Happy New Year 2017

As we say goodbye to 2016 and welcome in 2017, I wish you all a happy and wonderful New Year and many thanks for coming to my little corner of the world and visiting my blog.
Very grateful to my friends, for the kindness, support and love you have shown me this year.
Your letters always make me smile.

Here are a few photos taken from a family walk along Onetangi beach this morning - the weather and sea was lovely

Tomorrow will be a  brand New Year and a wonderful gift indeed.
May 2017 bring good health, happiness and prosperity to you all.
                  Happy New Year!

hugs
Carolyn

Tis the season

Hope your Christmas celebration was lovely.
 

A sprig of Rosemary, makes a great napkin holder

I find just been with my family, is the best gift of all and we certainly had a wonderful time. So glad that it comes around only once a year, as I seem to have eaten more than my share of delicious food, but some lovely walks help to overcome this.
Many thanks for the kind Christmas greetings and wishes you left, am so grateful for your friendship

Had meant to post these photos before, but only today found a minute to sit down at the computer and share them.
At this time of the year, there is no better way to usher in the holiday season, to take a walk along the City streets and see some of the gorgeous window displays.
They are enchanting and magical with all the pretty colours and lights

As we are reaching the end of the year, this is a great time to unwind, relax, restore and spend time with family.

I always find December is a time to reflect on our personal journey over the past year and to plan ahead for what we want to do next year.
May love, peace and joy abound.
hugs
Carolyn

Twas the night before Christmas

Family are home for the holidays, the card writing, baking and shopping has all been done. 

The wrapping of gifts are under the Christmas tree, so now we will wait until tomorrow, one more sleep to go.

I always love this time of the year when everything is calm and quiet and you are now able to relax and enjoy the season and be with loved ones.  The smells wafting from the kitchen today have been wonderful - glazed ham, the terrine my husband cooked,  and I have just baked a pavlova and will make a trifle soon. 

Enjoy some good food and watch a few Christmas movies. Here are a few photos taken around our house

Love the warm glow of candles, always gives a romantic and cozy light around the room

I hope your holidays are merry and bright!
Have a wonderful time with your family and friends. I just want to say a big thank you for your kind friendship and know how much each one of you mean to me. Grateful for you visiting my blog and leaving kind comments, and I always love to go and visit you and see all the wonderful things you share on your blogs, thanks again
Merry Christmas
hugs
Carolyn 

Christmas is coming!

It's the time of the year when we can celebrate time honoured traditions. Listening to Carols, baking biscuits, and
to be able to enjoy the peace of being with family and friends and share in the joy of the season.

I finally got around to decking the halls... putting the tree up and seem to be a little behind in all my holiday preparations.

The excitement of opening up the suitcase and finding old loved decorations that we have collected, over the years, some kindly gifted from lovely daughter and friends and every year I love to make some handmade ones. Each cherished heirloom has a story to tell and they evoke fond memories

Daughter, Victoria has shared a tutorial on her website, for making quaint little  handmade Christmas houses that you can display on a mantle or table. If you are interested, the link is here
Christmas houses

I hope that you are enjoying the lead up to the holiday season and not having too much stress, with the busy time of the year.
Now must go and finish writing my cards and hope to be able to tick off a few more things, on my to do list.
hugs
Carolyn

Flowers from a friend

December has arrived and the count down to the Christmas season is upon us.

Picked from a friends garden, she gave me this lovely bouquet of  pretty flowers, the Alstroemeria and the colours are really pretty  - so very kind of her and great to have friends. Many thanks Fiona

Flowers are loves truest language
~ Park Benjamin


 Just a quick note today and to wish you a wonderful new week and hope to come over and visit you all
hugs
Carolyn

Saying goodbye to November!

I don't know about you, but I can't believe its almost time to turn November over on the calendar and say hello to December.

Recently, we had a lovely night away staying at Huka Lodge in Taupo so will share a few photos taken there.
It is a gorgeous, picturesque place and we have stayed here before,  and always love the tranquil setting
On arrival a waiter brought us a glass of champagne and we can now relax, after our four hour journey.

It was great hearing the sound of the bagpipes and seeing the piper dressed in a kilt, and calling all the guests, to gather for cocktails and dinner

We choose the outdoor table with a lovely fireplace, which was romantic and the food very good

The gardens are beautiful and lovely place to walk around

Thanks so much for your kind visit and taking the time to leave a  comment. Look forward to coming to visit you
Hope you are having a lovely week
hugs
Carolyn

A long lunch

Good afternoon {or maybe morning} dear friends,

The days have been busy here and it is a wonderful time of the year,  gearing up to the Christmas period ahead.
We have had a full weekend and I have been meaning to sit down at the computer and write, so must get a post up today.

On Saturday, friends invited us to a long lunch at their home, so always lovely to be treated to a meal out. Our meal was wonderful - starting off with a platter of cheese, champagne and smoked salmon.
Delicious mushroom vol au vents was the starter, a lamb salad for the main dish, which was very good.

I made the dessert, a fruit flan ... Happiness on a plate, and we can kid ourselves that with the fruit it must be healthy - right?
Thinking about good food, making it,  eating it, makes for perfect happiness.

It has finally warmed up and almost feels like summer days are here. I have been busy out staining a fence with charcoal stain and it got very hot out. The garden is starting to look dry and will soon have to start watering the plants.

Be kind whenever possible 
It is always possible
~ Dalai Lama

I hope you are doing well and having a lovely week
hugs
Carolyn