Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Saturday 5 March 2016

Pinks of all shades, with some purple and green, naturally.

The last few weeks have been busy, but  with some wonderful help from Heidi and Liv  the outdoor load was lightened  immensely, well, pretty much totally.  The wood sheds are full, right to the front doorways , the other painting was all done, how could we be so fortunate to meet them? Their 2 days  stay stretched to several weeks . They flew back to Germany last Tuesday, but we hope to have them back again in a few months. Meantime, we send lots of love and caring  thoughts  for you Heidi, your Dad  in hospital, and your Mum and family. Liv, we hope you manage to catch up with your family in the UK while you are over that side of  the  world.

The One Block Wonder has been sewn, joined together, even quilted, and bound. Whew!!! This was another stunning design from  Sandy over at

  Upstairs Hobby Room, and is called O’s and X’s.  I used some favourite batik fabrics, and some of that purple made its way into the backing. As well, a label down at the lower edge.

One Block Wonder February 2016

Reverse side of One Block Wonder February 2016

In  the garden, pink Nerines,  Alstromeria, Naked Ladies, Begonia blooms, Japanese Anemones, they continue to flower, even though we had a few mornings of 5 Celsius.  cold  enough to make me think is Autumn coming in suddenly with full force?

Pink Nerine flowers

March 2016 Pink Alstromeria

Naked Lady flowers

this Begonia is flowering continuously, outside in a shady area under a shrub, getting  a little late afternoon sunshine. A delightful gift from Joyce a few weeks ago.

Pink Begonia March 2016

 

Josh is now at Victoria University, Danielle continues to do so well on Joey, water jumps are the latest achievement, and  tomorrow Annette has a birthday. Was it all those years ago I was at Middlemore Hospital? I remember the doctor muttering something about  hurrying up as he had a party to go to at 4 p.m.??? 3.30, and she arrived. The first grand-daughter for both my and Hugh’s parents. They were overjoyed, and I guess suitable celebrations followed.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ A true friend is one who walks with you

until the end of the road”

Greetings from Jean

22 comments:

Susan Heather said...

Lovely flowers - much the same as the ones I have flowering at present. I love the quote as well.

Julie Fukuda said...

And I am watching for the spring flowers here....
The block is lovely and the batiks just make it even better,

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jean, your flowers are all lovely. The X& O quilt is pretty. Happy Birthday to Annette. I am glad everyone is doing well. Take care and have a happy weekend!

The Furry Gnome said...

Beautiful flowers! Reminds me that spring will eventually come! And a very nice quiltblock - some tricky corners there. My wife submitted a quilt block of a rooster to the Farm Show raffle quilt some months ago. She was at the show Thurs, and there it was, incorported in the big just-finished raffle quilt up on the wall! She was thrilled.

Carol Mattingly said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful visit. Time flies by the fastest when you are having good times, doesn't it. I love the quilts and your quote was perfect. Autumn might come in quickly as Spring is showing up here early this year. Carol

Barb said...

Your quilt colors are beautiful. I cannot believe your summer is soon over. I'm enjoying your flowers. Last summer I planted 2 begonias in crocks, and they bloomed for months if I kept them shaded. Happy Birthday to your daughter!

Leeanne said...

Lovely blooms......mmm firewood, that's sounds like winter to me!

QuiltinLibraryLady said...

Full wood sheds are wonderful before winter sets in. Love the colors in your little quilt.

Mystic Quilter said...

Your nerines are lovely, I haven't seen any of these for quite some time, Must check out the garden centres locally. Good job you'll have no problems with wood this Winter.

Sue said...

Your garden is still providing you with gorgeous colour. Autumn, I do like it, love the colourful leaves that start to fall.

Fundy Blue said...

Xs and Os looks very complicated, Jean, but what a pretty block! And your garden is lovely. How wonderful to have excellent help from Heidi and Liv. Your woodsheds bring back memories of times we depended on wood stoves. I loved the warmth of wood fires, although I wasn't fond of lugging wood. My father was always telling me not to carry so much at one time, that another trip or two would make it easier. There are fewer flowers in bloom in Honolulu this year ~ apparently there is a drought here, although drought in Hawaii feels and looks very different from drought in Colorado. Enjoy ~ Actually I have no clue what time it is in NZ! ~ Whatever you're doing, enjoy!

Fundy Blue said...

I had to go check on the time difference. Wellington is 23 hours ahead of Honolulu. I'm not sure where that is relative to you, but I figure it's close enough. So happy Monday morning to you, my friend!

Nancy J said...

Hi Louise, we are about 2 hours North of Wellington, so the timing is right. 6.30 a.m. here, a darker morning, as daylight hours start so much later already. Enjoy that Honolulu warmth.

Jim said...

Jean you are a master at quilting! I really like what you have done here....it reflects your skill and commitment.
Your garden is full of colour and sunshine and that begonia looks like it is enjoying its spot in the garden.
Happy Birthday to your daughter......seems like yesterday, right?
have a good week.

Our photos said...

Oww, those flowers.......I want spring soooo much !

Jenn Jilks said...

The flora looks so lovely. Our birds twitter in anticipation.
How wonderful you have a full shed! Ours is depleted. I'm fed up hauling it, too!
cheers from across the way! xx

Hannah said...

I like the bright red flowers, and your quilt square is so pretty, as usual. Do you have a special quilting sewing machine, or do you get it done somewhere? The stitching makes such a nice effect, I wish I had one. It is wonderful you had visitors who helped you get so much done, and your firewood is all ready. I'm struggling with clearing a terrible overgrown mess of currant bushes, wild blackberries, and grapevines, I'd love to have some visitors come to help.;-) Your are very fortunate, Jean.

Inger said...

Your quilts are beautiful and so are the flowers. I'm glad you had such a good visit.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Aren't all batiks just so pretty, only matched by the pinks and reds of your flowers. I find it funny that you are stocking your wood shed just as we are emptying ours. We are eager for spring, Jean. Soon now for us.

KB said...

I love all the color in this post. Your quilt is incredible. You have such a wonderful eye for putting together stunning colors.

And the flowers... You made my day. Our world seems a little gray right now so your flowers were perfect for me!

Happy Birthday to your daughter!

Janet said...

I so love seeing all your pretty flowers! Fun to reminisce on when our children were young...

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Pretty quilting and how much I love your lovely blossoms! So very pretty!