Harvesting .

 I have spent much of today working in my garden. I started by harvesting, some silver beet that was heading to seed, a handful of broccoli side shoots, a lovely cauliflower 

( # 4 of 6 )  and some rather pathetic beetroot.

 Guess what we are having for dinner tonight?

Little Treats for Me.

Today as well as my usual treat to myself, which is my long black espresso coffee I make myself  every mid morning, I gave my nose another  treat. The smell of cloves  (perhaps) in the form of carnation perfume.(Dianthus Passion )

 The plant is doing so well I felt I could pick some without spoiling the display.

I put them in my Hogland glass vase on the bench and every time I go near I plunge my nose into them. The smell doesn't seem to get inhaled away luckily.

 I have other carnations and pinks and even sweet William but none smell as good.( maybe Otaki Pink does ? )

 This Sweet William is nearly as dark in colour.

Yesterday afternoon I weeded this , my Herb garden which is flourishing. The netting is over the 2nd sowing of snap peas.

 I also weeded this my part of the vege patch.

 Particularly the small Spring onions at the far end.

 Then I mowed all the lawns so I could take a photo like this.

 I love the lawn freshly mown.

 A few other garden spots are looking good.

 Pale pink tritonia growing up through Astelia Nervosa Westland. They both like it dry. The nearby Rimu tree  sucks all the moisture out of the soil here.

 The Hostas are all up. This is the biggest leaf one.( not my favourite but certainly big )

The 1st yellow gerbras.

 Lots of red alstromeria.

 Several patches of purple irises.

A miniature lemon rhododendron that has maroon leaves.

 So far the only bug ( pest ) I can spot anywhere in the garden is spittle bug which doesn't really cause any harm it just looks yukky, if you look really closely. ( I hope the bugs stay away, especially the passionvine hoppers and the bronze beetle which usually eats young growth like these roses.)

 I love my garden when it looks and smells pleasant.

First Meeting.

 I (We ) have been spending a couple of days meeting my new Grandson. He has a good strong grasp. He looks a lot like his Daddy and his Uncle at the same age. He has his Mummy's chin and I am hoping her beautiful dark wavy hair.

 He is having some feeding problems but has managed to gain a little weight.

 Here he is having his first big sleepy cuddle in my arms.

 What a little darling!

 I wonder what lies ahead for him in this rapidly changing world?

  He has very devoted  and capable parents and  a loving wider family who will all be looking out for his welfare.

Be prepared for many more post about his adventures.

********

 As well as a new Grandson I have a new toy ? appliance ? distraction? time saver ?......

 My first mobile phone ( stop laughing ). It's a smart phone. It's owner is not, but endeavouring to be.

 My typing on the computer is about maximum of 4 fingers ( cause I never learned at school) ( we had to do languages instead - I know which would have been more useful as it turns out! ) my texting hilariously clumsy. The word practise springs to mind.

 So there is quite a bit new and different in my life, and certainly lots to look forward to.

 *******

 Out in the orchard Spring winds have been blowing and we have some damage to the  new growth on the kiwifruit vines - it happens about this time almost every year. So we are not stressing. There is plenty of work for us to be getting on with.

Fruit & Veg to Come.

Thank you Molly, Jane, joolz ,Dianne,Thimbleanna, Suzy, Linda and  Annie ( RR ), for your comments . They are much appreciated.
 I can't yet add to that subject so I will talk about something else.

 My eye and my camera tell me there should be things to eat in the future. This is # 2 cauliflower of 6. We have eaten # 1 2 weeks ago. It is good that they are staggering their development.
 Also ripe for the eating are these 6 wee tom Thumb lettuce.

 Down in the orchard the kiwifruit are getting their leaves and flower buds slowly.

 This is a female vine.

 The males are a bit ahead and look like this.

 In the home orchard there is blossom on the nashi.

 ( can you see the bee doing his thing? )

There are some plums set if you look very closely.

 The apple tree is just starting.

 With all the fruit this is the first step of many before the eating part. But it is a promising beginning.

 One last thing to show. I bought this ( here half peeled so you could see it both ways ) is a purple fleshed  kumara.

First Grandchild.

Yesterday the 5th of October was an exciting and very special day for me ( us ). Our first Grandson was born.  ( 5/ 10 / 15 )  No name yet. We are so proud of our young ones !
 He was almost exactly the same birth weight as his Daddy, all those years ago. He has lots and lots of dark hair and looks just perfect. ( we have seen 4 photos so far )
 I have just finished a second blanket for his cot, using up all the wool scraps from the other baby knitting I have done.

I am not sure when our first visit will be to meet him in person, as I think the little new family needs some time together and to  rest.

 I must be sure I have no lingering germs from my recent cold and cough. It is about 98% gone.

I still haven't decided what I wish to be called. ( Grandma is already taken, so I am trying out the sound of various other options.)

 A little new person to love and spoil. 

Cherries and Elm.

The flowering cherry trees on our driveway are looking splendid.

 Prunus yedoensis"Awanui."

Photos taken very late afternoon.

 Also looking amazing is the Golden Elm tree.

Ulmus Glabra lutescens.

A very interesting flower. 

( maybe the lime bits are bracts not petals ) 

 I used magnification to look right into it's centre. The little maroon tip on each petal is hairy and has nectar.

 I picked some and am watching it on the kitchen window sill.

I love the colour!

 The property is humming with busy bees delighted with the variety of flowers available.

Other projects.

Today I am at home when normally on the 4th Friday of the month I would be at my Patchwork Group. I have a cold and don't wish to pass it on to my quilting friends, although that is where I got in in the first place last weekend.( a kind friend? shared it with me! )
 So instead I am working on some of my alternative projects. Above is the first photo of felt embroidered ball # 26.

 So far only 2 motifs have been added.

 I have been making these balls as gifts for babies ( mainly ). They have sort of become my speciality. This one is being made for a very special little person who will be arriving soon.

 I was looking back to when I first started making them...last century! haha. My eye sight was much better then and my stitches smaller. I still enjoy the process, the hardest thing being deciding on the motifs to make it personal - no 2 balls are ever exactly the same although some motifs are repeated( my favourites ) Some motifs have been made only once and not repeated if too difficult or not so successful.

 As you can see from the photo there are 10 more motifs  needed on this ball. ( as the ball is made up of 12 pentagons ) I will show photos as it progresses.

 I also decided to use up my knitting wool scraps. All 4ply  in garter stitch on size 7 needles in the hope of making it quite loose and light and airy.

 It is 3 feet wide and no more stitches would fit on the needles. So far it feels light and snugly; that was my aim. I think it will end up a cot size blanket for the same little person.

Still More Quilts.

Jenni who was the Convenor of our Exhibition made this lovely Activity quilt ( or mat )

 It has many  detachable parts.

 Here the arms move so the doll may be taken out.

 The rabbits may be taken out of the pram.

 The dresses come off and they have pretty under garments.

 Lots of the flowers and other shapes were attached with Velcro and pull off.

 I guess if any parts got lost new ones could be made.

 I think for an older child zips and laces and things to tie could be added.

Beth's Peacock on black had  lovely colours.

 The appliqué she added made the quilt.

Jocelyn's French General fabrics were well used. ( there are lots of paper pieced points in there. )

 Some quilts had to be hung along the railing.

 The display of baby quilts. Can you see my little owl quilt? I bet you can't because unless you looked right in the cot it wasn't visible.

 It got folded in half and wrapped around the mattress. I was not pleased about that. The quilt on the pram didn't get noticed either.

 The tones in Sandra's quilt were subtle but interesting.

 On the Sales Tables there was little rhyme or reason as to what sold.

 Only one clown toy sold. They were cheaply priced too, so C and J had to take them home again.

 Things had to be a almost give away price to get bought. While I was working there I sold 2 matching car quilts for $50 each and the next day a quilt for $75. The fabrics involved couldn't be replaced for that. The owners said they would give them to charity if they didn't sell. In each case the quilts were bought by quilters from elsewhere who recognised the good value.

 Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the Comments- I am glad you enjoyed a few of the quilts from our Show.