A few of our favourite things

Becs: I have just spent a (wet!) weekend with Libby in Wellington... we visited the City Market where purchases included a block of organic butter from the Biofarm stall, chicken liver pate from the macaron lady (which I just realised I left in Libby's fridge, damn!), an excellent soy flat white, plus a visit to Libby's favourite herb stall at the adjoining produce market.  The fresh herbs were all beautiful, but alas not so ideal for transporting, although I did purchase a little pottle containing a blend of finely chopped lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaf for the grand sum of $2.

Another favourite was the visit to the Zany Zues factory shop near Petone.  They sell their range of fresh cheese, yoghurt and ice cream, much of which you can't buy elsewhere, and there was plenty on offer for tasting.  The ice cream was fantastic and amazingly good value.  I loved my Dark ghana chocolate cone while Libby had the Pistachio and almond brittle, which warranted buying a 1L take-home pack for another rainy day.  My favourite yoghurt was the feijoa topped one which they had sadly sold out of, however the owner promptly offered to nip into the factory next door and make one up on the spot.  Well worth a visit.



A few of our favourite things

Becs: I use this old cast iron frying pan almost every day.  Mike rescued it years ago when it was being binned by a catering company...and it has done the hard yards ever since.  Perfect for just about anything, and it can go from oven to table.  Seen pictured is Bill's fried Singapore noodles from Bill's Basics....fried noodles with an egg scrambled through and a base of fresh ginger, curry powder, chicken stock, brown sugar and soy sauce; it's amazing how the curry powder really lifts the flavour.  I like to use prawns or chicken.

a few of our favourite things

Miriam: I have been on the look out for a tea pot for a long time now.  The other day, I was so sick of not having one, I bit the bullet a purchased this cute wee tea pot from the website Maisy&Grace.  It arrived a few days later, all beautifully packaged, and I have been enjoying loose leaf tea ever since.  I will still keep my eyes peeled for a bigger pretty tea pot, but for tea for one or two this does very nicely indeed.

A few of our favourite things

Becs: I am enjoying the local library finally being back in action post-earthquake.  While I have no need to borrow fiction much now (thanks to my Kindle....the love affair continues) my first stop is always the cooking section.They often have a good range of new releases if you strike it lucky, and I find it's a good way to 'try before you buy'.  I scored a lovely pile of newish books the other day, one of which - the Alice Hart - I may add to my collection, judging by the number of post-it notes I've stuck in it to earmark promising recipes. Bill's Basics is rather good too, I have been thrashing his Singapore noodles lately.

A few of our favourite things

Becs: Tom yum has been on my menu quite a bit lately.  I was inspired after reading this recipe.   On first glance it does seem like you need lots of bits and pieces, but one trip to the Asian grocery and you have everything you need, most of which can be stowed away in the cupboard, fridge or freezer for next time you have a craving for Thai.  I like to add either some raw prawns or chicken, and (unconventionally) fresh noodles and lots of green veges like broccoli, for a filling, vege laden dinner in just minutes. The chilli hit is ideal for winter colds. Tom yum is also a great vehicle to use the kaffir lime leaves my 5 year old tree has been busy growing over the years and that scarcely get used...

We think this snug new strawberry hat of Daisy's is pretty cute.  Nanny bought it for her from a stall at the Sunday Artisan Market.  The clever creator not only handknitted it but also spun and dyed the wool herself...how this is possible for the grand sum of $25 I have no idea but it will do good job of keeping her little head cosy in these cold winter months.

Miriam: These Vita-Weat Lunch Slices are actually a favourite thing of Mike's.  He refers to these as his 'man crackers' due to their gigantic size and thickness.  While I'm not a big fan myself, Mike loves them as they can satisfy his after work but too early for dinner hunger.

A few of our favourite things...

Becs: Winter salad inspiration - no, not made by me, but enjoyed for lunch at Med Foods recently.  A simple salad of honey roasted yams, crispy bacon, baked ricotta, toasted pinenuts and dressed salad greens.  Sweet, salty and delicious, and one I will be recreating at home.

A few of our favourite things

Becs: I love this old scalloped-edge mirror I found at John's Collectables in Temuka, when Miriam and I were holidaying there over New Years.  I had been  keeping an eye out on Trademe for one and was thrilled to find this one for a very reasonable price. It is incredibly heavy so in these shaky times has been bolted to the wall.  Daisy and I have just moved into our new house so it is lovely to display special treasures again. 

Another favourite house-related thing is the gorgeous hot pink Fairydown feather blanket I bought for half-price at Farmers last week.  Our family has long been a convert to these amazing blankets, and they have recently released the kids range in bright colours.  Continuing in the colour theme, when in Auckland last month I discovered Collected by Leeann Yare  a colour-filled shop in Mt Eden with loads of beautiful things.  I found the turquoise rug there, after much hunting for a rug for Daisy's room that didn't feature anything Dora or Disney related!

Libby: I was given a potted hyacinth last year and after it finished flowering I abandoned it outside and completely forgot about it. I discovered it again over the weekend and was delighted to see that it has popped up again... I am taking it as a sure sign that SPRING is on its way! 

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.