Over and Out

Well 2012 is nearly complete and Christmas is literally at our doorsteps so this is it. This will be my last post for the year as I'll be popping home for a few days over Christmas then finally have 5 days off work for New Years. I'll be heading to the beach with family and friends to relax and unwind {if I haven't done enough of that already.} 

Might even go swimming as the sun sets...

 

 Or jump off rocks? Who knows, but I cannot wait!

For those of you who actually take the time to read my blog, {or scribbles} thanks a bunch. Hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I've loved writing it. Next year I'll write a list of things to blog about and will hit it off in January. Suggestions welcome. 

In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and an even better New Years. Catch you lot in 2013! Kisses and hugs. Liv x

A Kiwi Christmas

I don't know if you're feeling the same way, but I don't think it feels like Christmas is literally one week away. One week?! Usually I'm so excited at this point and have wrapped up everyones presents and am now onto wrapping up everyone else's for them.. But this year, not so much. 

I am really unsure of why I feel like this, but nevertheless, Christmas is only seven days away and then before you know it, we'll be in 2013 starting a whole new year! 

A New Zealand Christmas is less about sleigh bells and snow, and more about sun, sand and barbecues in the backyard. Some may go to Church and others will be opening presents and eating all day long. For me, Christmas is just about spending time with friends and family, enjoying a pressie or two and relaxing! 

For those of you not from New Zealand, above is what we call the "New Zealand Christmas tree." It's a Pohutukawa Tree. But don't worry, we don't put a branch of Pohutukawa in our lounge, we're still the same as the rest of the world with out Christmas Tree and find a cute green one that smells delish. 

Wherever you are in the world and whatever you are doing, Merry Christmas. I hope you have a fantastic day. Enjoy x

Recipe: Chocolate Brownie

If you're at our family Christmas, you'll definitely eat the famous chocolate brownie. So scrumpscious 'cos it's not as rich as most chocolate brownie. Instead of only using cocoa, you melt the chocolate into it which I'll explain in the recipe. Hope you enjoy x

Chocolate Brownie

Ingredients

250gm Butter
125gm Chocolate Buttons
2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Flour
4 Eggs
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup Cocoa
1 tsp Vanilla 

Melt the butter and chocolate buttons in a double boiler. {Fill a small saucepan with hot water and heat on the stove. Put a bowl on top of the water and place the butter/choccy buttons in there and melt away!}

Beat eggs lightly together then once the butter/chocolate is melted, take it off the stove and combine the egg with this. Make sure the bowl is off the stove or you'll end up with scrambled eggs!

In another bowl, add all your dry ingredients then mix all the dry and wet ingredients together and voila!

Pour into a baking tray that's lined with baking paper and cook on bake for 30-40minutes at 180 degrees. Serve with a bit of ice-cream of natural yogurt and it will be delish!

Good luck little bakers oxo

Happenings

I had the opportunity to photograph Casabella Lane's first ever market day last Saturday which was lots of fun. Got to hang with Santa and capture the sunny Hamilton day. I need to get a few more stories published so that's definitely something I aim to do these summer holidays. 

Thought it was the perfect opportunity to write one for the Waikato Independent so check it out here if you have a minute or two. 

p.s. Christmas is so soon. Less than three weeks away! I'm on a serious saving spree (of sorts?) so if you know any cheap or DIY christmas pressies for family, let me know. oxo

Sydney Bound!

Recently there's been a lot of talk of going on a holiday (maybe months) but nothing had yet eventuated. A while back I was planning a trip to Thailand with the boy but December/January doesn't fit in with his golf tournaments and yardy yardy yar. Even in this post I talked about dying to get away. Great news, I've finally sorted myself out and am off to Sydney for five days in January. 

Need a wooohoo. 

#Yolo got the better of me and I saw myself at midnight on Sunday booking tickets to Big Day Out in Sydney with a friend from school. I've only been to Brisbane/The Gold Coast so it'll be fun to venture around a new place and get out of old Hamilton for a few days! 

That's Big Day Out in Sydney - all those people (and on Bondi Beach as well) hollly moly. I'll be one of those people in just over a months time rocking to Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The Killers!

Been to Sydney? Know of places we must visit? We're there for 5 days so suggestions of activities/tourist attractions welcome. Can't say I've ever been on a holiday just me and a friend - first time for everything. Let me know if you recommend places to stay/shop/eat/dance etc etc etc; 

Love oxo