Zimmerbitch

Jude at Life at the Edge

Marilyn at Serendipity — Seeking intelligent life on Earth

Brian at Bu s h boys World

Mick at Mick’s Cogs

Lani at Life, the Universe and Lani

DJ Ranch

A Wonder ful Sheep

Ju Lyn at All things bright and beautiful

Gill at Talking Thailand

The Changing Seasons, May 2019

May 30, 2019June 10, 2019 / Su Leslie / 72 Comments

This may be a lousy representation of my month as a whole, but I think it’s a fairly good visual metaphor for my flu-addled state right now.

I’m not likely to get a proper Changing Seasons post up for a few more days, but for all the fit folks who have their monthly round-up ready, go ahead and ping-back to this post and when I get a full post up I’ll copy the blog roll to that too.

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

Please check out the Changing Seasons — May for these awesome bloggers:

Little Pieces of Me — and here

Marilyn at Serendipity — seeking intelligent life on Earth

Jude at Life at the Edge

A Wonderful Sheep

Sarah at Art Expedition

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Deb at the Widow Badass

Yvette at Priorhouse Blog

Mick at Mick’s Cogs

Ju-Lyn at All things bright and beautiful

Pauline at Living in Paradise

The Changing Seasons, April 2019

April 30, 2019May 29, 2019 / Su Leslie / 75 Comments

I guess is says a lot about my April that I’ve got to the 30th and am casting around for images to post for the Changing Seasons.

It’s not that I haven’t taken lots of photos; more that they don’t seem to speak coherently of a month that has breezed over me, leaving little trace of itself.

As I write this, the sky outside is unbroken blue, and apart from a neighbour’s Japanese Maple, the trees I can see are green and still carrying a full complement of leaves. It’s autumn Jim, but not as we know it. (1)

The shot above was taken on the bush trail on Mt Manaia, on the Whangarei Heads. The Big T and I explored some of the track last weekend — stopping before the steep summit climb in deference to my arthritic knee.

It’s a beautiful place (both Mt Manaia and the Heads generally), and was surprisingly quiet for a glorious day at the end of the school holidays.

It took me a while to realise that the delicate intertwined spirals are fern fronds. As the leaves on each frond die, they curl in upon themselves. Where several leaves are in close proximity, they become entwined. If I were going to try and wrest Deep Meaning from it, I’d suggest it is a metaphor for how, as we age, we seek out and need the support of others — creating strength and beauty through unity.

Feel free just to enjoy how cool it looks.

In the absence of anything much to say about April; here’s a pot pourri of my month:

Food to share; a meal made on Good Friday and taken to the City Mission, which feeds those in need. Image: Su Leslie 2019

End of an era. Helping a friend to pack up her art studio and begin new adventures. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Foccaccia; the best I’ve made so far. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Beginnings. The first part of the new Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery being built in Whangarei. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Detail; Hundertwasser Art Centre. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Detail; street art project referencing the influence of Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s art in Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Street art, Whangarie, Northland, NZ.

Buckwheat granola. A new discovery, easy to make and very tasty. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Ocean beach, Whangarei Heads. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Mt Manaia, Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Visitors to the classic car show, Whangarei. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Image: Su Leslie 2019

Parau Bay, Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

Please check out the Changing Seasons — April for these awesome bloggers:

Marilyn at Serendipity — Seeking intelligent life on Earth

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Yvette at priorhouse blog

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Sarah at Art Expedition

Jude at Life at the Edge

New to the Changing Seasons this month A Wonderful Sheep

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Gill at Talking Thailand

Deb at The Widow Badass

The line of course is “it’s life Jim, but not as we know it” from the 1987 song “Star Trekkin” (The Firm). Those who have closely studied the texts say that such a line was never uttered verbatim in Star Trek.

The Changing Seasons: March 2019

March 29, 2019April 11, 2019 / Su Leslie / 78 Comments

Storm clouds on the horizon. Symbolism in retrospect — taken exactly one week before the Christchurch terror attack. Big Omaha Wharf, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie 2019

This is the most difficult Changing Seasons post I’ve ever written.

How do I describe the way a month that could easily have passed without comment suddenly became one that no New Zealander will ever forget?

Because at 1.40pm on Friday 15th, a terrorist murdered fifty Muslim men, women and children practicing their religion in two mosques in the city of Christchurch — and changed this country for ever.

A terrorist left 48 more worshipers with serious physical injuries, and hundreds more to deal with the psychological trauma of having witnessed the carnage or dealt with its aftermath.

A terrorist shattered families, brought fear and anger to the Muslim community, defiled a city trying to rebuild itself after deadly earthquakes, and dragged these little islands out of our illusion of peace and safety.

In the two weeks since, we have seen the best and the worst of humanity. Hundreds of thousands of Kiwis have turned up at mosques and vigils and rallies to offer condolences, flowers, cards, food, music, prayer, haka, hugs, tears and above all — aroha, or love.

Our Prime Minister has behaved with sensitivity and compassion that is being admired beyond our shores.

Our government has tried to put aside politics and act decisively to make legislative changes to gun and other laws.

And the racist underbelly of our society is being exposed and scrutinised like never before. On the plus side, when people are coming forward to talk about the abuse they routinely experience in this country, they are being believed at last. On the minus, the xenophobic violence and hatred continues.

It is too early to know if this act of terrorism will (ironically for the terrorist) bring about positive change in New Zealand, or if, when the next big news story comes along, we’ll go back to “business as usual.” I hope for the best, but truthfully am not that optimistic.

So what do I have to show for March? Certainly not photos of candles and placards and grieving. Others have done that (sometimes beautifully) but for me personally, it has felt intrusive.

So here are a few shots that haven’t made it into other posts this month.

Food features heavily as usual. The Big T and I celebrated his birthday a week before the Christchurch attack with lunch at the Sawmill Brewery in Matakana. A beer tasting tray and some shared plates of delicious food — perfect. And I’m still grappling with sourdough pizza; trying to make a base that is light, crispy and easy to work. I’m not there yet, but my boys aren’t complaining.

Lunch at the Smoko Room, Sawmill Brewery, Matakana. Char-grilled broccolini salad. Image: Su Leslie, 2019

Lunch at the Smoko Room, Sawmill Brewery, Matakana. Garlicky rosemary roasted potatoes. Image: Su Leslie, 2019

Lunch at the Smoko Room, Sawmill Brewery, Matakana. Spicy venison short-ribs. Image: Su Leslie, 2019

Big Omaha, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Tropical House, Auckland Wintergardens. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Llew Summers’ sculpture “Dance to the end of love.” Auckland Botanic Gardens. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Using up the fig harvest; on sourdough pizza with rocket, gorgonzola and proscuitto. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Stuffed sourdough pizza bread; the before shot. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Stuffed sourdough pizza bread; the after shot. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Still life with figs. Image: Su Leslie 2019

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

Please visit these amazing bloggers for their perspective on the month just gone:

Jude at Life at the Edge

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Suzanne, at Being in Nature joins us for the first time.

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Yvette at Priorhouse Blog

Sarah at Art Expedition

Lindsay at Squeak of a Nuthatch

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Ladyleemanila

Marilyn at Serendipity — Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth

Gill at Talking Thailand

Ju-Lyn at All Things Bright and Beautiful

The Changing Seasons: February 2019

February 27, 2019March 6, 2019 / Su Leslie / 90 Comments

Still life with gym shoes, water bottle, towel, keys and muscle rub. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Ok, let’s just get it out of the way. I’ve joined a gym.

It wasn’t entirely by choice, but I finally sought help to manage my arthritic knee, and this is part of the programme.

I don’t like gyms. Even when I wasn’t middle-aged and overweight, I was still uncoordinated.

And philosophically …. people getting in their cars to drive to a brightly-lit, air-conditioned building full of expensive equipment designed to simulate the exercise humans evolved to get doing that thing called living? I know that’s simplistic; I am genuinely concerned about the environmental costs.

But it seems to be working. After just a few weeks, I have significantly better flexibility and strength.

So having more or less captured my month in one image, here are a few shots that haven’t made it into other posts.

Twilight, Whanganui river from Durie Hill. Image; Su Leslie 2019

Sunset, Whanganui river mouth from Durie Hill, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Sunflower. Su Leslie 2019

Aviary, Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Desert Road, North Island, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Aviary, Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Sunflower petals. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Dugald McKenzie Rose Garden, Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North. Image; Su Leslie 2019

Sunflower. Su Leslie 2019

War Memorial Tower, Durie Hill, Whanganui. Image; Su Leslie 2019

Aviary, Victoria Esplanade, Palmerston North. Image: Su Leslie 2019

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

Please visit these amazing bloggers for their accounts of the month just gone:

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind — this is divided between two posts; so make sure you see both Part 1 and Part 2.

Marilyn and Garry at Serendipity — Seeking intelligent life on Earth

Judy at lifelessons

Jude at Life at the Edge

Sarah at Art Expedition

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Gavin at Firehorseworld

The Changing Seasons, December 2018

December 29, 2018January 8, 2019 / Su Leslie / 61 Comments

December has been another month of relative inactivity, with few photos added to my archive.

Unexplained pain in my right leg has kept me from traveling much (a visit to Hamilton Gardens notwithstanding) — or even walking far. A post-Christmas visit to the doctor is planned.

But beyond that, I seem to be living in a curious limbo. The Big T and I have talked for years of selling up and leaving Auckland, but while our enthusiasm for a life-change is undiminished, work, families and a host of other roadblocks have continually flung themselves in our path.

At times I feel I’m living in The Eagles’ “Hotel California” —

“… you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.”

The reason for my visit Hamilton Gardens (apart from testing my pain threshold) was to see the newest creation — The Mansfield Garden — named after New Zealand author Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923).

The garden recreates the setting of Mansfield’s short story The Garden Party (1922), complete with the facade of the family home, lawns, Ford Model T on the drive, a pond and a tennis court upon which a marquee has been erected to cover tables laden with carefully recreated facsimiles of the food described in the story.

Written a year before Mansfield’s death from pulmonary tuberculosis, The Garden Party tells the story of the wealthy Sheridan family as they prepare for, and host a garden party. During preparations, they learn that a working-class neighbour has died suddenly. While Laura, one of the Sheridan daughters, believes that the party should be canceled as a mark of respect, the rest of the family disagrees and the party goes ahead. Later Laura visits the dead man’s family with a basket of party leftovers, and is taken to see the body, laid out for the wake.

The story is seen as a reflection on Mansfield’s own impending death. She had been diagnosed with tuberculosis several years earlier, at the time considered a death sentence.

The Mansfield Garden is lovely; both as a recreation of the story’s setting, and as a beautiful space in its own right. It was incredibly busy when we were there, and the light was quite intense, so I took very few photos.

I guess I’ll need a return trip on a quieter, more overcast day.

Marquee on the tennis court. Part of the tableau of the Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image Su Leslie 2018

Detail, Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image Su Leslie 2018

Ford Model T, Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image Su Leslie 2018

Detail, Mansfield Garden, Hamilton Gardens, Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

Update

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Little Pieces of Me

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Mick at Mick’s Cogs

Deb at The Widow Badass Blog

Sarah at Art Expedition

Jude at Under a Cornish Sky

The Changing Seasons: October 2018

October 26, 2018November 2, 2018 / Su Leslie / 80 Comments

I really should stop organising to travel at the end of a month; it plays havoc with The Changing Seasons scheduling.

I’m off to Sydney on Sunday to visit Sculpture by the Sea, a fantastic exhibition that is installed annually along the coastal path from Bondi to Tamarama Beach. With luck I’ll have lots of photos to share — but not until November.

Which leaves me wondering what I’ve done with this month.

Part of it certainly has been spent woolly-headed and lethargic from the absolute worst cold I can ever remember having. But that only accounts for about 10 days, and my photo folder for October is the smallest it’s been in ages. So however I have occupied my time, much of it obviously hasn’t seemed worth recording.

I’ve done a lot of sewing — mainly cushion covers to freshen up our living room.

I’ve baked bread, including a couple of variations on sourdough.

First came some impromptu flatbreads from dough that was intended for crackers …

… then Rewena Paraoa, or Maori bread.

Rewena paraoa; or Maori bread.

Published in 1980, this is a collection of recipes handed down from one generation of European settlers in NZ to the next.

Rewena paraoa recipe, from Betty’s Old Curiosity Book.

Maori bread is something I have been aware of for a long time, but knew nothing about. I found an old recipe, and was surprised to find it’s basically a sourdough, using boiled mashed potato mixed with flour and water to create the starter.

Neither wheat nor potatoes are native to New Zealand, and arrived with European settlers. Prior to that, kumara (sweet potato), yams, taro and ti pore (Pacific Cabbage Tree) were probably the principal sources of carbohydrates. Both were brought from East Polynesia by the country’s original migrants, probably around in the 13th century. As far as I know, pre-European Maori did not make bread.

Potatoes are easier to grow than kumara, and were widely adopted into the Maori diet. The use of potatoes in sourdough cultures is not unique to Maori, and was once widespread, but interestingly I had found no reference to it prior to finding this recipe. It certainly produced a starter culture much more quickly than the flour and water version that the Big T and I made a couple of years ago. My potato starter (which I actually made with kumara out of curiosity), was ready to use after two days, while our original starter took around two weeks.

The finished loaf was ok; a bit dense, and I forgot to salt the dough properly, but it was edible, and I’d certainly attempt it again.

One of those little philosophical moments …

I found this tiny, eroded shell in a little bag of rocks and other stuff tucked inside one of my son’s shoes. He had obviously planned to take the bag (and the shoes) home after a visit to us, but somehow they got left behind.

It reminded me of a time –long past — when we went to the beach together, bringing home assorted treasures destined to be forgotten.

From the outside, the shell is relatively smooth and uniform. It is only when the interior is exposed that we can see the complexity of growth and change. The passage of time does that.

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

Update

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Deb at The Widow Badass

Marilyn at Serendipity — Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth

Babsje at Great Blue Herons, who joins us for the first time. Please take a look at this great blog, including a second Changing Seasons post.

Lee at Ladyleemanila

Little p ieces of me

Ruth at Ruth’s Arc

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Sarah at Art Expedition

The Changing Seasons: July 2018

July 26, 2018August 6, 2018 / Su Leslie / 78 Comments

Early morning light behind the Tor at Waiake Beach, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018

July is proving to be a very inward-looking month. From my photos, it would seem that pretty much all I’ve done is sew, eat and walk on beaches and in gardens.

The sewing started in June, with the “Art Matters” tote I made (supposedly just to hold paints and brushes). It got such a positive reaction from people I seriously considered the economics of making some commercially (not viable). But since I had a stash of fabric and image-transfer paper, I made a few more for friends, and then thought I could do more for going plastic-free if I had a bunch of other totes. The library bag followed, and then some simple calico bags that scrunch up small enough to carry around, and after that a holdall for all the stuff (notebook, pens, glasses, iPad, phone, etc) I carry from office to living room so I can work in either. My journal is filling up with more ideas and designs and I think I am officially obsessed.

Image: Su Leslie 2018

Art Matters. Riffing on the theme. Su Leslie 2018

Blue and white tote bag, for carrying library books. Slogan says "I have always imagined that Paradise would be a kind of library." Jorge Luis Borges. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

… something to carry my library books back and forth in. Su Leslie, 2018

iPad sleeve. Su Leslie 2018

Portable work-place. Su Leslie 2018

Weekend craft project; my new tote bag. Su Leslie 2018

Basic, unlined calico bag. This one’s going to a friend, filled with home-grown lemons. Su Leslie 2018

Ornamental kale, Domain Wintergardens, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018

Late afternoon, Lucas Creek from Greenhithe Wharf. Su Leslie, 2018

Morning walk, Waiake beach, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018

Coveting my neighbour’s camelia hedge. Su Leslie 2018

Domain Wintergardens, Auckland. Su Leslie, 2018

After the storm, Pt Chevalier Beach, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018

The Tor, Waiake Beach, Auckland. Su Leslie 2018

Domain Wintergardens, Auckland. Su Leslie, 2018

I’ve already shared so many food photos this month, I’ll leave you with this shot and the question: what did I make with these ingredients?

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

UPDATE

Be sure to check out how these other bloggers have experienced July

Max at Cardinal Guzman: Version #1 and Version #2

Marilyn at Serendipity, Seeking intelligent life on Earth

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Sarah at Art Expedition

Ladyleemanila

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Klara

Mick at Mick’s Cogs

Ruth at Ruth’s Arc

Yvette at Priorhouse Blog

Ju-Lyn at All Things Bright and Beautiful

The Changing Seasons, March 2018

March 20, 2018April 4, 2018 / Su Leslie / 87 Comments

Studying the Property Press, in search of a new home. Two issues of Property Press, cup of coffee and coffee pot. Image: Su Leslie, 2018.

Market research. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

One of the things I enjoy about the Changing Seasons project is how it encourages me to reflect (usually at length) on the month that has gone. Sometimes, there seems to be a theme, or some sort of unifying imagery to the time-period. Other times, it’s just a bunch of random days.

March seems very much the latter.

My garden continues to be a source of great pleasure, not to mention edible treats. Colder temperatures and increased rainfall have not only helped the plants to thrive, but provided some nice photographic moments.

Rosemary flowers. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Unseasonal blossom on the plum tree. Image; Su Leslie, 2018

Ripening tomatoes. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Mushrooms in the lawn. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Mushrooms in the lawn. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Otherwise, life has been lived off-camera. The Big T’s birthday occasioned some nice meals out and trip to the theatre (1984 — highly recommended).

The boy-child started university and has risen to the challenge of study, work and some personal dramas.

And despite my love of our garden, the Big T and I recognise that it really is time for us to move on. Our house is too big and we no longer have any practical or emotional ties to this area.

We have begun interviewing real estate agents and looking at properties to buy. A trip to Whangarei Heads last weekend allowed us to largely cross one potential “new home” area off the list — despite finding a very cool piece of cliff-top for sale.

Taiharuru, Whangarei Heads. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

We’ve talked about moving often over the years, and usually found reasons to stay put so neither of us is exactly holding our breath this time.

But who knows.

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge, originally hosted by Max at Cardinal Guzman. I’ve taken over hosting duties this year, and if you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

UPDATES

Here are other bloggers’ Changing Seasons’ posts for March. Please visit and enjoy the month though their eyes. I’ll keep updating this as I see them:

Max at Cardinal Guzman

Marilyn at Serendipity

Joanne at My Life Lived Full.

Joanne also has a second blog called Following a Bold Plan, in which she’s sharing her adventures with her friend Helen as they hike the Trans Canada Trail. Please pop over for a visit.

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Sarah at Art Expedition

Yvette at Priorhouse Blog

Mick at Mick’s Cogs

Ladyleemanila

Ju-Lyn at Sunrise, Sunset

Ruth at Ruth’s Arc

Colline at Colline’s Blog

The Changing Seasons, February 2018

February 23, 2018March 5, 2018 / Su Leslie / 56 Comments

Plate of seasonal fruit; nashi, nectarine and passionfruit. Image; Su Leslie, 2018

February’s finest. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

I guess we all have different ways of marking the passage of time. When I was a child, it was about birthdays, Christmas, school holidays, and later exams and assignments due.

During the “corporate” years, campaign launches, Board meetings, AGMs and salary reviews signposted the flow of months and years.

These days, it’s food. Late October is when the first local strawberries appear. November and December are cherry and pomegranate months. January brings plums and good sweetcorn, while February is all about stone fruits and passion-fruit. And I know we’re nearly in March because the apples and pears are looking fresher, and the local garlic not so much.

And in case you’re thinking that my month has been all nectarines and nashi, here are a few shots from my February. Perhaps I over-shared the fun, sunshiney stuff already.

Another stormy beach; Firth of Thames, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Martha Mine, Waihi. Currently closed due to the massive landslip. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Ohinimuri River at Karangahake Gorge, NZ. Currently subject to an application to mine for gold. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Stormy beach, with clouds reflected in wet sand. Waihi Beach, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Storm brewing, Waihi Beach, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Castlecliff Beach, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

"I have learned that to be with those I like is enough." Walt Whitman. Close up shot of four clay figures seated on bench. Detail from uture Islands exhibition, Tauranga Art Gallery, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Detail; Future Islands exhibition, Tauranga Art Gallery, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Ohinimuri River, flowing towards Karangahake Gorge. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Alone. Exposed volcanic rock in Taupo Volcanic Zone, at Mangakino. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge, originally hosted by Max at Cardinal Guzman, whose post for this month can be found here.

I’ve taken over hosting duties this year, and if you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

UPDATES

Here are other bloggers’ Changing Seasons’ posts for January. Please visit and enjoy the month though their eyes. I’ll keep updating this as I see them:

Max at Cardinal Guzman

Marilyn at Serendipity

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Sarah at Art Expedition

Ju-Lyn at Sunrise, Sunset

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Ruth at RuthsArc