I developed this power-packed pancake recipe almost by accident. It’s really just a combination of many of my favourite ingredients thrown together until the texture is just right, plopped on a pan until optimal bronze level is achieved, then stacked on a plate, slathered in syrup, and down the hatch in 30 minutes flat.
Read moreWhy Wellington?
When you take a moment to pause, to sit quietly with yourself, what beckons you? Maybe it’s a “gentle nudge” or perhaps it rings loud and clear. Whatever it is, even before you’ve given voice to it, I urge you to listen to it, nurture it, let it grow. If it comes from the heart, it can’t help but take expression in a truly beautiful form.
Read moreA Case for Sharing
I’ve been thinking about the importance of sharing, and the inevitable gift of mutual blessing when we share from the heart. The emails, texts, and messages you’ve left on our posts have let us know that what we share here is resonating and finding its way from our hearts to yours. In turn, we find ourselves heartened as we see this process of sharing becoming a beautiful gift for many. That’s the essence of Hearth, to find home as heart meets heart.
Read moreNorth Island Roadie
One week and the freedom of four wheels and 1,500 kilometers of narrow, winding roads. A tent stashed in the back, a nose for the nearest ice cream stop, and a playlist of sing-your-heart-out tunes to keep me company. No set plans, just a makeshift map of recommended and repeat places I was itching to visit.
Read moreTaihape Farmstay
The farm embodies hearth in its gentle way of restoring the soul, grounding me in the soil beneath my soles with gratitude for all that it provides. Slowing me down so that I can hear the birdsong and take notice of the garden as it’s growing. It’s an idyllic way of being and it’s tough work, too, reminding me that good things take time, nurturing, and a whole lot of sweat. Their “come one, come all” hospitality manifested the tender comfort and genuine kindness that define home in its truest sense.
Read moreKia Kaha
Used by both the Māori and Pākehā (European) people of New Zealand, Kia Kaha is expressed as an affirmation, stay strong. The term of encouragement encapsulates great strength, mental and spiritual positive energy, challenge, courage, determination, skill, effort, and endurance. It is to acknowledge the journey more so than the destination.
Read moreNutmeg Logs
If I was going to bake only one kind of Christmas cookie forever after, it would be nutmeg logs without debate. Shortbready, buttercreamy, and festive spice all rolled into one divine little bite!
Read moreGentle Nudges
I’ve been thinking about nudges lately. There’s a time in life, it seems, when we require tidal waves, tsunamis of redirection and adjustment. And there are times when gentle nudges tap us and turn us, if we would only follow, to the place we can best serve and be served.
Read moreThe Magic of Moments
Life is a series of moments. All we have in this moment is, well, this moment. So often we are compelled to believe there’s something better coming in a future moment, leaving us less satisfied with the moment we’re in. Instead of acknowledging that we are living, breathing, thinking, dreaming, loving, being right here, right now, we place our chances for current contentment on hold in search of something better.
Read moreMystery Squash Soup
It’s the kind of soup that I am always in the mood for - creamy, dreamy, and flavourful. The perfect comfort food on a cozy day.
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