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.

but not so far

Yesterday was Auckland Anniversary Day and a public holiday where I live. So, in my quest for more holidays this year, we spent the day with friends on beautiful Waiheke Island. We walked the sculpture trail, tasted a little local wine, bought local produce - olive oil, honey, lemons and plums - and swam in the sea. Hoorah to that!

The minty drink is nimbu pani made from lemons I bought up North last week and some sugar and salt. It's an Indian summer drink similar to lemonade. Some of my work colleagues just love it so I had to try it for myself. I made this recipe from Sailu's Kitchen. It did taste a little bit electrolyte-sports-drink but I think the lemonade lemons I used are sweeter than regular lemons. Apparently they can be eaten straight off the tree like an orange so probably not a good choice for nimbu pani. We drank it all, but next time I might try limes or, perhaps, Waiheke lemons.

already a holiday

These photos were taken while staying 'up North' for a few days - the first of many holidays to come, I hope. The weather was wonderful and we swam in the ocean which I love to do.

Reading A moveable feast by Ernest Hemingway + Watching Girls, season 2

backwards and forwards

Hello again and Happy New Year. It's nice to be back.
This is most of the stuff I made last year. Sock monkeys and baby gifts feature heavily but I'm pretty pleased with what I got done. This year I'd like to do more sewing, do more yoga, take more holidays and learn to use my camera. How about you - any resolutions?

Reading The great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald + Eating lots of fresh summer vegies from the garden + Listening to Laibach