Hmmmph.

I'm in a bit of a funk.  Even though the day started with a coffee from my favourite spot, the French Baker, I can't quite seem to smile properly.  I don't know if it's because it's grey and cold, or because we are still looking for somewhere to call home, or because we don't really seem to have our own routine, or because Shannon starts work tomorrow after a lovely 2 week break, or because I am missing the buzz of busy-ness with the Etsy and madeit shops and all the lovely emails that go with that, or because I haven't been blog reading and keeping up with the web world, or because I have no markets booked to look forward to, or because when I do peak at blogs in between house viewing everyone is doing amazing things and I feel I want to be doing them too...probably a combination of all of the above?

My, what a view

With sunrises like this I can't complain about the cold can I? 
But...mental note to self.....next time I wake to such spectacular morning frost views, put on gloves before rushing out to take photos...

Erin Carver - Oyster Gallery exhibition

Something that I have been looking forward to for many months now is seeing the exhibition of my amazing friend Erin Carver, whom I have blogged about before.  Erin has been busy for a while getting ready, and when we found out we were moving home in July, I was over the moon that we'd be here in time to see it.  I love, LOVE Eri's work.  It moves me, inspires me, and is just really lovely to look at.  Her colours and textured layers are divine, and the words she uses in her Beautiful Words series speak to me - it's as if she knows what I need to hear and she's created them just for me..."the world wants you to sing your song"...and "yes you can"...

This exhibition, running for the month of July at Oyster Gallery in Petone, (Wellington), is Eri's first, and I am just so so proud of her.  My eyes welled up when I walked up the stairs and saw all of her heart and soul on display - I understand how much of her is in her art, and all the emotion that goes with putting yourself out there.  Eri, if you are reading this, stand tall and proud my talented artist friend, savour this feeling of the first exhibition, and dream big of all that is ahead of you.....

{images from Erin Carver}

Wandering

We used to go wandering the neighbourhood for cats and dogs.
Now we see alapacas...sheep....horses...goats.....cats....birds.....dogs....cows.....
The kids are loving it. 
Last night we feed the alpacas and the sheep, and watched huge flocks of birds fly overhead as the sun set behind the snow capped hills. 
How life has changed. 
We are loving it. 

Why hello there!

Would you have a look at what I have found!  On our house hunting adventures we discovered a street lined with blossom trees...and all are starting to peak out.  What a find!  I am supposed to be getting excited at houses we see, yet I must admit, I was more excited by these gorgoeus little blossoms.  We stopped and I stood underneath looking up with the sun on my face for a good few minutes, enjoying the view....pink blossoms, blue sky, a few lazy fluffy clouds....it was heaven.  Then it was back to the house hunting, me with a little spring in my step as I know that so very soon this cold winter will be over, and we will feel the sun on our faces and see blossoms in every street.   So thank you my little blossom friends, for it seems that about this time of the year you remind me that I really do need to feel the cold of winter to appreciate the delights of spring. 

The first morning of the next chapter

When I think of New Zealand, the first words that pop into my head are 'beautiful', 'blue' and 'green'.  This country is so beautiful, and yes being my home, I have always been aware of that.  Every time I flew in from overseas the scenery took my breath away.  But this time, it was different.  Knowing we are here for good, not for a short trip to catch up with as many family and friends as we can cram into a short period of time, but to set up our home, well, it feels like I am looking at it all through a fresh set of eyes.  And the first thing that struck me was just how ruggedly beautiful the land is.  If you fly into Wellington over the top of the South Island, and are lucky enough to see the vast snow capped mountain ranges, the islands of the Sounds, and the green hills of the Wellington region, you will know what I am talking about.

Waking up to this view on our first morning here, the first morning of this next chapter in our lives, with such vibrant blue and green, well, you know I had to do....take a polaroid of course.  :)

up....up.....and away........

"Should we pretend we're driving through the clouds?"

"That sounds like a great idea Annabel."