Catching up with Friends & Shepherd's Bush Ornament

My dear friend Kath celebrated her birthday on Friday so Clare and I arranged to meet up with Kath in Hastings for a catch up.

While Clare was lunching with her family, Kath and I decided to have lunch at the Serendipity Cafe, especially so we could have one of their custard squares. It was divine!

Later we met back up with Clare at one of our favourite fabric shops, Delbrook Quilt Company, for bit of a browse. Clare recently finished this gorgeous banner, isn't it just lovely.

I so enjoy spending time with these wonderful friends of mine xx

I always give Kath her Christmas ornament on her birthday and this year I chose to stitch Up on the House Top by Shepherd's Bush. This little pattern came out in 2016.

See you soon xx

A Midwinter Day Out

It's been awhile since the ladies from my work had a day out together so while the men went on a different trip out for the day, us ladies decided to go and visit a few of our favourite shops in Taradale and Hastings.

First stop was the Silky Oak Chocolate Company, which is just out of Taradale. We all stocked up on our favourite salad dressing which can only be bought from the little shop there, Passion fruit Dressing.

Then it was onto the main street of Taradale for a visit to JJ's Crafts - I forgot to take a pic there but if you are ever in Taradale, it's a great shop to check out with a lovely selection of craft fabrics, threads, knitting supplies, beads and much more.

Making our way back to Hastings, our stop before lunch was to Delbrook - this is fabric heaven!

We chose to have lunch at the Mega Mitre 10 Cafe.

It was delicious and great coffee too.

After visiting a few other shops on our list, our final stop of the day before heading home was to Spotlight to pick up a bargin or two.

It's been sometime since I went fabric shopping so I had lots of fun picking put fabrics for finishing projects, for backings for Christmas ornaments and just because, lol.  I also picked up a few trims, rusty bells and threads.

 I thought the Ouch pouch kit would be great to make up for a gift for a friend.

Can you tell I like red???? 

A great day out, lots of fun with my work friends, and now we're looking forward to our next day out together, in late August, to KAN in Napier, the annual knitting market. I'll need to save my $$$!

See you soon xxxx

Bits & Pieces

Today's post is bit of a round up from the past few weeks:

The next kit in the Friends Stitching Circle Club from the Silver Needle arrived recently - isn't it just lovely and the little tray is so sweet, will be definitely starting this soon!

We had another weekend stay at our favourite beach spot late February.

Another awesome weekend with our family and friends!

I enjoyed spending the afternoon in my kitchen one wet Saturday stocking up for lunch box treats:

Blueberry and choc chop muffins, Double Chocolate Brownie, Caramel Banana Loaf, and Chocolate Mint Slice all go down well in our house.

Lots of swimming has been on the agenda for Hannah as she has moved up this year into the swimming squad group.

My dear friend Clare recently celebrated a special birthday so Kath, Clare, Clare's daughter and I went out the lunch at one of the local cafes, I so enjoy our catch ups.

Can you believe another special young lady in my life recently turned 16! Yes, that's right, my niece Zoe turned 16 years old on Tuesday.

Zoe got an extra special and super, super cute birthday present - meet Abby, a mini Schnauzer puppy.

Oh my, she is so adorable and just so lovely.

It's been quite a few years since Zoe had a pet dog, so she is just over the moon with the new addition to their household. Lots of fun adventures ahead I'm sure.

See you soon xx

Being Merry

It's been another round of Christmas Festivities this last week - lots of fun!

Last Wednesday it was dear Kath's birthday, and a very special one with an "0" in it :) We had a lovely time celebrating - I so enjoy these special times with my lovely friends. Kath and Clare both came for dinner, we missed you Wendy!

Kath brought along one of her delicious rolled pavlovas for dessert - Hannah couldn't wait to tuck into it!

I also finished this little set of Gail Pan decorations last week, all ready to be gifted.

Hannah has also been busy with end of the year Christmas functions, including her school's beautiful Christmas Carol Service. This is my favourite every year, especially the photo montage at the end of the service of all of the children and what they have achieved during the year - I always have to take tissues!

We're very organised this year and have wrapped most of our presents already.

My MIL, Hannah and I went along to the local dance school's end of the year production on Saturday afternoon.

We were treated to a show of jazz, tap, hip hop, cheer leading and Highland Dancing - just wonderful and all the students are so very talented.

See you soon x

How about some action shots?

As promised, here are some photos from our recent rafting experience!

These photos were taken by a member of the Rafting New Zealand team.

Here we go, had to carry the raft down to the river.

And we're off! ( the calm, tranquil part, lol)

Don't you just love the expressions on our faces.

Thank goodness for that!

We made it - what an awesome experience!