Sweet on You

Check out the February edition of NZ House & Garden for my article about cake decorating: Sweet on You.

In perfect time for Valentine, cake expert Jenny Nicholls of

  For Heavens' Cake! 

has prepared a beautiful selection of cakes and decorating ideas.

Also visit the NZ House & Garden website, and click here to learn how to create this lovely mini rose cake.

Full Garden

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Basilico Genovese

Sweet corn

Brussels

Full garden, lower right bed.

Pumpkin

Corn, beans and zucchini

Upper bed

Most seeds came from King Seeds.

A special birthday

January 14: Happy Birthday Dan!

And welcome new pizza oven!

Slow Food Waitakere Piha Walk and Picnic

Sunday January 18th 2009

 

Meet at North Piha carpark by information sign, 10.30 am

Walk up to White's Beach Lookout [ around 30 mins each way ]. Beautiful views up and down coastline.

Optional swim at North Piha patrolled area [there is also a lovely stream which meets the beach].

Picnic in shade North Piha Clearing OR at clearing in Marawhara track.

 

Anyone who would like to fish for eels here, bring a pole, string and a little bit of meat for bait. Fun just to watch the eels for kids.

 

Bring summer picnic food to share and plenty of water.

 

RSVP, or for more information phone Claire 812 8192.

 

Summer Salad

Photo by Alessandra Zecchini ©

Summer salad from my garden: rocket, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, orange and yellow calendula petals and borage flowers. Dressed with extra virgin olive oil, salt and a drop of Aceto Balsamico di Modena.

Muriwai Beach

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©

A seal!

The gannets colony

January, in the garden

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©

All kinds of beans and peas,

the first tomatoes,

zucchini, celery, parlsey and onions,

carrots, leeks and radishes,

All in the pot!

I can't believe it...I am still getting broccoli!

Ah, new potatoes..

...and to end: tomatillo flowers! 

Here to stay, Italians in New Zealand

Click here to watch the TVNZ programme

(available to New Zealand viewers only)

La befana vien di notte...

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©

...Actually, in Auckland Befana arrived on January 4th, at midday, to deliver presents to the children of the Dante Alighieri Italian Society. And what a beautiful Befana she was! Thank you Befana!

A trip to Kawau Island on board of Timetama

The Yacht Timetama

Una delle cose che apprezzo di più della vita ad Auckland è che la città è proprio nell' Hauraki Gulf, pieno di isolette carine da visitare (e se cliccate la voce Hauraki Gulf nel menu sotto o a destra ne troverete altre!). Kawau è proprio carina!

Kawau Island is one of the larger islands in the Hauraki Gulf and can be found 8kms off the coast about 45 km north of Auckland, New Zealand. The island covers an area of approximately 5000 acres and the climate is sub-tropical. Access to the island is by boat and ferry and water taxis travel daily from Sandspit, near Warkworth, about one and a half hour’s drive from Auckland.

Kawau Island è una delle isole più grandi del Hauraki Gulf, a 8 km dalla costa e 45 km dalla città di Auckland, eppure sembra di essere in un mini paradiso semi-tropicale ed isolato. Ci si arriva con il traghetto da Sandspit, vicino a Workwarth (da Auckland andare a Warkworth - circa 30 minuti dal centro, ma non in ora di punta - lasciare la macchina a Sandspit e prendere il traghetto. Prenotare prima!). E poi ci si arriva in barca o water taxi. 

Ladies' Bay

In barca è meglio, ci sono tante baie carine dove fermarsi, e posti da esplorare. Anche stavolta siamo a bordo di Timetama con i nostri amicissimi italiani.
  

Bostaquet Bay

Per chi li mangiasse (non io) sulle spiagge si trovano tantissimi pipi, da fare spaghetti per un reggimento!

Ci sono anche posti dove fare picnic e/o il BBQ in Mansion House Bay, e se il posto vi piace tanto da volervi sposare lì potete farlo a Mansion House!

Mansion House in Mansion House Bay.

Photos by Alessandra Zecchini ©