RAIN RAIN RAIN !!

Rain at last! I could almost hear the plants sigh of relief : )

Of course, along with the rain comes the cold .... brrr .... NOW it feels like Winter. Although this morning showed off some blue skies, the dark clouds soon moved in, and as I write, the patter of rain can be heard on the windows. Yes, another day of rain ahead .... so got to think of things to do indoors. What better to do with the time than to catch up with unwritten blogs, email replies to friends and indoor chores and crafts.

I am busy compiling a journal of sorts; of my life, loves and tales. Something to leave for my family to enjoy looking at, one day when I'm either not here or too senile to remember all these details ... Now that my mom has dementia, there is no way to hear all the wonderful memories that she might have enthralled us with, all the recipes she made as she went along, all the family history... That's what inspires me to get this project under way. Put on pages colors, patterns, pictures, words and ideas that make us each unique. I found a book in the local library that gave me some brilliant ideas of just what is possible. It is called: The Decorated Page : )

I am not a terribly artistic person, although I have a good eye for proportion and color, so these ideas appeal to me. Some pages are literally just soaked in tea LOL

Just up my alley!! That said; I think it is time for a cuppa tea : ) ciao for now ....

WEEKEND!!

Aahhh! A good weekend .... how do you define a Good Weekend?

For starters, I would say that friends & family are a vital ingredient : )

Next, you need a plan ... get-together, outing or a trip; there's a good start. Good weather is of course, a bonus! Money is not always necessary, but does come in handy LOL

Don't make the mistake of having an over-filled weekend which leaves you exhausted and not keen to repeat the intended experience.

Take photos. It's fun to look back at happy memories made.

So ... one of the places you can put on your 'Fun for the Weekend' list is: Fairview Wine & Cheese Farm near Paarl. Kid-friendly, easy access, fantabulous cheeses and wines & a fine restuarant.

Sharing with friends, discussing their favourites and walking about tasting the different wines and cheeses on offer, makes for a very enjoyable few hours. I could not make up my mind which wine was the best. I think it ended up between the Riesling and the Late Harvest. As for the cheeses, the White Vein cheese with Apricot is a winner! O, and the Cream Cheeses ... yum. Into the basket it had to go : )

On our way there, we could see snow on the surrounding mountains. On the way back, along a alternative road, we spotted our next week's destination; Butterfly World.

Just the thing for a Sunday afternoon.

So, if you live in and near Cape Town, there is a multitude of interesting and wonderful places to explore. Don't sit at home .... get together with some friends and make some memories!

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.

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