Sunday, March 24, 2024

Walnuts.

 If you have been reading this blog for some years you may recall that back at the orchard we had 3 walnut trees. One was particularly good. I used to spend hours this time each year collecting the nuts. Well here at our next property I am still doing it.

 This is my 2nd collection; I got  today after we had some light rain last night. The rain helps to split open the green outer casing so the nut is  revealed. The nuts now have to be dried ( in the sun ) for 2 weeks before storing or shelling.

 The tree has become very large and is near the ground in many places. This allows me to pull the nuts directly from the tree and discard the green casing. Its good because the nuts never touch the ground below.



 Here is a photos of the middle lawn with the walnut tree in the middle at the far end.
 When this season's nuts have all fallen or been picked off, the tree will need a big haircut and  the low branches removed so R can mow under it. Lately he has had to duck and dive.

Monday, March 18, 2024

Another better Walk.

 

Yesterday I walked the Puketoki Reserve long Track. ( Leyland Road Whakamarama )  It has wonderful untouched New Zealand Native trees / bush. The tracks are mostly well maintained and there are 2 bridges. There are quite a few steps but I managed well  as I always take a stick in case.

 This is the Te Puna Stream - way above where it gets to us.

 I was really delighted to be greeted by this tiny  North Island Robin  that  sat on the track and chirped at me. Not frightened.



 There is lots of regrowth and variety. Logging stopped in this patch of bush about 100 years ago.





Thursday, March 14, 2024

Out Walking.

 This afternoon I had the opportunity to walk through I'Anson Reserve ( in Te Puna ). I have shown you this walk before. For me it makes a change from walking just around our subdivision. It's all rustic bush and ( some weeds and swanps and little ponds. ) I know all the NZ native tress and there is nothing that special here  but not bad as it is mostly looked after by volunteers.

I entered on the left ( here ) and exited on the right then walked down that road around a corner along that road and ended at Te Puna Village.


 A composting toilet is hidden behind some trees and beside the track should one need it
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 My hand sewn felt mandala is almost finished
 I think it will become a cushion.
 
 A storm was forecast so I picked these to save them being trashed.




Thursday, February 29, 2024

After Rain.

 

 My Zephyranthes candida or rain lilies are looking lovely. I am making a row of them right along the top of a retaining wall.

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Quilt , Garden and Books.

 

Late last year a new bossy club member persuaded us all ( at P and Q ) to make a donation quilt by all making the same block. Our sewing group ( of 6 ) made this blue tones Braid quilt which Jan then assembled into a pleasing quilt. (It's  just on hangers here, Its not really wobbly -  last Friday during Show and Tell display.) I am sure whoever it is given to will  like it .

                  *****
 
Vireya rhododendrons do well here. This is bright and lush looking at the moment as we drive out our front entrance, which has garden on either side. It is  called Tickety Boo  and is about 2 years old.

 Back in Sept 15 ( I just checked ) I showed a packet of seeds I had just planted in trays. Snapdragons ( Antirrhinum majus ) called Twinny Appleblossom.  This is them flowering in clumps around the garden. I had a good take with the seed but its a long process from seed to flower. I hadn't noticed it says height 25cms! so they are quite low growing.

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 How do you decide which books to donate to a coming up Used Book Sale? We always buy up large when it's on,  so need to make space on our shelves. BUT  its difficult deciding if you might ever want to read a certain book or author again. So many favourites. Eventually we filled a couple of cartons up and delivered them. The Sale will be in a couple of weeks.
 
 Books I have enjoyed recently are:-The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. ( apparently its been on TV - I didn't see it )
 The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
;The Botanist's Daughter by Kayte Nunn.

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Stolen Moments.

 Stolen Moments was the name on the box this jigsaw puzzle came in. I am renaming it Stolen Hours! I quite enjoy doing the occasional  jigsaw especially if it is a group activity, but this puzzle gave me little pleasure. I got persuaded to do it by 5 year old grandson who tried himself first and couldn't even complete the outside border. The picture is an Oil painting so NO straight edges. It is 1 of 3 in a Landscape  series . ( I must avoid the other 2 ) It was 1000 pieces. But I got 1001! ( I've never had an extra piece before - a duplicate )   ( Son gave me half an hour of his time and did a row across the sky - otherwise it was just me doing some every day )


 ( Published by Arrow in Australia www.mjm-australia.com    )    Made in China.


 I have now got my sewing back out! Hurrah!
 My hand sewing project is self designed inspired by a mandala in a colouring book. I know basically how I want it to look but am trialing parts as I go. Felt and cotton fabric all hand sewn. 

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 The grandsons spent time here on a very hot day so when the tide was in at our estuary water play and pretend fishing were good activities.
 Here smaller grandson (5)  just wants to get " accidently " wet. He is wearing gumboots!
 Bigger ( 8) grandson had new gumboots and decided not to fill his. Instead he practiced some poses on the jetty pile.





 

 




Saturday, January 06, 2024

A closer View.

 


The colouring has been done by a 5 year old and an 85 year old and all others in between.
 ( click to enlarge ) It's not nearly as quick to fill up as I expected.