Late Birthday News

 

Last week I celebrated a birthday “…….” years old, but this paled beside the Southern News!! See the link below.

http://jeanmckinstry.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/breaking-news-from-south.html.

Parcels arrived, one more to come, and the one that intrigued me is this. 

A beautiful panel, with a pre-printed apron, that has a flounce at the lower edge, all instructions on the fabric too. Almost too good to use, but I  know it will have pride of place when I have guests, and will save those splatters on good tops!! Many thanks, Graeme and Helen.

  Phone  calls from daughters,  these were the best… the day dawned fine for   work and for their  skiing, Wanaka beckons!!!

Many thanks to all for making my day so special.

Quotation of the day, Guatemalan proverb

“ Everyone is the age of their heart”

Greetings   from   Jean

Colours in the late afternoon

 

Tonight there were some shades of pink, grey, gold and lemon in the western sky.Nature provides wonderful scenes.

Three little homes, all empty now, but they have given shelter, warmth and comfort to many during their working life. Now on the ground, rescued for a photo shoot.

Baby nest, maybe for a waxeye or Silvereye. All bird  photos courtesy of Internet.

This is a middle sized nest, maybe a fantail.

 

The largest nest might have been home to a thrush or blackbird family

 

The variety of feathers in each nest was astounding, this mottled one l stood out , quite different to the grey and white.

Very soon the birds will again be building their nests for the new season.Many hours as they search for dry twigs, grass, moss, and feathers to make a soft bed for eggs, then baby birds. When we just  go to the building  company  and choose a plan!!!

Quotation of the day from  Maya Angelou

“ A free bird leaps on the back of  the wind

and floats downstream till the current ends,

and dips his wings in the orange sun’s rays and dares to claim the sky”

Greetings from Jean

Breaking News from “ THE SOUTH”

R & K

         Congratulations on your engagement,

from  Russell and Ann , Hugh and Jean,

 Our  warmest wishes for love, laughter and happiness together.

 

Yes, it’s  true, the news is out,  Ralph and Kaz are engaged.

The formal photo shoot is to follow, but  this news surpassed the birth of the Royal Baby, aftershocks, and anything else.

We are all very happy, thrilled, ecstatic, and more,  and wish them much happiness, as they begin this new journey together.

Quotation of the day, from Oliver Wendell Holmes

“Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness”

Greetings from Jean

Sunrise Greeted Us with An Announcement

 

Morning dawned, with the news of the birth  of the Prince of Cambridge.  Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, may their lives  together be filled with laughter, love and happiness, with good health  thrown in as well.

Quotation of the day, from Edna J Le Shan

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things-

Wonder, Hope, a dream of possibilities”

Greetings from Jean

In our neighbourhood

 

Today the lambs enjoyed brief sunshine, spring flowers bloomed, photos courtesy of Patrick and Judith’s place ,  their garden, trees, and their  ovine family. 

This girl is one of two waiting for delivery day. Like Kate, she waits!!!

Hey, you, in the photo above, I’ve done my hard labour, hurry up, it’s your turn now!!

The late afternoon sky had some glorious cloud colours, and I liked the way the sun shone dimly through cloud and tree.

The goldfish look as though they are flying, my reflection,   donned in fleece jacket and Swandri coat!!!.

Quotation of the day, for all those in the earthquake areas,

from Henry H Tweedy

“ Fear is the father of courage and the mother of safety”

Stay strong,  and be assured , so many send caring  wishes and thoughts for you all. May tomorrow dawn with sunshine and safety.

Greetings from Jean

The Magic Moment

 

Tonight, for  several  minutes, the sky lit up with pink/scarlet/ mauve, and grey.

There was the vapour trail, maybe a plane flying from Wellington to Auckland. While I watched, it  started to disintegrate.  I was almost too late, the  vivid colour of the trail had started to fade. This is the view to the west from our front lawn.

 

I have been, and still am, and will be for several days/weeks/ hopefully not months… yet… involved in a marathon sewing project.It involves waterproof fabric, metres of it, 2x 2  metre long zips, large eyelets, and a pull through for a channel similar to those on a caravan.,  I have been given a magic tip, use double sided sticky  tape to stick the two small/med/large pieces of fabric together, use a “ Jeans” needle, and waxed quilting thread. Photos to come when all is finished. One clue, Hugh will be so happy when he takes the trailer on camping trips!!!

Quotation of the day,  from “ Romeo and Juliet”

In memory of KB’s beloved K, 15th July 2012

“  Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow,

That I shall say goodnight till  it be  morrow”

Greetings from Jean

4th July, Independence Day, United States

 

 

Today ,  Independence Day, 4th July, when people across the United States  celebrate the adoption of  the Declaration of Independence,  signed on July 4th, 1776, declaring independence  from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

It is the National Day of the United States.

Celebrate with  your families and friends , and enjoy  in great style.

 

Quotation of the day, from Nelson Mandela

“ Freedom would be meaningless

without security in the home and in the streets”

Greetings from Jean

Canada Day, 1st July, 2013

 

A tribute to all Canadians, my  friends, their  families and many others, those I know through a blog, or an email, or  somewhere else .

This day, the national day of Canada, is to celebrate the anniversary of 1st July, 1867, enactment of the British North American  Act 1867, which united three colonies into a single country called Canada within the British Empire .This was originally called Dominion Day ,but was renamed in 1982, the year the Canada Act was passed.

When I look Northwards, in sky colours like these, I’ll think of you all.

Enjoy your day, celebrate in style, share happiness with all  Canadians on your day.

Quotation of the day,author unknown, for all my distant friends

“There is no distance too far between friends,

for friendship gives wings to your heart”

Greetings from Jean