Healthy munch-a-lots

Lately my taste buds have been very much obsessed with these fuss-free teatime bites:

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Top left: Frozen grapes
- Exactly it sounds - grapes popped into the freezer overnight for natural frozen fruit "candies".

Top right: Pea mash
- 1 cup of cooked peas mashed together with a small knob of butter, salt, a pinch of garlic (optional), a dash of lemon juice and freshly ground black pepper. Spread on toast or crackers.

Bottom left: Frozen yogurt blueberries
- Fresh blueberries dipped in honey-sweetened plain yogurt, frozen to the point of deliciousness.

Bottom right: Butter bean spread
- 1 can of butter beans, drained and blended with 2 tablespoons of soya sauce, a teaspoon of parsley and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Ideal as a carrot dip or cracker spread.

12 Types of Procrastinators

I'm the CEO of Procrastination Station which, on the bright side, means I thrive under pressure. In fact, procrastination is the reason I was scouring my Facebook newsfeed minutes ago, procrastination is the reason I found this epic Field Guide on Mashable and procrastination is probably the reason why I'm doing this post right now.

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Anywhere but Here

I can literally think of 20 places I'd rather be right now, on this glorious Friday:

Monday Survival Kit

Don't get me wrong - I love public holidays, but having two "Mondays" in the space of four days, really pops my bubble. Here are a few tips for turning crappy into happy:

• Google a funny word! Not only will you crack a smile every time it comes to mind, you'll broaden your vocabulary in the process. You're welcome, SA school system.
• Invest in a bottle of bubbles! There's nothing more soothing than blowing a soap bubble and watching it drift weightlessly through the air.
• Look at a cupcake. They're so cute, you only really need to see one to feel the glow of happiness in your heart. Joy, minus the calories. (If it's a really bad day, eat it. Just eat it.)

• Breathe deeply. Not in a psycho killer kind of way, well, unless client service phone you for 17th time and psycho breathing makes you feel better.
• Pull faces while brushing your teeth. It wakes you up, ignites a smile and makes oral hygiene rather interesting. 
• Paint your nails a bright colour. I did this for the first time today and every time I look down at my crookedly painted sunshine yellow tips, I can't help but crack a smile.

• Start a Monday ritual - invest in a special tea or coffee or tin of biscuits or ANYTHING that's reserved for Mondays - it has to be so delicious, you'll be willing to trade a Friday for a Monday.
• Ask an English (non-Afrikaans) colleague to say something in Afrikaans. Really, this always makes my day.
• Find your Monday tune. Whether it's current or as old as the Stonehenge, find that tune that just brings a smile to your face and hum it (in your mind. Please.) This is mine: 

• Buy something - anything! I save most of my happy purchases for Mondays. Whether I need new mascara, a mug, a new dress for an occasion - it all happens on a Monday.
• Cause destruction. Shred old paper, crush an empty tin, smash a glass jar - it's a great relief and you're spring cleaning in the process!
• Draw a funny hand puppet thing on your hand.

• Spray a really happy scented perfume on your wrist - one that reminds you of meadows and dew drops and baby's breath and rainbows. When you feel down, take a whiff!
• Facebook message a BUNCH of people late the night before. Come manic Monday morning, your day will be brightened by the sporadic responses.
• Make someone else's day. There's no greater feeling than putting a smile on someone's face, so whether you make a cup of tea or send a funny pic - do what it takes to see some teeth!

Things that make you go "Aww"

I don't get gushy often, only on Fridays ♥

WARNING: This post contains pictures of baby kittens. And puppies and bunnies and all sorts of cute. Not suitable for the stone-hearted.

  

  

  

 

 

 

Happiest of Fridays to you all, jelly beans! ♥

It's fun to be lame

A few weeks ago, the Cansa Relay came to town and so did 4 very jolly Capetonians (or rather 2 ex-Caledonians, one ex-ex-ex-ex-Caledonian and an ex-Drakensberger). And so, dear tea lovers, I'm proud to bring you a blow-by-blow of the epic lameness that transpired that fateful Saturday afternoon. Am I blogging about my weekend like a 13-year-old? It would appear so. 

It all started with a guided tour of the country town which, considering the size of Caledon, really took no longer than 6-and-a-half minutes. By someone's random suggestion, we then made a stop at the arcade and before long my three travel-buddies got stuck in like only guys (*cough* 4-year-olds) can. In the end they violated the Elevator Game with 6 hands instead of the recommended 2 and won 418 tickets in 15 minutes. Impressive. 

Ripping off the arcade. 

418 tickets in 15 minutes.

Unfortunately we were then thrown out by security, banned for life and served with three months of community service. OK, that's a lie, but it would've made for an epic story. More importantly - I got my super awesome zombie ring and plastic alligator toy (which has since morphed into a brooch), and the guys went home with Ross the stuffed dinosaur, who went on to claim the title of official Cansa Relay mascot.

The Rossetron

Another big event that added to the undeniable awesomeness, was Dan picking up his first chameleon ever. Go Dan Man - you're half way to becoming a real Plattelander! 

Dan picks up a chameleon for the first time. Big moment, big smile!

Next came the actual relay...

Only my family can come up with a team name like this one.

3 proud Pienk Kiewiete, boasting their team colours.

Me + the siblings - picture of pure innocence. We never fight, can't you tell?

Tents pitched near and far, "Afrikaanse boeretreffers" blasting across the field, the worst talent contest you've ever witnessed, yum-yum chocolate cake, proper "basaar poeding", barefoot skipping and all-night chatter around the sports field. 

And THAT people, is what we call a good ol' Caledon weekend.