A new top hat

It's not every day you get a top hat. I'm making a steam punk costume, so this is a good start. Watch this space.

Jemma's 26th birthday in our front yard

 I started the chiminea at 3pm and then popped the lamb roast in half an hour later. Then I set up the garden to celebrate.

 The roast was cooked to perfection, and a good time had by all.

 Mum sat in the Moon chair the whole time thoroughly enjoying the show of her family.

 Helen's cheesecake birthday cake went down well.

 Ash brought his sister some roses.

Stephen's 40th birthday

 We dressed up as men to add some brothers to the mix, at our celebration of Stephen's 40th. A progressive dinner starting at the Boyds, and moving (by bike) to Helen's for main course, and then cycling to our place for cheesecake dessert, and a meeting.

 Here's 'Allen'

 and here's 'Jimmy'

 Here we all are.

 Golf and a gun range part of the fun.

Chim, chiminea, chim, chiminea, chim chim anea.

 My most recent acquisition, that is taking up far too much of my time and money. . .

 but it IS great fun. So far we've enjoyed an open fire and company, then a chicken dinner that with a bit of juggling was delicious, and last night - pizzas.

 Bring on the good times!

Raspberry and Banana Muffins for morning tea

HAD to make these this morning. I'm on the 5:2 eating regime, and on the NON fasting days, something is called for with coffee! At least these had dextrose instead of sugar.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups standard flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 large bananas, mashed

Half cup frozen raspberries
1 cup dextrose
1 egg
1/3 cup butter, melted

Method

Preheat oven to 175°C. Coat muffin pans with non stick spray, or use paper liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. Combine bananas, Dextrose, egg, frozen raspberries and melted butter in a large bowl. Fold in flour mixture, until just combined and moistened. Scoop into muffin pans.

Bake mini muffins for 10 to 15 minutes, and large muffins for 20 to 25 minutes.

Dextrose browns faster so keep an eye on the muffins – they probably need to be covered at the last.

Mum is 85, Liam is 17

 Two very different birthday cakes requested: the 85 yr old wanted a coffee cake, the 17 yr old wanted a trifle.

 I made Mum's mocha cake, with three varieties of coffee, chocolate and vanilla filling.

 Both nephews here for lunch.

 Mum blowing out candles.

 Liam about to trifle. . .

Camping at Kai Iwi Lakes

 Just returned today from a splendid eight days at Kai Iwi Lakes in the Northland. I was there three days before being joined by Helen. We spent a lot of time reading, or swimming in the crystal clear fresh waters of the largest lake.

 It was a mecca for families with water toys and boats, but the swimming was well worth it, and I only endured a couple of difficult nights of talk and music in which I needed to squash in earplugs.

 The three lakes are like inverted sandhills, and have a definite edge where they get deep very quickly. But the waters are turquoise and delicious.

Loved the whole experience of camping again, and this last shot of me after seven days of no showers or hair washing, pretty much captures it.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

 I went for an early morning (7am) walk this morning, almost alone on the path and the roads, around the waterfront and back. Instead of the predicted rain, it was glaringly sunny, and I take heart that perhaps the year ahead shares the same prognosis. Just before reaching my house, a flock of pigeons were resting on the overhead wires, and I couldn't resist playing with the picture they made. A tune to start a new year.

The Christmas Season

 The Time for parties and festivities and fairy lights and food is upon us. And in two days will be all over for a year. I'm making the most of it this year, with two friend's parties in a row - one at the Middletons (above) and one at our place (for the first friends party EVER around here).

 A splendid time was had by all, and the party pom-poms were great. Nice to have slightly smaller groups in each one, so that I got to actually spend a bit of time chatting and enjoying the company.

 The local Baptist church put on a Christmas Extravaganza, which incorporated many trees decorated in different colours. And all this BEFORE Christmas Day itself. Hopefully, that will be worthy of its own post.

In hopes of a leaner frame and a larger outlook

I had not realised my weight had been gradually going up until a visit to the doctor's recently confirmed what my clothes had been trying to tell me for a while. I must admit, I shed a few tears in frustration whilst talking with my medic, because of the hopelessness of it all. Then I was encouraged (once more) by friend Jan to try to 5:2 diet she and Mark have been on for a year which I have scorned. The word 'fasting' sets off something deep inside me. When my sister also suggested it at lunch the same day, I finally folded.
I must say, it is not anywhere near as bad as I had feared. After three weeks I have lost 3 kgs, which is much too fast, but I expect it will go up slightly at the next weigh in. I have chosen Monday and Thursday as the day to have less than 500 calories, and in two meals. Surprisingly NOT like the fasts of old. I have a boiled egg usually, for breakfast, along with a cup of blueberries or strawberries. Then a couple of black coffees keep the pangs at bay along with some herb teas such as the one above. I think the ritual of the coffee/tea break can be enhanced by the clever use of keeping a nice receptacle for sipping, and enjoying it all slowly.

Since I work from home, it helps that when the hunger pangs set in around mid afternoon, I can either take a walk, or take a nap, and then it's not long before dinnertime, and a very light meal of salad and salmon or something. Watch this (increasing) space.

Christchurch visit to see some saints

 Four of us went down to Christchurch last weekend to see the three saints who had come up to our conference, and with whom we've been sharing the Lord. David and Nicole, are on the left of this pic, along with Yusty, whom we just met in person, and whose house we are in for lunch. (I stayed with her)

 Saturday night was spent at this home for dinner and a meeting to follow - this is Sharon and Eddie's house.

 In the morning on Sunday we went to Mark and Karen's place and met up with a different group, and I shared my story with them.

 Lunch and lots of chatting, before being whisked off to the airport by 1pm.

 Below: lovely faces of those we went to see.