Slow Living Monthly 9 : August 2014

Lovely to reflect on the month of August, a month of varied and contrasting weather.

 A month where we settled back into the routine of school term. 

NOURISH: 

The weather in August was still cool enough for the likes of comfort foods like fragrant curries and leek and potato or chicken noodle soup. We enjoyed hubby's homemade pizza again too. My brother gifted us with eggs from his hens and we enjoyed them scrambled, fried or in omelettes. Always a quick and easy cost effective meal!

There was plenty of baking  and sugar cookery as my daughter tried to get through most of her practical classes for consumer studies.

She made the best ever Swiss roll...

 short crust pastry filled with confectioners custard and topped with granadilla, 

fudge, coconut ice, marshmallows, a vanilla sponge cake....

milk tart, iced vanilla biscuits and coconut biscuits!

 Her efforts were much appreciated by all our younger son's friends as we served them at his birthday party. There is nothing tastier than delicious home baked cakes, biscuits and confectionery!

PREPARE:

There was no preparation this month, unusual for me, but we did stock up on canned tuna as it was a good price and I can really stretch a can a long way! 

I froze some lemons too as I found out one can freeze them on someone's post for last month...

thank you!

REDUCE:

Nothing new, just our usual recycling.

GREEN: 

Nothing new.

GROW: 

Oh gosh another month with not much happening in the garden!

 Hubby got some beautiful compost from our heap for the veg beds and I have done a little weeding here and there. We have enjoyed herbs ( I have a Basil that has even lasted through the winter!), lemons, granadillas, strawberries and a few peas and gooseberries. 

CREATE :

A friend gifted me this pink wool and I made a baby blanket...

 four baby beanies, a prem jersey, a newborn jersey and two pairs of booties.

The wool is all the same colour but photos were taken in different light.

 I am  so relieved to move onto other colours after a month of this dusky pink!

DISCOVER:

 Not much of my own reading as we are back to school! 

We have been reading about Ancient Greece and Rome.

ENHANCE: 

 We have enjoyed babysitting my nephew regularly and a couple of sleep overs for him too. 

My knitting has all been done for donation to the Fish and Chips Project.

ENJOY:

We celebrated our youngest's 14th birthday, Christmas in August with friends, beach and forest walks, log fires when the storms came and the first braai was enjoyed when the sun came out. 

Thanks for the link up Linda!

Weekly Wrap-Up : Sweets and Celebrations

This week it was Zak's 14th birthday on Monday. 

And because we home school, birthdays are holidays!

We started the day with the early morning tradition of kids piling into our bed and the birthday boy opening gifts. Hubby headed off to work and we all dozed a little more before I made a delicious breakfast.

 Because birthday boys have special requests it was waffles and bacon with syrup. Yum!

Later he was treated to lunch at Spur and movies.

 That was Keren's gift to him.

 They loved Guardians of the Galaxy.

Monday evening we had a house full of family who came to celebrate and enjoy hubby's home made pizza.

 It was a wonderful relaxed evening and a lovely start to the week.

The girl cousins were dressed exactly the same that day without even knowing it!

Tuesday we got back to the books. We have moved onto the Roman Empire, infectious diseases and immunity. I love the "ah-ha" moments when new things are understood and love to hear Zak explaining things that he has learned to his siblings. Such a privilege to be a part of that.

Josh took the day off on Tuesday as he needed to collect his drivers license. In the afternoon he and I took a drive out to the northern suburbs to UNISA (University of South Africa). We got the wonderful news that Josh has been accepted to study Industrial Engineering at UNISA in 2015! He is blessed to be able to work and study at the same time. 

Poor guy got so sick with bronchitis and only managed one other day of work this week. A trip to the doctor was necessary..antibiotics and cortisone and an inhaler. It has been strange having him at home but I am glad he is able to rest and get well. 

Keren dedicated most of her week to Consumer Studies practicals.

 She made Swiss roll, fudge, coconut ice, marshmallows, coconut biscuits, vanilla biscuits....

milk tart,

and a vanilla sponge cake. 

I am so thankful for all her hard work in the kitchen as tonight we have about 20 hungry teens descending on our home for Zak's party. She has taken care of all the party food and all I have had to do is provide hot-dogs, cool-drinks and popcorn. 

We had my little nephew here most of the day on Wednesday and Thursday there was a casting for Zak for a fabric softener ad. There was  the usual basketball, connect group, youth group and art this week. 

I love Zak's latest pastel drawing. 

All in all a lovely week. 

Weekly Wrap-Up: The one that was like wading through treacle

It was the fourth week of the school term and I am not sure why, but we all found this week a little more challenging than usual. Perhaps we are tired.

 Perhaps we need a little break.

Zak and Keren managed to get through all their work despite the fact it just seemed harder to get through. Keren had a presentation for art, on which she worked diligently, despite the difficulty and frustration of an uncooperative partner. She presented to her class on Thursday, it went well for her. Her teacher was very happy with her part of the presentation and thankfully will be marking the girls individually for their efforts. 

There was connect group, basketball and dinner with our youth pastor.

 I think that was my favorite thing this week as Keren baked for her Consumer Studies practical and we could all enjoy her efforts after dinner. She baked a short crust pastry and filled it with confectioners custard mixed with whipped cream and topped with fresh granadilla.

Simply delicious and enjoyed by all!

We walked a little too this week and it was lovely to get out into the fresh air and get the blood pumping and try and clear the cobwebs.

 Always good for the soul.

The week ended with youth for the kids last night and hubby and I just settled in to watch a new series.

 The weather is glorious today, there is no pressure to do anything and we are enjoying the weekend.

 Here's hoping your week was good and your weekend will be even better!

Sweetarts 3D edible art workshop

Yesterday K enjoyed a fun afternoon creating some 3D cake pops and figurines with Jacki of Sweetarts.

.

My favourite are the Minnie mouse and the pink teddy bear!

Jacki is passionate about sharing her talents with youngsters and inspiring them to be creative.

If you would like to book a workshop with Jacki, you can visit her website here: 

 Sweetarts special occasion cakes and confectionery 

Sweetarts edible art

Last week K had the pleasure of enjoying a Sweetarts workshop...

Edible art!

The girls got to make sushi cakes, cake pops and pot of gold rainbow cupcakes...

Her brothers are already putting in their requests...

Jacki, the owner of Sweetarts, began running her business full-time in January 2012. Prior to that, her baking was purely a hobby, despite the fact she realised the potential for a lucrative business. She began charging just to cover costs and improved her skills by watching programmes such as Cake Boss, The Next Great Baker and Ace of Cakes. 

She knew she was on the right track as there was an awakening and people no longer wanted ordinary...there was a growing demand for 3D cakes and edible art with that WOW factor!

When asked why she bakes, her response is as follows,

"The joy I get from the end product and the excitement I see in the faces of others evoked by my creations far exceeds my previous experience in the boardroom. It is this joy that I want to share with the children who pass through my classes."

And one can see that she is passionate about sharing her beautiful edible art and teaching youngsters!

Her 14 year old son, who has been making dinosaurs and other creatures for years (out of prestik), now uses fondant and helps her create many of her 3D figurines. Jacki loves being able to give young enquiring minds a fun and new way to explore their creativity....

and eat it!

In  her basic classes, premixes are used to simplify things. She teaches the children about the various equipment, safety issues , temperatures for baking, differences between batter, dough and pastry, and ensuring the use of oven gloves...

all this neatly tucked into the lesson, so as not to sound like a list of "do nots".

The girls had a wonderful afternoon with her and we hope to be booking them for another session where they will learn to make a 3D character and 3D cake-pops. 

The girls certainly left her class bubbling with joy,  filled with a sense of achievement and laden with their delicious edible art to enjoy!

If you would like to book a workshop with Jacki, she will be running classes in the school holidays and you can visit her website here: 

 Sweetarts special occasion cakes and confectionery 

My Minichef at the Mount Nelson

It was with great excitement we learned that Z had been picked to spend a morning at the luxurious Mount Nelson Hotel a few weeks ago. Spatula mag and Cape Town Kids gave the Minichefs this awesome opportunity to spend the morning with Executive Chef Rudi and his helpful assistant chefs, having a great time, baking up a storm! Each lucky little Minichef could bring one equally lucky parent with them and I got to be the one!

We were ushered into the beautiful Orchid Room for our morning of fun and each Minichef was kitted out with a chefs hat and a name tag. Chef Rudi welcomed us all and the fun began....

The Minichefs each had their own spot at the grand table where all their ingredients were measured out for the most delicious chocolate cakes they were to be making and decorating.

Recipe to be found here : http://www.spatula.co.za/minichefs-at-the-mount-nelson-hotel-the-best-chocolate-cake/

The table was laden with all things delicious for decorations. You name it, it was there.... smarties, jelly tots, fudge, marshmallows, biscuits, meringues, hand-crafted chocolate swirls, icing in every colour imagined and more.... sweetie heaven!

The parents were in for a treat too, with tea and coffee and all sorts of decant tea time treats laid on for their enjoyment.

The littlest Minichef needed a crate to stand on so he could see what he was doing!

The Minichefs got to enter the kitchen to see where their cakes were being baked and then the creativity began to flow as each one produced elaborate decorations for their cakes.

Once baked to perfection, the Minichefs got down to the serious business of icing and decorating the cakes...

Each creation was unique, and each Minichef pleased us punch with their results!

The atmosphere was amazing and Chef Rudi and his assistants worked patiently alongside the Minichefs, encouraging them in their creativity and lending a helping hand where needed.

The Mninichefs were then in for lunch time treat...

They got to enjoy lunch of pizzas (with any topping they desired) and milkshakes at the "The Chef's Table". This table is in an alcove in the kitchen and has a mirror on the back wall, giving a fish bowl view of the kitchen. I had told my Minichef about this special table and he felt very privileged to be able to enjoy this amazing opportunity.

Once the feasting was done, the Minichefs were all presented with a fun certificate and it was time to head on home.

We certainly had a wonderful morning of fun and are thankful to all that made the morning so memorable! And let me tell you.... that cake has been made over and over again in our house!

Thank you to the Mount Nelson for making happy memories for my Minichef!

This post is part of the 7th SACHS Blog Carnival for 2012 under the theme Kitchen Fun which is part of the South African Carnival of Homeschool Blogs. To join the carnival or visit past carnivals visit the SACHS Blog page. We hope you enjoy browsing