Sallyscape

Sherlock and Hugo

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000

Three movies in one week. Heaven. Firstly Sherlock Holmes: A game of shadows was another slick film at the hand of Guy Ritchie. Basically taking a formula that worked well in the first film and applying it to the second was the plan. I loved the first one and thought the second ok and interesting and visually rich but not quite the exciting event that the first one was. However, the action was thrilling and Robert Downey just charming and gorgeous. Definitely a fun Saturday night film

Nic and I read the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret and loved it so much. It is a stunning book with amazing hand drawn pictures and a great story. The film was as beautiful and was interpreted beautifully. Lovely Johnny Depp had a little cameo which is always a treat and later I realised he was also the producer. Set in Paris in about 1925 it captured the love of a child, the development of machinery and some real sadness. It was delicious and as many adults as children were in the audience. Well worth a look.

Holiday Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:46:00 +0000

One of the joys of going to a 'resort' style town for your holiday is that the shopping is great on the windy and cold days. Due to some of the unplanned things that happened our shopping took on a slightly different tack than normal. We found ourselves in the Salvation Army Store looking for a woolen blanket for Nic...the nights were very cold. We also found ourselves at Wanaka Wastebusters which was fantastic- legendary - and you must go next time you are in Wanaka. We got snow chains, brand new for $10.

Our disastrous boat trailer tyre incident meant we met Lucy who owns Escape in the main street and also Mr Robinson of Mrs Robinson in Tarras. Nice people and retail outlets. Our neighbour at Glandhu Bay owns the menswear store in town called Structure for Men. Another very kind and lovely person. I am doing plugs for their businesses because they are lovely people and their stores are good too. So if you are in the neighbourhood, check them out.

Another joy of travelling is finding the farmers markets and we happened upon a very lovely little market on a cold an windy day which turned out to be a very cold, wet and windy night in which we bailed from our tent. Another story for another day.

Francesca's Wood Fired Pizza with Stewart Island salmon, fresh Central Otago apricots and the plumpest cherries ever and lastly German cherry custard tart were our highlights...YUM

Oh yes and we spent a very happy time in Gallery 33 buying a stunning piece of artwork to add to our very small and learner art collection.

The Descendents

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:19:00 +0000

Love George Clooney for his ability to act and his choice of films. This film is about a family in a bit of a crisis. The mother is in a coma and as she lies there secrets are revealed and dealing with these as well as another string of family related issues in the extended whanau are played out through George's character Matt. I loved the setting of Hawaii, the real Hawaii, the lack of bright sun, the relaxed shirts, sandals and messy hair. Of course there is more to it than the look but it all added to the feel of the film. I learned some stuff from the characters and loved the writing. Loved the characters and the understatement of the direction and acting. Go and see it, it is a good film.

Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:43:00 +0000

We are back from our annual end of January camping holiday. Not from our beloved Totaranui which may never again be accessible to us in the same way, but rather from the south, the stark and beautiful Central Otago region. Wanaka has always been a winter or autumn destination for us, not a mid summer one. We took our big tent, small boat, kayak, 3 bikes and a ski biscuit. It was a holiday of extremes and some incidents that up until now have not plagued previous camping holidays. The key features were wind....lots of it, some snow and extreme heat. Without dwelling on those things, here are some pictures of our holiday.

Lake Pukaki on the way down...Aoraki Mt Cook in the background

Wow!!

Lake Wanaka and Nic all geared up for a big day in the water

Jonty and Nic enjoying a quiet rid on the boat

Morning on the lake

A hot morning and a tiny beach all to ourselves

Glendhu Bay on a very hot day

The mighty Clutha River

Swing bridge up the Matukituki Valley

Up the Matukituki Valley at the end of the road

Nic and Charlotte

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:01:00 +0000

The joy of watching two children together who just get each other so much but are not born of the same people. Amazing connection. I hope it lasts. Gorgeous

The adventures of Tin Tin

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:46:00 +0000

Saw the movie, never read one of the books. We went as a family...as an aside I must say I am loving the films of an 8 year old MUCH more than some of the shit I have had to watch over the years.

Gorgeously crafted with all the charm of the books (I understand from Jonty), I really enjoyed the experience and had little jokes to laugh at and just could not get my head around the animation. Sooo clever. Didnt see it in 3D. 3D is over rated after the first few minutes I think. Not much to say other than it was a good film. Here is a link to a blog post on Christchurch City Libraries Kids Blog written by our very talented and knowledgable Zac. You can get a much better idea of the film from this, rather than 'nice film' from me.

Just finished reading #47

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 07:57:00 +0000

Cutting for Stone -Abraham Verghese

This is a book I had been ignoring in the book group library for over a year; this was due mainly to two things…. The cover and the setting. Books set in the misery of the African continent tend not to be appealing to me, however, my pals implored I read it as it was becoming a favorite of the group. So, I tackled it in late November and have only just finished it. Since living in an earthquake zone I would have to say reading becomes a very difficult activity. Not because of shaking but of your mind finding it hard to focus. Plus, I have issues with most books I read these days as I suspect they lack an editors hand and have between 50-100 pages too many. I find myself bogged in the middle reading superfluous blah blah. I am sure this is a well worn record from me so I will move on.

Marion Stone is the narrator, a twin to Shiva; he is born in the Missing hospital in Addis Ababa during the time of Emperor Haile Selasie. Their mother, a nun, dies during the birth and the father disappears. From here we live through the trials and tribulations of Ethiopian politics and history as well as those of a hospital in a poor nation and in a loving family of two Indian Doctors who lovingly and mildly eccentrically raise these boys. The life they have with their nanny and helpers is wonderful and warm. A lovely story of culture, history, life, love, cultures and traditions. I really did enjoy it and raced through the last 250 pages in a day or so. It isn’t depressing or worthy, rather a story of love and loyalty. I really enjoyed the extensive medical stuff. Well written and a good holiday read with a bit more.

On another note, I picked up a ‘chic lit’ title from the library for my real holiday reading. 40 pages in and I was furious with the character and the plot had a giant hole in it. I am not a great reader but really, yuk. That will teach me. I am sure there is a ton of great chic lit out there but I obviously can’t pick them.

Verdicts

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:57:00 +0000

Iron Lady, good film, great acting. Makes me want to do the research. I like it when a film does that. Meryl Streep is stunning as always. I can't imagine how she does what she does.

I am sorry to mention this but it has been rather and extraordinary morning of earthquakes. We had a big 5.5 at 5.45am and have had about 20 since NYE. Very not nice. Interestingly, and I am sure this is the coping mechanism of people but people thinking that just because we humans think it is a new year and are keen to see the shit of 2011 behind us does not mean the EQ activity is going to change one bit., The earth does not work on the Julian calendar. Sad but true.

2012 Day One

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:40:00 +0000

Welcome to 2012 friends. I was going to reconnect with my blog in a more robust fashion on day one of my holiday 23 December 2011). I was going to post a witty plot of the day and the musings of a woman on holiday. But as is often the case these days, we had a kick arse stinking earthquake that ruined all of that.

HOWEVER, today is a new year and although I have no doubt at all that will continue to have shocking earthquakes, I am not going to let those bloody things stop me from doing things. So, DAY ONE....mmm.

A tiny bit of musing, some shopping, packing for our holiday at our bach, some reading, entertaining and sitting in the sun in our backyard. A pretty normal day in the life of us since Christmas. There could be two highlights to this day.

1. Iron Lady...will tell you later
2. Another Donna Hay divine dish...it will be a close call. I made this last night and it was stunning in its simplicity and taste. It tastes better than it looks. Tonight, with the chicken we didn't use I am doing a slightly altered version and am using a courgette out of my garden. I am also wrapping the chicken in prosciutto not chopping it up so we will see how that goes. Here is a link to the recipe.

Strawberry

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 22:27:00 +0000

I made this today. It has taken about 4 hours from start to finish. Lucky I have plenty to do while the 4 layers of jelly set. Interesting how often magazine recipes are not as rigorously represented as cook books. See the size of this? Looks like a loaf tin sized dessert. Times that by 3 and you have the actual size. Imagine the cost of ingredients...don't got there. Anyway, if anyone is passing in the next day or so, there will be a giant amount of strawberry and mascapone terrine sitting in the fridge. Pop in and enjoy some, I think it is going to taste heavenly

Chilaxing with my conies

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 06:09:00 +0000

While we were out and about on our bikes today we came across a very enjoyable art exhibit under a tree in the gardens by the museum. Christchurch people will enjoy these photos.

Ducks chasing bread

Splat

3 second rule

Gnome cone

Cone fish

Mt Cone

Cone o graph

shoe

Nativity

Adornment

Chilaxin with my conies

Flight of the butterflies

Manicone

My lovely boys taking a break at Bean Scene

Sup?

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:07:00 +0000

As my son would say? What the? Anyway, weeks have passed and no posts. Just can't be bothered and can't find the words but today I am going to put in some effort. I am guessing my friends who read this may have given up on visiting Sallyscape regularly as so often it is a disappointment upon opening.

So, what has been happening? Lots and lots of stuff which all interweaves to make up our lives. We have private things that don't get put in the blogesphere for privacy reasons and those things have really impacted on our life and my ability to put finger to keyboard. The impact of such things is far reaching and has closed down so much of the frivolous mind that is the interesting and inquiring part of my brain.

However, there have been trips and fun nights out, family gatherings, adventure days, shopping, movies and books, beach visits, warm days, new musical journeys, garden triumphs and delicious meals. Friendships have blossomed, intensified and started. The best thing out the fucking earthquake is friendships. Sustaining and so important. Some relationships are strained and tense and perhaps worth walking away from or not trying so hard. Work is tough but fulfilling. Money is tight, there are no trips planned, no new house, lots of extra costs brought on by the earthquake impacts, no frivolous purchases. Although, never hugely flush, we have had freedoms, now we don't. However, some people live like this all the time and I fully respect how hard and tiring this is and take this life lesson on the chin. It is hard not to worry about the future when you have no control and can't make things go your way. This is also the situation for many thousands of people in our country so again, I just respect those people and their ability to just keep going and make their contribution. We are not alone.

We won the Rugby World Cup. What a relief and a nice way to get through a few months, triumphs to tragedy and everything in between. It was great to be an observer of all of that and for it not to be about us here in EQ Christchurch....so much better than navel gazing. Loved it. Thanks rugby. BTW - Zac Guilford...you are an alcoholic, sad but true, get the help you need, it is not the end of the world and there is a big community of support out there.

Spring spring spring

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 05:37:00 +0000

It was sooo cold today but we were determined to get out and get some exercise and see what was happening in the big wide world. So we jumped on our bikes and scooted around Hagley Park, the new centre of Christchurch. Here is what we saw

The world cup replica

Nic riding through the empty fanzone. Definitely a place we want to revisit during a game on a warmer day.

This was fun. Shame I couldn't line Jonty as well as I did Nic

Gorgeous spring images from the gardens and my new spring shoes.

Look who we ran into as we were looking at the Eco Photos on Park Tce. Lovely friends.

Back at BLAX.....yay.

RWC

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 20:04:00 +0000

I know I have said in the past how much I cannot commit myself to the All Blacks in RWC as they are heartbreaking and it hurts to much to see them lose. I had transferred this to the whole tournament but now that it has started I am loving it. The rugby is awesome, the party if such fun. Even though Christchurch is a rugby wasteland, we are getting right into the fun and action as best we can. Lots of people are traveling all over for games and having such a ball.

Last night was a great game against France and watching on HD big screen just infused the love of rugby right back into my heart. Great night in with the Mounseys, nice food and lots of laughs. Such lovely people.

Those mighty All Blacks are amazing athletes and such tenacity and focus. So, now I have given my heart back to the ABs and am totally embracing my rugby self.

All photos courtesy of the Stuff website. www.stuff.co.nz

Dear Nic

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:34:00 +0000

As a parent you want your child to be many things, happy, clever, respectful, kind etc...however, you don't alwasy see the traits in your child that you dream for them. But when this comes home in a card from a class mate you feel like there are things about your child you might never know....

Dear Nic - you have been my best friend ever since I was in room seven you always make me laugh and make me forget about being sad because when I am sad you make me feel happy. From your best friend Catie.

Who knew? And, it also says something about the sweet girl who took hours to make a card and put her feelings down on paper...children are so sweet.

Random Travel Post #2

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 05:39:00 +0000

Years ago Karen, Ruth and I wandered along the Rakaia Gorge walkway thinking that we were on a light walk. Getting to the end of it with one orange and a drink between us, we realised how ill prepared we were. It is one of those trips that ends up being the trip we talk about when reminiscing. I was keen to get Nic out there to enjoy the track and in the endless search of getting the hell out of here, we went up there one cold June morning. It was fantastic, and we didn't even get to the end of the track. Gorgeous and we took more food this time.

Looking east

Looking west

This very friendly horse drove us back over the fence to enjoy our pizza with a view. How cool it was to find a picnic table and chairs in the middle of nowhere.

Piwakawaka

Random Travel Post #1 - In no particular order

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Even through the bleakness, we have had some really good trips away this year. In fact the bleakness is what propels us to go out in search of gentle travel adventures.

Queenstown - June 2011
Who could resist a $1 car rental and $27 airfares? Not us!! After spending a great night in Timaru with friend Marie-Anne eating yummy food and talking a lot we set our sites on Q'town. It was cold but not snowy. Days before the Winter Festival started with no snow makes for a quiet town but we still loved it. And this is what we did.

Walked around Queenstown on a very cold day...Remarkable view

Found a big red sofa

Ate at the legendary 'The Cow'. Best pizza in the world, really. And the venue for many a good evening in past lives.

Discovered the Chinese Village in Arrowtown - what a great find and a fantastic history lesson for all of us. What amazing resilient and tenacious people those men were. And how lonely they must have been living in the cold and tiny houses they made for themselves, so far from home.

We didn't even mind being delayed by a few hours as spending time on the sofa at Q'town airport reading and gazing out over the mountains is just not that hard.

Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:35:00 +0000

Every year I like to do a little 'spring' post with a picture of lovely blossom and other spring like things and this year is no exception. I spotted this stunning magnolia at Cathedral Grammar school as we were heading back to our car after attending a really fun music event at the Christchurch Arts Festival. The stunningly creative and fun Linsey Pollak entertained and thrilled us with his home made wind musical instruments. Delightful.

Having done that with the lovely Couper family and then running into another friend, I was feeling pretty happy and then I saw this and things just got a little better

Still Here

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:53:00 +0000

..but oh my god, how boring has this blog turned out to be?!!! Fucking endless earthquakes and destruction for a year just sucks the life out of you. All you energy goes into getting through each day without going insane, leaving your family, having a nervous breakdown or turning into an alcoholic. Rest assured this is not happening to me but it is happening all over this shaky town. I am soooo over it so now I might just get right back into the swing of living life and loving it. Hold me to this....

Rita and Douglas

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 01:50:00 +0000

Imagine sitting down to a play (of sorts) featuring Michael Houstoun playing Douglas Lilburn and Jennifer Ward-Lealand playing Rita Angus....for $20!! I would pay $120, but such is the joy of the Christchurch Arts Festival this year. With no venues left untouched this years shows are only at the weekends and are being hosted in school halls and auditoriums and temporary spaces erected especially for the festival. There are two distinct advantages to this. ONE, the tickets are sooo cheap and TWO, those of us who are dying a slow death through cultural deprivation can afford, and have time, to go to fantastic shows and start our hearts beating again.

The intensity and skill in last nights show was palpable and even the giant fuck off earthquake in the middle didn't even register on their faces as we all gasped and grasped. The images projected on the screen included those stunning paintings which we gasped at times as well as photos of the artists and their world. Delicious. Both Jennifer and Michael were masterful in their craft and it was a brilliant 80 minutes. At the end it was tears all round and the loudest applause ever. If you have a chance to see this you must. I think it would be amazing for anyone not just starving Christchurch people.

A romantic phone call

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:48:00 +0000

The other day my father in law phoned me from his home in Australia (he has never done this) and wanted to tell me a romantic story. Apparently it is Census year in Austrailia and this brought back a memory to John about how his parents met (about 100 years ago). His father was delivering census papers in his home town in Canada and lit upon a lovely woman as he did. He persued her and they became married. What a gorgeous story.

After I hung up and wandered off to tell Jonty the story, I remembered that we also met through the Census. Both of us were Enumerators on the 1981 Census where we met. Although we socialised and became friends it wasn't until about 18 years later that actually got together. In all an interesting coincidence and a cute family story.

Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 21:18:00 +0000

Yes, we love snow. It is a rare event so we are all facebooking like mad and loving the look of the place. The fire is on and we have electricity so just cosying up and enjoying the ride.

Just finished reading #46

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:56:00 +0000

When God was a rabbit - Sarah Winman

Loved it. Dark and funny but not dark in a way that you feel like you are in a dark room and too scared to go out. Darkly optimistic if there is such a thing. Great characters that you just can't help but wanting to know. Told through the eyes of Eleanor Maud through a reasonaly trautatic 30 year period. Elly is a loyal non judgemental girl who was born exactly the year I was so her songs and significant world events match mine which is just a wee bonus for me. Set in London (I think), Cornwall and New York it such a delight to read on a cold weekend that you just don't want to put it down. It is really about Elly and her brother, the bonds of family love (in many forms) and the acceptance of all kinds of delightful and interesting people. Jenny Penny, Nancy the film star auntie and eccentric Arthur are favourites. When I was telling some friends about it the other day I was laughing with tears and I didn't realise until then how bloody funny it was. Highly recommend.

Just finished reading #45

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 10:13:00 +0000

A secret kept - Tatiana De Rosnay

I finished this bookgroup book this afternoon while sitting by the fire after a stint in the garden. I thought it was an enjoyable light read that fulfilled my need to be absent in mind from my surroundigs. Set in Paris and other bits of France, I got 'Google Earthing' to check out some of the locations. I think it is a good sign when you do this. I also had a croissant for breakfast as well so I was in the zone. The author penned 'Sarah's Key' so I knew what I was getting into. I read a review which totally slammed it but I don't care, I enjoyed it for all its flaws. So, the main character is called Antoin. He is divorced, unhappy and hates his job. Helping his sister celebrate her 40th birthday in a favourite childhood holiday spot, he unwittingly opens up the wound of losing his mother as a child. Along with his teenage kids issues, his ex-wife issues, a car accident and long hidden family secrets we are treated to a Parisian tour. I liked how it ended, I liked the writing, the story and the characters. A nice weekend read.

Kindness

noreply@blogger.com (Sally) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 07:06:00 +0000

I am on a bit of a roll tonight. After a month of inactivity, largely earthquake related inertia driven, I am feeling inspired to share a whole lot of stuff all of a sudden. In one week we were the recipients of two very kind acts from others. Nic and his entire school received 'bedtime beanies' from the wonderfully kind knitters from around the country. It was amazing to see everyone bouncing out of school in wonderful hand knitted hats. Each one came with a little note...ours said 'made with love in Tauranga' No prizes for guessing what that felt like.

Then came home a gorgeous bag of goodies presented to all families at school full of cosmetics and other useful things for the whole family. This was put together by the very generous Cosmetic Toiletry and Fragrance Association. Wow!! Sooo kind. 'Something to brighten your day' said the little note. Thank you, thank you, thank you for every kind earthquake thing. Every nice comment, little treat and acknowledgement is very supportive and does bring a ray of sunshine to our lives.