WELCOME TO 2016!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year

to my dearest family members in both Australia and France

and

to all my wonderful bloggy friends across the world! 

For the first time in the 45 years that we've been married

we spent a very quiet

New Years Eve
just the two of us - together!

We enjoyed a seafood dinner out and 

returned home to watch the

Edinburgh Tattoo on TV!

We didn't even make it until midnight - unbelievable!

We are usually boating in the Bay of Islands

which I'm sure will be the case this year

as our boat will be back in the water!

These photos of the spectacular fireworks display on

Auckland harbour and the Sky Tower

are courtesy of the New Zealand Herald.

Wishing you all a wonderful year in 2016
with many grand adventures!

And as we go about our day to day lives

lets pray for those families living in

war torn countries.

They all deserve a better chance in life.

Take care dear friends and

be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt

Shane

Beatrix Potter's Art

Wishing all my dear friends a 

Happy New Year

2015

I found this sweet 'New Year' card 

drawn by one of my favourite artists and writers

Beatrix Potter.

We had a wonderful Christmas

with my son and his partner who live in the country.

They cooked a turkey with all the trimmings!

My contribution was to make our starter

of smoked salmon with a cucumber salad 

and a trifle with all the berries...

yes raspberries, strawberries and loganberries!

Remember it is summer on my side of the world

so it was a beautifully warm day.

Many New Zealand families have now opted

to have a barbecue with salads as their Christmas meal.

However for me Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas

without the traditional fare of roast turkey

cranberry sauce and all the trimmings!

I created this collage from the images

in one of my favourite books

Beatrix Potter A Journal.

Speaking of rabbits
Suzy of Rustic Vintage Country
is having a delightful rabbit
Giveaway here

I'm joining Karen of My Little Home and Garden

for Sunlit Sunday

it's so nice to be joining you for Season 4 Karen - thank you!

and

Judith of Lavender Cottage

for

Mosaic Monday
and
Stephanie of The Enchanting Rose
for
Roses of Inspiration
a new weekly party each Tuesday.
Do come over and join us!

I've enjoyed a break and had a much needed rest.

Today was my first day back at work -

so here we go again!

I'm looking forward to catching up with you all.

Take care and

be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt

Shane