Cranberry, Apricot and Pistachio Biscotti {Sweet, Crunchy and Deliciousness in every bite}

cranberry apricot pistachio biscotti sweet crunchy deliciousness bite

Hi lovelies! Are you in the mood for baking this weekend and looking for something to stock up your cookie jar? Then I have just the recipe for you.

Let just say I’ve got a new baking craze and that is for biscotti biscuits. My new little obsession started when we visited White Water Farm during the holidays. With the complimentary coffee and tea, there was also delectable biscotti biscuits. It was so lovely that we couldn’t help but dig in.

Twice-baked biscuit cookie is the definition of the word “Biscotti”. It is exactly that, baking it twice to make it crunchy. Although the modern Biscotti, also known as Cantucci is associated with the Tuscan regions of Italy, the origin of this biscuit go as far back as the Roman times.

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Date Night: Couples Massage at MyMassage

date night couples massage mymassage

Life has been a little crazy of late and my husband and I kept on putting time for ourselves on the back burner. Although we had the odd hour or two of alone time; a proper date night was long overdue. With so much tension in our muscles, the complimentary offer from MyMassage came just at the right time. So we ditched the usual dinner and movie date and opted for a couples massage.

This was our first couples massage and Brent was very open to the idea. More so, that he was in desperate need to de-stress. Also trying new things as a couple is a good thing and much needed for our relationship.

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White Water Farm: A beautiful rustic haven with its picturesque landscapes

Winter is the perfect opportunity to explore beautiful places within the Western Cape. And there is no better place than the Overberg countryside. This time of the year, it is peaceful and relaxed.

Still exploring this beautiful town of Stanford, our next stop over was White Water Farm. Just 10 km outside Stanford you will find White Water Farm, situated in the Kleinriver valley.

To our surprise this farm was literally next to Blue Gum Country Estate that we visited. So it saved us from driving a distance. As we drove into the farm, the girls were so excited to see the horses. The picturesque landscape with lush green lawns grabbed our attention immediately. As we pulled up in front of the reception area, two beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs came to greet us.

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Winter Getaway: Blue Gum Country Estate – The majestic location

June has been a bit of a roller coaster ride with everything that has transpired. As a family, we definitely needed a well deserved break to unwind, recap and connect. When the owners, Anton and his wife Tarryn of Blue Gum Country Estate approached me with the offer of a 1-night stay, Stanford became our destination of choice. It was the ideal place to escape to. Stanford is just 2 hours drive from Cape Town but with so much to offer.

Just outside Hermanus, situated in a hidden valley on the Klein River near the small town of Stanford. This beautiful estate is nestled by ancient Blue gum trees. The estate is a working wine and olive farm dating back to 1839, and a well establish private, family-run guest house.

This beautiful tranquil retreat is the perfect location for a couple’s retreat, family getaway or a wedding venue. With its majestic surroundings this little paradise offers a unique rustic yet sophisticated Overberg experience.

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Attitude of Gratitude: June Journal

attitude gratitude june journal

We are half way through the year with so much that transpired. June, being my birthday month had its highs and oh so many lows. This month started off with a bang with so many joys. But then towards the middle it was overshadowed with so many dark clouds (literally and figuratively). However as we embrace the storms and see no end in sight; the sun comes out and brings a new understanding.

And in that moment of so much darkness, I was embraced with so much gratitude and appreciation for life itself.

Here is my June gratitude list. (more…)


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DEATH, The unpleasant subject and dealing with grief

Death unpleasant subject dealing grief

A peaceful death, an unexpected death, a tragic death – no matter how it occurs – dealing with the death of a loved one or friend remains extremely difficult. Guaranteed and unavoidable; yet it’s a subject that will also be unpleasant. It’s unpleasant because we fear the unknown.  And when we fear something it makes us uncomfortable and anxious.

This past week has been rough. With the death of six people I know within days from each other. Death made its appearance like a thief in the night in the middle of June.

All six (family, friends and acquaintances) who passed were frail, weak and had sick beds.  They too feared death at some point in their lives but I believe in my heart that they were at peace with the fact that their final hour was close by.  Some were able to converse and say what should happen when they die. And yes we as the surviving family and friends knew it was just a matter of time; we knew that death would release them from their suffering. During this time the family made to-do lists, updated necessary documentation and started making the necessary preparations should anything happen.  They waited in anticipation. But ironically; the day when death came knocking we all remained physically and mentally unprepared.

This beckons the question. How do we as the surviving family and friends deal with death and grief.

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Liar, liar, pants on fire! Why children tell lies

liar liar pants fire children tell lies

Let’s face it we all tell little white lies now and then. Whether it is to protect our children or not to harm someone else’s feelings – we do it.

But what happens if the lies are constant … more like compulsive lying.

Even worse what if it’s a child that is constantly lying about everything and anything. You would assume that children are naturally truthful. Well so you would think, turns out it is not the case.

Today my daughter came home from school pretty devastated. She and her friends are at wits end with one particular friend’s lies.

So when your child comes home and vents her anger and frustration about the current situation – you listen.

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Outnumbered by three females: A thank-you message to my husband ahead of Father’s Day

outnumbered three females thankyou message husband fathers day

“Shuffle the deck and deal the cards.”  “Come on girls; stop peeping at each other’s cards!”   This I overheard from the other room as you were trying to explain to our girls how to play rummy. They were so excited as you taught them this new skill. With it came so much laughter, questions and the obvious complaints of the one trying to peep at the other ones hand.

Moments like these, make my heart melt.

I’m not going to get all soppy and I know that you are very modest but I want to give credit where credit is due.

I knew you were going to be an amazing dad even before our children were born. I have fond memories of how overprotective you were over my pregnant belly. Upon finding out the gender, you were so content.  Not once did you say “I wish we are expecting a boy”.

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Short hair liberation: The undesirable long hair woes and why I won’t grow my hair again

short hair liberation undesirable long hair woes wont grow hair

Today I was asked if I don’t miss my long hair. Well it’s been 5 years since I cut my hair really short and I have absolutely no regrets.

Will I go back to growing my hair?

Of course, I’ve given it some thought. But all the cons just overshadow the less than handful pros of having long hair. So the answer is clear, I won’t grow my hair long again.

And this is why. (more…)


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Attitude of Gratitude: May Journal

Attitude Gratitude May Journal

Hello there. I don’t know about you but time is really whizzing by. Tomorrow we will enter June and be half way through the year.  It’s insane – I know.

May has been a challenging month for me on the work front. But hey, I got through it and let me tell you when life gives you lemons, get the vodka or tequila out.  Challenges and obstacles gives you an opportunity to take stock of your life and to get a new perspective on things.

Reflecting back on the past four weeks, so much has happened. Looking back at the month that was, collating what happened, all I can say is;  I need to count my blessings.  I can tell you now not every day is a good day but there is something to be grateful for in every day.

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