Planning the Holiday...

Here we are, saturday. Woke up this morning with proper filter coffee and foam with a little bit of cinnamon to finish. Yes the sweet things, the little things brings that warm feeling to your heart. The music playing softly in the background adding a bit of flare to the morning and then it hit me, only one week till holiday.

Any moment so long waited for comes in and brings with it the planning and preperation and a sort of underlying excitement. Honestly im not at the jump out of your skin moment yet but im getting there and growing impatient for the time to pass. That, I have had enough moment. Well this time I decided to distract myself with a list, one that i thought up to keep busy. So here it is:

1) Start looking at what you are not going to wear: This helps, this tells me how little I will really need when away. I would advise never to keep the speedo you wore ten years ago, trust me it wont fit and most likely you will end up asking, what happened to me? Burn it or flush it down the toilet. All dependant on size.

2) Start packing: See what needs to be taken with. On a camping trip I suggest starting in the kitchen, no faster way of getting you to clean cupboards and with each trip like lets say to the garage the same procedure applies.

3) Test out the old umbrella: Nothing like a long walk with a beach umbrella around the block to remind you of what lies ahead and to test its durabilty. Sitting on a camping chair does not count.

4) Practice tan angles: U need to look good always so use a mirror if you unsure of what u look like. Also check your costume for any unwanted skin sticking out. Dont flash if you are not using a camera.

5) Swim a few laps: No bummer worse like not being able to on holiday. Inspite of popular belief floaties are not in fashion.

Oh well let me go and stop writing nonsense in preperation for my holiday, did I mention its another thing you can do..just dont talk to yourself please, some might find it creepy.

Awesome weekend!!

Weekend Madness

Running around isn't easy especially when you need to get things done asap, what makes it even worse is when it happens over a weekend like a Saturday for example. Well in my mind I tried to figure out what is best not to do on such a day, if you can help it. Even I have had days like these.

Waking up early on a Saturday morning is not that important. Yes it is.
What not to do: Don't snooze the alarm clock or break it with a shoe.

I need my farmhouse breakfast first. The shops won't be that busy, have you ever been surprised by this?
What not to do: Read the paper, go for seconds, have some more tea/coffee and take your time.

Now you are late and need to get to the mall to do the shopping, grooming and all the other stuff that needs to get done.
What not to do: Think Sandra Bullock and the Bus in Speed, do not do that.

Arrive at your destination and guess what, no parking.
What not to do: Don't park leaving your emergency lights on just for a quick run into the shop. Avoid the parking for the disabled unless you have some backup gear.

Shop A does not have what you are looking for, neither has shop B, maybe shop C will have it? Nope, no such luck.
What not to do: Do not get upset, throw things or scream and shout because of frustration. Chew gum, it works.

People are walking to slow for your liking.
What not to do: Don't injure them with your shopping cart even though it gets rid of some frustration.

Long Queues.
What not to do: Applaud like a spectator when another person in front of you is done paying for their goods.

No clothing in your size.
What not to do: Run around to every clothing store because you just have to find something, it is addictive when you want something you can't get and you most probably won't realize the time flying by.

Get Bad Service.
What not to do: Do not slap or spit on the person, chew gum, it works.

Give up.
What not to do: Don't go watch a movie try and pull through, chew gum it works.

Stuck in traffic.
What not to do: Climb out shouting at the people in front to get moving. Stay in your car, your car horn works just fine.

In the end you will get home, you will get to put your feet up, have a drink and relax before you realize your guests are arriving in an hours time and nothing is done.

But hey don't panic, just stay calm, oh and chew gum, it works!

:)))))))))

Friday Espresso

You know that feeling when you wake up in the middle of the night from a horrible nightmare, well that is the same feeling that gets to me on a Friday morning. I sit up, hands in my hair thinking, oh my soul when will this ever stop! Only around twelve it hits me that it is almost over, that I can start to relax from all the writing just a little knowing that the deadlines will still be there and so much closer on a Monday. 

It got me thinking this morning, If I could be anywhere and everywhere over a weekend what would be fun to do? Maybe you agree with some or have some of your own.

Visit Disneyland, such a place does not exist this side of the world, closest to it is Ratanga Junction and Gold Reef City in Johannesburg. I have heard people say that some are better than others so that is where we shall be, just having a good day. 

PS: I can't stand heights, so anything that swirls and turns high in the sky, no thanks. 

Visit the London Eye: I have always wanted to go there, a view that can take your breath away, something you could easily write about and share. This is better than being thrown from side to side, it just gently goes round and round unless it breaks, then you will see claustrophobia come to life. Screaming child x 1000!

Go to the beach: Once again we are City people, no beaches around here. We do have awesome beaches in South Africa, Durban, Cape Town etc. but just once I would like to visit one with white sand and clear blue water, just to see what makes it more special.  

Attend a red carpet event: Okay, this one is a little far fetched but I would like to see some of the celebrities and help them improve a little by offering good advice and join them for dinners, parties and events. Also get to visit one of their Cribs, choosing in which of the MANY rooms we will sleep...dreams, dreams, dreams.

Meet some of you from all round: Yup I would easily dedicate a weekend travelling around to coffee shops, I don't mind coffee besides it will just give me energy and keep me going to talk and learn and more. 

Visit a Haunted House: Not a mental hospital or an old hotel, just a small house where the doors move every now and again, actually even then I might be freaked out so this one is a maybe. 

Whatever you wish, you can do, don't stop wishing yet, I mean there is always birthdays and Christmas and fathers day and all the rest...and if none of those help to get you anywhere get creative. Put some hair coloring in your better half's shampoo, call him in the middle of the night and whisper the places name, quit making supper...maybe not so mean but sometimes it is necessary. :-)

And that is a wrap on your Friday Espresso edition!

Make a scene on Thursdays!

Once upon a Thursday you dared me
you did it first, spilling that damn cup of coffee all over me
Sorry you said, sorry that you walked into me
I took my coffee and did the same and walked away
my start to Thursday was yours to blame.

Once upon a Thursday
you did it first, throwing the newspaper at my head
Sorry you said again, sorry that you did that
I took the newspaper and returned the favor
my start to Thursday was yours to blame

Once upon a Thursday
you did it first, tackling me
Sorry you said, sorry that you tackled me
He ran and I returned the favor
my start to Thursday yours to blame

Once upon a Thursday
you did it first, getting us arrested
Sorry you said, sorry for the whole ordeal
He sat in silence staring at me and I did the same
my start to Thursday was Yours to blame

Promised myself that day
If it ever begins with you again
There will be no sorry, no apologies
I will leave the coffee, newspaper and the fall
Making it my Thursday the best to be you fool!

Behind Monday wheel

A fresh new start this is. we all love Mondays don't we,  we get to drop the kids off at school, sit in the dream called traffic and go to work still smiling. It is a perfect day... uh huh if you say so!
Not many out there relates to a Monday as a good one or a mood lifter, but listen to this, there are certain things you can do to make yourself feel better even if it does sounds a bit offish. When the coffee came this morning I could not help but smile at a few.

1.Take a alcoholic beverage to work, this might seem wrong in all ways but there is nothing more refreshing than being the first one in and just enjoying that ice cold taste before it gets busy, that way you are topped up and ready to go. Just don't push it too far and take one for lunch, stick to a limit of two in the morning.

2.Get on a school bus and ask the driver where he is headed, you will notice the weird look on his face as the children sits screaming and laughing from behind. You can even go so far as to say you are looking for your missing cat and can you you check behind the seats.

3.Be a trolley snatcher, at the grocery store keep your eyes on that woman with the fully packed trolley. When she is not looking take the trolley, when she approaches you inform her that it is yours. Don't get yourself into much trouble.

4.Hide the coffee machine at work. Nothing better than a group of people standing ready with their mugs and finding out the coffee machine has been stolen. Off course you will be the one to find it and be crowned Queen or King of the coffee machine.

5.Drive in puddles of water,  this is nasty but there is nothing like seeing someone in a soaking suit or dress wet and dripping,  yelling after your car as you drive past.

6.Take a longer lunch, its Monday so what? The Boss might also feel the way you do about Mondays so he might not even notice.

7.Call in sick, this is a famous one that requires no imagination.  Simply call in and say your flat or house will be under quarantine for the next week due to some virus you picked up at the office.

Not all of these are nice but it could be fun if you dig into it.

 Mondays might be far away from Friday but hey, see it as a fresh start, so that by the end of the week you can say, "I did that!" And Always remember smile and believe in who you are and the Love you give :-)

Saturday, to do or not to do?

This morning I had my coffee and dragged myself out of bed for a normal Saturday, one of work and work and work. We get those weekends where we can just go out and do what we would like to do. There are some other things we have not tried yet so I went and looked up some activities for a Saturday  claiming there are 25 things to do and along with it my view...

In the range of 10-15% Karaoke: This is fun and all but the only way you will get me up there is if I am way above the legal alcohol limit. When I was younger I believed I could sing and sounded cool and was on the way to my first album. The truth, some think they can still sing. We did go once to a karaoke bar and yes after "All the Single Ladies" by Beyonce was over, sang by two men, that was it for me. It is nice to watch that I can agree on.

In the range of 15-25% Catch a late night movie: I must say this is something we like to do every so often, but I must also admit that sometimes we say and don't do. We like watching all our programs in the comfort of our home during weekends so in the end we beat ourselves over the head because in the end we have to wait for it to come out on blue ray before we can see the movie we wanted to see.

In the range of 25-60% Hang out with chocolate: Everywhere, if you look around you will find the temptation of of small little fudge and home made chocolate shops. In the window you see these pretty shiny balls of chocolate going round and round luring you in. You decide to buy just three, just to enjoy. As you walk in you notice more and more chocolate...This has happened to me before, buying more than you expect       so instead of passing around there we take the long way around. But I would say don't try it but who on earth could resist chocolate?

In the range of 60-80% Go the craft shop route. Many craft shops these days offer a lot of activities, from painting pottery to making beads. In the beginning it is fun, in the middle it is fun and soon it becomes a Saturday have to. You make beads for friends and co-workers, paint pottery for all those plants you are going to buy. This is something we have not done but is something nice to do with the kids and your husband who will protest a few times before he joins, even if it is only once a month. This I believe is fun but I believe it falls in the same category as scrap booking, you create that monster, you live with that monster.

In the range of 80-100% Enjoy a meal This is for anyone, there is nothing more special than doing something plain with a little bit of specialty on a Saturday night. In a restaurant relaxing with a glass of wine or at home sitting outside enjoying the evening breeze. However, whichever way you do it, it is still special when it comes to friends and family and being together.

So my coffee is finished and I better get going. Whatever you choose to do for today, just appreciate what you have, the fact that you can get silly or just indulge yourself in chocolate. When the movie ends and you get home you will realize and be grateful for what you have.

The rude side

We all have that, the moment that we can avoid but don't want to. Being rude sets people off and starts a screaming quarrel or even worse a real hands on fight. I believe sometimes being rude is a slap in the face yes, but sometimes comes well deserved.

1.What would it be like if no one got to the rude part? 
This dude at the office keeps using your coffee mug day after day, so each morning when you come in ready for your coffee, you discover that the guy has taken it again and to make matters even worse he smiles at you and waves.

2.So what now?
Not having the ability to be rude you walk over and as usual with a smile ask him not to use your mug again, knowing that tomorrow he will do the same thing. In the end you make your coffee in someone else's mug as he goes for that second cup.

3.What is happening to you?
Out of kindness and slight irritation you buy a big coffee mug for the guy in your office, smiling as you give it to him. You can kind of notice in his eyes that he is catching up on the real idea why you gave it to him in the first place. You calm your nerves a bit as the frustration and anger settles.

4. The next morning:
As you come in expecting to get your own mug back, you see him sitting over there smiling and waving with not the new mug you bought, but as usual with your mug in his hand. Then and there you realise that you could have just given the new mug to yourself and let him hold on to the old one. Angry and irritated you sit down at your desk looking at the open window next to you.

5. In the end:
As usual the dude walks over handing you the dirty mug. But not being able to be rude to his face, to tell him what you think and feel, just to get all that blocked up anger and irritation out you look at the window once more, grabbing him and throwing him out.

So the fact that we can be rude when someone oversteps a boundary or is making your life difficult for you, it is good to tell them and get it out because it does not only help you, in the end it helps them to grow to. But  please don't throw a person out a window, rather break a leg.

A View of a day

Today is all set up and ready to go after my usual coffee in bed. It is birthday time and we are going to share it with Shavonne. I am looking forward to lasagna and nice beef stew, cake and more. Just what you would expect from a Sunday lunch.

I hope you are doing something nice today as well, nothing like a Sunday to spend with family or just stay at home having much needed rest or visiting a mall for some window shopping.

Sunday also means prep for Mondays so the week does not catch you as a surprise, nothing being ready, chaos in the house etc.
As much as we enjoy our family time, make sure you stay in control of household things during the weekend and not letting anything slip past you. I am not saying pretend to be a cop I just mean handle stuff like you would in the week but just more relaxed. Know that your not working is big motivation already.

Well for now enjoy the rest of the weekend because you deserve it. That is all for now.

More tips on beating the Monday blues:
http://www.wikihow.com/Beat-the-Monday-Morning-Blues

Figure these?

I have always found writing to be just like a puzzle, placing everything together from A-Z, starting with a plot following the slow process of completing the first draft, then moving to the second, checking facts etc, etc.
But when it comes to figuring out words I am sometimes left clueless. Take a crossword puzzle.

Photo: Flickr

Here is some fun to be had, try and figure these out and feel free to comment:

The clues are:

1. Don't just stand there
2.Slam on the breaks, e.g.
3. Do something
4. Take countermeasures
5 .Do a double take, e.g.
6. Push back perhaps
7. Change chemically
8.Flinch, say
9. Strike back
10. Respond to a stimulus

So I am going to see if i can do this over the weekend and try and not be clueless lol unless someone beats me to it. :-)

PS: No Google Involved

Enjoy
- Johan

Muffin Fail

After the cakes and all the sweet stuff we did not stop there, why? Because now we had all the ingredients to bake some cupcakes, so I ended up modifying the recipe just a little to fit in that all important ingredient Chocolate.

http://www.theprofessors.com.au/products/aero-bar-minty-bubbles-24-x-40gm-bars-in-a-display-box.html

At first I tried using a chocolate cupcake recipe and added my special ingredient. One thing that I am not is a professional baker since my thought of simply adding chocolate failed. We did enjoy the flops with that Aero Minty taste in between.

 I was not about to give up on designing my own creation, The Aero Cupcake.
So I found this very easy, hassle free recipe. http://www.justeasyrecipes.co.za/2009/08/27/vanilla-cupcakes/
 Made it, baked it and it turned out AWESOME (Pat on the back)

So my final touch in creating my own version:
1.Take some Cream, pour it into a sauce pan and bring to the boil over medium heat. Once it boils take it off the heat and add chocolate. (Add Chocolate keeping in mind your servings, so the more cupcakes more cream and chocolate unless you want to grab some for later.)
2.Allow the chocolate to melt slightly and then stir until glossy and smooth.
3.Set aside to cool (It will eventually set to a spreadable consistency.)
But if you are in a hurry and don't mind getting your hands dirty pour a bit over each cupcake and wait for it to set. When they are done you will find they are quite sticky and moist as the poured on chocolate would have made its way inside leaving a chocolaty sauce on the inside.
Handle with care as they can be fragile.

 So the second time round we had our Aero Cupcakes and oh boy, oh boy...

Pizza Fun

Garith and I decided to try something new the other day. This did not need a lot of thinking to create, it was something very simple to do and does not take a huge amount of time. Just find a simple pizza dough recipe, in our case we tried a thin based one which turned out awesome.
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,2341,157183-233201,00.html (Example) No yeast or funny stuff.
Choose your pan, cover with foil and spray with cook n" bake or any non stick spray, no mess, no fuss.

Might not look like a restaurant quality pizza but then again it's not suppose to be is it? Add all and any topping you can think of.We prefer garlic, chilies and mushrooms most.
 Make a homemade sauce, we just used old fashioned Chutney to give it that sweet taste and one two three in the oven and shortly after, out of the oven..
 Not long and it was gone, I did not even have the time to get the "After" picture.
I must say it is nice to do these things together, with life being so hectic one must stand still at times and just enjoy and have fun even if it is just a pizza. :)