The News Weve all been Waiting For ... Avonside/Dallington - Street Sinkhole, Photos

A big day for some of us in Christchurch. Homeowners finally have some idea about what is to happen with their homes, properties and their futures.
Weve been glued to the news. Its really important for us who live here to know what is happening to those who own their own homes, so we can support and understand their decisions... and be the Ear that they may need... Lots of turmoil, it must be heartbreaking - we watched Campbell Live last night, and it is truly heartbreaking to see the families and homeowners and hear their stories about their lives since September 2010...
Heres some News Links here...
Emotional day for Avonside and Dallington

How It Works - Pay Out Case Studies

Crown to buy 5100 quake-hit Christchurch homes

Cathedral Dome to be Removed  - Ever since I was a little girl visiting Christchurch, it was always a sign that we were near the central city when we could spot the Catholic Cathedral domes. Seeing the Angels sitting amongst the badly damaged Cathedral in the first few months, and then the devastation in the second earthquake when they started demolishing the buildings, it all makes me so sad that My Christchurch (like a lot of other peoples CHCH!) is changing. I loved that building, it was truly beautiful. Majestic beauty. Sob. Today theyre removing the crosses. Because of the bare land spots throughout the avenues, it makes Christchurch quite a changed city site already... Just miss the familiarity. Remembering today especially, all the lives that passed away, and the remaining lives that changed forever on those shaky days... Nostalgic grey kind of day today maybe...xx xx

Big Ups. We are moving into a new planning phase. Mr EB and I are actively seeking new things to do to support our (self sufficient) lifestyles. This will bring us closer together, and we will be better able to support ourselves and our family.

Our garden is always surprising us. SURPRISE! It must be ... Spring? Heck no. Yesterday was the shortest day or somesuch... but! WE HAVE FLOWERS :-)

Oh and Holes... Middle of the Street. Broad daylight (actually Wintry Gloom today, rain and such!) but there it is... a Sink hole!

And then there is our brave Geranium cuttings that seem to eat Liquefaction for breakfast, cos theyve grown WILD baby!
WAHOO! Pretty too...

Liquefaction in the front, under the lounge

Geranium Cuttings that grew like Topsy!

And then theres our poor old Chimney. Old being the best word to describe it... The top has been removed, and its capped off inside and on the roof level... but the outside is coming further away from the house with each shudder... EQC need to assess it, before the landlord will do anything further. Gulp. EQC are so over-worked... It isnt a good scenario.

This Ole House!

And thats it for now...
Another day in the life of a Earthquake Turtle.

Love Ya!EBUTTERFLY
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
XXXXXXXXX

Camera-licious Weekend!!

Im baaa-aack!!
Complete with camera and lots of photos... Who'd have thought I could take so many photos in two days... My poor hard drive is groaning. Time for saving to disc (Can hear Mr EB nodding, he said this yesterday) ...
Heres my new baby here

And its awesome...Simple, inexpensive by most standards, but PERFECT for me and my need to blog, to photograph, document... AWESOME - it makes me sooooo happy! (I think you get it!)
Its SUNDAY again. 
This week was crazy. Lots of the positives, but more so some negatives.
NZ suffered the loss of another young soldier serving overseas in Afghanistan.
My heart goes out to his family and friends, he will be sorely missed, heaven just gained another good 'un!
Petrol hit the $2.02 per litre mark this week, which cripples those of us who have tight budgets and need to travel for work or to see family. That seriously puts things into perspective...
We barely use the car, being fortunate to have all things we need within reach or a good walk, but there are Family who come in from the farm, and it is $50 a round trip approx.
Missing the visits, the coffee, the chats and the cuddles terribly!
And I doubt the prices will ever lower, it just doesnt work that way.

Also, Milk prices are horrendous here in New Zealand.
We are a country who, because of our beef and dairy exports should be able to reduce these prices, making milk affordable for families. It is so sad that a two litre of coke is currently HALF the price of a two litre of milk. Sad for our children and their health...Greedy Milk People!! And the prices of basics like butter and cheese should follow.... Then Id work on flour prices, then rice... and sugar... sigh...all the basics.

Vote Earth Butterfly for Government! Ha! just kidding about the votes, Id run a mile...

The Garden is BLOOMING! 

Tomatoes everywhere... 

Bowl of Tomato Goodness! 

Non-Acid pear shaped heirloom

 

This is our first of the season - a pear shaped beauty!
We have quite a number on the plant, and theyre all in different shades of orangey red as they ripen... Loving it! Theyre sweet and firm to taste. Going to be saving some of the seeds for next year too!

Uncle N has been growing toms too, and this is another heirloom.

 

(Black Kirrin I think!) 

Beans Growing up to the Sky! 

Weve eaten our way through the lettuce patch, still more to go.

 But theres some gorgeous colour still in the garden.

Ive started some geranium plants off. I love the vivid colour and distinctive smell. The basil plant seedlings have taken off, and I have so many basil plants, I think Im going to have to sell them/barter them.  We have some more BRIGHT LIGHTS silverbeet coming along (coloured chard) and there are borlotti beans growing nicely... Pumpkins are trailing slowly but steadily... Thyme plant is bushy - very healthy! We have lemon balm, echinacea and bergamot. 

The Garden is full of promise...Lots of Growing still to do,

The biggest ones of these is fist-sized! 

Loving it!! 

The bees are busy, the flowers nod wisely in the sultry seasonal breezes. 

Life is good here at the Lazy A. 

Giant Marigolds that have grown up to my waist.

Our Soldier Cat, Zandy

 Well, thats this post... on to the next one... and the next one...

And all the next ones thereafter!

Long live The Garden

and all who muse, whilst pulling weeds within Her.

Love from My Hearth to Yours! 

Just an Update - An Alpine Quake Likely - ... Talk about Scary!!

Spring and the blossom is here!

Hmm, its been a few days now, and almost 300 after shocks, and low and behold, an article in the paper tells us to expect a very large earthquake, centred in the alps, likely tomorrow. Gulp.
ARTICLE HERE 
Dr Quigs Site - excellent info on whats happening here!
 
I did groceries this morning. It is funny how your perceptions change, we didnt grab our usuals, but instead, candles and matches, bottled water and regular supplies were the name of the game today! Ive stocked up, and tonight, in Survivalist Mode I go - Im packing bags to bug out, Just in Case...

Dallington Foot Bridge, twisted almost beyond recognition.

 

 

 

 

Oh well, as weve been telling the kids,
Its All A Part Of the Experience

Stop the World Spinning,
I m getting Motion Sickness :)

Rocking and Rolling in Canterbury
Love,
Earth Butterfly & Co.,