FIRE !!!

Is this not HORRIFIC?!! The fire started at about 9.30 at night on a vacant lot below Rhodes Memorial. By 1am people were being evacuated from their homes, fearing for their lives and the survival of the buildings. The strong south easter wind did not help. It fanned the flames till is was licking the very top of the mountain. You can just imagine the smoke damage across the whole city!
Fortunately, no buildings were lost to the fire, but lots of questions are still unanswered. It makes me furious to see someone careless about where that burning cigarette butt lands when they flick it out the window. They may think it looks cool, but if they love smoking so much, why don't they take the remains home with them and dispose of it in a safe way. Another factor was that the landlord of the vacant private property where the fire started, had been asked to clear it. So who know who is to blame at this point...
I am thinking of all the animals that probably perished in that fire ... :( We saw lots of buck and zebra next to Rhodes Memorial and there must be tons of dassies and other little animals as well as birds. Very sad. Lost forever ...
I now want to go and walk up Table Mountain, to be close to those rocks, to feel her under my feet, to stare up at the majesty of her! Soon, one day soon.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE

One thing is for sure - mankind would not have progressed to the point we are now, if there was not a SHARING OF KNOWLEDGE! Modern technology has helped this along by leaps and bounds. Just think of how, by means of the Internet, you can trace an old friend who had moved continents or just to another city. Life happens and it is easy to lose track of some of your friends. Then along came "social networks" and viola! someone knows someone you know. The rest is history.
So I want to thank my friends for being so generous with their friends, sharing them with me. The world truly is a 'village'.
I am gathering information to share with you on various skin problems, especially ACNE. From babies to teenagers to adults; all suffer from various types of acne. Some remedies are natural, of course my favourite. Others I will present or refer you to are dietary suggestions or even medical treatments. I hope you find it useful, or you might pass on the info to someone you know.
I hope you have a STUNNING week! Till later xx

TEATIME TREAT

I was going to visit a friend who had not been well, and wanted to take something yummy with for tea. So out came the trusted recipe book, earmarked and blotched with splashes of milk and egg and other unknown ingredients ... there must be something special that I haven't made in ages .... something that will lift the spirits .... that will make her .... SMILE.
Then I saw it - the Queen Mothers Favourite Cake. That was it! I will take you thru the process of baking this very special cake.
THE QUEEN MOTHERS FAVOURITE CAKE
Pour 1C Boiling water over 1pkt Dates (chopped). Add 1t Bicarb.
In a separate bowl, mix 1C Sugar, 1 Egg and 100gr melted Marg/Butter.
Fold in 1 and a half C Sifted Flour, 1t Baking Pwd and half t Salt.
Now add the softened Date mix and stir well.
Pour into greased square dish and bake for 35 - 40 min at 180C.
Once out the oven, spread with the following topping:
Simmer together 125ml Cream with 125ml Sugar for a few minutes.
Poke cake with knife before spreading topping so it can soak in.
Optional: Sprinkle chopped nuts over.

DELICIOUS on its own or with whipped cream. Needless to say, my friend was very impressed!!!
This is a very easy cake to make and a favourite in our home.
ENJOY !!! and try some of the other recipes on this blog.
Well, the weekend is looming and there is lots to do. So Have A Good One :)
Till later xx C

LAUGHING IS HEALTHY

This has been a weekend of laughter. Lots of it. The kids had kids over for games, and we could hear the hoots of laughter every few minutes. Oh what fun they had...
They say LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL. Yes, it takes less muscles to smile or laugh than to frown. So take it to heart. Have a good roaring laugh at least once a day. Look at the funny side of any situation ... I promise you, there normally is a lighter side to life. You just have to find it. So HAVE FUN today. Let me know what made you laugh from the gut today! Till later then xx

AN EASY SUPPER

Here we go again ... after a "little" break!
Today is Friday and normally an evening away from the cooking pots for me. Sometimes it is leftovers from the previous evening or just hot dogs. Gives me time to chill in the late afternoon, catching up with friends or visiting with family!
This evening it is leftover Sausage Pie with Peas. Let me go back to Yesterday, when I made the Sausage Pie. You can give it a bash next week ...

SAUSAGE PIE
500gr Sausage meat, pressed into a pie plate.
Peel and boil 5 med Potatoes. Mash with butter & milk.
Beat 2 x-large Eggs and fold into mashed potatoes
Add chopped parsley & spring onions.
Flavour with black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper.
Spoon mash mixture into the meat shell. Top with grated cheddar cheese.
Bake in oven at 180degrees Celcius for about 40min, or till set and cheese is golden brown.
Slice and serve with salads and breads or rolls.

Heats up well in microwave the next day!
This is a very economical dish and a different way to eat sausages.
I hope you enjoy it. We have this dish at least once a month, and is good for summer or winter. In the winter, simply replace the salads with warm veg, like spinach, mix veg or just peas.
Here I'm sitting, watching as the sun sinks towards the horizon, and enjoying the cool air after a sweltering day.
Till later then xxx C