Tag Archives: #GratefulHeart

Celebrating 15 Years of Blogging with You All

Hey everyone! 🎉

Wow — I can hardly believe it’s been 15 years of storytelling, culture-sharing, travel adventures, food experiments, motherhood moments, and little parenting wins here at Nepaliaustralian. What started as “just something to do” has become a corner of the internet that means a whole lot to me — and that’s all thanks to you.

A quick look back

For those who are newer here, here’s a peek at how this journey has unfolded:

  • I’m M, a Nepali-born IT Business Analyst by day, globetrotter at heart, a writer for the soul, and very much in love with bridging the cultures of “East” and “West” through stories, recipes, traditions, and family life
  • Nepaliaustralian isn’t just about me — it’s about all of us who know what it’s like to grow up in one culture and live in another, who miss home sometimes, who love traditions, who try cooking a dish from back home and find joy in small things like language, festivals, or simply sharing memories.

Where we are now — thanks to YOU

As of just over a year ago (when the blog turned 13), here’s what we had reached:

  • 1,109 posts
  • 81 pages
  • Over 10,700 comments (that’s you chiming in ❤️)
  • About 2.5 million page views
  • Some 1.38 million readers spanning 230 countries

And today, as we celebrate 15 years, I’m proud to see how far we’ve come — more stories, more recipes, more journeys, more words. Your support has carried this blog through all of it.

What it’s meant to me

This space has been:

  • My way to keep the language and culture alive — whether it’s Nepali or Nepal Bhasa.
  • A way to explore marriage, family, parenting, identity — the awkward bits, the surprising bits, and the really beautiful bits.
  • A reminder that even thousands of kilometres away, your stories, your love, your feedback, your comments matter.

There have been days when I wasn’t sure who was reading, or whether it would “amount to anything,” but then someone would leave a comment about missing home, or cooking a recipe you found here, or learning a word you forgot — and it’d remind me why I started.

Thank You

I owe so much to:

  • You, dear readers — for sticking with me, for reading the long posts, for sharing, for correcting me, for making suggestions, for engaging.
  • Family & friends — for patience when I disappeared on trips or got carried away writing or editing.
  • Guest writers/contributors — whose voices have enriched this place so much.
  • Every person who’s ever liked, shared, sewn, cooked, translated, messaged, snapped, or just quietly nodded along.

Without you, there is no Nepaliaustralian.

Looking ahead

Because 15 years is real, and I’m excited for what’s next:

  • More travel stories — nearer, farther, unknown places waiting.
  • More deep dives into culture, language, tradition — especially around Newari, Nepali, festivals.
  • More family stories — parenting, raising kids between homes, between cultures.
  • More recipes (of course!) and food adventures because there’s always a flavour of home to explore.
  • More connection — I hope to hear more from you: your stories, your memories, your hopes, your favourite posts, and what you want to see more of.

Here’s to 15 years. Here’s to all the words we’ve shared and will share. Here’s to you — because none of this is possible without you.

Thank you for reading, for commenting, for being here. You’re the heart of Nepaliaustralian.

With love and gratitude,

M
From Nepaliaustralian
XOXO

Anniversary Dinner at Hunter & Barrel – A Night to Remember ❤️🍷

We celebrated our anniversary this year at Hunter & Barrel in Parramatta, and I have to say—it was such a lovely experience from start to finish.

Parking was surprisingly easy, which is always a win in Parramatta! We had a booking, so we were seated straight away. The venue itself has a warm, rustic charm with an inviting ambience, perfect for a special celebration. Our server was welcoming and attentive throughout the meal, which made everything even more enjoyable.

We went with the three-course set menu and started the night with a round of drinks—a cocktail for me and a glass of red wine for hubby.

For starters, we shared:

  • Calamari – Buttermilk and Szechuan marinated, lightly fried, and served with a delicious chilli jam.
  • Crispy Wings – Perfectly cooked and paired with smoky chipotle yoghurt. So flavourful!

For mains, I went for the Lamb Shank, which was beautifully tender, served with horseradish mash, roasted honey carrots, and rich jus. Absolutely melt-in-your-mouth!
Hubby had the Crispy Pork Belly Tacos—crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and packed with flavour. Both mains came with crispy chips.

And of course, no celebration is complete without dessert!

  • I had the Blood Orange & Apple Sorbet, which was light, refreshing, and perfectly balanced with fresh seasonal fruit and passionfruit pulp.
  • Hubby chose the Basque Cheesecake with macerated strawberries, black pepper, basil, and Chantilly cream. It was heavenly!

The sweetest touch? They surprised us with “Happy Anniversary” written on our dessert plate. 🥹💖 Little details like that really make the day feel special.

We absolutely loved the vibe, the service, and every bite of food. Highly recommend Hunter & Barrel for any special occasion—or even just a nice night out.

Here’s to more beautiful moments like this one 🥂

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO

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Fourteen Years of Us – 24 June 2025

My Love,
Happy 14th Anniversary! 💕

Fourteen years ago, we began this journey with nothing but love and hope, unsure of where life would take us. But hand in hand, we’ve built something truly beautiful.

Together, we’ve created a life I once only dreamed of — filled with laughter, love, our amazing kids, and unforgettable memories from travelling the world. Every moment with you has been a treasure I hold close to my heart.

Thank you for being the calm in my chaos, the strength behind my dreams, and the reason even the most ordinary days feel extraordinary. Your hard work, unwavering love, and constant support mean the world to me.

You’ve helped me believe in possibilities, turn dreams into reality, and embrace every part of this journey. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to grow, laugh, cry, and dance through life with.

Here’s to us — our little world, the love we’ve nurtured, and all the adventures still waiting for us.

With all my love,

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO

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A Heartwarming Mother’s Day Morning

As I slowly woke, the delightful aroma of a freshly cooked breakfast wafted through the house. My husband and the kids were up to something – the joyful whispers and excited giggles were a giveaway. Moments later, they burst into the room with a tray – a beautiful spread of golden toast, perfectly cooked eggs, grilled halloumi, sautéed mushrooms, and crispy hash browns. My heart melted, not just at the sight of the delicious feast but at the love they had poured into making it.

But the surprises didn’t end there. My little ones eagerly handed me the gifts they had made and chosen with so much love. Gorgeous handwritten cards, a beautifully designed pen and notepad – treasures from school that I would forever cherish. And from my husband, a pair of soft, cosy UGGs and a stylish wallet – practical and thoughtful, just like him.

As I sipped my warm coffee and enjoyed the lovingly prepared breakfast in bed, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. Mother’s Day is more than the gifts or the perfect breakfast – it’s about those precious moments when love is served with a smile, and memories are made in the simplest of ways.

This Mother’s Day was a reminder that sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that touch the heart, wrapped in the laughter of loved ones and sealed with a hug.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day too. I feel so blessed and incredibly lucky to be the mum of these two beautiful kids.

M from Nepaliaustralian

XOXO

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