Blogs

As the year draws to a close, Lynda Hallinan asks her children what the future – and Santa – may bring for them.

Christmas is a scenic marathon, says Lucy Corry, not a sprinting race.

An apple a day keeps Lynda Hallinan's parental guilt at bay.

Polly considers the anatomy of her marriage.

Nostalgia tastes good but her mum's Christmas cake tastes better, says Lucy Corry.

Lynda Hallinan gets off the grass and gets behind the wheel of a ride-on mower for the first time.

The tablecloth has a magical ability to add just enough polish to maintain the façade of normality, says Lucy Corry.

Lynda Hallinan shares the less-than-glamorous reality behind a photoshoot for NZ Life & Leisure, one involving cantankerous chooks and reluctant roosters.

Lucy has seen her fair share of kitchens, some more a cupboard than culinary retreat. She reflects on the best and the worst ahead of moving house — and kitchen.

Life without cheese is no way to live. And if lockdown limits its supply, thou shall make it from scratch, says Lucy Corry.

Polly needs a few breathers when teaching her daughter to ride a bike.

Lynda Hallinan measures the year's progress in song lines and kūmara vines.

Been eating at home of late? Lucy offers an etiquette cheat-sheet for those venturing out of the kitchen.

After wobbling in posh-but-painful shoes, Lynda turns to dainty and delicate flowers in her spring garden.

Why would anyone willingly opt for one meal instead of two? Lucy takes a controversial stance on a weekend favourite.

Lynda Hallinan turns half-eaten jars of jam into spring cocktails (worth cleaning out a fridge for).

Does New Zealand make the world's best peanut butter? Lucy Corry takes on Aotearoa's best while sharing some tips and tricks for homemade nut butters.

Lynda Hallinan abandons high fashion for home comforts during lockdown 2.0.

Suspicious of pristine Insta-worthy kitchens, Lucy reveals the shabby kitchenware that makes a regular appearance in her day-to-day cooking.

Lynda Hallinan reckons it's time to start a match-making service for celibate cows, solitary sheep, chaste chooks, frisky fillies and other lonely farm animals.

Has the world gone mad with its plastic-clad fruit and pre-grated carrots? It's complicated, says Lucy Corry.

Lynda Hallinan fears for her children's musical tastes.

Lucy breaks down the essentials of a good toasted sandwich.

Lucy Corry picks a controversial winner in her search for New Zealand's most delicious and dunkable cookie.

Life whizzes past when James and Polly build a flying fox.

Polly is left scratching her head when her children catch an unwanted bug during lockdown.

As the alert level 4 lockdown deadline loomed, Lynda Hallinan hastily followed her father's footsteps into the woolshed.

Buddhists might describe the lockdown as a bardo state, a time of being in between, writes Polly Greeks.

Lucy takes her mind off the lockdown with her delicious homemade marshmallow Easter eggs.

One would expect Polly, lover of gloriously empty days, would embrace a mandatory lockdown. But like a wild animal caught in confinement, she can't stop pacing.

Worried about running out of bread? Step away from the supermarket and make your own, suggests Lucy Corry.

Polly’s off-grid life hasn’t been good for the wrinkles. Turns out, trees are excellent teachers on ageing well.

As the world panic-buys and self-isolates, Lucy Corry switches on her oven in an effort to spread the love.

Polly embraces an honest discussion about periods.