Back with a vengence...........or just back.

There is a hint of Spring in the air.

I have been missing in a cloud of malaise for the last few weeks, I have felt rubbish to be honest not in a"sick way" but in a "I've got nothing to say or share because I'm a totally boring woman way". Apparently this is now a major condition in Christchurch, according to a university lecturer we are all suffering from earthquake burnout, so I'm not alone. 
Enough of this, I have been out and about,  on Saturdays and have found some treasures..........no photos yet, so use your imagination, lots of books, some "jolly hockey sticks", I really love them, some Georgette Heyer, loved them when a teenager, now collecting them, I never read her crime novels though and have found 2 which are really good. Found a few dishes and kitchen essentials...........have a thing for sieves at the moment. Please tell I'm not weird and you also have strange obsessions. Spring is just around the corner there is blossom, there are birds singing their lungs out at 4am and there is that subtle but growing warmth in the day and more importantly in the soil, we have been planting the garden with lots of new plants and readying the vege patch. I have planted a lovely rhubarb crown and am hoping for lots of lovely rhubarb, along with black and white currants. The herb garden is looking good, and the chives and garlic chives have gone mad in all the rain we have had. It has rained in Noah like quantities last week and this week, took ages to get to work as the rain causes so much flooding and tears up the roads, even more than the road works.On a brighter note Basil is 61 tomorrow and we are going out to dinner with the "men" and Tom's girlfriend. who we haven't met before.............yikes what will I wear. Aj is stressing as usual with his teacher studies, strange system, they don't teach them what they are expected to put into practise in a real school situation. On consideration it probably explains the whole NZ education system. So that's it I'm hopefully back in the groove and shall take photos of my nick nacks and finds and put them in a blog soon. Note to self not everything is lovely or good, must look up a thesaurus for new adjectives. Thank-you for reading this long meandering post, but I feel semi back to normal. Aunt Bee.

Sorry, blogger just puts photos where it thinks they should go, these little plates  are turning into an obsession.

I went to a new market yesterday, the Craft Connexion (I think that's how they spell it) had a market at the CPIT building, this involved much circling in the car till I found it, and it was excellent. Lovely to see lots of young ladies begin so creative, lots of bunting, earrings, pendants, fabric some retro clothing etc there, very busy and the sun streamed through the big wall of windows. I had to do my bit, very tight reins on the purse strings though, oddly I did buy a purse.

coin purse

2 fat quarters the green is a apple green, very fresh and pretty

cute magnets

It was like walking into Pinterest,  I hope they do more markets, as I have my eye on some pretty things for Christmas presents.
Just have to say Blogger's gone mad again, but I'll proceed. I also have been going to my regular haunt and found some treasures.
I found gem irons, they are so hard to find, a real blast from the past a New Zealand's mother's repertoire included Pavlova, Ginger Gems, a Fruitcake, Fruit Loaf and a slice of some kind preferably  Belgium.  When I told people I had found a Gem iron I got requests for them, and they tasted  delicious.
The weather has been freezing but we have have been planting Hebe's and preparing the veggie garden, next week we will be both in the garden (Basil's night shift precludes any joint gardening, I am sure this is a recipe for a happy marriage). While walking down to the garden centre I took this photo, I'm crossing my fingers said photo ends up here. Note goats stare, the GG movie was wrong it's "Goats who stare at a Woman Walking".

It was a very baleful stare too.
So long for now, loving the Olympics, opening ceremony was fabulous, not sure about the USA uniform, ankle socks are for 6 year olds. Watched rowing, gymnastics, and cycling, last night, not sure how I'll get to work if I watch into the night next week. Pity I have already had the flu.
Hugs, Aunt Bee.

Not blogging but busy.

now being used for my WIP  crochet hooks and scissors 

ok  not my best shot , but a bargain buy wanted one for ages

second apron

2 unfinished aprons, and threads, patterns that are in the mag.

Stall owner said they are $2.00 each or the lot for $10.00

sorry, this is a 1951 NZ Stitch mag found at the market.

First bag made in the "sewing room".

Sunday's walk in the park and CBD.

Add caption

A very bright freezing day, note I tried to be arty with the trees/cranes in the sky.The Art Centre (formally the University) with all its building work. This walk, in part, was accompanied by the voices of two high students singing opera and the overwhelming noise of demolition, which continues 7 days a week.

A room of one's own. How posh.

note beloved Kathleen on the table, aged 51, looks slightly better than me

note cleaning products, it may never see them again

I have been busy turning Tom's room into my sewing room. It is more than a sewing room it's my space, I'm moving the old chair I bought years ago, in today. I will be measuring the curtains I bought in anticipation of this joyous occasion many years ago, I always knew I would get my own spot one day, but truly I never thought it would take 28 years.

my organizing method, throw everything in, then work to find a space for it.

I surprised myself with the small amount of magazines I had .The rest are in the lounge

Sheet love and larger pieces of fabric

I picked up the table at the local Salvation Army shop for $30.00, had to pick it up last Sunday. I took Aj to help, we needed to take the two cars. I wisely took the tool kit,  as we had to take the end legs off, but it fitted in the station wagon, just, I drove it home, as the seats had to be moved so far up to the steering wheel, only those with abnormally short legs could drive the car. Even the Contessa who is shorter than me, has longer legs. But I always knew they would come in handy one day.Actually I think I passed on by short legs to my beloved niece, but haven't told her in case she blames me in stead of our mutant short leg gene.
Well of course I haven't got in there for any relaxing (I have a talking book, Sherlock Holmes, short stories to listen to), numerous projects, and various unfinished stitcheries to do. 
 Basil and I started yoga this week, a 4 week beginners course, which was so much fun, and I'm sure in time I shall become adept at the poses............why does she use me as a model and not in a good model way but a not like this way.I leave you with a before and after photo of my new crocheted delight, the first blanket didn't work, it kept going in a pyramid direction, so I unpicked it and went back to dear Lucy Attic 24's pattern and it's behaving it's self .......for now. Love to all Aunt Bee
P.s the weather has been terrible, woke up this morning and it's warm, no frost and I'm putting out as much washing as possible because there is snow to low levels forecast.Wonderful.

first attempt

I'm just using up yarn, of course have had to buy more, as you do

For the Contessa, who doesn't see snow in Wanganui

Tuesday morning a light snowfall, 7am

8am, yeah I can go to work in this, I'm cool

Mare waves to me as I arrive, staff now numbers 2.

MM arrives, has driven in from the county

Ok getting heavy, now we are 4, no clients

I, sorry, we, think it's time to go home.

Home by 10.30, some Hail Mary's said on the way, but arrived  safe and sound

So pretty, and still on the ground at our place, front coming in tonight, oh joy.