BBQ

As I write this smells are wafting over the fence from our neighbours. Delicious smells of a barbeque. Why must they have their BBQ set up so close to the fence?I'm sitting here absolutely craving a nice steak done on the BBQ.

But I can't have one. We don't have a barbeque. We seriously must be one of the few NZ households that don't. And I miss it.

Now that we're coming into summer, I want one. On those warm summer evenings I want a barbequed steak and a nice salad. OM NOM.

I want to be like this kiwi dude below (except without DAD on the apron - I'll never be a dad :P )

Yours sincerely,

A Kiwi without a barbeque

My happy place

I have a new thing that makes me happy and it's what I call my 'Candle Sanctuary'.

It's not much, it's just a collection of tea light candles on the coffee table.

Yes, there is a marble in the top of the red candle holder (I'm weird like that).

The plate is for potential cookies or cupcakes (when I get around to baking).

Life is Precious

My beautiful cousin had a brain hemorrhage on Friday. She's only 32 and has a 1 year old son. It was near fatal. She had emergency surgery on Friday night and is now stable but critical. I'm just thankful she's still alive. 
I'm not generally religious at all, but on Friday I prayed for the first time in years. Not to any deity in particular but to any that would listen.

LIFE IS PRECIOUS PEOPLE!

You need to live every moment to the full. Do what makes you happy. My cousin and her immediate family have a long road ahead of them now. 

Give everyone you love a big hug next time you see them.

My Birthday

I had a wonderful birthday this year. I took Monday off work and we traveled down to Hawkes Bay to spend it with some of the fam-bams. Had an amazing dinner of roast lamb, kumara, potatoes, yams, pumpkin and some beans. Fantabulously yummy! And then apple pie for dessert and some of my Mum's homemade birthday cake. So that was Sunday night.

On my actual birthday AJ and I went shopping and got some awesome new clothes. So nice to have a husband who likes to go shopping with me. He's seriously amazing. Now I'm really overdue to go through my wardrobe and get rid of things. On the bright side, I went through my teenage clothes left at my parents place (it only took my 6 years). Most of it is to be donated.

So yah, awesome birthday and miss HB already.

My birthday present

So AJ decided that since we're going away for my birthday that I needed an 'at home birthday'.

So we celebrated it on Sunday. HE GOT ME A SEWING MACHINE!!!! Awesomest husband ever. 
So far, I've tested out all the different stitches and have been finding some ideas of what to make online. I think one of my first things to try and make will be a maxi skirt or something. 

Can't wait to start creating. Watch out Spotlight!

Employment

I finally have a job!

Had my first day at Manukau Farmers today and it was quite fun.
Four weeks of training and then I'm at the new Pukekohe store (which, btw, is going to look fantastic once it's open!).
The store manager for the Pukekohe store came in today and gave me a huge hug to welcome me to the team! Everyone is so nice and get along so well. Fantastic understanding customers too. If you're honest with them and say that you're just learning they're amazingly patient. 

I'm exhausted now, but at least I have a job that I can see myself enjoying. 

Bring on tomorrow!

Sunsets

As the sun set tonight I was standing out on the deck with Andrew just watching. The sky went a beautiful bright orange which set off all sorts of amazing colours around our garden. The dahlias are blooming a bright yellow, and the sunset just made them pop that little bit more.  A rose bush blooming bright pink is even brighter in this light. And all of the greenery of our little patch of paradise went even greener.

I love sunsets. Growing up next to the river, I'd take solitary walks up the river, sit on logs and watch the sun set reflecting on the river making it sparkle. Seeing the willows and hearing the paradise ducks calling to each other just makes my day. I can't wait to be able to do that again.