Things to look forward to

The most exciting thing that is happening right now is that it's weekend! The last few weeks have been busy and tough weeks at work. But what has been even worse for me has been the getting up in the morning when the air has just been so icy. Winter hibernation has been a serious consideration for me this year!

Other exciting news is that I get my car back this next week! It will be exactly 2 months since the plonker rode into the back of me at 130 km/h without even trying to stop! Thankfully I have healed physically and emotionally from that night. Not something I would like to go through again in a hurry. Thankfully I have had the services of the "MyCiti" bus which has shuttled to and from the office.

In a months time we will be jetting (make that driving) off to Herold's Bay. It's the Christening of the little angel on the Sunday and we decided to make a looong weekend of it. We have found a lovely place to stay, called "Dutton's Cove". [I look forward to giving you some feedback on our return]. This is the first break away that we have had in about 2 years and after the year we have had so far, it is much needed.

The second half of the year is going to be a travelling one. It's my mamma's 70th birthday this year and her request is that we visit Clarens and stay at the Sunnyside Farm. The idea is that we go to the Drakensberg for a few days too, something I haven't done in about 19 years!

So there is much to look forward to!

Well, it is time now to start the weekend and consider that hibernation option...

Rain!

It is with much excitement that I announce that the weatherman actually got it right today! One would hope so when they say there is a “90% chance of precipitation” that it actually rains. My doubt came about yesterday when the weatherman predicted a 31 degree temperature and if it got to 21 degrees we were lucky, especially seen there was a mist effect going on all day. So yes, I was very happy the weatherman got it right as I had carefully planned my organic fertilizer sprinkling based on their prediction. At least now I will not have the burnt grass look going at the start of winter.

On my arrival home, after a long day in the office, I am quite certain that I noticed a marked improvement in the colour of our lawn. No I do not believe it had anything to do with the fact that it was almost dark and my car lights reflected the rain off the blades of grass. So glad I made effort and went out and did this in my pj’s late last night!

With the rainy season testing our spirits, the BFF and I thought it would be a good idea to test our skills at making a Thai Green Curry from scratch. All the ingredients for the Thai Curry Paste, except for the lime leaves which we replaced with lime zest, were blended together in the food processor, with some added elbow grease. This was then added to the heated coconut milk and then added the chicken. We started with a few spoonfuls of the paste as we were unsure how strong it would be and added some more to taste. To this we added butternut chunks and then baby marrows. This was simmered until all ingredients were cooked. Oh, we did add some dried chilli flakes to give bit more of a bite. This was served with rice and Poppadoms. A very tasty and warming supper!

Feeling that I have achieved much domestically today, I think it is time to catch up on “Masterchef”.

Recipe for the Thai Curry Paste

Ingredients

1 Large onion

4 cloves garlic

3 tbsp chopped lemongrass

3 large green chillies  (add more to your taste and heat preferences

6 tbsp chopped coriander  (used 1 container of coriander as bought from Pick ‘n pay)

1 tbsp chopped galangal

3 tbsp chopped ginger

2 tsp ground cumin (used whole cumin and blended with rest)

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 lime, juice only

2 tsp chopped lime leaves  (used the zest as we did not have lime leaves)

        3 tbs shrimp paste

Method

Blend all the ingredients in a blender to make the paste. Blend it as fine as possible

And so it began....

It has taken me many years to put pen to paper... will screen... and maybe that should be typing. But never the less. This has something I have always wanted to do. What you ask? Write? Well yes. But more specifically journal my thoughts and my happenings in a space and be able to just "put it out there".

So here go and as you will see, I am sure anything will go... somewhere! Well, maybe!