Sparaxis..

Loving the changing colours of spring. Yellows one minute, reds the next. This weeks love is the red sparaxis in my home garden. Planted en masse, or dotted it about, it doesn't matter - just love the jolt of colour they bring. I have teamed these with Ophiopagen (Black Mondo grass) which picks up the black throat of the flower. They only last a month, so are great to poke in for a burst of strong colour.......

Homestyle New Zealand Aug/Sept 2011 issue

Well fancy that - one of my very favourite clients and their garden featured in the latest issue of this great new magazine! Still some copies in the shops if you want to go and purchase.

(All photos from Homestyle NZ)

I have just compiled a NEW PAGE on this 'Stunning Upper Plain Garden' - see the list of pages on the right.


Also - who  should be on the front cover, no less, but one very talented ALEX FULTON, interior designer of Chch. I've never met Alex before, but started following her vibrant blog, and you should, too. Rather whacky, colourful and clever lady!! Check out her designer blog........

I LOVE her stripey staircase!!! Soooooooooooooo vibrant and full of personality. Get the mag, as these photos don't do the real images justice.

Fritz.......

 Our family has a new addition - Fritz, a German Wire-Haired Pointer.

 Arrived two days ago, and we are completely in love with him.

Enooooooormous feet......

 Supposedly George's deer stalking companion, when he is older. All legs and ears at this stage, with dark chocolate brown head and speckles. Sooooooooooooooo divine!!!!! Isn't he just so cute?????

yellow yellow yellow yellow

Spring. Yellow everywhere, with daffodils being the main player around here. Yellow is just such a simple HAPPY colour. Makes me happy anyway............

The bumble bees are back, too. They can move a lot faster than you think, in and out of the flowers, with a camera lense stalking them from 5cm away. 

All is good with the world. And the weekend is ABOUT. TO. BEGIN. Have a goodie!

Snow White

 NZ has just been under the spell of a HUGE snow storm direct from Antarctica. We have not had snow like this for 40 or 50 years in the Wairarapa.

Front lawn looked amazing when we woke in the morning

Topiary as it is MEANT to look - with a dusting of snow!

 As you would expect - I went mad clicking away with the camera! So incredible to have this at our house.

 The kids had a BLAST tobogganing on the farm, on makeshift toboggans. ( The spelling looks really wrong there - but it's not a word I have ever had to write down until now!!)...

Sam standing with his foot on top of a gate post!! It was THAT deep!!!

 

It truly was a winter wonderland for a few days. School closed for two days, then on day three, we were blocked off from the outside world by a huge landslide across our road. Another day off school......

 Back to normal now, and we got away so lightly on the farm, with lambing not due to start for a few more weeks, thank goodness. We were warm and had plenty of provisions, so were able to simply ENJOY the novelty!!

Looking from the inside, out was magic - much warmer too, funnily enough!.

Prickly!

 These prickly things looked amazing in the evening light last night - but my word I wouldn't want to sit on one!! Great burglar deterent under a window?? The light in early morning and evening is so warm compared to the harshness of midday. The Camellias (below) were positively glowing. Roll on spring....

Winter flowers peeking through

Brave little bumble bee

Brrrrrrrrr... Still lots of cold days, with occasional sunshine. Perfect for taking photos of the brave little souls of the garden world poking their heads up above the icy ground.....I love the snowbells. These were taken in my Mother-In-Laws 'Dursley' Garden last week.....Enjoy!

Oriental Parade

After our recent holiday in Wellington, the top photo is one of my favourite shots, showing our own interpretation of Oriental Parade at night. SUCH a cool city to visit.

Also had fun choosing paintings at the Art Show, and came back with two - both happen to be a bird theme!  Now have to do some rearranging to find them a home...Love that part!! I think I just may have been influenced by the bird watching going on at home - what do you think??

Waxeyes at my Mother-in-Law's Dursley Garden

School holiday snow

At the top of the farm

Temperature gauge on the motorbike! -2.

Sam and Phoebe with snowman

SNOW - it only happens every couple of years at home, so when it does - out come the cameras, gloves and hats! Too early for lambs, thank goodness, so we could just enjoy it, knowing it was only here for a few days.