Get to know me

Plus my new front door wreath, and a pet outing

Greetings from a soft winter sunset in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

I really enjoy it when people on social media reintroduce themselves periodically, and I haven’t done so in a while. If you’re new here, I warmly welcome you, and if you’ve been around a while I’m grateful for your company 😊

My name is Fiona, I’m 54, and I grew up in Hawke’s Bay, left a few times for a couple of decades all up, and am now so happy to be living back in this gentle, quiet area (for eight years now). I moved back one year before my dad died, so I feel pretty lucky to have had that twelve months with him in close (short driving distance) proximity. My mum lives in the area too.

I am a real homebody and love being at home, and in my own company. Writing books is the perfect ‘job’ for me since I’ve always loved books, reading, libraries, bookstores, and in my adult years, writing. I’ve always enjoyed gathering ideas and pretty things though.

My husband Paul and I met 22 years ago and have been married for 17 of those years. Before we met, on the advice of a friend I wrote out a wish list for my ideal guy, and when I read it back, thought it sounded like the male version of me. And he is!

We are both Libran and easygoing, and prefer harmony and peace. We both like a simple life, and are on the same page regarding finances, which is to make your own cheap fun and build a solid financial base. We’ve done this for many years.

Paul works in the wine industry, and I work from home in my happy place writing happy books!

If you have anything you’ve curious about, ask away. Let’s make this a Q&A! (email or message me if you're shy 😘)

And if you’re a reader of my books, let me know your favourite and why. And even, if you could choose a book for me to write, what would it be? I’m always happy to receive reader ideas!

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This is my 'most of the year' wreath. You might have seen when I had my autumn wreath up, then I chose a wreath for winter.

(I decided I wanted to always have a wreath on my front door because I loved having a Christmas wreath up so much, and we have a cute little hook right there, so why not?)

When I received the winter wreath in the mail, I thought that it could easily be spring too, and then it's time for my Christmas wreath to go up.

I am very pleased with this wreath too! The leaf colours are natural and not too bright, and the white/sage colours are so pretty.

You can see Nina cat posing alongside the front door here. She likes to be let in the front door, because of course the cat door is so inconvenient being around the other side of the house.

And here you can see her waiting outside my office window, also waiting to be let in. My office is right at the front door (and yes those are my makeup brushes, I do my makeup in my office since the natural light is nice in there).

Nina jumps up on that low ledge by the front door, then to the higher ledge outside my office.

I'll be happily typing away and see a black blob in my peripheral vision 😂 Oh it's Nina, who clearly needs to be let in my office window.

In the summer I leave it open for her, but it's winter here and I am not doing that right now.

So yes, as always, cats rule the show! 🤣

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How cute is the dog waiting area at our vet's?

Micky and Daphne had a routine visit but you can tell they are a little nervous being there. Daphne's face is so funny 😭

There is also a cat waiting area nearby behind a dividing wall. That part has a lidded container with Feliway-infused towels so you can drape one over your cat's container. So thoughtful!

And it really works too. (Feliway is a calming pheromone product for cats).

The last few times I took Nina in for the injury under her arm, she went from meowing non-stop to calm and content.

All our dogs love going for a ride in the car, although I think Micky felt duped that he wasn't going for a walk along the beachfront, and instead had the indignity of being weighed in a public reception area! Daphne too!

How embarrassing he said 🤣

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It's the start of a fresh new week here. We have two family dinners at our place since we have people coming and going from Hawke's Bay. My sister and her husband are joining the usual gang tonight, and my cousin is here next weekend (but my sister will be gone by then). It will be fun!

And I'm writing too. I didn't get as much done last week as I would have liked, and I have a book goal! Sometimes I just need to 'shelve' everything (haha) and write first.

It's never important things that get in the way of my writing either.

Sometimes it's procrastination, sometimes it's going out. Sometimes it's mucking around for no reason and just not doing it. It's amazing how I can fit writing into my life easily when I just focus on it!

It's like anything really, just remember your goals and keep going back to them. Keep your eyes on the prize 😍

Have a fab Monday/Sunday wherever you are!

xx Fiona

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PS. Find out where to read or listen to my books at fionaferris.com, or click the images below (I use Amazon affiliate links which doesn’t change anything for you, including the price, but I may receive a small compensation. If you choose to use my links I’m grateful!)