Country Bliss - BnB

10/04/2026

So red sky at night is supposed to mean Shepherds delight, right? I dont believe it when we all nervously await the wrath of cyclone Vaianu! That's one heck of a red sky tonight! Hoping everyone stays safe during this event.

05/04/2026

Sleep. We all need it.
So what do you do when you're tossing and turning during the wee hours of the night?

Facebook obviously knew what I was up to and decided to suggest a link to Spotifys 'Deep Sleep' playlist. And it actually kinda sounded really relaxing. Might be an issue to dig out my earphones though without waking the household 😜

I would hope our guests sleep soundly, but you know what, life's still waiting for us after the holidays. So what's your tips n tricks to get a solid night's sleep?

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5FI8rn340FgsOB7B8Ic0DZ?si=yW_uva5MSsq6I2s0BMwC3Q&pi=D_ymf4BiRluEP

Playlist · Soothing Oasis · 432 items · 1.7M saves

03/04/2026

02/04/2026

Wish me luck...about to start some homemade hot x buns with very expired yeast 🤔😁 Share your photos of your Easter Treats or Baking.

Recipe shared from Ellis Taylor Eats. If you're looking for down to earth, budget friendly recipes then look her up on FB.

Hot cross bun recipe:

Ingredients
2 tbsp yeast
1/2 cup warm water
3 1/2 cups high-grade or plain flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 nutmeg (grated) (or preferred spices)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp sugar (white, brown, or golden syrup)
2 eggs
Zest of 1 orange (optional)
40g soft butter

1 cup raisins or 150g chocolate (or both)

1/2 cup flour (for cross)
1/3 cup water (for cross)

2 tbsp sugar (for glaze)
1 tsp boiling water (for glaze, or use marmalade)

👩‍🍳 Method
In a small bowl, combine yeast and warm water. Stir and let sit until frothy.

In a large bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.

Pour the frothy yeast mixture into the dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, sugar, eggs, and orange zest.

Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until a shaggy dough forms.

Mix in the soft butter and knead by hand for at least 5 minutes (15 minutes is better) until smooth.

Gently fold in raisins and/or chocolate.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it proof for 1.5–2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Knock down the dough, divide into 12 equal portions, roll into balls, and place on a lined baking tray. Let proof for another hour.

Mix flour and water into a thick paste and pipe crosses over the buns.

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden.

Brush with a simple syrup (sugar dissolved in boiling water) or marmalade while warm.

02/04/2026

Happy Easter everyone. Feels kinda weird to not have any Easter Eggs in the house for the first time ever. Both of our boys have moved out of home so the Easter Bunny will just have to make a detour to their new post codes 😜
However we do have lots and lots of cute lil baby chickens on farm right now so that's Easter enough for me.

What's everyone up to this weekend? Have these crazy fuel prices made you re-think your plans?

I'll be welcoming our Easter guests tomorrow and then maybe a day trip at some point in the weekend. The weather is looking great so it might be a nice time to get into the garden before, dare I say it, winter arrives 🫣

What ever your plans are we hope you have a relaxing weekend. Travel safe if you're out on the roads. And if you see the Easter Bunny can you tell him I'd be quite OK with a surprise of chocolate 😉

20/03/2026

We're lucky to have some great mature trees on our property. The bonus is the birdlife, including a few ruru (owl) of our night skies.

Happy international forest day!!

You can help look after our beautiful forests by staying on designated tracks, only take out what you took in - including rubbish, and if youre travelling to NZ from other countries be ever so vigilant with your outdoor shoes and outdoor gear being clean of any dirt, seeds and bugs. We all play a part to protect this amazing place.

💗 NZ

Today we celebrate International Day of Forests!

Here in Aotearoa, our forests are taonga - unique, life-giving, and deeply connected to our identity.

Forests:
🌿 Protect waterways and improve freshwater quality
🌿 Stabilise landscapes, helping to prevent soil erosion and reduce flood risk
🌿 Store carbon to help fight climate change
🌿 Provide sustainable timber and resources, supporting the economy
🌿 Hold deep cultural and spiritual significance to Māori
🌿 Offer spaces for recreation, like tramping or birdwatching, and
🌿 Provide habitat for our native and endemic species, like the ruru pictured here

Forests clearly play a vital role in both our environment and our wellbeing. Let's look after our ngahere so it can continue to look after us ❤

📷 Ruru | Morepork - Maddox Photography NZ

20/03/2026

Best way to recharge the battery...beautiful sunset, crickets chirping happily, birds singing happily and not a breath of wind. A whole lotta zen right now 💗

12/03/2026

As a host I put a lot of thought into my guests experience staying with us. I listen. Today's guests are travelling NZ and have mentioned they love our forests and landscapes which is why they have chosen to stay at Country Bliss.

So I've added freshly cut flowers and fern fronds in a vase and sorted out brochures that showcase natural aspects of our beautiful local forests and landscapes....McClaren Falls Park, Te Puna Quarry Park, Canopy Tours Zipline Rotorua, Secret Spot Hot Tubs Rotorua, Redwoods Treetop Walk Rotorua, Hobbiton in Matamata, and The Blue Springs Putaruru. There are heaps more, but we are really spoilt for choice when it comes to show casing our beautiful country no matter which direction you travel. I think they'll be pretty happy just driving up our driveway...trees trees trees 😉

11/03/2026

Super peaceful out here tonight.💕

08/03/2026

Love the colours in the courtyard garden as the morning sun makes its way around for the day. Im contemplating whether to thin it out a bit though. Its gone crazy. There are actually plants under there somewhere 🫣😂 Even the tui feeder has been over taken

05/03/2026

Oh my!!! How did I not know about these???!!! Sounds like a dessert date to me! 😉