NO 23 It's a Family Affair - Sunday Night for the Girls

							No 23 it’s a Family Affair

We all have them, family. We have had the most fabulous time this weekend – neither of my
parents is still alive and Moi being the oldest of a crew of 6 it was high time to get together outside a
wedding or a funeral. We braved all winter could throw at us and assembled in Taupo, half from
Wellington, a third from Auckland and a sixth from Perth, each with respective spouses, kids and
their friends.

It has been so on more than one occasion that there is no substitute for family. We are exceedingly
fortunate to enjoy a wealth of friends and family but end of family are there no matter what.

Often we try and escape where we have come from, its true as you get older you develop your own
identity, ideas, beliefs and become the individual your parent’s hoped you would be. Though I have
discovered the older you get in fact the more like what has shaped you, you become. I think no
matter what your family is your greatest asset. They understand you, know where you came from
and usually will do anything for you.

We in a variety of guises enjoy who we are, a family group on facebook, in Wellington regular get
togethers and dinners, and we email and chatter it feeds your life.

My brothers (2) and sister (3) span 22 years our children a similar timeframe. The most satisfying
was to see my kids (the oldest) gather up the younger crew and spend time with them As the
youngest sibling has very young children we opted for pot luck in Saturday night and feasted,
laughed and remembered into the night. As it transpires all but one of us has been blessed with the
cooked gene so food is good. The flash of the camera recorded it all until we meet again in January
for our family wedding.

Having had an enforced rest this week, I have managed to all sorts of funny little jobs, not get
cracking on the website sadly. But I sorted my email (a day long job) gathered together all sorts of
family stuff and made everyone a goodie bag to take home. As the archivist I seem to constantly
come across more stuff and duly record it, package it up and distribute it out. I read lots and sorted
assembled cuttings, recipes, magazines making the place untidy in some order and then the
recycling. So in spite of being out of circulation I managed quietly to get a good deal off my plate.

So what’s hot over the next few weeks? More stuff for the kids though I think I would like this
session – down at the Museum of Wellington City and Sea next week Wednesday 20 July, 3pmGet
up close and personal with dancers from the Royal New Zealand Ballet. See how make-up transforms
a young dancer into an old man, a demonstration of static lifts and hear about a normal day at the
Ballet and plans for their upcoming season of Sleeping Beauty. Plus you can design your own dance
costume and make a scrapbook every day in the Dancing Delights exhibition space.

Big Little City (Auckland) I am not sure how that description works has a whole line-up of Northern
goodies for holiday days. The grown-ups haven’t been forgotten with the new Film Cafe opening in
The Civic with plenty to occupy you while the little’uns are elsewhere.

Down south Christchurch is beating the winter and shaky blues with Kidsfest for the small fry.
Getting back to Wellington grown-up stuff coming up includes a new Michel Hight exhibition at Paige
Blackie. Just nosing out of the gates Thursday was the pre-release of next year’s NZ International
Festival. I love this time of year in Wellington the streets and nights are alive with song, dance,
theatre I just can’t wait. As a friend I have always had the opportunity to pre-book but this week’s
release also has a season ticket offer I might just have to take up. Out of towners this is a definite
reason to high tail it off to Welly early 2012.

Writers on Mondays tomorrow will full my lunch hour with this stellar line-up I imagine it will be
standing room. The Marae, Level 4, 12.15pm–1.15pm. Every year, the IIML publishes Best New
Zealand Poems online. Ten of this year’s 25 poets read their work: Hinemoana Baker, Emma Barnes,
James Brown, Kate Camp, Geoff Cochrane, Jennifer Compton, Anna Jackson, Anna Livesey, John
Newton, and Kerrin Sharpe.

I am fortunate enough to work with some very talented people one of them is a playwright making a
name for herself- Whiti Hekeaka. You can catch her latest at Bats...For Johnny, part of the Young
and Hungry Festival of New Theatre, 22nd July - 6th August. Set during the final year of high school,
friendships will evolve, as the fleeting nature of life becomes an abrupt reality. For Johnny is a
beautifully moving drama about six young people dealing with love, life and loss. One for the teens
and the Mums and Dads.

If winter is proving all a little too much try the Vector Wellington orchestra they are hosting Diedre
Irons (Piano) and Margaret Medlyn (Soprano) at the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday 23 July with
Unfinished Symphonies, featuring works which were famously interrupted by the deaths of great
romantic composers - Schubert and Mozart (Schubert Unfinished Symphony, Mozart Piano Concerto
No. 24 in C minor K. 491, Mozart Ch’io mi scordi di te?, Berio Schubert Rendering. Just close your
eyes and wish away winter woes.

So as another week draws to a close whether you like them or not, love them you do - this weekend
reaffirmed how lucky I am. I have a fabulous wonderful family and I know whatever happens I am
part of something special. Nothing can make-up for what family provides and the joy of bringing
that to the children you have and the people they share their lives with. I think you will find you
have that too.

We don’t need to look in a cookie for our fortune I think that perhaps that love
and family is our greatest fortune.
Family favourites for spending time together

Grandma’s meat balls

500gms Mince
1 Onion sliced thinly, brown in a pan with a little oil
Add
1 cup of very thick white sauce
1 pkt cream of chicken soup (Maggi) if I make a larger mixture I also add a pkt of chicken noodle soup as well
roll into tsp lots and roll in breadcrumbs – chill in fridge and then egg and breadcrumb them again. Deep fry
serve immediately or freeze and reheat by warming in the oven
Cheese Straws (Again I have converted this oldie, but goodie from imperial measure)

1 cup flour, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp of baking powder, 6 tbspn of softened butter, 1 tsp sugar, 1 cup grated
cheese. (I always use tasty, and often try to get some golden cheese to have the look a bit speckled).
A pinch each of mustard, cayenne, and black pepper.

Sift flour, with seasoning, Rub in butter lightly, add cheese. Knead until a smooth dough. Roll out
thinly, cut into fingers about 3 x 1 inch and prick each finger several times with a fork. Bake on a
greased oven tray at 190- 200 c (watch).