Struan Farm

Heidi's Green Gate

Robertsons have a reputation for putting people to work, since they rarely rest or relax themselves. (I guess to be fair I should include myself as well, it seems I've married into the right family.) Even over the holidays. I could tell you stories about painting bedrooms and renovating bathrooms on Christmas Day, but I digress.

Lucky for me my visiting German friend Heidi was okay with this, since John got her out painting the new gate for the Pet Paddock at Struan Farm during her recent "holiday." Initially we tested white when it was primed and undercoated, but we reverted back to our original, "iconic" green after living with white briefly; the consensus was that the green looks more serene, and doesn't block out the view to the trees. 

Given our tendancy to name things after various people at Struan Farm, we decided that the gate will now be called "Heidi's Green Gate."

Very cool downloads available from The Hobbit official website, http://www.thehobbit.com

Holiday Flowers

Couldn't decide which of these two flower arrangements was my favorite over the recent holidays at Struan Farm. They're very different, but both are beautiful, don't you think?

Jim's Hut: Habitable and Inhabited

The floors got sanded and refinished in Jim's Hut at Struan Farm in time for Heidi and Niklas' arrival the weekend before Christmas, phew! Jim's photo was hung and the two lower bunk beds were made up. It was a bit chilly so the down duvets actually came in handy at night. We didn't get the sink/bench painted and installed until after the holiday, but then there isn't any water hookup as yet.

Reports are the beds are very comfortable and the guests enjoyed the Hut experience!

Boxing Day at Struan Farm 2012

Our annual Boxing Day gathering of extended family and visiting friends at Struan Farm started with rain showers, and we were a wee bit worried. The croquet kicked off under umbrellas, but spirits were high and the weather lifted as a result. Sarah and her mother Ann won the croquet trophy, while Anna and Carrick won the archery, although Craig and Olivia Kate and John and Heidi were in serious pursuit. 

It was great to see the next generation of family connect, this is really what it's all about! Plus I think my food went down well, alway a relief for me....here are some pics from the day.

Freshly baked cream cheese Christmas cookies and chocolate chip cookies, along with berries from Piopio Orchard, of course!

And even Clifford behaved himself!