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Banana cake. Vegetable soup. Bread rising.

The whole house smells of deliciousness on a cold night.

Takapuna Beach today.
Lovely daughter, precious long-time friend. Delicious food, coffee, sun, shopping.

Beautiful way to spend a winter day.

First day of winter.

Andrew Wyeth:
I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn’t show.

Still road-tripping.
Waipunga Falls in the Napier-Taupo hills was a cold, rainy but stunningly beautiful place for a quick photo stop.

Another evening, another beach, another sunset.

This one, Haumoana, Hawke’s Bay.

Ten years of memories, two of our former houses, echoes of our children’s childhoods and some of our favourite people are here.

Today felt like coming home.

Pic of the day … A fence post in the Manawatu Gorge. (And it’s not even Friday.)

The day began, still giggling, with thoughts of Josh and MJ’s standup comedy of the night before.
Then came breakfast with Mum and Dad, a road trip with our lovely daughter, lunch with the parents-in-law, delicious soup with the Waipuk whanau and a bottle of wine with Napier friends.

Life is very full!

End of another beautiful day in Paekakariki.

Another view of Kapiti Island … Edited a little for drama :)
Actually all is not bleak and grim in Paekakariki, as this image might suggest. It’s lovely.

Today I am appreciating a morning walk on the beach with Dave. A weekend spent with very special people. Taking the new XR6 for a spin. Reading books, eating, resting and generally being on holiday, with weeks stretching ahead before there are any claims on my time.

Happy sigh.

Kapiti Island from Paekakariki Beach.
A walk with my husband as the last of the light drained from the day.

On the road to Wanganui. One tree standing strong.

It’s been a day for amazing, beautiful, simple shows of strength.
By fine young daughters speaking bravely at their mother’s funeral.
By a grieving husband who wonders how life will go on. By friends and colleagues rocked by their sudden loss.

Two days, two funerals. This is a crash course in all the things that make a life special.