On the Sumo in her natural habitat...

On how it was...

On the Waikeke Island.

I tell you want, how about I show you how it was

At the beach...

In the sturdy, sunny, stuffed-full-of-someone's-memories little Bach...

Along the shore....

On the deck, over looking the bush in the gullies, the lights of the town twinkling...

And in the sweetness of friendship...

Magic.

On being domestic, and picking a winner!

And that winner is Heather! Thanks for visiting Heather! I'll email you for your details tomorrow. A lovely heart will be on its way to you, one of these!

Well, it's been quite the domestic weekend. The knitting and stitching of the hearts, of course, each of which will find a happy home this week, in celebration of Valentines Day.

On Saturday I got up and did the grocery shopping and decided I would make basil pesto and then make my own pasta from scratch. And I did! Thanks to Jamie Oliver's instructions. It was great fun! Definitely need to invest in a pasta machine to avoid the painful and not entirely succesful rolling of the pasta, but it was quite beautiful even if it was on the chunky side.

Doesn't it look just delicious?

l

I suspected as much. Love the colours.

Anyway, that was followed by peach, rhubarb and blackberry crumble. Lunch on Sunday was roast chicken with all the trimmings, including stuffing just exactly as my Mum makes it. And scones for tea. Half plain, half date. The Sumo, perversely, hates dates but loves date scones.

I had a wonderful weekend, actually, I so enjoyed taking the time to make good food.

Happy Valentines day! My life is full to the brim of wonderful people who love me, and I know it. I used to believe that singleness = loneliness but after a life of singleness, I can tell you that's simply not true. I have found a community of love to belong to, and I've been given a true friend who is my absolute match. I have wonderful sisters and parents who believe in me and adore me. Life is chockablock full of sweetness, even in the places where pain lives. Sumo, Deb, Odette, Jo, Mum & Dad, Juls, Helen, Danielle & Shaun, Paul and Anne, Chrissy, James, Rubs, Annie, David, Tahu - you fill my life with love.

This last year, I have sat with Death and I have learned about life. It's this:

Love. Simple.

Giveaway! Free-Ness! **Post Edit**

So it's my first giveaway, and I'm just so excited! I hope you are to.

Would you like this cutesy red heart?

Would you? I knitted it just for you.

Will you put it in your house?

Will you add it to some collection of goodness somewhere?

Well, then I suggest you post a wee comment telling me who you love. And that will get you one entry. AND if you become a follower, that will give you two more entries.

Please note, un-following and re-following me is frowned upon.

I'll do the draw on Valentines Day. New Zealand Valentines day.

Lovely!

*Thanks Rob Bell.

**Please Note: All are welcome to enter - I'm more than happy to post said heart all over the globe.

On my first...

My first giveaway! Coming here, soon.

For Valentines Day. The Sumo said today

"oh Valentines next Sunday.

Big day.

Might by myself Burger King".

Indeed.

I interrupt this bulletin

To bring you some breaking news.

Visit this place. A place of antique patterns. Oh!

I found it at another of my FAVOURITE places, whipup.net.

Both of these sites are officially "Too Cool For School".

Ahem.

It wouldn't be right to leave without a pic.

**which i fiddled with at Picnik

On Being Too Cool For School.

The following items are officially "Too Cool For School". This is a new segment I'll be sporadically bringing to you, courtesy of my {Internet} shopping obsession.

Sweet cat broach with perfect frame

Cutesy tomtit earrings that are even now winging their sweet way to me.

Tender print from Sweet William.

All items available on Felt and can be found by clicking on the picture. Except, maybe the earrings might be gone because I bought 'em.