Pekepeke-Kiore is the NZ native Lion’s Mane Mushroom and I had never even heard of it a month ago, let alone contemplated growing it. I have recently become very interested in functional mushrooms and their health-promoting benefits. … [Read More...]
A Productive Backyard
How to Propagate Moth Orchids
White moth orchids (Phaleanopsis spp) are an absolute favourite indoor plant for me. I love their clean simple elegance and long flowering time and, if you find the right spot for them, they will continue to reward you with flowers for years to come. … [Read More...]
Creative Passion
Card Making: Fun with Animals
I've previously shared some of my cards using Tim Holtz's Crazy Cats, Crazy Dogs stamps and several Crazy Birds (1, 2). These were great fun to make and really inspired my creativity to make different scenes for a whole range of different … [Read More...]
Cards: Distress Crayon Blending
I made these cards using a Distress Crayon Blending technique a while ago but hadn't got around to sharing the results until now. This technique uses Tim Holtz' Distress Crayons: they are lovely and soft and spread really well but I always struggled … [Read More...]
Experience in the World
Hidden Gem: Olympic Park, New Lynn
Olympic Park in New Lynn isn't really hidden (it is fully visible from a major arterial route) but I've called it that because I have driven past it for 3 decades without realising that there is more to it than a children's playground and a sports … [Read More...]
Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs
If you haven't visited the exhibition that is currently on at the Auckland Museum - Egypt: In the Time of Pharaohs - I can thoroughly recommend it. It covers all the things that you would expect to find in an exhibition on Ancient Egypt: pyramids, … [Read More...]
Preserving the Bounty
Lion’s Mane ‘Crab Cakes’ Recipe
Previously I described growing Pekepeke-kiore, the NZ native Lion’s mane mushroom. In this post I share how I cooked this unusual (to me) mushroom, making Lion’s Mane ‘Crab Cakes’. Mushrooms in general have great nutritional benefits. Since my … [Read More...]
Spinach & Ricotta Gnocchi Recipe
I thought that gnocchi was always made with potato so, when I saw it, of course I had to try this Spinach & Ricotta Gnocchi recipe. It was good timing as the spinach in my garden was going rampant so I had an ample supply that needed … [Read More...]