Days of plums and roses

Millions of strawberries were being stolen by THE BIRDS so we bought some netting from the warehouse the warehouse. Plums were falling waste to the ground so we bought more. Netting.

M and K put it up, utilising the vertical characteristics of 2 existing structures in situ: the garage and the swing.

Havent caught none yet. Update: 2.

Meanwhile the roses are faring much better:

Meanwhile Ray and Sandra Hudson are coming for tea (we arranged this at Alister's funeral on Wed). The stew is running behind schedule, but look at THIS (cheesesticks).

Our Family Christmases

1. The Ahies

A week before Christmas we had the Ahie clan come up to Levin. It was a lovely day with Michael and Janine and their boys, Krissie with her two girls as well Alison (her mother-in-law) and her brother-in-law, Jean with Hamish and Greggy in tow, Katie and Joel with Rachel and little Kapree.

Kapree and Ruby got given exquisite hand-made quilts made by the lady across the road.

Joss got a sporty present from us, as usual. This time it was a golf putting kit. Hannah got her usual ungirly present - this time it was a soccer-ball and soccer top and shorts and a Reebok cap.

After going to the Wairarapa for a getaway we discovered the joys of having a brazier. So Mike got us a luxy copper-bellied one which came in a box and we had to assemble! Can do potatoes and meat on it if we so desire. The kids were happy just doing marshmallows for their after-pudding-pudding.

There was a small concert by Joss and Sam followed by some beautiful ballads on the guitar by Michael and Joel. Brought a tear to Nana's eye!

Ruby is coming closer and closer to learning how to walk. We think for now she is happy with the bum-shuffling and being picked up and cuddled lots.

2. The Judges

We spent actual Christmas day in Lower Hutt at Susan's house with Merv's family. Got the usual family tales and had a very jolly lunch together. Low-stress and yummy.

Then Susan's grandkids came over to visit and had great fun with their ballerina toys and bubble guns.