Backyard cooking: Loving our Piccolo wood fired pizza oven

You guys we’ve made the best investment ever.  For the longest time I wanted a wood fired pizza oven. I mean who doesn’t want one after seeing Jamie Oliver cook in his wood fired outdoor pizza oven and displaying his culinary skills.

Then last year, after visiting one of the malls, I saw an exhibition of portable stainless steel Piccolo wood fired pizza ovens.  The design was perfect with its remarkable workmanship.  However how I visualised it, it never really fitted into our then backyard.  Needless to say, I took a pamphlet and a business card and headed home.

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Attitude of Gratitude: March Journal

Attitude Gratitude March Journal

We are fast approaching the end of March. It’s also the end of the first school term and almost Easter.

Huh! How is this possible? Didn’t we just celebrate Christmas the other day.  Time really waits on no one.

I’ve decided to do a monthly segment on what I am grateful for. Yes I know it sounds kind of cheesy.  But you see cultivating an attitude of gratitude is so important.

Why?

We often only reflect on what we are grateful for around celebratory days like Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.  Life is not always easy and as humans when caught up in the negativity of what life throws at us, we forget that we have so much to be thankful for.

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Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn | Simple Street Style guide to kick-start this season

Summer is now something of the past and it’s officially Autumn. Although the Summer-Autumn transition happened, the weather is still sunny during the day; but early mornings and evenings are chillier.

Nevertheless, a new season calls for a change in habits. I absolutely love Autumn. Probably one of my favorite seasons as the fresh air brushes your skin there is no need to worry about your make up melting. With crisp golden-brown leaves falling from the trees and the crushing sound it makes under your feet. You more prone to stay indoors and snuggle up with a good book. I must admit with slightly colder weather at night, my ability to step outdoors is zilch. Although not yet freezing temperatures, Autumn is the perfect rationale to start having comfort food and warm drinks. One less thing to worry about is regular hair removal from your legs as it will be covered up most of the time.

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We considering adopting but are we emotionally, physically, mentally and financially prepared

This has been something we as a family have considered and pondered on for a while.  The adoption process has started by completing the paper work. The next step is the screening process and a site visit to our house. Making sure that it is a suitable environment and it complies with the adoption policy.

Thinking about it, makes we wonder if we are ready for this. Is this the right time? With an already demanding work and family life, will there ever be a right time.

This is a huge decision that will have an impact on our family. It is not the time to make unconscious decisions without taking into account the logistics.  The logistics encapsulates being emotionally, physically, mentally and financially prepared for this?

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The case of becoming a one-child family for 3 days

Case Becoming One Child Family 3 days

Its 18h00 pm on a Thursday evening and the house is exceptionally quiet. Usually around this time the girls shower together and they sing at the top of their voices, chatter and laughter from across their rooms, teasing each other or would have the odd quarrel about silly things.

None of that is happening tonight. And it didn’t happen last night too. This is what my house has been like for the past 2 days.

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Kids Birthday Party Etiquette: Kids Left Starving and Miserable

kids birthday party etiquette kids left starving miserable

I’m not even sure where to start with this post. So just bear with me as I’m trying to put my thoughts into words. It is a bit of a difficult subject to deal with especially if your child has been on the receiving end.

I’m still a bit perturbed by what transpired.

Now before I continue, let me just mention that I come from a family culture who loves food and entertaining. My mom taught us that you never let someone leave your house without offering them something to eat and drink. It is up to them whether they accept the offer or not.

There is nothing worse than hosting a party and your guests end up leaving miserable, tired and hungry.

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Mini-Me: Create your own personalised Lego Figurine

Mini create personalised lego figurine

A week ago a local based South African company, Mini-Me.Co.Za Personalised Lego Gifts popped me an email and offered me the opportunity to create my own personalised Lego figurine. An instant thought crossed my mind. How cool would that be? If toy companies can give celebrities the opportunity to create their own dolls; why can’t I create my own little mini-me Lego.  Not that I classify myself as a celebrity but I am a blogger and my hard work must count towards something – right.  I accepted the offer and created this cute little mini-me version of myself.

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Top 6 romantic cities and towns in South Africa

Planning your honeymoon, anniversary, proposal or just to whisk that special person in your life off to an unforgettable romantic getaway?  Then look no further than South Africa to find that special place.

South Africa has many hidden gems that can offer that unforgettable romantic experience. Whether you prefer a beach or luxury safari getaway or looking for spectacular scenic views, culinary cuisine or iconic tourist destinations – you will definitely be spoiled for choice.

Here is my take on 6 romantic cities and town in South Africa. (more…)


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Understanding The Effects of Broken Promises

 Understanding effects broken promises

Understanding the effects of broken promises can hopefully make you mindful of making and breaking promises.

“You are just like ma, you make promises you can’t keep!”

An emotional outburst by my daughters directed at their dad. Their disappointment was apparent.

It all happened when their grandmother promised to buy them an ice cream after school. Something came up and they had to take a detour from the ice cream shop. Postponed to the next day and still no ice cream. Her excuse was that she either forgot or didn’t have enough money to buy the ice cream. Of course they saw this as just another empty promise.

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Oreo Chocolate Dessert

Oreo Chocolate Dessert

Oh my goodness, this Oreo Chocolate Dessert is the bomb. A perfect dessert to end off the last of those summer days. It is super easy to make and only requires a few ingredients.

I wanted to create something different from the usual summer desserts I always make. I then just slapped a few ingredients together and created this masterpiece. A delicious dessert that was indeed a crowd-pleaser. Not too rich and made every one come back for more.

Oreo Chocolate Dessert

  • Servings: 8
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Delicious and easy to make, perfect for those hot summer days.

Prep time: 10 min

Ingredients

1 1L Ultra-Mel Custard
2 Packets Oreo Cookies
2 Packets Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
150g Slab Chocolate (flavour of your choice)
100g Blueberries
100g Raspberries

Directions

Place the Oreos in a large ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin. You can also use a food processor but it must not be fine crumbs.
Mix your instant chocolate pudding mix as per the instruction on the box.
Layer a large glass trifle bowl with crushed Oreos. Followed by the instant chocolate pudding mix then the custard.
Repeat these layers right to the top of the bowl.
Place in the refrigerator.
Before serving top with blueberries, raspberries and roughly chopped chocolate.


 


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