I recognise this orange light from the years I lived in Australia. The sun is being shaded by the smoke from the bushfires. At least it has dropped the temperature here a couple of degrees but it must be horrendous over there. Bring on the rain across the Tasman.

A friend sends me Rachel Maddow clips - she appears to have a good handle on what is really happening with T-rump and Venezuela. Worth a watch. www.instagram.com/reel/DTQ6R0-...

First fig of the season. A little later than usual but looking luscious.

The photographer was Valerio Minato.

Wordle 1,658 3/6 ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Should be sleeping but sleep is eluding me. Haven’t done Wordle in months - did ok with this one.

Looking east at sunset - first day of 2026 done.

Mildred, my kitchen witch, is loving this year’s calendar @paullecomtephoto.nz

Happy New Year! Here’s to a peaceful and happy 2926 for all of us.

The biggest white tail I’ve ever seen. Very pleased he/she had drowned by the time it emerged from the spout of my watering can.

Just caught the light on my hydrangea at the right moment. 🌱

Rather spooky sky at lunchtime today.

Panforte instead of Christmas cake this year. Fruity, spicy, gluten free and delicious.

Not part of #secretsantaAoNZ but I also received this today. @paullecomtephoto.nz ‘s stunning calendar. I love every page/month.

#secretsantaAoNZ A huge thank you to @foxylustygrover.bsky.social and all the elves for pulling us all together again for our Secret Santa. From start when we receive the name of our Santee to finish when we get to see everyone’s gifts it is simply wonderful. Thank you thank you thank you.

#secretsantaAoNZ it’s time! Thanks Santa - I noticed when I went to take my gift from the postage envelope that the Christmas wrapping inside hadn’t travelled so well so I left it where it was. I didn’t even peek! Surprised even myself😅. It has been worth the wait.

#secretsantaAoNZ at last my tree is up and decorated so my secret Santa parcel can have one night in its rightful position. Opening day nearly here!

Hard to believe she is cross-stitched. So beautiful. And for sale but sadly out of my price range. Simply stunning work.

Croissants with ham, cheese, avocado and fresh asparagus for brunch. Cherries, chocolate, champagne and crystallised ginger as extras. Don’t care so much what’s for main dinner as long as there are berries and ice cream for dessert. And maybe trifle.

For many years it was pétanque on mum’s huge back lawn. Mum insisted that the only way to play was with a glass of wine in the other hand. Christmas Day is at my place this year and sadly I don’t have a lawn 🥴. Will probably manage the glass of wine though. In mum’s honour.

Yesterday my neighbour brought me a bunch of rhubarb from their garden. Today it was a bowl of just-picked raspberries. 😍 good to have good neighbours.

Yum yum yum! First boysenberries of the season.

It has arrived! Perfect timing as I was away all week and it arrived today. Thanks Santa 😊🎄🥂 #secretsantaAoNZ

If you’re my Santa and have sent my gift but not been told that it has arrived, my apologies. I have been away all week but my neighbour is keeping an eye on things for me so be assured it will be safe. I’ll be home Saturday. #secretsantaAoNZ

Parcel from this Santa is on its way! I love every aspect of this @secretsanta.nz process.

First monarch of the season. Nurtured and hatched in my kitchen to stay safe from the wasps but released into the garden this morning. Many more to come. 🌱

I went last night to the launch of @georgepenney.bsky.social ‘s book Tiny Moments of Joy. A great night, lovely people and a book perfect for family and friends either here or especially for those overseas. The fairy bread and sour worms went down well too.

Introduce yourself with five concerts you’ve seen: David Bowie Pink Floyd Fleetwood Mac Rolling Stones Elton John

Heading home to the Top of the South last week.

Not into online gaming at all. Online puzzles - yes. Books of puzzles or crosswords - no. Used to enjoy colouring books but little to no time of late. I do enjoy taking the odd photo though - usually of the flowers in my garden or landscapes.

Of all the animals in existence I think I love the panda most of all. Of those I can have as pets, cats are top of the list. I don’t currently have a cat as still missing my beloved boy who went to join his mum earlier this year, aged 19. Maybe next year. Mystical creature? A dragon of course.

These days I mostly listen to classical music or jazz but also spend much of my time listening to birdsong out in my garden.

Cannot tolerate scented candles! Actually, not keen on artificially scented anything now that I think of it. Essential oils other than cedar wood are ok though. Cedar wood seems to immediately close my throat - not at all ideal.

I’d love to be a dragon but I don’t tend to hoard things. I do, however, seem to have attracted a substantial number of teddy bears into my home. Oh yes - and quite a few dragons. 😊 (not plastic ones though - I try hard to avoid plastic).

#SecretsantaAoNZ Hobbies? Gardening, gardening or gardening. My garden is a bit wild and chaotic but filled with both native trees and cottage garden flowers. Would like to do more reading but time tends to be filled with work or gardening.

Jewellery? I’m rarely without a necklace - I especially like those made with old glass beads. Pierced ears and prefer long dangly earrings but never wear bracelets as they get in my way at work. Not rings either - knuckles too knobbly these days to get them on or off.

Saw this on FB so had to screenshot it for you @foxylustygrover.bsky.social

Any shade of blue/green - teal, turquoise - pale or intense. But I’m also quite fond of pink except when it is associated with a political party or a pant suit.

Day 6 of our book launch week: Market day! And look at this wee stack of book beasties seen in the wild at one of our favourite writing cafes! It's a big day today. Our regular markets for breakfast and shopping, then a country Christmas market for early present perusing. (More in alt text.)

Interesting Friday night. At the laundromat to wash 2 duvets before they get put away for the summer. Great place for people watching. Also much easier than dragging wet duvets around at home.

#SecretsantaAoNZ Favourite food would have to be chocolate - the darker the better. Gluten free. Tea rather than coffee and loose leaf rather than tea bags. Can’t beat a quiet half hour with a pot of tea - preferably jasmine or herbal.

#SecretsantaAoNZ Sadly no pets in my house at the moment. My beautiful Burmese boy went to cat heaven earlier this year and I’m still not ready to replace him.

Definitely buying this to send to family on foreign shores. Especially love that it’s all about my local markets.

My thoughts on the latest shameless attack from our health minister #nzpol

I thought I was good with words - but only got 7/10 🥴

This is one of the most straightforward articles I’ve read regarding the fluctuations of hormones through perimenopause and beyond. Hormone replacement therapy is definitely not one size fits all. www.rnz.co.nz/life/wellbei...

All week I have put off writing something that in reality will probably take me less than an hour. My masters should really have been in procrastination. I am definitely a master of that.

Outdoor furniture has skidded off the deck with the wind - not keen to go out and rescue it as I might take flight with the next gust 😅💨

Oh dear - more rain on its way.

Was trying hard to remember that my mum and dad always said “if you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all.“

Oh dear.