That's what back lawns are for

Last weekend friends Rebecca and Joel came around for lunch, with their two young boys, Nicholas and Jonathon. Needless to say the boys were keen to run around the back lawn, ignoring the pretty blossom petals, but delighting in chasing the neighbours cats, who, it seemed, also enjoyed the game. Even if it did mean dodging flying missiles. They did stop for a quiet moment or two, as well as eating well!

Spring snow-shower

Not really, but it looks like it. The cherry tree is gradually losing petals all over the lawn which produces a pretty effect. They even get stuck to the windows when wet.

Do not go gentle into that good night ...

The other evening looked as though we were heading for a night that was anything but gentle. As it transpired it was OK, but the sunset was impressive.

It really is Spring

The Cherry Trees are now in full bloom, even the one by the house, and the temperatures are now enticing us out-doors.

And while there, we notice the lawn is somewhat 'sparkly'. I helped out with a 40th birthday party at the Irish Club recently, and brought home the table-cloths to be washed. Experience has taught us that they need to be shaken outside before washing. So Desiree did that, and now we have the lawn and deck decorated with miniature leprechauns and 40s!

Cupcakes everywhere

What is it with cupcakes? Not only are my daughters obssessed, but so is the SPCA! They even invaded work, with a couple of keen volunteers spending a day baking at home to seel them at work. They raised $350 from the trolley-load (yes, I did! But only one!)

Tui in the Cherry Tree

Recent weather has been all over the place. August was the warmest on record. Spring has arrived with a rush, and blossom trees and spring bulbs are bursting out all over.

That's not to say there haven't been cold or wet episodes. In fact the last day of August saw part of our back lawn under water. This isn't unusual, as the section straddles what was once an old stream bed, and our section is somewhat lower than the neighbours on either side. However, there have been few occasions this year.

You might also notice that the flowering cherry tree at the back of the garden is blossoming, producing what is, for me, one of the most spectacular displays of colour we get in the garden. The flowers are delicate and detailed up close, strikingly beautiful against a clear blue sky, and produce lovely effects when the morning sun ripples through them.

And then this morning, we had Tuis visit and feed. That, also, is not unusual. We have a large, albeit late-flowering, Kowhai tree, and there are several other kowhai in the neighbourhood, so Tuis are often in the area, especially when the kowhai are in flower. What I noticed this morning, however, was that the Tuis were feeding in the cherry blossom. I haven't noticed that before, and was intrigued.

Just coasting along

I finally got around to finishing a job I set myself earlier in the year, when Charlotte was home.

She had brought me a collection of English beer mats (or coasters, if you prefer!). My plan was to display them all in a picture frame.

As too often happens, good intentions took a back seat to more 'immediate' concerns, so the project was put on the back-burner, and there it stayed.

Until, ... just the other day. I was at home and had some time on my hands. I had a re-cycled frame, albeit with faded photo shaped outlined on the backing card. So a quick trip to the Stationery Warehouse equipped me with a sheet of plain paper and some fasteners.

So I spent a pleasant hour cutting the paper to size, fixing it to the backing card, and then arranging the mats onto it and attaching them. The final steps were to return the backing card to the frame, secure it, and then hang it.

See - it worked. Now, Charlotte, when next you're home, that pack was 1 of 4, so ...