My walk to work

Symonds Street in the morning light

Albert Barracks Wall

The back of Alfred Nathan House (I like to pretend it is my house)

The Clock Tower

Auckland's oldest wooden building

Magnolia Tree

Old Government House

Old Government House garden

Windy drive

Maclaurin Chapel

The Lodge

Commemorative Stone

Princes Street

How to save your relationship...

I needed some light-heartedness, so...

Here's something for all you people sharing your bed with that significant other.

Introducing:

The Better Marriage Blanket

Apparently it's the perfect wedding or anniversary gift. Something to keep in mind!

2010 Update

I have started a new list which I will post soon, along with some other things that I am finding inspiring at the moment. But in the meantime here's how I am going on my 2010 ambitions list so far:

1. Get a really cool job, that is challenging and rewarding - I have a job! It is pretty cool and challenging and hopefully will be rewarding. I am still figuring out how that will be.
2. Travel overseas (not just to Oz either) - new passport arrived last week - super flash! Can't wait to try it out. I tried it out on a work trip to OZ. Pretty freaky getting your face scanned at the airport. Hmmm. Have put 'talk to travel agent' on the list for this month.
3. Use sewing machine more than once this year. - I have used it. But only to hem a top and mend some pants. But when I have a free weekend I am going to re-make my favourite fabric bag and another cool bag I have seen. I also have secret fantasies of quilting.... might need a lesson or two on that one first.
4. Buy a new sofa - Done! After a LOT of debate about colour and style we have welcomed Mammy (it's big you see) into our home.
5. Get back into fitness - Well I did go to aquafitness every week for a while, I have started walking more and I take the stairs at work. But ideally I will schedule in time for actual exercise into my life. Work in progress?

Thanks to Toast and Life and Eye on Kope for the awesome blogging. You guys are inspiring!

Fantastic!

I went to see Fantastic Mr Fox the other day and it was pretty neat, I liked it a lot. Then yesterday I was reading Design*Sponge and they do these posts called 'living in...' which are like style guides for the sets of movies and TV shows. Anyway, they have done 'living in: Fantastic Mr Fox'.

It features a lot of wood, including this really cool turntable from Anthropologie. You have to check it out. At $1,298 US dollars sadly it is a little (ok way) out of my budget... but I can dream.

I tried Facebook. I lasted just over a week. It was way too scary for me. I have now deactivated my account.

This one is dedicated to Katie C

I'm not a vegan but... we just made these vegan corn tamales and they were delish! I found the recipe when I was looking at the top 25 Vegetarian and vegan recipes for 2009.

As you can (maybe) see, we added shredded lettuce, avocado, and jalapenos (I am addicted to jalapenos, I put them on everything!).

I think you can use cornmeal or maybe even polenta if you can't find the fancy tamale stuff (they sell it here). I also think the bean mix was a little dry. Which I guess it has to be so it doesn't fall out. But I think maybe one extra tomato wouldn't hurt. OR a non-spicy salsa on the side, maybe some sour cream for the non-vegans amongst us.

This could be a fun thing to do with kids too, if you made a non-spicy version. :)

Strawberries

There is nothing nicer in summer than strawberries...

(I grew these ones)

...except maybe strawberries at a picnic.