The first bake of the season

Now it gets wrapped up and the 'maturing' process takes place.  I usually make Nigella's christmas cake but this year I have made the legendary Delia Smith's one and it turned out pretty good.  We will have to wait for the verdict... the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

My bro

It was my brother's birthday a few days ago.  My only brother.  He was my side-kick when we were growing up and he always had my back.  My brother is a joke professor (even when you don't want to hear one) and a people magnet (even when you felt like a quiet evening).

Now he is a man with his own family but nothing has changed.  With all the change in our lives, its so good to have people who you can depend on, no matter what.  That's my bro. Anytime of the day or night (I have needed him for both).  A heart of gold.  Plus, I think he has only been angry like uh twice in his whole life.
And if you visit him on his birthday: sure enough... there will be lots of people and lots of laughter, a hot fire and a cold beer.  Always.

A picture of when we were the same size, even though he is younger, ha! Cute, right?  But now he is very tall and thin and I am not.

Time to bake the Christmas cake

It begins to feel Christmassy when the cakes are baked. To have it wrapped up in the pantry always feels special.  The first gift wrapped actually. Tomorrow is my day for it.

A simple meal

Fish & Chips.  This is by far the best meal that I've had this year... basic ingredients done right.

Cleft for her

When the world shakes, how do you teach your children to stand?

When I have my quiet time or last thing at night, I often ask myself if I am doing enough... if I am clear enough about what matters so that she lives strong,  Or do I spend my days muttering on about things that have no real bearing on character and hope and wise living. And believe me, some days I babble more than I build.

The world is very different from her parents and her grandparents generation.

The exposure to all the world through this technological age is so real.  But this doesn't fulfill, no matter how many likes you get.  And then there are other pressures, opinions, crises, hormones and more. Then yesterday she says 'I feel most happy and safe when you force me to memorise scripture'. O. K. I'm listening.  So 'force' was a rather strong word but I get it... that even though she sometimes complains, this is the stabilising stuff that we all need so bad.  That this sword of the word cuts down our fears and worries.  It brings peace and builds truth and hope.  These are not just abstract nouns, they have enduring magnitude.

Just like the old children's hymn goes, "don't build your house on the sandy-land, don't build it too near the shore... Rock of ages, cleft for me..."

Speeding matters up

I often make big batches of things that can be frozen to speed up a week-day meal... like these spinach shaped hearts.  I clean, chop and give then a quick heat to wilt.  Squeeze them and pack tightly into silicone muffin pans.  Once frozen, remove and store in zip-lock bags.  Makes life much easier when you want to make soup, stir fry or smoothie.

This is apple sauce. Let a large batch of peeled, cored and chopped apples cook down with a little water and a teaspoon of sugar. (You can use more sugar or no sugar)  Mash.  Cool. I then measure one cupful (250ml) into my extra large muffin pans.  Freeze.  Ready for muffins, pancakes, cake, pork chops or just hot over ice-cream.

My bananas are chopped and frozen in batches of two.  They go straight from the freezer to the blender for my smoothies, or I defrost them and mash for my banana bread.

Black, black or what about black

She looks sooooo good.  Love it. Most of my wardrobe is black. My sister calls it my uniform.