tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61385031365594296982024-02-18T19:21:12.212-08:00Arty Green in ParadiseA blog of slow living and art plus small towns in New Zealand.Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-85865918121655600502020-02-23T17:56:00.000-08:002020-02-23T17:56:26.018-08:00Missing In actionHi folks, you might have thought that I'd dropped off the edge of the earth, but the truth is that I've been feeling for a while that my blog has mostly run it's course.
There's nothing worse than forcing a blog, so my blog posts have become sporadic, and now they might only appear once or twice each year, but it will be when there is something I feel is worthy to share.
What I have been doing Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-61988094696259366012019-12-24T00:08:00.002-08:002019-12-24T00:08:44.762-08:00Christmas 2019
Blooms from the pohutukawa - New Zealand's Christmas tree
Wow, where did the past year go??
It's Christmas Eve here in New Zealand. The eggnog is prepared in the fridge, as is the trifle, parts of the salads prepared to go with the cold chicken and ham. Family are bringing the potato salad and cheesecake. Plus there are all the trimmings, like cherries and fudge, camembert and crackers, Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-32949167185594706542019-11-17T17:41:00.000-08:002019-11-17T17:41:33.162-08:00Random MusingsHi All. I was going to take a little blogging holiday, but thought I'd just fire some random things on here to let you know that we made it back from the cruise ok. It's not all about the trip tho.
There were good times, but as I suspected, it's not our preferred mode of travel, mostly because of the sheer number of people.
Dravuni Island, Fiji
Dravuni Island in Fiji has only about 158Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-67744128448080432752019-10-13T22:12:00.000-07:002019-10-13T22:12:12.755-07:00Travel - How Does It Make You Feel?Hi All. I feel guilty. Every time I travel now( which we are reducing). It's climate change - I know that the way we travel doesn't do the planet any good and it makes me feel like a hypocrite.
But we live on an island in the Pacific, and family members live overseas.
So we are off on a cruise soon. It's our family catch up. I've never been on a cruise before, not sure how I'm going to like Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-66065806582990184662019-09-21T19:52:00.000-07:002019-09-21T19:52:14.531-07:00Intercept Fabric Rescue
Design on an upcycled denim jacket by fabric artist Jenny Hill - Intercept instigator
Some weeks back I was approached by Jenny with the idea of rescuing some of the fabric that is going to the landfill from one of our big op shops (thrift store).
The manager has told her that $60,000 dollars per year is spent on dumping fees by this store alone. They currently send a skip to the Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-14985331331160716832019-09-13T16:59:00.001-07:002019-09-13T16:59:38.851-07:00A Boot Refashion and Four Great SalvagesHi All, this post is all about saving things from going to waste. I believe that we should treat everything as a resource, sending them to the landfill should be the very last thing, when there's no better option.
These Boots Were Made ....Shorter
These leather boots had languished in my wardrobe long enough. They were mid calf length - which is an unflattering place for a boot to end on meAnne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-41034306163578099182019-08-27T23:15:00.000-07:002019-08-27T23:15:27.992-07:00 Sorrel, Orange Peel, 2040 - the Doco.Sorrel
Disregard the spelling mistake!
The other weekend I went to a plant and seed swap (just wonderful to do). The generous garden owner shared a taste of his sorrel and I couldn't believe that I had never tried this before - tangy, lemony goodness in a leaf! He kindly dug out a piece for anyone who wanted some. I can't wait for it to grow big enough to divide and make more plants, Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-28864428096265420722019-08-13T21:44:00.000-07:002019-08-13T21:44:45.667-07:00Woman in The Wilderness, ForagingMost mornings I try to ride 8km on my spin cycle (exercycle). This requires good reading material as it's a pretty boring activity.
I found this book "Woman in the Wilderness" by Miriam Lancewood in the Hospice shop and swooped it up excitedly as I had seen her in a tv interview a couple of years back.
It's a fascinating tale of living for years in the wilderness of New Zealand, Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-35513613210435186432019-07-25T23:17:00.000-07:002019-07-25T23:17:39.106-07:00Milk Powder Yoghurt, Chocolate Chia Pudding Most of my readers will have probably perfected DIY yoghurt years ago, but this is for the ones like me who have had not-so-good results for years.
For a long time I wouldn't even try making yoghurt, other than from using sachets in the Easiyo maker, because I didn't think there was any point if I had to buy milk in plastic bottles. Since we can now get milk in glass I've tried again, but Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-40600522358859749282019-07-07T21:20:00.000-07:002019-07-07T21:22:40.367-07:00Plastic Free July 2019I love to read about the plastic-free movement and how many people get switched on to it starting with a pledge to try Plastic Free July.
I've been gradually working towards being as new-plastic-free in my purchases as possible, and I'm still not there. Let's face it - it's hard.
One of my goals this year has been to find a sandwich bread recipe that is virtually no knead, like my other Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-78155840002646495602019-06-12T03:01:00.000-07:002019-06-12T03:01:51.521-07:00Sweet Little FootletsIn order not to burden the world with more clothing, I try not to buy new...but there are some exceptions. We all have our own limits that we set and mine are socks, underwear, swimwear, night wear. So I have set out to try making my own versions of some of these.
I found a free pattern for footlets/ socklettes here on Sometimes it's the Little Things and although the first ones didn't Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-35760506992746624532019-05-16T19:58:00.000-07:002019-05-16T19:58:13.450-07:00Weeding out PossessionsThis year I decided my big mission is reducing our surplus stuff. It's not Konmari style (tip - her blog is quite interesting) - more like Swedish Death Cleaning. This isn't really something new - I know, because my mother did it.
It seems we get to our 60's and have just accumulated so much stuff ! Our kids aren't going to want it - it turns out we've both bred minimalists.&Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-45112020574211108052019-04-19T16:54:00.000-07:002019-04-19T16:54:05.057-07:00Mending Matters - It Really Does!While I was waiting for this book, Mending Matters by Katrina Rodabaugh to arrive, Derek's niece Anabel arrived first. I had requested that our library buy the book in, Anabel arrived as part of her overseas adventure from England, via India.
I love this book, which is lucky as I spilled red wine on it and may end up buying it!
Anabel arrived wearing a really flattering jumpsuit - full of Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-45514577626703990322019-04-11T17:30:00.000-07:002019-04-11T17:30:28.466-07:00Camping and Miscellaneous ArtHi and welcome!
Well we survived the first camping trip in 10 years. We learnt what else we need to pack and will definitely be doing it again. We have just bought a second hand gazebo that will be useful for an outdoor kitchen and also as cover for when we're having a car boot sale soon.
We stayed at a Dept of Conservation campground - Puriri Bay, Northland NZ - $13/per person/Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-11148280904073522922019-03-25T01:39:00.002-07:002019-03-25T01:39:28.958-07:00Mangrove Honey, Little Balls of EnergyHi All - look what we've got in our backyard!
They are only here while the mangroves are flowering, but maybe it will be an annual event.
Who knew you could get mangrove honey! We're looking forward to trying some, plus we needed a new honey-in-glass supplier - and he found us!
Energy Balls
I made up this recipe when we wanted a little something with our morning coffee to give us some Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-90289057114862947602019-03-16T14:11:00.001-07:002019-03-17T01:50:55.428-07:00A Day of SadnessMarch 15th 2019 will always be remembered here as a day of sorrow in the wake of the mosque shootings in Christchurch. Fifty lives taken as they went about their peaceful practice of prayer.
Hopefully it will unite all New Zealanders even more as they stand in solidarity with the Muslims who call New Zealand home.
Our Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed to change our gun laws to no Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-68675731288421308762019-02-18T22:34:00.000-08:002019-02-18T22:34:06.543-08:00A Weird Vegetable, Denim Art and a Repair for FemalesKohlrabi
A year ago my friend Bushra gave us some of these weird vegetables that I had never tried before. I decided to grow some. They are incredibly versatile and it seems that they grow like weeds.
Kohlrabi - the bulbous part grows above the ground on a stalk, looking like some kind of alien
They taste somewhat like a turnip, and if not left too long to go woody, they can be grated raw in Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-24824729045945370162019-02-03T19:56:00.001-08:002019-02-03T23:41:53.420-08:00The Remakery, Bella Vacca Milk, Wetsuit RepairRather than feel bad about all the plastic and pollution in the world, I am cheered by the changes I see happening now on a regular basis - so to cheer you too, here's a little round up of small local things that add up.....
The Remakery...this is a new initiative about to kick off this month at 3 Woods Road Whangarei. It is being enabled by Habitat for Humanity, who have funding from our Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-4955538255737365712019-01-13T15:12:00.000-08:002019-01-13T15:12:17.651-08:00Napier and Hawkes Bay NZChristmastime is our busy summer season here, which is why I have not posted for ages. Gardens, visitors and a busy band schedule keep me away from blogging.
We ran away last week, booked an Air BnB in Napier (population 64,ooo)- which is 476k (295miles) from our home, and 320k N/E of the capital, Wellington. (Not so much a small town - but oh well).
Primarily we went for a Toto concert at one ofAnne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-77159698514984890042018-12-09T13:13:00.000-08:002018-12-09T13:13:28.717-08:00Christmas GlimpsesWow has this year gone fast for everyone? Here we are at Christmas's door, doing what we can to reduce the commercialism of the holiday, yet trying to maintain the celebration. So here are a few pics of how we've gone about it this year.
The Christmas Tree
I find myself over the effort that I have put into trees in earlier days - the bought-from-charity pines, and the wilding (weed) pine even, Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-89833807906499984812018-11-22T00:21:00.000-08:002018-11-22T00:21:50.025-08:00Green Parking, In the Sewing MoodOne of my goals for this year was to quit getting those plastic parking tickets from the parking machines.
I'm ashamed to say that it has taken me far too long, but I have now logged on with mpark.co.nz and it was easy.
Now when I go to a carpark, all I have to do is log in on my phone and say how long I want to park for and pay. The beauty of this is that if I overstay my time, IAnne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-92103539889303597852018-11-09T19:31:00.000-08:002018-11-09T19:31:16.901-08:00Packaging Free Snack, Upcycled Belt and MoreThe Packaging Free Snack
What do you grab when you want something with your glass of wine? I've been going for this (see below) lately as it comes packaging free and stops me wanting other wicked things (corn chips).
Ages ago I posted on how to make no-fail popcorn. Now popcorn can be a little dull, therefore I have discovered that combining it with wasabi peas (which I am able to Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-25452922243483309522018-10-21T20:04:00.001-07:002018-10-21T20:04:17.021-07:00Holiday Asides, Simplicious Flow, A BuzzHi All.
Remember before I went on holiday, I had made these passport holders from my stash of things, so they cost me nothing - I just wanted to say that they held together perfectly and were a delight to use. A win for DIY.
Another aside from my holiday..I am fond of reading magazines on the plane, but that can get to be expensive. I try to pick up reasonably new copies in our op shops Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-62354900149247314522018-10-11T02:20:00.000-07:002018-10-11T02:20:34.723-07:00It's Good To Be HomeWe've been flat out since getting home two weeks ago, but oh what a wonderful holiday - 6 weeks in England and France. We visited friends and family and just ambled through those beautiful old villages in both countries, then a week in Paris to finish off.
It's difficult when you live on the other side of the world to those wonderful places - it increases our footprint a lot by doing all that Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6138503136559429698.post-37839752180889928702018-08-09T02:29:00.000-07:002018-08-09T02:29:21.782-07:00Some Novel Ideas and Some Travel PlansI love to see unwanted items reused for a different purpose, so when we saw this wall decor in a cafe in Auckland, I had to get a shot.
An industrial style cafe uses old baking pans to give texture to a wall
The next item I had to think hard about whether to buy it or not. It's plastic and it's a gizmo (generally 2 reasons not to buy). But if you've read recently where I rub on sliced lemonAnne@ArtyGreen in Paradise http://www.blogger.com/profile/09611134831811637266noreply@blogger.com4