Return from Mums & Still Running .........................

Greetings dear friends & readers. 

Gosh I have hit the ground running since my return from Mum's & have yet to come up for air.

Hence my blog posting And reading & computer time in general, has been virtually non-existent.

Mount Taranaki was wearing a cloak of snow. I have always referred to this maunga as a "she" but have found out it is in fact a "he".

Firstly an apology ... Thank You to you All for the lovely comments you left me on my last post ... I apologise I have not replied but I don't have internet access when at Mum's & I have just not had a chance since my return home.

I needed a comfort stop at Stratford on my way down so I popped into the local Hospice shop & came away with some treasures - all of this for just $25.

The books in St Mary's Op Shop were all on sale for $1 each so I bought these four to read.

There is a new Arts & Crafts Store in Hawera called The Collective ... I popped in there twice & was able to buy some really lovely handmade gifts for Christmas & a Birthday.

I got to visit Joy from The Joy Within when I delivered the large candle order to her ... I just love having a browse around her wonderful shop filled with treasures.

So much eye candy ........

There was a surprise waiting for me in Mum's garage .  .  .  .

.  .  .  .  my sister in law had picked this tea wagon up off the side of the road where someone was placing lots of furniture items "free for the taking"  .... I look forward to revamping this piece.

Mum had given me a large banana box of items to be taken to her local Hospice Shop.  Of course - in my capacity as Steptoe - I rummaged through it all first !!  The two plates (above right) were at the very bottom of the box so these got fished out rather promptly.

I have been washing the weatherboard walls of my house & decided to add to my plate wall this week ... making my total number up to 7.  

Way back at the beginning of September I decided to make a suitcase planter for my lovely friend Jane who turns 50, today to be precise. 

 I found an old suitcase that had been tossed my way by my friend Elaine ... I added the wooden slats, lined it with a black rubbish sack, filled with potting mix & planted it.

Although I forgot to photograph it when first planted, I have diligently been feeding & watering the plants over the past 8 weeks & they have grown prolifically.

(The suitcase already had the stencilling on the lid when I acquired it from Elaine)

I was able to visit with Jane this week & gift her the suitcase planter - I was really pleased with how the petunias had grown but hope the lobelia that is tucked away in there grows soon too.

Jane was thrilled with her planter & cried a teeny bit but she assured me they were happy tears 😂

Blogger appears to have a total mind of its own today dear friends & is merrily changing my font size & the layout of my alignment as it pleases. I have no idea why it is doing this !

Miss Pip did her usual fretting while I was away at Mums, did not eat & lost weight .... which meant Blackie got to eat her food as well as his & put on weight 😐

Thanks So Very Much for your visit today dear friends,

I hope the week is treating you well - be kind to yourselves & to each other.

With much love & friendship to you all,

Julie & the furry ones x0x0x