A finish, new stash, books and scissors

It's a beautiful autumn day here in NZ, and we've been enjoying some really nice weather lately. I love the weather at this time of the year, cooler mornings and evenings but gorgeous sunny days. Our daylight savings ended last weekend. Its also the start of the school holidays here, Hannah now has two weeks off school after finishing term 1. We have the Easter break coming up from Friday so we're all looking forward to some down time around home. We might head up to Napier over the break, for a day out, go somewhere nice for lunch perhaps. Other plans include more sorting in my craft room/office and Glenn has been building a new rose planter box as we were gifted a rose from some friends, Compassion, so he'll try and get it finished.

Another work in progress ticked off the list, Green Coat Santa, which I finished over the weekend. Stitched with recommended threads and 32 count natural Belfast linen.

Lovely mail received recently from Helen, That Crafty Kiwi :

I've ordered some linen from Helen for this chart

New Cohana scissors, all the way from Japan. I couldn't resist when I saw these being advertised 

Oh Joyous Day came out of my stitching basket for my sampler choice last week and I spent a few evenings working on this lovely design. 

Some new books bought with some birthday money. A new cook book by Vanya Insull, VJ Cooks, a NZ food blogger, and this is her third book. I just love her recipes, so easy and most of the recipes use pantry staples. 

a new Hunger Games novel, and the latest in a series by local Hawke Bay writers Gareth and Louise Ward. They own a bookshop in Havelock North, which is not far from where I live.

Have a fab week friends, see you soon x

Bits and Bobs

 Almost the end of another month and that means spring is almost here. We even had a spring like day on Saturday, the weather was lovely, which meant after the usual housework, catching up with washing and taking Hannah out for lunch and then to dancing, I spent a few happy hours outside. What a good feeling to be out in the sunshine, the lawns were mowed, our greenhouse was swept out and tidied up, and two vegetable gardens weeded.  I can't wait to get some vegetable seeds going in the greenhouse - lettuce, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, beans, etc hopefully ready to be planted out in late October.  The good weather continued yesterday morning meaning more gardening achieved and I was even able to get some house windows washed before the rain came again.  A very productive weekend.

Last night I finished stitching this cutie - I've had this design kitted since I first got the chart back in 2020 so not sure why I hadn't stitched it yet.

I've been using this Elizabeth Arden hand cream since my trip to Christchurch, one of my dancing mum friends recommended it. It's been fabulous over the winter months for my hands and I'll soon need to purchase some more.

A couple of knitting finishes last week - this hat knitted up quickly. I'll be trying it out tonight when we go out walking with Diesel.

Another pair of handwarmers for a gift. This yarn is so lovely and soft.

Our good boy, he looks gigantic in this photo with Hannah!

A new cook book arrived last week - Vanya Insull, VJ Cooks is a NZ food blogger and this is her second book. I just love her recipes, so easy and most ingredients are pantry staples.

Have a happy week!

See you soon xx