Wednesday, April 29, 2009


We have a tree in our backyard that grows feijoas. Me and daddy-o went down to that tree and we picked approximately 8 or so.

At Nayland Primary I'm the compost person with 2 other kids. We go around asking for peoples' compost and somebody I saw had a massive feijoa skin and was eating it. I did not know you could eat the skin. But lots of kids had them and I thought they were crazy freaks. They eat the whole thing but not the bottom or bum as we call it.

But now I tried the skin and I think it's bitter and dreadful tasting but the feijoa itself is pretty good. hhhhhho!

Dad says look here for more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feijoa
They're supposed to be in Georgia and Louisiana, but we never saw them.

- Andrew

Sunday, April 26, 2009

It's fall in New Zealand. The weather is crisp and we've lit our fire several times. We've discovered a walnut tree on our property and have been delighting in them ....almost as good as our pecan tree at 816 West Main. The feajoas are ripening and Duane swears they are delicious. Maybe I'll develop a taste for them. We laso found an apple tree hidden among the bush. It only bore about 8 fruit, but they were very tasty.


We went to a friends orchard in early April and got to pick bushels of apples. There are so many (4 million says Brenda) that if they are not perfect, Brenda will just take a bite and chuck 'em. It was interesting learning the ins and outs of orchard life. Theirs is a "boutique" orchard and they can only sell the finest. They talked about how difficult it is to launch a new variety....most don't take. But, they have some "Eves" (is that a GREAT name or what) and they seem to be catching on.

Finally, we were invited to our third party this weekend. Of the three we've been invited to, two have been costume parties. Our little town of Nelson has three costume rental shops all within 1k of each other. It's bizarre - maybe it's because they don't celebrate Halloween. Anyway, the Independent Theatre also has a costume rental. So, against my normal inclinations, I rented some clothes, dressed up for the Ab Fab party and danced the night away!

Thursday, April 09, 2009






It's Good Friday in NZ. What are the Franklets up to? First of all, everything is closed and I mean everything. Went to the grocery to pick up a few items - nope. Fortunately we already have our eggs. That's Andrew on egg stuffing duty and that giant can of jelly beans is the one he won in a coloring competition. We've got some of his young friends coming over later along with some even younger siblings, and we will hunt.... should be great fun and a perfect day sunny in the 60's.
Andrew regarding his job this morning: "They are delicious and hard to resist but somehow we managed to get it all done."


Meanwhile Dean-o is outside with - what is that thing - a cricket bat? Hmmm... from his expression I don't think he hit anything.









Barbara is doing some last minute framing. Of course you can't see anything because they are all fish-face down. Here I will upload another pic so you can see what she's up to.