Summer lovin'

I just have 4 weeks to go until our little lady Picker makes her grand entrance. It's a beautiful summer here- we haven't seen rain for weeks and the weather is mostly in the high 20's/ or mid 80's for our American readers! This last week I have been feeling so blessed to live in New Zealand, Tauranga specifically. Let me share with you some of my summer fav's:

1. The fresh fruit. Right now you can buy fresh strawberries, 2 punnets for $5 from home venders on the side of the road, as well as 10 avacodas for $2! Here's a pic of the house across the road from us with fresh, juicy plums. You just drop the money in her letter box and grab a bag. Similar stalls are all over town.

The other pic is next door to us. The neighbor boy, who is 14, is growing sweet corn, potatoes, tomoates and strawberries in a small veggie patch. He promised us some sweet corn when it's ready-yum yum!

2. Swimming. The only time I feel light and agile is in the water so I'm making the most of it! I've been doing water aerobics at a local hot water salt pool- just me and a bunch of retired ladies! But my favourite thing is swimming in the ocean. Yesterday, Pick and I walked down to the estuary and swam for a while. It was so refreshing and relaxing. Here's a video Pick took over Christmas when we were camping.

3. Hanging my clothes on the clothes line. Surprising yes-because I hated it when we moved here. In the winter this can be miserable b/c it rains so much- however in the summer its lovely to hang the clothes out and see them blowing in the breeze. They are done in 30mins and saves on electricty. Go Green- use a cothes line!

4. Lemonade Ice blocks: for $1 from the petrol station or local shops. They are so refreshing, cheap and delicious.

5. Pepprmint lip gloss from Bath and Body works. O.k this is not a New Zealand pleasure, however I love this lip gloss especially during the summer. Pick loves it too b/c my lips are sugary and fresh!

6. Summer bbq: We end up going to someones house, meeting at a park or having people over atleast twice a week for a bbq. We throw some sausages on the bbq, pineapple, onions, potatoes, courgettes yum, yum. Someone makes a salad, we have fresh bread rolls, a bag of salt and vinegar chips, and something sweet for dessert. It's easy, fast and delicious.

Pick bbqing at Young Adults xmas party.

7. Sitting outside on our deck: The cool ocean breeze provides our "air conditioning" on the deck and through our open windows! The deck is the coolest place to be. Last night Pick and I sat out there for over an hour as the evening turned to night. It was lovely.

Well, that's all my musing for today.