Moments in my Week

Autumn has arrived

slowly and mildly this year

we're still in short sleeves and no added layers

and I've kicked off the extra blanket

we added a few weeks ago!

I visited the cafe in the park for an ice cream

after a long leisurely walk.

It was lovely to see so many families and large groups
taking advantage of the mild weather.
Lots of children riding bicycles and playing ball games
while their parents chatted with family members
and friends.

There is a large area with barbecues and wood provided,
with plenty of tables and seats although most groups
were sitting on rugs spread out on the grass.

Relaxation
is so necessary for shaking off the stresses
of daily life!

A walk along Milford Beach
is another way to unwind,
recharge the batteries
and just enjoy being part of this wonderful world!

~My last Dahlia~

Such a disappointing show this year.
Most flowers were chewed before they opened.

A naughty brown beetle was found to be the culprit!

I'm opposed to using nasty sprays in my garden.

Next year I will be more vigilant
and keep an eye on just who is nibbling plants

and remove them one by one if necessary!

My new coffee mug at work - it gets filled twice a day.
The added benefit are the inspirational words too.

I'm joining 

Amy for Five on Friday and

Tanya for Willy Nilly Friday

Thank you ladies for hosting.

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you for your visit today
if you leave me a comment I will come and visit you too!

Moments in My Week

On my trip to the Waikato on Wednesday,
the client I visited told me to look out for cows
in Morrinsville!

I expected to see real cows but this is what she was
talking about!
Isn't this one gorgeous. 
We discovered a small herd of 8-10
life sized cows throughout the main street!

The last roses of Summer on my archway.
This is Pierre de Ronsard which I've shown you many times.
Such a worthwhile rose to have in the garden.
It is at it's best in Spring, but continues flowering through Summer
and as you can see above, well into Autumn too.
My only regret is it's lack of fragrance.

Dawn in my neck of the woods.
I'm up at 5am on my work days and 
I captured this exquisite sky before I drove out the driveway.
I love photographing skies - what about you?

The May issue of New Zealand House & Garden

magazine arrived in my letterbox this week.

Usually the May issue focuses on Mothers Day

and spoiling our mothers, baking etc

but this one only gives a cursory nod to mothers.

Change - it is happening everywhere!

Someone who never changes is the Queen
and what an example she is to all of us!
Celebrating her 90th birthday and
63 years as the Monarch of Great Britain
and the Commonwealth.

New Zealand was a founding member of the Commonwealth
family in 1931 and we remain loyal to the Queen.
Congratulations Your Majesty!

Some days as I head off to work 
I ask myself "why am I doing this at my age"
and I'm only in my seventies!!!

Last night we watched a wonderful BBC documentary 
of the Queen's life.
The Queen "works" almost every day of the year.
The only days she doesn't have to read
the Parliamentary 'red box'
are her birthday and Christmas Day.
Now that is real dedication to duty.
God Bless the Queen.

Today I'm joining these parties
Mimi for Five Star Frou-Frou
Susanne for Friday's Fave Five
Amy for Five on Friday
Nancy for Random 5 Friday
Tanya for Willy Nilly Friday
Cath for Fun Friday Favourites


Thank you all for your visits

Take care and
be kind to one another.

à bientôt




Shane

Moments in My Week

The winding country road with a few Autumn leaves.
In the weeks ahead our deciduous trees
will be shedding their leaves.

I've started filling the bird feeders
with wild bird seeds so they don't go hungry.
The weather is still mild but each morning
when I wake up and look out the window
there is a large flock of various birds
sitting on the brick wall
and in the trees waiting for me!

Toiletries make lovely birthday gifts!

A family of Pukeko at the garden centre.
Pukeko is the Maori name for them
you may know them as Swamp Hens.

All across New Zealand children are learning

about the life sycle of the Monarch butterfly.

They lay their eggs on Swan plants

then feed on their host until they form a

chrysalis and emerge as a butterfly.

Because of the high demand

garden centres often run out of Swan plants.

A collection of books on one of my bookshelves.

I'm joining 

Mimi for Five Star Frou Frou
Susanne for Friday's Fave Five

Amy for Five on Friday

Nancy for Random 5 Friday

Tanya for Willy Nilly Friday

Cath for Fun Friday Favourites

and

Bernideen for BTTCG


Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt



Shane

Moments in my Week

Little Jimmys is a new cafe

in Greenwoods Corner near where I live.

The Embroidery Group girls took me

there for my birthday lunch

and the food was great.

Can you see the water bowls on the pavement?

Dogs are welcome at cafes here 

so long as you sit at an outside table.

My usual Cafe Latte

and the yellow rose was attached 

to my present from Mary.

This is usually a white hydrangea

I love the pink hues it takes on

as we come into Autumn.

Could we be in Italy?

I wish!

It is a conifer lined driveway

in Epsom near where I live!

It's fun to dream - don't you agree?

A gift from my dearest friend

we've known each other since we were 10yrs

that's 60+ years.

Have any of you read it?

I can't put it down.

It's so beautifully written,

I won't tell you any more about it - I don't want to spoil it.

It is a "must read".

I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday
Nancy for Random 5 Friday
Tanya for Willy Nilly Friday
and
Cath for Fun Friday Favourites

thank you ladies for hosting
it's a fun way to finish up the week.

Thank you for your visits

Take care and

be kind to one another.

à bientôt

Shane

Moments in my Week

This is the pretty card my friend Rose
sent for my birthday.
A heart shaped garland of hydrangea flowers,
gypsophila and berries.

My new watch - a present to myself!

I'm relishing every bloom my rose gives me
as Autumn approaches.
In past years I've had roses until the end of May.

The April copy of New Zealand House and Garden
and
a packet of yummy salted caramels from 
France.

Early morning walk on Kohimaramara beach.


I'm joining 
Amy for Five on Friday
Karen for Sunlit Sunday
Judith for Mosaic Monday
Bernideen for BTTCG
and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration 


Thank you for your comments

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt




Shane