new

New shoes - sensible, sturdy, comfortable with stylish removable fringe bits that I think are fantastico.
And a few things bought on the recent South Island trip: another lonely Crown Lynn cup that I bought for 50 cents in Ross. I've planted a pinkish sempervivum succulent in it. And, from Roxburgh, a knitting pattern for a cute sweater (I like the fair isle yoke) and a couple of Stitchcraft magazines from the 1970s.

Reading: 365 gratefuls: celebrating treasures, big and small by Hailey and Andrew Bartholomew and Was she pretty? by Leanne Shapton

through windows

Here are some iphone photos taken on last week's South Island holiday. The first two are a couple of shots taken from the car while driving from Haast to Greymouth. I like the out of focus blurriness of them. Most of that part of the trip was like that as we drove through mist and rain. But it wasn't all bad weather. I put some sunnier landscapes on instagram.

The last two photos (also taken through windows) are of Queen Mary Hospital at Hanmer Springs that closed in 2003.

animal house one

Some of the animals in my house.

The bowl with the dog image is by New Zealand ceramicist, Sarah Guppy and the cats are Eric (orange) and his brother, Mingus.

I'm off on more travels - to the South Island this time. Enjoy your week - wherever you may be.

Reading Island wife : living on the edge of the wild by Judy Fairbairns

three things

1. One half of Mr Mingus

2. A new cactus cutting I planted in a lovely but badly crazed Crown Lynn cup with a pattern called 'Lilian'. Perhaps I should've divided the cactus and planted the two 'ears' separately. What do you think?

3. A batch of badges I made for winter using woolen fabrics and velvet. They add a bit of colour and texture to a dull winter outfit. My wardrobe seems to have settled on black and grey. I used a badge-maker machine but you could make a covered button and attach a small safety pin on the back instead. I think my favourite is the green tweedy one (centre left).

north

We've had a few lovely, sunny, cold, misty days up North staying on the Hokianga.

- mist on the harbour
- sunset at Omapere
- cobweb
- magical tree of cobwebs somewhere between Opononi and Rawene
- fishing boats on the Waihou River

Reading Travels with Epicurus: a journey to a Greek island in search of a fulfilled life by Daniel Klein