Baking: SPIDERMAN

My dear friend Robyn has 2 children, 7 year old Liah and 4 year old Ethan - they are beautiful kids. Twice a year Robyn contacts me with a strange request, her brainstorming for birthday cakes... I remember once telling her that I really do not like doing novelty cakes, I have tried to palm her off, she is great with her own skills, but secretly I love it, she keeps challenging me and she makes me feel needed and appreciated.

This time it was Spiderman, I am not creative enough with kiddie cakes, so we googled ideas and I set to work.

Hard and far into the planning when my phone buzzes, a new challenge - Marshmallow Fondant. I had never even heard of it, but the marshmallows got bought, the kitchen became a sticky mess, I had a taste tester stealing from the bowl of leftovers, and I kneaded! Well I am one step closer to having buff Spider Man arms now. It tasted squishy and devine, the texture was good and it was set aside to rest until baking day. 

I have found that when it comes to children's cakes, decadent doesn't cut it, frills and fancys, marzipan and plastic icing, does not cut it! So the good old, plain simple light and foolproof beer box cake hits the spot! Big enough and easy to cut and shape.

I am impatiant and can never wait for the cakes to cool, so I practiced icing webs, I blogged, I had whatsapp chats, I ate and eeeventually I started doing the fun stuff! I am no pro at plastic icing, I found that my marshmallow icing was even trickier. The cracks don't just join when rubbed, it's soft and tears quite easily. The first layer was unattractive.

I persevered and it started to come together. I noticed that marshmallow fondant is very glossy, so you notice errors quite easily.

Once I had started, I couldn't slow down, dinner didn't get prepared until I was happy with my end product and this is it. 

Happy Birthday Ethan

Please keep in mind that this was my first attempt at marshmallow fondant and web icing, I will stick to my day job, but I will always play in the kitchen and I will always give my all to each and every project. I am pretty damn chuffed. 

Marshmallow Fondant Recipe

1 x Giant Pack of Pink and White Marshmallows

2 Tbsp Hot Water 

1kg Icing Sugar

Plastic

Vegetable Fat

Chop up marshmallows, place them in a large microwaveable bowl, water poured over.

Set the bowl in a microwave on high for 30 seconds, stir, back in the microwave for 30 seconds, etc. Continue until you have a smooth shiny and sticky consistency. Should you want to add colouring, this is the stage to mix it through. 

750 grams of sifted icing sugar can be tipped into the bowl and stirred through until well blended

Cover a tray with a coat of icing sugar and begin to knead the sticky mess on a tray, adding icing sugar as you knead/need 😄. (Approx 250g)

The dough should become firm and not spongy, as similar a consistency to plastic icing as possible. 

Wrap your icing in plastic, coated with vegetable fat to prevent it sticking. Allow your icing to rest for a day before rolling out between plastic and moulding over a cake.

Baking: Rugby Ball Cake

Sometimes things just don't go according to plan. We weep, we scream and we get over it.

I had an order for a birthday cake shaped as an actual size rugby ball, delivery on Friday. All went well, I was very nervous to shape the cake, but it went off better than anticipated- yay! I did very standard markings on the ball, attached the name and age and voila, the cake was complete! I put it in the fridge and left for the night. 

The next morning, I arrive to fetch the cake and it starts sweating, I start panicking, I was on duty at work and had no time to think straight. I delivered the cake, with the heaviest heart and knocked a whack off the price. The colour was running and the icing was wet through. It was a gloomy day and the rain was bucketing down, due to this the party had been moved to the next day. I calmed myself down and contacted the customer asking if I could get the cake back and fix my mess, she accepted my offer and I was relieved to say the least! 

Again I used my trusty chocolate beer box cake recipe and marshmallow fondant, lesson learnt, this fondant should not be refrigerated once molded! 

My Busy Brain

A long day has just sucked all the energy from me. My batteries are flat. My feet are sore. My dreams are fast approaching. 

Today I received an overload of wonderful messages, the support has been pouring in and I am so thankful. My mini house is a wreck of work space, beer boxes with little projects happening here and there, drawers filling up with storage for the fun still to come. My little brain is a buzz with ideas. Exciting!! 

I have a little holiday soon, counting the sleeps, can you hear the whisper in the waves? Ponta Molongane, Mozambique, in just over 2 weeks. If you are reading this, do not go further, you can come back to finish reading this post, but right now follow this link and envy me, because this is where I will be disappearing to - http://tartaruga.co.za

All thanks to Bruce and Ann for making this trip possible to me, I am sure it will not be the last time that I head North to this little paradise. More stories to come!

I have decided that when I am big/bigger I want to be... My mom and Dodo (my granny)

During the day my thoughts were far away in a happy space, let me share just 3:

1. I am beyond privileged, I hear of and witness children being neglected, abused and led astray and I have thanks that I was protected, educated and supported, I am but one of few.

2. I am able, I was taught to take care of myself, I am skilled thanks to my Mom and Dodo who were patient while I learnt to separate eggs and iron and sew etc. My cooking and home making skills stood me in good stead for my life, the two of you developed my passions. 

3. I am kind, I am honest and I am humble. My heart is good, yes I have faults, but the majority of me is sunshine, bloom, blossoms and florals. My morals are pure and I am at peace with my soul. I admire the ladies that were there to guide me, I had the best influence. 

Parking with the Parkers

This weekend was free, no plans, just time. I planned to sleep late, and relax and go wherever the wind blew me. Well blow me down it did, I got a Saturday morning wake up from Bronwyn Parker telling me to prepare for a picnic at Amatikulu Nature Reserve, I was so eager! The first time I visited the park was 3 years ago, which is shocking, as I have lived within 30 minutes of this park for most of my life. That very first trip left me with such fantastic memories, standing within 50 meters of a giraffe is just incredible. No words. 

Giraffes are one of my very favorite animals, they are truly majestic, they walk with such grace and flutter their eyelashes so well that The Duchess of Cambridge can only envy. I can sit and admire these creatures for hours, and that is exactly what you get to do at Amatikulu. 

As you drive through the Amatikulu Nature Reserve gate (there is a nominal fee of R20 per person), the road splits, we went right, heading towards the open lands, seeking animals and birds, the reserve has smaller game, such as Zebra, Giraffe, Kudu, Impala and Waterbuck. Zebra were quick to spot nearby the entrance, I am a spoiled child, having Zebra roaming the roads back home, so having to look through binoculars to see them does not appeal much to us, we drove past with desire of seeing giraffes.At first the road is great with the most amazing views of bush and sea, but then very steep, and very bumpy, you get to an area that is soft sand only and I would not encourage this section with a small car or 4x4, the bush is thick, the birding in this area is good, Bronwyn and Stuart (Capturing Africa Journeys) were very excited to see who could spot and  recognize the LBJ's (Little Brown Job's) fastest. Beyond the bush is the open land where giraffe and their babies roam freely we spotted many of them and even managed a good-ish selfie with one in the background. 

There is a picnic spot near to a waterhole, which was the perfect feasting ground. We had a table cloth packed and began to lay on the spread of sandwiches, banana bread, cheeses, olives, strawberries, chocolate, sweets and biscuits. Refreshments were a plenty too of course. The zebra grazed in the foreground as we tucked in. 

Stuffed like little ticks, we set off to explore further, again satisfied with all that we came across. We ventured North towards the Amatikulu River where we met a couple paddling in with their fishing rods and kit, they were unfortunate to have caught nothing but marveled in how clean the water was and the beauty of their surrounds. The picnic site on the river is near the camp sites and the perfect spot to laze at while watching the sun dipping in the later afternoon, which we thoroughly enjoyed before heading back towards Mtunzini.

The day was relaxed, the company was fantastic and we certainly out did ourselves with the picnic spread. I would hop at any opportunity to visit Amatikulu again, perhaps even overnight there. We did not reach the beach, therefor there is still more exploring for me to do at this wonderful little spot on the KZN North Coast. 

The first Giraffe of the day

My selfie with mommy and baby giraffe

Just a portion of the picnic spread

Baguettes made by yours truly

A mixed bag?

This is a walking park, so these photos were taken from standing a few meters away. There were 2 very sweet little babies. 

The view for most of the drive

The Amatikulu River

The setting sun

Presenting...

Miss Muffin Top
This very young blog here just had a face-lift. I have been battling to find confidence in this little project, I enjoy it very much and it is really becoming my sound-board to the universe, but it is just so personal, so me. I have not forwarded the link to many people, I have not published the link on Facebook, my nearest and dearest have been my go to guys and I think they are getting a bit sick of my messages asking their opinions. It feels as though I am about to strip down to my knickers while the paparazzi scrutinize every lump and bump. Here I stand, smile and wave regardless, take a big look - yes I am winter white and yes I last shaved over a month ago - gawk all you like!

So today is the day that I will share my blog, with much pride. I feel that it now has a purpose, a name and a pretty "dress". I look forward to all comments and constructive criticism.

In my family there is talent, oodles of creativity as well as business brain, I often feel like the little dud when we get together. I got the short straw when it came to the working mind. So when I eventually hopped onto the idea of a little personalizing/branding for my baking; my blog and all future endeavors, I knew who to contact - my cousin Robynne de Waal. I sent her a quick brief on what I had in mind, colours, etc. Just a few days later I had options sent to me, I had to pick and choose, but I liked them all so much, she is brilliant! I again sent them off to my friend for opinions and approvals, and yes she agreed that Robynne had done a wonderful job. A world of thanks to you Robynne, I know that you will soar in the design industry!
My label will now be stuck of each and every baked product. I have even got invoices, letterheads and business cards. This little mini business can fly.

Thank you to all that take the time to read my story, my thoughts.

Elo Aloe

Today I came across a little spring in my step. Maybe it was there yesterday too. The most bizarre really, as this spring arrived in winter, if you know me, you will know that I hide under my down duvet for 4 months, protecting the world from the morbid soul that infests my body.

I rose rather late (lucky me) yesterday and stumbled into my sheepskins (thank you God for making sheep for this purpose), I went through my morning ritual at midday, and zooted along to run errands. I received comments of "Wow, where are you going?" - seriously this is what happens when you live in a village and you pull on anything other than a track-pant and you let your hair out of the ponytail... Anyway to get back on track, I felt good, I put my mind to things, ate my yoghurt and nuts and got cracking! (Nuts & cracking - Teehee I impress myself) 

My creative juices were flowing, this is not natural, I have to squeeze with calloused hands usually. I drummed away at the pc, I packaged really nifty baby shower stuff and got prep underway for a really cool cake for next weekend. 

I have a fabulous (to say the least) cousin, Robynne, who has been putting her brilliant skill to good use by designing me a little logo for this blog and for my baking hobbie. Well I received a few mind blowing designs which I battled to choose from and let's just leave it at that, wait and see... Thank you Robynne! 

Today... I started by going to work, it was quiet and I hurried my jobs along just so that I could get home! With that accomplished, I worked on a little invoicing, I drank my cup of lchf fat shake which I love, and then I did something that needed to be done - I put on the takkies.

For 14 days I have avoided walking, the sniffles have been hard core. I told myself to take it slow, I told myself that distance must be kept low, I told myself that I have 8 days to get prepared for a 15km!!!! What?

Well this was the outcome: 

I took it slow ✖️

I kept it short ✔️

I need to prep for 15km 😳

As I was coming in at home, which has thee steepest hill en route, I liked what I saw, I liked all the indigenous flowers in full bloom, our garden is alive with so much magic. I took so many photos, I couldn't resist.

(That is my house up that steep hill), look at all the life and colour!

Everything is a buzz! 

The life of colour, in winter, wow.

All so alive, what a beautiful world. 

Winding down from my magnificent high, I heard of new life, a little cherub fresh to this land. Congratulations to my friend Tarryn, Benjamin is a beaut. And to Robyn, you will be there in no time at all.

Weak Week

MAN (I have had) FLU

This last week has been a right off. I have been ill, I have been sad, I have been busy at work too.

The worst part of this week was putting my walking shoes aside, on day 1 I just knew that this would be the best time to wash them, as I was not doing any km's. EISH!

The best part was pulling myself together one evening and making soup! I have never made myself soup. Yes, I am a chef, and yes I have made pot full's, but never for me, for the well being of my soul. My gran rocks at making veg soup, so I tried, I called her for advice and she was otherwise occupied, so I made soup for myself on my own, and it was superb!! So superb that as I type, the next (bigger) pot bubbles! Nothing better than a good soup for a crying body. 

We live in a humid climate. It's warm. It's hot! For maybe 2 months of the year we moan, we shiver, we are hopeless if it goes below 20*C - this is happening now. A good excuse to get flu and bed it for 2 full days of the week. 

The rest of my week was busy, not hectic but that bustling that I thrive on, with a cottonwool filled head cavity and tissues at every turn, I battled. I was rising in the dark, getting to work and trying the get go and for my body there was just no go.

I felt like a heffalump. 

 A mixture of too much alcohol, consumed in the cold. Too much child's play with a sick 4 year old. Too much social and not enough rest. Too many sleepless nights for a worn out brain. Too many sweets and carbs for my new veggie craving body. I crashed. 

So as I drink my immune drops and vitamin C, cheers to a better week ahead. I hope to up my km's, prepare for Mozam in a month, eat healthy, work hard and get my happy on.

A Wealth of Health

Health is always a discussion, never agreed on. To me it is a happy feel good - successful!

I studied food, live for my next meal and can shove a cupcake into my mouth faster than a relationship fizzling with a mother-in-law. Thankfully I have never been overweight, I have good genes and I have always had the knowledge of dietary requirements. My upbringing consisted of a veggie patch at every home, and tears over a spoonful of spinach, there were very few moments of "I'm too lazy to cook good food for you kids."
Yes we had pizza nights and yes we were taken to Spur, but not on a regular basis, it was a treat and we knew that. There always has been sweets in my home, always available, but we did not like them enough to devour silly amounts, we knew better. Yes I loved coco pops for breakfast, I still do, but do they sustain me? No! Did they ever? No! 

Breakfast is my worst, I am just not hungry when I wake up. I don't eat eggs, I don't enjoy a fry up or the thought of starting your day on carb filled toast and sugar filled jam. I enjoy my food between 10am and 1pm, real food, I love leftovers!! I can kick on to dinner happily then, a cuppa tea here and there. I do not drink enough water, I should really have more (note to self). 

I have battled with stomach issues for a long time, really battled! Infection spread to my pancreas and I was in hospital bordering diabetes with Pancreatitus. All this happened to a health conscious person, why?! I was diagnosed with IBS and leading up to Crohns Disease, the specialist said there was something in my diet that affected me negatively. Being the nutter that I am, I cut out dairy, wheat, garlic, spices and all processed or manufactured foods and drinks. I kept this up for about 6 months, it was not easy as during that time I travelled to Australia and New Zealand staying with people that did not understand, I had raging attacks every now and then, but once I was home in my own kitchen it all started settling down and I started reintroducing foods. Except for the heartburn! I am big on homeopathy and had begun taking alkaline powders after big meals to neutralize the acid build up. I lived a much more comfortable life. 

I started hearing about Tim Noakes, LCHF and Banting, I was interested. I had always been firm on moderation, but this seemed structured and it seemed to have major benefits to lifestyle (minimizing cancer and diabetes, which play a huge part in my family). I read about it, I met people living by it and I started discussing it with my family, who gladly jumped on board. I am a huge fan, I have seen improvements to my energy levels and I have seen weight loss in my family, I now do not even require the alkaline powder. I kept saying that I would be flexible because weight is not a problem for me, but eating carbs now makes me uncomfortable, my heartburn returns and I feel lethargic. I will be honest, if I pig out it is purely on baked goods, I cannot resist a milk tart, I miss this the most and it is my regular cheat. No more sugar in tea, I now drink coffee - with cream too! I do not miss juices, I do not miss bread or pasta. 

As my meals began to convert so did my energy levels, I could never, nor wanted to, walk 12kms. I do not have afternoon naps, I am known as the snooze queen in my household and have always been known to nod off on any couch. 

I feel so alive, I have a flat stomach due to the lack of bloatedness, I even try my hand at yoga!

I preach food at every opportunity, this is not a diet for me, this is my lifestyle, I literally cannot go back to IBS, I cannot have sugar as there were numerous diabetics ahead of me, cancer is one of my biggest fears, I am the white girl lathering on layers of sun lotion on the beach, this too has been through the generations, so yes I am happy with it, I am at ease knowing the benefits and having read up a lot, I understand that our bodies have begun to resist all the starches and sugars. 

I have had bags of stress, I got sick, I had a cyst of my face!! I still face my stress daily, I am not emotionally stable, but my ailments have shoved off, which in itself is 1 less stress. 

I have my hair done 6 weekly, always! I have mini facials fortnightly. I buy clothes to suit my budget and I throw out the old and declutter my wardrobe regularly. I am a minimilast and I feel great this way! 

Health is about knowing when you feel good, being comfortable when you wear skinny jeans and having no shame because what you are doing and feeling is just right! 

Thoughts That Fester

The last 4 or so days have been busy, I cannot think of just 1 thing to type, I have had special moments that all deserve a bit of airtime and photographs:

First and foremost, my town, my village, my paradise. Zini you are beautiful. 

I have been snapping away at little moments that bring me joy, my gallery floweth over!

The Umlalazi River, locally known as the Lagoon, this is my view as I trod along most days. Showing off today at dusk.

The view from our main road, and the golf course. The winding Umlalazi River, reaching our warm Indian Ocean.

I have been hitting the tar a lot in the last few days, it is the sites I see en route that brings me the greatest joy. Stumbling upon these cool creatures grazing through the town was my highlight, I always love to see them but, I do fear them, getting near enough and then brave enough to stroke his nose brought me oodles of excitement!! 

Next up would have to be the wonderful people that snuggle into the deepest crevices of my heart. 

I have been emotional (understatement of note!), but through this I have sought loving and kindness, I have been more generous and appreciative, I have been super conscious of loving the people that love me. There are a handful of people that will never fully know their worth, yes I have given in little ways to them lately, but oh the appreciation that has been returned!! I love prezzies (who doesn't), but shew this weekend felt like my birthday! I got taken for lunch at The Clay Oven,

Invited for drinks which rolled into dinner where I walked out with my all time favourite, Nougat, 

And Melissa's Choc Chip Cookies, to name just a few.

I had fresh and warm chocolate crumpets and tea and I got spoilt ROTTEN again with a precious little trinket box, loved it all!

I treated myself to a weekend alone, stole the peaceful and quiet weekend at our guesthouse, for no other reason than to relax in a different setting.

I sat in warm winter sun at the pool, took long lazy baths, ordered take aways to avoid cooking, lounged in my sheep skin slippers and started and finished a book in a day! 

And baking, ofcourse it always sneaks in there...

I had Tuesday off too, so a milktart it was, to say a very big thank you to one of the friends that had given so generously. Sugar Biscuits too, to put in the cookie tin for a cold day, which I hear is due tomorrow! 

May my soul rest easy for the time being and may the coming weekends continue to fill me with happiness.