I did a lot of cooking this week, as it turned out. Sometimes weeks are just like that. I was finally able to get a pūkeko screech on video.
I got this photo with my Panasonic camera
Only one screech, but you get the idea
Mr. and Mrs. Pukeko in action
Rewa and her husband Robert. She is the Relief Society President in the Fairy Springs Ward, and Robert is a proper English gentleman. They are both very kind.
I was looking for yarn shops since two of my sisters knit exquisitely and I wanted to bring them home New Zealand yarn. I located Cottage Flair within walking distance of the Centre Mall, so we walked there one afternoon. There was a lot of quilt fabric, but I do not have a sewing machine here in New Zealand, sadly. Knitting and crocheting is a lot more portable.
So I got a couple of skeins of expensive possum/merino wool blend, also some beautiful Symphonie knitting needles which are made in India. I had to try them out. So I will have to make a return trip to the yarn shop.
We passed a gift shop, so Elder Rooks talked to the rather shy and quiet Korean owner while I found these beautiful possum-merino gloves and socks. Opossums, which are not indigenous to New Zealand, are considered invasive, so the possum fur, which is hollow like polar bear fur, is combined with merino wool to make soft and very warm clothing. The knitwear is somewhat looser than regular merino.
Many scilla bulbs were planted by the thermal stream behind our house long ago and are blooming for my enjoyment.
Elder Rooks was concerned about his work on Mary's gutters. He created his own tools to clean out the caulking to his satisfaction. We borrowed a ladder from the missionary sisters so he could finish the job.
He washed all the windows, since we are having many guests this week.
Among these were the newly-called Fairy Springs elders, including the new district leader Elder Cowell, on the left, from Sydney, and Elder Kema, on the right, from Texas
Sister Cleverley and her new companion Sis. Ufagalilo from Samoa. We fed this group the easy way, by ordering TakeAway from Wendy's Fish Shop. It was enjoyed by all and none left. We had the Tarawera group the next night but I don't have any pictures. They got tacos, since I ordered corn tortillas from Martha's Back Yard, and I made flour tortillas. Also found canned refried beans. The new Elder Jones is from Idaho and the new Sister Linton is also from Idaho. This makes six out of the ten missionaries (including us) in Rotorua from Idaho. There must be something we need to learn from New Zealand and take home to Idaho.
The Welshes joined us for dinner on Saturday night. They are senior missionaries serving with the Young Single Adults at the Hamilton Institute of Religion. Charlene Welsh is sister to Connie Smith, who we served with in the Meridian Temple as ordinance workers. We were so glad to see them. They were here to attend both of our wards and talk to the bishops. The Danielsons, another senior missionary couple serving in Self Reliance, also came to both wards on Sunday, so there were plenty of missionary badges all around.
On Sunday, Marion invited us for lunch, so we followed her to her house in Lynmore. It was cheerfully decorated and she obviously enjoys cooking, and learning as much as she can. We had waffles with whipped cream and syrup, New Zealand bacon, and cucumbers and tomatoes, along with a delightful discussion.
The drive back from Lynmore under cloudy skies.
Sunday at 5:00 we had a rather impromptu Family Home Evening, having announced it that day during our meetings. But six ladies showed up. We had a gospel discussion followed by friendly talk over refreshments. I made an apple slab pie and other ladies did not come empty-handed. Elder Rooks didn't seem to mind being outnumbered.
Mr. Pukeko, just being a chicken
