June - deep winter

Hello again from Haven Homestay. Today finds us deep in winter - although as the picture will suggest the Hibiscus refuse to hibernate!


June is our month of birthdays - 5 in all - and with the impending birth of a great nephew the number will increase to six. Two of our family members have the same birthday of 25 June and we are all hoping(?) that the new boy will also be born on that day. 


We are slowly receiving booking for September and October for the Rugby World Cup but I admit some bookings prior to this event would be a good warm up for us.


Auckland has some awesome events happening before the RWC, for example the Auckland Food Show, which is a much anticipated event on the winter schedule, and well worth a visit.


We are busy cooking new and exciting cakes and breads at the moment, which I hope to serve to our guests when they arrive.


Speaking of arriving, my lovely husband, whose birthday it was yesterday - has just arrived home from a long day in the car so I'd better go and give him some attention...........

Where did May go!

Yoghurt coconut cake with passionfruit icing

Well what did happen to May?? Time seems to fly past so quickly these days - I'm told its because I'm getting older!!Enough of that sort of talk.


 What a cake that turned out to be. It is as yummy as it looks. Now the bookings for Haven Homestay have started to come in I am starting to think of new recipes to delight the visitors with and I think this will definately go in the "to do" pile. Its very tropical with a hint of rum.


Apologies to family members who are not in Auckland you will just have to look and imagine.


Speaking of bookings we have been getting quite a few enquiries through Tourism Auckland which is so encouraging for us especially my lovely husband who spent sooo many hours building the website and trying to get it listed properly.


My next challenge is to gather together a repertoire of yummy NZ style food to tempt the visitors with so they can stay at "home" to eat if they feel a little jaded after a full days sightseeing in Auckland.


Speaking of dinner its time to go and look in the fridge to see whats on the menu for us tonight................