Oh So Busy!!!

The past couple of months have been so busy with one thing and another (work mainly) and the weeks have flown by in a blur. I have travelled to Rotorua for training twice this month.
There is quite a bit to catch up on so this post could go on for a bit!
(It may also be easier to start at the 22nd June and work up)

Saturday 30th August 2014
Yummy Pear with Caramel Sauce, homemade of course.

Friday 29th August 2014
We went to the tip today to visit the recycle centre, we were looking for a mirror. (You will see what we did with this in the next update)
Anyway look a cow made out of rubbish bins!

Monday 25th August 2014
Take a piece of wood, some Mod Podge, and a photograph which has been photocopied....

.....put Mod Podge on the front of the picture and put face down on the wood....

....wait 8 hours and just like magic look what you have....a photo on wood.

The Cherry Tree is in blossom and the birdies love it.

 I even hung an Orange from the tree, as you can see they like that to.

Friday 22nd August 2014
This is my climber in full bloom.

This is Malcolm's project below.
Take some strips of very thin timber, round the ends, put a hole in each end, sand and varnish, and leave to dry...

The next thing you have is this stunning Light.

The Light at night. (hey I'm a poet!)

Sunday 17th August 2014
Take some downpipe...

Cut it to the size you require, and drill some holes in it, give it a lick of paint (I made two of these I painted one green and one red) and....



..plant it up, the one above has herbs and flowers. 

and  in the other I planted Strawberries, and they are even flowering now.

Today I also made Lemon Meringue Pie. Yummmmmmy

Saturday 16th August 2014
Our lemon tree is now full of ripe lemons so I took the opportunity to make some preserved lemons.

Gather your supplies

Bottled with a Chilli and Bay Leaves

An embroidered cover I made for the jar

Monday 11th August 2014
I am working in Rotorua today, and back to Eat Streat for lunch.
We went to Picnic Cafe. (again)

Where I had a Croque Monsieur, a fancy name for a massive toasted sandwich! 

Check out these very cool wire Chandeliers.

   and if you get bored you can do a bit of knitting.

Sunday 10th August 2014
So guess what????
I'm back in Rotorua again for work.
We stopped at Matamata for morning tea.

Matamata Visitor Centre

I also took the opportunity to go to Wingspan, NZ's Bird of Prey Centre in Rotorua, which I have been wanting to do for quite a while now. This is a rescue centre for Falcons which are eventually let back out into the wild.

Falcons

Falcons in flight

Blossom at Wingspan

After leaving Wingspan we checked into the Millenium Rotorua, and then headed out for a walk, on the way we spotted this piano garden, full of succulents.

We then saw this 3.2 metre high Tui, a sculpture by Trevor Nathan and is carved from Black Poplar Wood.

Te Tui Nui

View of  Lake Rotorua, when the tide is out at the back of the Polynesian Spa at dusk.

After the walk we headed off to Eat Streat for dinner.

We ended up at Indian Star Tandoori Restaurant, and I must say this place is amazing, the service, decor and the food was incredible. I had Lamb Saag Gosht, with Zeera Rice and Garlic Naan. Sorry no pictures you will just have to take my word for it, but if you are passing through Rotorua it is definitely worth a stop!

Tuesday 5th August 2014
Last day in Rotorua, I was up early this morning and raced (walked fast) down to the lake to see the sunrise, and it was breathtaking. I have also included a video of the lake at sunrise.

Video of the Sunrise

Steam from the Hot Spring at dawn

Rotorua Visitor Centre

For lunch today we went to Kiaora Japan

Where I had Salmon Katsu.
Which is slices of Salmon, dipped in Panko and deepfried.
Very tasty.
Below is some of the decor of Kiaora Japan

Monday 4th August

Long day at the office today.
We went back to Picnic for lunch, this time I had Pappardella (home made pasta) with chicken, roast veggies, Parmesan Cheese and Pesto.

After work we went to the Polynesian Spa.
We even indulged in an ice-cream.

We then headed off to Urbano for a Gourmet Burger. (For me anyway)

Sunday 3rd August 2014

I'm currently in Rotorua for work and the weather is spectacular.
I have gone with a lovely lady from work and apart from the work bit getting in the way we are having a wonderful time.
I know its a Sunday,but yes we had to work today. During our lunch break we headed off to Picnic for lunch, where I had Pancakes with Banana, Bacon and Maple Syrup.

After work we checked in at the Millennium Rotorua, where we had a bit of a breather before heading out again.

After a short rest I decided to walk to Government Gardens, which was not far from the hotel and on the way I saw.....
a tree that had been Yarn Bombed.  How cool is that!

Next up a Hot Spring

The old Rotorua Bath House

Government Gardens

There are also a lot of Pollarded Plane Trees scattered around the gardens.

A Wind Sculpture donated by the Dutch, sculptor Martin Tissink

Lake Rotorua at dusk

See these neat Maple Trees, they line the streets and when they have lost their leaves (like now) all the branches are red.

Some flowers I saw while wandering along. Rhododendrons and Lily of the Valley

Sunset from my hotel room.

We headed out for a soak at the Polynesian Spa.

Then headed out for dinner at Amazing Thai where I had Lamb with Basil. (Stir fried lamb with chilli, Thai basil paste, vegetables and bamboo shoots) 

After dinner we went back to our rooms, and because I'm a bugger for punishment I headed out walking.

In the Hotel they have a walkway between the Reception area and the Guest Rooms and this is what it looks like at night, pretty cool.

I passed these sculptures lit up, they look like flowers

Band Rotunda at Government Gardens

The old Rotorua Bath House

Saturday 2nd August 2014
This afternoon we made Rhubarb pie.

Friday 1st August 2014
Who would have thought, August already.
Today is a foggy old day, but everything looks spectacular.
Photo taken while waiting at the Bus Stop.

When I got off the bus I walked to work around Viaduct Harbour.

and the photo below was taken from my office.

Tuesday 29th July 2014
I don't want you to get jealous now, but I have moved offices and this is the view from my window.
Magic isn't it?

Saturday 26th July 2014
Lunch today, homemade fluffy potato cakes with Philly and Salmon. So scrummy

Sunday 20th July 2014
So do you remember the bird house we built awhile back?
Well we weren't having any luck attracting the birdies, so I moved it to an old orange tree we have, and put some oranges in it.
The Waxeyes love the oranges, I can see them from the house, and when they look up you can see the orange on their beaks. Cute.

Thursday 17th July 2014
Another beautiful day in the City. Tonight I walked up town to Aotea Square to check out the Ice Skating Rink and the Live Line Lights Installation, and what did I see on the way??

Viaduct Harbour at Sunset

Auckland Town Hall

Pretty Blue Lights

Aotea Square

Ice Skating (Not Me!!!)

Live Lines Light Installation

Wednesday 16th July 2014
Today is Malcolm's birthday, check out the card I made for him.
I machine embroidered the Owl and then attached it inside the card placed another piece of card over the back of the embroidery to hide the underside so you wouldn't see it when you opened the card.

Today is also Nikita's 3rd Birthday, and I made this card for her.

It has been a glorious day today weather wise. Very Spring like.
A couple of photos taken from Waitemata Plaza at Dusk.

Saturday 12th July 2014
Today the weather is crappy, so we decided to head to Devonport for a ride. We went to check out a lighting shop called Firefly, what amazing lights, the David Trubridge were spectacular.

View from Devonport across the harbour to Auckland City

View from Devonport to Auckland

Sulphur Bay

Auckland City from Sulphur Bay

Sunday 29th June 2014
I have been working on this Mannequin project for a few weeks now and it is finally finished.
I put a fabric panel over the form and then hammered some patterns into copper, which was then cut into squares and riveted onto the form.

Saturday 28th June 2014
A break in the weather and we headed out for some fresh air to Lynfield Reserve. Looking towards the Manukau Harbour.

Sunday 22nd June 2014
Isn't this tree glorious, we can see it from our kitchen window.