Friday Five: Feline Lessons

As we work out the logistics of moving to Australia, Chester is a primary concern. He needs to be micro-chipped, have all his vaccinations up-to-date, and undergo a thorough medical check. He needs to clear customs and bio-security, pass through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and be exported as live cargo. This means his transport costs more than mine and Him Outdoors' put together.

It would have been cheaper (although illegal) to buy him a seat on the plane . He could have chosen his own movies (Puss in Boots) and selcted his own meal (not fish - he is the possibly the only cat in existence who doesn't like fish). And before you ask, no, it has not occured to either of us to leave him behind - he is part of our family. Besides, he entertains, amuses, and greatly benefits our general welfare (it is hard to be stressed when there is a streched out cat asleep and snoring gently beside you). He has also taught me a few lessons in life...

5 Things I've Learned from My Cat:

1. There is no problem that doens't improve by sleeping - in fact, sleep is the great panacea
2. It is important to keep your nails (claws) and nether regions scrupulously clean
3. If you assume you are beautiful/ important, other people will too
4. Seek out warmth in winter and shady spots in summer
5. If something/ someone is unpleasant for any reason, just walk away

Quote for Today

"I've always written to read out loud - that's my reward for writing it. When you're writing, you're all alone in your room; when you're reading, you're getting attention. Plus you can sort out and fix things, you can speed things up and control how the characters talk. Sometimes the biggest laugh can come from a pause." - David Sedaris, as quoted in New Zealand Listener, January 14-20, 2012

Friday Five: Desirable Knowledge

5 Things I'd Like To Learn:

1. Ballroom dancing
2. Rally car driving
3. Spanish
4. Mushroom identification (so I don't poison myself)
5. Patience (the virtue: I know how to play the card game)

Easter Treats

I'm not known for my baking, or if I am, it's not in a good way. But Easter often finds me faffing in the kitchen. This Easter I eschewed the oven and made 'surprise chocolate eggs'. I guess the surprise is that they don't look anything like eggs. They are Maltesers covered in a milk chocolate and sour cream mixture, dipped in melted white chocolate and then drizzled with melted dark chocolate. They may look a bit odd, but they taste lovely - and ridiculously rich (as you can imagine with all that chocolate!) Some of them worked quite well; others were mutants.

I am better with savoury stuff - for dnner we had slow-cooked lamb with skordalia (potatoes mashed with garlic and olive oil), green beans with feta, roast tomatoes, and chickpea and risoni salad (I didn't take a picture of that). I know, as Him Outdoors said, as if I didn't have enough to do... But I love cooking, especially at Easter for some reason. 

The gorgeous flowers in the photo are from my mum - thank you mum. She figured I might need a hug, so she sent a floral one long distance. As she often is, she was right and it cheered me up, so I put them in the picture with the Easter chocolatey goodness. I hope you all had a good Easter too with gatherings of the people you love.

Quote for Today

From Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks:

“They say the Lord’s Day is a day of rest, but those who preach this generally are not women. Even on the Sabbath, a fire must be laid, water drawn, victuals prepared, infants washed and dressed in meeting clothes. Those in purse to have a cow must see to it, for no one has preached to the cow that she must not let down the milk that stiffens her udders.”

Friday Five: Shopping in Wellington

Last week I spent a couple of days in Wellington and in between watching plays, spending time with my sister, reading with my niece, and playing cricket with my nephews, I mananged to visit some shops and buy a few things. In a twist on the old game;

My Aunt Went to Wellington and She Bought:

1. Some cheap and cheerful sparkly fashion jewellery from eQUIP
2. Lots of deliciously scented bath bombs, soaps and massage bars from Lush
3. A new green leather wallet from Bags of Difference
4. Several books from Unity Books
5. A pint of Best Bitter from the Sprig and Fern on Tinakori Road

Friday Five: Shopping List

5 Items That Are Always On The Shopping List:

1. Basmati rice - Him Outdoors always thinks we've run out (often when we haven't)
2. Raspberry jam - Ditto
3. Cat food - If he doesn't eat; we don't sleep
4. Toilet roll - there are some things you just don't want to be without
5. Lettuce - I can't believe I didn't use to like lettuce; now I eat it every day, and you can't stockpile it, so it's got to be fresh and crisp