Stars and light
I'm starting to wonder when evidence about being a couch potato will stop focusing on the amount of time people spend watching TV. I for one don't watch much TV but probably spend equivalent amounts of time as the "average" person glued to my computer either reading on line, fixated with my photographs or wedded to my blog. Lately we've also started watching more TV from the computer than the TV broadcasters so in all I think I must be surpassing the elite levels of sedentary slothdom. Last week I watch hours of another online photography course. Free to air I ...
Running ewes – finding the story
In my day job I've talk about how some days being a leader means you have to be able to herd cats. After my photography trip to Ohariu Farm I can see how I can use the herding sheep metaphor as a way to describe how leaders with the right support, tools and techniques can you can not just lead people in a direction but skillfully shift direction as conditions change. Watching Greg running the ewes in the pens was fine leadership in action, ably assisted of course by his trusty sheep dog. When I took the photographs in this blog ...
The signs of Spring
Signs of Spring are starting to show everywhere. Blossoms are out and the days a little warmer but the real true sign of Spring is the lambs arriving bringing new sources of amusement. Never more so at Ohariu Farm where they have around 3,000 Suffolk Cross ewes on their 800 hectare farm just 20 minutes from Wellington City. Run by Jude and Greg Best, Ohariu is both a working farm and a location for functions with remarkable views across the lower North Island hills. This was the spot for the photography workshop I attended last weekend run by Simon Woolf ...
Neighbours with comedy value
Stand up comics might be a rare breed out in the country but that doesn't stop us from wanting local entertainment. Admittedly this might mean making friends with out comic neighbours but when they are cute and cuddly I can live with that. I was delighted to see an alpaca has moved in on a local farm and luckily I had my camera to hand for a quick portrait session. The alpaca was a good distance away so I was reliant on my zoom lens to take me up close.
Bassets in the wild
Although a basset hound can't be trusted to be off lead I do allow Fortnum and Mason occasionally and let them roam under close supervision. I admit, a selfish move on my part really for I find their plodding ways painful to maintain for any length of time and it gives me a chance to indulge myself in some photography. Readers of this blog might prefer I find some new things to photograph but I can't help myself - these guys are such cool dudes is hard to resist. One of the biggest benefits of upgrading my camera is that I ...
Lunch box cakes
As if I don't have enough domestic challenges on my plate my dear husband upped the ante when he decided to start taking a lunch box to work. Now the morning regime includes making up his daily lunchtime feed which consists of savoury and sweet treat. I have almost cracked the sandwich routine but last week I was caught out on the cake supply. Although there were no complaints I was aware that my lunch box chef halo had slipped. The trick is to bake a cake or cakes that will last for a week or more otherwise you find yourself ...
Lost in basset land
It brought terror to my heart when I lost my bassets in the bush. They were there one minute and gone the next. For bassets that can move at snail pace they can move remarkably fast. To this day I never know what the bassets were thinking when they high tailed away in a blink of an eye. I forgave them both when I heard big basset barking in response to my cries and whistles as I'm sure they were as frightened as I was. Reminded me of when I lost my mum in a shop and I stood still ...
What makes a basset walk so entertaining, or not?
When you become a basset owner you should be supplied with some saintly essence. A small bottle of smelling salts that when sniffed as required you develop patience on demand. Failing that you must develop a level of patience to survive with your sanity intact and see the continued entertainment value of having bassets in your life. You see basset hounds have taurean like characteristics of determination and strong will. They won't be hurried, won't be budged until they are good and ready. As a Taurean myself I can recognise the signs.
High days and holidays
High days and holidays are best topped off with glorious weather. We've struck lucky with the weather for our week off work so where better to escape from the mulching than the beach to enjoy the best of winter sun. It's always a special treat to wander along the almost deserted beach with the bassets high tailing off on a sniffing odysey whilst we soak up the rays. Today was a particularly good day for seeing the hills of the South Island on the horizon.
What’s real for you?
I do I worry about my home bird tendencies. Being at home away from the crowds is just how I like things to be but I do worry if I will become detached from the real world, whatever the real world is these days. For the virtual world of the internet that world can be as real as the offline world with the added benefit that you can stay in bed in your pyjamas all day if that's your thing. Living out in the sticks on the edge of the world we rely on the internet. And I mean rely. For ...
Annual garden chores
In years gone by we'd take the last week in July off work to rest, relax and celebrate somewhere warm. For this is the week that we celebrate our wedding anniversary and his Lordship's birthday (timed specifically that he would never forget!). Now we take the same week off but enjoy whatever winter throws at us and take enjoyment in annual garden chores. The big, heavy, hard graft sort of chores that are best done as a team with lots of time to rest. This is year is no exception although I admit to dreaming of warmer islands in the Pacific ...
Domesticity and political correctness with cake
I recently breached technology etiquette here at Domestic Executive HQ. After years of relying on his Lordship to load up my iPod I've set up my own iTunes library, it was like stepping out through a new window on the world. That's not to say the outlook I already had wasn't interesting, in truth I've listened to interviews, documentaries and programmes that I wouldn't have picked for myself but nevertheless have enjoyed. But choosing new podcasts for myself has led me into a a feminist debate I wasn't even aware was raging. It seems I'm a Femivore, a women who seeks ...
Seasonal cuisine
One of the things that charmed me about New Zealand before we came to live here was the seasonal nature of food. It seems my fantasy of a fine upstanding country that would not be plagued by globalisation has been broken with the sight of strawberries in the supermarket this week imported from somewhere else in the world. Even if I had been tempted by the prospect the price certainly put me off. Right now we're enjoying the fruits of our autumn harvest with Pears plentiful right now. I'd like to say that these are my pears grown in our orchard ...
A bright start warms up the chill
Knowing that it's cold outside and venturing out takes a leap of faith - and a full Biggles style possum hat, thermal gloves, four layers of clothing and a fleece. Pity the bassets only have their one fur coat to keep their extremities warm. With the temperatures on the roof registering a mere -5 I felt mean and nasty sending them out to do their business first thing but needs must and I draw the line at having indoor doggy conveniences even if they seem to be growing in popularity. After the first shock of the chill is over and the ...
Winter growing inspiration
The kitchen garden may look like it's been ransacked right now but we've still got a wide range of winter vegetables to bring to the table every day. I've been taken aback by how we can create a veritable feast from what looks like a humble pile of vegetables. I'm loving the culinary challenge of finding tasty things to make with what's ready for harvest - like the roasted fennel and mushroom lasagna which on the face of it sounded like an unlikely combination but turned out to be really tasty and has been added to our must cook again ...
- More seriously, a genuine Kiwi hero is finally recognised: http://bbc.in/aoYhJa 3 days ago
- 'Mr Cooking Pot' to meet Phil the Greek. Kindred spirits: http://bit.ly/biGFas 3 days ago
- So now we're going to have a ODI series already known to be fixed. It normally only comes to light months later. That's progress I guess. 3 days ago
- First test also fixed: http://bit.ly/cG6TH0 3 days ago
- Excellent piece by Dileep Premachandran in the Grauniad http://bit.ly/ay1mTA 3 days ago
- As ever, Matthew Engel is right on the money, as it were: http://bit.ly/a0JvlX 3 days ago
- A desperately depressing day. 3 days ago
- More updates...
Photoblogging
Stars and light
I’m starting to wonder when evidence about being a couch potato will stop focusing on the amount of time people spend watching TV. I for one don’t watch much TV but probably spend equivalent amounts of time as the “average” person glued to my computer either reading on line, fixated with my photographs or wedded to my blog. Lately we’ve also started watching more TV... [Read more.....]
Frustrating or what?
Some of the first visitors to Domestic Executive HQ were a pair of ducks. On and off since then there have been a pair hanging around in and out of puddles and hiding out in the bush. Since the puddles on the drive dried out momentarily the ducks took up residence on the waterlogged lawn.Then the lawn dried out a little (read that as waterlogged but no duck pond) they headed off to paddle in the... [Read more.....]
Shouting out for Spring
Those in the northern hemisphere mustn’t have got much sleep last night as all New Zealanders shouted out for Spring. The woo hoo from Wellington was audible all the way up the Hutt Valley. Yes, Spring is official here and my what a beautiful day. Spring sunshine to warm our hearts and give us hope that we are indeed moving to brighter and drier days. Daffodils are abound although we only have... [Read more.....]
Rain chasers
Once again the weather is tormenting us. Being chased by the rain has become a regular pastime in recent days. Put this together with a dose of Wellington winds and it’s the perfect recipe for meteorology misery for long suffering residents. In the last two days I’ve talked to three people who are seriously researching moves to warmer places. I can’t blame them as someplace... [Read more.....]
Running ewes – finding the story
In my day job I’ve talk about how some days being a leader means you have to be able to herd cats. After my photography trip to Ohariu Farm I can see how I can use the herding sheep metaphor as a way to describe how leaders with the right support, tools and techniques can you can not just lead people in a direction but skillfully shift direction as conditions change. Watching Greg running... [Read more.....]
Classic New Zealand View
One of the things I love about New Zealand is you can turn the corner in a city district and see a view like this. Wide open spaces uncluttered by humanity. Just as nature intended. This is a view across the Ohariu Valley taken whilst on the photography workshop. Read More →
The signs of Spring
Signs of Spring are starting to show everywhere. Blossoms are out and the days a little warmer but the real true sign of Spring is the lambs arriving bringing new sources of amusement. Never more so at Ohariu Farm where they have around 3,000 Suffolk Cross ewes on their 800 hectare farm just 20 minutes from Wellington City. Run by Jude and Greg Best, Ohariu is both a working farm and a location... [Read more.....]
A day on the farm – a sneek peak
It’s been a struggle but I’ve whittled down my picks for the photography workshop to a mere 96 photographs. Now all I have to do is process them and decide how best to tell the story of the day on Ohariu Farm. Film photography probably makes you more disciplined in your photography since you are acutely aware of the number of films you’re ploughing through whereas you can snap... [Read more.....]
