Heaven knows I'm miserable now...

Time to share one of my new favourite songs 'Heaven knows I'm miserable now' by The Smiths. I love how the sound is uplifting but the lyrics are quite depressing, its such a contradiction. I spent my youth never liking The Smiths much because I thought they were depressing, now I find it uplifting and humorous, maybe its because my view on life is a lot more positive. The lyrics are just so true. love it. Morrissey is such a legend and he has quite a  nice quiff in this video.  According to my husband the guitar part is extremely difficult and complicated to play, probably why it sounds so good. Thanks dear husband for bringing The Smiths into my life again.


I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I'm miserable now
In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die ?
Two lovers entwined pass me by
And heaven knows I'm miserable now
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I'm miserable now
In my life
Oh, why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die ?
What she asked of me at the end of the day
Caligula would have blushed
"You've been in the house too long" she said
And I (naturally) fled
In my life
Why do I smile
At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye ?
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now
"You've been in the house too long" she said
And I (naturally) fled
In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die ?

Decadent Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Recently a friend who is a very healthy eater introduced me to avocado based Chocolate Mousse.  I perhaps would have been initially sceptical, had I not already eaten a few mouthfuls, and was quickly devouring the lot.  Its rich, very chocolatey and contains no processed sugar. I researched a few recipes online, all differing versions that seem to have epic amounts of honey, my friends version is a bit less honey, and uses dates instead to sweeten.   I like it, feel free to experiment  until you get it how you like it., you can add sugar too if you feel you need it (I would add small amounts of icing sugar tasting as you go).  This is a great dessert for kids and toddlers (over the age of 1) who wont eat avocado (don't tell them they'll never know!)

Avocado Chocolate Mousse
serves 3-4 
into a small food processor, or bowl to be mixed with a Stick mixer

1 Large ripe avocado - skin and pip removed
1/2 cup Cocoa (non sweetened)
3 T Honey
1 T vanilla essence or extract
2 fresh Dates - stones removed

For Chocolate Berry Mousse add a handful of berries (raspberries, blackberries or strawberries fresh or frozen)

Whizz until all combined and it has a lovely thick mousse texture. Refrigerate until cold (couple of hours), serve in little dishes, in small portions - its very rich with fresh berries. You can also sprinkle with coconut or icing sugar.

DEVINE! and best of all HEALTHY!! Hope you enjoy it.

Love LB x

Oh Little Deer please be mine

One of my 2012 resolutions was to start buying things for our house, especially for the walls which have for the past 4 years remained fairly bare. The past few months I have been hunting out local artists whose work I love, I previously shared with you Ellaquaint  from whom I have just bought another fab watercolour of a Tui - isn't he gorgeous?

Today I wanted to mention someone else who has been on the handmade market scene lately.  Recently I commissioned a piece of work (a gift for a dear friend) from a wonderful artist, Odd One Out - an upcycler of vintage items and maker of quirky cute imagery.  My favourite pieces of her work are the vintage plates with cute illustrations on, but I am having trouble choosing which one I want,  I may just have to have them all.

Here are a few of my favourites...

Help I can't decide! They are all so beautiful! I love the designs and how they incorporate the plate patterns, its very clever and very unique! Check out OddOneOut blog and Facebook page for more plates and other cool artwork.

love  LB

Take me to the River

Today I just wanted to share with you all the special place that is my parents holiday house.  It is in a place called Turangi ( south side of  Lake Taupo) and is a rentable house within the Tongariro Lodge.  What makes it special is it is right on the Tongariro river, with the most beautiful view at sunset.   The air is always crisp, the views always magical. Nothing but the sounds of Tuis and the river, brings a kind of peace.  When you live in a city, you forget how wonderful the sound of nature is.

The House

We were lucky enough to stay for a week this time, although the 5 hour drive from Auckland is tough with a toddler, it was well worth it.  On our last night we had dinner from the lodge (gourmet dining!) brought to the house and we ate on the deck while watching the sun go down (photos further down!). Heaven.

The Mighty Tongariro River - great trout fishing!

My Dad is a trout fishing addict, he loves being able to walk out the front door, go across the grass and step into the river. For him it doesn't get much better than that.

pretty fields of purple wild flowers

The Turangi bridge is just a short stroll up the river from our place, and leads to the town which do great fish n chips, you can even a get a deep fried mars bar (although I wouldn't recommend it!)

more wild flowers

My little one with room to run!

Ah the sunset look at those colours.

Breathtakingly beautiful!

I hope you all have somewhere beautiful to go to when you feel like a break from real life!

x