I baked

Yup, stop the press, I actually baked, those that know me, know this is my Achilles heel, and I have this stubborn streak in me that keeps whispering in my ear "if you keep tyring, you will eventually get this right"  Well try as I may, I am no Julia Child and won't ever be giving Martha a run for her money.  We had friends over for Lupper (Lunch/Supper) yesterday and thought I would attempt a caramel Cheesecake, my poor friends were so supportive and finished a piece each (please note my own family didn't) but both Cally and Ross cleaned their plates (now that's true friendship for you), I really and truly do not know how I can NOT bake anything, I just is beyond me, how can a person cook really well (even if I do say so myself) and not be able to even make a fairy cake without some disaster occurring.  I am well beyond understanding this.  With all that being said here is a pic of my latest attempt.
Till next time
xoxo

My new loves

I have been looking at Pandora bracelets for a while now and with the advent of them arriving into the country, I thought this was as good enough time to take the plunge.  So I asked Santa very nicely if he wouldn't mind terribly bringing me a Pandora bracelet.  He so very kindly obliged (aka Hubby)  I got the bracelet and a few charms for Christmas from Grant, Jordy, Donna & one from my Grandmother.  Then along came my birthday and again I got some charms from Grant, Jordy, Donna, my Grandmother and my Sister & Brother in Law.  I then got another for my 20th wedding anniversary that has little amethysts all around it. My bracelet is now filling up very nicely and I absolutely adore it.  In fact I have worn it every day since Christmas.  Thank you to all the special people in my life who have contributed towards my bracelet, I think of you every time I look at it.

As if I wasn't spoilt enough I then managed to get my hands on a Tiffany & Co Bead Bracelet (it arrived in the post this morning), and she sits very nicely next to my Pandora bracelet.  Friends forever :)

Till next time
xoxo

And yet another year rolls by

It was that time of the year again, you know the time where life cruelly reminds you that it is time to face the reality that you are in actual fact yet another year older, (realistically we don't actually age overnight, but gradually, one day at a time, then mark the day that we were born, as now being "a year older"). As I have mentioned before, I did not go into my 30's gracefully, but actually got dragged kicking and screaming into them, however turning 40 was a breeze and I was actually quite upbeat about what lay ahead, turning 41 was kind of "oh well, here we go again, yet another birthday" kind of feeling, until some stupid person at the office said "Happy Birthday, so how does it feel to be old"  I kind of swithered between replying "I don't know, what does it feel like to be stupid" and running her over with my car.  I mean I ask you with tears in my eyes, seriously, I am not that OLD.  I gracefully smiled and walked away, I mean, you don't argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

That being said it truly was an amazing birthday weekend, it was a great opportunity to get together with my family and close friends and just spend some delightful time together.  Which is exactly what happened.  I got thoroughly spoilt by absolutely everyone and we all just had a glorious time. I am so very blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.

Till next time

xoxo

A family Christmas

Christmas 2011 was rung in surrounded by my wonderful family, we had everyone together this year and what a glorious time we had.  Starting with a morning Jaunt to visit my Grandmother.  Mum, Dad, Grant, Jordy, Donna & I made our way to the care home with platters of goodies in hand and loads of pressies, It was just so lovely to be able to spend time with her on Christmas day.  We returned home in the afternoon to be joined by Grants Family where all 10 of us got to open our pressies together.  Followed by us all sitting down to eat a Christmas feast together.  I just adore Christmas, for me it is a time where we all come together and try to keep the spirit and magic alive.
Till next time
xoxo

Holidays are so divine

Our Family break to Cape Town was amazing, 5 unadulterated days with my wonderful husband and daughter. 
We flew down to Cape Town early at stupid O'clock  Monday Morning, upon landing we were too early to check in, so we left our luggage at reception and made our way to Canal Walk, an amazing shopping Mall, had a yummy lumptious lunch at Cape Town Fish Market followed by a little obligatory retail therapy, where Jordy and I found a cosmetic boutique called Inglot and fell in love with both the concept and the products.  Retail therapy sated we made our way back to Tableview for a long stroll on the beach (yes you read right, I actually walked on the sand). We spent the rest of the week eating at beautiful places, meeting up with friends and sightseeing.
How I love time with my family.
Till next time
xoxo

Au Revoir, Adieu, Goodbye

Today a great man left this world, my Grandfather passed on peacefully at the age of 90 (and 10 months).  He lived a wonderful life and spent almost 70 years absolutely adoring and loving my Grandmother, whom he met when she was 18.  Right to the end his only priority was that my Grandmother would be well taken care of, theirs is a story of true love, which has always been an inspiration to me.  Their love spanned World War II (My Grandfather was a navigator in the Royal Air Force and flew with the dam busters, he was also awarded the King  George Cross for bravery), then the time it took for my Grandfather to obtain his law degree,   He wrote a letter every single day and posted them off to my Grandmother who kept each one and tied them up in ribbons.  I am very fortunate to have been given some of those letters and they are truly so beautiful. and will be cherished forever.  After getting married in 1951, my mother was born in 1953, followed four years later with my Aunt Elaine.  This followed with five grandchildren, myself, Donna, Kirsty, Catriona and Euan.  Then last but not least my daughter, their Great Granddaughter Jordyn-Leigh.  We were all so blessed to have my Grandfather in our life, he was such a gentleman, so wise, calm and fair and such a wonderful sense of humour.  I am so thankful that both Grant and Jordyn-Leigh got to meet him and get to know him.
The world was definitely a better place with him in it, he may be gone but will never be forgotten.
All my love forever Grandpa Jim

Happy Fathers Day to the two most amazing Men

Fathers day is a time to reflect and give thanks to the men in our life who we call very affectionately get to call Dad. Without sounding too twee. I am absolutely blessed, to have two of the most amazing men in the world I could ever have wished for as a father as well as my husband/father of my child.

Dad I am sorry we couldn't be together on Fathers Day, but you were in my thoughts, thanks for being an amazing Dad, it doesn't matter how tall I get you are still someone who I look up to.

To my darling husband. Thank you for being the Dad that you are to Jordy. I truly couldn't have wished for a better father for our child. In all that you do, in all that you give of yourself, just to ensure we are both all right, we would like to say a huge thank you from the bottom of our souls. We love you more and more each passing day.

Till next time

xoxo

Sweet Sixteen

Good grief, where did the time go to, was it not only yesterday I was holding this little bundle of joy in my arms, it appears not, it appears that it was a whole sixteen years ago, my mothers words ring so true in my ears once again "enjoy her Stephanie as you will blink your eyes and she will be all grown up". Well yet again my mother was right,I blinked and my little girl turned sixteen today. I am so very proud of her, she is such a caring, beautiful, thoughtful and loving person and I am truly blessed to be her mother. So my Angel I hope you enjoy your birthday. You really deserve it.

Till next time

xoxo

A month of Birthdays

May is one of those months where I just have so many birthdays, starting with our friend Ross who turned 40 on the 17th, followed by the following weekend my darling husband turned 41 on the 23rd. We had our friends round for an "American Hotdog Party", I researched different kinds of toppings for hotdogs that are served on hotdogs around America, typed the recipe's on to American flags and had a buffet of all these toppings along with dogs and rolls for people to make there own. Something different and was enjoyed by all that was there (if the very small amount of left overs is anything to go by). This last weekend my sister turned 32 and we celebrated it at the Brightwater Commons, who were fortuitously having an oyster fest. With live music, wine flowing and oysters served in many ways we had a great albeit cold time. This only leaves this weekend where Jordy turns 16. I ask you with tears in my eyes, how can so many people that I love so dearly choose to have their birthdays so close to each other, it just isn't fair on my poor wee bank account.
Till next time
xoxoo

Happy Birthday Darling Hubby

Grant's birthday rolled around again and what was originally intended as a small intimate affair became yet another Fouche party. I always feel sorry for people who's birthdays fall in winter as it is too cold to be outside so we all huddled inside the bar with the fire going, keeping us all toasty. So to my wonderful, amazing, superdeeduper hubby, hope you have a marvelous birthday babes. You deserve it.
Till next time
xoxo

Easter 2011

Easter Sunday Lunch

Lunch @ the Organic Market

I would love a Lindt Easter bunny this size from the Easter Bunny

Easter Egg basket, full of yummy Easter treats

Mum & Dad arrived with Jordy in tow on Thursday, so lovely to have them and to have my daughter back from her trip to Gaberone. On Good Friday, we had a very laid back morning. Donna & Jason arrived for Good Friday evening meal, I made Prawn tempura for snacks, Muscles for a starter & Monk fish wrapped in bacon for our main meal. It was really yummy. On Saturday we took Mum & Dad to the Organic Market, then we did some grocery shopping for Easter Sunday lunch and made our way to John Dorys @ Monte Casino for dinner.

Easter Sunday, Donna, Jason & my in-laws joined us for an Easter egg hunt around the garden (that pesky bunny can really make it difficult to find those eggs) followed by a lovely roast meal. It is always so divine to have the family together.

Till next time

xoxo

It's been a while ... a long while

I can't believe how quickly time flies by. I haven't posted on my blog for an absolute age. So what have we been up to, hmmm well let me see:

1. we hit the ice for CJ's birthday party, we had the entire rink all to ourselves (plus all CJ's friends, it was her birthday party after all), the foam machine was switched on and the pile of foam was enormous, it was so big that when it dropped to the ice, you couldn't see the kids, I haven't laughed that much in such a long time, I would definitely recommend it for future birthday parties (both adult and kids). Hmmmmm, maybe my 40th should be on ice, or should I just pretend it isn't going to happen and just put my birthday on ICE for good. It really was Grant's first time skating and he got the hang of it pretty quickly (he spent the entire time trying not to fall, so next time he needs to relax a bit).

2. My Kindle arrived (yipeeeee) and I am absolutely loving it, my Kindle has become my new favorite thing, I haven't loved a gizmo so much since Grant bought me a Garmin GPS. I am already on my 4th book, it is so quick and easy to read, absolutely anywhere. this is what I have read in the last two weeks

3. Went shopping to a very unusual French Kitchen Shop, with my Sister-in-law, Debbie, and then we went for lunch and Cocktails at Outerlimits, had a stunning afternoon, sipping cosmo's and catching up, I always love spending time with Deb. 4. Had Heritage day at work and was convinced into wearing a kilt (not a really good idea on an exceptionally warm day, there is a reason it is the traditional dress of Scotland, you know that very cold soggy island at the top of the world) This is the team I work with, Leigh-Anne is MIA. Nomvula (3rd from right) chose to adopt another culture for the day and wore a kurta, I think I will go that route next year too, anything to avoid the very itchy, scratchy, hot tartan.5. Had a picnic at the Walter Sizulu Botanical Gardens for my Father-in-laws Birthday as they were having a Jazz concert, we had such wonderful weather, it was really warm but we had a lovely breeze blowing that just kept things at the right temperature. 6. We went to see Mama Mia, playing at Monte Casino, this was absolutely outstanding. They did it amazingly, I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves musicals. As it ended Grant asked me to book again to go and see it.

7. Had a stunning weekend when my parent came down, they arrived on Thursday and left on Sunday so I had four days of Mum & Dad to love. For some reason I don't seem to have a single pic from the weekend, I just love having my folks so I took leave and spent Thursday & Friday with them. I then snuck in the Monday as leave as well, thought I might just have a Me day, which I spent being pampered at Sorbet then followed it up with cocktails at Outerlimits, would definitely recommend me days to all out there, they are good for the soul.

8. Spent a wonderful relaxing day with our friends having very yummy food and great conversations

9. Went to watch Eat, Pray, Love with Cally. Loved the girls time out, movie was sweet but didn't touch the book by a barge pole. Definitely not the kind of movie you should take your boys to. Scenery was filmed superbly, Julia Roberts was a fair portrayal of Elizabeth Gilbert, but overall the movie was nothing to write home about. We finished it off with dinner at the Spur. Lovely way to end the weekend.

Till next time

xoxo