corner in Te Kopi and then I saw them zooming back in to the wharf.

One very, very happy young chap

We finally ate very late and fell into bed.

A long, busy, hot day in Nelson

Wednesday 21 December

I was up at 4:30am.
Showered and out the door with Mahalia before 6am.
Tim & Nathan followed soon after.

I met up with Anson & Gavin at 8:30 and Mahalia hopped in with them and headed off to the chiropractor.
I met up with Tim & Nathan at 9am and we spent the following hour at a group appointment.
Then I set off to get through the jobs on my list.
Because of last weeks flooding there was still a lot of damage and main arterial roads closed.
Which combined with pre Christmas traffic meant there was a lot of very slow traffic.

Anson took Mahalia to Sophies for the day after her chiro session.
Then he met Christian at the airport.
He hasn’t been down in ages so it will be lovely to have him home for a few days.

I zipped out to Stoke and got the bulk grocery buying out of the way.
I came back in to the city over the hill as it was a quicker route.
Don’t know why more people weren’t using that road.

I met Tim at the hospital.
He had a cat-scan booked at 1:30pm.
We were there by 1:15 and amazingly enough Tim was down and out the door before 1:30pm!
So now we just have to await the results.

Anson & Tim were hell-bent on getting over to Havelock to buy a boat they had been looking at.
But once again I was the one putting on the breaks!
Not because of the money but because they hadn’t actually thought it through as to how they were going to pay for it!
They seemed to think they were going to pop through, check it out, and pay with their bank cards!!
I was like, I don’t think so guys
So I went to the bank to have a chat with Sarah.
While I was waiting for her I went outside to wait for Tim as he wouldn’t know I was upstairs.
The traffic and parking was crazy.
I spotted Anson circling the carpark.
Then Sarah came outside to find me.
Tim finally drove up and then Anson managed to find a park.
So we ended up having a consultation on the back steps of the bank in the sun.
It was way nicer than being tucked into a wee dim cubicle indoors
We got the money sorted and then I called the insurance.
They hadn’t thought of that either.
Men
I do wonder if they are right about boys frontal lobes meeting in their late teens.
I don’t reckon they meet ever!!!

The guys had done all they had to in town so they headed over the hill to do some serious bloke business.
I was then free to get on with my day.
I had a session with my counsellor and then had a few moments free to go shopping for me before my fringe cut appointment.
I found 2 lovely suntops at Mariposa.
That made me happy

I went to pick up Mahalia.
She was very happy to have had a long day with Sophie.
We had to get groceries so zipped through New World and then Countdown and popped in to The Warehouse.
Found the set of drawers Azzan has been wanting and it was reduced.
Then we got Chinese takeaways and went to visit Phoebe.
It was after 8pm by this time and we were both very weary.
It was nice to just sit and chat in the late arvo sun.
It was the first time since the wedding that we had seen each other so lots to talk about.
Finally pulled ourselves away and left town just before 10pm.
Home at 12:30am.
It was a very long day.

While we were in town Shanni had done some baking, and gardening.
Azzan had made gingerbread men for shearing smokos.
Lenore had made curried sausages for dinner.
Shanni made some dairy free too.

Anson & Gavin drove the new boat in from Havelock.
Tim & Christian towed the trailer.
Nathan drove Anson’s truck home.

By the time Tim got back Anson & Gavin had arrived home and already been out fishing.
Then gone up the hill with Shanni, Ross & Azzan to muster sheep.
So they all had a 9pm dinner too.

Nothing like packing as much into the daylight hours as possible eh?

17 – 20 December

Saturday17th December

Shanni is having problems with her eyes again.
It is so hard because there is not a lot I can do.
We are putting in the TheraTears but they are not working too well.
Have had to resort to her steroid drops once this week.
It seems to be aggravated when the fires are going indoors.
And as we have had a cold southerly come through we had to light them for a few days.

She has been busy in the garden.
When her eyes are bad she has to wear sunglasses as she gets so photosensitive.
But for some reason being outdoors makes it easier for her.


There was the most gorgeous sky that night.


The children were getting ready for bed when Anson text me to say ‘Lord of the Dance’ was on TV.
I wasn’t going to worry too much about telling Azzan as it was late.
But then Anson rang to say it was really good.
I figured if Anson thought it was good then Azzan would think it was amazing.
So I called out to him.
He thought he was in trouble because he was mucking about as usual and not getting into bed.
So he hid!!
Once he heard he wasn’t in trouble he got his jandals and a jacket on and was out the door and literally flew around the track.
It was dusk but he wasn’t worried.
He loved it and was so happy that he got to stay at Anson’s for the night too.

Sunday 18th December

Anson & Gavin were away early to go shearing at St Lawrence.
Azzan turned up for breakfast a very happy wee chappy.
Nothing like a night out with your big bro is there 

I got quite a fright when I check Facebook and found a status update from Sunni which read
‘Waiting at the hospital with Mat’s blood on my jacket. Not where I expected to be at 4am this morning.’
Needless to say I was extremely concerned so after waiting till I thought it was an acceptable hour of the day I called her up.
It turned out that they had been out socialising and at about 2:30am Mat (boys will be boys I guess) decided to take a ride down the bannister.
But he didn’t make it as far as sliding he basically just went flipped straight over the top and fell 2 stories down the stairwell and landed on a marble floor.
He gashed his head and knocked himself out.
Miraculously though he survived the fall with only a badly munted wrist/arm.
He is now sporting heaps of screws etc at elbow and wrist.
So for the next 2-3 months he will be in traction.
Not quite the way they anticipated spending their holidays but we are all just very thankful he is alive and not severely damaged.


Cat’s 29th birthday today.
She celebrated it down at Mt Cook.
It’s always a bit sad when we don’t get to help celebrate one of the children’s birthdays.
But she was in a place she loves doing stuff she loves so all is good
I love this photo she sent me last week after one of her thar hunts.


Shanni brought me this lovely wee rosebud.
So pretty and perfect.

Monday 19th December

The bud is opening.
It just gets prettier every minute.

I got a burst of energy and made 5 batches of dairy free flapjack slice.
Used up 2 boxes of cornflakes!
So that should keep the guys happy for a wee while.
Good to have the reserves in the freezer and back up for Gavin if I get caught short.

We had fellowship with Ross & Lenore.
Then just a leisurely lazy day.
Shanni went up the hill with Anson in the evening and helped him draft and wean the lambs from the ewes.
Tim, Gavin & Ross went up later to help and do other fix-it stuff.

Tuesday 20th December

Shanni made some gluten free bred.
She was very proud of her wonderful loaf.


She and Mahalia had a cleaning frenzy cleaned up the house.
Shanni has got a lot of veges coming along nicely in the garden.
She also has chickens hatching.
One is living in the house with her and whenever out of his incubator box she made for him, follows her around like she is it’s mother.
I am terrified it is going to get stood on so am always making sure she has it off the floor!
One thing though.
For something so incredibly tiny – it makes a heck of a lot of loud and continual noise!!

Anson & Gavin headed off to work for the morning at Waikawa Bay and then headed out to Nelson in the arvo.
I was trying to get organised but somehow it took me till around 11pm to fall into bed.
As I set the alarm clock I resigned myself to another short night.