Banana cake is universally loved by children and adults. A good banana muffin should be moist and springy. Light yet banana-ey with enough substance to leave you satisfied after one serve. A seriously good banana cake will keep for days and improve in flavour in that time. But what separates the good from the bad in the bunch (I know! look at me and my banana puns!) is the icing on the cake. Everyone knows about chocolate frosting and cream cheese icing. Been there, ate t

It was a rather hellish journey to New Zealand from Thailand, punctuated by beautiful moments, but mostly back breakingly exhausting. I shouldered 100kg all the way home, totally solo on a 40kgs frame - oh plus a toddler who mostly chose to use me as a donkey. I had 3 hurdles to cross and passing them all, arriving in Auckland was literally one of the happiest days of my life. Getting married is supposed to be that... this was better. To recall the feeling of setting myself

We’re on our way!! Edward’s passport just arrived!!!!! Omg the excitement, relief and joy that washed over me is indescribable. Having been stuck in limbo for months now trying to sort out Edward’s very complicated citizenship / residency in NZ, the knot of anxiety located between my eyes has finally unraveled. I might actually be able to sleep tonight. What a delicious thought. Flights are booked, bags were packed but some little hands got involved today. Most have now bee

My face hurts from crying so much. Edward’s application for endorsement was rejected and I lost it. I’ve been quietly losing my mind during this whole process but I was sure everything would work out. In the last few months I have developed some serious stress-induced acne vulgaris and the salty tears streaming down my face on a regular basis burn like acid. In the last week I’ve been to Bangkok and back again, to Phuket and back – today alone I have literally driven around