Calligraphy

As always Thursday mornings are calligraphy. A group of eight [sounds like a banking cartel] gets together and we explore letter form and creativity.

We also chat and share our weekly experiences. Almost like children at school. Of course we share coffee and cake too. 

The nicest thing is the conviviality. One of the 'girls' moved to Switzerland and will visit this morning. A lively and amusing person, Max has us laughing from the moment she arrives. 

David and I leave for the Free State tomorrow. I've decided not to cook but rather choose a few delicious meals from Le Patisserie in Illovo. Their pies are good, the salmon fish cakes divine and the meringues sublime. So what with some good food and a pile of books and David with his camera, we should have a good weekend,

Quiet Weekend

We had a quiet weekend - or should I say I did. David was on duty.

I managed to complete my India travel memory book. These little books allow memories to fill the room as pages are written and photos are pasted in and decorated. 

Also updated the Masai Mara book ready for our next 'migration' to Kenya at the end of August.

Made simple home food: a Bean Hotpot with delicious flavours and camembert in phyllo pastry followed by red wine pears and thick cream. Mmmm.

And now it's Monday again.

Comfort Biscuits

ELizabeth and Garren's business was 'South-Africaned' on Tuesday. What's that mean? Well a group of armed men arrived on the premises, tied up the staff and stole all the computers effectively putting the business on hold for a few days, not to mention the trauma experienced by the staff. Nobody was injured which was a blessing. 

So what to do? Arrive with food of course and lots of sympathy and hugs.

Here is the old stand by: Crunchies which are easy to make and we almost all have the ingredients in the cupboard.

250g butter, 10 ml golden syrup, 500ml oats, 250ml sugar [zylatol can be used instead] 5ml bicarb, 250ml coconut, 250ml flour [rye can be substituted], pinch salt

Combine butter and syrup. Heat until melted. Mix dry ingredients together. Pour butter mixture over this and mix well. ** Add the bananas here if wanted. Press onto baking sheet about 23 cm square. Bake at 190C for 15-20 minutes. Cut into squares while still hot. 

** See above: My little granddaughter Rachel says you can add mashed bananas to the mixture [but they should be very ripe] to make delicious Banana Crunchies. [They are good because I tasted them].

As always best served with a great deal of love and some good tea or coffee [Kenyan of course]. 

Poems and Poets

It's always good to have friends to stay. 

My poet friend and mentor is visiting for a few days. Great for me, simply sitting and listening to stories [who doesn't love stories?] and of course the book discussions drift from Fox to Wilbur to children's tales.

Then of course it's the sharing of friendship time. Always precious. I've been inspired again. And will be joining the Poetry retreat in Hogsback in November. Something more to look forward to. 

In the meantime am looking into travel to Antarctica, Ethiopia and Morocco. Will keep you updated. 

Concerts and more

One of the many good things about being a grandmother is school concerts. You don't have to worry about the rehearsals, getting costumes made or collecting the children afterwards. All you have to do is get to the hall in time.

Little Ashleigh was a sunbeam. Shiny in a lurex top. [Where else would you look with delight at lurex?] She spotted her fans early in the proceedings and was ready to climb off the stage to sit comfortably with her family.

Rachel, a veteran of three concerts, knew we were there, but chose to ignore us, except for one or two glimmers. Dresses in bright yellow - she sang her 'Bandy Chicken Song' with enthusiasm. 

The whole concert took less time than it did for me to drive there and back. 

But then, what are grandparents for?? 

Fab Food

Delicious, Easy Mousse - for 2 

Turn oven to 180C

Take Woollies ready-made custard [250 ml]. 1 grenadilla [or 1 small tin]. 4 egg whites stiffly beaten.

Pour custard into a mixing bowl. Add pulp of 1 grenadilla. Mix. Fold in beaten egg whites.

Pour into prepared round ramekins. Butter inside and coat with caster sugar. 

Rub your thumb around mixture once in dishes so that mixture does not stick to sides.

Bake until golden or well risen.

Serve with a sprinkling of icing sugar before serving.

Delicious

You can use mango as a change