Hard

Image from NZ Herald

Hard to write when I'm this distracted.
Hard to think when I'm this distracted.
Hard to bake when I'm this distracted. (But I can't blame the earthquake for getting an order wrong  - sorry Heather!).

Imagine what it must be like for the people down in Christchurch right now, if I'm this distracted up in Auckland just watching the events unfolding on the tv.
I spent yesterday with my hand clasped over my mouth quite often. Tears weren't far away.
We are lucky that friends and family down there are safe, but its not the case for others. I'm praying for friends and family of friends who are trapped still. Or just missing in action.
As a small country we seem to be connected so easily. I think everyone knew someone who had been involved in Lord of the Rings somehow, and sadly it seems to be the case in this tragedy.
We all have an vested interest in what is happening. This is our country, our people.
I still can't believe what I'm seeing.

Check out this quake map. It shows powerfully what hit the region yesterday.

If you are feeling as helpless as me here's some places you can do something to assist:

• Phone 0900 33 200 to make an automatic $20 donation

• FreeTXT 'QUAKE' to 555 to donate $5 or FreeTXT 'QUAKE' to 333 to donate $3 from any Vodafone mobile
• Donate online at http://redcross.org.nz/
• Donate in person at any branch of NZ Post, Kiwibank, ANZ, National Bank, ASB, TSB and BNZ across New Zealand.
• Mail a cheque (made payable to New Zealand Red Cross) to: Canterbury Earthquake Appeal, Freepost 232690, PO Box 12-140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144. 
• Donate online to ASB 
• Christchurch is also without water so there is Water for Christchurch Charity set up on Facebook. Click here for details.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Just a little song that meant a lot to me last year. I wanted to share it as it had significant impact on me, and there are a lot of people out there I love who could use this message right now. There's days I still need this too.

Foodography Challenge February

I've joined a challenge known as Foodography Challenge where an ingredient is chosen each month and photographed by various people. Its a great way to see how others interpret a subject and a challenge on how we perhaps can improve and enhance our pictures. Looking through some of the entries has really been exciting seeing I can learn a lot from other people.

February has plums as the challenge - something that is in full abundance here. The cupboard has been stocked full of plum jam since Christmas and I'm still loving it. But I just wanted to keep it basic and capture the beautiful shades of yellow and reds in these plums. Hopefully I've got it.

The kids and I greedily scoffed these down after the shoot.

Things I'm Loving

Living in a city with such close and easy access to some beautiful spots. Like Waiheke.

Making feel good food


The girls going back to school, happily. What's so good is the two of them have the best teachers that I am so excited and looking forward to this year for them all. A bonus is that on mentioning my severe distaste of Duraseal the teacher waved me off and said not to worry, its easier for her that all the books look the same. I love ya Emma! xx

What I don't love are appointments at North Shore Hospital, any time. What I do love is when I come away feeling listened to and encouraged. I met with another doctor who is keen on seeing me in 4 months with a view to having the first of my annual MRI scans of my chest area and talking about RECONSTRUCTION! The great news is that in the last year the government has put $8 Million towards breast reconstruction to reduce the waiting lists. So the list is coming down and they want me to be on it as soon as Herceptin finishes in June. This is super duper encouraging as I was imagining this would be much further down the track that it appears it might be. I can't wait for new boobies!

These guys...

My not at all camera shy kids, and not at all camera shy nephew. Geez I love 'em!

Linking in with Paisley Jade

Lemon, almond and polenta cake

This cake is so easy, and so great if you are baking for someone on a gluten free diet but don't have gluten free flour. I happened to have polenta in my cupboard and plenty of ground almonds - something I regularly stock up on in the supermarket as well as an abundance of lemons. This cake also includes the juice of some tangelos from my mother in laws tree. The combination of all is so great. Especially served with a plain yogurt.

Lemon, almond and polenta cake

250g butter

1 cup caster sugar

2 lemons (enough to make 1/2 cup lemon juice)

3 eggs, separated

2 drops almond essence

1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence

150g ground almonds

1 cup fine polenta

Cream butter, lemon rind, sugar, vanilla, almond essence together. Add egg yolks slowly.

Add ground almonds, polenta and 1/4 cup lemon juice and mix.

Whip egg whites to soft peaks and slowly fold into cake mix.

Bake 160 deg C in LINED springform tin. Baking paper is so under rated. You'll need it for this cake.

Bake for 60 mins or until skewer comes out clean.

Combine 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup caster sugar and heat till sugar dissolves. Pour onto hot cake.

Serve when cold with natural unsweetened yogurt.

And enjoy!