Goodbye 2012

As I write this, 2012 is over in New Zealand, and people all over the world are coming to this realisation, with probably a good percentage of them are in the process of getting drunk to mourn it, and are beginning to drink in celebration the new possibilities that 2013 can bring.Sidenote: Thank you to the Mayans for getting it wrong.I can't quite believe that the blog has grown so much, it's been a blast writing it, but the feedback is the best part & the people I've met through it.The top 12 posts of 2012;The first six are chosen by you,...

Read More

Foodie-in-training: Fruit Liqueurs

In keeping with the general festive season's indulgences and general misbehaviour, my partner-in-crime and I - whilst at the Tower of London, of all places - discovered these little beauties whilst being funnelled through the giftshop.During these Foodie adventures, it's been great trying all sorts of new things, and this wee taster set is a perfect example.We have to eat to exist, it's a fact, so I think that if you're eating, you may as well make it a pleasurable experience. That doesn't mean you have to go off the deep end and become a...

Read More

London Living: The Tower of London

Priceless Diamonds & Sapphires, Murder, Kings, Queens, 1000 years of history, Ravens, Torture & Beefeaters. I'm not sure how to do the Tower of London the justice it quite deserves in my woeful prose, or indeed within the length of a blog post. If you are an anglofile, a history buff, love london, a fan of knights, like your history with a side of gore, want to be a princess, love jewellery... go. Schedule a half day, and go.Did I mention that the British Crown Jewels reside here? They are stunning.Did also I mention...

Read More

Kiwi Cooking: Lolly Cake

Before January Resolutions Kick-in, and everyone detoxes from the Christmas/New Years festivities, I'm going to sneak one last treat recipe in.Lolly Cake. This is a New Zealand institution, and I can almost guarantee that to bring a homesick Kiwi to their knees, or if you want bribe them into doing something horrendous, make Lolly Cake. For it to be truly authentic, you need to use Griffins Malt Biscuits and Pascal Eskimo Lollies - but in the UK Malted Milk biscuits and firm Marshmallows/Shrimps can be substituted in times of dire...

Read More

"You owe me five farthings" say the bells of St Martin's

It's funny, I've lived in London now for more than half a Decade, and I still delight in touristy wandering, discovering new corners and the historical backstory. I know "...when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." - Samuel Johnson but I do sometimes wonder if the delight will ever really wear off as it's such a thriving city, and there is always a new corner to turn and a new secret to discover. Sadly, when we arrived to see this Church, it was originally shrouded in scaffolding,...

Read More

Boxing Day

Presents are unwrapped, a scrumptious dinner eaten and the pine needles are starting to hit the carpet already.With a self imposed offline day yesterday, it was quite refreshing to mostly be away from all electrical equipment (bar the TV when the kids started to dance Gangnam Style!).Favourite part of the Day? Gathering with almost all of my London family for Roast Turkey & Beef, Christmas Pud & a lot of laughter.Favourite memory of the Day? Grandad getting up & trying it Gangnam Style.Favourite (only) Photo of the day?Hubby gets...

Read More

Christmas

This Kiwi is signing offline for the day, to spend it getting merry with friends and family I hopw you are enjoying the day wherever you are, whatever you have planned.I hope you enjoy the below Carols, and I'll see you tomorrow!Thinking of all our friends and family across the globe, especially in Japan....

Read More

London Living: Christmas Eve Carols at St Pauls Cathedral

We spent today getting ready for tomorrow, catching up with Kiwi family as they start Christmas celebrations and then nipped out to St Pauls Cathedral, for their Christmas Eve Carol service. I'm not especially religious, but I have to admit there was something lovely about the Cathedral all gussied up for Christmas, Carolling by the Choir and the bells pealing.I hope that whatever your plans are over the Christmas Period, whether you are with Family, Friends, Friends who are Family, or chilling with a box of Chocolates & a bottle of bubbly,...

Read More

Christmas Eve Eve Afternoon Tea

We decided with Christmas day being a little hectic (15-16 adults + an assortment of kids) that us ladies would have a wee afternoon tea to chat and catch up. We ended up having such a lovely low key day. Bar a few (actual) nightmares the night before (you know, like the ones you have before an important job interview, and you get to the end and realise you forgot to put trousers on?) it was a dream.We had looked into the option of being shamelessly spoilt and going out for afternoon tea eg. like this afternoon, but decided it would be easier,...

Read More

Jaffa Slice Means Christmas - Kiwi cooking

If you have any space on your no-doubt groaning tables, this has to be found a place. Being from the other side of the world, we love our Roasts at Christmas (in 30°C) but this is one thing (in addition to Christmas Pud, Brandy Cream and Mince Pies) that simply makes me think of Christmas.With the counterpoint of the Malt Biscuits, the Coconut and Chocolate Chips make a decadent mouthful, brought together by Condensed Milk & Butter, cut through with the zesty Orange.Indulgent, not very healthy, but scrumptious and decadent. Christmas in a mouthful.Thank...

Read More

Adventures of the Benign: Christmas Edition.

I've just had a really depressing thought. This time next year, we will no longer be celebrating Christmas 2012. On the bright side, For a week we get to celebrate family, festivities and probably overindulge.Stay tuned for my favourite undulgent Christmas Slice - Chocolate, Orange, Coconut..."It's the most wonderful time of the year..."And, I haven't killed my plant yet - it's merrily flowering!It doesn't feel like Christmas to me, until we've put up the Tree & turned the lights on.Calm admist the Christmas Crazy... I need your help....

Read More