This salad is so easy to make and with the addition of Basil Pesto certainly adds to the flavour. Use your favourite steak, we went with rump, certainly value for money and tenderising it with the rolling pin certainly does the trick.

NOURISHING, WE'RE EATINGDorothy McLennanApril 4, 2024recipes, salad, steak

Love in a Jewel

As business origin stories go, Tracy and Joachim van Oostrum the couple behind LOVE IN A JEWEL, have a pretty good one. Long before they started their keepsake jewellery design business it was jewellery that brought them together.

LOCAL LIFE, EXPLORING, DWELLINGDorothy McLennanMarch 28, 2024Rural Life, Garden, Author, Tangleby

Fighting Fires South Canterbury

Not much phases Olivia Waldron. At just 25 years old, the bubbly South Cantabrian has already completed a degree, travelled the world, started her career, joined the emergency response team at work, become a group fitness instructor and, most recently, become a qualified firefighter with the St Andrew’s Volunteer Fire Brigade.

LOCAL LIFE, LIMELIGHTDorothy McLennanMarch 28, 2024profile, firefighter, female, volunteer

The Retro Home

When Rebecca Smith first moved into her two-storey, brick house in Timaru 10 years ago, it was “one blank and beige canvas to stamp my mark on.” Embracing her love of all things retro she soon transformed it into a swirling carnival of colours, patterns and textures.

LOCAL LIFE, EXPLORING, DWELLINGDorothy McLennanMarch 18, 2024Rural Life, Garden, Author, Tangleby

Vintage Vibes

It all started with a 1967 Mustang for Michelle Cahill, who won the Best Dressed title at last year’s Caroline Bay Rock & Hop.

A Hot Rod Life

For Danny Bisschop, a chance encounter at the traffic lights as a boy sparked his life-long love of cars. “I was sitting in my parents’ car when I was about 10 years old,” recalls Danny, now 70. “I saw a 1933 Ford Coupe pull up at the lights and that was it! From that point on I’ve been crazy about hot rods.”

EXPLORING, LOCAL LIFEDorothy McLennanMarch 6, 2024Photography, Hot Rod, Cars, Rock&Hop

Telling Tales of Rural Life

On a late summer morning looking out over a garden with rambling roses, vigorous vines and established trees – it’s hard to imagine that seven years ago this was a bare paddock. But that’s exactly what it was says homeowner Sue Heazlewood.

LOCAL LIFE, EXPLORING, DWELLINGDorothy McLennanMarch 4, 2024Rural Life, Garden, Author, Tangleby

Fighting Fires

Volunteer fire fighter, Assina Dalglish, has attended her fair share of significant call outs in the past three years, including the Loburn and Swannanoa fires in January as well as car accidents, natural disasters and medical events.

LOCAL LIFE, LIMELIGHTDorothy McLennanMarch 1, 2024profile, firefighter, female, volunteer

Home Office With A View

Many of us work from home at some point, whether it’s a day a week or full-time. We might spread out on the corner of the kitchen table or take our laptop to the spare bedroom. But architectural designer, Josh Newlove, has created a home office that ticks all the boxes – great views of Mt Peel, close to the house, but far enough away to avoid disturbances.

LOCAL LIFE, BUSINESS, DWELLINGDorothy McLennanFebruary 29, 2024home office, rural

Seaside Vibes

Turn off the highway to Waikuku Beach and there’s an instant holiday vibe in the air. Perhaps it’s the sea air and the picnicking families. Or the fish and chips and the beautiful views over the lagoon.

LOCAL LIFE, DWELLING, EXPLORINGDorothy McLennanFebruary 29, 2024seaside, bach, beach, waikuku, Kaiapoi

Happiness Through Baking

There’s nothing like home baking to lift the spirits. One popular group shares with us how they spread a little happiness by delivering home baked goods to those who might be having a tough day.

LOCAL LIFE, NOURISHINGDorothy McLennanJanuary 15, 2024baking, kindness, giving, charity

A Mail Run Through the Lens

The road to Mesopotamia Station is a lonely one. But five days a week you will spot the postie, Matt Searles, travelling this route along with his trusty camera and capturing some stunning images of rural NZ.

LOCAL LIFE, EXPLORINGDorothy McLennanJanuary 15, 2024Photography, Mesopotamia Station, Peel Forest, Farming, Landscapes, Rural, Merino

Destination Cheviot

The North Canterbury town of Cheviot has all you need for a relaxing weekend away or summer stay. From bike tracks to beaches, camping to farm stays.

LOCAL LIFE, EXPLORINGDorothy McLennanJanuary 11, 2024

A Hundred Year Old Homestead

This hundred-year-old homestead combines character and a sense of history. Trees tower overhead, peacocks stalk the lawn and it’s like stepping into another world.

LOCAL LIFE, DWELLINGDorothy McLennanJanuary 8, 2024

Camembert & Garlic Wreath

Garlic bread and camembert? This is a crowd pleasing party dish whatever the time of year.

NOURISHINGMelanie CoxJanuary 8, 2024

Mrs Christmas of Okuku

One North Canterbury resident fully embraces the spirit of Christmas when it comes to decorating.

LOCAL LIFE, DWELLINGDorothy McLennanDecember 22, 2023

Caramelised Yoghurt Cream With Summer Berries

Caramelised yoghurt with summer berries is not only easy to make - it’s the perfect sweet treat for the Christmas season.

NOURISHINGMelanie CoxDecember 22, 2023

A Paddock of Peonies

We all love the peonies that herald the start of the warmer weather. Recently, we caught up with the woman behind a paddock of peonies here in South Canterbury

LOCAL LIFEDorothy McLennanNovember 20, 2023

Smoked Salmon Frittata

Looking for an easy and delicious dish for these warmer days? This Salmon Frittata is quick to make and you can use leftovers so nothing in your fridge goes to waste.

NOURISHINGMelanie CoxNovember 20, 2023

Timaru's New Playground At The Bay

The playground at Caroline Bay will soon be ready. We caught up with the C Play team to find out more.

LOCAL LIFEDorothy McLennanNovember 11, 2023