These Smell Amazing!!

Today I received the soaps from my daughter Julie that she promised. These she says are seconds but to me they are all perfect and smell fantastic. They are all made from scratch using the best ingredients. Love the strawberry cheesecake, the peppermint/choc and the one that smells like candyfloss, cant remember what the others are so you will just have to go wander over to her website soap sensations and her very popular blog The Happy Housewife to see what I mean. You will not be disappointed

Julie you are so talented and I am so proud of what you have done, you have a real eye for detail and come up with brilliant ideas for your soap, especially love your snow freeze . A bonus is my house smells lovely,. Thank you heaps.

Day Of Remembering Feb 22nd 2011

Today is a very sad day for the people of Christchurch, one of New Zealand's largest and I think most beautiful cities. One year on since that terrible day our thoughts go out to the people of Christchurch and around the world who lost loved ones. Also the lives that have been changed by horrific injuries, homes and businesses lost. Buildings can be rebuilt but peoples shattered lives and minds will take longer to heal. I speak as one who knows the impact on my family, whose lives have been turned upside down not because of injury but being displaced from their home and schools but who are making new lives away from the eastern suburbs where they once lived. Their home can be rebuilt but as it is on the edge of the red zone i don't think they will ever go back there to live. A grandchild that is too scared to go to bed at night still and the terror in her face with every loud noise. But I am so thankful that they are okay and proud of them still battling all the problems  they face every day.
Christchurch we haven't forgotton you.

More Yummy Yarn

Home again for the weekend, it has been a busy week at Lind's with two wheelchair clinics for Josh and other appointments, his pressure sore is still nasty but drying out thank goodness.

Managed to finish a few knitting projects. Puerperium Cardigan is a fabulous free pattern from Kelly for a newborn babe. It is knit in D. K so knits up really fast no seaming Yay! I had some buttons in my stash that worked out nice. I knitted this in an acrylic yarn Panda Soft which is lovely to knit with.I am loving the colours in this.

I also finished 2 Baby Cable hats in Shepherd merino 4 ply I really love this cute pattern, it does take longer to knit but I think it will fit babies for longer because of the stretch. It is another free pattern on Ravelry.

I indulged myself this week with some more of Morag of Vintage Purls yummy yarn. This is such a popular hand dyed wool that on Monday afternoons we all crowd around the website pushing the refresh button to be one of the lucky one to buy one of these lovely skeins.

I was quick enough to get 2 of the red sock and one Max in D. K Duel In The Sun lovely browns greens and teal. The red is true fire engine red and Josh chose one skein for him for socks. Think the Max will look nice in a mans hat.

Well the sun has finally appeared and might just dash to the shops before the rain starts again.

Have a fab weekend all

Janet

So Spoilt

Well am back home again for the weekend after being at Lind's. I have been going there to help out since Josh's broken knee and stint in hospital, coming home for the weekends. He has had a rough road, but hopefully on the mend now.

This week I have received two parcels the first being the 1st instalment of the Vintage Purls Sock Club. I have previously been in the Winter one but never the Summer, something nice to look forward too for 3 months. This months was not a sock pattern but a lovely summery shawl pattern in a very bright sunshiny colour, not something I can wear myself but I am sure to find a use for it!! Also in the parcel was a badge and some stickies notes and some lovely yummy fudge. Notice in the pic that is MISSING! Thanks Morag

Also I received a belated Christmas parcel that went all the way to Christchurch from Julie Jason and Beka, it was full of lots and lots of pressies too many to name but you can see some on the pic, all lovely especially the soaps which aren't on the pic but you can find them on Julies website Soap Sensations she makes the bestest soaps ever and I love getting all her latest ones to try. Thanks Julie.

Its a long weekend again, on Monday it is Waitangi Day a sortof NZ s national day which marks the signing of the treat of Wataing in 1840.

Once again wherever you are ........ friends and family do have a great weekend.

Janet

Fruits Of My Labours

This weekend I have been busy making jam. We had been asked to pick plums of someone who had gone on holiday, they didn't want them to go to waste! I made about 16 jars, the first batch I made was quite tart using Lind's Edmond's book, the recipe was different to the one in my older book and my recipe turned out much better.

I also sacrificed some of my precious raspberries I had picked at Christmas to make a small amount of jam. I used this recipe here it was a bit too sweet next time wont add quite as much sugar.

I have also made some baby hats which turned out quite cute and very small, I am playing around with needles to get the gauge I like.

Last night cast on for some really lovely slippers they look like loafers and quite trendy. I was given lots of very thick wool a while ago and was wondering what to make with it. The first one came out too big the second I did on 5.5mm s and was just casting off and the acrylic needle snapped ARGH!! might try them on size 5s today they will be sure to fit someone the

Slippers pattern is free on Ravelry if you are a member.

It is quite overcast here today and we have had some strong winds,hoping for some fine weather for tomorrows Nelsons Anniversary Day.

I have been really enjoying reading books on my tablet. You can download books from your library, there are not many titles yet and quite a few you have to put on hold but I have been able to find a knitting book Yay!!! also lots of free books on the public domain. I quite like the idea of saving the trees and not having to pack books when I go away!

Well dear friends and family do have a lovely weekend wherever you are in this wonderful world

Janet

Bullion Roses and French Knots

Thought I would try my hand at this to embroider on a little baby vest, very clear instructions.

New Year Madness

Welcome to 2012 everyone! It was a quiet night for me but not for the neighbours over the road ........ boy did they party.
I started this Sock Yarn Blanket yesterday, its really addictive and I am wondering how long it will take me as the little squares are barely 2 inches. I like this idea as you don't join the squares but pick up stitches and join in, very ingenious. Only problem is I thought I had heaps of scraps of sock yarn but realize these are not going to go far!!! so if anybody out there has any to donate I would be very grateful!!!
I find I have only added about a dozen or so projects onto Ravelry in 2011 but have made lots of pairs of socks that didn't get put in, babies and adults. I am hoping to have a market this year in Nelson so am busy stockpiling socks.
Hope you all have a great day.

Janet

Out With The old

Well this has been quite a challenging year for my family. Earthquakes in Christchurch for Rachel, Josh's surgery with 3 months spent  away in Auckland. Floods in Nelson.
I have had so many blessings though to be thankful for. I was gifted a new computer this week from the lovely Kevin and Cathy ( thank you so much you guys, it is great) which will mean I can now update my blog more regularly. I missed two natural disasters while I was  away in Christchurch when the floods happened and had to return to Nelson unexpectedly and missed the latest swarm of earthquakes in Christchurch. I was affected though as when I returned home my power had been off since the rain and both freezers were full of rotting food,  the smell was something else,  the cupboards were very bare for Christmas!!!
I spent Christmas with Linds and family and we had the usual brunch which we find frees us up to relax for the rest of the day. The weather was great but once again the rain returned to soak everything again. I feel sorry for all the holiday makers that descend upon Nelson.
Boxing day was spent picking raspberries and enjoying fruit icecreams out at Berry Fields. This is something I really enjoy doing so I can freeze them for the coming year, plus its what summer in Nelson is all about!
I treated myself to a V9 Tablet for Christmas, it is great only 7 ins but finding it really useful now as I can read my patterns on it.
I havent been doing much knitting of late but will do a post later of those I have done last year.
Well to all far and near have a wonderful New Year, may 2012 be healthy and happy for you all .
God Bless

Janet

Finally

Well Finally I am blogging again. Have been home nearly 2 1/2 months, what a long time away.
In saying that I am at the moment visiting Rachel in Christchurch for Christmas. They are still displaced and living in Templeton since the February Quake and no nearer to finding out about their house in Avondale. Everything is shocking to see in real life, the streets where they lived just down fro the river are a mess. The end of her road is Red Zoned, we walked around Hulverstone Drive while P did the lawns, what a sad sad place, looks like a ghost town. Haven't felt any aftershocks thank goodness but as we are only a few metres from the railway tracks trains going all day and night its very noisy.
Havent really done anything for Christmas it will be money for most I think.
I am sort of pleased to not be in Nelson at the moment with the terrible flooding they are having at present, I got Dan to check my place and it is ok. Granny is still in Rocks fall and it will take more than landslides to move her!!!! Its a shame with Christmas coming as Nelson is a popular holiday spot.
On the knitting front have made quite a few pairs of socks, mostly babies I will post pics when I return home as finally I am getting a computer Yay!!! and should be back to regular posting.
Well we are off for a walk soon hoping the rain holds off it has been quite cool here thank goodness I brought my merinos!!
Well to all of you far and near may I wish you a very blessed and peaceful Christmas and Happy New Year
Janet

Last Lap

NATIONAL PARK JULY

VIEW FROM WILSON HOME TAKAPUNA

Well finally after 11 weeks we have a time for leaving here, last week we had to cancel flights and ferry due to Linds injuring her back which caused so many more complications. On the bright side Josh has had an extra week of therapy.

Also another unexpected highlight was on Sunday morning we were told that some All blacks were visiting the Wilson Home http://www.wilsonhometrust.org.nz/ we had just over 1/2 hour to quickly make a flag and get to Villa 1. we had 3 all blacks Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui and Andy Ellis come visit and what lovely guys, they were all really interested in the kids. We all made it on Prime News that night. Also the French Rugby team visited the Wilson School a few weeks ago it was great to see them . Josh was down at the Gym doing his session when they visited here and got some great photos, and Josh and me made it into the Northshore Times.

Josh doing okay, it is going to take some time 2 years to rehabilitate from this op.

We all are looking forward to finally getting back to Nelson on Thursday cant believe it will nearly be 12 weeks since leaving in that awful snow in National Park. Now spring is here and looking forward to summer in Nelson, also may have a visit to Christchurch coming up to visit Rachel and family.

On the knitting front have made about 6 or 7 pairs of socks, I need some more stash, sure i can remedy that!!

ON OUR WAY HOME YAY!!!

RWC Firework Display

Tonight we had a great opportunity to see the firework display here in Auckland and we didnt even have to leave the Wilson Home Site. At the last moment we were invited to use the

http://www.wilson.school.nz/l and we had the greatest panoramic view of the Sky Tower and the firework display. It was absolutely wonderful, a once in a lifetime occasion, all the kids were so excited that I think most of them will have trouble sleeping tonight!!!!. Thanks Josh without you we wouldn't be here to enjoy this time. It is amazing that we are finding some enjoyable moments here, even though it has been hard at times. We have met some great people too and are enjoying sharing meals with other families here.

Josh has had a couple of good days and he did some great work in the Hydro pool today and tomorrow he may get to go for his first outing in the van for a short time He cant wait he hasn't stopped smiling at the prospect...... 6 1/2 weeks is a long time stuck almost flat! We can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

Well all here are watching the first match while I type this up while it is quiet.

Dan arrives tomorrow for a few days as it is the twins birthday next week, didnt think we would still be here !!!

Have a great weekend all.

Janet

WEEK 6

Hi there everyone its been a while since posting here, busy stressful weeks with lots of ups and downs.

Josh has now started physio twice a day on the tilt table and doing slight knee bends. His pain has not been as bad but he had a bad migraine and vomiting on Thurs.

Danny arrived yesterday for the weekend and goes back tomorrow afternoon, it may be his last time coming back until the end of therapy which we still don't know when that will be. At least we have been spared the cold weather down South and it will be well into spring when we get back home to sunny Nelson.

We are getting into the swing of things here the other two area bit bored at times but we went to Takapuna library today which was great and Pappy bought in Tushme the cat and a lovely Malaysian meal for lunch YUM!!

It is amazing with all going on that I have managed to knit 3 pairs of socks. I hope to get some pics up later of those. I brought my first pair of Addi circulars to knit my socks and they are amazing they are a dream to knit with. These I brought at Crafty Knits in Milford a lovely shop that i hope to explore more when i have the time.

We have all just been down to the playroom here for a game of Boccia Josh won his first Boccia balls in a photo Competition that you can see here in the CP society newsletter.

He was so pleased to get them and has a smart new case to put them in.

I hope you are feeling better Julie after your stay in hospital and are on the way to recovery.

Have a lovely weekend this first week of spring( here in NZ that is)

Janet