We left the gorgeous Hawk House yesterday morning and drove into Wanaka for breakfast before starting our trip over to Cardrona and across to Queenstown before checking into our new accomodation. I wanted to stop into Arrowtown as well for a look around along the way. When we were driving through … [Read more...]
Rangi Kahu: The Hawk House
October 3, 2019 by 4 Comments
I often get asked how I find some of the places that we have stayed in on AirBnB over the years. It's a job I take very seriously (ha!) trying to find somewhere that I know will be special and make a holiday all the more enjoyable. I love staying in homes as you can cook and do washing (not … [Read more...]
Snowy showers, wineries & lavender: day 3 in New Zealand
October 3, 2019 by 4 Comments
I mean does it get any more ideal for me? All three things in one day! We woke to the most fantastic rain and wind storm in the morning that called for going back to bed and bunkering in. This house has the most amazing glass windows that just make you sit and watch the world unfolding. What better … [Read more...]
From snow to ancient forests: day 2 in New Zealand
October 2, 2019 by 4 Comments
We woke yesterday morning to a drift of snow on the mountains across from our house so we decided we better go and find some snow for the girls to play in. Anyone who knows me would know that I have wrote the obsession with snow - finding it, wishing for it - it just seems so magical to me. I have … [Read more...]
Wine glasses, great light and amazing views: our first 24 hours in NZ
October 1, 2019 by 14 Comments
YOU GUYS. We have arrived in NZ and the excitement levels are high. Even the hormonal teenager is having a good time and is impressed and that is saying something. Truly. From the moment you arrive into Queenstown over the snow caped mountains you can't help but be blown away by its beauty. New … [Read more...]
What I’m reading, watching & listening to
September 27, 2019 by 18 Comments
It's been a while since I have done an update on what I've been listening, reading and watching and I think I need to start by saying: not a lot. Well, reading that is. I have completely lost my mojo ALL term and have not read ANYTHING. I blame one book that I am still half way through. It's not … [Read more...]
Fried eggplant
September 26, 2019 by 12 Comments
This can be filed under: food that I could eat until my had fell off that no one else in my family is really interested in. I seem to be so interested in this kind of food at the moment...and because I have such a hankering, I tend to make it without a care about anyone else! A few months ago I … [Read more...]
Monday Meal Ideas: Vote 1 PASTA
September 23, 2019 by 6 Comments
When you are slowly making your way to the finish line of term 3 and you still have a WHOLE week to get through (give us strength x 3) I think there's only one thing for it. COMFORT. And when I say comfort, I mean carbs. I mean cheese. I'm talking about creamy, delicious, life giving pasta. And that … [Read more...]
Ottolenghi’s One Pan Pasta
September 20, 2019 by 16 Comments
Hang on what? BAKED pasta Beth? I know! It's confusing isn't it? Cooking pasta in the oven. But then think about it, it's kind of like lasagne right? Bear with me. I was picking up Harper from school a few weeks ago when our lovely office admin Sally came and found me to tell me about a recipe she … [Read more...]
The Throne Rangers: A podcast for Royal enthusiasts {ep 19}
September 18, 2019 by 6 Comments
It's been a minute since Stacey and I sat down for a chat about all things Royal Family we have scratched yours (and our) itch with a brand new episode of your favourite podcast: The Throne Rangers. There's been a LOT happening too you guys: The King's Cup regatta, the start of the new school year, … [Read more...]
Early spring
September 17, 2019 by 4 Comments
Where the days are a little longer and warmer, every time you look up you see a new fleeting blossom. There's sunshine in the days and sparkly stars in the cool night. It's all about promise and hope of what is to come. You marvel at everything coming back to life after so many months of quiet and … [Read more...]
Monday Meal Ideas: Chicken dinner winners
September 16, 2019 by 6 Comments
I am feeling quite smug this morning as I did all our grocery shopping for the week ahead yesterday and so we are actually starting the week out in pretty good shape. One thing that did get added to the trolley was chicken, that staple that will turn up a few times a week at our place. Because I am … [Read more...]
Spinach & ricotta cannelloni
September 13, 2019 by 16 Comments
My Mum makes a version of this with those beautiful big pasta shells that you can buy that I absolutely LOVE so I have had a hankering for it for some time. I decided over coffee on Monday with Mum that this was going to be the week because things had gone from "I must do that" to " I WANT THAT". I … [Read more...]
Monday Meal Ideas: Meatless Monday Inspo
September 9, 2019 by 4 Comments
Good morning friends! How are you all this chilly Monday morning? It's cold here and we are back after a wonderful weekend by the sea where the sun was shining and it felt a LOT warmer than it does here. Nice to have a little hint of it. But we are home now for a busy week...there are so many new … [Read more...]
Crustless Quiche
September 5, 2019 by 8 Comments
There's nothing like a cheeky ladies daytime lunch is there? They are right up as one of my favourite things to cook for. The food can be healthy and simple, there's usually a glass of wine thrown in there and of course cake. They are usually quick (in between the school hours) and you can go ALL … [Read more...]
Good Things
September 3, 2019 by 16 Comments
It's September. And after a long cold winter just the sound of it gives us enough promise of good stuff to come. We still have a lot of winter to do round here...the fire will be on constantly for the next month or so and will be on and off until the end of the year. But there's sunshine, we had … [Read more...]
Monday meal ideas: Seriously good sides
September 2, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Good morning and welcome to another week! It's September if you can get your head around that...?! We had the most magnificent Spring weather arrive right on cue and while I know we are a long way off that yet it felt nice to be 18 degrees. Actually, if we could stay around that..maybe a max of 22 … [Read more...]
My 301st Period (or thereabouts)
August 30, 2019 by 31 Comments
I got my first period when I was 14. I was away with my Mum in Adelaide by ourselves (in a family with 4 kids this was some lucky break) so it was as good as it could be until she called my Dad to tell him on the carphone which had my brother AND his friend that I had a crush on it and I died with … [Read more...]
Skin & Hair Update: Good stuff I’m using and Perioral dermatitis update
August 27, 2019 by 6 Comments
Just in time for m 42nd birthday a few weeks back I managed to get the dreaded perioral dermatitis back again. Insert eyeroll here. DEAD SET. For those that may be new here, this is a skin condition I have been getting for the past 6 years. SIX. You can read about it in these posts: Initial … [Read more...]
Monday meal ideas: Mid week dinners that will be eaten
August 26, 2019 by 2 Comments
I mean really, that's all we're after isn't it? It's bad enough that we have to cook dinner every night of the week, there's nothing much more soul destroying than going through the motions and having noses turned up at it). Now THAT makes me cranky. So here's a list of my some dinners that if I … [Read more...]
