[Festival] Using Nature to Nurture and de-stress your mind

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

[Festival] Using Nature to Nurture and de-stress your mind

Hosting is like these lambs, a blending of cultures and colours without barriers. Gotland sheep are from Sweden and there felt is used for slippers and shoes.Hosting is like these lambs, a blending of cultures and colours without barriers. Gotland sheep are from Sweden and there felt is used for slippers and shoes.Hello from Helen in New Zealand!

 

I love hosting because it’s great for our mental and physical well being, to share and enjoy nature and heritage.

 

Some of my loveliest guests have said they like the details in my listing and that their families helped them decide who to stay with which I think is sweet.

 

They’ve contributed in their own ways as to how I've evolved in my hosting, as have the fabulous members here in Community Centre. 

 

Spending time amongst nature is one way of maintaining one’s health. I’ve a wee garden with Monarch Butterflies along with been Centrally located to a variety of gardens and areas where rural life is still present.

 

Occasionally my guests get to meet and spend time walking my friend’s dog, Zara the Jack Russell who has had a head rub from Prince Harry! 

 

Zara the Jack Russell Taking time out to tiptoe through the Tulips!  “Shhh, don’t tell Park staff, honest I was only smelling the flowers for my mental wellbeing!”Zara the Jack Russell Taking time out to tiptoe through the Tulips! “Shhh, don’t tell Park staff, honest I was only smelling the flowers for my mental wellbeing!”

I give guests cuttings from my garden & Tulip bulbs that were gifted to the people from Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill, Auckland, New Zealand when there garden staff remove them to replant the garden beds so we can all share the love and beauty of nature to unify as one people in the world.

Tulip and Anemone flowers with the Simmental Cows originally from Switzerland grazing with National Women’s and Greenlane Hospitals in the background at Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill, Auckland.Tulip and Anemone flowers with the Simmental Cows originally from Switzerland grazing with National Women’s and Greenlane Hospitals in the background at Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill, Auckland.

Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill Domain Flower GardenCornwall Park, One Tree Hill Domain Flower Garden

Central To All Home & Location is like a Monarch butterfly… metamorphosing.Central To All Home & Location is like a Monarch butterfly… metamorphosing.

 I gift some of my Swan Plants to share the love with our delightful "Monet the Monarch" caterpillars & butterflies.

Swan Plant flowers and Monarch butterflySwan Plant flowers and Monarch butterfly

Screenshot 2019-08-27 at 14.19.22.png

Monarch butterfly resting it’s body between the Geranium leaves, that I grew from a cutting, immediately after it came out of its chrysalis - Guests like a safe & comfortable resting place too.

Milk Station Chrysalis and Monarch caterpillar with Milk Plant Seed PodMilk Station Chrysalis and Monarch caterpillar with Milk Plant Seed Pod

Monarch butterflies enjoy living in my Swan Plant, Geraniums, Lilies, Sweet Peas and Lavender plants. The Sweet Peas were grown from seeds, their pods produce seeds Hosts can share.

gusano 7.jpgIt can take between a couple of minutes to ten minutes for a caterpillar to form into a Chrysalis. Note the butterfly formation and silk spun to balance itself and protect itself from spiders and other insects.It can take between a couple of minutes to ten minutes for a caterpillar to form into a Chrysalis. Note the butterfly formation and silk spun to balance itself and protect itself from spiders and other insects.

Chrysalis go into a darkened state a couple of days before they transform into a Butterfly.Chrysalis go into a darkened state a couple of days before they transform into a Butterfly.

Male Monarchs have two black markings on their wings / Female butterflies which don’t can lay up to 1000 eggs.Male Monarchs have two black markings on their wings / Female butterflies which don’t can lay up to 1000 eggs.

Honey Bee and Female Monarch butterfly close encounter on Lavender flower in the gardenHoney Bee and Female Monarch butterfly close encounter on Lavender flower in the garden

Bumble Bee on my Mexican DaisyBumble Bee on my Mexican Daisy

Central To All Home & Location is close to Cornwall Park / One Tree Hill Domain, Auckland where Irish settlor, Thomas Henry, created one of the original farms which is to remain in perpetuity as a Domain for the betterment of all New Zealand people.

It’s a friendly place where one can mix with nature, see lambs & sheep, pat the calves, cows & bulls, enjoy flowers from all nations, play archery, cricket, rugby league and relax away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

This lamb was just born and taking its first steps. Isn’t nature amazingly beautiful?This lamb was just born and taking its first steps. Isn’t nature amazingly beautiful?

Lamb rounding up the Ducks and Ducklings to safety in the other paddockLamb rounding up the Ducks and Ducklings to safety in the other paddock

Baby calf meets it’s dad the bull whilst it’s mother the cow restsBaby calf meets it’s dad the bull whilst it’s mother the cow rests

Screenshot 2019-08-27 at 14.38.25.png

Guest Corrin, NYC, USA, who had not seen lambs since she was a child, making new friends on our visit to the Park. We nicknamed these bottle fed lambs Louis, Henry, William, George and Arthur. They are all Rams growing up and still recognise Zara and myself.

 

It’s fun to incorporate Guests in day to day life in one’s location.

Our Guests mental health and well-being is important to, animals and nature can help one relax and ease homesickness.

 

Do you take your Guests to places they may not have experienced before?

Kowhai Tree, New Zealand Native Tree, Cornwall Park where you may see Tui birds,Kowhai Tree, New Zealand Native Tree, Cornwall Park where you may see Tui birds,

Screenshot 2019-08-27 at 14.41.05.png

When Guests wake up in a different place they can be like a newborn animal waking up to new surroundings.

 

“Maaa, that was a great sleep, Baa, nice to meet you!”

 

This twin lamb a couple of days old woke up with a yawn whilst its companion kept one eye open on watch.

New Zealand is known for woollen products like carpet and clothing. We used to have more sheep than people.

 

 

Hosting guests who have chosen to stay with me in my home & share an interest in history and stories is a passion I enjoy. 

Forget-me-Not flowers and Periwinkle planted on Mount Hobson Domain are some of the self  regenerating Botanicals gifted to New Zealand people by David Hay and Son, Montepellier Nursery in the 1880’s so future generations would not have to worry about financial expenses in the years ahead.

Flowers of all nations were planted in areas for our betterment, so we would all feel Welcome and at home wherever we are in the world and originated from.

 

Do you have an area in your location like that to share with your Guests?

 

If not, help create one, 2019 is 100 years since the start of the Peace Commemorations after World War 1 ended.

Forget-Me-Nots with Honey Bee and CinerariasForget-Me-Nots with Honey Bee and Cinerarias

Screenshot 2019-08-27 at 14.47.00.png

Periwinkle, one of Her Majesty The Queen’s favourite flowers on a tree that fell over during a storm in the 1930’s, The Depression era, left to decompose naturally where centipedes, millipedes, lichen and other species make their home.

The remains of a Living Fence, a Hedgerow Rose, on the boundary of Mount Hobson, Dilworth Avenue entrance.The remains of a Living Fence, a Hedgerow Rose, on the boundary of Mount Hobson, Dilworth Avenue entrance.

Mount Hobson is named after New Zealand’s first Governor Captain William Hobson. His Grave is in the Symonds Street Cemetery where they are undertaking a restoration project.

 

Dilworth Avenue is named after James Dilworth, who once owned Mt Hobson and gifted land for a school for disadvantaged boys. He is buried in the nearby St Marks Anglican Church grounds where one can reflect on how those early settlers before us lived in much more challenging times.

Botanicals in Exhibition Hall Gardens, Auckland DomainBotanicals in Exhibition Hall Gardens, Auckland Domain

I’m very thankful we have access to fabulous newspaper & photographic archive websites dating back to the early 1800’s where sage one’s before us recorded valuable information.

 

Whilst I’m a host in a more recently built home such archives have helped improve my knowledge as a Host to share with those interested in family, world history, 23andMe and Heritage.

 

Have you considered researching your own home and location for it’s history in similar archives to include in your listing and to share with Guests?

 

Thanks

204 Replies 204
Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

Centipede? or Millipede?Centipede? or Millipede?

 

Shall we go in search of some Centipedes and Millipedes along our Intrepid Journeys in life, including in our Garden?

 

Found this wee one lurking in one of our plant pots on coincidentally World Earth Day this week.

 

Did you spend some time connecting with Mother Earth this week?
If so, what little critters did you find in amongst your garden and on your travels ?

 

@Mary996 @Mike-And-Helen0
@Dale711 @Anna @Nick @Vicent8 @Scent-Of-Sicily0 @Heathervescent0

@Millie1 @Milli2 @Peder1 @Peder3 @Anna @Emilie @Emilia42 @Ute9 

@Paul1255 @Huma0 @Cathie19 @Inna22 @Emiel0 @Ria16 @Laura2592 @Laura2454 

@Ute42 @Brian @Yasmin22 @Yasmin9 @M199 @Francesca @Gardenia8 @Garden53 @Gardenia7 @Samrangi0 @Brangie0 @Rangitata0 @Rangi2 ?

 

M199
Level 10
South Bruce Peninsula, Canada

@Mary996 @Mike-And-Helen0
@Dale711 @Anna @Nick @Vicent8 @Scent-Of-Sicily0 @Heathervescent0

@Millie1 @Milli2 @Peder1 @Peder3 @Anna @Emilie @Emilia42 @Ute9 

@Paul1255 @Huma0 @Cathie19 @Inna22 @Emiel0 @Ria16 @Laura2592 @Laura2454 

@Ute42 @Brian @Yasmin22 @Yasmin9 @M199 @Francesca @Gardenia8 @Garden53 @Gardenia7 @Samrangi0 @Brangie0 @Rangitata0 @Rangi2 ?

 

Hello All,

 

This little guy showed up a few days ago under my birdfeeder.  We are on a small river and I guess the cracked corn was to much to resist.20210419 Wood Duck.jpg

Hi @M199 ,

It look like a cartoon, so lovely😍

Thank you so much for sharing the wonderful photos.

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand

What gorgeous photographs @M199 

 

What type of bird is this?

Delightful photo of the Cicada coming out of it's casing.

Did you take these photos?

Thank you very much for sharing from across the miles in New Zealand

Mary996
Level 10
Swansea, United Kingdom

Sometimes known as the Carolina Wood Duck, latin name is Aix sponsa. It’s become naturalised in the UK as it has escaped from collections in the same way as the mandarin duck xx Wonderful sighting . Thanks for sharing. I have a map of the UK distribution but can't share it here....though I tried! It wouldn't upload boo....

M199
Level 10
South Bruce Peninsula, Canada

@Mary996 @Mike-And-Helen0
@Dale711 @Anna @Nick @Vicent8 @Scent-Of-Sicily0 @Heathervescent0

@Millie1 @Milli2 @Peder1 @Peder3 @Anna @Emilie @Emilia42 @Ute9 

@Paul1255 @Huma0 @Cathie19 @Inna22 @Emiel0 @Ria16 @Laura2592 @Laura2454 

@Ute42 @Brian @Yasmin22 @Yasmin9 @M199 @Francesca @Gardenia8 @Garden53 @Gardenia7 @Samrangi0 @Brangie0 @Rangitata0 @Rangi2 ?

 

Here are a few others from the last year.  Around here, every day is Earth Day!

 

Cicada on a Hydro Pole - Rotate PhotoCicada on a Hydro Pole - Rotate PhotoDragonfly on my husband's handDragonfly on my husband's handSalamander at Base Camp - We call him TommySalamander at Base Camp - We call him TommyWasp with a Caterpillar - Landed on tableWasp with a Caterpillar - Landed on table

Hi @M199 ,

The pictures came out absolutely perfect. Thank you so muc h.

Mary996
Level 10
Swansea, United Kingdom

Wow! @M199 . Thank yo so much. These are fascinating pics. Love them xxxx

Mary996
Level 10
Swansea, United Kingdom

@M199 You are a very talented photographer. My latest sighting was of a Cattle Egret. An exciting rarity xxxxxxxx

Hi @Mary996,

I love ‘tommy’ picture😍👏

Salamanca at base camp.

 

@M199 

You may consider exhibiting and sell the photos in Paris.

Certainly, it will go like hotcakes.

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand
M199
Level 10
South Bruce Peninsula, Canada

@Mary996 , @Helen427 , @Dale711 

And all others.

 

Thank you for your positive comments.  Yes, all these photos were taken with my cellphone.  Lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time.

M199
Level 10
South Bruce Peninsula, Canada

@Helen427 ,

 

 @Mary996 is absolutely correct in her Wood Duck classification.  How I find my identifications is through a wonderful website/app Inaturalist.ca   You can track all your natural observations and it is  definitely a global app, it even records sounds.   I love the global and local aspects of this app!

 

Here is a picture of a chipmunk my daughter caught a number of years ago.

 

Make every day count!

 

20090623_000506 (1).JPG

 

Helen427
Level 10
Auckland, New Zealand
Mary996
Level 10
Swansea, United Kingdom

Room for both xxx But I'm glad these were the planes and not the creatures xx