Tuesday Tipple

OK, so we're starting to edge towards the silly season and I thought, let's start with the Christmas Cocktails! Usually by now I have started to flavour my vodka with Christmas tea - try it, you will find the vodka gets that Christmas pudding kind of taste and it's actually quite nice!

However, this one will get your glow on....

Candy Cane Martini

• 1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka
• 1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps
• 1 ounce club soda
• crushed candy canes for garnish

Rim a martini glass with crushed candy canes. Mix vodka, schnapps, and club soda with ice in a cocktail shaker; strain into prepared glass. Too many of these might turn you into the Christmas Ho Ho Ho so take care, you know what they say about Bad Girls....

Silent Sunday

Tragic, sad outcome

Rest in Peace, guys. Let's hope the media circus we have seen here lends respect to all those involved in this complete tragedy. Let's hope the families find strength to carry on.

Ernie's view of the world

Not so Silent this Sunday

I am breaking my silence today to ask you all a favour.


I have some friends in big trouble. My friend is the Safety Manager at this place, and he has one son who managed to get out but another son still trapped. Also, as you have read there has been another tragedy to strike this family.

I also have another friend who works there, and I haven't heard from him so no idea if he is trapped or away on holiday.


Please send warm fuzzies, prayers or whatever is your bag to this community. We lived in Greymouth while growing up, and it is indeed a small but feisty place. I visit there for work these days and I love it. You can smell the coal dust in the air, it gets into your blood. I took the photo below on a road heading towards where the mine is.


Thank you.

Oh woe

I used to be able to read a book a day (well, almost). For some reason these days I am lucky if I even get to skim over the cover to see if I even want to read it. I have several half started (finished?) books in various sunny spots round the house, but I cannot settle down to read.


I have no idea why that should be. How can I get my reading mojo back? I love a good read, always have. 


I can recall as a teenager I would often be found in my room, reading away, (and ok yes nibbling on crackers or cabin bread spread thickly with butter and Vegemite). That was my thing. Clearly I was far too soft on my parents. 


I can only hope that the Scowly Teen (pictured below aged 2 years old) takes after me....

Silent Sunday

The Garden

I love Blue in gardens, always, always will. This year the cornflowers seem very blue....

the Japanese Maple appears even redder, rustier....

and the "rhodo's" even pinker! Maybe we're more appreciative this year, having gotten through the earthquake ok? Ok, so we're still having aftershocks (and the one last night at 4.5 was a nice reminder of who's in charge around here)

But THIS is the kind of blue I can really go for!! And yes, that is in our back yard....I knew he would come and save us.

And now for some classic Kiwi stuff! Enjoy.