Monday 31 October 2011

Monday

Monday

Good morning all,

As promised here are a picture preview of my wreath project, I took a grape vein wreath, and wrapped it with an old denim when I was done I realised it look very dull so I took some denim and started making flowers but they just looked stupid. My sister is a second year education student and she had a big project where they had to make hand puppets and she used felt and there was still a lot left over, so I took some scraps and cut out circles. I then cut the circles into strips and then rolled it up, as you might see some of these look really nice and others sort of looks sloppy, but first timer here, so I think it turned out good, and it looks like a summer wreath, next project will be getting ready for Christmas, I have a bazillion ideas running through my head.



In other news it was a really quiet weekend, I also decided that I want to go visit my uncle in England next year, so I definitely have to start saving some money and my passport needs to be in order.

So I will leave you with another picture, until next time






Friday 28 October 2011

TGIF

Thank goodness it’s Friday

Good morning all!
I’m quickly grabbing a moment to update you guys, this has been an eventful week indeed.

I have had my first date like almost ever, don’t get me wrong I had a boyfriend or two in college but since we went to classes together and sometimes hung out afterwards it was never a big thing to go out especially to get to know each other. So this week there was a guy and asked me out, and I went. The only problem for me was this guys age, you see I am 23 almost 24 and he is 36! 13 years is a big deal in my book, so we will see how it goes. Afterwards I got invited to another one, but unfortunately had plans.

So at work we were really busy, as you might know I studied IT and I also did programming and then a lot of how you plan and execute the programs, now either these people just don’t do what they are taught but how do you roll-out a program containing so many bugs to half the countries brokers, really weird, but it keeps our days filled with new and exciting things to doJ

The other thing is since in South Africa the next big holiday is Christmas thus the shops are already decorated in their Christmas finery, which I don’t mind, I love Christmas it’s my favourite holiday. I love the decorations, the spirit of giving (I always go way over board on buying Christmas gifts) and the fact that our Lord was born as a human to die for our sins. The only bad thing about already decorating now, it’s a whole 2 months before the fact, I sometimes wish I wasn’t in South Africa, I bet in America they are all decked out in Halloween decorations until Sunday and then it’s probably going to be decorated for Thanksgiving. So no Christmas decorations until December and that is how it should be.

I have made a denim wreath which I saw on http://pinterest.com/pin/232117877/, I am almost done with it, since the felt flowers are taking a lot of time, Photos will be posted soon, mine looks different from the one showed in the link, I saw a tutorial on how to make flowers from felt, so testing that.

Well have a fantastic weekend, I am going to go to my High school’s Christmas market (I know I just complained but it’s only this week, since end of year exams start after the market) anyway, goodbye for now.

Tuesday 18 October 2011

His Grace

His Grace

Hey sorry for being so absent these last couple of days, it’s been hectic at work and just life in general. As you all know I am currently looking for a more permanent position, I have been working at my current job as a contractor and being a girl I would like more stability in my life, I am searching for a permanent appointment, but all things will come in their own time, the right job will come.



Another thing you might remember is that I have a chronic disease Osteitis(Excuse the spelling, I’m not a doctorJ),  and this last week or so I met someone who told me that I should consider renewing my faith since it’s a punishment from God? Just get one thing straight, I am a Christian, I believe in God. The one thing that most people don’t understand is to me this isn’t a punishment, this is God’s way of reminding me, that I should not wander of the path, and that I should trust Him, other people might not see it from my point of view, but if you suffer from the same illness for so long (almost 15 years) you don’t want to just sit on a heap and feel sorry for yourself, there are people with much worse in their life, and my disease isn’t life threatening. So to those who think I should consider my position with God or whatever you might call it, just know you don’t have to worry about me, I’m happy and totally not depressed, the Lord cares for me and looks after me.



So back to everyday life, this weekend I still haven’t gotten round to actually doing any of my DIY projects I have been lining up, and it gets frustrating since I really want to do them but just don’t get the time through the day over weekends.



Saturday evening, my friends and I went to the local mall and wanted to do the whole safari dinner thing. Going from stand to stand, get some of our favourites and then get a nice spot and eat, needless to say it didn’t quite go according to planJ we ended up eating crumbed mushrooms, which we all love and the best spring rolls in town at Red Pepper, after feeling so stuffed we thought about walking around to make space and ended up in the book shop, all of us adore books, and the best thing is when you want a book, one of the others usually has that book in their collection. LOVE it!! Anyway so we found a couple of books and thought a nice cup of coffee will be great at that moment, we didn’t just get any cup of coffee we each had a cafe mocha, which has chocolate mousse and vanilla cream in, totally fattening and we all felt like dying afterwardsJ



Got a recipe here that I downloaded, totally going to try it:     


Cafe mocha is a combination of espresso and chocolate, typically served in a tall, glass mug. This coffee-and-chocolate combination can also be found in desserts, icings, candy and dessert sauces.

Edit Ingredients

  • Fresh, cold milk
  • Freshly ground coffee
  • Water
  • Drinking chocolate

Edit Steps

Heat the water:

·         Different models may vary, but make sure you pour enough water into the tank of the machine so that the pump pipes are fully submerged. Turn on the power and the pump to pump water into the boiler.



·         Turn on the boiler to heat the water. The handle that holds the coffee is called the group handle and this should be locked into the machine. The light on the machine will go out when the water is at the correct temperature.

·         Turn off the boiler and press the dosage button to let water flow through the handle for about 10 seconds. This will clean it through and heat it to the same temperature as the water.

·         Add the chocolate. Put a teaspoon of chocolate powder or 1oz chocolate syrup in the bottom of a coffee cup.
·         Add the coffee. Put the correct amount of coffee (see Tips) in the filter basket and tap it to create a level surface. Use the tamper provided to compact the coffee. This will ensure the water doesn't flow through it too fast.
·         Filter. Lock the group handle into the machine and put the coffee cup underneath. Turn on the dosage button. The coffee should take 14-18 seconds to filter through for a single espresso and 20-25 seconds for a double, after which you should turn off the dosage button. If it is filtering through too fast, add a bit more coffee and compact it more firmly. If you are grinding your own coffee beans, grind them more finely.
·         Steam the milk. Milk can be steamed using the steam arm on your coffee machine. Turn the arm on full for 5 seconds before inserting it into the milk, as this will clean it through. If you want a frothy, cappuccino-style topping, insert the arm into the jug of milk so that the tip is just below the surface. If you want a smoother, cafĂ© latte-style topping, position the arm so it goes down the side and to the bottom of the jug. Turn it back on full and wait a few moments until the sides of the jug are hot enough to be uncomfortable to the touch. Turn off and take the jug away. Wipe the steam arm and turn it on to clean it through once more.
·         Add the milk. Tap the jug on a work surface and swirl the milk around to create a shiny surface with the consistency of thick custard. Carefully pour the milk on top of the chocolate espresso mixture and serve.

I know we don’t all have these fancy machines, but I’m going to try it on our coffee machine, will take pictures as I go and let you guys know how I did, So have a great day, Chant soon




Tuesday 11 October 2011

Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts





Good morning all!

So this morning I have a few thoughts to share and yes it may seem random but come on, I’m a girl and deserve to blow of some steam every now and then.

First of all; my gran is going back home today after a few weeks staying with us, we always love this time with her, especially when it’s so long since she last stayed with us, and I mean she lives about 80km away from us, but it’s always such a battle to just get her to visit, this makes me sad because one day my job can move me to another part of the country and then it isn’t just 80km then we are speaking of 1000! So I try to spend as much time with her as we can. I have always had a very special place in my heart for this gran.

So yesterday when we got home, my gran’s eyes were as big as saucers, there was two young men in our yard trying to break into the house, now first things first they probably thought no one is home, and my gran kept her cool and didn’t freak out, when she got to one of the bedrooms she saw this person trying to open the window from the outside, she just yelled at them “What do you think you are doing!” and the little scamp ran off. Now I’m asking you since she thinks they are no older than 15, why weren’t they in school? Anyhow, this could have ended badly since we read so much about old people being murdered by the most gruesome ways in South Africa we are just so happy that they ran away and didn’t still force their way in. Another point of interest is please don’t rely on your massive dog to actually scare these people off; ours ran to where she thought my gran usually is and stood guard there! Good dog!

The best part was when my mom phoned the police office in the afternoon, she just wanted peace of mind, and asked the police officer if they can please send someone to the house, just to look around, see if they can see any markers (there is some gangs who place markers out so other people know what’s going on around the house, usually leaves placed in a certain way, or coloured objects symbolising certain things) anyway, this lady who is part of the police force, who is supposed to protect us, told my mom straight out, if no one was killed or nothing was stolen they won’t (WON’T!?!) send anyone out, I mean come on. This lady just said it’s the homeowners’ responsibility to protect themselves!!! What more can one do? You have a burglar alarm, a humongous dog, and still they get in. I can’t believe we have come to this point.

Then in further news, our Rugby team (the Springboks) got knocked out of the Rugby World cup in New Zealand L how sad, they did a great job, and I am not going to blame it all on the referee, although I feel it’s mostly his fault, they didn’t take advantage of each opportunity to score tries so, it is kind of their fault as well, but still the referee wasn’t objective, and for those who don’t know, South Africa went to the quarter finals and played Australia, the ref was from New Zealand, totally not objective.

Well anyway, I have bored you enough today with my little blowing off of steam, Have a fantastic dayJ

Monday 3 October 2011

Monday Rantings

Monday Ranting

Good afternoon all!

So this week I am on a mission, since my contract at work expires at the end of December it is probably time that I start searching again for other options, although I hate the thought of having to leave here since I like it so much, but unfortunately they have informed us that contracts won’t be extended again. It was a good run, since when I started working here I had a three month contract and that was a year ago.

We had a wonderful weekend, my dad went to Swartriggens for his high school reunion, my mom would have gone with him, but she didn’t want to go with so she ended staying which was wonderful. Since I could hardly walk from my operation the previous week I had the weekend off from my weekend job, so for the first time in a while I could just spend the time with my mom. We never made any food; we lived on take-out, and eating out. I just loved spending the time with her. For those who haven’t realised yet, I’m a real mommy’s girl, the day I have to move out will be heart breaking, and I don’t think she or I will survive without each other. But I guess most young woman feel like that when the daunting thought of moving on comes up.

I still haven’t tested any of my ideas from www.pinterst.com, since I can’t find most of the supplies needed. How hard can it be to supply wreaths people, I mean Christmas is around the corner and you’re not going to wait until the day before Christmas to put up your wreaths, I didn’t think it will be so hard to find something, but most people just give you this blank stare which says: “Are you from Mars?!?” It’s really funny sometimes, but this weekend it was frustrating. Maybe I will get it when Eunice’s Christmas Market starts at the end of the month; they always have things like this. Check it out if you are in the Bloemfontein region around 28 October, it’s worth it. Just know tramping is inevitable. Most people do their Christmas shopping then, just as I plan on doing J

So tomorrow my group of friends are going to go watch the Smurf movie, It was my friend’s birthday over the weekend, since her boyfriend came to visit we decided to spoil her tomorrow, can’t wait to watch it, I used to love the Smurfs when I was little.

So I wish you all a wonderful rest of the week, our weather is really messed up the one minute it is really warm and the next we have hail storms with wind and rain. Really scary