Catching Up - birthdays, renos, books and more

How did it get to be August so quickly - July seemed to go by in the blink of an eye and if the next month goes just as fast, it will be spring before we know it. 

We had a small celebration for Glenn's 50th birthday last Tuesday - August 2nd. A few of our friends came for dinner and this was the lovely cake my cousin Donna made for Glenn. It was chocolate and caramel flavoured, and just delicious.  

Over the past few weeks, Glenn has been making great progress on our bathroom/toilet.  He has done this all on his own, even the floor tiling, with the plumbing work being done by a professional.  

This weekend Glenn completed a lot of the smaller details, framing around the window, skirting boards, and door frame, just the painting to do. The door has come off to be also painted this week so we have a "fab" blue tarpaulin for our door at the moment, ha ha!  The plumber will be back sometime to install the hand basin and to replace the temporary shower head we've had since the shower went in back in early June.  

There's still the electrical work to be done and the ceiling to go up but it's getting there, and Glenn has done an amazing job, as always.

Here are the couple of books I enjoyed while on my holiday break - Lessons in Chemistry would be one of my favourite books so far this year.

Every week I like to stop by my local sewing and craft shop and Andrea tries to tempt me all the time with new things in, she doesn't need to try very hard. Last week it was a big box of wool that had just arrived in from Australia - so pretty but which one to pick ha ha.  

My very small daphne bush is flowering at the moment - my absolute favourite floral scent. I really miss the white daphne at my in laws old house, I really need to get one for our garden some time.

After some very wet and cold weeks, we've had a week of sunshine and boy, does it make you feel better - almost feels like spring is on its way.  The daffodils in the garden at work have started flowering and other bulbs are nearly out too.

Have a happy week friends, see you soon xx

So far this month

Stitching for Jolly July is underway and I've made start on these super cute designs by Misty from Luminous Fibre Arts. 

I've also been sticking to my plan of trying to get some works in progress finished and over the recent weeks, I've been able to tick off two projects.

First up, the Red Bird Sampler by Brenda Gervais. I stitched this on 36 count Up in the Attic fabric by Fox & Rabbit Designs using most of the recommended threads.

Another project I was very happy to have finished is the Stockings were Hung by the Tiny Modernist. This was a stitch along that started back in September 2021. A lot of stitching in this design!

Here's the pile of books I returned back to the library recently - all new authors to me.

Our renovations continue and this week our new fire is being installed and the old one being taken out. All going well, we'll be able to start using the new one this weekend.  While Hannah and I are away, Glenn is taking a few days off work too so he can work on our bathroom and have the new toilet installed. 

Today is the last day of term two for all school students here in New Zealand but lucky Hannah has already started her holidays as it's a teachers only day at her high school.  In a week's time, we are flying to Christchurch for Hannah to attend Dance school  - a week of workshops for ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary dancing. Like previous years, we are travelling with other students from Hannah's dance studio, their parents and Miss Deb, Hannah's wonderful dance teacher.  We are both excited for our trip, and of course, I have a list of places to check out while Hannah is dancing all day, including a visit to the wonderful Art & Frame shop. Can't wait!

See you soon xx

New Stash, Knitting and more

Hello again, well, it's been a few weeks since my last post and what a time it's been. After two and a half years, covid finally got me and wow, it was terrible. Two weeks later and I'm almost feeling back to my normal self. Fortunately, Glenn and Hannah remain well, for now anyway.

I had a little parcel arrive from 123 Stitch in the US recently, this was my first order from there in quite awhile due to the mailing restrictions we had here in New Zealand for several months.

A few charts from my wish list, thread drops and a bundle of threads needed to kit up some new projects.

Our bathroom is coming along and most of the walls that have been lined are now painted, and Glenn has made a start on the floor tiling.  The next part is to replace the toilet, which is now going to happen when Hannah and I are away in Christchurch next month.  Fingers crossed, the new bathroom sink and drawers will go in then too.  

Winter is well and truly here in New Zealand, and we've some miserable bleak weather lately. My knitting needles are back out and I've been making hand warmers and cotton dish cloths for gifts.

I bought some of this lovely and soft merino from my local craft shop so I could cast on this new hat pattern.

This will be a gift for my sister in law's birthday early next month.  This yarn is lovely to knit and I'm enjoying the pattern - Silverwood Hat by Rachy Knits, can be purchased on Ravelry. 

See you soon x

A Merry Pair and Bathroom Update

This was such a fun stitch - such bright, happy colours, and sparkly beads and sequins.  This kit by Satsuma Street was from the Silver Needle's Stitching Circle Club and after quite a delay, finally arrived in the letter box a few weeks ago.  

I think I'll have to buy a few of the other ornaments designs, they all look so cute!

Next time I get a chance to sit at my sewing machine I'll make it into a small pillow using the supplies included in the kit by Lois from Lady Dot Creates - so pretty.

 

As I mentioned last time, we have quite a few renovation projects happening in our house.  We received news last week that our permit has been granted for the new fire place to be installed, not sure when this will be happening.

The other big job on the go is the redo of our shower/toilet and this is major - new ceiling, new shower, new toilet, new hand basin and vanity, and new wall paneling all to go in.  Glenn is carrying out most of this work himself, with help from his Dad, and work to be done by our plumber and electrician.

So here's Week 1's progress:

Several years ago we had two major water leaks happen, one in the ceiling and one in the wall behind the toilet.

Here's Week 2's: some of the paneling in (what a job lifting it in!)

Our new shower was installed Saturday so it's either been showers in the camper van or across the road at my parents. Glenn gets to try it out tonight!

Hannah, my Mum and I went along to see the new Top Gun Maverick movie and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Have a good week, see you soon x

All the Things

 Just a few snippets to pop on here from the past few weeks as the end of the month rolls around again and we head into the last few weeks of the year. 

 All the roses in our garden have been blooming and this is one of my newer ones, Freesia, it smells divine

                                         

We are so proud of Hannah. This year, as well as all her regular dance classes, she joined the Jump Jam dancing club at her school and her team was picked to compete in the Nationals competition held in Tauranga recently. The girls did so well, gaining lots of merit certificates in their division, and also had a blast performing.

We are also very proud of my niece Zoe and her boyfriend Dylan as they have just purchased their first home!  Very excited for these two! The house is in Napier and they have lots of renovations planned for the next few months.

It was the annual A & P show recently and Hannah and I spent a few hours there, in the hot sunshine, enjoying the side shows, rides, watching the horse jumping and checking out a few trade exhibits. It's always a great day out.

Quite a few of our weekends lately has been taken up by giving our outside deck area a much needed overhaul and we've also replaced spouting around the whole house.  The deck has had a new roof, two new windows and patio blinds installed. 

Glenn made this stunning table top and chairs over the winter months, haven't they turned out fab !! This spot has already been well used for evening meals, and coffee breaks on the weekend.

We've had some spectacular sunsets too, and lots of rain some days. I think we've had more rain this spring then we did all winter!

Have a happy week friends!

See you soon x