Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Tulips and look who has been visiting our Island



Aren't tulips, pretty flowers. I am loving the little vase of colour I have in the kitchen and makes me smile, when I see them.
Our weather today is rainy and grey and it feels like winter is on its way, so I need something to brighten the day.

He is happiest who hath power to gather wisdom from a flower
~ Mary Howitt
Gordon Ramsay surprised the staff at Te Whau Vineyard recently with a request for a late lunch, for his party of five. 
He flew in by helicopter to enjoy the food at one of our Award winning Restaurants. The view from the Restaurant is amazing.
 "He was heard to say "Gosh you live in Paradise"
Ramsay was on a quick trip, to speak at a Fundraising event in Auckland. The Rising Foundation is a charity which works with young people at risk.

The party started with a medley of five starters including  paddle crab salad on wasabi mousse, venison carpaccio, Te Matuku Bay oysters, all highly praised.
The main course was Aoraki salmon served with marinated fennel salad, charcoal prawns and fresh mixed vegetables.
Sticky toffee pudding was the top pick for dessert.  

Photo by Tony Forsyth 

Have a lovely day and thank you so much, for stopping by
Hugs
Carolyn








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36 comments:

  1. Pierre BOYERMay 8, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    Enjoy your day dear Carolyn !

    Pierre

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kays KidsMay 8, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    Flowers are one of the lovely joys of life. They always bring cheer into a home.
    Hugs

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  3. ClaudiaMay 8, 2013 at 5:59 PM

    Dear Carolyn,
    yes, Tulips are wonderful flowers! They are always the first flowers I buy in Spring to have in the house :O))
    You lucky one, you met Gordon Ramsey! I love this guy and I watched a lot TV Shows with him :O)))
    Have a wonderful week, my dear friend,
    Love and hugs to you,
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Draffin BearsMay 8, 2013 at 6:40 PM

      Hi Claudia,

      No I did not get to meet Mr Ramsay but news went all around the Island that he was here and there was an article in our local newspaper.

      Hugs
      Carolyn

      Delete
  4. MoniqueMay 8, 2013 at 6:10 PM

    Hi Carolyn! I also love the tulips!
    Kisses!
    Monique

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  5. Linda PMay 8, 2013 at 7:16 PM

    The tulips are very pretty. Our daughter gave me a bunch of very pale daffodils with very pale orange centres. The orange has got even paler and I love the calm atmosphere they create right now.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Things and ThoughtsMay 8, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    Tulips are my favorite flowers but they don't exist any more in the gardens or in the market. It's already too hot here and people go swimming on the beach.
    Have a lovely day Carolyn !
    Big hugs, Olympia

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  7. It's meMay 8, 2013 at 7:54 PM

    Love your tulips.....i have French tulips in my post today.....enjoy the day...so nice that Gorden was there !!...love Ria...xxx...

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  8. UnknownMay 8, 2013 at 9:02 PM

    Hi Carolyn, really...your tulips are fantastic. This flover are a lot meanings! KISS. NI

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  9. ♥vendy♥May 8, 2013 at 9:11 PM

    great flowers dear
    xoxo

    ♥ Vendy ♥
    follow me on:
    The simple life of rich people BLOG

    ReplyDelete
  10. Castles Crowns and CottagesMay 8, 2013 at 10:25 PM

    GOOD MORNING CAROLYN!

    Tulips have to be my favorite VASE flower; I love the white version and they certainly pick up the gray days! I had a lovely bouquet of white tulips for my wedding anniversary in March and the simplicity of the vase with the pure white of the tulips just added so much class to my house. What a lovely surprise indeed to have such a celebrity come to your island!!!!!! Anita

    ReplyDelete
  11. GeliMay 8, 2013 at 10:41 PM

    Dear Carolyn!
    I loooove tulips you know!
    Happy week and a lot of sunshine for you!
    With love,
    Geli

    ReplyDelete
  12. cuckiMay 8, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    enjoy your day dear x

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  13. orchid0324May 8, 2013 at 11:58 PM

    Dearest Carolyn,
    Oh, my poor knowledge; I checked who Gordon Ramsay was p;)
    He has 3 Michelin as a chef☆☆☆
    I LOVE tulips, too. It is getting warmer and warmer here.

    Have a nice week and Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

    ReplyDelete
  14. Angelsdoor * PennyMay 9, 2013 at 2:17 AM

    Good morning dear Carolyn,
    Such lovely tulips... They are a sure sign of spring.
    I bet the staff at the vineyard was surprised to have Ramsay and his friends stop in for lunch.

    Sending you a big hug!
    Penny

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  15. Marsha @ Tattered ChickMay 9, 2013 at 2:23 AM

    Tulips and Irises are one of my favorite springtime flowers!!!!

    Hope you're having a wonderful week!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  16. today my wayMay 9, 2013 at 3:47 AM

    White or yellow tulips are among my favourite flowers. Yours are perfect addition to already lovely interior. Have a great week, Carolyn!! x

    www.todaymyway.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. LilliMay 9, 2013 at 3:58 AM

    Hi Carolyn, bright flowers always cheer me up as well and make me feel in spring though the weather is bad outside! your tulips are adorable! kisses! xo

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  18. DortheMay 9, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    Carolyn,dear,
    I too love the tulips, but in my garden they are still having green buds, and even the weather has been lovelt this week, there will be many weeks untill they bloom beautifully!
    Hugs,Dorthe

    ReplyDelete
  19. Down by the seaMay 9, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    I love tulips and they always brighten my day too. It must have been such a surprise for the staff having Gordon Ramsey as a customer. From your pictures I have seen your island does look like paradise.
    Sarah x

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  20. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderMay 9, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    Dearest Carolyn,
    Great that such celebrities put time and effort into such fund raisers.
    Love your tulips and so glad you get the rain; much needed for the gardens before they go to sleep!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

    ReplyDelete
  21. Fabulously FrenchMay 9, 2013 at 7:01 PM

    Carolyn let's hope that he does not tell too many people as they will all want to come and live there :-)

    Love the tulips, we also have a lot here at present.

    amicalement from a sunny SW France, Leeann x

    ReplyDelete
  22. DianneMay 10, 2013 at 12:33 AM

    Your tulips are such a pretty shade of pink Carolyn ... Im sure they brightened up your day. Gosh! Gordon on your home turf .... I would love to know what was on the menu. Hoping your week is going well and that you're enjoying the last of this beautiful Autumnal season. xx

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  23. Mary HillMay 10, 2013 at 3:48 AM

    So cool I love his shows. Beautiful flowers too. :)

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  24. smartcatMay 10, 2013 at 4:41 AM

    Hi Carolyn....The tulips are a sumptuous color. I no longer grow tulips because the the moles and such eat them up. Yours are a real treat!

    I'm impressed...Gordon Ramsey no less! Hope he enjoyed his lunch.

    xox............*s*

    ReplyDelete
  25. Bella SinclairMay 10, 2013 at 8:40 AM

    Glad I'm not the only one who takes the ol' helicopter out for a little lunch break, hehehe. And I think he's got it right. You do live in Paradise!

    Gorgeous tulips!

    ReplyDelete
  26. TomokoMay 10, 2013 at 1:25 PM

    Hi, Carolyn,
    Your tulips are so pretty. I also like your scale! Wow, what a lovely one! I think you can enjoy being in your kitchen with those things even in rainy days and grey days!
    Have a good weekend,
    Tomoko

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  27. hi-dMay 10, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    I love tulips, Carolyn. You must live in paradise...especially if that comment came from Gordon. Haha...

    Blessings!
    Heidi

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  28. JeanneMay 10, 2013 at 10:54 PM

    Love you my darling friend.
    I love your flower quote and love all you share.
    Happy Mother's Day
    Love Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  29. Aurelia May 11, 2013 at 1:52 AM

    sounds so interesting about Gordon Ramsay.
    lovely tulips. Today I was watching the pictures with the Tulip Fields in the Netherlands, amazing colorful world. have a nice weekend Carolyn
    http://aprettylife13.blogspot.hu/

    ReplyDelete
  30. LeslieMay 11, 2013 at 3:11 AM

    Wow! How exciting Carolyn! It's tulip season in Seattle and they are everywhere. Your display is so pretty. Have a nice weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

    xxleslie

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  31. Annie CholewaMay 11, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    Aren't tulips just the most beautiful flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  32. TammyMay 12, 2013 at 2:22 AM

    I hope he's nicer in person than he is on the show. :) Lovely tulips! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  33. marykapsiMay 12, 2013 at 8:52 AM

    Wow he came there? I really like his series on tv! Tulips are amazing!
    Happy weekend Carolyn!
    MaryFashionLove
    MaryFashionLove on Bloglovin

    ReplyDelete
  34. The white cabbageMay 12, 2013 at 5:47 PM

    I love tulips , and the color of the ones in your picture is so nice , and really they warm up a grey day .

    ave

    ReplyDelete
  35. Anna MooreMay 17, 2013 at 7:57 AM


    great post!let’s follow each other on gfc&bloglovin?
    flw me and tell where u’ve followed me!
    http://mooreann.blogspot.com/
    Anna

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for visiting Draffin Bears.
It always makes me happy to read your comments
and I look forward to visiting you.


Carolyn xx

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