a few of our favourite things...

Miriam: After returning to Auckland from a lovely weekend in Christchurch with Becs and Daisy, I suggested to Mike that we go for an afternoon walk.  It turned into quite the walk, when at the top of the hill Mike 'popped the question', and presented a ring and bubbles to seal the deal.  I was delighted to accept his proposal, so we continued our celebrations with dinner at Depot.  Given that we were seated at the bar (that was practically part of the kitchen bench) there was no opportunity for long soppy romantic gazes, but rather we were in the midst of the action, fixated as we listened to the staff banter and observed each meal being prepared and plated. Our food (raw tio point oysters, roasted rangitikei chicken with israeli couscous, aubergine & yoghurt; brussels sprouts with walash pancetta & walnut crumbs, beets with marinated beetroot, feta & walnuts) was perfect without being too fussy, and we washed it down with wine and Tuatara beer, both of which were on tap.  We left feeling well sated and pleased with our decision making on all accounts!

A few of our favourite things...

Libby: A weekend in Christchurch always means Saturday morning at the Christchurch Farmers' Market. When visiting on the weekend I picked up 1/2 a dozen macarons from J'aime les macarons. My new favourite flavours from their winter flavours is peanut butter and jam, closely followed by Milo - brilliant green shells filled with Milo ganache! You don't have to visit the market to get your hands on some of these beautiful macarons - there are two stores in Christchurch or you can order online.

Miriam: On Saturday Mike and I popped into Galbraith's Alehouse for a wee tipple.  We discovered this Gunnamatta beer by Yeastie Boys on tap.  This beer is a "tea-leafed" India Pale Ale, made with earl grey blue flowers.  I've recently become quite fond of earl grey tea, and this beer helped to further solidify my fondness.  You can really taste the earl grey flavours coming through, and it's so unexpected but yet so good. See if you can hunt this beer out and taste it too!

A few of our favourite things

Becs: My friend Anna was married last week, and instead of formal flower arrangements the tables featured a random array of glass jars filled with beautiful flowers and foliage.  I ransacked the Kerikeri opshops and was happy to score some really old Agee preserving jars for bargain prices, along with other beautiful old jam jars that must have been sitting in someones pantry for far too long judging by the age of the labels.  (The sort of thing they sell at vintage shops like the wonderful Flotsam and Jetsam and the like for ramped up prices) I was at the Christchurch EcoShop the other day, this is where the junk from the dump that is deemed saleable ends up.. and was thrilled to find half a dozen original Soda Stream bottles.  The rippled glass looks beautiful filled with water and a pretty bloom or two.