craftjuice

garden mushrooms

Here's some photos of some cute little mushrooms that sprouted on my friend's lawn in Auckland while I was there...

noshing it at elliot street stables

While in Auckland, my dear friend Miss T took me for lunch to the delightful Elliot Street Stables - lovely old converted stables European style.  We chose La Bruschetterria for our lunch.

I was so delighted with this concept. Loved it.

And loved my bruschetta too!  Goat cheese, really good prosciutto, rocket and walnuts on freshly baked rustic bread served on a wooden paddle.

Yum.

a hoot in devonport

Also on my trip to Devonport (whilst in Auckland), I happened upon a lovely little hidden arcade with a very special shop run by a very special lady.

No need to tell you I purchased some very special things!

First up are two lovely little Scrabble tile rings...

One 'N' for me! One goldfish for luck.

And then in my sudden need to be surrounded by things I love, I whipped this Georgie Scarlett vintage collage creation onto the counter too...

Isn't he lovely!

And they are ALL for me!

back from across the ditch

Wow, feels like forever since I last posted! I've been over across the ditch to Auckland to see my very dear friends Miss T and Dr M on a seven day 'mini mummy holiday' - yes, just me! And my friends.

And food and wine and laughter.

And books (Twilight! I've been bitten Aunty F!)...

I had the very best time and was spoiled rotten by my wonderful friends. I even got to sleep in (9am!), drink a lot of wine, eat a lot of cheese, sing songs very loudly, dance in my pajamas and just have a great time.  I was having such a nice time that I was thinking so very often of my lovely friend Jacqui, for which Auckland is her home town. Maybe next year I'll meet you there Jac? I did have many many mummy wines in your honor and slipped in an extra sake at Tanukis just for you.

One of the days I was there was beautifully sunny so I hopped a ferry over to Devonport. Here's my tourist photos...

Pretty eh?

My two main reasons for heading over there was to explore at a leisurely pace this lovely seaside town, but also to investigate Cushla's Village Fabrics...but, as with all amazing quilting shops, I got totally overwhelmed and just hung out amongst the fabric until I became a bit too conspicuous as some crazy fabic fiend and hurried out the door, spending money still intact. What the? But as soon as I got out the door, the next shop made me freak my freak...Wild and Woolly Yarns!

Now I'm not a knitter as you know. But when I walked into this amazing lolly shop of yarn, I found myself with three balls of wool, bamboo needles and a pattern. Then I promptly walked down to the seaside and...

sat in the park for over an hour ...  knitting! I bet you just fell off your chair. I freakin did. How unlike me. But also looking out at this...

How glorious it was.