Backyard Braai

Sunshine, friends, food. Good way to spend a Sunday.

~ A year ago today I was visiting another friend ~ 

Bain-marie

Baked fudge puddings ready for the oven.

~ A year ago today I visited the Biodiversity Park ~ 

Brunch

Table all set and ready for a family brunch at Priscilla's house this morning. 

~ A year ago today I spotted a pretty flower on the mountain ~ 

Triangles

I threw together some sandwiches to take to a birthday party this afternoon. Totally old fashioned ones too: egg mayo on brown, and cucumber and cream cheese on white.
~ A year ago today I was picnicking ~ 

Fridge Tart

I went totally old school with the dessert I'm taking to a dinner party this evening: South African classic Peppermint Crisp Tart. It's even in a Pyrex dish!
~ A year ago today I had a sore ankle ~ 

Snacks on the Table

Chips and dips, pate and cheese, for my guests.
~ A year ago today I was reading the local paper ~ 

Frosting

This afternoon I had a bunch of friends over for tea. I baked a cake for the occasion, and made Swiss meringue buttercream icing for it. Bit of a palaver.... First I whisked egg white and sugar in bowl over simmering water until the sugar melted and the mixture thickened. Then I beat further, til cool, then began to add butter, block at a time. Beat, beat, beat.  Lastly I folded in homemade pineapple curd for flavour. The icing went onto a coconut pound cake, and I sprinkled toasted coconut on top. It wasn't awful.
~ A year ago today I was watching butterflied in a garden ~ 

Chip, Dip

I have the book club ladies coming around tomorrow evening, so after work today I charged around the supermarket for food and drinks. Not very creative with snacks... just good old chips and dip!
~ A year ago today I was playing Settlers of Catan ~ 

Assembling

I've been feeling in the mood for vegetable lasagne for a while and today was the day (vegetarian friends coming over for supper). Layers of roast vegetables, spinach, mushroom and lashings of bechamel and cheese. Yum!
~ A year ago today I went to the movies ~

Laying Table

Getting things ready for my book club meeting this evening. Serving soup and bread.
~ A year ago today I was wanting to stay home ~

Debris

After the dinner party this evening: all the washing up.
~ A year ago today I was at the vet shop ~

On the Sofa

Supper at my place this evening, to celebrate my brother's birthday, with Cate and Ian. [Guest photographer: Ian H]
~ A year ago today I was enjoying the flags in St George's Mall ~

Braaivleis

Had some friends round this evening, got a fire going in the corner of the garden (easy with this new-fangled instant charcoal stuff) and feasted on wors, chops and salad. Feels good to follow good old South African tradition ;-)
~ A year ago today I was drinking my glass of water every morning ~

Island

Dorothy had a bunch of us over for dinner this evening, and of course we all gathered in the kitchen while the delicious food was prepared. Lots of chatter!

Movie Night

I really enjoyed reading Cold Mountain a few weeks ago and so passed it along to friends Dorothy and Vanessa to read too. We decided we needed to watch the film version again. This evening I hosted movie night at my place... we ate a tasty pasta supper, scoffed chocolates and watched the film together. Lovely movie; relaxing way to end the week.

Tea Party

My time in the kitchen yesterday resulted in a rather tempting spread for tea this afternoon. Yum! I ate far too much. Sugar coma.

Stacks of Dishes

Friends came over for a casual dinner party this evening. I enjoy the tidy up afterwards, especially stacking all the used crockery; the washing up, not so much.