the long summer

This is how I spent four days last week - camping in Coromandel. Best swim - New Chums Beach.
But now I'm back at work.

Top: New Chums Beach, caravan decals, sandcastles at Port Jackson, cabin at Papa Aroha
Middle: shell curtain in Colville, dusk at Papa Aroha, Whangapoua, sunset at Cooks Beach
Bottom: Mercury Islands from Opito Bay lookout, hillside at Crayfish Bay, "Kiwi zone, no dogs" sign at Opito Bay, Cooks Beach

beginnings

 

The little branches and the tiny seeds I collected from them are from my sister-in-law's garden. She has a wonderful garden that I admire very much. Most of her plants were started as cuttings or from seed so when I commented on a particularly vibrant blue flower - like the true pioneer woman she is - she handed me stems of seed pods. The plant is Aristea aka blue brilliant. I'm not a confident gardener but my gardening book from 1984 tells me its "easily grown" so I'm going to give it a go. I'll keep you posted.

The little succulent is panda plant (kalanchoe tomentosa). It's usually a pale grey colour with rows of rusty brown dots along the edges of the leaf tips. I've been nursing these cuttings along indoors so maybe the lack of light has paradoxically turned them green. Is that possible?

I hope everything is rosy in your garden.

days of summer

 

That is Mr Mingus in the garden showing you his little golden wings.

The beach is just a ten minute slow walk from our house. We swam there on Saturday evening. It was lovely. I wish this summer could last forever.

Reading How Proust can change your life by Alain De Botton and Kinfolk magazine + Eating sweetcorn from the garden + Listening to Sarah Blasko + Online for Journal de jours

pillowcases

I've been making pillowcases. I've made three pairs from a fairly new sheet and some cotton and linen I had in my cupboard. I've kept mine plain but if you'd prefer something a bit fancier there's loads of inspiration over here at Rosebud Quilting.
Sweet dreams.