My Christmas present arrived back from the electrician the other day. My beloved was the highest bidder at the auction room over a month ago, but the wiring was a bit too original to be safe so the trip home was delayed. Never mind, it's here now and I love it. He's quite surprising that man of mine sometimes.

It has little hooves on its tripod base

and vine leaves wind all the way up,

and it casts just the right light to work under in the evening. I love beautiful, quirky things that have a purpose, so best I start using it and get creating. 

Have a great week

Perfect Day

Willows, Poplar and Chestnut; could this be somewhere in Europe? It could, but no, this is Hawkes Bay on a beautiful warm Summers day, when the breeze doesn't cool you and instead feels like a fan heater spreading the warmth all round. I have fond memories of swimming in rivers and streams when I was a child and yesterday we finally had the chance to make some similar memories for our children. I was told about a park in the countryside, fifteen minutes or so from home, with a shallow stream,  and ample shade under the trees if needed. Everyone had such a great time we travelled out there again this afternoon, but this time I took the camera.

The water was crystal clear and shallow, and swift enough to give a great ride on its current downstream...

It was followed by many long walks through the water to start over again, but no complaints.

We went eel stalking. Can you spot the one in the photo above? I've never seen so many eels before, I stopped counting at twenty, so the stream is healthy. My brave wee man tried his best to catch one but they're slippery devils. The fun was in the trying, and the odd scream when one got a little too close.

There's another one. I'll never be a wildlife photographer.

The old mission style church that is a field and a road away from the park. It's rather lovely, and usually when we have driven past there are bridal cars waiting outside as it's a popular place to be married, but not today.

And lastly, the hill across the road with its gravel driveway that winds up to a house unseen. What a wonderful place to live, to be able to look down to this little valley, a little pocket of perfect. Bliss...

We're in a pickle. Being the magpie that I am, I see potential in objects that others would just see as being past it and rubbish, which brings me to our pickle. My beloved and I are no longer spring chickens but our furniture looks like it belongs in a student flat, or refuse tip. I'm loathe to buy something new, although it probably is cheaper than the alternative, reupholstery.

The art deco sofa is the first to have the do over, and eventually, by the time we retire maybe, the collection might not be looking half bad. What ever fabric we choose has to be able to withstand children, husband and animal and I think I have found it in this heavy duty weave. I'm over neutrals and need some happiness in the form of colour; Magenta, not for shrinking violets. I wish I could capture the colour a bit more accurately as it is truly divine in person. Watch this space for the finished product in a couple of months, as long as I don't chicken out in the meantime and opt for beige.

Today has been a day of new beginnings. My beloved and I were up with the sun, in the car with GPS programmed, and off on a journey to meet what has turned out to be the newest addition to our family. Her owner for personal reasons could no longer keep her so I'm glad we've been given the opportunity to give her lots of love.

She is the same breed as my darling Iz, but with all cross bred dogs there are always variations. She is a lovely gentle dog, loads of energy, great with the children and travelled home in the car like a seasoned pro. It is going to take her a while to get used to the noises of town and cars as she is a true country dog;  taking her for a walk this afternoon provided her with a few stressful moments. Although she has been an outside dog in her previous life, she jumped up and fell asleep on the sofa like it was an old friend.

Exhausted After A Very Big Day On Her New Favourite Place To Sleep

She has of course come to us pre-named, and I'm having a bit of trouble marrying the name with this gorgeous bundle before me. Can I rechristen her or do I just have to get used to it? To me she looks and acts like a Bella, beautiful from hairy face to the tip of her tail, not her given name which is the name of an old Robin Williams movie that begins with J and ends with i, and she answers to the shortened version that just sounds like mangey which she isn't. The kids love her name.Whatever she ends up being called I'm grateful to have another dog to love.    

Happy New Year

I've just taken the first stroll outside in the garden for the year and it's a gorgeous day. The dragonflies were zipping around but my camera, and my skills behind it, were not up to the task of capturing them. This beautiful rose says hello to me every morning when I open the curtains in my bedroom. It's growing over the fence from the neighbours, with weeds at its feet, but I'm not about to prune it back to the fence line as I admire its tenacity. If you go into old abandoned gardens roses always seem to be the one plant that will survive neglect and still be stunning.

 I'm not a believer in New Years Resolutions, or at least the usual suspects of gym memberships and diets. I do believe however in reflecting upon what has been, and I've had a lot to reflect on and have found it a very challenging twelve months. Here is to 2011 being filled with harmony, honesty, creativity and successes, no matter how small, and spending time with the ones you love. Life's beauty is in its imperfection. 

Cin cin 

xx