Little Bear Studio

The way they were!

2009-11-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

One year our family took a lovely holiday to New Caledonia ( Noumea ) and stayed at the Club Med Resort. As you can see going by the photograph, it was a long time ago, when you see how small the children were. We liked this place as the children could spend the days doing activities at the Kids Club. While we enjoyed our days in the sun, swimming, shopping ( French shops!) eating delicious food and making use of the paddle boats, and windsurfers.
They even had a Circus orientated activity place and I got to have a go on the trapeze and managed to let go of the first trapeze and swing and catch the second one which was a lot of fun and exhilarating.
We liked New Caledonia, so much that we went back a second time.

All fun, but I digress.... Now back to the photo ~ One evening all the little kids in the group, put on a great performance and lovely show, dressed up in their cat costumes.
Our two are the little ones, at the front left.

I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Have a lovely weekend

2009-11-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Mary Ruffle photos.

I was delighted to receive a few awards from my beautiful friend, Bella.
She is such a talented, wonderful, and warm hearted Lady. If you have not met her before, please go and visit her blog. bellasinclair.blogspot.com
I am always amazed at her wonderful Artwork. Thank you, sweet Bella.

The first two awards were created by the very talented ~ Ces.
The Deborah award was created to honour a Sisterfriend, who is a poet.

The Arija Award was created to honour another Sisterfriend ~ a thinking, seeing, feeling, loving person who celebrates life every day.
The Friendship Award was created by Kathi of Beautiful Mini Blessing.
Kathi creates incredible miniatures.
I would like to share these awards with the following lovely Ladies.
I realize that some of you have blogs that are Award free and understand this. I just want to say thank you and that visiting you, always brings joy into my life.

Karyn
Marsha
Constance
Celestina Marie
June
Nancy
Karen
Amanda

Thank you for visiting me and my blog.
Happy weekend to all, my friends.

Hugs
Carolyn

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.

2009-11-03T13:34:00.000-08:00

Having fresh herbs is one of the nicest things to have, when you are cooking.
They are so much better than the dried, not that there is anything wrong with the dried. On my kitchen windowsill, I have this little tin container that I keep with herbs, that is really handy. I am also hoping to get some herbs, planted out in the garden, maybe this weekend if the weather permits.

Some of my favorites ways of using herbs ~

A salad with basil, ripe tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella cheese.

Potatoes, scrub and leave the skins on and cut in cubes, spread on tray and add olive oil, garlic and rosemary.

Scrambled eggs with chives or parsley, sprinkled over.

Mint sauce with roast lamb.

Basil ~ is an annual herb, the plant will last the summer season and once it begins to get cold, will die. It grows well in pots and can be continually picked fresh.

Coriander ~ is also an annual and needs warm weather to thrive. It likes a sunny position and is also suitable for container growing.

Mint ~ is one of the easiest herbs to grow but it spreads and takes over the garden.
Mint is a perennial and that means you will have this for years. Mint likes a sunny position.

Parsley ~ can be treated as an annual but more correctly you will often get two years from your plants. It can handle sun or shade.

Diana is having a giveaway, she had designed these beautiful Christmas stamps.
You can visit on the link below, to go and see her and take a look.
dianaevans.blogspot.com

I hope that you are having a good week

Hugs
Carolyn

Welcome November!

2009-11-01T11:32:00.001-08:00

A day is too precious to let it pass by unnoticed.
Each evening it is nice to set aside a minute to think what we have done that day and many times I think I have not really done very much. I probably need to try a little harder tomorrow.

If you sit down at set of sun
And count the acts that you have done,
And counting, find
One self-denying deed, one word
That eased the heart of him who heard,
One glance most kind
That fell like sunshine where it went -
Then you may count that day well spent.
~George Eliot

Photos from Flickr

Down at my old Family home, the orange and lemon trees were laden with wonderful fruit.
It is lovely to be able to go out, pick fruit off the trees and enjoy it.
There are also apple trees, one of which was a new French apple tree, that my Father had planted just before he went into hospital.
We brought the tree back to our place, and yesterday DH planted it in the garden.
I am looking forward to the day when we can go out and pick, a delicious juicy apple off the tree.

Many thanks for your kind words you left for me and also for visiting my daughter's blog.

Happy week
Hugs
Carolyn

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

I would like to say a huge thank you for all your kind comments and well wishes you have left for me.
I was deliberating whether to post this, as it is personal, but it is something that can happen and was scary, when you are not quite sure what is going on.
Also many thanks to Nurse Millie, for her medical knowledge and Deanna, who has experienced this very same thing.

Even though we have not met personally, that does not seem to matter, I just want to say many thanks for your wonderful friendship, means so much to me.

My daughter, who is in her last year doing Fashion Design has started a blog and would like it, if you have a free moment please, to go and visit her if you are able to.
Her blog can be found here :
victoriagreendesign.blogspot.com
Many thanks, she would like a visit from you and please leave a comment.

Graphics Fairy

Wishing you all a very Happy Halloween! ... what ever you are doing!
Whether it be out trick or treating with the children, or sitting by a warm fire.
Have a great and safe weekend.

Hugs
Carolyn

A ride in an ambulance, was not on my agenda.

2009-10-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

Country Living.

Well sometimes a day really does not go, the way you plan. A ride in an ambulance was definitely not on my agenda.
Yesterday I woke at 5.30am to find that because maybe the stage of my life and the time of the month, something was not right, I had haemorrhaged which was very scary.
DH phoned the Medical Centre emergency line .... 111. He did this and within half an hour the ambulance had whisked us down in time to catch the 7.15 am ferry. This is the ferry that DH normally catches and most of our friends were on the boat. Laying in the sick bay was not much fun, feeling like a drained out dish rag and looking like the colour of parchment.

So was so glad when the 35 minute ferry trip was over and the ambulance was waiting, to deliver us to Auckland hospital.
Our friend Nurse Jackie ( also a commuter ) rode with us and made sure that we were looked after once we arrived and we were lucky to have a room to ourselves, with a bathroom.
I was told I could not have anything to eat or drink, maybe a sip of water was all, if I needed.
A cup of tea would have been so nice as that was my normal way of starting my day.

After 8 hours of seeing three Doctors, explaining everything to each one, examinations, prodding and ultrasounds, I was so happy when they gave us the ok to go home.
DH spent the day doing work on his laptop at the little desk in the room and fielding lots of text calls from our friends, who were very supportive.

I was glad to get home, have a delicious meal cooked by DH, ( I was very hungry )
have a shower, and tuck myself into bed for a good nights sleep.
So now we wait for the results and hope that all will be well.

Dozing while waiting to see the Doctors.

I hope that you are having a great week

Hugs
Carolyn

White Roses and hydrangeas

2009-10-25T15:32:00.001-07:00

The garden was very pretty today, some little iceberg roses have made an appearance, a white hydrangea and one last camellia for the season. I always like to be able to bring flowers from the garden and put them in a vase.
Country Living

Pansies for a splash of colour.
via {This is Glamorous.}

I have found the sweetest bliss
In simple little things like this:
A glossy blackbird on the gate
singing blithely to his mate,
Bumble bees all plump and bold
Drifting through my marigolds,
Lilac bushes bent to earth
Boasting blooms of lavish girth,
An early rain upon the lawn
Glinting in the blush of dawn.
To my hushed expectant soul,
Beauty speaks and makes me whole.

~ Rachel Wallace-Oberle

We are enjoying our Monday ....a holiday! day off! sleep in!
One could get very used to these three day weekends. Labour day, has been a good way to get some things done around the house.
I have a big standard bay tree, that has not been doing well in the huge terracotta pot.
Seems to be a little root bound so we are going to go and plant it out in the garden and maybe it will be happier there. Must away and do some more chores.

Thanks for dropping by my blog today ~
Happy week to all.

Hugs
Carolyn

Always looking up!

2009-10-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery, while on a detour.

Flickr
Every cloud has a silver lining ~ as the proverb goes.
Is the cup half full or half empty?
A pessimist says " the cup is half empty " and an optimist says " it's half full."

The longer I live the more I realize the impact of a good attitude and a positive outlook on life.
Life is full of so much beauty, from the small child, a smiling face, a kind elderly person.

Carpe diem! Rejoice while you are alive, enjoy the day live life to the fullest, make the most of what you have.
Quote ~ Horace ( Ancient Roman poet.)

I have recently read Michael J Fox's latest book ~ Always Looking Up.
Struck with Parkinson's, a debilitating degenerative disease, at the height of his fame Michael J Fox has taken what some might consider cause for depression and turned into a beacon of hope for millions.

He writes with warmth, humour and incredible honesty about his journey. He says "it may be one step forward and two steps back, but after a time with this disease, I've learned that what is important is making that one step count ~ Always looking up!
You have to love this Guy and admire his courage and optimism.

We have a long weekend here in NZ ~ so looking forward to it!
It is Labour weekend and we have a holiday on Monday so will be great to spend some time in the garden and doing some of the chores on the list.
After having being away the past two weekends, home seems like a lovely place to be.

I hope you are all well.
Have a wonderful weekend

Hugs
Carolyn

The nest, Award and thank you.

2009-10-20T17:47:00.000-07:00

Graphics Fairy
Well sadly the family of birds have flown the nest before we could take a photo.
Marcel had to climb a tree to take the photo of the nest and the Mother bird sitting on the eggs. If you look closely you can see her there, she blends in well with the house.
As it is on the second floor of our house and please excuse the cobweb, that you can see.
Note to self, get the ladder and take down the nest and clean the windows and cobwebs.
I went out to get the mail yesterday and I saw three tiny birds flying about in the trees tweeting and chirping. What I think it tells me, you do need to take photos when you get the chance.

I was delighted to receive this sweet blog award from Marsha of
Sassyminidolls.blogspot.com
Go and visit her blog and take a look at her wonderful dolls and miniatures and everything else she has to share.

I know that some blogs are Award free, but just want to say how much I love to visit your delightful places.
I would like to pass this award on to the following ~

mypetitemaison.blogspot.com
dustjacketattic.blogspot.com
maynardgreenhouse.blogspot.com
trouvis.com
nearlystylish.blogspot.com

I liked this quote from the book ~ To achieve great things, we must first dream.

I was also the lucky winner of Fifi's giveaway and in the mailbox today was this wonderful book with her fabulous illustrations and quotes from both Chanel and Lagerfeld.
The book is signed by Fifi. ~ Merci beaucoup
Go and visit Fifi and see her wonderful blog and paintings.
www.fififlowers.com

I hope that you are all having a great week.
Hugs
Carolyn

Fashion Rookies hit St Paul's

2009-10-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year again where Fashion Students, after spending three hard, long years are finally able to reveal what exciting and innovative designs they have been working on for the past few months.
In the gracious St. Paul's Church we got to see 24 mini collections, showcasing the best from the AUT graduates. It was a great night out and to be able to watch the models sashay down the runway and to have our daughter Victoria, having her clothing being shown, made us feel very proud.

Lone Wolf Collection

Her winter 2010 collection has been designed for the modern City dwelling Men, taking influence from European wildlife, industrial structures and architecture.
She used these to create austere silhouettes juxtaposed with soft printed layers.

Also she got a great report from ~ www.thread.co.nz
They said -
Victoria Green had the best menswear of the evening with draped dyed canvas - loose knitwear and tights under shorts and layered dyed T shirts, with woolen string vests over the top. Loved the garments and the styling could just about take out the best collection of the evening.

I hope that you are having a great weekend

Hugs
Carolyn

Almost the weekend!

2009-10-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

Tonight we are going along to watch our daughter's Rookie Fashion Show.
We are very proud that she has been at University for one year doing a diploma and three years doing her degree. She has worked very hard going in most weekends and working at home in the evenings. Victoria is thinking of doing a Post Graduate as that is often the only way to get into some of the Fashion houses in Paris and Italy, which she would ideally like to do.

Update
Oh no... I have deleted my last post by mistake.
Many thanks for visiting and wishing Victoria well with her show ~ it went really well and I hope to share some photos with you, soon.

We are driving back down to Tauranga this afternoon again, to finish the sorting, tidying and cleaning of my Family home.
If I do not have time to visit your blogs before I go away, I will do it when I get back.
Just want to wish you a very happy weekend

Hugs
Carolyn

What I got up to in the weekend

2009-10-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

Country Living

I have had a really busy weekend and it is good to be back home again.
Spent all day sorting through our family home, bit of sadness when you see things like your Dads drivers license and little things like that.
It was lovely to catch up with my Brother his wife and my Sister and her husband and we cleaned and sorted through things.
I got some lovely treasures that I will show some photos of what I got, another time.
My husband and I were so tired when we got back to the City that after the traveling and the work we had done, we felt stiff and found it hard to walk.
I am looking forward to coming to visit your blogs and to see what you are up to.

I was delighted to receive this beautiful Kreativ blogger award from Traude from
rostrose.blogspot.com
Many thanks Traude.

I now have to tell you 7 things about myself.

1 My family is very important ~ we enjoy doing things together and are very close.

2 I love writing letters, with pen and on nice stationery and nothing better than to receive a letter in the mailbox.

3 I love all the blogs I read and to all the people who read my blog and are kind enough to leave me a comment, I like you a lot and want to say many thanks.

4 A day pottering around in the garden, watching bees in the lavender and beautiful birds flying about, is a great way to spend the day.

5.I enjoy cooking, eating and sharing a meal with family and friends.

6.I love this time of the year when we move outdoors to eat most of our meals, especially in the weekend. We had breakfast out on the deck yesterday, watching Tuis, and it looked like they were making nests in a tree, as they were carrying twigs in their beaks.

7.I do not twitter or use facebook, as I spend way too much time now sitting at the computer.

Now to pick someone to nominate for this award, I love all the blogs I read and it is very hard to pick just a few as I think you all deserve this, but I will go by the rules and here are the ones I have picked.

laughingwithangels.blogspot.com
sassyminidolls.blogspot.com
afancifullife.blogspot.com
truebluecanadian.blogspot.com
www.marthasfavorites.com
sooznooz-ajourneyoffloristry.blogspot.com

I just want to wish you a happy week.
Hugs
Carolyn

Friday flowers

2009-10-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

Friday flowers taken from my garden, this week.

Oh .... and exciting news!
I was telling you about the nest and birdseggs, outside our Sons window ~ well they have hatched out and there are three rather ugly little pink birds in the nest.
Marcel climbed a tree to take a photo of the nest and will share the photos soon.
We will take more photos when they look a little better with feathers.
It is so cold so I hope Mother bird looks after her little ones and keeps them warm.

It is a cold, wet, and windy day here and I would like to be spending the weekend at home.
However, one must do what they have to, so we are driving down Country soon, to spend Saturday sorting out some things at our Family home.

I want to wish you a happy weekend and I look forward to coming to visit, on my return.

Hugs
Carolyn

Ooh la la!

2009-10-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

Moulin Rouge celebrates 120th anniversary.

The world famous Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris, celebrates its 120th anniversary.
The Cabaret with the famous red windmill on its roof has become the famous birthplace of the traditional French can-can, which is still performed there.

When we were in Paris, some friends bought us tickets for my birthday, to go and see the show. I was amazed at the number of people that were queued up to see the show.
Every evening there were two sessions, 7pm and 9pm ~ we attended the 7 and coming out, the crowds thronged to go into the the second show.

The show includes dancers, acrobats, magicians, clowns and music.
I loved all the wonderful costumes of every colour of the rainbow and all the glitter and glam, of rhinestones, sequins and feathers.

The theatre lights go down, the curtain is raised..... and the entire troupe appears on stage, under the admiring gaze of the audience who find themselves entering the Garden of the Moulin Rouge to discover the magical atmosphere of the place!

I will be out to lunch.

2009-10-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

Historic Ferry Building ~ Downtown Auckland.

I love going out to lunch and the other day I met my husband and Son at a delightful Seafood Restaurant ~ The Harbourside, which is situated on the second floor of the ferry building in Downtown Auckland. On a beautiful day you can sit out on the deck under sun umbrellas but because the day was wet, we had to sit indoors.

Once a year, they have in season three delicacies that I enjoy, Crayfish, whitebait and scallops. The Crayfish season is in May/June, so normally we go there, for my birthday lunch treat.

Well, the other day the special was on for white bait and scallops that are in season now, so I was in luck.
I was treated to a starter of a whitebait fritter ( I am the only one in the family that eat them, so that is why I never cook them at home.) My main was delicious, succulent scallops and a salad.
The desert that I wished I could say I had passed on, was a divine rhubarb trifle with a hazelnut meringue on the side.

I think that because you can't get these three fresh all year round, makes them all the more special!
Is there any delicacy that you crave for and just have to devour?

Just when I took my overcoat in to be drycleaned we have had an exceptionally cold snap, with snow down the Country and I thought that winter was over. I do feel sorry for the new lambs, that have to contend with the cold conditions.

I hope that you are having a wonderful week.
Hugs
Carolyn

French antiques

2009-10-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

flickr ~ Salon from the Hotel d"Humieres, Paris. { Isn't this room fabulous }
Flickr
NZ House & Garden
I adore monogrammed, embroidered bed linen.
Country Living

French style is all about choosing a little of what is absolutely excellent, rather than a lot of what's nearly right.
~ Catherine Calvert.

In France, the past is always part of the present, where what is modern, lives peacefully with what has gone before.

I want to wish you a happy week.

Hugs
Carolyn

Happy pink Saturday.

2009-10-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

I adore this delicate colour, I think pale powder pink has to be one of my favourite colours.

These pretty pink flowers I was given last week, made me feel very happy.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month ~ celebrating 25 years of Awareness, education and empowerment.
Early detection is your best defence in the fight against breast cancer.
We hope and pray for a cure for all cancers.

Happy weekend to my wonderful friends.
Hugs
Carolyn

Thinking of others

2009-10-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

My heart goes out to the people of Samoa after scores dead and villages are flattened in the devastating tsunami triggered by an 8.0 earthquake.
Also the typhoon in the Philippines where I have a blog friend Charity, who is experiencing so much devastation around where she is. I am so glad that she is safe and wish her and family well. Let us not forget the Indonesian earthquake, where many other people are going through tragic times and have lost many lives too.
I am saddened by the tragedies, going on, the devastation is just terrible and the footage we have seen on the television and reports on the radio, makes you weep.

The Pacific ring of fire is an area, where large numbers of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
We extend our sympathy to all the people that have been effected by these natural disasters, in what is normally a serene corner of the South Pacific.

Hugs
Carolyn

The little nest

2009-09-29T13:12:00.001-07:00

Country Living

What I love most about Spring!

The dawn chorus of birds singing, lambs and calves skipping and playing in the paddocks, the leaves coming back on the deciduous trees and the green grass growing.

For the past few weeks we have been watching Mother Birdie busy with building her nest, outside my Sons bedroom window, in the window box, where it is dry and safe.
She has been going to and fro with twigs and making a safe little nest for her babies.
There are three blue eggs in the nest, so it will be exciting to see them hatch and watch the baby birds grow.
I tried to take a photo through the window, but could not get the angle right and it did not come out well. So I will keep you posted about the new family.

Graphics Fairy

Country Living

Here is a little heart, to say a heartfelt thank you.
You are all such dear and wonderful friends and your comfort and support has been a great help at this sad time in our life.

I hope that you are having a happy week
Hugs
Carolyn

Saying goodbye

2009-09-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

The funeral was beautiful and having the support and love from all my Family and many friends, helped us through the day.

When we arrived for the Funeral Service, sitting on the grass were two white doves.
The symbol of love, peace, and purity immediately helped to make me feel calm and composed.

The heavens opened up when we were standing at the graveside.
It felt so good with the raindrops falling down and hid the tears that welled up in my eyes.
With the rain falling, reminded me of how life giving and cleansing it is.

Driving back home there was an amazing rainbow across the sky.
One of the beauties of Nature that I love to see.

So as much as it was a very sad day, was a lovely one because we could remember the precious memories we have of my dear Father.

Thank you again, for the kind words of comfort, you left for me.
You will never know how much it means to have such wonderful support from you all.
I truly appreciate all who read my blog and I am looking forward to coming to visit your blogs and I love to see what you have to share. Thank you my wonderful friends, you all are the best.

Hugs
Carolyn xo

Thank you so much.

2009-09-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

Country Living

Thank you so much to all my sweet friends, for your lovely thoughts and best wishes.
You will never know how much it means to me, to have such wonderful support from you all.

My dear old Dad passed away last night at 9.05 pm, with us all around the bedside.
It is a blessing that he can now rest in peace, as the pernicious cancer, had taken a hold of his poor body, after only about three months and he was happy to say goodbye.

Even though we are older now, you are never ready for this.
My Dad lived a good long life, and loved to tend to his wonderful vegetable garden, fruit and macadamia nut trees.
We are lucky to have happy memories of my Dad who was highly respected and loved.
My Mother is remarkable and is very strong and resilient, as I know that after 56 years together
they really had such a beautiful love for each other.
We will miss him very much.

Many thanks again
Hugs
Carolyn xo

Thank you

2009-09-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

Country Living.

Thank you all so much for wishing Marcel a happy 18th birthday.
We had a fun time and I will share some photos of the party another time.

The next morning we got some sad news, a call from my family saying we needed to come down.
My Dad is very poorly, has prostate cancer and was very low.
He was operated on about 7 months ago and the cancer seems to have spread to his bones.
It has been such a heartbreaking time to see him like this and has been a roller coaster of emotions.
The palliative care that he has been given, is just wonderful.
We have made many trips down to see him and each time he seems to be going downhill a little more. It is so hard to see my dear Father, who we all love so much, like this.
My Parents have been married for 56 years, and it is so hard for my Mother, who is very brave, but will miss him so much.

Take care, love & hug your family.
Carolyn xo

Birthday time.

2009-09-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my Son's 18th birthday party, so I have been rushing around today baking a cake and getting things ready for a small party we are having for him.
I feel tired already.
Please forgive me if I don't get to your blog today and I will be happy to catch up with you when I can.

Some pretty flowers on my windowsill, for you.

Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Where do you put the groceries and golf clubs?

2009-09-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

This is not a toy, nor a concept car.
This Volkswagen is a newly developed single seat car, in a highly aerodynamic tear shape road proven real car.
It is ready to be launched for sale in Shanghai, in 2010 for $600US.

Interested? ....wait until you learn that it will cruise at 100-120km/hour with an unbelievable 0.99 litre/100km or 258 miles/gallon.

Impressed? The most economical car in the world will be on sale next year..

What do you think?

I hope that you are having a great week.

Hugs
Carolyn

Happy Autumn/ Spring Days!

2009-09-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

To all my dear blog friends in the Northern Hemisphere, you will be longing for Autumn days
where the days are clear and crisp and you will enjoy sitting beside the fire and watching the leaves change to golden brown, wrapping up warm with scarves and going outside with a healthy glow on your face, and then to bed at night time, under a warm cozy, duvet.

Everywhere around here, blossoms are budding, spring flowers are making a lovely show and it is one of my favourite times of the year.
Some of you have shared photos of what you have in under your cloches and I have loved seeing all the beautiful things you have under yours.
At the moment this is what I have in under my cloche, some soaps in the bathroom.

I am busy knitting a jersery for my daughter's Menswear Collection that needs to be finished, in three weeks time. I am lucky that the wool is thick and I am knitting on big needles which helps it to grow fast. I have one sleeve to finish, so I had better get back to it.

I hope that you are having a great weekend.

Hugs
Carolyn