FNWF Update

Wahoo, I finally got to join in FWNF .... no work till tomorrow

I have a few projects I need to complete by this week for the A&P Show here in Gisborne and one is this Christmas wall hanging I bought as a kit a couple of years ago and it is finally finished.

Also today hubby and I went for a drive up the East Coast for lunch at the Te Puka Tavern in Tokomaru Bay and my lunch was yummy even though I only got wedges

The view out the window was great

We then when further up the road to the Tokomaru Bay Wharf as I hadn't been there for about three years to find it now closed

The view back into Tokomaru Bay

When On a Cruise Do Not Leave your Phone Alone

Last month I went on my first cruise. Only 3 nights long was good as a got a bit sea sick but resolved with dry toast and meds.

Was the biggest boat I have ever been on and my friend from Gisborne and 6 others were ready to board in Auckland on a lovely spring day.

Not quite the Titanic but the board walk was a reminder to me of it

Leaving Auckland all my friend wanted to hear was the horns going and she got her wish but we had to remind her it aint the Love Boat ....lol

First night we found the best bar and it was cocktail time or for me mocktail at this stage.

People also learnt fast do not leave your phone alone even to go to the toilet or have a sleep.

These gals were my room mates and were a great bunch.  

I have been nice and only put the tame pics up, but no ones phone was safe.

A Night Away and a Magazine

Look what came in my mail recently.  Yes it is the latest Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments magazine.  Lots of little projects to do once I get into stitching again.

Then yesterday hubby and I drove down to the Hawkes Bay to attend an engagement party of a friends daughter and the Bay put on some nice weather for us.

This morning we woke to an even better day with a great view out our motel window.  The coffee bus was tempting, but we went into town for brekky with Miss 21 who also stayed with us (who we won't be seeing until Christmas now).

Then after brekky, we went for a drive up Bluff Hill as hubby hadn't been up there for a while, and watch the work going on in the Port.

Below is the hubby and I.  Miss 21 has plenty of her and I but not sent through yet.

Then for being a good sport (I go up Bluff Hill often) he drove me through to Hastings so I could have a look in K-Mart and the reason I wanted to really go to Hastings ..... Spotlight, where I did restrain myself and only got a new ruler and some fusible wadding.

I Got It!!

It took some looking as a few places had sold out, but finally from Patchwork Plus over in Australia I got my 2017 Simply Christmas book last week.....yay!!

I see a project I want to do so need to my stitching mojo into top gear and get onto it.

I Went To Fiji Part Two

Yesterday I showed you some of our pictures of the Fiji trip we went to last month.  Here are some more today.

It was a great holiday and I can't wait to go again.  Next time it will be the sons choice where to go for his 21st, so I wonder where he will choose.

I Went To Fiji Part One

This time last month I was basking in the sun in Fiji.  Left New Zealand and its frosts where we had to wait at 6am in the morning for the plan to de-ice due to -3 degrees Celsius temperatures to 30 degrees Celsius temperatures in Fiji. This trip was was to celebrate our daughter 21st birthday instead of having a party and it was a great compromise.

Beetroot Relish

For the A&P show here in October I also made some beetroot relish but OH NO!!! I forgot to put it on the entry form.  Always next year. 

 I love this relish and usually get scoffed down fast.  This time I used a different recipe to what I usually use and it is from the famous New Zealand Edmonds cookbook that I own six of.... you can never have enough.

You can find the recipe by following this link and enjoy this yummy relish too.

Marmalade and Jam

In a couple of months time the local A&P show is happening again and I have entered a range of items for the Home Industries section ..... 20 to be exact. Two of these items will be jam and marmalade, so have set about getting ready and made some raspberry jam and grapefruit marmalade. Having never made raspberry jam before I tried this first and had good success.

Then a day later I whipped up some marmalade. 

Now that they are out of the way, to do some more entries.

I Passed!!!! and a late Christmas in July Swap Post

First things first.  I passed my Master of Nursing with Merit.  I was just happy getting a pass, so with merit it was a bonus.  All those tears were worth it.

Party time happened in Fiji as I found out about my results just after the plane landed.  I just had my recommendations to do, which are done and passed on to my supervisor who has approved what I have done and is now with the head of the program and I just have to 75 word abstract to write up and I can print in book form....yay.  I now have time to do more things finally and I have been doing that, which I will show over the next few posts. Also last month I participated in Gone Stichin' annual Christmas in July swap.  I received from Kaye over at Kitten Stitching and received some lovely cross stitch Christmas items.

I love cross stitch and loved these so much.

I sent to to Lyn and she let me know how much she enjoyed my gifts.  

Roll on more sewing now for the local A&P show in October.