Good morning all,
busy, busy days here in the Abel Tasman. Lots of holiday makers wanting to be out on the water or in the park now that the rain has stopped.
I'm having a great time but concerned for all my Christchurch friends & whanau with all the shaking going on.
Hope you folks down there are ok. Kia Kaha xx

winnie231 - 2012-01-02 06:09:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-02 06:31:00

The silt won't set today, it's drizzling here in Chc. Poor, poor city and its people.

sumstyle - 2012-01-02 07:40:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-02 07:49:00

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elliehen - 2012-01-02 10:52:00

Hugs to all the people of chch,hope the weather clears up for you soon,thinking of you all xx

earthangel4 - 2012-01-02 13:09:00

Hi everyone I've been in Wellington as Dad was been sick. I got back too late for the big ones but after we all got off the bus and were collecting luggage there was a shudder so I said "Welcome to Christchurch everyone."

Despite all that I am very pleased to be home.

calista - 2012-01-03 11:40:00

Ah, good to know calista - as we hadn't heard from you I was hoping that the big shakes hadn't undone all the work at your home and you were too sad to come in here and vent.

I hope 2halls is ok, we haven't heard from her in a while. I haven't been up her part of the Cashmere hills for ages.

sumstyle - 2012-01-03 11:52:00

Good morning all,
Calista - hope your Dad is doing better now.
You two spring cleaners will have a much easier time of it come moving time by the sounds of it - and the moves will happen because you have started the ball rolling! :)
Ellie - there are many holiday makers here from Chch at the moment - all enjoying our beautiful region & relieved to be away from it all for a while.
Mum & Winston are doing ok - although Winston still glares at Mum when another shake happens lol!
Another busy day for me ahead so I'd better head for the shower.
Have a happy day all xx

winnie231 - 2012-01-04 06:15:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-04 07:39:00

Boooo... Back at work.....

toadfish - 2012-01-04 10:13:00

lol,I am also back at work Toadie,tis hard after the holidays,but all good here.
We are loving our home here,it is a lovely tiday home,and easy to keep clean,have not been in my garden for a bit,but it will not take long to do.
Another beaytiful day here in Grey,we ahve been so lucky with the weather,compared to the North Island poor things.

earthangel4 - 2012-01-04 11:05:00

Sorry I mean,t tidy home lol

earthangel4 - 2012-01-04 11:06:00

Gorgeous day here ... wall to wall sunshine :D
I'm on a split shift so get to bike home for a while to enjoy it!

winnie231 - 2012-01-04 15:12:00

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elliehen - 2012-01-04 16:08:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-04 18:12:00

A tired bump from me ...
Thankfully it's now my weekend :D I'm looking forward to being paid for all the overtime I've done this week!

winnie231 - 2012-01-05 18:46:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-05 19:08:00

I'm in the midst of a major declutter these holidays, as I have a goal of shampooing the carpets while Miss 10 is at camp. As luck would have it, the rooms with the carpets are tips. One wheelie-bin full of recycling has gone out now, and we actually had a full rubbish bag as well. The neighbour's girls also have a big bag of clothes and shoes, and I'm taking photos for a TM push. All this before I go back to work Monday? *eep*

lennyb1 - 2012-01-05 21:13:00

The builder who fixed the cracks in my house popped in yesterday with the spare keys and I was delighted to tell him there were no new ones, despite the ground wobbling.

Edited by calista at 10:26 pm, Thu 5 Jan

calista - 2012-01-05 22:25:00

calista wrote:

The builder who fixed the cracks in my house popped in yesterday with the spare keys and I was delighted to tell him there were no new ones, despite the ground wobbling.

Yay!

sumstyle - 2012-01-05 23:01:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-06 07:12:00

That's great news calista :)
Welcome to the declutter club lennyb lol!
It seems everyone is starting the new year by clearing out things. I might live in a caravan & enjoy shopping at op shops but even I gathered together a bag of things to drop off at the red cross today.

winnie231 - 2012-01-06 20:27:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-06 20:30:00

Well I am the self appointed Queen of Clean and declutter... we have finally finished what was a massive job over Christmas... Boxes and Boxes of clutter to the op shop (must be well over 20) and bags and bags to the rubbish men and a trailer to the tip. All that is left to do is to have a second sweep through the walk in wardrobe (more ruthless) and 2 x bedside tables. It feels amazing... and I am just starting to recover physically.... I went back to work 3 days ago, exhausted... and plan to recoup this weekend.
I even had the lounge suite professionally cleaned today... hiring a rug dr and doing it myself was nearly $60... I had someone come while I was at work and do the whole thing for $75!! Truely wasn't worth me doing it.

So this weekend hubby and I plan to just BE..... and enjoy the new surroundings... then the house is officially on the market... and its all on... and on to the new chapter in our lives... and maybe a Llama or 2..... lolololol

Edited by toadfish at 10:45 pm, Fri 6 Jan

toadfish - 2012-01-06 22:44:00

cookessentials wrote:

Yes, they sure are! I called in to the Salvation Army today with clothing and they were VERY busy with people dropping off all sorts of stuff.

The last van load to the op shop apparently the volunteers said thanks to every box until he reached about box 8... then they just smiled... don't think they could believe how much was coming in. I reckon when they sell it all they would have made over $500 to help there cause.. and the sallies do such an amazing job..... feels good to give back.

Edited by toadfish at 10:47 pm, Fri 6 Jan

toadfish - 2012-01-06 22:47:00

winnie231 wrote:

That's great news calista :)
Welcome to the declutter club lennyb lol!
It seems everyone is starting the new year by clearing out things. I might live in a caravan & enjoy shopping at op shops but even I gathered together a bag of things to drop off at the red cross today.

I think its a love of op shopping & garage sales that has contributed to all the stuff I had. But that made it easier to be ruthless, as had only paid a fraction of what it was worth.... used it... then stopped using it... so out it went....

toadfish - 2012-01-06 22:50:00

Good Morning all,have been away fishing for a couple of days,really enjoying this wonderful weather we are having down here.
Up early this morning,wanted to watch Eastenders on uk tv,while dh is sleeping.

earthangel4 - 2012-01-07 06:41:00

Morning... over the rain... have about 3 loads of washing to do and a damp lounge suite.... BRING BACK THE SUNSHINE!! I just looked at the long range and "If" its right... we have another 5 damp days ahead of us.

So looking forward to chilling and recharging today.... Just got a size 24 Chicken stuffed with Orange & Cranberry stuffing out of the freezer... so yummy dinner tonight and yummy lunches tommorrow.

Have a fab day all

PS.... Come on in Juliewn!!!!!!! How was christmas?

Edited by toadfish at 7:25 am, Sat 7 Jan

toadfish - 2012-01-07 07:25:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-07 07:30:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-07 10:33:00

cookessentials wrote:

shocking-
news for us in the Wairarapa. Balloon carsh that killed 11 people this morning. The balloon hit power lines and burst into flames, killing all on board. We have friends in the ballooning industry here, but do not know the names of all involved as yet.

Very very sad,thinking of you all.

earthangel4 - 2012-01-07 10:59:00

very very sad, what a shocking way to die, someone said they heard screaming omg my heart goes out to the families

motorbo - 2012-01-07 12:00:00

Cooks I thought of you when I heard about the balloon crash. What a horrible thing to happen - my thoughts are with the families and friends of those who died.

calista - 2012-01-07 23:16:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-08 09:47:00

Are the names formally released cooks?

hezwez - 2012-01-08 09:58:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-08 10:17:00

cookessentials wrote:

Not that I am aware of, although in publications, there are three lots. Lance Hopping, is one of our local pilots and a very good one at that. Ann & Des Deans are from Masterton, Alexis Still and her boyfriend from Wellington, another couple from Wellington whose names were announced on the news and a Mother and daughter who remain un-named at this stage. Wont be till photos are released that I will know if Ann is one of my customers, but the name is very familiar.

very very sad news,saw a photo of Lance,what a lovely person,so very sad for families and all.

earthangel4 - 2012-01-08 10:38:00

cookessentials wrote:

Not that I am aware of, although in publications, there are three lots. Lance Hopping, is one of our local pilots and a very good one at that. Ann & Des Deans are from Masterton, Alexis Still and her boyfriend from Wellington, another couple from Wellington whose names were announced on the news and a Mother and daughter who remain un-named at this stage. Wont be till photos are released that I will know if Ann is one of my customers, but the name is very familiar.

The sunday Herald have 5 photos on the front page - (Ann being one of them) - Howard & Diana Cox are another couple.

Edited by toadfish at 11:13 am, Sun 8 Jan

toadfish - 2012-01-08 11:12:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-08 15:14:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-08 22:21:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-09 06:49:00

Morning all,
what a mix of extremes we are having weather-wise this summer!
All commercial kayaking was cancelled in the park yesterday due to gale force winds & some of our water taxis were involved in the rescue & recovery of some people & their capsized yacht :/
All ended well thankfully but it's overcast this morning & more rain is on the way which the Nelson/Tasman region really doesn't need!
Wish I could be making jam cooke ... I really missing having a kitchen with so much fresh produce around at the moment. Store-bought jam & chutney is just not as good as home-made.
Have a lovely day all & lets hope for a bit of calm on the recipe board today.
I know it's hard to ignore some posters ... I so often want to take issue with them but I know that will just fuel the fire.
Remember - Never wrestle with a pig in mud: You both get all dirty, and the pig likes it. Those of us who know you well Pamela - know your true character & like & respect you for it xx

winnie231 - 2012-01-09 06:55:00

cookessentials wrote:

Well, nice that there is a circle of friends and nice to have pleasant people here. If after tonight I am no longer here, you will have the usual nasties to thank. It does not matter what I post, as far as they are concerned, I am either self promoting or wrong or the cut and paste queen. Yep, ignore ignore...thats all well and good but sometimes they really pee me off. Dont mind poking the borax, but dont like it when the tables are turned. Hope you are not getting too soaked. It has been pouring here all day.

I usually only read this thread and not post but couldn't resist this time. You have my sympathy as I know how you feel. Sometimes they are just too hard to ignore. And some of their advice is down right dangerous. Shall we try to ignore together?

kay141 - 2012-01-09 08:09:00

winnie231 wrote:

Morning all,
what a mix of extremes we are having weather-wise this summer!
All commercial kayaking was cancelled in the park yesterday due to gale force winds & some of our water taxis were involved in the rescue & recovery of some people & their capsized yacht :/
All ended well thankfully but it's overcast this morning & more rain is on the way which the Nelson/Tasman region really doesn't need!
Wish I could be making jam cooke ... I really missing having a kitchen with so much fresh produce around at the moment. Store-bought jam & chutney is just not as good as home-made.
Have a lovely day all & lets hope for a bit of calm on the recipe board today.
I know it's hard to ignore some posters ... I so often want to take issue with them but I know that will just fuel the fire.
Remember - Never wrestle with a pig in mud: You both get all dirty, and the pig likes it. Those of us who know you well Pamela - know your true character & like & respect you for it xx

lol Winnie I love that saying,cooks sure hope you stay,you are well liked in here,love your posts.

earthangel4 - 2012-01-09 08:56:00

probably shold keep mum, but yes i hear ya cookes, ive had it too recently and im just astounded at the behaviour from these two people...and due to changes in my life im not sure if i will be here either .....dont throw in the towel cookes remember there are good people here and i you contributions are fantastic, you r a good person HUGS

motorbo - 2012-01-09 09:10:00

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cookessentials - 2012-01-09 09:16:00

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elliehen - 2012-01-09 10:50:00

Hi Pam - Cooks.
I know how you feel with such constant barrage and twisting of words to suit themselves and thinking at the same time that there is nothing wrong from their own viewpoint.

I've learnt or still learning to only appreciate those whom appreciate your own imput.

If such negatives arises then just ignore it and move on as if nothing has happened - not worthy of giving any attention to such any unappreciative thoughts.

To every one else, this rain is constant in not just constantly raining each hour but that it rains virtually everyday up in the North and not just light showers either. One do feel for all the families especially with children.

Cheers all and Best of New Years to everyone.

valentino - 2012-01-09 13:00:00

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elliehen - 2012-01-09 13:29:00