The Librarian

I went to out-of-the-way petrol stations, bought my groceries at expensive supermarkets, and always, always kept my blue and white card at the front of my wallet. I was a girl on a mission, lured by the idea of free stuff . Feeling the constraints of parenting on a single income, I was determined to get - no, I was single-mindedly focused on getting - enough Fly Buy points to order a treat. And, when Fly Buys finally wrote to say I could go shopping on their website, it didn't take me long to decide what I wanted to spend my hard-earned points on. Lynda Hallinan had just taken the helm at NZ Gardener magazine, and she'd given it quite a makeover. With its new layout, fresh, stylish photography, and inspiring articles, NZ Gardener was the mag of the moment. So, I spent my points, and that year I took my first real foray into gardening. Quite a few years later, with a few years of gardening under my belt, I still enjoy Lynda Hallinan's writing, and her infectious e...

Hello friends! Book chat time again. Thank you so much for your replies to last month's book chat. I love knowing you are out there!! Don't forget to add your latest book recommendations this month too.   My book recommendation this time is Common Table , a delightful little book written by two old school friends, Janice Marriott and Virginia Pawsey, who met at a reunion and began writing to each other. Their letters have been published in two books. The first, Common Ground , chronicled their gardens, one in central Wellington and the other in Canterbury hill country. In Common Table they share recipes and reflect on the differences between city and country life. It's lovely!     Remember, I promised I would bring food to book chat? Well, this month I am very excited to welcome bake club  to book chat. Have a look at their fabulous blog. And, aren't these macarons amazing. Basil lime macarons Talk soon. Love, Library ...

Welcome to our first Cup of Tea and a Bit of Book Chat session Surely, one of life's greatest joys is having friends who recommend you good books. With that in mind, I really want to start monthly blog book chat sessions with you all. I'll start with the best book/s I've read during the month (I'll try to limit myself to two!) and would love it if you post your latest read too. Bring your favourite vintage teacup, and I'll bring the baking. This is going to be fun! Well.....down to it then. I've had such a great pile of books beside my bed this month, that I'm having trouble choosing! I will go with the two books that have inspired me the most of all: Short Fat Chick in Paris by Kerre Woodham & Gareth Brown - published by Harper Collins If you are having trouble dragging yourself off the couch to fulfil your ambitious new year sporting resolutions, then this is the book for you. A follow-up book from Kerre Woodham's first book Short Fat Ch...