twas the night before Christmas.....

...and we went to Ballantynes to check out the window and get a decoration each for the children.  A lovely family tradition and how cute are these guys? I think my mother looks fantastic for 72 and half years old.

Flower

I found this video in my meandering around the net and thought I might try and embed it in my blog to see how it looks.  Just a little bit of nothing much to entertain you and me..

Just finished reading #37

Sonata for Miriam by Linda Olsson.

It is so nice to finish a book. I have been struggling with at least 5 unfinished books on my bedside cabinet over the last few months and then I can across this little gem of a read.   I am going to make an effort to review it but if you want to read exactly what I thought of it follow this link because this woman feels exactly as I do about the book.    I read Linda's other book called 'Sing me gentle songs'  and loved it.  As I have previously mentioned I love books set in cold places and islands and both these books are set similarly.  Both with a New Zealand bit and  Swedish bit.  The juxtaposition of the brightness of New Zealand light and cool glumness of Swedish winters written about with such skill, make for great reading.  As I seldom read the blurbs of books with any real attention, I am always left breathless when things happen.  It makes for a slow revealing of the story and a true adventure.  Sometimes, I would never have embarked on a book if I had known what I was getting myself into.  In this book Miriam dies fairly early on in the story and as she is only 19 and the only living relative of Adam Anker a displaced Pole in NZ, it could be the most heartbreaking story.  However, it is a story of discovery and written by a woman whom has the most beautiful way of putting words on a page.  Spare detail, if there is such a thing, means she uses each word with such care and effect.  Anyway, Adam goes on a journey of discovery trying to find out where he has come from and discovers secrets and sad things about his family.  I found bits confusing but as always thought it was me but others felt the same.  However, this did not diminish the tale or the fascinating characters. 

busy busy busy

I Can't believe how long it has been since I checked in on my blog.  Seems like days, weeks and almost months are flashing by.  Sadly, I have not been jetting around the world or spending hours lying on the beach hours from internet access.  I have been working and doing the washing, ironing, folding and shopping for delightful Christmas gifts for my friends and family.  All good things, quite busy and not very exciting to write about.  HOWEVER, I do have some images that give a little taste of what has been happening.

 Crawling up Baldwin Street in Dunedin

 Taking sneaky photo of the ceiling of Larnach Castle

 Delicious venison entree at Larnach Castle

 ...and salmon

 and a very light cheesecake...cant remember exactly what flavour although I am guessing strawberry.  And my new tiny tiny handbag which almost fits in the palm of my hand in the background.

 Some lovely buildings down George Street in Dunedin

 Entertaining my lovely parents in the backyard on a very hot day

 eating vanilla cupcakes with fresh raspberries on said lovely hot day

 planting seeds with grandad - radishes and lettuces

 Looking at the French Navy ship we couldn't get on to due to a mis print in the Press...excellent.  We did get to see it from this distance though...yay.

 Just a picture of an old brick building  pub in Lyttelton  that took my fancy.