French Lessons in Stripes.

While I was in Noumea, I picked up my favourite magazine that I never buy - Marie Claire Idees. And the crochet stripes were the most glorious I have seen in a long time. There is just so much to learn from the french. All of the projects were fantastic and included a whole section on mimosa which was just edible - I'll show more photos another time. Don't you love the dots around the edge of the page. To the side of the photo, my stripy creation is peeping. I am in the middle of making a teapot which is lots of fun but also a bit difficult because I want it to be perfect and it is not quite there.

More stripes and fantasticness. I love the multi-colour pompom.
One of my silk roses I bought from the most beautiful french woman.

And another. I was worried they wouldn't make it through customs as they look so real.

French Lessons.

My dress and rose waiting to be parceled up.

When we were in Noumea, much to Jonno's chagrin, I found paradise. The tragic thing is that I cannot remember the name of the shop and for the life of me, cannot find the receipt. Anyway, it was run by the most beautiful french woman and was filled to the brim with the most beautiful (I can't use that phrase enough) clothing, jewellery and frippery that I have ever seen.

And while we had very few words between us, the most beautiful french woman and I said lots of lovely things to each other like 'oui', 'yes', 'superb', 'magnifique', 'mercie beucoup' (please ignore any spelling mistakes, I learnt Japanese at school) and felt very much as though we were in the throws of great conversation.

By the way, all of her flowers were fake (or should I say faux)!!!!!

And as for the shoes, I had to quietly nibble them when the most beautiful french woman wasn't looking and sadly pat them goodbye on my way out. I couldn't even do the maths to convert them back to the kiwi dollar as there were so many zeros involved. I would say Au Revior but I am not sure if that is how you spell it - farewell!

Helloooo out there - we are back!!!!

A few images from our holiday but I will save all of the explanations until later on in the week. Returning from an 11 day cruise around the Pacific, I am still rolling around the house and am finding it quiet difficult to sit still at the computer without falling off my chair. Needless to say we had a wonderful time - Archie has turned into a professional snorkeler and Hugo has discovered a keen affinity with Hermit crabs.

Still, it is wonderful to be home although I have a fair bit of unpacking to do before I can crumple into its outstretched hands. Lots and lots of love, xxooxxooxxooxx.

Holidays.

Just a little post to say that we are going on a tropical cruise and won't be back for 10 days. I am so excited I can barely write let alone pack and clean the house for the South Africans who are coming to house sit and dog sit and chicken sit and cow sit. I am also supposed to finish clearing the room where our renovations are going to be because our builders are starting just as we go. I can't wait to see the transformation when we come back.

My words are a little garbled today (I am thinking in terms of socks, undies, bathers, passports, etc...) so the post is a little out of order but I wanted to show Archie's new shorts (with elastic inserted) and Jonno's new grown-up coat - his first. I can't wait for him to wear it for more than two minutes... a very big event for a dairy farmer's wife. Lots of love, xxooxxooxx.

A Little Project.

I am in between ideas at the moment so I thought a small scarf of granny squares would help keep the joy in my heart. Once again, Lucy of Attic24 came to the rescue with one of her amazing patterns - she has something for every weather.
We visited one of Hugo's friends this morning and took along his Princess and the Pea set. Hugo decided he didn't want to make the prince so I had a go instead, using a photo of one of our best friends Tim. Tim is a prince in real life too and Hugo was thrilled with it thank goodness.

So this morning was spent in a sunny corner of a friend's house while she painted, I crocheted and the kids played. I could have stayed there forever.

However, I have lots of jobs calling me including putting elastic into freshly made shorts, making dinner and clearing out a huge amount of junk from a room in order to prepare for some renovations. I had better go and have a look for Hugo as he has escaped into the garden with the ipod...

Saturday Morning.

Here are some glimpses of the morning:

Hugo performing some much needed surgery on my arm.

My niece's stripy tights.
A present wrapped up for Archie to take to a party.

The present prior to wrapping. Apparently Archie and his friend are mad on bluetack at the moment so he thought some red plasticine would come in handy (????).

I am breathing in the silence that has fallen on the house after a busy morning. Archie is now at the birthday party and Hugo is having his weekend nap. A cup of tea is brewing and my hot water bottle is waiting to be filled. On the table rests a new pile of books from the library and there is a cat on my bed purring. I could go on but I am sure by now you have guessed my plans. Have a good weekend, xxooxxooxx.

Cakes and Vests.

I would be putting in more words today but I have come down with a cold and am going to quietly slink off to bed instead. For the moment I will let the photos speak for themselves. XXOOXXOOXX.