Mr Phil Warren and His Matches.

For quite a few years now Phil has been making ships and aircraft from matches and their boxes.

I think such steady application should be rewarded, so I dedicate this post to him.
I have also written a poem in his honour.

I make my ships from matches
I've constructed flotillas and fleets
Some people think I'm crazy
But it's kept me off the streets.

Good Day For It

My day: Raining. Tax return. Exercycle. Tax return. Drying washing. Ironing. Paperwork. Exercycle.

The blue stuff in the satellite image is, needless to say, rain. 

Paddington

thetimes.co.uk

When I was just two, Michael Bond published the first of his delightful 'Paddington' books, so it wasn't surprising that they were part of my growing up years.
Sweet-natured and polite, but rather clumsy and with a marmalade habit (which I approved of, much preferring it to honey - the addiction of another of my childhood bears Pooh), Paddington Bear was, to me anyway, the stereotype of restrained British sensitivity, understated humour, and kindness, which I also met in Paul Gallico, Millie-Mollie-Mandy, The Famous Five, and Rupert (who of course, although looking like a bear, was really far more boy-like).

I think they've done a really rather topping job of the Paddington movie that came out last year 2014, but that I've only just seen.

I especially loved the cameo appearance of Michael Bond himself, tipping his glass to Paddington through a restaurant window.  If you see the movie (and I recommend you do, no matter how old you are), see if you can spot him.

Cold

It's a bit chilly today here in the usually sunny Bay of Plenty. I woke with a bit of a sniffle so I boiled the kettle, put half in a hot water bottle which I have stuck down the front of my second pair of trousers, and poured the other half over the peel and juice of a lemon and a tablespoon of bush honey. 

It's so handy that the mandarins and lemons all bear fruit in winter, just when we need the vitamin C!

I've also chopped a few for marmalade. Mmmm, love the smell of citrus wafting through the house!

Beanie Competition

I have been beanie-ing for a competition! Here's my creation, which will be entered under the category 'Greenie Beanie'. I call it 'Rock Pool Beanie'.

Other categories are 'Meanie Beanie' (scary zombie, skeleton or ghosty beanies), 'Animal Beanie' (animal themes) 'Recycled Beanie' (made from pre-used beanies and other knitted or crocheted garments) and 'Wacky Beanie' (crazy, mad or zany beanie theme'.

Kate's Quick and Easy Curtains

A few years ago there was a great sale on duvet (quilt) covers so I bought two super-king size ones in a pleasant fabric.
Yesterday I sewed some curtain hook tape across the top of each one and voila! Instant lined curtains.
Now I just need to pop out for a couple of corded tie-backs and a pair of brass hooks and we will be very genteel in the lounge.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Earlier this week there was snow at sea level for three days in a row in Wellington, and the coldest Auckland temperatures since 1960 ...

And here in Tauranga, roughly half way between the two, due to my very low-tech blanket, my hibiscus still shows no frost burn, and due to a wooly hat, coat and scarf, I am still alive too!