Brussel sprouts and the strange week.

Help -can anyone tell me what's wrong with the brussell sprouts?  They are not the small  dolls cabbages I was expecting but rather they are all loose and floppy. They don't look delicious at all -I'm pretty sure I'm not going to bother eating them-they look so horrible.. I'm wondering if it is a soil problem ? and as Ive found out this winter the lack of sun to the garden has resulted in very indifferent  growth.

And because you are so interested in brussel sprouts here's another picture for you to look at.  No I get it - you are not interested and clearly there's not enough going on in my life at the moment. 

Quite the contrary -too much so- which is why I'm focusing on the minutiae. 

This week has been quite the most bizarre week. 

First there have been emails from Rosie from the grand canyon. I can't even begin to contemplate the size and scale of that place much less think that it was less than a week ago since she left. 

Second I had to show my successor through my work place and introduce her to everyone which I found very unsettling.  Later I had a very vivid dream that could only be explained by that.  But  very annoyingly it hung around in my mind for several days which unsettled me more.

Then thirdly -suddenly and inexplicably.  I have a 19 year old boarder till the end of the year. I can't quite figure out how that happened and  I'm more than  fine with the arrangement. But I have been reminded of one of the secrets to success that I've learned as a manager. Communicate,communicate ,communicate. And don't be afraid to even if it feels awkward. The capacity to misunderstand another's requests or intentions is enormous. 

so there we are. I hope it will be a BORING and PREDICTABLE week.  Lets look forward to that.

 cheers Marg

Up up and away .......

This weekend just gone in the frenzy of packing and getting all those last things done before Rosie took  flight this morning we managed to fit in a trip to Long beach -one of our favourites. 

I took my new  camera and made a startling discovery  - I can't use it unless I'm wearing my glasses otherwise I can't see the picture I've taken. Look at this dreadful shot above.That is supposed to be one seamless panoramic shot made up of 3 photos taken close to each other. Even I am surprised at my lack of skill there and annoyed that my eyes aren't what they used to be.Glasses are so annoying and I can never find mine at the best of times let alone wear them constantly!!!

That aside I'm  really pleased with the general ability of the camera to take a good crisp picture.

Later when we got home I made another bag for the USA.

This one was an old hospital blanket -lined with impossibly slippery  and sure to fray lining. But who could resist those Russian dolls peeking out at them while sitting in a not so interesting class.

I was nervous about this bag. I know that here in Dunedin you would have no trouble wearing it loudly  and proudly -but I'm not so sure it will be understood down in Southern USA.  Never mind I made it as an expression of my affection -not because it needs to be used.

It was  a muted goodbye at the airport this morning. We  sad but happy - she nervous but so excited. Good luck Rosie -missing you already!!!!   What an adventure you are going  to have.

Here's to a week of dreaming of new adventures.

Marg

 

Groundhogs day........

Do you remember that movie groundhogs day?  I haven't seen it for a long time but it has always been one of my favourites. 

This week  has definitely had that feeling of groundhogs day. It's been the longest dreariest week ever with so much to do at work I could hardly think or breathe.  But here we are it's Friday-  the weekend beckons and I remember the amazing things that have happened lately. 

Look at this. Not much to the undiscerning eye. But let me tell you - this is my new carpet.  Only about 2 or 3 weeks ago I began to notice how threadbare and old my carpet was. Well too bad I thought to myself - it will have to wait. I seriously can't afford new carpet so it will go right down to the bottom of the priority list.  No sooner had I thought that than one of my friends called into work with a carpet sample. All the carpet was coming out of a bank - top quality - commercial grade wool - would I care to have it - NO cost!!!  Hmm let me think about that . Why that would be a yes you are hearing. 

Another friend just happened to know a carpet layer who happily came and last Saturday laid the carpet in the hallway and living rooms. There is also enough in my basement to do the bedrooms as soon as I save for the carpet layer to come back.  Im so grateful for my new carpet. It looks so great. 

In the same way I had been finding my old camera  frustrating. I'm not a great photographer but in anticipation of my new job I'd been vaguely  thinking it would  be great to have a better camera.  And what do you know. An opportunity has arisen for me to upgrade. The new camera is just what I need. Perfect for me. Here's a shot which looks forward to spring that I took on the way to work this morning.

SO even when it's a groundhogs day all week good things can and do happen. 

Here's to unexpected good things. Marg 

teenage-man boy and mini- fork night

  

This last week it has been Tom's birthday. The last year of his teenage years gets underway and has left me thoughtful  about this time of both children leaving their childhoods firmly behind and assuming greater adult roles but at the same time there remains in all of us ( and at times especially me according to the kids) that desire to be and  want to act as a child...

...  So it was much hilarity that Rosie and I searched for silly pictures to adorn the wrapping on Tom's very sensible  grown- up gifts.  Duvet cover set, socks and undies and a lava lamp. How adult  are those presents?   He even expressed a genuine liking for them all - so polite. Well that's what you get I say when you don't offer any sensible suggestions of your own. Still birthdays have other redeeming features like going out for breakfast with your family and then because you are 19 and full of  sufficient self- belief you throw yourself another great party which  your friends later say was the best night out they had for a while. ( something your mother cannot even contemplate doing even in her wildest imaginings)

                                         

                           As I make this post I am having trouble matching up the photos and words so you will have to look down to see where the photos fit.  You may remember several weeks ago my wonderful find of a set of cocktail forks from the recycling shop at the tip for just $1? To make good on that find we decided we'd have a mini- fork party night on  Sunday. 

Here is what you do to throw an excellent most outrageously fun mini- fork party. 

1. Get yourself a set of mini- forks. 

2. Plan a mini - menu. ( cheerios, roast veges cut into tiny chinks, tiny salad tomatoes, and chunks of tiny cheese.)  Desert - a mini fondue - mini marshmallows and chunks of fruit in chocolate fondue made in  mini -fondue maker

3. Set the table with best cloth, nice candles you best mini china.

4. Eat only with mini forks.
5. Tell mini jokes between courses ( short jokes - one liners or knock- knock jokes)

6. Play one party game ( pin the tail on the donkey)

7. Play mini table soccer.

8. Clean up only a mini bit and leave the rest till another day.

Then when you're fully done your grown up part tells you to remember that moment, that time, that day because as the young adults go more than they come those times are fewer and further  between. All the more reason for your childish self to shamelessly cheat at pin the tail on the donkey, and to be the sorest loser at mini soccer. 

Here's to a week of moments to treasure.

Cheers Marg

                                         

The bag of many uses.....

In anticipation of all the spare time I will have when I start my new job I am dusting off my hobbies. ( you know those things that are supposed to make you an interesting multidimensional person)  Last weeks effort was to try a prototype of a bag made from fabric scraps lying around the house.  I was pleased with how it turned out. The bag is for Rosie to take to the States.  Well actually not this one - she thinks it is too loud and won't go with anything she wears - but I disagree I think it suits me quite well.

or do you think it suits Rosie better? How bout this view? The bag of many uses indeed.

I think that's enough of being silly.  I am about to become a public servant - there is a code of conduct to adhere to,  serious matters to attend to. I am surprised at how sad I am feeling about leaving work. It has taken me by surprise.

here's to a silly week


Marg

Winter thoughts......

Winter arrives and in light deprived Dunedin motivation for all sorts of things go out the door. Its that time of year when all you want to do in the evening and on cold days is to hunker down in front of the fire with a good book and a cup of coffee. I did muster energy to tidy up the garden a couple of weeks ago. It's shabby and bare at this time of year. The broccoli can't really be bothered sprouting. If you look closely you'll see runty heads in the background there. Even the silver beet is showing a poor display of energy. Oh well the garden gave itself it's all in the summer so I guess it deserves a rest. 

Yesterday was the annual second hand fabric sale. MaryAnna you would have been in your element. Perhaps though that while the fabric was cheap it was not as cheap as you are able to find when you are out and about. The first church hall was filled with a frenzy of madwomen all pushing and shoving for their bargains. Of course that was not me. I only went with the thought of getting fabric for the one garment I intend to sew soon. That fabric is going to be a most imperfectly made jacket. I will love it and wear it often. I will probably spend a lot of time incubating the idea of making the jacket and then suddenly one weekend it will come together. 

After nearly 10 years I have a new job. This morning I Went to work and contemplated my mess. 

 

This is how I work.

This is how I have become accustomed to working. At a very messy desk with 100 uncompleted tasks all on the go at once. the phone goes, people's complicated lives consume much of my energy. So I'm off to be a public servant. Someone  will be in charge of my complicated life. I'm looking forward to it. But I am also very sad to leave this place. It's been amazing. I said in jest to someone that leaving will be harder than getting divorced. But actually I almost think that is true. Still there is a right time for everything and I know this is the right time for me so I just go with the process and see what happens next. How exciting!!!

Here's to a cosy winter and new starts. Cheers Marg 

Out they go..........

I guess that it is inevitable that as times move on so does the way that we do things.  If you want something second hand  these days you can look on trade me and find what you want but looking on trade me isn't the same as browsing in a junk shop and ending up with something that you didn't even know you needed!!!


The clothing alteration shop on the left was until recently a second hand shop and now this one above in the Queens gardens is closing down. Luckily my favorite one - Weirs is still going strong.  I'm not opposed to buying new things but it seems unnecessary to me to have everything new when there is plenty of good previously owned things to be had.

Yesterday I was my fathers daughter. I took a load of garden rubbish to the tip and came back with this lot.

6 little china cups that I really don't need but think are very cute, a pot lid to replace one that has broken , some picture books to cut up for card making  and these totally amazing cocktail forks. they will be so handy. I am going to cook a special dinner which requires us to eat only with these little forks. I'm excited about that already.
This weekend we are off to Wellington to move Rosie out of her flat. The last parcel has gone and in 2 weeks she will be here for a month before she heads off for her next adventure.

Here's to a week of changing times.

Marg