HOLIDAY TIME

The end of the year always means holidays and family time. Fun together, chatting, eating, swimming, hiking, even doing projects together. Bonding time ...

It is only when the children you raised and filled your home are grown-up and away from home, that you really appreciate the times you had together. All the memories; captured on camera, now looked at with fondness, often a giggle when remembering what was done or said on the occasion.

May you all have a fun time, whether going on holiday or staying at home .... Do something out of the ordinary, make a memory; hopefully with others. Enjoy !!! and be safe.

MOSAICS and other PRECIOUS THINGS ...

Today is a beautiful sunny day, although it started of rather foggy. This area often has all 4 seasons in one day!
We had the privilege of welcoming our newest grandchild into the world 10 days ago. What a precious bundle of PINK! She is, of course, gorgeous : ) Her personality might still change as she grows, but at the moment, she is a patient, content baby. Very quizzy and still puzzled by these 5-fingered attachments that keep landing up on her face! So she 'bites' them ha ha. This is going to be a memorable few months, watching her develop and grow.

One of my own creations started off quite by accident; the neighbours' accident. Broken tiles. I picked up two of the tiles that they were throwing out and kept them for ages. Then after we had moved into our new place, I needed to put one of my tables outside and decided to mosaic it, using said tiles. I first broke them, wrapped up in a cloth, smashing them with a hammer .... what fun!


Then I had to break them into smaller pieces, more evenly sized, with a tile cutter. The process of sanding the edges smooth nearly cost me all my fingernails. A few more pieces and colors and voila! a piece of art.

I have realized that we all have to make an effort to make something spectacular of our lives. Time is a-wasting if a day goes by, and you haven't done Something noteworthy. Go somewhere, make something, say something, help something or someone! Make your life count! Think back at the end of the week on what you have accomplished. Sometimes it takes COURAGE to do this. Remember, courage does not always roar - sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying I will try again tomorrow....

FILLING THE DAY!

I can't believe that a so much time has slipped by again ... much has happened.
Having to move from a 4 bedroomed house into a 2 bedroomed home is hectic ... it doesn't help that we have lived in that house for 7 years and had, well, gathered lots of things ha ha. So it was major sorting-out time and getting rid of some furniture, books, clothes and so on. Sometimes it was a relief to chuck it out, other times a lot of thought had to go into it. Mmmm, I'm sure if you have ever been in that position, you will know what I'm talking about. On the other hand, I was rather starting to feel guilty living in a house with that much space, and no more children at home. Only one sort of kid (90yrs old)... mom.


A lot of adjusting, but at the same time, less to clean & look after! So what am I moaning about??
We try to do our bit for recycling so a lot of paper, cardboard, plastic etc went to the recycling depot. We don't actually realise just how much packaging we throw into the rubbish bin, till we keep it one side! That goes with living in a city I suppose, as everything HAS to be packaged to get to us. If we were living on a farm, we could milk our cow every day, pick fruit off our trees and pull some veggies out the patch. To live organically. One day ..... : )
I have begun with a new hobby. It was at first out of desperation, as I wanted to use this particular table outside, but being wood and in danger of getting wet in the rain, I had to make a plan. So I decided to try my hand at MOSAICS. Yes, mosaicing... I have seen many wonderful looking items, so tackled it with vigour. Next time I will post a pic of my accomplishment and in the future, more.
Till then xx

BEAUTY for yourself

Thinking of going to a spa for a good 'spoil'?? Why not do it all at home? Here's how...
First, a hot bath would be one of the best ways to soothe the knots from the shoulders to the feet. Create a relaxing atmosphere by lighting little candles or lamps with your favorite aromatherapy oils. For a more calming and relaxing bath, you could add milk and lemon juice to the water to achieve silky smooth skin. Or, you could give your skin the vitamins it needs without actually taking tablets orally. Use your vitamin E capsules, poke them with a pin and squeeze out the oil into the tub along with regular sea salt and a few drops of your favorite essence oil for an invigorating soak. Once inside the tub, just imagine that you are in an expensive spa instead of just in your own bathroom.
Next, your face. Free your face of worry wrinkles. Combine vodka, fennel seeds and honey (let sit for 3 days) and apply as toner with a cotton ball. A mask made of mashed ripe banana and honey will give your face a new, vibrant feel. If you are going out, you might want to highlight your eyes and cheeks for more stunning effect without really going through extensive alterations. You can bring out the natural beauty of your eyes and cheeks by putting the perfect shade of foundation, eye shadow, blush on and lipstick properly. The trick here is to know your skin type and skin color and to determine the colors that would compliment the shape and type of the face. And at the end of each day, do not forget to remove make-up. One secret is to mix Castor oil, light olive oil and canola oil. Use a cotton ball, apply tenderly over the eyes to remove make up. Keep the shine off your face too, by using lemon juice mixed with cold-water toner. When a trace of pimple is showing on your face, prevent it by placing an ice cube wrapped in saran over the threatening pimple. Retain the freshness in your face.
Your feet deserve the total rest they badly need after carrying you anywhere you want to go. Rest for a few moments by propping them on a chair. Then prepare a great foot-bath, something you'd find in a posh spa. Treat them to a deodorizing bath with Epsom salts, white vinegar and warm water. Then exfoliate them with a mixture of strawberries, olive oil, kosher salt and finely chopped almonds. For smooth and soft feet overnight, smear on a mixture of banana, honey, lemon juice and natural margarine. Wear thick socks to bed and rinse the next day. Follow with a foot deodorizing powder made from baking powder and drops of your favorite essential oils. Voila! Your feet will love you.
your hands need special attention too. Make sure that you have done the last of your chores so that your hands can benefit to the full from this treat. A hot oil hand treatment could leave your hands feeling soft and gentle. Heat olive oil in a dish and soak fingers to soften cuticles and strengthen nails. Combine cold cream, honey and slivered almonds to make a scrub then leave on for 10 minutes. Wrap hands in hot hand towels tightly for 10 minutes. Remove the rinse and apply leftover olive oil. Wrap hand again in towel or inexpensive cotton hand gloves. Then put plastic over gloves and seal with rubber bands and let stay for 10 minutes. You'll feel the moisture as it creates a terrarium effect. A real treat!
You didn't have to go out of the house to feel great! You didn't even spend anything because, the oatmeal was just on the top shelf, and the herbs just in the corner cabinet. Your hubby probably wouldn't notice that you took a little of his vodka from the bar either. Ha ha ... Feel great, look good. Wait for the compliments!

HELP ... one step at a time

I heard a comment the other day about the effect jetstream emissions have on our health and behaviour ... can someone elaborate on this? I can understand the health aspect, I read the research on the effect on lungs and that it is cancer-causing etc. How would this, however, affect our or our childrens' behaviour? Very interesting!
How I wish for a CLEAN, SAFE earth; we know pollution, toxins and the very behaviour of people, are destroying the very planet we live on and want our children and grandchildren to enjoy. HOW can 'little old me' HELP?
It has been said that each and every thing a person does, makes an impact on the planet! For good, or bad ... Something to think about ... For a day, or a week, consider every thing you do; consciously stop and think, before throwing out that trash, before packing your groceries into a plastic bag at the store, before turning on the tap and needlessly running water .... What could you do differently?? It is a mindset change. Think of the planet as a breathing, living organ ... would you bury it under rubbish, would you drain it's water, would you smother it with plastic? NO !! I know you would never harm a living, breathing organ or person. We ALL can do SOMEthing different that will have a HUGE impact on our future.
DON'T DELAY ..... START TODAY ! Show someone else...
The planet will thank you : )

TAKING EXERCISES FURTHER...

Well, it IS a new year, and new goals are normally set at this time : ) ... so ... I have started WALKING ... First around one block in the neighbourhood, now up to two blocks, taking me a good 30min fast walking.
Quite proud of myself, actually! I don't always feel like getting dressed and putting on my walking shoes, but once I get going, it's easy and above all, it FEELS good! Walking is one of the most non-impact sports or exercises a person can do, yet ups the fitness level, getting the heart-rate up and the breathing slightly laboured. Tones muscles as well. So in the long run, I am hopeful of a good result ...
Well, let me be on my way. No, not walking ... got other things to do : )
Till later xx

EXCERSISES ON HOLIDAY

This can be a touchy subject! WHO WANTS TO EXERCISE WHILE ON HOLIDAY? Well, there are ways and means to achieve this.
1. Make it FUN
2. Make it SHORT
3. Make EVERYONE do it! ha ha
No, really, an example of this, is to go to places where you have to WALK a bit, or CLIMB/CLAMBER up or down. Swimming is GREAT excersise. I hope you find this information helpful. I will now share with you some of the exersises I did while on holiday ...

Now THIS was extreme sport!
Don't try this at home ...
Till later xx

FISH IN THE MIDDLE

We had invited a few friends over for a late lunch on Sunday, so wanting to make something special, I woke up at 6am and tootled down to the kitchen. Lots of prep for this dish, so hold onto your hat as I go thru the process!
After collecting parsley and spring onion from the garden, the lemon was waiting to be squeezed and the peel grated off. An hour of chopping, grating, squeezing, beating, measuring, flaking went by. I thought there must be something wrong with the clock! How could this have taken me sooooo long? Into the oven it went ... half hour later, I knew it was worth it! Do you want the Recipe?? I know you do!



SALMON & DILL CAKES
1 tin Salmon, drained & flaked
1 big Onion, chopped finely
30ml fresh Dill, chopped
30ml fresh Parsley, chopped
30ml fresh Spring Onion, chopped
15ml fresh Lemon juice & grated peel of 1 Lemon
4 Eggs
300ml Milk
30ml Cake Flour
5ml Mustard pwd
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
500ml grated Cheese
Spray your muffin fan with 'spray&cook'.
Mix the salmon, onion, herbs and lemon together.
Beat the eggs, milk, flour, mustard and seasoning together.
Add to salmon mix and add 3/4 of cheese.
Spoon into muffin pan - I suggest you line it with paper cases).
Top with remaining cheese and bake in oven of 180C for 30min.
If you have too much batter, spoon the rest into a small ovenproof glass dish and bake at same time.
Enjoy at room temp with salads.
What a great afternoon; good food, good company! I can do this on a regular basis!
Till next time, love xx

TIME FLIES !!!

Wow ! I cannot believe 2009 is over and done with ... :( Time waits for no man : ) or woman. Well, I have not been posting any articles for a while, so its time to catch up.
Lots of visitors later and many ups and downs ... I know, its no excuse! I will have to make up for it somehow.
We have, thanks to visitors to our fair city, discovered a few more treasures right under our noses. One place we were delighted to find, is a restaurant/deli in Rondebosch. If you love olives, you will love this place. Great for meals - breakfast specials - and to stock up on all products olive. The Olive Station. Not at the Station, in a shopping centre. They are upstairs at the entrance to the first level of the just-renovated Rondebosch Main shopping centre. (Above Pick 'n Pay on Main Road in Rondebosch.) The centre now has plenty of parking. You HAVE to pay them a visit. You wont be sorry ... go hungry! Visit their web page at www.theolivestation.co.za for a sneak preview.
Another spot we discovered is a nature reserve on the slopes of Table Mountain, near the three towers. Van Riebeeck Park. Wonderful for picnics, hikes up the slopes or just taking amazing photos. Cant wait to go there again!
We have been enjoying wonderful sunny summer weather here in Cape Town, cooled by the ever present breeze/wind. Personally, I prefer it when the air is moving, helps to keep us cool! Today, however, a cold front is moving thru and clouds and drizzle are the order of the day. Nice change : )
Till next time, when I share a special salmon recipe using dill, chives and parsley...yum!