Friday, May 16, 2014

Just Jelly



This is our first venture into Jelly making! My Sweetie is a Chef so OF COURSE he is Head of Operations i.e if it doesn't gel it's not my fault. JK! ;)


Preparing the fruit. Heritage grapes: "Albany Surprise"

It was fun to go and pick our fruit right out of the garden

Boil for about and 1hr or until suitably smushy...

Dissolve sugar into a "simple syrup"

Mash. I am good at that!






We had lots of fun and hope to make more in the future! The jelly is a bit soft but very tasty on hot buttered toast and a cup of earl grey.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Brunch for Two

This past weekend my sweetie took me to a place downtown called Black Betty Cafe and it was wonderful!


Flat Whites and a Chocolate Croissant 




                                                                   The Black Buddie                

                                                                         Eggs Benny

                                                            We were STARVING.


If that isn't enough he then took me out on a stroll in the Botanic Garden. We were able to see our friend Daryn's Art Installation :)

Thursday, April 3, 2014

By The Sea

This week I went out for a lovely seaside excursion with Mr. Kiwi's Mum :) She was sweet enough to take me out! 






Waimairii Beach

This was just what I needed! The clouds were overhead but the day cleared up nicely.
New Zealand has the most diverse collection of sand in the whole world!
New Brighton Beach is about a leisurely stroll away...

Kiwi's are smart, they have cafes right next door to the Library.
We like to smile, and laugh, and generally have a great time...


This little girl was so cute I just HAD to take a picture!

New Casa

So I have been adjusting to a new life. I do not exaggerate, everything has changed. EVERYTHING. I plan my day on whatever is happening on said day. I have breakfast every morning with my darling Kiwi. :D I go to bible studies. I read a chapter before I go to bed. I walk to stores or ride a bike. I read. I drink tea like it's going out of style. I look for beauty in the everyday. I let munted (kiwi for messed up/stupid/wrong) things not get to me. I try to "Keep Calm and everything will be Easy As"

My "new" family has made every effort to make me feel at home and it is wonderful. I am so thankful (and happy) that we get along so well! We have lots of fun times talking about whatever at the dinner table and I am glad that is something that is shared by both our families. I spend less or maybe about the same time with my Kiwi as I did back home but this time our roles are reversed as he is working all the time and I am going at a slower interval. I miss him most of the day... :/

My pace of life has evolved from I-AM-SO-STRESSED I. JUST. DON'T. CARE. ANYMORE. To: I am a human being *Phew!* and I have to figure out how to plan my wedding/life for next year/eternity *but* I am not stressed. I have been staying at home and doing laundry and thinking to myself as I hang it out to dry in the clothes line (This is a normal thing in CH CH. Everyone does it. The clothesline thing.) "What do I want to do with my life? Why do I think so hard? *I really get lost in my thoughts* Oh look! An interesting bird that I have never seen before!?"  And back to "I am thinking to myself "I am going to be married next year.... I have lots to prepare for... my sweetie wants us to build a Tiny House and a giant garden (I actually approve) I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO BE SELF SUFFICIENT. Become Farmer Jane! Err Farmer Jaz!  (Sort of) I am the type of person that has to wholly invest myself into something and try to unravel how it works so I have been pouring over "DIY" books and looking up ideas on Pinterest. Yeah I actually have time for that! I would like to start a barista job if that would be possible but we will see. Then I start wondering how I am possibly going to make my mind up about which side of the planet we will inhabit? Which opens another brain VORTEX

 And so I have spent a month scheming and planning what my life will possibly be in the next few years.

Some things will never change :)


THESE ARE NECESSARY FOR SURVIVAL

 

An inquisitive mind.

 
People that love you.

 
Comfy beds for sleeping/dreaming. (Mrs. T made me that quilt! Awwww <3)

 
Toasty toes. And heart, that one is smart...

I am learning how to become a better helpmeet and also how to be more gentle with my INFP self. Never thought that would become a part of this journey. Also to be thankful for my family and friends also the new ones I make along the way :)

Monday, March 17, 2014

A Start

This is my adorable Fiancee. This a blog of our adventures as they are happening, this will be everyday life and funny mishaps but it is mostly a blog for my friends and family back in The States. I am a Mexican American my beloved is a Kiwi. We have decided to live in each others native lands before choosing where to call home. He just finished 8 months in Chicago. And survived one of the WORST winters we have had in 18 years! Poor dear. This is my adventures in "The Land of the Long White Cloud" CH CH New Zealand. I will try to update when I have more pictures to accompany the post. I am not a photographer and I have a crappy little Sony box camera so sorry if you can't really see my photos.