Crunchies are another traditional South African tea time treat. These take me back to my childhood and fond memories of when we visited my grandpa. His wife, aunty Magda used to make the most delicious, golden crunchies as a treat and we would end up taking more than just one. I remember her crunchies were golden and crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. Not too sweet, just perfect. (more…)
Are we as social beings capable of enduring the mandatory home confinement?
As the world responds to the Corona virus pandemic (COVID-19); governments globally has put strict measures in place. In a few hours South Africa will undergo a mandatory 21 day lock down. A historic moment indeed. As announced on Monday, 23 March by President Cyril Ramaphosa this lockdown will start at midnight on Thursday, 26 March and end at midnight on Thursday, 16 April 2020. Or so we all hope as government will re-evaluate the situation after 14 days. (more…)
For the past couple of years since we had kids; celebrating our wedding anniversary has always just been going out for dinner, a one-night stay over or going away with kids. With our busy work schedules, kids’ school activities and added responsibilities; it is not always easy to get away for a mid-week break on our own. This year however our wedding anniversary falls on a Friday and we are planning a short getaway without the kids. With so many great getaway options in the Western Cape; we narrowed down our list to 6 quick anniversary escape destinations of which we will select one. (more…)
Allow me to share some of the pictures of Mika’s Ooh La Llama Party. I know that I am a month late in posting about her party. But please forgive me as my entire December was a bit crazy. Mika turned 10 in December and we hosted her party at World of Adventure which is situated at Root 44, Stellenbosch. (more…)
It is December, 31st and as I am awaiting the dawn of a new year and decade; I am doing a 2019 reflection. Now I’ve never been one to set New Year’s resolutions. I don’t believe in the hogwash “New Year, New Goals, New Me”. Instead at the end of 2018 I decided to select a word that would guide me through the new year. Inspired by One Little Word, that word for me was LIGHT. (more…)
This week we received the Hairdorables Series 2 plus a new Hairdorables Pets Series 1. Mika was super excited to unbox it all.
Hairdorables form part of the surprise doll craze that has hit the toy market over the past few years. Hairdorables are based on Noah the social media personality whose passion for different hairstyles led her to start a vlog where she invites her friends to join in on the Hairdorables Youtube channel. (more…)
You always say that you have to wait so long for your birthday to come around. Even though it’s the same for everyone else who has to wait another year. Perhaps it’s because yours is in December and it feels extra-long. You have counted down the months and then the number of sleeps and the day is finally here.
Mika today you are 10 years old; that’s a whole decade. Or like you would say I have gone 10 times around the sun. (more…)
Homemade toffee apples brings back fond childhood memories of me attending our annual church bazaar. It was always the first thing I would buy at the bazaar, carnival or any other market I attended as a child. Eating the sticky homemade toffee mixed with the sourness of the apple was heavenly.
Sadly my own children have never experienced the delectable taste of a toffee apple. Our church no longer host an annual bazaar and whenever we attend other markets; it is always sold out when we get there. So when Lea (my daughter) told me that she needed to sell a product for her grade’s annual market day; I suggested we make toffee apples. This was the first time my daughters tasted it and they absolutely love it. I made 39 toffee apples which she took to school and it was sold out within the first half an hour.
This recipe that I am sharing with you is for 25 toffee apples. The method is available on my Yutube Channel. Feel free to head over to my channel and have a look and how I tested the mixture and coated the apples.
It is sticky and absolutely delicious.
25 Granny Smith Apples (small size)
4 cups Sugar
1 cup Boiling water
2 tsp Red food colouring
1½ tsp Cream of tartar
Spray and Cook
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Prep your apples by washing it thoroughly and remove the stems.
Dry your apples with a clean cloth.
Insert the sticks at the stem area and make sure that it goes through the cork.
Spray a baking tray with Spray and Cook.
Use a large pot or a large saucepan.
Add the sugar to the saucepan.
Put your stove on medium heat and place the pot on it.
Add boiling water to the sugar and stir.
Then add the cream of tartar.
Add the food colouring and stir continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved.
Once the mixture starts to form bubbles; turn up the heat of the stove.
Boil the mixture for a further 5 minutes.
To test the readiness of the mixture; you can use a sugar thermometer by placing it in the pot and it should reach up to 150°C.
Alternatively place a little bit of the mixture in cold water to test the readiness.
Touch with your finger and the mixture should feel hard. If it is still soft then continue to boil.
Once the mixture is ready, turn the heat down slightly to keep the mixture warm.
In order to coat each apple completely, tilt the pot/saucepan to the side.
Make sure that you work quickly.
Place the coated toffee apples on the baking tray, leaving enough space between each to prevent it from sticking to each other.
Allow to cool and then package or eat and enjoy.
Negativity, selfishness, arrogance, refusal and rejection is associated with the word “no”. Therefore it is always so easy to say “yes” as we don’t want to hurt people’s feelings. However saying no can be liberating especially if the opportunity that arises brings no value to your life. I have taken up the NO-vember challenge to actively test and embrace the power of saying “NO” to certain things. (more…)
Peppermint Crisp Tart anyone!! Tell me who is not crazy about this dessert. Apart from the Milk Tart and Malva pudding; I personally think that the Peppermint Crisp Tart is one of the best and most loved South African desserts. An absolute favourite whenever I make it for my family. It is one of the must-have desserts for Christmas lunch and compared to my mom’s famous trifle; the peppermint crisp tart dish is empty before we know it. That is how popular it is. But why wait until Christmas when you can have it anytime, all year round. (more…)