She came into the kitchen, clearly distressed, and asked, "Do you vear licenses?" pointing at her eyes. "Umm....ye-e-s..." "So could I pliz have some of zat liqvid to clean mine?" Then the penny dropped. Lenses. Contact lenses. I had taken a flyer and thought that our Ukranian house guest was talking about prescription spectacles. This … Continue reading Of licenses, liars and scrambled eggs
Category: Fabulous Fabric of Life
Stories that don’t fit elsewhere and add to the rich fabric of life….
Unicorns, bunnies and fishes: a reality check
I’ve not had a rant for a while. My last few rants were more than a year ago. I railed against aspects of the restrictions associated with the lockdown. Truth be told, I was probably railing at the virus itself. As if it gives a damn. I might come back to that but I suspect … Continue reading Unicorns, bunnies and fishes: a reality check
Is it a scone? Is it a biscuit?
Nearly two years ago, and when the world was first locked up, and as mother survived, I had to confront the very real possibility that I might have to actually bake something. Probably bread. I wasn't ready. The entire process from the kneading to the proving and everything in between, terrified me. I'm also (if … Continue reading Is it a scone? Is it a biscuit?
Fishing, shmishing…whatever…don’t get had!
Wednesday began as it usually does. With dustbins and shopping lists. The former is The Husband's job and the latter is a kind of joint effort that starts with meal planning (yes, I know I've promised...it's on another list...) and culminates with his famous spreadsheets. He "translates" the paper scribbles, notes prices and, well, generally … Continue reading Fishing, shmishing…whatever…don’t get had!
A saint, lavatories and life
"Don't close the door," the mother said. The three year old trundled up the grass banks to the ablution block, chose a stall, and closed the door. It was a door with a staple handle and a ball and socket closure. The three year old was not inclined to sit and perform with the door … Continue reading A saint, lavatories and life
Halloween: memories from the past, and not-too-distant past
When I grew up, Halloween wasn't a thing. And it was. In the 1970s, Halloween didn't feature on the South African calendar. Somehow, though, it was always mentioned in our house. By my father. It had been a thing in his childhood and he'd talk of the night the spirits fly. He believed in things … Continue reading Halloween: memories from the past, and not-too-distant past
Carrots – yes ways – three ways
Foreword This post first appeared in 2015, and since then, the recipes have gone through a number of developments/iterations/whatever word you'd like to choose. Originally, it was carrots, two ways. Now, I've added a third. Growing carrots Our soil is rocky and very clayey. Certain root vegetables grow, but very differently from what one would … Continue reading Carrots – yes ways – three ways
A pretty pickle
I'm in a pickle: in my day job, we are reaching the end of a project which means that a deadline is looming. My week was long, very hot and I had writer's block. I'm tired. My colleagues are tired and stressed. A bit of a pickle. And pickles need time. I've not had much of that lately, it seems.
Marvelous Malva
I can't remember the first time I ate this dessert. It's one of our favourites - when I "do" dessert. I don't often. I don't have a sweet tooth. I am was not much of a baker. My chef friend and market pal reckons mine are among the best she's tasted. I brimmed with pride … Continue reading Marvelous Malva
Sunday Suppers: A season past?
Around May 2017, around the time, my regular blogs became increasingly sparse, as one chapter in my life ended, and others began. One of these was Sunday Suppers @ The Sandbag House. Two years later we were still doing it. Menus went out weekly to a WhatsApp group and via various social media and e-news … Continue reading Sunday Suppers: A season past?