About

We’re a retired couple based in Auckland, New Zealand. I’m Janet, a Kiwi, and Hubby Basker is Indian, originally from Malaysia. Our lovely daughter Nisha helps out too, so it’s a bit of a family effort behind this blog.

After long and fulfilling careers, we’ve slowed things down and are now enjoying the things we love—baking, travel, and a few favourite hobbies.

My Baking and Cooking Recipes

I’ve got recipes tucked everywhere—magazine pages folded at the corners, old newspaper cuttings slipping out of cookbooks, and scribbled notes on the back of envelopes. Some were clipped in the ’80s, others passed on by friends, and many come from well-known Kiwi chefs who’ve stood the test of time (and a few oven splatters).

I do love a good recipe book, but I’ll admit—I don’t always use them properly. I flip through them like bedtime stories, dreaming about what I might cook one day. So now I’ve set myself a challenge: cook from the pages I keep meaning to revisit. Books, magazines, clippings—it’s all fair game.

There’s no system (that would spoil the fun). I might open a book at random, or I’ll try something I’ve marked with a star or a “must try!” from years ago. If I find a hidden gem, you’ll hear about it. If it flops… well, you’ll probably still hear about it.

I’ll share where the recipe came from, what I changed (because I always change something), and how it turned out. Expect a few laughs, some helpful tips, and a photo or two—unless dinner vanished before the camera came out!

My Travel

Between the three of us—me, Basker, and our daughter Nisha—we’ve taken thousands of travel photos over the years. They’re on phones, memory cards, tucked into folders on laptops, and floating somewhere in the cloud. Some are postcard-worthy. Others are a bit blurry but full of meaning. All of them have a story behind them.

So now I’m writing those stories down. Not in any particular order—just as they come to me. Some trips happened years ago, others just last week. A few posts take time to piece together, especially when I get caught up looking at old photos or trying to remember the name of that tiny bakery in Prague (or was it Lisbon?).

This isn’t a guidebook—it’s more of a journal. You’ll find reflections, photos, a few travel tips, and the little moments that made each trip special. I’ll share the magic and the mayhem, the meals we still talk about, and the odd mishap that became a great story later.

Lifestyle

This is the space where I jot down thoughts about life—what it means to live well, stay healthy, keep learning, and enjoy the little things. I like a good quote, a clever idea, or just a quiet moment of reflection. Sometimes I share bits from my own life, other times it’s just a passing thought or something that made me stop and smile.

I also have a soft spot for puzzles and spreadsheets—yes, really! I enjoy figuring out how things work, especially in Google Sheets and I’ve made a few handy templates along the way. If I think they’ll help someone else, I’ll pop them up here too.

There’s no grand theme or tidy plan. Just a collection of ideas, thoughts, and practical tools for a happy, healthy life. You might find a quote that speaks to you, a chart that makes your week easier, or simply a reminder to take a breath and enjoy today.

Weight Management

This is a new topic I’ve started writing about—mainly because my Google Sheets weight tracker has been one of the most popular downloads on the blog! It seems this is something that really resonates with readers, so I’ve decided to share more of my own musings and experiences around it.

To be honest, weight management is something I’ve always worked on—especially since having children. I wouldn’t say I’ve “cracked it” or found a perfect formula, but it’s something that stays in the background of my life. I’ve learned that it’s less about dramatic changes and more about little habits, mindset shifts, and being kind to yourself along the way.

You’ll find a mix of reflections here: things that help (and a few that didn’t), tools like my tracker, thoughts on motivation, and a practical approach to enjoying food while still feeling well.

If you’re also figuring this out in your own way, I hope these posts feel like a friendly place to start—not a set of rules, but a space for encouragement, ideas, and honest talk.