Catching Up...Baking Up A Storm... Sunday, Sunday!

Its been a while... This new computer is awesome, but its taken me a while to figure out how to get everything on again... Happy is, having a big hard drive for lots of photos...

Sumner Main Street

So... lets see some... We took family for a break out to Sumner, I have to say, it is beautiful out there, even in its delicate state. It was a central part of the earthquake, and I was astounded to see the damage, and yet delighted to see the heart of Sumners shops still buzzing, slowly maybe, but steadily all the same.

Road to Sumner, paved by Road Cones!

Shipping Containers edge the road below the cliffs

Underfoot, the scars remain

The Beach Footie Must Go on!

The shops that remain open are well patronized, and Sumner still has such unique places to go and find all manner of things you dont find any where else...

Cute Kiwiana!



Idyllic Buildings especially this one!

 Im eternally grateful I dont live on a hill overlooking the sea.

You can see the gashes where the rocks have fallen

Looking up at them always did make me nervous, the pigeon filled cliffs have fascinated me, the birds fly out now and again en masse, and now, looking at the piles of rubble along the base of the cliffs, and the shipping containers placed there to make the roads safe... the mind boggles.

Cave Rock - the Cave is now filled with boulders

The iconic landmark as you go through Sumner on the beach, is Shag Rock. Of course, the one photo that *didnt turn out* was the one of the new and changed Shag Rock. It doesnt even look like the same place... The funny thing was, we were travelling through and when I saw it, I took a photo, but there was a sign nearby that I caught right in front of the Rock, so here ya go

 ... needless to say, Shag Rock is now small. Very odd... but still has the Shags...

Life Goes On, so glad to see theyre open and Ok

Little Lady Goes Shopping With Daddy

Doesnt matter the age, the hands both went out automatically to run along the top of the rock walls :)

Spa Pool Anyone?

What a gorgeous day for having a stretch of the legs, and a small road trip from the suburbs. Well, Sumner is still a part of the city, but so different from our part of things...

Eww Ahh, a Tractor... We saw two actually!

Theres still a dearth of Diggers and Council vehicles... If youre missing a digger or two... I know where they are! Oh and Road Cones. Christchurch has a million... or two.

The Substation next to the RSA in Sumner

We made a big batch of cupcakes this week.

Our first ever try. Miss A was suitably impressed, and we packed them up and took them around to our neighbours. Blue and Pink icing too... yum. Just what you need :)

Actually Daddy was very impressed with them... We have promised to make them again. Four dozen small cupcakes, it was fun! Weve made a couple of our Fruit Loaves too. Theyre yummy! I think Im channelling my inner Domestic Goddess at the moment, its so much fun to bake esp when its cold outside... and Miss 4 has been learning about mixing and stirring... she loves sitting up there chatting as we bake.

Pumpkin

Another week of school and theyre off again for Easter break. Two weeks of changing weather - lets just say, its usually crappy weather this break, hopefully this year will give us a couple of good solid weather days so we can get out and about... before Autumn cracks and lets Winter in.

Bergamot

The Easter bunny better pop in too, Ive heard Creme eggs are on The Easter List this year, as well as Golden Bunnies from Lindt. Expensive tastes, my children!!

Look Mummy, Im a bwide!

Autumn Colours

Beautiful Lillies

And after all that, May will slide in quietly...

Signs of Winter approaching - Our Empty Swimming Pool...

Our weekly scoop from the garden... Seed Pods and Veggies

My bull-headed Taurean turns 11 on the 8th of May. He is my Mothers Day present, bless him.
This year I want to make him something special, hes had a whacky kind of year - two earthquakes, lots of responsibility and not as much schooling as usual. He is holding it together, but the cracks are showing... I think we all could do with a holiday, but where to go? Hes asked for books... so easy to buy for :)

The new Echinacea I bought has flowered, three tall (majus var) flower heads which I watched over as they died and dried... I bought them inside and shook them tentatively... Yes!! We have seeds. Im so pleased. I hope they are viable and easy enough for this amateur to grow from... Excited? Well yes! I am! :)

My pumpkin is still growing ... Im cautious, as I know the first frost will kill it, but even to get one small pumpkin would be so cool. Its so shiny and green, its very pretty...

Our bergamot has flowered beautifully (photo above), the flowers dont seem to have seeds which concerns me. I dont know what Im looking for however, so maybe I have just missed them this year... I must remember to *google* them...

Mr Winks

Not a lot more to report. Ive just put some boxes and old towels/sheets out for the cats. It is getting colder at night and now that we have two extras, they seem to fight over the old dry haunts... so theres a new box in the garage, and another under the table out the back in the porch... I have to growl at them for fighting, and they adore me seriously... no, honest, its true. They hang on my every bowl of food.

Heres hoping your week is a happy one,
Wishing you Sunshine and Light,
From My Hearth to Yours,

Winter Colour amongst Liquefaction

Earth Butterfly
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Long Days and Rainy Nights!!

Mermaid Princess on Dolphin :)

Pre-teen Posing

Mummy & Teen :) Rare Footage!

Mr 10 peeks in Army Truck

Its Sunday again, but not so you'd know.
It seems the weeks are going by very quickly here. I thought for most of today that it was Saturday!
We have been reorganizing things inside, cleaning the floors, the shelves, and dusting off grey silty dust off everything. The heavens opened and it has been raining on and off for the past two nights. The garden loves the rain and things have picked up and started growing again... no more drooping beetroot! We have little clumps of fresh basil growing, the new silverbeet is huge now, ready for picking again! I love it - fresh vege from our own little plot! ... Even some of the beans have produced seeds for next year. Thats exciting.

Candy Floss!

Mr Whippy Icecream!

...And the Clown had PINK HAIR Mummy!

Spent the day on Saturday (Yesterday) with the children and Mr EB trying to get around to do things. It seems to take so long at the moment to travel to places, negotiating roads and planning routes. We got there in the end, and found a Kids Day at the local park. The kids loved spending some outdoor time on the playground, the bouncy castle, eating free Mr Whippy Icecream, and generally being spoiled. Arlais couldnt believe her luck when she was given some Candy Floss (spun sugar) ... And the best thing... it was PINK!

We've moved The Lad into the side room. It was formerly the front porch, but after our aftershock last night of 4.9, the piles in the back bedroom are a bit soggy. Not liking the sound it makes when you walk into the room... It was a very good shake - lasted a while and gave us all a fright. It took a while for my hands to stop shaking and my heart to settle into rhythm again! Also seemed to come from a different direction, and was centred in Mt Pleasant Road, so not too far away...

Ive kept busy trying to organize the house, clean up etc.
Also, Ive tried my hand at stewing some fruit, seeing we were given lots of it, and it just doesnt keep long in the hot weather... Im so proud, see Mr EB told me I could do it!

I should listen to him, he knows Everything yanno! :-)  And its so yummy in the mornings on cereal with milk...!

Bless Good Friends who, after a hellish week supporting each other, make dinner for you and bring it over just as you are scouring cupboards wondering *What to Make* ... Thank You Nat!! It was so nice not to have to engage my very little brain power to make such important decisions :) And we loved the quiche!!

Heres hoping that with the end of the week and the refreshing rainfall, that the next week brings good things, changes, new beginnings... lots of positiveness for the people of Canterbury, the people of Christchurch, and the people throughout the World who are finding life a bit of a struggle just now...
I know its not just local, its global...

Love to you and yours,
EButterfly
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Spinner! Gord has last word :)

Counting blessings tonight...

It is a quiet still night out there.
Im here by myself, which happens once in a blue moon - like never. The children decided to go for a drive back to Uncle N & Aunty Ts place. It is soooo quiet.
I had my first shower since the Quake, and enjoyed the luxury of hot water, peace and quiet and gorgeous smelling shampoo! Oh the Joy! I feel remotely human again! Gone is the grey dust that riddles everything the instant the wind blows.
Dear Mr EB bought us in a huge chocolate gateaux of all things --- Im sure its for me, but I bet I have to share (of course I will) ... It was nice to spend a day with the big guy today...We havent seen him in a while because petrol is extravagant by our means, and well, he hasnt got power at the moment due to a local fire --- all the linesmen are here in town fixing up our issues, so he has had to wait in line, and it isnt looking likely for a while. Not good!

Tonight Im counting my blessings. I have so many. Ive got a gorgeous family, all my basic needs are met, and Im healthy, as are my family. This week has opened not only my eyes Im sure... there are people out there who are digging deep, struggling to cope, using all their resources. For some Im sure its instinctual, others have learnt along the way, but it is amazing how strong the human resolve to survive is.

Having the energy to cope is one of the things I see as being a big issue in a disaster/emergency situation. I noticed that as our diet fitted what we had in our cupboards and our garden, we gained in energy. Preparation is minimal, you can eat it straight away after a quick wash - No processed food.
Vegetables straight from the garden - fresh food, high in goodies like fibre, vitamins, minerals that possibly we skip sometimes in favour of things that are quick, easy, tempting, sweet or salty...
Im planning on extending the *Green Zone* in my yard. I think I can make a big difference, and it annoys me that it took me so long to realise this. Ignorance is bliss... Self realizations are annoying :-)

Today was grocery day. Our local Pak n save was a little more alive than last time (last time we counted 8 people plus ourselves) Its important to keep our dollars, big or small, with the local vendors, and Im keen to help where I can. It isnt alot, but we need our supermarkets over this side of town, as we have lost many of the other ones. Countdown in Eastgate is closed at present, The Woolies in The Palms mall is closed... And Stanmore Super Value has gone... So that leaves our Pak n Save in Wainoni, and the New World in Stanmore Road, in Richmond. Not a lot of choice, but it is important to support them... Use it, or lose it, especially at this time.
Loving the Rangiora Express. Bless those people for the job they do, making a huge difference in peoples lives when it counts. Theres so much stress, I hear on the radio that Domestic Violence incidences rise at times like this. It is no wonder, with the loss of life, the loss of businesses and jobs, incomes and esteem, it is a torrid time. There are places who can help with counselling, if you know of people who are struggling emotionally, please please, for our children, for the spouses of these people, urge them to seek help.

Also, another place for support and a food parcel is Aranui Primary School - the ladies and gentlemen there are supportive and caring, they have clothing and shoes, books and toys too. Ladies, you can get sanitary items from these places too, nappies and formula can be found if you require them too - dont be afraid to ask, they want to help!

Loving the free sausage sizzles too - it is really inspiring to see people wanting to give back - with sacks of fruit on their front gates with FREE signs everywhere throughout the city. Bottles of water being given away, Free hand sanitizer.
See, its simple. People ARE counting their blessings. And then they pass it along - that energy is awesome and it makes a really good thing come from what was a really scary thing...

Ok, I hear the glee of small children returning home. Ooh, says One. Its really DARK! It must be past our bedtime...
It sure is Bud, and ... Mum still hasnt had that huge piece of gateaux yet :-)

Take care of Yours and You!
Love

Earth Butterfly
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TOMORROW IS CANTERBURY RED AND BLACK DAY! Dont forget your One-Eyed Cantab Supporter Outfit!