Month of June

 July has been such an inspiring and fun-filled month at Arohanui! I’ve had a wonderful time getting creative, connecting with our community, and enjoying some quiet moments in nature.

My creative side was fully on display this month through a couple of special hands-on art projects. First, I had a blast making paper Spring bulb flowers by using pages from an old book for the petals and building the stalks with skewers and masking tape. It was so rewarding to see them come to life. Later, I joined in on a group underwater canvas project where I crafted a crayfish out of recycled egg cartons, surrounding it with real shells, smooth rocks, and green woolly seaweed for texture.

Giving back to the community continues to be one of my favorite highlights. I attended the Riding for the Disabled volunteer induction out at Welcome Bay, where we took a lovely walkthrough of the gardens we'll be helping tend to. I also got to head over to Waipuna Hospice to brighten someone’s day by delivering fresh flowers. To top off my time outdoors, I went for a peaceful stroll along the beautiful Wairoa River.

I got to showcase my cooking skills during our kitchen sessions. We whipped up a vibrant pumpkin and feta salad. Watching all the colorful ingredients blend together was so satisfying, and eating it was even better, it was absolutely delicious!

My time at Arohanui this month has been truly amazing, and I’m so excited for everything next month has in store. - TR