It's GOT to be a cupcake and coffee day today!

Windswept ... windblown .... wind buffeted .... whichever way you look at it, the wind GOT US this morning!! It’s ferocious out there today and I’ve come back feeling slightly exhausted .... one step forward and ten backwards does that to you, I guess. My poor seagulls are taking strain too .... the path that the crow flies is definitely not the shortest today!


The hound LOVES it ..... high tides and huge waves are like an elixir to her .... she crashed through them with gusto, no wave is too tall, no ball too far! She’s one of the few hounds that loves this kind of weather .... not many venture onto the sands and into the waves when the wind’s this fierce.


The skies are heavy and ominous, a brooding menacing kind of day ... rain threatening skies -  the kind of rain that would soak me to the skin. The winds ferocity even affected my photos ... so many of them are out of focus as I struggled to hold the camera steady. 

Even the Ferry still had it's lights on this morning ... it was that dark!

Staying dry wasn’t an option .... wet hounds and fierce winds create icy showers of water and especially when said hound is encouraged by oldest lemming to shake herself dry next to the nearest bare legs. My revenge wasn’t long in coming though - a sneaky wave raced up the beach and soaked his feet and shoes ..... Gareth 0 Waves 1 ..... well done waves!!

Goodness knows what would have happened to any little dogs on the beach today ... there might have been more than just seagulls flying through the air. IF there’d been any and IF I could have focused properly it could have made for some interesting pics ..... so many IF’S!!

It’s GOT to be a cupcake and coffee day today .... I can just feel a caramel cupcake sensation coming on!  Yep ... I know, I'm bad ... but I just LOVE caramel cupcakes!

No ramble's complete without the requisite seagull either
.... and I forgot their treats this morning!!

Despite the grey and gloomy day, I return from my rambles feeling exhilarated ... there’s something so special about being able to do what you love first thing every day. It leaves me with a sense of peace and satisfaction, and enthusiasm for the tasks I need to tackle. Would that everyone could start their day by doing something they love so much  .... imagine how much more productive and peaceful our world would be.

Happiness is ........

I’m applying to participate in another huge fair ... the Auckland Art and Craft Fair in July. They require an awful lot of information and a specific selection of photos. That’s my task today ... to complete the application form and take the requisite photos. Applications close on 11th May so I have a little time in hand. I just love these markets and fairs - so many weird and wonderful people to meet with an abundance of talent and creativity. It takes courage to expose your soul to the world in the form of your art. That’s what so many of these people do .... their art in whatever format they choose to present it, is their life.

It's unusual to see the fishermen fishing in our bay ... they normally go to Ladies Bay.

.... and we found a pretzel!

My chuckle of the day .... it’s lunchtime and Gareth’s in the kitchen looking for something to eat. He pulls a tin of salmon out of the cupboard and on the label it says “Look on the flip side for a delicious salmon recipe.” He does ... and it’s a recipe for Salmon Pasta .... hahahahaha ..... Gareth HATES pasta ... yep, he’s weird!!

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do it because what the world needs is people who’ve come alive.” ~ Dr. Howard Thurman