Happy 2016!

Fresh Made Pavlova 

Catan!

 Happy New Year's from New Zealand!

Andrew and I had a great time celebrating New Year's with our friends near Te Puke. We are staying at a friend's mother's house for the holiday season as she was kind enough to invite us. It has been great feeling like part of the family and has really helped us to not feel homesick over the holidays.

I am still having a hard time adapting to the fact that the holidays take place in the middle of summer. We enjoyed a nice picnic in the park last night after seeing a movie, which is something that you just can't do at home for New Year's unless you want to picnic in a foot of snow wearing multiple layers.

Midnight at New Year's

We had a very enjoyable New Year's Eve and New Year's day. I'm not sure if it was just the family that we are staying with, but New Year's was a very relaxed affair, with not everyone staying up until midnight! We splashed in the pool, enjoyed a game of Catan with our friends, had some fresh baked Pavlova, and sipped on some lovely blooming tea.

Blooming Tea

I hadn't heard of pavlova before coming to New Zealand, but it is a fairly popular dessert here. It is a very special meringue-type treat that has to be cooked and cooled just right for the pie-sized dessert to rise and fall perfectly for the ideal crispy and chewy texture. It is then usually topped with whatever fresh fruit is in season and some whipped cream.

It was a bit strange to be a full year ahead of our family and friends, as it was odd to get messages of 'Happy New Year!' at 8pm New Year's day for us (midnight at home).

Hot weather!

We hope that 2016 is happy, healthy, and adventurous for all our family and friends back home!