Did a little HAPPY dance today.

So this is not a Little Drummer Boy post, because I have something else to share with you.

I have become involved with our local A & P Show. Helping to run the photography competition, and a few other things. I was also involved in helping with the signs to advertise it.

Today when coming home from Tauranga I saw the sign. My images up on a billboard for everyone to see.

I did a U turn and went back to take a photo…but not before I did a little HAPPY dance. Feeling ridiculously proud right now.

Every photo is one of mine.

Every one.

Just about bursting with happiness.

So of course I interrupted my scheduled posts to share this news with you.

Little Drummer Boy #5

And now for a version from New Zealand’s own Hayley Westenra…enjoy !!!!

Related Posts:

• Little Drummer Boy #1
• Little Drummer Boy #2
• Little Drummer Boy #3
• Little Drummer Boy #4

 

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Meet Ohm & Ploy

I have two new students staying with me for a few weeks. From Thailand. Both girls are 14, and luckily their English is pretty reasonable. While it is a bit of work having people, especially young people you have to cook & clean for…it is nice work.

They are keen to see a kiwi…this is pretty close for now.

The girls were introduced to ‘Barry’.

We had a picnic lunch watching grown men race their remote control boats and duck swim peacefully by.

This really made me laugh. The girls both taking selfies of themselves in the water.

Last night the girls made me their favourite meal. Do NOT ask me to spell it. I have no clue, but it tasted pretty good.

It had prawns…so it was always going to please me.

My Happy Place

Show where you go to get your groove back is the challenge.

Mostly this is the place where I feel the air blow through me and clean out all that has crowded in.

It sets me right again with the world.

I head for the sea.

Feeling very happy…the following photo got 2nd Prize in our biennial Arts & Murals Festival which just took place in Katikati. First time I have ever gotten anywhere in this competition. And with one of my favourite shots. Thinking of framing it and keeping it.

How amazing are they ???

 

Day 4

In the peaceful order of reality

or

the serene disorder of reflection

a place for me exists

…

Here are the rules for the “Five Photos Five Stories” challenge: “Post a photo each day for five consecutive days and attach a story to the photo. It can be fiction or non-fiction, a poem or a short paragraph and each day nominate another blogger for the challenge.
(Sporadic posting is alright if you’re unable to post each day.)

Once more we go…eeny, meeny, miny, moe…and pick another name out of cyberspace [which you should feel perfectly free to ignore!]…Sue.

Relevant links:

1.  Day 1
2.  Day 2
3.  Day 3
4.  Day 5

Hairy Maclary and friends.

Dame Lynley Dodd  is quite a hero to New Zealanders and I suspect to children and grown-ups everywhere who have had the incredible pleasure of reading her Hairy Maclary books.

Recently in Tauranga an outdoor exhibition opened of sculptures of some of her most beloved characters. I went to see them and fell in instant love. I can’t wait to go back once the grass has grown and they take away the barriers. While I was there it was with delight I watched toddlers and children squeal with pleasure and caress and cuddle these beautiful works of art. I noticed a few Mums & Dads give them a quick pat while the kids were busy.

If you want to learn more about the sculptures click here.

These are some of the images I took when I visited. I hope to go back at night when the sculptures are lit up and take some more. For now…I hope you enjoy them, and if you don’t know the stories you might be persuaded to click on the links and discover their delights. With a little luck you might get one of the books to read to your children or grandchildren. I promise you will never be sorry you did.

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy.

Hercules Morse as big as a horse with pittery pattery Zachary Quack.

Bottomley Potts covered in spots.

Muffin McLay like a bundle of hay.

Bitzer Maloney all skinny and bony.

Schnitzel von Krumm with a very low tum.

Scarface Claw the toughest tom in town.

Scarface is not to be trifled with guys !

Hairy, Bitzer, Hercules & Zachery.

Slinky Malinki was blacker than black.

Of course if you are ever in Tauranga…you must pay these guys a visit !!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday