So Tread Softly...

away from home

I've been away for a few days in Wellington on a course connected with my regular job. I'm not that keen on hotels, being a bit of a home girl, but there's something about the crisp white bed linen that I adore.

Being in the capital gave me a great excuse to meet up with a girlfriend for dinner. Thai food and great crafty chat was a wonderful way to pass the time. I even came away with a box filled with old lace and ribbon that I will certainly make good use of. Thank you Davina!

Mr Tread Softly joined me on the second night which was so lovely. We drove into the city for more great food.

I'm now happy to be home.

Hey, I've just heard that I have a stall, well, half a stall (I'll just have to pile high) at the next Craft 2.0 on 19th July. If you're in the area then come on down. I hear that it's amazing.

Until next time...

walk with me

Whenever I can, I like to start my day with a walk. I roll out of bed, grab something warm and off I go for about an hour or so. We're so lucky here because a 4 minute walk takes you right out into the countryside. It's such a wonderful way to start the day especially if I'm planning to sit in front of the computer for several hours working on my website (guess what I'm doing today!).

25th April is ANZAC Day (australia and new zealand army corp), a time when NZ closes down out of respect for those who lost theirs lives in past wars. It's a public holiday and so Mr Tread Softly said that he'd quite like to walk with me first thing.

 

It was one of those mornings (in fact, it has been all week) when the air is fresh and crisp, the grass is dewy and the sky is blue. My most favourite mornings. We walked for an hour and a quarter and during that time passed a fellow walker, a farmer and a herd of cows!

By 8.30 each morning the day has hardly begun and already I've experienced something quite wonderful. What's your favourite way to start your day? I'd love to know.

   

thoughts

Our thoughts and love are with the friends and family of the 7 people who tragically lost their lives at the Mangatepopo Gorge yesterday.

on a sunday in autumn...

...we got organised for next Saturday's garage sale...

 

...I mooched around antique shops...

...had lunch with my man at a local vineyard...

...brought a top in the Thrive sale...

...and another one...

...had a visit from a kindly soul who'd seen my hand mades at a fair and came bearing gifts - a entire bin liner full would you believe - and there's more where that came from! Whoo-hoo! Life is GOOD!

Where ever you are, whatever you did, whether it's Autumn or Spring, I hope that your Sunday was a special as mine.

Until next time...

time spent

It's been a bit quiet on the blogging front of late as Mr Tread Softly and I have been away on holiday exploring Christchurch and Akaroa on New Zealand's South Island. We also managed to catch up for dinner with the super glamorous Poppy Black and her husband. Wonderful to meet her in person. We spent the entire evening me, talking for England and her, for New Zealand! Looking forward to the next time

image: sunset over Christchurch. PB on left, me on right

Time was also spent...

...here, at our little homestay...

...sitting on sea grass chairs in the garden with a mountain of books...

...and occasionally glancing up to take in the fabulous view...

...walking along hilltops...

...along jetties...

...and along promenades at dusk...

We're home now, refreshed and ready to start preparing for probably my favourite and final fair of the season, The French Fair.

Until next time...

shared moments 05/.02

images: civic square, wellington

I had a business meeting at head office in Wellington today. We decided to break for lunch and headed to the cafe at the Civic Gallery. This fabulous piece of sculpture was suspended from wires outside the building. It really was quite spectacular.

shared moments 04/02

image: little sparrow waiting for crumbs

shared moments 03/02

image: late afternoon drink at The White Swan

river happy

What better way to spend the lead up to Christmas than by the river just up the road from our little wooden cottage.

: walking by the river : (that's Pa Tread Softly to the right of the photo)

:paddling in the river :

: reading by the river : (Mr TS always has his head in a book)

: cloud watching by the river :

: finding driftwood treasures by the river :

: crafting by the river :

I love the simplicity of our life since moving here.

Whatever you  might have planned for Christmas time, I wish you all a peaceful one.

Thank you for taking the time to read my nonsense, to comment, to connect or to email over the past year. You're always appreciated here.

To all our friends and family in the UK and scattered across the world - we send you love and bear hugs from our house to yours.

Until next time...

home + away

Posts will be few and far between for the time being due to Ma and Pa Tread Softly's continued stay with us. They spent the first week getting over their jet lag and then Mr TS and I whizzed them off to Nelson on the South Island for a holiday within a holiday! A cold beer is calling to me on the deck so how about my week in pictures? Yeah? Ok then.

we sailed from Wellington to Picton

through the Malborough Sounds

we rented a homestay for the duration in historic South Street

time was spent walking along beaches

photographing detail

eating fish and chips at the Smoke House

whilst this little chap looked on

a highlight for me was meeting up with the fabulous Melissa - I could have chatted to her for hours - I had so much fun - look at the beautiful fabric she gave me and the super stylish Charlotte cards - hey Melissa, lets do it again sometime, we could trawl the op shops, have a bite to eat and drink lots more wine!

so now we're back home and the Christmas decorations are up

wire trees

real trees

and a mountain of fresh organic from our garden

So there you have our week in pictures. I'll keep snapping away and will post again when I can. In the meantime, those of you who have emailed me over the past week, I'll be replying to you over the next couple of days once I've got my breath back!

Until next time...