Loving tonnes of stuff this last week.  Instagram loving list below...

Loving my weekly torture hairdressing session courtesy of my two girls.  I remember doing this to my Mum & Dad when I was young... even putting Dad's moustache into little ponytails...

Symon drinking his Israeli coffee

Loving these moustache nail art stencils all the way from the U S of A (thanks Liz!!!)...

Loving my funny guy and his continual hobby journey... I need to do a whole blog post oneday about the hundreds of hobbies he has had.  At the moment he is building a retro arcade machine in our lounge.  Driving me mad?  Yep.  Still love him?  Yep.

Finally, check out this amazing bunch of Russian dolls!!  Cool huh?  Our friend Stephen is currently exploring the world (see his adventures here) and saw these in France (Place Charles de Gaulle).  Amazing huh?? 

(Steve - I made your pic square and put it with my collection of Instagram pics just for you cause I know how much you loooooove Instagram and squared photos :)

To join in with your loving, or see what others are loving, click on the icon below...

 

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.  

Here are a few of the things I am loving at the moment...

My new vintage cake plate (found at a local garage sale by my eagle eye husband)...


Catching up with friends... bloggy friends!  Jacksta had the lovely Claire from Gracious Goodness over to visit earlier this week and it was so lovely to catch up with her while she and her hubby are on their summer holiday from Korea.  Pity it's the middle of a wet and cold winter here in New Zealand at the moment.  Claire is super lovely!!


Loving cooking Purple Heart Potatoes...


Loving great memories.  Recently realized it's been one whole year since we visited Israel!  We had such an amazing time (you can read about our journey here or watch the clip below).

Link up below with your blog post telling us what thing/s you are loving, and don't forget to link back to here in your post (or use this button below) and visit the others who have joined in too. Linky open until Sunday!!

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something that you can be thankful for... no matter how simple it is.  

Here are a few things I'm loving at the moment...

Chocolate Azteca - this stuff is CRAZY!  Imagine drinking hot chocolate that has pepper and chili in it! I love it (reminds me of all the amazing Mexicans we hung out with while on our Israel trip).  Thanks to my darling husband who comes home with sweet surprises like this.

I'm loving the way you can 'zhuzh' up plain old cucumber sandwiches with a cookie cutter... and the way kids gobble up those sandwiches like they're candy. Yusssss!

Lastly, I'm loving Boo and the strange places I find her... doing strange things!  Here she is having a little nap with Cookie Monster.

Here's how you can join in.... 

Link up below with your blog post telling us what thing/s you are loving, and don't forget to link back to here in your post (or use this button below).  Linky open until Sunday!!

I love my country.  I think in the past I have taken living in New Zealand for granted.

When we travelled to Israel last year, I was able to experience different cultures (including a bit of Korea as well), and although these countries are extremely beautiful, it wasn't until I was away from mine that I realised how much I missed and loved it - the people, the native bush, the beaches, the kiwi sense of humour and of course my family and friends.

There have been quite a few Kiwi's (New Zealanders) living overseas who have told me that reading my blog reminds them of home - so precious people, this post is dedicated to you!

Here are a few photos of our trip to the beach today - dedicated to each and every Kiwi out there in other lands.

An average day at the beach in New Zealand usually includes...

Pipi/cockle picking...

Star fish gazing... 

Jumping off bridges...

Admiring cattle on the drive home... 

Napping... 

Eating our pipis/cockles (the best way of course is soaked in vinegar!!)... 

Finished off with a bit of icecream eating...

♥  New Zealand ♥

Each year seem so go by so fast, but when you actually stop and take account of what has happened during your year it's amazing how much actually goes on! Seriously - this is one of the main reasons I blog, to record precious memories and learn to be thankful for every single day.

With 2011 just a breath away, here is my annual year in review (probably more for my sake than yours - feel free to skip to the end).

January

Spent two amazing days away with my love, and also had tonnes of simple summer family fun (here, here and here).  Had to ban hubby from riding the new bike (but he was still sneaky), attended our friends beautiful vintage wedding, and discovered shortbread buttons!  Makings included this cool doorstop, bunting, and finally finishing my giant granny square blanket!!!

February

Celebrated our youngest daughter's 3rd birthday, discovered licorice slice (oh my!), got to hang out with some super precious people here and here,   Made my first ever crochet mobile phone cover, and revealed to you all how crazy my family really is.

 

March

Shared the story of my brother's death (and was so touched by your comments ♥), had a fun girls night out, and entered into a mustache crazy week which included: making mustache napkins, a mustache cake and having the coolest ever mustach party in honour of my mustache clad Dad! Discovered Marmalade Tart and Apple Berry Crumble Cake. Made some cute softies - including a new design - the Robot Softie!!

April

Making crochet beanies, celebrated 14 years of marriage,   Bakings included Chocolate Crossed cupcakes, Coconut Meringue cake and training the son in my baking ways.  Did some family bonding, a bit of bowling and a tad more softie & crochet making.  Told you about my thigh toner, remembered our Nation's heroes and gave away a Robot softie!!

May

I started thinking about going into business as a toilet tour guide,  Celebrated our darling daughter's sixth birthday with the coolest cake (made by her dad), and realised that juggling life wasn't easy as I'd thought. Made a fabulous granny neck warmer, inherited a unicycling husband, and discovered that we might be travelling to Israel!!!   Bakings & makings included Congo Bars, my first ever slouchy beanies along with a few blunders.  We also got to meet the Prime Minister of New Zealand (and eat yummy stuff on the way home).

June

Celebrated birthdays galore - son, husband, the Queen and my Mum.  Had my camera die at the worst time, made heaps of beanies,  and delicous things like Pinwheel Scones, and Chocolate Rough Slice.  Got some great parenting tips from Diane Levy and finally realised that I really am living the dream life.

July

Took some very needed special time out with my girls and boys, revealed that things aren't always as they seem at our place, made some super cute fluffy bunny softies, and went on the search for some willing models. Then we embarked on the adventure of a lifetime - our journey to Israel!!

August

Arrived home from Israel and loved being back home, went to our niece's beautiful wedding, went public with my crochet.  Makings included: flower beanie, lemon honey, and a custard tart!


September
Made a crochet garden scarf, celebrated Father's Day, and decided to write about our journey through miscarriages (not realising how many of you would be touched, your comments moving me too).  Celebrated all the craft nerds out there, loved being a part of FeltAid,  and had out best family fun night ever!! Makings included: Semolina Balls, softies, beanies and licorice allsorts and finishing my Granny Stripe blanket!!  I celebrated the amazing guy I'm married to, Mr Drake and welcomed a special new dog into our home, Boo.


October
New KMB site launch, with our little Miss a star for a few weeks, the boys went on their "Big Weekend Away", our special boy's birthday, the Crochet Menace made another appearance, we had an amazing youth camp and a princess fun day.  Makings included: Reggae beanie,  Banoffi Pie, Crochet Coffee Cup sleeve, more fluffy bunnys and the octo phone cover.


November
Enjoyed free fireworks,  made a crochet baseball cap and my first ever amigurami cupcake!!!  I realised that there were quite a few things they forgot to tell me about motherhood, grieved with the rest of New Zealand, had a really awesome birthday weekend, and shared my secret potato salad receipe.


December 
Had a pirate for a husband, overindulged in Peppermint Bark, was given the most thoughtful and coolest pressy, shared some Christmas tips, indulged in Christmas traditions as a family (including this cool as cake), and had the most awesome Christmas with family and friends.  Makings included crocheting more cupcakes, crochet gingerbread men, as well as some real gingerbread,

Phew!

I am so thankful to God for life, and every single day that goes by. Here's to a wonderful 2011, filled with lots of laughter, loving and living.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Last years year in review post here.