http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/bjcotton/New%20Zealand/
Today we went on another sightseeing trip up and down some high hills and along the Auckland coast road. I can again verify that there are some huge private "summer cottages" as I call them. You could put a family of 10 in some of them and they'd have trouble finding one another.
These Norfolk pines are really beautiful and are quite plentiful here. In a couple of days we are again going up into the "mountains" to photograph the small ferns here. They are the size of trees...huge things. I also want to photograph some of the noxious plants along the roads, they are beautiful and closely resemble wild iris', both lilac colored and white. There are many lovely plants and flowers here. Another noxious plant is the Banana Passion Fruit. The fruit is apparently edible, but doesn't compare to the real Passion Fruit.
We ate in a small Greek Sidewalk Restaurant for lunch today. Shane had a Greek Salad, Dale had a pizza, Carol and I had Rice Pilaf with Sauteed Chicken and Mushrooms. Shane says the salad was fresh and exceptionally good. All I could see were a couple of different lettuces, red onion, tomato, cukes, Feta and half a lemon. There was olive oil on the salad. I couldn't tell what was with/on the pizza. The Pilaf sucked, just plain rice, but the sauteed chicken and mushrooms were very tasty. It was topped with Walnut sauce which couldn't hold a candle to Jean's. I had "lemonade" to drink, which turned out to be a clear liquid with somewhat of a lemon taste. Shane said if I wanted lemonade such as we have in the states I would have to order lemon juice.
I fired up both of my coffee makers this morning, one for coffee and the other for my beloved green tea [infusion].
We have another party to attend Saturday. One of Dale and Shane's friends, a bbq. Either lamb or pork I'm given to understand.
I'm off to grocery shop, will talk with you tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Let's Talk About Stuff
I thought if I titled my post like I title my emails we could talk about anything we wanted without going off topic :D Clever of me huh?
We went to a Cheese store in Mercer, NZ yesterday and did some tasting and buying. The cheese was cut directly from a round about 4" thick and 14" across. I bought some Gruyere, Mature Gouda and Walnut cheese [I don't know what the basic cheese was, but it had chunks of walnut in it..Jean it had the taste of your walnut sauce]. We tasted cracked pepper cheese, cumin cheese, chive and garlic, garlic and I think that's about it. Must admit though that the lady running the store was an old grump. As Dale would say, "Well, bugger the old cow!" Their way of speaking here can be quite quaint :D
I got a lovely mohair [I think it is anyway] shawl for Fredia. Cost about $83 USD. It appears to be a rather large hole knit/crochet that the wind would blow right through, but the lady said it was really quite warm.
Their sausage rolls are quite delicious here. I think most of the grease has been drained/blotted from the sausage before it is put in the roll.
It's a beautiful day with scattered white clouds and the wind blowing like crazy. A nice day to sit in the sun and burn...don't think so! It feels like it's about 60F.
We are supposed to go get my automatic drip coffee maker(s) later today or tomorrow. We're on the way...bye
We went to a Cheese store in Mercer, NZ yesterday and did some tasting and buying. The cheese was cut directly from a round about 4" thick and 14" across. I bought some Gruyere, Mature Gouda and Walnut cheese [I don't know what the basic cheese was, but it had chunks of walnut in it..Jean it had the taste of your walnut sauce]. We tasted cracked pepper cheese, cumin cheese, chive and garlic, garlic and I think that's about it. Must admit though that the lady running the store was an old grump. As Dale would say, "Well, bugger the old cow!" Their way of speaking here can be quite quaint :D
I got a lovely mohair [I think it is anyway] shawl for Fredia. Cost about $83 USD. It appears to be a rather large hole knit/crochet that the wind would blow right through, but the lady said it was really quite warm.
Their sausage rolls are quite delicious here. I think most of the grease has been drained/blotted from the sausage before it is put in the roll.
It's a beautiful day with scattered white clouds and the wind blowing like crazy. A nice day to sit in the sun and burn...don't think so! It feels like it's about 60F.
We are supposed to go get my automatic drip coffee maker(s) later today or tomorrow. We're on the way...bye
Monday, December 11, 2006
Migraine Day, Carol
What a day. Typed a message and forgot to publish it so now get to redo it.
Slept half the day. Woke with a blinding headache. Ate breakfast and went back to bed. Woke up and went sight seeing and to stores for things I wanted. Found a pashens but couldn't find another I liked. That was a craft store. At home a craft store would have oil paints, beads and what not. Next to the chemists (drug store). Couldn't get my medicine without a prescription. Which I didn't have. Have to wait for my daughter (Crissy or Janis) to mail me some. Then to a cheese store. Ronnie (my husband) would love that. Large wheels of cheese of different kinds and you could taste them. Then to a furniture store. Not your regular furniture store. Hand made things. Found a vase I liked. The man said its bamboo. You cut off the roots and the stem. What is left is a pot bellied vase. Laquered and stained, I supposed. It was a lovely shade of red like cherrywood.
Finally got so ill feeling I had to ask to go home. Took a pain pill and slept for awhile and woke feeling better. Thank goodness.
Also found earrings for Marilee. Will for more later as I'm not sure these are what she wants.
I love everyone. Yes, even you Jean.
Slept half the day. Woke with a blinding headache. Ate breakfast and went back to bed. Woke up and went sight seeing and to stores for things I wanted. Found a pashens but couldn't find another I liked. That was a craft store. At home a craft store would have oil paints, beads and what not. Next to the chemists (drug store). Couldn't get my medicine without a prescription. Which I didn't have. Have to wait for my daughter (Crissy or Janis) to mail me some. Then to a cheese store. Ronnie (my husband) would love that. Large wheels of cheese of different kinds and you could taste them. Then to a furniture store. Not your regular furniture store. Hand made things. Found a vase I liked. The man said its bamboo. You cut off the roots and the stem. What is left is a pot bellied vase. Laquered and stained, I supposed. It was a lovely shade of red like cherrywood.
Finally got so ill feeling I had to ask to go home. Took a pain pill and slept for awhile and woke feeling better. Thank goodness.
Also found earrings for Marilee. Will for more later as I'm not sure these are what she wants.
I love everyone. Yes, even you Jean.
A little sightseeing
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/bjcotton/New%20Zealand/
I added some photos yesterday after our sightseeing trip. In the middle of Auckland are some extinct volcanos. Our trip included a journey to the top of one where as you turned 360 degrees you were still seeing parts of Auckland. Although it is a city of 1 million people it is quite spread out and extends over many miles/kilometers. It's kind of like the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, "water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink." As we drove through neighborhoods, there were many magnificient homes, truly huge and expensive. You were as apt to see an insignificant home cheek by jowl next to it. Shane, Carol and I drove through the country and he pointed out some newly constructed homes that were large and obviously cost lots of $. As in town, there is liable to be what could be considered a shanty on the next lot.
As Shane and I strolled around the property here, he would point out a plant and say it was a noxious weed, tell me what it was and I would say, we put those in pots and grow them as a house plant...Wandering Jew was one of them; another that we plant in our flower gardens was Oxalis [probably spelled that wrong]. I asked him what these cute birds were that are literally all over the place and he said they were Myna birds and a nuisance. Another pretty bird here I wanted a picture of was a Magpie and another nuisance. The have another lovely bird that is an irridescent dark blue, a Paka..something or other [a Swamp Hen] that is about as big as a chicken and I asked him if they were good to eat. He said, "Oh yes, you put them is a large pot, put some stones in the bottom, put the hen in, cover it with water and boil/simmer for an hour or so, throw the hen away and eat the rocks!" If you like eels, there are plenty in the stream that runs through the property. It's a really lovely country and the place here is quite soothing.
While I've been trying to complete this blog entry, first Carol came and started yammering, then Dale came in to join in. I am the type of person that cannot study if music is playing, can't think and type if someone is talking, etc. So, I said, "Why don't you two go into the office and talk while I finish this." Dale said, "Did you just tell me to bugger off?" I said that I had. They have been gone about 2 minutes and I'm done!
See you later.
I added some photos yesterday after our sightseeing trip. In the middle of Auckland are some extinct volcanos. Our trip included a journey to the top of one where as you turned 360 degrees you were still seeing parts of Auckland. Although it is a city of 1 million people it is quite spread out and extends over many miles/kilometers. It's kind of like the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, "water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink." As we drove through neighborhoods, there were many magnificient homes, truly huge and expensive. You were as apt to see an insignificant home cheek by jowl next to it. Shane, Carol and I drove through the country and he pointed out some newly constructed homes that were large and obviously cost lots of $. As in town, there is liable to be what could be considered a shanty on the next lot.
As Shane and I strolled around the property here, he would point out a plant and say it was a noxious weed, tell me what it was and I would say, we put those in pots and grow them as a house plant...Wandering Jew was one of them; another that we plant in our flower gardens was Oxalis [probably spelled that wrong]. I asked him what these cute birds were that are literally all over the place and he said they were Myna birds and a nuisance. Another pretty bird here I wanted a picture of was a Magpie and another nuisance. The have another lovely bird that is an irridescent dark blue, a Paka..something or other [a Swamp Hen] that is about as big as a chicken and I asked him if they were good to eat. He said, "Oh yes, you put them is a large pot, put some stones in the bottom, put the hen in, cover it with water and boil/simmer for an hour or so, throw the hen away and eat the rocks!" If you like eels, there are plenty in the stream that runs through the property. It's a really lovely country and the place here is quite soothing.
While I've been trying to complete this blog entry, first Carol came and started yammering, then Dale came in to join in. I am the type of person that cannot study if music is playing, can't think and type if someone is talking, etc. So, I said, "Why don't you two go into the office and talk while I finish this." Dale said, "Did you just tell me to bugger off?" I said that I had. They have been gone about 2 minutes and I'm done!
See you later.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Yesterday..a day of rest
I wasn't feeling tip top yesterday so we more or less sat around nattering about this and that. Just stories about our lives.
When I first got here and took a shower, I used a shampoo that was already in the area. I have used it everyday and yesterday discovered little red bumps on my face and neck that itch like crazy...look kind of like pre-zit bumps. Since my head, face and neck are the only places the shampoo gets to sit for a few moment I figured that was the culprit. It is the only thing I use that is different from my usual. So, I used MY shampoo today and we'll see what happens.
Oh yes, we had NZ pizza for supper last night. Different from ours, not as spicy, but still good.
I am going to upload my pictures to Photobucket and post a link here. I think that will be easier than posting them individually to this site. Be back when I get them uploaded.
Here is the URL: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/bjcotton/New%20Zealand/
When I first got here and took a shower, I used a shampoo that was already in the area. I have used it everyday and yesterday discovered little red bumps on my face and neck that itch like crazy...look kind of like pre-zit bumps. Since my head, face and neck are the only places the shampoo gets to sit for a few moment I figured that was the culprit. It is the only thing I use that is different from my usual. So, I used MY shampoo today and we'll see what happens.
Oh yes, we had NZ pizza for supper last night. Different from ours, not as spicy, but still good.
I am going to upload my pictures to Photobucket and post a link here. I think that will be easier than posting them individually to this site. Be back when I get them uploaded.
Here is the URL: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v499/bjcotton/New%20Zealand/
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Just a short one....
I don't know if the short one is Carol, me or Dale :D
Our supper last night consisted of bite size chunks of chicken in a seasoned white sauce with a crispy crust on top like a layer of buttered panko or something. We also had roasted veggies, parsnips, yams/kumara, pumpkin and another type of sweet potatoes/kumara; potatoes duchess, steamed asparagus and rolls. For dessert we had Pavlova...if you've never had that, I would advise you to get the recipe and make it. It's kind of like the consistency of the inside of a marshmallow on its inside with a crispy crust. Glennis and Doug [Dale and Shanes friends of 27 years] kept saying, "Eat up, there's plenty." They had fresh strawberries to serve with the Pavlova, but I'm allergic and Carol won't eat them after years of picking them. So as a consession to us Glennis pealed and sliced some kiwi fruit to go with it for us. The tart sweet/sourness of the kiwi really set off the Pavlova.
Carol casually mentioned the Crema de Balsamico we found at the local liquor story, but didn't go into it. This stuff is THICK and you have to squeeze the bottle to get a drop out. A really good balsamic vinegar has a certain sweetness to it, but nothing like this. I ate it on my french fries [crisps according to Shane] and on my ham steak which he breaded and cooked on a griddle along with roma tomatoes that had one end cut off and then placed on the griddle next to the ham steaks...it was all yummy. It's really too bad all of you weren't here to share it with us, but I'm kinda of glad you weren't or I'd of had to share!
Our supper last night consisted of bite size chunks of chicken in a seasoned white sauce with a crispy crust on top like a layer of buttered panko or something. We also had roasted veggies, parsnips, yams/kumara, pumpkin and another type of sweet potatoes/kumara; potatoes duchess, steamed asparagus and rolls. For dessert we had Pavlova...if you've never had that, I would advise you to get the recipe and make it. It's kind of like the consistency of the inside of a marshmallow on its inside with a crispy crust. Glennis and Doug [Dale and Shanes friends of 27 years] kept saying, "Eat up, there's plenty." They had fresh strawberries to serve with the Pavlova, but I'm allergic and Carol won't eat them after years of picking them. So as a consession to us Glennis pealed and sliced some kiwi fruit to go with it for us. The tart sweet/sourness of the kiwi really set off the Pavlova.
Carol casually mentioned the Crema de Balsamico we found at the local liquor story, but didn't go into it. This stuff is THICK and you have to squeeze the bottle to get a drop out. A really good balsamic vinegar has a certain sweetness to it, but nothing like this. I ate it on my french fries [crisps according to Shane] and on my ham steak which he breaded and cooked on a griddle along with roma tomatoes that had one end cut off and then placed on the griddle next to the ham steaks...it was all yummy. It's really too bad all of you weren't here to share it with us, but I'm kinda of glad you weren't or I'd of had to share!
Carol
WHAT A HOOT!
I love these people. They certainly give directions like I do. Wave your arms around and get confused. Yourself and everyone else.
Met Doug and Glynnis last. Very nice people. Had a great dinner with lots of laughter.
Doug was impressed that I can hunt and shoot. talked hunting and shooting awhile.
Chris, you would love this place and I know Shane and Dale would love you. Such nice and fun people.
I have my xmas nails done. Look very nice and red with gold feathery stripes on them.
Shane is such a good cook, I've been eating to much. Have to quit.
Oh, you should see the ferns. They're trees. Really tall. Everything is lush and green. It is so pretty. Some of the flowers blooming here Shane says they are a pain, they grow everywhere. I told him we buy them to plant in our flower gardens. He couldn't believe it.
Had a good sleep after a glass of
Dougs wine last night.
Will close and go have breky.
Love you all.
I love these people. They certainly give directions like I do. Wave your arms around and get confused. Yourself and everyone else.
Met Doug and Glynnis last. Very nice people. Had a great dinner with lots of laughter.
Doug was impressed that I can hunt and shoot. talked hunting and shooting awhile.
Chris, you would love this place and I know Shane and Dale would love you. Such nice and fun people.
I have my xmas nails done. Look very nice and red with gold feathery stripes on them.
Shane is such a good cook, I've been eating to much. Have to quit.
Oh, you should see the ferns. They're trees. Really tall. Everything is lush and green. It is so pretty. Some of the flowers blooming here Shane says they are a pain, they grow everywhere. I told him we buy them to plant in our flower gardens. He couldn't believe it.
Had a good sleep after a glass of
Dougs wine last night.
Will close and go have breky.
Love you all.
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