Boys wll be boys! Give me strength!

I have spoken before of my boys....but, my word, am I up for a challenge!

My son has decided to become self -employed. This has meant, that the last few weeks have had me in a flat spin, as, other than being a mother, wife and working with my husband, I have had to set up office for him, too. But always wanting to encourage my boys to follow their dreams, I now find myself being behind him 100%.

I really need extra energy for this.

My vegetable garden is flourishing despite the vicious winds and drought my nick of the woods is experiencing!

I picked a huge bucket of spinach and made a dinner for one or TWO! Anyway, just for me and my darling!

I fried some bacon, then drained and kept 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat. Then fried some mushrooms and 1 onion and 1 clove of garlic. I boiled some new potatoes and put everything back in the pan, added 1 tablespoon of cranberry infused balsamic vinegar. Left the spinach leaves on the top to wilt. Added salt and pepper. Tossed and enjoyed!

I believe all boys, despite their age, have that competitive impulse! They love the taste of victory and in preparation for my son's new adventure, I think of " small wages, bitter cold, aching body, long months of complete darkness, safe return to working for a salary doubtful.....but honour and recognition of success and most importantly, Faith, being humble and prayer!

Let's go for it, Wes!

See you soon.

Shel

Food for my Soul!

My boys are really special to me.I've been dreaming about them today so much.
I think it's because they have very busy schedules and challenges lying ahead....no doubt, we (Eddie and I) will be there to support them all the way.

It was a hectic weekend away for them. Each on his own mission...oh, how we missed them but come Sunday, it was much baking and getting ready for their return!

I baked Madeleines on Sunday and then glazed them with Orange Icing! Divine!

I found the recipe on http://www.docetentacaodalili.blogspot.com/ and adapted it a little to suit what I had in my grocery cupboard.

Ingredients:

100g margarine, 3 eggs, 100g sugar,1 tsp vanilla,100g cake flour,1tsp baking powder.

Method:

Melt butter and set aside. Break the eggs into a bowl and together with sugar and vanilla beat until thick and pale. Add your flour,baking powder and mix well until the batter is smooth. Add your melted butter. Pour into moulds and bake at150 C for 15mins. I drizzled over a little orange glacing icing.

Delicious! Gone in 5 mins: Just enough time to quickly take a pic!

Finally, it is a blessing to be called a parent...there can't be a greater privilege (or challenge) than bringing a tiny human being into this crazy world. We need all the patience, intellect and wisdom . For those parents whose families include only boys, the greatest challenge might be just getting them through childhood and adolescence in one piece! Ask me!! However, I am so proud of three great young men (one being my nephew) who have achieved so much already in their young lives and most definitely more than I had at their ages... all uniquely different but all with such noble character. To them, I just want to say: "Go chase those dreams".

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin........ (so fitting.)

See you soon!

Shel

For Janine.

I made these mouthwatering Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins courtesy Monique's stunning blog,Latabledenana.

My sister-in-law was so impressed (I think!) that she asked me for the recipe.

Here goes:

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1/3 cup oil

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup blueberries

Streusel topping:

1/3 cup each flour and oats

1/4 sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

2 Tbsp butter.

Method for Muffins
Sift together flour,sugar,salt and baking powder.

In a separate bowl, mix egg, oil,milk and vanilla. Stir into flour mixture. Add sour cream and stir in until combined. Fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into 12 muffin paper cups and sprinkle with streusel topping. Bake at 220 C for 20 min.

Method for Streusel topping:

Mix together flour, sugar,cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in butter until evenly coated.

To die for! Enjoy!

My quote for today:

"Live life to the fullest and use your abilities and success to help others." Unknown

See you soon

Shel

THE FARM.

Ah, if there's one place I love to visit, is my brother's farm.

Just so laid back, no frantic packing for,oh, what to wear for a dinner at a restaurant or fancy pj's in case someone might see me as I wake up to run to the shower in the morning. It's just pure chilling!

I like to bake on the farm, my little treat for the family and my sister-in-law is so relaxed about her kitchen and really doesn't mind. (She's an awesome cook!)

There's an outside shower that is the highlight of my evenings! Hot water running over your body on a late spring evening is just the best!

The picture above, is of my husband and nephew feeding an orphan calf just 2 days old.

I have put together some of my recipes especially dedicated to the farm!

STEAK CASSEROLE. This steak comes direct from the farm.....it could not have been any fresher.... it was so succulent!

Ingredients:

1 kg steak cut into cubes

2 brown onions.

4 tomatoes

1 litre beef stock.

4 carrots cut into fair size chunks.

Fresh parsley and thyme or a tsp of Italian Herbs

3 cloves of garlic

A dash of Worcester Sauce

Method:

Fry off the onions in 1 TB LS olive oil.Add tomatoes.Add the steak cubes and brown.Add the herbs,Worcester Sauce and stock.
Lastly add the carrots.
Simmer on a low heat until tender, about 1 and 1/2 hours.

Enjoy!

UMNGQUSHO:This is a South African peasant style dish that we cook using mealies and sugar beans.

Ingredients:

1 cup Sugar Beans (or speckled beans)

2 cups Samp (White Beans)

2 onions

3 ripe tomatoes

1 thick piece of shin meat (bone in)

5 potatoes

2 tsp salt

1 beef stock cube

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Method:

Soak the mealies and beans overnight and drain.Fry onions, tomatoes and shin and salt in a little oil.
Add your mealies and beans. Cover with water and add stock cube and bring to the boil.

Turn heat down and simmer for +- 3 hours or until soft.

Adjust your salt and pepper.

Add the potatoes.

Simmer until the potatoes are soft.

Finally: My Fool-proof Cheese and Onion Marmalde Muffins:

Ingredients:

2 cups cake flour

4 tsp baking powder

2 Tbls sugar

4 Tbls melted margarine

250ml milk

1 egg

1/2 tsp salt

Method:

Sift dry ingredients together. Mix the melted marg with the milk and egg.

Beat and add to the dry ingredients. Mix lightly.

Add 1 cup of strong cheese (cheddar) and 2 tblsp onion marmalade.

Spoon into muffin pan.

Bake at 220degree C for 15 to 20 mins.

I'm ending off for now as the rain has finally arrived! We are in a drought at the moment, so I'm going to make myself a cup of tea and sit and enjoy the rain from my favourite chair on my stoep!

See you soon!

Shel