Better eating and winter rainbows

You know what it's like when you get to the point where you need to go food shopping and there's not alot in the cupboards? Well after searching for a recipe so I could do some baking for the teens lunches I found this recipe for Chocolate Muffins (recipe here).  They turned out well risen and yummy.

Other updates are my daughter has been asked to her senior school ball by her new boyfriend, who is lovely and just like her so we have been looking for a ball dress. because I"m on a tight budget I've got to be careful financially but we've found one which is almost kind of Victorian Steampunk-ish and SO her. We have it on our watchlist at the moment so here's hoping it's going to be ours.

Annnnd I just love winter! Perfect time to keep warm and cosy inside while storms and bad weather are going on outside. Last week the youngest had a doctor's appointment and we drove home in the pelting rain. Here's a shot I took once the rain had stopped:

I just love rainbows - the colours are so vibrant! Have a great week everyone.

Great food, great coffee - Ginger Cafe, Warkworth

This morning was one of those lazy Saturdays where I enjoyed time with a good friend.  They make great coffees with a real oomph to them and lovely food.

It's the Ginger Cafe in Warkworth, north of Auckland. Despite it being a busy little eatery all the waiting staff are friendly and happy to help. This is definitely one of my favourite places!

Retro renovation at Harvest Cafe - Mangawhai

The teens went for our weekly cafe visit this morning, this time we tried a local place called "harvest cafe" here in Mangawhai Heads. They renovated the place a while back, it's taken us until now to go and check it out. Last time we went was quite some time ago for dinner. They seem to have fixed it up in a retro type of way with ornaments, chairs, tables, signs etc. Coffee and hot chips were just as good and were a welcome treat on this rainy Spring day!