To cook or not to cook?

That might seem to be a strange title but anyone who knows me will tell you that I only cook because I must and not because I enjoy it. There are those in my family who are regularly trying new dishes with great success but I only do the basics which seem to agree with my unadventurous man. If I do attempt anything new it has to look like the picture or I consider it a "flop". I even know of some who enjoy reading cook books in bed at night Oh well I suppose it takes all kinds. Not that I am knocking those who enjoy the above its just not my thing. Now back to the title. When I got married we bought a Defy 420 stove - the Rolls Royce of stoves at that time but after 37 years of daily use the RR is begining to show signs of wearing out. I considered that it was time to buy a new stove but the man in my life proceeded to tell me that everyone who buys a new stove regrets getting rid of the old. I have heard this of course but really thought a new stove would be great. So..... when the light went out in the oven I accepted that it was not always a good idea to see which way my latest attempt was going and accepted the dark side of cooking. When the front plate gave up the ghost I knew I could cope with three so that didn't worry me either. Things steady started going wrong with other parts but the man in my life assured me it only needed a new part so slowly but surely he is rebuilding the RR each time something goes wrong. Things came to a head the other evening when I put a casserole in with foil over the top and as I took it out the foil touched the top element resulting in a mighty flash and noise. After getting myself up off the floor after performing a backward somersault the man came running and I was told it needed a new fuse. He examined the damaged and told that a small hole had been blown in the back of the oven. I always say if a thing is not life threatening why worry? Well the element and fuse were replaced and I happily once again decided to make a casserole using his favourite meat for such, short rib. At 160 I was sure all would be well until going to check a while later found lumps of charcoal at the bottom of the dish. Icouldn't help laughing because cooking now was a real adventure - I never knew what I was going to produce. I phoned my sister to tell her this new event and she said I should make him eat it as charcoal is good for preventing wind. Yes to cook or not to cook, that is the question. Well all seems to be going well at the moment and even if I say so myself I have produced a few good meals lately. I even think I might try something new soon has anyone got any ideas what I could do with Chilli Bovril which seems to have hit the shelves lately - there must be something you can do with it.
Oh, my sister and I had a great success on Sunday last week, we baked a loaf of bread. It cost us under R5 which considering the price of bread now is a bargain. It's easy buy the ready made bakery dough from your friends shop and pop it into the bread tin, let is rise in the warmer drawer, bake in oven for 40 minuts and voila - fresh homemade bread. Nothing beats the smell through the house and that first slice of warm bread and butter. Yummy!!! So all's well that ends well but I'm considering upping my insurance just in case the RR decides to blow something else. Love to you all

Just because

Just because today I'm more or less at a loose end. Nothing in my diary or things to do list. This is unusual for me because I have something on each day of the week and that gives me a reason to get up at a reasonable time. I must admit to loving my bed!! Does that seem strange to those early birds who jump up at the first sign of the sun? Oh well we can't all rush around at the same time of day so some of us on days with nothing in particular to fill the hours need to stay under the duvet for a few special moments. I've come to think that bears have the best idea. Eat, drink and be merry all summer long and as soon as the days turn to cold.... find a warm and cosy place to sleep and sleep and sleep while dreaming pleasant things. While sleeping they lose all the weight they put on from all the eating, drinking and making merry and lo and behold they also, so I believe, give birth while in the glorious state of not being quite aware of what's going on. Now that could work for me, how about you? Well no maybe you are an early bird and really can't relate to my almost love affair with my bed and duvet. I'm waffling now but really we have to have winter, the earth needs to be refreshed and cleaned but there is a down side to my loving the cold, wet weather. I often think of those not as fortunate as most of us. The mothers and fathers who try to keep their children dry and free from illness as their "houses" leak and flood each year. Oh I know, they should make provision for these things during the long hot summer days. But I still feel for them. So what can I do. I've given away most of my extra blankets and unworn clothing, I give food at the door whenever asked, and make soup for the Roadside ministry at my church. I know many of you readers do the same and we pay our taxes so hopefully the powers that be will put them to good use and before next winter many more people will be put into real warm cosy leakfree homes. In the meantime I will enjoy my bed on rainy days and thank God for all my blessings. Love you all.

Worker Day - No Work Today!!

Today was a great day for the family - 33 years ago the first of the family's next generation arrived ... so today was her birthday. We celebrated then and we celebrated today the birth of our gentle, insightful, loving, huggy daughter, granddaughter and niece. To each of us she has provided joy each and every year of her short (to most of us mature beings) life. But having tea with cake she so proudly and successfully baked was filled with hours of joy as we looked upon and met her young friends with the next generation of their families. So many goodlooking parents, wonderful children and friends with like minds. For me the real joy was Amy who looked at me to take her out onto the verandah stoep, whatever to play football/catch the ball with Keegan. I have come to realise that I am not the top of the pile when it comes to greataunts, but that's OK because Nina surely loves my ample bosom to rest on. But hey, Amy and I had a great time picking up the lovely round pink ball to "throw" back at Keegan. Thank you Amy, for the love you showed me today. Then..... Rowan arrived. Amy went into overdrive of joy as she ran towards the boy of her dreams, hugs and kisses and giving him the ball each time she caught it. What a blessing. All my nieces friends, their lovely children, their super partners I had a lovely day No work - Oh but I did do the dishes. Thank you all for your love and happiness that made my niece's day so special. God bless you all.

Chocolate overload

Yes I did it again - finished too many chocs -why do I do this every year. The weight I lost in the USA is fast appearing around my middle again. Oh well Im 70 now!!! and I deserve all the treats I can get. Easter was lovely although we missed our sister and her familywho had a great time down at Langebaan. What a joy to once again have a little one plus dog hunting for eggs. We spent a lot of time in church which is how we traditionally spend our Easter. It gives us a good feeling to celebrate this great Christian festival. On Easter Day we attended an Easter Hat Lunch at Oasis which proved to be a success for us prizewise. Gerrit and I as the bunny couple won a bottle of bubbly and granny Joan won first prize of a lovely bunch of white roses as the most original. The meal was great and enjoyed by all who attended. Thanks to the staff concerned. Monday was another holiday when we just relaxed and..... ate chocs!!! Now they are all gone thank heavens. Today it appears that winter is trying very hard to get started and quite frankly I will be glad when it does. The lawn - that's a misnomer for the sorry state of the front garden as the "lawn" has turned a sad shade of brown and it feels like you are walking over a crushed packet of Lays - and all the other plants will rejoice when the rains come so bring it on Weatherman. We have spent some wonderful hours watching Amy - what a treasure to us all. She doesn't relate to me very well - I wonder why? I know I'm very loud and over the top at times but Nina doesn't seem to mind and finds my chest a comforting place to rest. Well time will tell if she takes the lead from her "big sister" Had a belated birthday supper with our Little sister which as usual was a success. Family so important and the older I get the more I realise how much I need them close by - I have some of the best times in my year with them all around me. I hope there are many more to come as they make me realise time and time again how very blessed I am that we live close to one another. For all of them I wish the happiest of times always, success in all their endeavours and love for one another than no-one else can take away. Boy am I getting soppy? time to log off.God bless until next time.

Im still here

Dear bloggers
On Friday I was asked by one of my blog friends why nothing of late. I see that my last blog was written the day before we left the USA on the 14 January 2009. I must admit to being quite pleased that someone actually missed my ramblings. Being back home now every day seems to have a particular pattern and seems boring at the best of times, so why bother to blog. But hey I was missed so here goes.....
Leaving my USA families behind became a reality once we left New York. Now there would be the Atlantic Ocean between us and I think the tears I shed would have raised the tide a bit. But there were also tears of joy when we arrived at Cape Town International and we were met by our beloved family. The waving of the Welcome Home balloon the warm hugs and kisses were soooooo great. I wanted to bend down and kiss the familiar earth a bit like the Pope - its a great idea and you only realise how wonderful home is after being away for a long three month. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed every moment of being with my son and the joy of holding my first grandchild is beyond explanation. There were times when the difference between us and them became apparent but I have let go of those times and enjoy remembering the happy feelings I often had in that far off land. All the young South Africans we met there among Andres friends long to be home. They have not forgotten their roots they just wanted to experience new things, new places and although they have been successful in both when the time is right for them most will come home again. I get upset when I read things people say about those who have left these shores - they are not traitors - in fact most of them are ambassadors for this country. They work hard, talk of this country with affection and never never forget that they are proudly South African. Now our lives are back to normal - it was hard at first - but now I thank God that my life is full. Family is close again, I have toddler and baby to hold and cuddle - what a gift. I miss my granddaughter but hope my son and his wife talk of us often. And soon we will have Skype and she will see us albeit in a box. One day soon I pray they will come home and we will rejoice at being together again for a while. Not much more to say for now except to thank my fellow bloggers who have missed me, my family who continue to love and accept me, and my husband who continues to put up with me. I love you all God bless until next time.

Its almost time

Hi bloggers
I cant believe that three months is finally coming to an end. We have had a roller coaster time here in the USA. Some ups some downs but at the end of the ride wish we could do it again. We have met some wonderful friends Usa and Sa citizens; all friends of A and J. They gave us a Goodbye supper on Monday night. the one night of the week they all have off. What a great time it was. I hate to think of Sunday when we have to be at the Fort LAUDERdale airport at 5am!!! Can you believe I must be awake at that time to leaved at 7am, for JFK New York airporport. I fully trust that each sunrise happens without my help but here I am getting up to see that it really happens each day. It will be a hard time saying goodbye to my beloved son. I don't lknow when we will hug one another again. Only on farewells like his do you realise that they are only lent to us. I thought we would be together in one country forefever. Just goes to show we nefver know what the future holds. I envy the ga-[ga grans and grampys who have the next generation close at hand. Who the hell cares what they call you they are there. our beautiful granddaughter Adrianna will grow up away from us, developing all the little things we love without having any control over what they jmight be. I thank heaven for our niece and her husband who so willingly share they little ones with us. Thank you both for blessing us with Amy and ??? we will love them equally. But enought of all this sad stuff we look forward to being backhome among those who love us just as we are. No warts but warts and all. We have missed you all so please book us for meals on a regular basis as I think I have given up cooking in a serious way. No joke. I'm quite serious about that. Sandra we are available for theevening of the19th as the 20th is now given to the Birbecks. I think I have had 3 glasses but whose counting? Maureen. Love to you alolo.l

We have an angel in our midst

Hi bloggers
Is there anything more beautiful than a new born baby? I think not and when that baby comes into your own family it is the most beautiful ever born. Our granddaughter Adrianna Marie La Grange made her appearance on 31 December at 4.40pm. What a wonderful way to end what has been an exciting 2008. Being in the USA for Andre and Jenelles wedding and also for the birth of their first child and our first grandchild has been just too wonderful. I never thought I would be a granny but who knows what God has in store for us. Being an older mother, which apparently I am, means you have to wait to see whether things turn out the same for you as they do for younger moms. Of course, Adrianna is the most adorable thing and the two dogs, Shaka and Poa, both of dubious parentage, were introduced to her on the familys returnhome yesterday. Both were far more interested in seeing Jenelle and so far have not even noticed the new arrival. However when baby cried Poa, a female became quite agitated. We have just over two weeks left here now and it will be hard to leave our little family although we are looking forward to coming back to SA. Hope all of you have recovered from the festive season and getting back into everyday routine. Love to you all until next time.