Blue skies

 

This was taken a few days after Christmas in town along one of the main streets outside the second hand bookshop, they had a little tree in the window surrounded by different books.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections, The Weekend Roundup, Shadow Shot Sunday and Mosaic Monday.

Play dates

 

Last week while my daughter R and I were out and about we dropped off a load of unwanted items to our local Salvation Army op shop and spotted these Christmas trees in the foyer. Looks like people donated trees for others to buy who can't afford much.

A rare photo of my outdoor furniture on the deck and washing on the line in the backyard while we had blue skies. So far for the last few weeks we have had rain, hopefully next week will be better. 

And our dog Bug had a much needed play date with her best friend Max. It's a good opportunity to tire them both out.

And I finished a crochet blanket for one of my daughter's friends who has been going through a hard time this year. 

Lastly I would like to wish all you a Merry Christmas! Hope you have a great day.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday, Thankful Thursday and Tom's Signs.

Christmas tastes better together

 

I spotted this Christmas tree in the entrance in the entrance of one of Greymouth's 2 local supermarkets.

And this is my little Christmas tree - it's small enough to fit on the windowsill next to my armchair in the lounge. My children are all adults and they aren't fussed about it like they use to be so this does us well.

Linking up with Tuesday Treasures, Happy Tuesdays and Wordless Wednesday.

Zoom

 

This was from last week, the ladies in the photo were walking so fast it looked like they were zooming along. I was watching a weather forecast online last week which covered the whole of New Zealand and it looks like we are in for quite a rainy Summer this year - something to do with La Niña so we will probably have days of rain then days of heat and humidity.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

Christmas memories

 

B decided to put up our Christmas tree last week then he discovered that some of the lights don't work so he ordered some more online. The decorations are probably over 10 years old so maybe time to buy some new ones at some point. I was surprised 1 of our 4 cats didn't take more interest in it.

And a couple of weeks ago B and I were invited to my oldest son's wedding in Auckland. On the left is my sister, my ex mother in law then me with my one grandchild. She is soooooo cute and I got to babysit for the night while my son and daughter in law went out and relaxed.  Edited to add: there were other family members here, they just weren't in this particular photo.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Yuletide

 

I've been seeing alot of Christmas trees lately. These ones above and below were seen at Christchurch airport when we were there 2 weeks ago.

And this one was seeing outside The Warehouse in Pukekohe, Auckland. Nice to see places getting festive.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

Pohutukawa

 

I think the whole of New Zealand finally has a taste of Summer. There has been a rumour here that if the red Pohutukawa flowers come out befere Christmas then that means we will have a good Summer season. This tree is known as the country's official iconic Christmas tree.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's signs.

Christmas displays

So with tomorrow being Christmas Day for us I will probably be relaxing and having a quiet day at home so I thought I'd share some photos I've taken over the last week or so in various shops around town. Enjoy and Merry Christmas to you!

 

The week that was

 

A couple of weeks ago we were out at Nelson Creek, about 30 minutes from home visiting a friend I use to work with. She has the most lovely looking roses in her garden. This one is named "Rainbow", so she gave me some cuttings to take home with me which I'm trying to grow at the moment but it may be the wrong season for it.

On her land next to her driveway is this old truck - it caught my eye with it's rusty exterior and looked very much like it was part of the property.

And next to my doctor's office I noticed that someone had put this driftwood Christmas tree on display - I like it, it's different. How's your week been?

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Bye bye Christmas

The lit up metal Christmas tree in Greymouth Square

Christmas Day has come and gone here. I worked the last 5 days from Tuesday through to Saturday, I usually only work 4 days a week as anything more wears me out mentally and physically these days.

Yesterday we had a very quiet day at home. Lunch was crispy pork belly with apple crumble pie and custard for desert. Dinner was scallops wrapped in bacon, all washed down with sparkling grape juice mixed with cranberry juice. Now I have the next 3 days off while the others go back to work today.

Tiger on one of the cat towers

And the 4 sloths slept the entire day away...

Christmas tree festival

Earlier this week I visited our local Regent Theatre to see Christmas trees from each business and organization in Greymouth who have decorated a tree their way. It was a gold coin entry, meaning a $1 or $2 coin. It opened at 10am each day and closed at 10pm so I walked in around 10.30am and was, apart from the attendant the only one walking around but I'm pleased it was just me as there was no one in my way. The tree with the doves on it belongs to Greymouth Hospice, a very worthy organization. Nice to see everyone getting into the Christmas spirit.

It will be Christmas day for us tomorrow so I wish you all a festive day. I will see you all next week.

Linking up with All Seasons.

Oh Christmas Tree

This larger than life Christmas tree was put up at my work last week. Although it doesn't look that big it ended up having to be separated in 3 stages to get it through the doors.  Only in retail....

Linking up with Through my lens, Ruby Tuesday, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Merry Christmas 2021

 For us in the Southern Hemisphere today is Christmas day. 2 of my 3 children are in Auckland visiting family for lunch but for B and myself we will be enjoying a very quiet day just the 2 of us. This photo above is of a rather large decorated Christmas tree I saw in Whangarei last weekend in among some shops. Linking up with Weekend Reflections and The Weekend Roundup.

Wherever you are have a Merry Christmas!

Christmas tree competition

So my town every year has a pallet tree decorating competition, each business buys a Christmas tree cutout made of wood to decorate and put in their windows. The public is encouraged to vote for their favourite and although there are literally hundreds of trees this year I've only photographed a portion that I've seen. 

These ones are outside one of the local cafes where one of the organisations "Bald Angels" is run from. There is more information about their worthy cause here but basically they support children and youth throughout the region.

This one decorated with tinsel  and poinsettia is in the window of one of the shoe shops called Shoe Styles. 

We have 2 health shops in town, this is one of them called Hardy's but it looks like they have 2 trees in their window.

This one clearly advertises what business it belongs to - one of the two optometrists in town.

Yes we have bagels here, not my thing but this one shows a fun side to Santa, his elf and a reindeer outside a shop that makes and sells them.

They also have this grinch Christmas pallet in their front window.

This one covered in shoes, jandals and sandals is in the window of one of the many clothing shops. This one is calle eKo.

Last one seen by me is covered in kiwiana icons that are loved by many New Zealanders such as onion soup (we use it to make dip for chips), marmite and pineapple lumps in the window of Swift Conveyancing.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Travel Tuesday, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Thank you Hospice

 In one of our local supermarkets every year Hospice puts up 2 Christmas trees in the foyer and encourages people to not just make a donation and also decorate both of them with cards dedicated to loved ones who have passed on.

If you don't know who they are, Hospice NZ are a very worthy organization who support people who are not just struggling with family and friends who have life limiting illnesses but they also care for people who are dying. 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday, Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Travel Tuesday, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Oh Christmas tree...

 

Nice to see the main Christmas tree in our town up and decorated again. This one is outisde the Harcourts Real Estate office. 

Last year's one was covered in different coloured lights so it was extra special to see at night. 

Linking up with All Seasons