Monday, August 31, 2009

Snacks

We are having a fabulous day in Cape Town today. I have the best view of
Table Mountain from my office window (I'll post a pic to show you soon)

I love snacks. It's probably my favourite kind of eating. So, because of its importance (yes!)
I've decided to list 'a snack a day' all week (like the breakfast recipes a while back).

Today I begin with the one I reach for most frequently. Fruit. I like my snacks to look
appetising so I usually have it in a pretty bowl or with a dollop of something on it - and I
like to know the nutritional content of everything - shopping with me is painful.



Looks yummy, right? Plus it is jam-packed with goodness
Just in case you wanna know...
FYI, the papaya: has powerful enzymes that aid digestion, rich source of anti-oxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, helps lower cholesterol, vit B+C, aids in colon protection etc, etc
the guava: has 4-5 times more Vit C than oranges (making it a powerhouse in combating free radicals), folate, vit A, potassium, plus calcium (which is not found in loads of fruit) etc etc
the strawberries: just a superstar of anti-oxidant power, packed with vitamin C, flavonoids (helps to keep bad cholesterol from damaging walls), contains ellergic acid (basically binds up bad chemicals in your body) etc etc

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Away

We arrived back this afternoon from Shelley Point. We had a hang of a week so this was a much needed respite. So relaxing without our phones and laundry pile. Last night we had the nicest oysters and today I bought the softest homemade marshmallows in 'town'.

Rebecca was looking forward to the Youth Room at the hotel but once we got there and she had a go at the jacuzzi, well, that's where she stayed.

We almost didn't make it because Ruby had a bit of a fever of Friday, but we loaded the bags and the meds and off we went. Luckily not too far to turn back if she got worse! A pic of her sleeping... actually watching her sleep is one of my favourite activities.



On the way home today we went past WW (my fav store) and picked up some groceries for a early supper. It turned into a bit of a feast really, considering that my family don't necessarily get the whole hog every Sunday. Last week we were spoilt at my dear friend and incredible (seriously) cook Cheryl's table but this week I was not as fortunate. The previous week saw us only having soup for lunch - but we did have our fill of meat on the Saturday night as we had been to Darling (yes, the flowers are out in droves and very pretty) and we picked up some fabulous Kudu steaks, which we tossed on the braai. Today however...



Today's menu - Roast chicken, broccoli and cheese, roast vegetables, spinach & chickpea
salad and homemade apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Be blessed!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Wearing the Polka

Before winter is over, I have to share Rebecca's love for this jacket.
When she saw it at the shop, she had a 'female episode'. She oohed and
aahed and kept running her hand over the fabric. I had to blink a
few times to make sure this was still in fact my (usually nonchalant)
daughter. Yes I saw Mini Me.

She does look adorable in the jacket and it is lined in hot pink with polka dots,
irresistible!



I told her to hold up the evidence on another matter. The baby oil she's holding
(purchased only a few days ago) is one of MY favourite treats!! Can you see
that it's virtually empty? Anyway, a day or so ago Rebecca was having a bath,
or so I thought? WRONG, when I arrived to help her out she looked like she
had fallen into a vat of oil. She had seriously anointed herself!
Me: 'What the heck happened here?'
R: 'I just used a bit of your oil.'
Me: 'A bit???
R: 'Well, yes'

Clearly 'a bit' is very subjective. More like the whole bottle. Extracting her body from
the tub proved a little trying and she required a vigorous rub down after that.
All's well that ends well, I guess.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Life

" Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: 'I'm with you kid. Let's go!' "
Maya Angelou


Something to ponder as we begin our week. Love deeply and Laugh loudly!
Have a good one!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Winter beauty

These lilies grow wild all over the countryside near our home at this time of year. A winter highlight when we go on our walks on chilly mornings. Rebecca picked these for me, hence the shorter stems, but lovely just the same.


Friday, August 21, 2009

R, R + R

I've been trying to be a bit more 'green' lately. Its really not stressful, just takes a little thinking before doing... which is never a bad idea, for example making sure you have a sturdy bag/basket before going grocery shopping and taking a glass jug from home to Fruit & Veg/farm to get your milk, not just buying another plastic bottle of milk at the store and several other really simple ideas using the recycling credo: Reduce, Re use and Recycle.

Please don't start yawning yet -
Getting bins and sticking them in the garage for your paper, plastic and glass is a super simple idea - and maybe a small compost heap at the back of the garden (I haven't quite gotten that far - I just cannot consider doing that in winter). But honestly, there are so many depots around the country and today I just found out that there is a Petco station (plastic recycling) just 2 minutes away from my house! Cool!

The thing is that I do feel that I have an obligation towards Rebecca and her future children, to do the bare minimum at least... I'm not one for major changes and nor do I have loads of time to give to this, so I'm sticking to the basics - every tiny bit helps. But like I said the thing is just a little thinking ahead, eg batteries (which are pretty toxic) can be tossed into the Uniross containers at any Pick and Pay, or buying fruit & veg at markets etc where they are loose and not in all that silly packaging.

For more ideas if you are interested go to 'goinggreen.co.za'

On a funny note -
When I was sharing with Rebecca about recycling and why we do it... my car fanatic husband contributed 'Do you know that the latest Volvo is 85% recyclable and by the year 2015 they want it to be 95%!'

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Out of the mouth of babes

Earlier this week Rebecca had a bit of a situation at school.
Nothing serious, a mild encounter with another child - don't
you hate bullying.

Anyway, so that evening we are chatting about it and I always
tell her not to respond in kind (either talk to a teacher or me later
if its not serious), but clearly my heart is troubled over it, because
out of my mouth I hear myself say 'Just tell him that bullies are
actually babies'. Heavens, how is that helpful!!

So my darling replies, 'But you always say that we need self-control...
its a fruit of the Spirit.' - don't that just set you straight!

'To make an apt answer is a joy to a man (woman) and a
word in season, how good it is! (Proverbs)

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A Basic roll

It's still winter... and so we need a little extra something after dinner.

This is the thing to make on a day like today, after all you need the extra warmth that
the kitchen will provide and seeing that its in the week, its real quick. Swiss roll
is pretty much an idiot-proof recipe! Everyone needs this recipe!

Simple swiss roll recipe
4 large eggs
125g (150ml) caster sugar, plus a little extra for sprinkling
140g (1 cup) self-raising flour, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
15ml hot water

Beat eggs for about 3 minutes until thick and creamy (this is the most difficult part, uh?)
Gradually add sugar, beating till dissolved. Fold in the other ingredients gently.
Spread onto a greased and lined swiss roll pan. Bake at 180 deg C, for 12-14 minutes (told you
it was quick). Quickly turn out onto wax paper that has been sprinkled with sugar.
Trim edges and roll up tightly (don't worry about wax paper being in there). Leave for
2 minutes. Unroll gently. Spread with your preferred filling and roll up again - this time
without the wax paper.



You'd better double up as it goes rather quickly - believe me that you'll need two of these babies.
I wanted a picture of the whole thing... but they had eaten half while I ran for the camara.
Its also simple to turn the vanilla into a chocolate by adding 2 tablespoons of cocoa to the hot water or melting 100g dark chocolate and adding this to the hot water.

Rebecca loved the caramel and cream... I preferred the simple jam filling (make sure that you use enough filling so that its moreish, but don't spread right up to the edges or it will ooze out)

Happy Tuesday!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Continually...

Aren't we all prone to being overly concerned about those we love, be it a child, a spouse or a parent! The thing is that we can't be everywhere at once... but there is One who can.

Its a comfort to me to remember,
"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the child of
her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold I have engraved you
on the palms of My hands; your walls continually before Me."

May you encounter great joy this weekend!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Love is...

Yesterday evening I visited my aunt for her birthday. While I was there, a few other folks popped in to wish her including a elderly couple that live next door to her. This elderly gentleman said that in two weeks they would be celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary. Another guest tried to make a joke and said "Isn't that a bit too long with the same woman?"
The husband didn't hesitate for a moment, but replied "No, it hasn't been long, its gone so quickly. In fact, I feel like I'm just beginning to understand her and wish I had 50 more to enjoy it."

I love moments like that! When you learn something about the heart.

"the sweetness of a friend's counsel comes from the heart" Prov 27

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Mid week

A mid-week meal -
A easy spicy tomato tuna over wholewheat pasta
followed by ice cream and berries



Yes, it has been cold this week which is why dinner is followed by us sitting at the fireplace
having coffee and the odd roasted marshmallow.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

A little of this and a little of that

Yes, I am still here. I have been rather distracted lately and not blogged much. Some days there is so much going on that I cant fathom condensing it into a few sentences and other days I sit at the computer and am so blank!

I've been loving the weather lately... some days are so hot I think I could actually get quite a good tan (but all I want to do is don my garden boots and jump in). This heat is followed by a three day storm, to water all my green things. I know its rather extreme but I can actually get quite a lot done and the washing hangs outside instead of heading into the tumble dryer.

Today while in the garden I spotted these two... they are always so happy & rewarding. They're glad to be out and I'm glad to have them.
The reliable and colour rich pansies...



This honeysuckle's flower is initially a vibrant cherry red, then fades a bit to fire engine red - always a delight... its still a small plant but will be a glorious display when it grows up.



This is the package that my baby handed me. A magazine, a reading book and a packet of seeds tied with ribbons and a blanket underneath, then she told me to put my feet up and have a rest (not that planting would be restful - but she was probably just going with my fav things).
Ain't she something. Worth every one of those 18 hours of labour.



Happy Womens Day to all the ladies!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Character

Lately I've been thinking about character, how to ensure that our children grow into people of substance, virtue and character - the internal stuff that sets people apart - I think its got mostly to do with imparting truth and discipline (without which you cannot be self-governed, knowing when to speak and when to be silent) into their souls from little (with oodles of love & patience). As parents we have to be intentional about this wonderful task... I think it was Moody that said that character is who we are in the dark.

"Moderate strength is shown in violence, Supreme strength is shown in levity"
G.K. Chesterton