Life in the countryside...

I guess it's a little late to say Happy New Year… In fact, I'm a somewhat stunned to find we are midway through March. Since arriving back in New Zealand life has been a busy blur. I am happy to say it feels just right to be back, and living on the farm feels like putting on a favourite jacket that fits just so. While we are a good 20 minute drive from 'town', we are within 10 minutes walk of the beach above. On still nights you can hear the waves crashing on the beach - what a treat to have such a perfect mix of country and coast. In between unpacking all our belongings, and settling the boys into school, we have been knocking our old house into shape, with a blur of builders, plumbers and floor sanders. And to keep things extra busy we added a brand new puppy and kitten to the mix - such fun, and highly distracting. Then there's four acres of overgrown garden to chip away at, an endless supply of house guests, and with R in Auckland 3-4 days a week for work, I often feel like it's one step forward, ten steps back. So it was timely to read this post by Denise, which reminded me to make the time to pause and reflect in amongst the busy-ness.

In the morning light...

... the final stages of packing.

It's hard to believe we're only three months away from heading home.

Image from my Instagram.

Dreaming of...

...Ocean Beach, Hawkes Bay.

Image from Birdy Hansen's Instagram.

A song + a campaign...

Loving this track from Ladi6 - whoot whoot for NZ music! And have you seen this awesome bike NYC campaign? 

Clip from You Tube.

At the olde beach...

A few things...

I hope your weekend is going well and that for those of you in the States you're having a fab 4th of July. Our time in New Zealand is pretty much over - we leave early tomorrow for India! So before we head off here's a little collection of things that have caught my eye recently.

Love the light in this image - beautiful.

This sparkling riesling is described as bottled happiness - what could be better. Not to mention the packaging is utterly beautiful.

Brown Graham's simple, utilitarian bags.

A wonderful new series of paintings by Lisa Golightly.

Tiny Ruins new album Some Were Meant For Sea.

A wonderful french comedy-drama.

Laurence Fearnley's The Hut Builder - I shall be adding this to my reading list.

And The Row's clothing - simple, versatile pieces.

Have a wonderful week!

Images from Threading in the Choirs, Ritzling, Brown Graham, Lisa Golightly, Tiny Ruins, Hopscotch Films, Penguin Books (NZ), and clip from You Tube.

A little bit of New Zealand...

There's nothing quite like arriving in your home country - everything seems familiar and comfortable, rather like putting an old jersey. Here's a little bit NZ music from way back.

Clips from You Tube.

A dark day...

...our thoughts are with everyone in Christchurch.

Image from tumblr.

Taiaamai...

I love this description of Taiaamai from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. From what I can gather Taiaamai (or Taiamai) is the original Maori name for part or all of New Zealand's Bay of Islands. Either way it's a pretty amazing part of New Zealand, and this sign sums it up perfectly!
Image by me.

In spring one plants alone...

On my to see list is Vincent Ward's latest film which documents the story of Puhi, an aged Maori woman and Niki, her dependant son. Here's a wee synopsis - The world they occupy in not a world of large events but the rituals of everyday life, traditions and interdependence. Filmed over a period of one and a half years, it emerges as a rare, haunting and powerful portrayal of their life together. This is the story of their rituals and of their survival. The small and disconnected instances that we encounter form a lone vision of the rifts and the bond between an old woman and her disturbed son. 
Image and synopsis from Vincent Ward Films.

What:nots...

Woohoo the first what:nots for 2011...albeit later than planned! How was your week? I hope it was just dandy. We are slowly getting back into our routine after our Christmas hols, R arrived home yesterday from a week in China, school applications are underway, we've started looking for new digs in Portland (exciting), I'm back to riding, and February is looming over the horizon! I hope your new year is off to a stellar start - thank you so much for stopping by - your comments always make my day :) Here's a New Zealand themed what:nots...

Loving the 80's look her hair.

The Natalie sandal by Kathryn Wilson.

The words on this Colin McCahon.

Tania Tupu's resin pendants.

Esther Diamond tea towels featuring NZ artists.

Simple packaging (and yummy honey) from J.Friend & Co.

The Kiwi Diary - full of art, recipes, poems, and local facts.

The Fredrica Dress by Kate Sylvester.

And Atamira a perfectly curated shop of New Zealand goodness. Hop over here and have a peek.

Images from 62 models, Atamira, McCahon, Tania Tupu, Thornton Gallery, J.Friend & Co, Endemic World, Kate Sylvester and Atamira.

Back home...

The boys and I arrived back home a day or so ago and despite the jet-lag, and the rain, it's lovely to be back. I hope your week is pottering along - thank you for hanging in there while I've been away - things will be back on track here starting tomorrow - promise. And I've booked in a big chunk of time to catch up on my much-neglected blog reading!
Image taken from our stay at Kahu i te Rangi in Raglan, New Zealand - sublime.

Happy New Year...

Happy New Year! I hope the new year is off to a good start in your neck of the woods. We are leaving our little piece of paradise early tomorrow and heading to Raglan for a few days, then we're off over to meet up with my family for a week by the Lake. I have been collecting bits and bobs to post and promise to be back into the swing of things in just over a week - see you then!
ps: I know the snow is a little incongruous with the beach image - but I thought I'd keep it for just a wee bit longer.
Image taken at Takou Bay, Northland - only accessible by boat and completely deserted - bliss!

A small piece of paradise...

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! After a "by-the-skin-of-our-teeth" departure from San Francisco thanks to the weather, we made it to New Zealand and had a fab Christmas with our families. We've spent the past ten days catching up with extended family and our friends - which has been wonderful. And now we are quietly ensconced in the tiny piece of paradise that is Takou River. Tucked away from everything, surrounded by lush native gardens and bush, with an abundance of bird life - it is truly sublime. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year, and I will be back in the coming week.

A Christmas plea...

We're off to New Zealand this evening for four (yes four!!) weeks - so posting will be a bit sporadic. But in the midst of all the pre-Christmas Christmas + packing chaos several things have given me reason to pause. One is hearing about dear Jane and what she is going through. My heart goes out to her and her family at this uncertain and scary time. So my Christmas plea this year is to take time to pause amidst the chaos and tinsel, to reflect on what really matters, and to cherish every moment with those you love. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Image from Alexandria's wonderful pinterest board.

Drive...

There I was waiting on hold to our NZ insurance co and on came the haunting Drive by the utterly gorgeous Bic Runga. Not only did it make me want to stay on hold, but it made me miss little old NZ. If you're not familiar with Bic's music hop over here and have a listen - she has the most wonderful voice.
Image from here.

Two years...

Two Years Poem

Like yellow roses

your breathing blushes

my cheek with cool petals

The morning is quietly unfolding 

and so are we - teasing the edges of

our crumpled bundle of warm skin

and dreams

We ease apart like episodes

unsure in places if we are 

one page or two.

A little poem by Jenny Dobson to start the week.
Poem found via Poesy.

Estuary...

There is peace here,

where the river widens to meet the sea.

The rapids are past;

the boulders and the rocky places at last give way

to a broad and sweeping current,

flowing slowly into vastness.

The river moves silently,

tastes the salty tide that marks its demise, and slips

without a backward glance,

into the ocean's infinite embrace.

- Danna Faulds

Image by me (Waikanae River estuary, New Zealand).

Hello and Happy New Year!

My it has been a looooong while. I hope you all had a fab Christmas and New Year, and that the sun shone or snow snowed wherever you were. We had the most wonderful Christmas and New Year in New Zealand (above) with family and friends. On our way back to Portland we were lucky enough to spend a few days in the Cook Islands (below). Bliss! We're now back home in our perfect little apartment and slowly getting back into the swing of things. I hope you're all enjoying the New Year - it's so nice to be back!

Oh dear!

I'm afraid I've been rather ill, and what with packing and traveling and whathaveyou there's been no posting or what:nots. I'm so sorry! I'm pleased to say I am much much better (although I have lost my voice - hmmm). This morning we arrived safely (with all our bags) in little old New Zealand and are here for several weeks - hooray! We will be traveling about, minding houses here and there, and spending time with family and friends. So in light of this I plan to take the next three weeks off from Elsa May. I hope you all have a wonderful wonderful Christmas and look forward to connecting with you all again in the new year. Take care and see you in a few weeks!

Image from Country Road.