I'm getting ready....

If you read yesterday's

post, you'll know we're

expecting VIP visitors

in February!!

While shopping for

Christmas presents

in Whitcoulls (book store)

this morning, I discovered

that for each $20 I spent

I could buy a 'Horace' bear

for the special price of $7 -

naturally I had to buy two!!

They are now propped up

on my computer chair -

you can see why I

just couldn't resist them!

Horace 1

and Horace 2.

And very soon I'll be preparing

two little beds for my

darling granddaughters

and there will be a

Horace bear on each bed

waiting to be cuddled.

Also on the chair

with a bears is

Peter Rabbit's

Cookery Book

which was given to

my daughter when

she was four yrs old.

When the girls arrive

we will have a little

tea party,

would you like to

join us?

Do bears like rice pudding
and jelly

and jam tarts

and oat biscuits?

I hope so...

They must surely like

Mrs Rabbit's currant buns!

There's just so much

planning to do and

I'm hoping Horace 1 and 2

will help me!!!

If you would like any

of Peter Rabbit's recipes

please let me know!!

Thank you so much for visiting

and for leaving your lovely

comments

be kind to one another

hugs

Shane x

Call in the Experts I say.....

I've just received some

wonderful news -

my daughter and her family

will be visiting us from Europe

early next year!

Sooo I feel the house

needs some extra titivating!

I've sought the expert advice

of Julie-Ann of

The Decorating Forum

Julie-Ann has very kindly offered
to do a post for me today
as we thought there maybe
others out there needing help as well!

Over to you Julie-Ann!!!

 _________________________________________

"Would you like to give your

living room or bedroom

a little makeover?

Maybe it just needs some finishing

touches to make it everything

you have dreamed of?

It can be as simple as

adding a few extra items:

Perhaps some cushions.

Or a throw rug.

You can even make one from

your favourite material

or an old quilt cover.

I love adding flowers to a room,

especially orchids.

They look so elegant

and can last for months.



A rug can help to frame a space.

Try adding some personal photos

of your last family holiday -

don't keep them hidden away

on your computer.

Have them on display

to bring back great memories.

There are some gorgeous wall decals

and canvasses for sale online.

Or make your own canvas

with some stunning fabric.

It's cheap and can look

sensational.

And when the Minister of Finance

says there's no money in the bank

don't worry - look what one member

of the Decorating Forum

managed to do with pieces

she had around the house

(elements bedroom before photo)



(elements bedroom after)

If you are looking for ideas

on decorating, renovating or building

pop over and chat with us

on the Decorating Forum.

We would love to meet you!"

Thank you so much Julie-Ann

I love your simple ideas -

it doesn't need to be

complicated after all.

Even the Minister of Finance

will agree to this makeover!!

Thank you dear friends for

visiting and leaving your

lovely comments.

Enjoy your week and

be kind to one another.

Please surf over to sign up

at Decorating Forum too!!

Hugs

Shane x

I'm counting my blessings

On my daily journey through

blogland,

visiting and reading

my favourite blogs,

I sometimes encounter a

giveaway.

Often the content of the

giveaway

will be treasures that

have been collected

or even hand made

by the host.

I only enter a giveaway

if the items on offer

are...

"I've just got to try and

win this - it's got my

name all over it"

you know what I mean.... 

 I was recently lucky enough

to win a giveaway

made by Rhonda here
Now, I'm a huge fan of
Rhonda's
and I would love
to have everything
she makes!!!
I was 'over-the-moon'
when I saw my name
on her blog
as the winner -
crossing my fingers
and toes
really did work!!

In her parcel were
this beautiful

fabric tag of the

Madonna and Child

 and also this sweet
French themed shadow box

(click on it to see the beautiful detail).

Thank you again Rhonda

I'm so blessed to have a piece

of your art work.

 This is the second lovely

package to arrive in

my post box all the way

from Barbara in the UK.

Barbara and I did Caroles book class

together earlier this year.

Barbara used exquisite fabrics,

laces and buttons

so I knew when I saw

her Giveaway, it

would be amazing.

The french fabric edging with

children embroidered on it

was enough for me!!!

Click on the photo

to get a closer look.

Thank you Barbara

I appreciate your gift.

Please visit these two blogs

they are both so talented

and both also have

on-line shops

(Christmas is almost here)!!

I'm finding it very hard to move on
following our mining disaster.

Next week there is a
formal Memorial service for the
29 miners
who lost their lives last week.
Please continue
to remember their families
 in your prayers.

Thank you for visiting my blog
and for leaving such
lovely comments
I appreciate each and
every one of you.

Be kind to one another.

hugs

Shane x

I am so thankful for.....

my family

my dear husband

(my rock)

for my darling son

currently working in the

Soloman Islands

for my sweet daughter

and her family

living in France

for all my friends and

for the place I call home

Auckland

New Zealand

and for all my

dear blogging friends.

Special wishes to those

celebrating thanksgiving!

Today Im linking to Maxabella here

Be kind to one another.

Shane x

ANOTHER EXPLOSION IN THE MINE......

Late this afternoon we received

the devastating news

of another catastrophic explosion

in the Peak River mine.

This second blast

extinguishes

hope for survivors.

We had all held such hope

for a successful rescue of

the 29 miners trapped below ground.

Tonight

our hearts and prayers

are with their families.

Please remember these

families

in your thoughts and prayers

this evening.

Shane x

MINE EXPLOSION - NEW ZEALAND

It is worrying times again in New Zealand.

Last Friday an accident occurred at the

Pike River Coal Mine.

The mine is situated near Greymouth
in the West Coast region

of the South Island.

An explosion has left 29 miners

trapped 1,500 metres (4,900 ft)

from the mines entrance.

They have been testing air samples

from inside the mine and these

still indicate poisonous gases present.

The risk of further explosions mean it

is unsafe for the rescue teams to enter
the mine at present.

This is very traumatic for the families

who have loved ones in the mine.

Please join with us in prayer that our

29 men trapped underground

will be delivered alive and well

back to their families.

Thank you dear friends for your comments
may you have a good week
and “be kind to one another”
take care
hugs
Shane

In Flanders Fields.....

Armistice Day 2010

This beautiful poem was written

by a Canadian Medical Officer
Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

John McCrae was a Canadian medical officer who,
in May 1915, had conducted the funeral service
of a friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer,
who died in the Second Battle of Ypres (Ieper).
Distressed at the death and suffering around him,
McCrae scribbled the verse in his notebook.
In a cemetery nearby, red poppies blew gently
in the breeze – a symbol of regeneration and
growth in a landscape of blood and destruction.

Below is the memorial to the

New Zealand soldiers

who gave their lives

in France and Belgium in the 1st World War

in their fight

for our freedom.

We shall honour and remember them.

I'm sorry I'm a day late with this post..

Wishing you all a happy weekend

thank you dear friends

for your comments and

"be kind to one another".

Shane

General Gallieni - a very dashing french man!!

There's something about

a French man -

n'est-ce pas?

Meet one of my favourites

"General Gallieni"

who is a wonderful tea rose!

Quite the most handsome

speciman

don't you agree?!!

I love the colours of

soft pink to

rosy pink to

buff yellow

through to deep red

I decided to photograph him

in the French corner

of my living room

close to my collection

of Eiffle Towers

so he felt at home!

Just one bloom on its own is stunning

and three blooms are

tres magnifique!

This wonderful rose
produces beautiful blooms
from Spring through to Autumn.

General Gallieni
is a tea rose
bred by Nabonnand
in 1899.
Named after the French General
Joseph Gallieni
who served in the Franco Prussion war
and World War 1.
He was later
Governor of Madagascar.

I'm linking this post to

the following "blog parties"

"Show and Tell Friday" here

"Le Château des Fleurs" here

"A Place for Tea" here

"Miss Sew & So" here

Wishing all my friends a happy weekend

and thank you for visiting me,

I love your comments!!

Be kind to one another

Shane x