Why Sunday Hotpants? When I was a child in the 60’s my mother made my sister and I matching hotpants, I loved them as much as I loved my green vinyl Emma Peel dress. I was not allowed to wear them to school, but I was allowed to wear them in the weekend. The weekend is when I get to do most of my cooking and experimenting in the kitchen.

I live in Dunedin, New Zealand in the very south of the South Island. Temperate climate and home to some of the most fantastic cooks in the country. People still make things the way they used to many years ago, but still are willing to try all kinds of new things.

I’m a mother of four children, all unique in their own way. This past year my 9 year old son died unexpectedly, this blog is one of the ways I am trying to fill the huge gap that has been left.

This is me and Fynn when he was 2 years old. I’m not posting an old photo to try to hide my well earned grey hair, I just love this picture of Fynn and his green eyes. His loss has left all of us all bereft. Cooking, caring for my family and filling my days with crafts and looking for joy and beauty in the world around me keeps me going.

I’ve always loved to cook, knit and craft, I do not profess to be an expert in any of them. The food I make is very ordinary home cooked food, nothing fancy, just delicious (all going to plan that is!). I also like to use as few gadets as possible, my wooden spoon and mixing bowls are used more than anything else. I’m a firm believer that children should be involved in kitchen activities.

I’m an advocate for anyone that is different, particularly those that are not in a position to speak for themselves. Children with disabilities are close to my heart.  During the day I’m a Speech Language Therapist, and I work with children under 5 years of age with disabilities of varying kinds.

Living in New Zealand in the deep south also gives a slightly different perspective on life in general as well as the food that comes out of my kitchen. I feel very privileged to live in this part of the world.

I have a small foodie that likes to help me (my five year old son, Isaac) and my older children Leah and Ryan no doubt will make an appearance as well. Leah in particular loves to cook as much as I do. Thanks for joining me in my kitchen and sharing a part of my days.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog, as much as I enjoy posting on it.

Lisa Randel