Up the Mountain as the Winter ends...

Having one last chance to ski before the winter finally leaves us ,it was up the mountain we go.
Our daughter took her children and I went along to mind the littlest of our grandchildren.

The drive up the mountains allows for spectacular views and every corner has a unique sign..

like this one that says "Cow Poo Corner"

Upon reaching the top there was  a definite change in temperature 

A very cheeky Kia decided he wanted to watch us all get ready

He was not in the least bit afraid.

Prepared and ready Oma..

while little brother played hide and seek with Oma ..Mum Dad and Matilda got the lift  passes

Oscar and I settled at a table in the cafe and watched from a cosy spot..

 Mr Nosy Kia dropped in to say Hello

What goes up must come down

Enough for one day..

Lesson over.

Time for Matilda to go and mum Dad and cousie Tamihana to have some fun..

and for Oma and the babies its homeward bound...

with two sound asleep little people strapped on board.

It's hard to give tips to skiers if I don't know how they ski, but I think the most important thing in skiing is you have to be having fun. If you're having fun, then everything else will come easy to you.

Lindsey Von

            Matilda and the new dress..

Returning home from Christchurch I happened upon a little retro Op shop selling all kinds of interesting and unusual wares..
I spotted a little dress that spoke to me of Spring and decided I would buy it for my little grand daughter Matilda.
Matilda believes in fairies and mermaids, our daughter and myself encourage her to imagine and stories read to her are often filled with little hedgehog laundress' or paddling puddling ducks or little mouse tailors or mermaids and fairies.....

I wasn't so keen on the doily stitched to the front of the dress but Matilda loved it. We found a little picture in the fabric of a fairies clothesline made from spider web and we decided it was the same thread that could easily have been used to make the little lace doily.

There were also all the little animals that are frequenting our gardens right at the minute.

and one of the best things about this little dress ... Matilda can spin really well ....

even with her shoes on the wrong feet...

Have you ever told your grandchild or a child that their shoes are on the wrong feet...and have you been told They are the only feet I've got?

The question is, are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?

David Attenborough

and I say the same about fairies........

                                   To Market to Market


A recent trip to Christchurch to return a friend to her home was a chance for me to explore the Dutch shop and buy some goodies like "drop" Dutch Licorice ,and biscotti and Almond cake and and and .....
This then was followed by a trip to the Christchurch Farmers market...WOw
What an awesome market...
For foodies this Market is a must see.

It was a beautiful morning with that sweet spring smell...

As we moved closer to the stalls a waft of differing food smells hit my keen nose..

cakes pastries,freshly baked bread.frankfurters on the grill,smoked salmon and pate,fresh veges and fruit

Honey's and nectars,preserves and condiments, 

All manner of organic treats

Food from France,Italy ,Hungary,Holland, Germany,

Amazing zingy cheeses ,creamy cheeses blue black and white cheeses

Samalian,South African,Czech

every sort of food...

I purposely walked away from this stand...

All in all the food was healthy choice,organic and made by artisans..

 I filled up on special treats to add some oomph to meals and bought myself a lunch . I settled on a Spanakopita made for me with love (I was assured)

and whilst I munched on the spicy delicious vegetables I sat in the sun watching the ducks swim along the Avon...

and watched Parents with their babies having picnic's .

When I got home I used the sun dried tomatoes, olive oil infused garlic,huge fresh crunchy olives, hand made salami , hand crafted parmesan cheese along with freshly picked greens and crunchy capsicum and a free range organic egg  to make a hearty healthy lunch...I was truly inspired... 

Instead of going out to dinner, buy good food. Cooking at home shows such affection. In a bad economy, it's more important to make yourself feel good.

Ina Garten