The line has been crossed!! It's one thing to dis Britney, she's young, she can take it but How Dare They boo Cat Stevens!!
What is the world coming to?
Oh sweet child of mine...
6 years ago
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The Great Potato Challenge
Olivia is a talented young lady, she shows a keen interest in a variety of subjects and follows them with gusto. Like many achievers, Olivia is not blessed with patience, she's a typical child of the noughties, now, now, now..
I issued the potato challenge. Mostly because I really wanted to grow my own potatoes but also because working with nature can only be a good thing.
We each have two potatoes, the eyes had started to grow and I followed Jamie's instructions as well as conveying them to Olivia. A little soil in the bottom of a bucket (Grandpa drilled drainage holes) the two potatoes and some more soil to slightly cover. It should be understood that I am no gardener so this year has been something miraculous for me, growing herbs and veg and only the first batch of coriander died. I explained that this is an excercise in patience as I think we'll only have potatoes around the end of January. I have never seen anything grow as quickly as my potato plants, we're talking 2 or 3 centimetres a day. Yesterday a friend who has grown his own spuds for many years told me not to plant Mediterranean potatoes as they may be sterile. Oh No! However, this morning I saw the first purple flower on one of the plants so I'm quite optimistic.
In a perfect world, I'd meditate every morning, do about a half hour of Yoga followed by some Belly Dancing to really get the day off to a good start. Not happening. But this is what I do. After listening to the seven o'clock news I turn off the radio and turn on a CD, something meditative to listen to while I make work breakfast and lunch. Once that's done and I've cleaned the kitchen I go into the garden, some days perhaps to hang a load of washing, others to tend the estate. It should be noted that the "Estate" is small. I water the potplants, check for nasties that may be eating our produce and pick the occasional strawberry. This is a wonderful way to connect with nature, I'm getting my allocated 10 minutes of vitamin D, talking to the trees and birds and getting an all round good start to the day.
Of course I don't have small children to contend with, that makes a difference.
So, if your world needs some "me" time, take the potato challenge and get to know nature. To those of you who've been doing this for years, why didn't you share your secret?
I'll let you know in January whose crop has the most potatoes, mine or Olivia's. As I'm not the perfect Granny, I hope it's mine.
I issued the potato challenge. Mostly because I really wanted to grow my own potatoes but also because working with nature can only be a good thing.
We each have two potatoes, the eyes had started to grow and I followed Jamie's instructions as well as conveying them to Olivia. A little soil in the bottom of a bucket (Grandpa drilled drainage holes) the two potatoes and some more soil to slightly cover. It should be understood that I am no gardener so this year has been something miraculous for me, growing herbs and veg and only the first batch of coriander died. I explained that this is an excercise in patience as I think we'll only have potatoes around the end of January. I have never seen anything grow as quickly as my potato plants, we're talking 2 or 3 centimetres a day. Yesterday a friend who has grown his own spuds for many years told me not to plant Mediterranean potatoes as they may be sterile. Oh No! However, this morning I saw the first purple flower on one of the plants so I'm quite optimistic.
In a perfect world, I'd meditate every morning, do about a half hour of Yoga followed by some Belly Dancing to really get the day off to a good start. Not happening. But this is what I do. After listening to the seven o'clock news I turn off the radio and turn on a CD, something meditative to listen to while I make work breakfast and lunch. Once that's done and I've cleaned the kitchen I go into the garden, some days perhaps to hang a load of washing, others to tend the estate. It should be noted that the "Estate" is small. I water the potplants, check for nasties that may be eating our produce and pick the occasional strawberry. This is a wonderful way to connect with nature, I'm getting my allocated 10 minutes of vitamin D, talking to the trees and birds and getting an all round good start to the day.
Of course I don't have small children to contend with, that makes a difference.
So, if your world needs some "me" time, take the potato challenge and get to know nature. To those of you who've been doing this for years, why didn't you share your secret?
I'll let you know in January whose crop has the most potatoes, mine or Olivia's. As I'm not the perfect Granny, I hope it's mine.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Good news, Bad news
A man just walked into my office and he paid me thirteen hundred rands.
He took the money out of his sock!!
He took the money out of his sock!!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
What price Fame
It seems that some time ago the world decided to slag off the famous. Don't allow them to bask in their glory, mock them and chase them. So sad.
Britney Spears visits Oz and the government (no less) want to know if she'll be lip synching. Really. I'm sure the average show goer wanted to see HER, see her dance and if she sounds better on disc than in person well, go for it.
A photo of Paris Hilton on a billboard with VACANT across it, I know, I also chuckled but it's not on.
The British PM is in hot water because he sent a shabby letter of condolence to the mother of a soldier killed in combat. Be grateful there was a letter, I wonder how many SA parents have received letters of condolence from our PM?
A few years back I became noticed. I would be out shopping and shop assistants and customers would look at me, smile or blush and whisper to one another. It turned out I look like some (poor, unfortunate) actress and so I sort of made their day by saying hello. I've never found out who the poor woman is but I still get the occasional stare so maybe they're showing re-runs of "my" show.
That's the fun side but one day I was standing at the veggie counter in WW when a man came up to me
"You're not her are you?" "No" I replied, "sorry".
"I've been watching you for five years" (Aaagh!!) "and now I see it isn't you"
So, my very own stalker. I can laugh about it but imagine having a life filled with stalkers and people who are mean about you or poke fun at you.
What a world.
To quote poor (possibly) misunderstood Michael Jackson
"Heal the World, make it a better place"
Britney Spears visits Oz and the government (no less) want to know if she'll be lip synching. Really. I'm sure the average show goer wanted to see HER, see her dance and if she sounds better on disc than in person well, go for it.
A photo of Paris Hilton on a billboard with VACANT across it, I know, I also chuckled but it's not on.
The British PM is in hot water because he sent a shabby letter of condolence to the mother of a soldier killed in combat. Be grateful there was a letter, I wonder how many SA parents have received letters of condolence from our PM?
A few years back I became noticed. I would be out shopping and shop assistants and customers would look at me, smile or blush and whisper to one another. It turned out I look like some (poor, unfortunate) actress and so I sort of made their day by saying hello. I've never found out who the poor woman is but I still get the occasional stare so maybe they're showing re-runs of "my" show.
That's the fun side but one day I was standing at the veggie counter in WW when a man came up to me
"You're not her are you?" "No" I replied, "sorry".
"I've been watching you for five years" (Aaagh!!) "and now I see it isn't you"
So, my very own stalker. I can laugh about it but imagine having a life filled with stalkers and people who are mean about you or poke fun at you.
What a world.
To quote poor (possibly) misunderstood Michael Jackson
"Heal the World, make it a better place"
Monday, November 2, 2009
A rare treat
On Saturday we went to Kamersvol geskenke. As this year speeds by at an alarming rate we realise how many things we've missed in 2009, both from lack of time and lack of ready cash. There are certain fairs we always attend but we gave them a miss this year. We went to the Teddy Bear Fair but not the Miniatures Fair, no cheese fairs, no good food fairs - you get the picture.
We were so excited as we set off, Rowland and I along with DiL number one and her two lovely daughters. I enjoyed the fair, it was in a most picturesque setting, parking was far away but we had the choice of walking along the dam wall or being hauled up to the homestead on a tractor/trailer. Good fun.
I am a self confessed kitch collector but even I wouldn't buy a bent and bruised kitchen colander with glass beads hanging around the edge. Nor would I buy a "distressed" picture frame or a chicken wire creation with a bit of stuff growing on it. Apologies to anyone who did.
The food was good and lots of ice cold drinks. Grandpa sat under the trees with his camera and watched the many, many people walking past. There were too many and we all felt that numbers should have been restricted, I know business is business but saturday was quite a crush.
I bought a few Christmas gifts but some of the items were priced too high. I don't mind paying good money for something good but please don't overcharge.
Sadly I have to report that I have never seen so many discourteous men as were at the event. Marleze agreed, shoving their way past, just generally behaving badly. So to the good guys, thanks for your patience but to the others - well, you could have stayed at home!
After the rush and bustle we drove to Spier. I find it a most refreshing example of trust in your fellow man. We bought rolls and stuff at the deli and went down to the lawns to picnic. It was the perfect Cape day. Sunshine and just a hint of gentle breeze. Scattered around the lawns were red plastic footballs for anyone to play with, fake birds tied to the hand rails, artificial flowers wired to the trees and nonsense flowers made out of red styrofoam balls. No signs saying "keep off "or "don't touch" just welcoming relaxation.
Kelly rode a pony, very serious and not looking our way and Danielle, Marleze and I went to see Moyo, again, no-one said "you can't come in" just "Welcome, would you like some lemon tea"?
We were home by three, what a nice day (sometimes the word nice just does the trick).
Thanks to our tour guide Rowly who was patient and drove so well.
We were so excited as we set off, Rowland and I along with DiL number one and her two lovely daughters. I enjoyed the fair, it was in a most picturesque setting, parking was far away but we had the choice of walking along the dam wall or being hauled up to the homestead on a tractor/trailer. Good fun.
I am a self confessed kitch collector but even I wouldn't buy a bent and bruised kitchen colander with glass beads hanging around the edge. Nor would I buy a "distressed" picture frame or a chicken wire creation with a bit of stuff growing on it. Apologies to anyone who did.
The food was good and lots of ice cold drinks. Grandpa sat under the trees with his camera and watched the many, many people walking past. There were too many and we all felt that numbers should have been restricted, I know business is business but saturday was quite a crush.
I bought a few Christmas gifts but some of the items were priced too high. I don't mind paying good money for something good but please don't overcharge.
Sadly I have to report that I have never seen so many discourteous men as were at the event. Marleze agreed, shoving their way past, just generally behaving badly. So to the good guys, thanks for your patience but to the others - well, you could have stayed at home!
After the rush and bustle we drove to Spier. I find it a most refreshing example of trust in your fellow man. We bought rolls and stuff at the deli and went down to the lawns to picnic. It was the perfect Cape day. Sunshine and just a hint of gentle breeze. Scattered around the lawns were red plastic footballs for anyone to play with, fake birds tied to the hand rails, artificial flowers wired to the trees and nonsense flowers made out of red styrofoam balls. No signs saying "keep off "or "don't touch" just welcoming relaxation.
Kelly rode a pony, very serious and not looking our way and Danielle, Marleze and I went to see Moyo, again, no-one said "you can't come in" just "Welcome, would you like some lemon tea"?
We were home by three, what a nice day (sometimes the word nice just does the trick).
Thanks to our tour guide Rowly who was patient and drove so well.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday Tip
I get funny bits of trivia from Arcmax, sent to my computer. Things like "Lord Byron, though considered one of the most dashing and attractive men of his time, was overweight and had a club foot" Treasure what you have! This tip seems somewhat strange.
According to an expert, you can use a drop of vinegar or VODKA on each lens to clean eyeglasses without streaks. Now, I really think there are other ways to clean my specs and Vodka serves me well as a marinade for steak or salmon. Here's a much better Vodka tip.
Take a small jar with a screw top lid, about 125ml capacity. Fill the jar with jelly tots and then fill with Vodka. Put on the lid and place the jar into the dishwasher, on the top rack. Leave it in for a full cycle and when you remove it and cool it down you'll have a delicious liqueuer.
Much better.
P.S. If you don't own a dishwasher you'll just have to have the Vodka on the rocks with a twist of lemon.
According to an expert, you can use a drop of vinegar or VODKA on each lens to clean eyeglasses without streaks. Now, I really think there are other ways to clean my specs and Vodka serves me well as a marinade for steak or salmon. Here's a much better Vodka tip.
Take a small jar with a screw top lid, about 125ml capacity. Fill the jar with jelly tots and then fill with Vodka. Put on the lid and place the jar into the dishwasher, on the top rack. Leave it in for a full cycle and when you remove it and cool it down you'll have a delicious liqueuer.
Much better.
P.S. If you don't own a dishwasher you'll just have to have the Vodka on the rocks with a twist of lemon.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Boys!!!!
After a busy day yesterday I was about to shower when Samantha and the kids arrived. I excused myself and had a quick shower, I put on my plum velvety pants and my much loved lilac blouse with blue butterflies on it. I walked out to the patio, Jeremy checked me out and said
"Granny, why are you wearing your pyjamas?"
"Granny, why are you wearing your pyjamas?"
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