Friday, December 31, 2010

Plastic Christmas Candy



What a marvellous surprise from my beloved!
Am trying to curb daily book buying!

Little girls

they are made of sugar and spice and all things nice...



what a mighty fortress they made...

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Merry Christmas

I pray that you have all had the most wonderful joyous time with your families over this season... may His mercies be new every morning.

My sister and I were chatting about our favourite Christmas things, these are my favourites...

Favourite Christmas tradition
Hands down winner... putting up the Christmas tree with Rebecca on the first of December. She counts down the sleeps to it and we have hot chocolate and biscuits, and crank up the carols while putting up the decorations



Favourite song
Hark the Herald - always makes me want to cry

Favourite memory
I was about nine years old and my father took me shopping (he was often away so this was a treat) and he bought me a mint green dress and a little canvas bag with a flower motif. I loved that bag!

Favourite biscuit
Naturally the Gingerbread men

Favourite cd
Josh Groban's Noel

Favourite crockery
I love Christmas plates, t-shirts etc... its so cheerful! But my favourite thing is a mug that my niece Anastasia gave me last year. Everyone knows I have a mug fetish.


Favourite food
Turkey stuffing and Christmas pudding... okay this will be a long list... its all my favourite

Favourite movie
Elf... my sister and I watch it every year - so funny - you must see it!

Favourite family game
We love playing games while on holiday... I love 30 seconds

Favourite moments of Christmas 2010
Okay, there are two
Reading through His birth from the book of Luke to Rebecca every evening, from different bible translations...
and
Having Wayne's family at our home on Christmas eve... wonderful group of merry makers.


I love all the traditional things we do, they build such strong memories.


"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people"
Luke 1.68

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Milky happiness



Thanks to Clover for their Christmas cheer first thing in the morning!

Monday, December 20, 2010

A summer bite



This has become my favourite thing to reach for in this heat.
Place about a cup of natural yoghurt in a bowl and swirl in about two tablespoons of good quality molasses (getting a little extra iron and magnesium into your diet). Real good!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Weekends are for

A time of Christmas Carols (with lots of glow sticks for the kids) at the beautiful Kirstenbosch gardens... and a modern Christmas play at church... and a relaxed impromptu lunch after a morning of chores, including a fabulous Italian Gorgonzola.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Biscuits



An aromatic kitchen, a cold glass of milk and a Christmas cookie. A pretty good afternoon.

These are two favourites at this time of year...


Vanilla biscuits

180g butter, room temperature, chopped
1 cup caster sugar
1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 egg

Beat the butter and sugar together. Add the vanilla, then sieve and add the flour and egg.
Combine until blended. Cover bowl with cling wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Roll out dough to about 5mm. Use cookie cutter and cut out desired shapes. Bake for 10-13 minutes till golden.


Ginger Biscuits

300g flour
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2-3 teaspoons ground ginger (to taste - more is better)
1 teaspoon ground spice
100g butter, room temperature - chopped up
80 - 100g muscovado / brown sugar
2 eggs
3-4 tablespoons molasses / honey

Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius.
Blend sugar and butter. Add sieved flour, salt, baking powder and spices. Whisk eggs and molasses together and add to the sugar bowl. Blend until combined and then put in the fridge for 15 minutes. Roll out dough to about 5mm and cut out shapes. Bake in greased baking sheet for about 18 - 20 minutes.

Introducing Mr and Mrs Gingerbread...




Christmas icing


You can use this for both biscuits.
Mix +-250g icing sugar and about 3-4 tablespoons boiling water, whisking well. Ice the biscuits using the back of a spoon.

Happy Baking!!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Press forward

'We are made wise not by the
recollection of our past, but
by the responsibility for
our future'
George Bernard Shaw

Personally I am prone to waves of guilt that sometimes seem to engulf me like a huge sea breaker knocking into a toddler, when I start to think on some mistakes from the past. If that applies to you too... don't dwell there, it helps no one. This is the perfect time of year to press into new things and remind yourself that by God's grace you are not who you use to be.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Time to bake

Surely, the biscuit jar should be full this time of year.





Rebecca uses the cookie cutters for playtime.


Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Glory flashed

We are reading through the Christmas scriptures every evening. I'm trying to set a scene for Rebecca, we are talking about the history and the people. How the redemption plan starts way back... how Zacharias and Elizabeth were barren (and his name means 'the Lord remembers') and were from the line of Aaron, Moses's brother. The Lord did indeed remember and John was born, who was to prepare the way for the King.

We are loving it... the Word is so alive, we have just finished off where the shepherds leave the stable making a lot of noise with their singing and sharing what they had seen.



"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them"
Luke 2

May He continue to shine into our dark places and bring abundant light and guide our feet in the way of peace. May you see Him and may He be marvellous!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

School's out

After a diligent year... time to take off the uniform for the summer break



and jump for joy!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

He came

It's amazing to think that God sent the plan and the person for redemption in His Son - His Beloved! I love that God in His wisdom let His Son live through family highs and lows, through heartache and joy, times of feasting and times of fasting, with amazing friendships and shattering betrayal. He can so relate to whatever you are feeling. And He came as a innocent little babe. Wow! And He brought abundant life. Wow!

I wonder what Mary thought while she was pregnant. What precious cargo.

What a reason to celebrate!!

It begins with...

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY which will be to all people"
Luke 2.10

and as a man He says...

"These things I have spoken to you, that MY JOY MAY REMAIN in you and that YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL"
John 15.11

I echo the words that Paul wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice"

Monday, December 6, 2010

Carrot Cake



We had Brunch at my parents home yesterday and it was brilliant - Brunch is my favourite meal, uh... actually every mealtime is my favourite. She made her now famous Carrot Cake for dessert. Lovely! Maybe I'll ask her for the recipe to blog.

Countdown



Rebecca loves the building anticipation and the countdown towards Christmas. These advent calenders are perfect for keeping time and the all important little treat.



We brought in the Christmas boxes and unravelled all the cords and baubles, with hot chocolate and Christmas music.



Today is actually only 19 days till Christmas! I know we are meant to do it all year... but use this time to be outrageously encouraging and generous. Enjoy the ride!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Weekends are for reflecting

"You learn to speak by speaking
to study by studying
to run by running
to work by working
and just so
you learn to love by loving
All those who think in any other way
deceive themselves."

St Francis de Sales