Tacky Weddings

In celebration of TV3's new reality show Hitched, I thought I'd share this gem of a blog I found the other day. Check out: Tackyweddings.com. My absolute favourites so far are the hideous cake toppers and the camouflage themed weddings. Who knew camo weddings were so popular? Even if you don't like weddings, actually especially if you don't like weddings, you are bound to find this funny.

A tribute cake topper for 'Mr and Mrs Bear' whose nuptials I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing last night on Hitched. Image Source: Tackyweddings.com

The Herald on Sunday treated us to a taste of things to come on Hitched. If last night's cringeful episode was anything to go by, then we are in for a treat! And if you missed it, there are repeats on Saturday at 4pm. Did anyone else enjoy this programme or was it just me and my odd sense of humour?

Otto and the Otters

Welcome to the world!

I am a bit of a nature lover, so this story delighted me. Especially the timing...

Pretty cute! Photo from: Auckland Zoo

The newest addition to the Auckland Zoo family, the otter pups made their first public appearance today. The two male Asian small-clawed otters are the first born pups of Jana and Juno. I saw them on 3 news tonight shortly after I found about the arrival of Mr and Mrs $1 pies newest family member!

Did you know... that otters mate for life and that otters don't develop their waterproof coat for three months?

Ahhh, new life in the new year. Don't you love it?

Well done to the Otters, and Mr and Mrs $1 Pies!

I'm back, having just spent a wonderful weekend in Whakatane. Had a really busy time catching up with family and meeting with various wedding vendors.

Spent some time with our marriage celebrant. We got a bit teary-eyed when she gave examples of what she might say during the ceremony. I have a feeling both Mr Jones and I will be blubbing big time on the day!

We also met with some of the vendors we are hoping to use on the day including; Tui Party Hire, Pink Rock Caterers and Flower Devas'. Thanks to you all for your help and ideas. And thanks also to Whakatane.info, which is proving incredibly useful in the wedding planning process.

Other things we enjoyed in Whakatane were:

The coffee, choc chip cookies and magazines at The Bean

The new mural on the side of the Whakatane Police Station featuring Auntie Mabel

A rainy day dip at the Awakeri Hot Springs

Ohiwa Harbour, which is strictly speaking not Whakatane, but the landscape is stunning. We will be planning a holiday there soon for sure!

And Matariki celebrations at Mum's house.

What a great town!

Shout out to $1 Pies for the mention in Eye on Kope. Thanks for keeping me in the know about the important things going on in Whakatane.

Source: Whakatane.info

Source: Ohiwa Harbour Jos's Photography

What I'm reading

So I'm in the library the other day and I pick up this book on the 'New Books' stand (because I'm a sucker for a pretty cover) and I open it up and realise the author looks familiar. So I flick through and read the Acknowledgments page and what do ya know. There is an acknowledgment to Wellington City Archives, where I once worked. And an acknowledgement to Mr Jones!

So naturally I got it out and I've just finished reading it.

Alison Wong's first novel As the Earth Turns Silver was a very compelling read; that totally met all my fiction requirements. I like a book that spans time, I like a book that incorporates historical events into the lives of the characters, and I like stories about families. A bit of romance doesn't go a miss either.

When I read something I like I HAVE to go out and find out more about the author.

So here's what else I found:

Alison is also a talented poet, her first collection of poetry entitled Cup was published in 2006. Her poem The Archaeologist was selected for Best New Zealand Poems 2006.

You can read more of Alison's work via the National Electronic Text Centre's online archive and here. You can also see the writing process in action here.

Alison will also be reading some of her poetry at this year's Rising Dragons, Soaring Bananas International Conference in July.

Understandably, given the complexity of her first novel, it took a while to write. But I hope we don't have to wait to long for the next one! Although if it is as good as the first, I won't mind too much. :)

Poladroid

About a month ago I saw this post on one of my favourite wedding blogs - A Practical Wedding. This blog is great because it has loads of eye candy, some of the prettiest weddings I've seen, and sensible advice. The entry today really struck because it kinda fits in with things going on in my life right now. But that's a side note.

Anyway, my point is (I'm getting there...) we have not budgeted for a wedding photographer for our wedding, mostly because we can't afford and also because we are a bit camera shy. So I found the post on Practical wedding about alternatives to having a wedding photographer incredibly useful. In the article they talked about using Poladroid, down-loadable software that turns ordinary photos into Polaroid look-a-likes! I downloaded it and have had a wee play around and I love it! Photos of people turn out really well, as you can see here, but today I will share my top three nature shots.

My Mum took this photo when we were camping in Paihia. Thanks Mum :)

Mr Jones took this photo of the Puhoi Library

This photo was taken at the old Warkworth Cement Works

You can look at other peoples Poladroids on Flickr, but just a warning, it contains a variety of content.

And finally a Poladroid birthday shot for someone who is having a birthday today.

Happy Birthday!

Ah Monday

Quite a mixed bag it was.

The best bit had to be having cuddles with our friend's new baby!

Friday evening was a real mix. Went to a talk at the University of Auckland by UN Habitat Director Anna Tibaijuka. To be honest the talk wasn't amazing or anything. But it did renew my interest in development planning. Hmmm.

Also went to the Vegetarian Society Mid-winter dinner held at the Blue Bird Cafe, which if you are happy to hang with the Sri Chinmoy followers, has the most delicious vegan and vegetarian food. We felt a bit strange crashing their smaller than we expected intimate dinner, especially as only one the four of us was actually an eligible to be a member of the society! However, they were nice people and it was a good experience.

Did anyone listen to Music 101 on Saturday? Uni and her Ukulele were on it. We saw her play in the Domain last week. She rocks!

No pics today. But I may have some photos to post tomorrow...

Stop Night Class Cuts!

When I first heard that the National Government announced in the budget that they plan to cut 80% from adult community education and night classes funding I was appalled!

Mostly because I like taking night classes. I have taken two so far and can highly recommend it. Most recently Spanish for travellers and I once took a writing for media course.

At the moment I am thinking of enrolling for car maintenance and Japanese home cooking.

Where else could you go to learn these things, without paying a small fortune!

Many people rely on these courses to further their life and career skills. Not all are 'hobby' courses, we can also say goodbye to affordable small business management courses, first aid, ESOL, defensive driving, budgeting, organic gardening amongst other important skills. Most people, myself included, will not be able to afford to do these courses otherwise.

Continuing education in all its forms enriches not just individual's lives, but also communities and society as a whole.

So if you are as concerned I am, be sure to visit: Stop Night Class Cuts and take action!

Source: Petition Fights Budget Cuts

Photo day

I have been experimenting with the camera recently. These are some of the results I liked:

Carnations in Crown Lynn shape no. 134.

Although mine are nowhere near as cool as this, the effect reminded me of a photo spread in NZ Home and Entertaining magazine (now called NZ Home) a few years back, captured by Derek Henderson, in which the stylist, Katie Lockart created arrangements such as this:

Source: Photo by Derek Henderson from Katie Lockart.com

I believe this is either shape no. 654 or 505.

Very talented people!

I like birds

If you like birds (and you live in NZ), as I do you may be interested in participating in the Landcare Research Garden Bird Survey.

All you have to do is get the bird guide and recording form from Landcare Research or from the latest issue of Forest and Bird Magazine and simply spend an hour in your garden or local park recording the birds you see.

Source: Garden Bird Guide

You can also look at the results of the survey from previous years on Landcare research site and if you really really love bird watching they have some links to other great bird information sites.

Happy bird watching!

The weekend that was

Ohhh, my first post! Welcome.
Here's some highlights from my weekend spent in the good company of a friend from Wellington.
Saturday morning was spent at the French market in Parnell La Cigale.

We had the most delicious Turkish delight. Nougat flavour was the best!

Source: La Cigale

And on Sunday after a visit to the Annual Auckland Red Cross Book Fair, we went to the Alexandra Market which was an equally pleasing experience. Highlights included, handmade chocolates and a scrummy mushroom, parsley and truffle oil concoction which became the basis of that evening's 'gourmet' risotto.

Heavenly eating all weekend!

Source: Alexandra Market

Wedding Update No. 1:

Also as our October wedding draws closer and closer the pressure is on to get the invites out, especially as most of our guests are travelling and will need to book accommodation. So we spent some time on Sunday evening hand-making about 60 pink envelopes.

More about weddings another day...