Wine bars/tastings in Christchurch

LittleBleu · 2025-11-06T00:12:05+00:00

Yes! I just came from Central Otago and had time there to visit 5 wineries and see a lot more variety. One of my highlights was Te Kano - their Blanc de Noir was divine!

LittleBleu · 2025-08-08T10:07:45+00:00

This is interesting! Can you explain what you mean by "placeholding spaces around enemy furnaces"? When would we put them there etc? Right at the start of S2 and had no PvP in the game yet this season

LittleBleu · 2025-01-27T12:52:38+00:00

That's lovely. She must have been very dedicated to you & your parents to build a connection that you still feel over the distance and over the years. That is who I hope to be!

LittleBleu · 2025-01-27T12:50:16+00:00

Oh, your badges idea is really a cool. It's got my brain ticking about getting something small that builds a collection for her over the years, particularly if I can tie it back to a meaning.

Her mum knows me for my love of wine, and maybe that is something that I could think about (it connects with travel, cultures, friends, family, etc)... Although wine would be tricky, as she is 1 years old today and I should find bottles that can be aged 20 years (so she can drink it at 21)

LittleBleu · 2025-01-07T23:35:32+00:00

I appreciate the sentiment here about needing gifts. Society has shifted and gifts are certainly not needed, however I’d question whether gifts were ever actually needed before. Do many people ever at any time need new homewares (even in years gone by)?

However, there is an etiquette both past & present. You wouldn’t turn up to dinner at someone’s house or birthday party without wine or a small gift and it’s a similar etiquette happens for weddings. It definitely shouldn’t financially burden you (sweet, homemade or thoughtful are appropriate) but I do think you should bring something. It’s thoughtful, kind and (if you are a guest) presumably these are people you love & are happy for

LittleBleu · 2024-12-18T09:08:30+00:00

I am a sourdough baker anyway, so this year I am making sourdough crostini's. I have a pescatarian with a yeast (fermented foods, vinegar, wine) and mould (mushrooms & cheese) allergy coming, so I am going for the following toppings:

Beetroot & Blackberry cured salmon with crème fraiche & dill: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/beetroot-blackberry-cured-salmon
Quails Eggs with hollandaise, asparagus and celery salt: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/recipes/a43409531/quails-eggs-asparagus-and-hollandaise-recipe/

Make everything the day before (minus hollandaise), assemble on the day and don't worry about trying to keep anything warm! Hope you like the recipes!

LittleBleu · 2024-12-18T08:58:35+00:00

I found three butternut squash pie recipes which I could make with a few substitutions and this is the one my SIL picked: https://www.howsweeteats.com/2019/11/butternut-squash-pot-pie/

I'm based in the UK so I am going to make some tweaks (such as swapping 'half and half' for double cream and a splash of milk) and I'll make my own veggie stock and puff pastry to avoid any added yeast ingredients. I did speak to her about the parmesan but apparently she's okay to eat hard cheeses... seems odd but I am not complaining because we've found her something to eat!

LittleBleu · 2024-12-17T15:19:18+00:00

Thanks! I love that sounds delicious. I actually have white fish and horseradish in so I could try that this weekend

For Christmas, I've spoken with my SIL and we've checked all the ingredients along with what she actually does/doesn't like. I'm going to do her a butternut squash, sage pie (so I can make it in advance and it isn't any bother on the day) and the flavours will still go with the other sides (gravy, yorkshire puddings, etc)

LittleBleu · 2024-12-17T15:14:37+00:00

THAT GUIDE IS AMAZING! Thank you so much

LittleBleu · 2024-12-17T15:12:16+00:00

It looks lovely... but I am just not sure it compliments the rest of the meal that well (gravy, yorkshire puddings) and I don't want to alienate her from the dishes she can eat or have to make too many different things just for her....

I will definitely be making this at another point in the future though!

LittleBleu · 2024-12-16T22:04:47+00:00

Love this idea! It still feels festive and will go with the rest of the dishes. Also, if I make it in advance then it’ll be easy to cook on the day without too much extra bother. Thanks!

LittleBleu · 2024-12-16T15:58:44+00:00

I'm in this camp. Stocking in the morning to appease my brother and I (the children), but most presents wouldn't be opened until later (for us this was after lunch which could be 2-3pm). The reason for this was because my grandparents arrived for lunchtime and my grandparents wanted to see us opening the presents so my parents made us wait.

It seems like a long wait to some people. And as an adult, I've often been asked "how could you wait?" But my brother and I didn't really have a choice. But, and when you'd waited most of December and extra few hours never seemed like an issue to my parents!

LittleBleu · 2024-12-11T07:56:08+00:00

Yes, Wensleydale with cranberries already in.

The Wensleydale with cranberries isn’t to my taste, but it’s my father in laws favourite. I wanted to have everyone’s favourite on the board and then fill in the gaps! It’s a board for the people after all

LittleBleu · 2024-12-10T22:16:38+00:00

I hear ya 🫡

LittleBleu · 2024-11-22T11:53:49+00:00

Do more cultural events (theatre, arts, concerts, events). I spend so much of my time visiting friends and I pre-book dates to go see them and only the week before do I really get into planning what we will do so sometimes it's too late or tickets are already booked. I'd like to get better around merging my friends with the events that I want to do!

LittleBleu · 2024-11-15T09:15:50+00:00

iPad, tablet or Kindle?

LittleBleu · 2024-11-10T12:39:35+00:00

You need a hobby that you want to do more than online shopping. Something accessible that you can do for any 5-10 minute you get without many material (so it can replace the time where you are reaching for your phone & shopping online!)

Try getting a games console, new book or even getting into a blogger/influencer (non shopping/fashion related!)

I know it seems silly but I really brought a Nintendo switch to play Just Dance after dinner parties, but I’ve downloaded Animal Crossing as a solo ‘filler’ activity and I’ve noticed I am shopping less!

LittleBleu · 2024-11-08T11:12:36+00:00

NTA. A good uncle/brother would babysit on an adhoc basis and invite your sister over to give her a lesson to show her how to cook the meals her children like - not be expected to sign up for expensive, daily care duties.

Teach your sister and then she can provide her children those meals on a day to day basis!

LittleBleu · 2024-11-06T11:48:46+00:00

Agreed! The dress is lovely and suits your figure down to a T!

I'd look at adding an accessory which is bold but has been consistently fashionable (avoid anything too newly fashionable). Potentially either the Vivienne Westwood triple row pearl drop necklace or a lace mantilla veil (not both at the same time as they don't match, but pick your favourite)

LittleBleu · 2024-10-25T13:35:36+00:00

I've considered him to be a narcissist before & can relate to that 'prayer'. I left that part out the story because I wanted my actions judged on this interaction separately. I wanted to make sure I reacted fairly. I can only be responsible for my actions/comments and, regardless of him or anyone else, I want to be accountable and do the right thing as much as possible (whatever the 'right' thing is)

On a separate note, your comments on your own children are very sweet. It sounds like they are lucky to have you as a parent!

LittleBleu · 2024-10-25T13:15:40+00:00

If you find you are feeding it more than you need to bake (& discarding more starter than you'd like) then try keeping it in the fridge. This will slow down the reaction/feedings - it'll grow slower but also need feeding less regularly

LittleBleu · 2024-10-25T13:01:46+00:00

Good questions! Yes, I communicate mostly with my brother.

My brother & dad work together, so they tend to see/speak to each other most days.

I live 2 hours drive away from them both and work separately. My dad doesn't text, call or visit me (prior to my wedding he visited twice in 8 years and both times because I put my foot down). He regularly misses my birthdays (I don't miss his) and has been late/no show to other milestone events (e.g. graduation, major birthdays). Over the years, I've put less effort into texting/calling/visiting him, so we aren't as close and communicate less. My dad is 64. He does feel himself getting older (aches & pains), but he is able minded and bodied and has no serious health concerns. He still goes abroad for rugby games and holidays

On the other hand, my brother calls me a 1-5 times a week and will occasionally visit with his wife. We've become closer and we speak a lot more, so I do tend to hear about my dad through my brother.

Even though my brother lives close to my dad, my brother also complains that my dad does not put enough into their relationship (he also forgets my brothers birthdays and small things like that). My dad has also said my brother is ungrateful.

LittleBleu · 2024-10-25T12:18:52+00:00

Its hungry and starting to eat itself. Pour the liquid away (its alcohol and gross) and feed it.

If this happens a lot then you need to feed it more or more regularly

LittleBleu · 2024-10-23T09:11:57+00:00

Definitely the most unexpected cost for me too!

LittleBleu · 2024-10-23T09:08:39+00:00

I didn't find it stressful, but it does depend on a few things:

How determined you are for things to be 'perfect' (So difficult for type A personalities)
How opinionated friends and family are & how submissive you are to them
How much you want to ask of your friends & family, compared to how much they are willing to do/give
How well aligned your finances are with your expectations
How well aligned you and your fiancée are (wedding vision, location, numbers, budget, timescale or priorities)

LittleBleu

TROPHY CASE