A Much Deserved Holiday

 It has been a week since I have been home from my nearly two weeks away from home.  It was bliss.  Hubby was left behind as he had work commitments that included going away himself after initially being able to come, so I hitched a ride with my friend earlier than planned and first port of call was staying with her family in Hamilton.

Now I have been in Hamilton many many times, but have never been to the Hamilton Gardens so one day we went and had a look.

This is one thing I should have done years ago.  I had driven past it a lot, but I will be back as apparently there is always something being built.  I did not get pictures of the rose gardens unfortunately.  

A couple of days later we done a river cruise on the mighty Waikato River and it was again amazing though it was quite hot and off all places my knees got burnt.

So we were in Hamilton for a few days with a quick trip up to Auckland and then off to the ultimate destination ...... Cooks Beach.

Come back tomorrow for those pictures 😎

FNSI Results

Yay my first FNSI in a long time.

So this evening I had a look through my stash and found this kit I bought a couple of years ago and decided it was about time I started it

So I got everything I needed and sat in the lounge in front of the TV just as Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers started, and watched and stitched away for the whole movie

After 3 1/2 hrs this is how far I progressed

Not a bad effort for some who has lost, but may be gaining their sewing mojo back.

If you want to have a look at what other people done click here and go have a look.

It's FNSI time

 Its a new year and it has to better than 2020.  I am going to try and get my sewing mojo back and with three weeks annual leave from today what a better way to start it with ........ FNSI

I have not done much in crafting since the local A&P Show last year but over on Facebook I see Wendy from Sugarlane Designs was holding FNSI tonight so thought why not join as I haven't for quite a long time.

So head on over to her page and sign up to join in tonight for some stitching fun and check back tomorrow on everyone's blogs to see what was done.

I think I may also spend some time tiding up my blog too.

Lets Get Stitched 2020

Last month before this Covid-19 crisis reared its ugly head big time, I got to go to Hobart for the last Let's Get Stitched get together.

It was a good time and a sad time as I will not be seeing many of these gals again except online. We had a great time though.

The highlight of my shopping though was again going to Helen Stubbings shop The Quarter Inch and shopping to my hearts content and doing this again the following day.

Hubby still doesn't know how much I spent, but he knows that I spent a lot lol

Went to The Wicked Cheese Co. as well and tasted many cheeses, but didn't buy any as didn't want to risk border control on the way home.

Done the Richmond Bridge pics again, Tasmania's oldest bridge

Love this bridge going into Hobart

And Hobart

I did plan on going to Port Arthur as it was the only reason I went to  Australia a day early, but after the travel sickness I got, I flagged it and also glad I did as it was raining quite heavy on the day.  Told the hubby we are going back for a holiday together to do this and many more touristy things one day our selves.

Lockdown Woes

Wow I have not been here in over a year, but with this lockdown I am getting bored and twiddling my fingers though I really have things to do.  Problem is I have realised even with things to do, I have not got the oomph to do anything.

For me it is really 21 days now, as I had one day of freedom after been in isolation due to overseas travel as the lovely Prime Minister changed her rules on isolation a week after I got home, then after that one day freedom into lockdown.

But I am lucky too, as I as being a nurse I am an essential worker so still am getting paid and hubby is also one so we are still chugging along working as usual and seeing people in our work bubbles.  Best thing about me working is I still get real coffee at the hospital cafe that is open for us workers only ....whooop whooop.

In Gisborne we have had only one positive Covid-19 case so far.  Times like this are when you are happy you live in an isolated part of the country.  Also gives more time to get the hospital prepared.  I now work both the Covid ward and the Medical ward, but happy days so far ....we just waiting and hoping the crisis from overseas does not happen to New Zealand.  With Jacinda's rules I think we are going to be the luckiest Western Country in the world. 

This boy though is mighty happy his mummy and daddy are home more now as no travelling anywhere but to work and essential services.

So with this new era of our lives I may just start posting here again more.

OPAM 2018 Finishes + UFO's

How many finishes for 2018 did I complete .....18.  I didn't get something done every month but I still done well.

It is now 2019 and again I will join up when it opens up at the end of the month and try and aim for something once a month.

My UFO list on the side bar has also shrunk and I will try to get some of these finished this year.  However when I go and clean my very messy sewing room, I will be adding to this list ..... cringe..... it's very messy.

And I have already failed at this promise for this year

Couldn't resist JJ Crafts 2 weeks ago while in Napier.  Maybe I will reset and make Feb 1st the start of the year.

Did I Go To Another Concert?................

Oh yes I  did!!  Last week it was off to Toto, Jefferson Starship and New Zealand's own Dragon.

A great concert had ....yet again.

Jefferson Starship

Toto

Toto

 My friend Christine and I even survived the heat with reports it was up to 33 degrees.  That is hot for here.

Start of the night

Only problem was the sunblock I used was good but not excellent so I have tan lines half way up my lower legs which I have avoided so far this summer.  

But hey, we both survived the night, while we saw some that didn't fare so well.

Mid Concert

Concert End

Next concert ...... Eminem ....... can't wait, with a Hurricanes v's Brumbies Super Rugby game the night before ......role on March

Christmas Day Is Over and Done With

First of all a belated Merry Christmas to every one

This year Miss 22 and I also got our first Santa picture together.  Took us all these years to get one.  I do remember as a youngster she did not like Santa, my have times changed.

December has been a busy month for me, working and then going away to another concert .... Shania Twain this time ...... then doing a roadie with Miss 22 from Christchurch to Gisborne over 3 long days.

Shania was awesome and now I have only two more concerts on my list to go to.  One in January and then another in March.  I am concerted out now.

Down in Christchurch I got to go to the best Christmas shop called The Christmas Hut and bought my first Lemax Village item which is in its box till Christmas next year.

This Santa was huge in real life and at $3950 a bit out of my price range.

And also Miss 22 took me to a great Christmas light demonstration.  This is just a small collection of the lights and so dedicated we went in the rain.

Finally after travelling for three days we got home on Saturday just before the bad weather hit and had a days relaxation before I started the preparations for Christmas day including shopping at the supermarket and I must say I struck it lucky as it was not that bad the four times I went (3 because I forgot something).

I had a fail with my non-fail pavlova (a KIWI icon) so made another and only done a basic topping but it was still yummy

And what sewing have I done this month ...... only a block for QBSA.  The block is called Card Trick

Can't believe it is 2019 next week.  Where has the year gone?