Washing lines

The Ohoka weather for the last three days have been just like summer, despite it not even being officially spring yet - it is terribly exciting. I am especially proud (in a way that only a bored housewife can be;) that every article of laundry in my house has been washed and dried in the sun on our new washing line over the veggie patch. There truly is nothing like the smell of linen fresh from the line is there?

When I went to collect my new tea towel in, I could not help but think that you may be inspired by it's message, so snapped a photo in the evening light.

Enjoy!





Love
Est xxx

P.S. I know, I know, my blog posts are like buses:)

Those Meddling Kids

Naomi and Benny have decided on the name for our new doggy (if we ever get him, it is a bit responsibility, to be thought through carefully and sensibly. The last few weeks in Ohoka have been terribly wet and three different dogs jumped up on me last week, which has put me off somewhat, especially the day when I was wearing my new pink jacket. Ok, I know that was probably asking for trouble in the country).

Anyway, I know we don't have the dog yet, but we do have the name!

Scooby Dooby Doooo!!






But which one does that make me?





Love
Shaggy xxx

Green Fingers

After a rigorous week of a. learning to prune roses, and b. pruning about sixty (felt like, million) roses, on Friday I took some photos of our lovely garden for you. Maybe I will get into this gardening lark, it is actually very therapeutic, as they do say.

'Winter roses' in bloom.



















Spring is in the air:)




Strawberry fields forever.




The tools of the trade.







Our secret garden - shhh, don't tell anyone:)




And a place to sit and enjoy that very well earned Sauvignon Blanc at the end of the day, ahhhh.




And finally, after a special request from Mr Pete Hendry, may I introduce our rooster and his three chicken harem. I was a little concerned about having a rooster as I was worried about getting little baby chickens, but a friend of mine gave me some advice. 'Just keep them busy' (?) she said. So I am getting them a flat screen telly and mysky for their coup. That should do it.




Love
Est xxx

Moving ups and downs

Hello friends. Back in the blogging world now, as I only have 5 acres of lawn to mow, so lots of free time for wasting, hahahahahaha (sound of hysterical maniacal laughter...).

Moving to the new house was very exciting, of course, but not without the inevitable damage and loss that can come with such an upheaval.

Sadly, there were casualties...





Yes, we are insured, there will be an inquest and there will be questions that need to be answered, but no amount of research, blaming or finger-pointing will bring him back will it?

On a happier note, we are now one of the few establishments in New Zealand who are able to claim with pride that we have 'our mate' on our pantry shelves. Luckily, Alex squirreled it away in a Crown packing box last year and it was unearthed this week. Saving for a rainy day has never been this sweet.




More soon, off to potting group now (plants, not plates).

Love
Est xxx

P.S. To all our northern hemisphere friends, The Marmite Factory* was damaged in the quake and there has since been a severe shortage of Marmite, it has reached epic proportions with sales on Trademe reaching never- before recorded prices for a yeast extract toast spread. Liquid gold.

*Possibly not actual name

Short Weight?

So, you could probably tell from the distinct lack of blog posts (sorry about that), that we have been busy, moving in and unpacking, pottering, titivating, fluffing (mostly me) and being productive (mostly Alex) and we are feeling more and more settled in our new house every day:)

But before I tell you all about that, I have to tell you that last night, I was getting ready for a romantic night out with my lovely husband to celebrate sixteen years of fun filled marriage, when Naomi came into our ensuite (woo hoo!) bathroom.

She said, pulling the scales out, 'I wonder how much I weigh?'

She stepped on and said contentedly, 'Mmmm, about three inches.'

Love
Est xxx

P.S. It's only a number;)

Location:Short weight?

Moving Day is today!

Just had a lovely morning at the Farmers Market, chatting with new friends and buying cakes and apple juice (it was originally $4, but the lady let me pay $3, as a 'Welcome to Ohoka' present, and because I told her that everyone told me I had to buy her apple juice, as it was the best for miles, and it is very nice:).

The lawyers have just called to let us know that the settlement is complete and the owner will call us this afternoon to hand the keys to us. The vendor is very particular and wanted to spend today cleaning the house for us so it was perfect for our arrival, and who were we to argue with that? Tonight we are planning takeaways and a glass of celebratory wine (not apple juice) on the floor in the house before Crown Removals arrives at 8am tomorrow to deliver and the hard work begins!

In the meantime, I will show you some more things I have found on TradeMe.

I am stopping now, honest!

A lovely sofa bed, it is a great shape, but the covers are a little worn. Fortnuately for me, it comes with some spare cream covers that have never been used. So fingers crossed it will look great with the new covers on. I haven't picked it up yet, as I didn't want to fill the barn here with even more stuff. I will pick up next week. I hope it fits in my car! Benny would like it in his room, I can imagine it with blue and green and white cushions all over it. We'll see.




A beautiful cane table and chairs. Picked them up last week, it all fitted into the car perfectly and is currently taking up space in the barn downstairs with the bookcase and desk. Perfect for ladies Devonshire teas in the garden on hot summer days, ahhh...




So excited! Better go and have my lunch and then start packing the car, woooohoooooo!!!

Love
Est xxx

Found some Wellies!

One day to go and as you can see I am busy preparing for the move;) It is obviously important to look the part for a new life in the country so I have been doing crucial research.



It's says on the website that they are perfect from everything from shopping to dog walking, but that begs the question...are they too perfect for something as messy as gardening?

And the best thing is that they come with complimentary coordinating twin set and pearls!

Alex, I think I've found my birthday present!!!!

Love
Est xxx