Autumn Beauty

We are enjoying some glorious Autumnal weather, fine warm days and chilly nights. Yesterday I went for a drive up to the regional park that is about 20mins from home. The trees are glorious.. Enjoy!

This little bird is a native Fantail, I was lucky to get this while it was still as they usually flit around very fast. I stood quietly under the tree for about 5 minutes before it perched to watch me.

A beautiful spot, that is a heritage park and farm.


Have a great week. xx

Snap It - Water

 I love the beach, and count myself very lucky to live within 30mins of some beautiful beaches. These shots were taken early morning at the Awhitu Regional Park, when the tide is out you can walk to this little island.

Come and join the rest of us at Snap it.....

         http://faithhopeandawholelottalove.blogspot.co.nz/

Anzac Day - 25 April - Lest We Forget

Taken at War Memorial Waiuku - Anzac Day 2011

Wednesday ( tomorrow) is Anzac Day here in New Zealand and in Australia. This is the day for us to all take some time and remember those men and women, young and old, who experienced the horrors of war. Not only the First and Second World Wars, but also those who fought in Korea and Vietnam, and those who are still today involved in peace keeping duties around the world, fighting a different type of war.

Anzac stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps, and to us here in New Zealand and over in Australia it signifies those years when both our countries fought side by side to give us the life stlye that we have today.

For us, as a family, it is a time to reflect on those people who fought in the war. My Uncle Ivan, who I never knew, was killed in the Second World War, in the then Yugoslavia aged 18years.

 Pop, my father-in-law, who experienced the horrors first hand, was in the Merchant Navy ( having tried at 15yrs to join the Navy and told to "bugger off lad you're way to young") but lied his way into the Merchant Navy.  This year will be difficult for us all as it is the first Anzac Day without Nan. I know that Pop will struggle with all the emotions tomorrow, remembering the war, and not having Nan here as his support.

Nan and Pop Anzac Day 2011

Taken at the War Memorial here in Waiuku - 2011

The Red Poppy has become a symbol to us of those years, to all of the men and women, not only those in the military, but also those who stayed home and worked on the farms, in the factories, they also played a huge part in the war effort and should not be forgotten.

It is important to make sure that our children and grandchildren understand the importance of remembering this day.

Lest We Forget...

                           

Friday Fences #29

 Another fence shot taken at the farm on our Photowalk weekend a few weeks ago..
 On the other side was what looked like a native bush walk, unfortunately we didn't have enough time to climb over and have a look.

 Link up below for the other participants in Friday Fences.   

Angela xx


                             http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.co.nz/

Texture Tuesday...

 This week Kim's theme was to choose any of her textures, I have chosen one of the new water colour textures on this image of a Dandelion, taken early in the morning ..

       

Friday Fences #28

 A few weeks ago my daughter Samantha and I went on a Photography workshop, we were taken to this lovely farm, with quaint buildings, animals and the greatest stand of native bush and of course fences..  spotted this fence with the flowers poking through while I was exploring. Check out the rest of the fences over at  http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.co.nz/


Have a great weekend ... Angela xx

Emma's new dress...

Today was the day to finish Emma's dress, I started it a few weeks ago and gave myself a deadline of this weekend....

The fabric was given to me by my Aunty Pam, and I wanted to make something that was girlie, I call the style a peasant dress.. I am very pleased with the finished look, and the "pop" of red adds to it. The fabric is very interesting, at first I thought it was black and white, but as I was sewing it it seemed to look more like a dark navy and white. 

Hope you like your dress Miss Emma, made with love from Nana.  xx

Shadow Shot Sunday..

 Taken at the beach early this morning, the weather is just gorgeous, on this our Easter Weekend Break. A last splash of sunshine and warmth before Winter arrives.

Join the rest of the Shadow Chasers from around the globe at the link below.

          http://shadowshotsunday2.blogspot.co.nz/

A slice of New Zealand .....

Last weekend Samantha and I went to Mangawhai  ( mang - a - why ) an hours drive from where she lives. We were taking part in a  photography walk with a local professional photographer. We had such a great day, and learnt heaps.

We spent some time down at the beach, Mangawhai is a very different beach from the one near my home. With it's white sand, and emerald water even on a windy day Mangawhai is magical....

Snap It - Green

 

 Monarch Butterfly Chrysallis, the last for the season, with such a wet Summer the Monarchs have been very scarce this year.



            http://faithhopeandawholelottalove.blogspot.co.nz/      link here for more Snap It participants



Angela xx