The Simple Things

Sometimes it is the simplest of things that get me excited. Like on Monday, the thought of my lunch got me through our first cold Auckland morning. I had picked up a loaf of San Fran Sourdough from the local markets on Sunday along with a couple of limes and avocados. So lunch was toasted sourdough with a little kewpie mayo, avocado, a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt. Simply devine!

A new tea for me!

I have always been a black tea with milk and sugar gal. This started when I was very young and I would go into my grandparents flat (conveniently attached to my parents home) and share a cuppa with my Nana and Grandpa. I knew that by having a cup of tea with them that I would also get a cookie too. To this day I have never had a cup of tea as good as those when I was a kid.

Being a tea drinker has stuck with me ever since and despite a brief love affair with coffee in primary school I have stayed strong to the leaves. I occasionally would enjoy some jasmine tea with Chinese food but other than that, it was milk and one sugar for me.

This was until recently when I was on a Qantas flight to LA. After dinner they hostess came around offering a choice of either hot chocolate or peppermint tea. I am not one to eat dairy on long haul flights (I'm weird like that) so I decided to go out on a limb and try the peppermint tea. Instantly I was in love. It was light and bright and totally enjoyable.

Since then I have often found myself opting for a peppermint tea (or variety of) over a milky brew, particularly if I am having it with a meal. I have even felt a little wild at times and tried something with rose or lavender (something really yummy is rose and honey!)

So if you were like me and had never ventured into the world of herbal teas I suggest you try it. You may find that you hate it but at least you will have given it a go!

Enjoy!

R

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Long time no see!

Well hello there!

It has been quite some time since we last met and amazingly quite a bit has changed!

I guess the biggest change would be that we have moved again. Despite having only owned our little place for just over 12 months Luke got an offer too good to refuse so yet again we packed our bags and belongings and moved...to New Zealand! We still own our unit and have found a tenant to take care of it for us. I will fill you in on New Zealand shortly.

The other big change is that Luke and I were married on Oct 30,2010 in what we both describe as being the best day of our lives. So, I am now a Mrs which is oh so lovely! Our clostest loved ones joined us at an afternoon ceremony at the Garrison church in The Rocks (simply stunning!) followed by a wonderful feast at the Italian Village also in The Rocks. Everything went without a glitch and the rain even held off which was quite unlikely for an event of ours (so unlikely infact that we bought matching polka dot umbrellas for the bridal party which went unused!). Both venues look stunning as did my handsom groom and bridal party. And me? I think I looked pretty swish in my champagane coloured french lace gown and bespoke headpiece. Luke has said time and time again that he wishes we could do it all over again to keep the memories fresh - it was honestly the best fun either of us has ever had!

So New Zealand you ask? Well Luke being so brilliant at what he does was offered a position to join the New Zealand branch of his company supported by an offer too good to refuse. It was not a decision we took lightly but together we decided it would be a fantastic adventure and a great way to start the next chapter of our lives together. So just 3 days before our wedding, Luke signed the contract and it was a done deal, we were moving to Auckland.

We have now been here for about a month and a half and are enjoying exploring this beautiful city. As we had all of our worldly possesions shipped over, we have had to wait until this week for them to arrive. Just two days ago Luke took delivery of them and we are just about ready to move into our new home in Parnell. Parnell is a very pretty suburb (and while I do hate to brag, quite a sought after address) with a lovely village vibe. Full of cafes, shops and galleries we are both in heaven there. Our 3 bedroom semi is large enough to comfortably fit guests and we are eargerly awaiting for them to start arriving.

I have found work here in Auckland which will be a great challenge for me as I have moved away from my comfort zone of Retail and into the world of IT.

So what does all these changes mean for my little blog? Well it will see it taking a slightly different direction as we explore our new city but it will still be filled with fabulous finds and cooking adventures.

Stay tuned friends!

R
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