Refreshing scene from the fringe of suburbia

Just a very short walk from where we live is this amazing forest. Years ago our friends took us there when they had a property that backed onto it. Today I crept in there from the top of the road and found my way to this stunning little area surrounded in the lush sounds of the beautiful thriving forest. It's hard to believe this is less than 50m from suburbia. I realise however that I need to work on my camera holding skills, tis a work in progress :)

Pier repair

The delightful view over Port Nicholson from The Seashore Cabaret on Petone beach.  The pier was damaged in the earthquake Nov 2016 and closed for a while so it's great to see it back in use again.  

Love how the sun reflected from the shallows shows off the pier structure, the almost glowing grasses in the foreground, the pretty sand and lovely aqua of the deeper water in the bay.  A beautiful summer day in Poneke.

Shallow for now

Finally learning to play chess (again). 

About 30 years ago my younger brother tried to teach me.  At some point I packed it in believing he was just making the rules up to suit himself.  

Now I'm back learning again and I'm pretty sure it was the castling move that got me!!  I called my bro & apologised for my poor behaviour.  Luckily he didn't remember but he did have a giggle agreeing that castling could just be the last straw.

Little Bird is about to fly!

I'm entirely stoked to able to support Little Bird grow and build their plant based ethical company.  Go Little Bird!

True dreaming ...

From painting "it's all about dreams" by Steve Hillier

Wind and waves at Parapara

Thanks for the pics Frank! 

(Google Drive created this all by itself and presented it to me)

Best nine 2017

Loving the beat of this one ... turning it up loud!

Jordan Hollywood #hiphop 

Cruelty free festivities ...

Just made this chickpea loaf for my cruelty free Christmas dinner.  There was a little overflow so I made a mini one and can confirm it is absolutely delicious.

Wishing you all a fabulous festive season.

Best wishes

Jane

xx

So proud of my big brother ...

Interview with Sean ... 3rd-and-starlight

Starting a business with love ...

Another wonderful eye opener from School of Life.  Thanks guys, great videos!!

Lost in the grass forest up Boulder Hill

Affinity symmetry ... This interactive light and sound display replicates the neutrons in our brain as they fire and misfire, changing colour with touch. While listening to the sound track featuring stories told by kiwi families and start conversations about Dementia and Alzheimers in our country. #highlightcarnival www.highlight.org.nz

A post shared by Jane Monaghan (@imajanenz) on Oct 26, 2017 at 8:30pm PDT

Kereru breakfasting on fresh leaves

Sunset goodness 4th Oct 2017

The clouds were looking a little pretty so out came the camera for some time-lapse action. The day between my Dad's birthday and my good friend Callum's birthday. Here's a lovely time-lapse I know they both would have enjoyed.

Flexi's latest mix ... listen loud

Yay Flexi used my image on his latest mix Blacker than thou. Thanks!  Love his mixes!!

True to my Irish roots

Yay the local garden centre sell individual seed potatoes so we're gonna have a nice variety next season! 

Good to know ...

The Oatmeal - believe

I can relate to the second part of this for sure!!

Source:instagram. kaytheshoeist

A ten year gap

The magnificent view north from the Kennedy Good Bridge towards the Rimutakas 2007 and 2017.

Having put seeds and fruit out for the local birds for years we're rewarded with the company of many feathered friends. It's lovely to have all these wonderful little visitors with their chirrups and songs. Here today there are tauhou, blackbirds, sparrows, dunnocks, green finches and chaffinches.

To see all the birds open in Youtube via link on image above :)

Clouds of the valley seep around

 Click image for time-lapse

Wrote a quick reply to my friend Mark in Novato saying that next I would be watching sitcoms with hot tea as a relaxing start to the second day of my weekend. But when I got up to feed the cat the valley was filled with cloud which I thought had the potential for a nice time-lapse. So here it is with music by Otis McDonald with the song 'Here, if you're going'. It's an hour later now and the cloud is still filling the valley but the sun is out so I think we're in for a lovely day. Have a happy Friday everyone :)

The fabulous food forest

This is so inspiring ... Thriving 23-Year-Old Permaculture Food Forest - An Invitation for Wildness

RIP you amazing talented man, thank you for deepening my experience of the world

Why we'll miss Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell singing Redemption song with his daughter

Rocking out with sunset clouds

[Click image to see movie]

More double exposures ...

Created a Behance page for these ones as I like the way they're displayed large on black Double exposure time by Jane Monaghan

The road not taken

Overlaying the vanishing point of a Palmy North street over Patons beach in Golden Bay reminded me of that wonderful poem by Robert Frost.  And here I am about to take a new road and although it's not less taken I know it will make all the difference to me.  

Link to The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Vegan noms

I've been asked a few times recently ... 'what do you eat?'  So thought it best I illustrate!  Boy what a lucky person I am to have such amazing yummy food and all with no animal products at all.    

• Nori rolls with avocado, cucumber and red pepper filling plus wasabi and tamari for dipping. Soooo good!  They're always a hit when we make them for friends.

• Fried tempeh with nutritional yeast sauce and pasta with fresh corn off the cob.

• Dahl and spinach filled pastry with Moroccan spiced couscous, beetroot salad, chutney and homemade hummus.

• Quick and easy toasted sandwich with homemade refried beans and Angel Food dairy free mozzarella filling plus a smudge of sweet chilli sauce and token watercress leaf on top!

 

• Nachos with a chilli bean and onion tomato sauce, Angel Food vegan mozzarella fresh tomatoes and Franks yummy guacamole.

If you would like recipes just let me know. 

#vegan #food #ideas #yum #plantbaseddiet #nomnoms

I make the best bed

Yup Mana decided that right on top of me would be the best place to curl up for bedtime!  He stayed there for a while and then I did the hug and roll & moved him over to a pillow.  #treatedlikeaking #cat #bed #hardtosleep

If you ever spend any time with these peaceful creatures, you will discover not only their amazing personalities, but also all the common characteristic they share with the companion animals we love and protect. Once you meet them, you can't eat them.

A post shared by A_85 (@stop_eating_friends) on Mar 13, 2017 at 5:30pm PDT