SUNDAY SUPPERS: MOM'S CHICKEN SOUP

Last night I witnessed a degree of bar abuse that is probably being entered into the Guinness book as we speak. The final try in the Sharks rock star performance was like the little hammer in that mouse trap game that sets the ball rolling on down its path of destruction and self destruct we did!. I saw behavior (and hair styles I might add) at Rovers that Russel Brandt would be scared of. There is pretty much eff all that will help you after a night like last night except my mom's Chicken Soup. That cheap ass gas station Pie you are thinking about is not the solution. Home made chicken soup is a super delicious, healthy way to say sorry to your body for last night its also fab for lunch at work on Monday with a buttery piece of toast. yum.

 

1 whole skinned chicken

5 big leeks chopped

2 stalks of celery chopped finely

5 big carrots grated

a punnet of button mushrooms diced

10 baby melies chopped 

3 Bay leaves

2 chicken stock cubes

some salt

some black pepper

Start by skinning the chicken and trimming it of any excess fat. Grab a big pot and chuck in all the ingredients, except the melies, and fill the pot up with water until the chicken is covered. Bring the soup up to the boil and then turn the heat down until the water is bubbling lightly. Leave the soup to boil for about an hour or until the chicken is literally falling off the bone. Using a big spatula, fish the chicken out, pull all the meat off the bone and return it to the pot. Chuck in the baby melies return the pot to the stove for 5 minutes or until they are cooked. Serve with a big chunk of crusty bread.

IT'S THE WEEKEND BABY!

Oh my lolly, I ran my first Regents in 6 weeks this morning. By K number 7, I was so delirious with exhaustion I tried to call Goodfella's off my ipod. All I got was Maroon 5's 'Harder to Breathe,' someone in the sky clearly has a sick sense of humor. The good news is that I did finally make it to my car and now that my exercise for the day is done I can spend the rest of the day planning how I am going to undo all my hard work yay I love Fridays:)

 FRIDAY

CRAB RACING

Friday night sees the return of Kingfisher Canoe Club's annual Crab racing event. I have heard from many a good source that crab races are a complete hoot and you know when paddlers are involved that the night will probably end in a messy pile at billies:) So if it is tomfoolery that you seek head down to Kingfisher Canoe Club its the one on Blue Lagoon, pay your  R50 entrance fee at the door and see if this time the crabs bring you some luck.

 

THE LITCHI-ORCHARD 

NIGHT MARKET

If it is culture that you seek, I suggest jumping in the car and heading down to The Litchi Orchard in Ballito for their Night market. This market is one of my favorites as the venue is so so lovely and it really is something that you can do with the whole family. There will be live music, scrummy food and lots of arts and crafts.

 SATURDAY

THE DURBAN NORTH FOOD MARKET

The Durban North food market is held on the last Saturday of every month. I have never been so im very excited to pop down there tomorrow and see what they have to offer. If you have been before please comment below and let us know what it is like:)

After the market I think Im going to head down to the stadium and watch the Sharks smash the Stormers in the ABSA CURRIE CUP FINAL. I love how I sound like I actually know what is going on in rugby. I usually only watch when Dan Carter is playing but I heard he has very selfishly proposed to some chick and ruined any chance of me developing a further interest in the game - what a spoil sport. 

If you are still coherent by this stage you can," release the beast" over at THE BILLIES HALLOWEEN PARTY. It is a dress up so maybe take a mask, if things go the way they usually do at least you can feign innocence and pretend you don't now who that crazy chick was on the bar.

Have a fun, safe and mostly awesome weekend my lovelies.

EATOUT, drink and be merry

LOVEWATERLOVE

If I didn't inspire you to get off your ass earlier this week, maybe this will be the final push you need? Lovewaterlove is a SA Bikini brand brought to us by the lovely Margit Wessels (She is also responsible for us getting our Mooks fix in SA) This is what the sassy lady has to say about her cozzies

"I have create beautiful swimsuits to flatter every silhouette. With this mind, I've designed all my bikini ranges to mixed and matched in styles, sizes and even fabric. From the skimpiest of string favourites to elegant rouching, LoveWaterLove's collection has something for everyone. Our range also includes a number of timeless full pieces."

I have my eye on this baby over here

 and this one over here

The cool thing about Lovewaterlove is that you don't have to buy everything in sets most of her bikinis are mix and match and uber uber sexy - I wish she did underwear too so does the bird:) Hop over to her website and have a little browse otherwise see the list of stockists here to go and check em out in real life.

WITCHERY HUNT

So it appears that Stuttafords is taking one for the team and bringing in the Witchery Brand from Aus. Whenever we go visit the Birds fam in Aus I always tend to get wooed by all their shades of grey, romanced by the prints and then trapped in their web of lines and before you know it I have no more dollars left for cheap tim tams (still waiting on the Tim Tam mc flurry by the way). On one hand I am stoked but on the other hand im also a little nervous that having it so close by might just bankrupt me and force me into a life under a bridge. Oh well, atleast ill look hot:)

WIN WITH KIM GRAY

Kim Gray has to be one of my favorite local blogs. She always has something interesting to say and her blog is filled with so much beautiful stuff you can get lost in there for days. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better she posted this competition:

THE PRIZE:

 I love these knot rings I recently pined over one in the last Martha Steweart Wedding Mag, a white gold one covered in a fine veil of diamonds- too beautiful!

* R6000 towards a designer Rosenwerth wedding gown or couture garment

*Clarins Facial, Clarins Make-Over (Make-up) and Clarins products to the value of R2000 courtesy of Clarins and Uitsig Spa. The winner will go for a   skin analysis, Clarins Facial and make over. The recommended products worth R2000.00 will then be ordered for the winner.

* Sterling Silver Blue Topaz Ring, Sterling Silver Amethyst Ring, Sterling Silver Gilded Knot Ring and a sterling silver heart pendant and chain from Free Range Jewels.

* Any Tiffany & Co  Sunglasses to the value of R2500 from Sunglass Hut

* A Lindt Hamper to the value of  R1000

* 1 x Flesh coloured Elle Macpherson Initmates bottom

* 12 Bottles of Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rose

* 1 x pair of designer J. Maskrey Melissa Shoes valued at R3750 (Style and colour subject to availability)

This has to be the raddest prize list in the blogsphere. And the best part is that you don't have to be a bride to be to enter! All you have to do is head over to her blog here and tell her how you would incorporate these prizes into your special day, be it a party or - how romantic - as a surprise proposal to your woman:) Can you imagine your man dressing you up in Rosenwerth, showering you in Champers, chocolate and Clarins covering your eyes with Tiffany and Co sunnies putting you in chrystal Melissas slippers al la Cinderella and proposing to you with Free Range Jewels. Its too much to process- I'm sending this to the bird:)

WRITE A BIKE

How rad are these bikes? apparently the guy who master minded them is trying to make a prototype I would love my own Lexi bike:) from here

HELP ME TO HELP YOU GET OFF YOUR ASS.

Good morning my lovely readers how beautiful is this day? I woke up drenched in sunshine, to the noise of the weaver birds girlfriends chatting away while the guys wooed them with their nest building skills. It is a good day:)

Anyway, you will notice at the top of the page there is something new going on.  Trying to get inspired to get off your ass on your own is not easy, infact it sucks. It is much better when you have a little posse of mates to come along with you and feel your pain while you sweat it out. So I have dedicated an entire page to getting off your ass:) (to see it all you ave to do is click on the GET OFF YOUR ASS link at the top of the pg) I have made a list of all my favorite jaunts with all their info. Maybe you could send me info here about your work-out faves and we can make an awesome list and a little work out group so us chicks don't have to suffer alone. What do you think, is this something you could dig? I would love to hear your thoughs so please comment below x

The best kind of apology

I downloaded this little gem a while ago and for the life of me I can't remember where I got it. It never fails to make me chuckle, so simple so funny, so necessary when you don't have a good come back. Print it out and keep it up your sleeve:)

OH! THE HORROR

my mum recently paid a visit to the big apple -lucky girl- on arriving home in Cape Town she excitedly told me how organised she was because whilst over there she bought her dress shawl and shoes for the engaged ones wedding. The conversation when like this:

Loopy Mother: Darling you must see the shoes I bought for TEO's (The Engaged One) wedding, you will die they are too gorgeous for words.  

Loopy Mother  disappears into her closet and scrummages around- emerges clutching said shoes for inspection

DC: Mom these are Manolo's 

Loopy Mother: No honey they are called Kitten heels.

DC: I can see they are kitten heels I was refering to the brand, Manolo Blahnik, only the most pined after shoe on gods green earth

Loopy Mother: Manolo! Thats so funny that was the shop owners name, he was the one who sold me the shoes. What an interesting name don't you think?

DC: Excuse me, did you just say that Manolo Blahnik the actual flesh and blood human was your shop assistant? Is this some kind of a sick joke? 

Loopy Mother: Yes Darling and I must tell you this Manolo fellow is quite a creepy character, he kept trying to sign my shoes. I mean who does he think he is this little man trying to scribble all over a perfectly good pair of heels.

DC: Speechless and clutching my head in horror trying to figure out how it is that I am related to my Loopy Mother.

Loopy Mother: When I told him I didn't want him writing all over my shoes he asked me if I would prefer to have a picture with him instead- Can a woman not just buy shoes in peace! Naturally I said no because I hate having my photo taken and my hair was all frizzy that day. But he just wouldn't stop. He then started insisting that he give me a free signed copy of his autobiography- which I must tell you was a brick of a book- and a total nightmare to kart around when you are traveling! 

Well by this point I was so irritable with this little man, I mean I just hate being hassled when I am at the shops. I just wanted to take my shoes and be on my way- shop assistants are so pushy these days don't you think?

By this point I was actually on the floor writhing in agony. 

BAREFOOT IN THE KITCHEN

Whenever I go home to Cape Town for the weekend time is usually spent in the kitchen. Either trying to get a taste of what ever my mom is whipping up, or swatting The Small Ones cheeky fingers out of my cookie dough. The tables have now turned and my Small counter part is now the one whacking my fingers with the spatula as she fiercely defends the raising in the crunchy dough. This is her recipe and it is flipping delicious. Give it a bash and tell me what you think.

ITS THE WEEKEND BABY!

Thanks to Aimee for today's thought of the day:)

Watch This before you read the Post below.

Birthday Cake for the Bird

If there is on thing that you take away from Durban Central please, please, let it be the Chocolate Chiffon Cake Recipe. This isn't the kind of cake you serve at a well mannered tea party next to the strawberry macaroons and a pot of herbal tea, oh no. This Cake is for night time and is best enjoyed in the company of chilled bubbles and sexy sexy heels. Please don't judge me because of my pictures, I murdered my camera so I am currently trying to make do with my cell phone - this is not really working out well for me as you can see!

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup hot water mixed 

with 1/2 cup of cocoa powder

1 3/4 cup Self raining flour

1 3/4 cup sugar

7.5 ml Bicarb

a pinch of salt

1/2 cup oil

7 egg yolks

7 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon cream of tar tar

Pre-heat the oven to 160 C

Before you get going on the sieving and bowl licking, chuck the egg whites into a clean bowl and whip them up until they get foamy then chuck in the cream of tar tar and continue to beat them until you can hold the bowl up side down without the whites falling out. Put them aside.

Grab your bowl with the cocoa and hot water mixture in it, add the oil and beat it with a hand beater. Once the mixture is smooth beat in the 7 egg yolks one by one until you have a smooth liquid. Set aside for just now.

Sieve together the remaining dry ingredients into a big bowl and stir them together until the flour and sugar is nicely incorporated. Using a hand beater or Kitchen aid (with the paddle attachment) slowly beat the cocoa and oil mix into the dry ingredients. Beat until smooth. You want your mixture to have the same consistency as a double thick milkshake, it mustn't be stiff and dry. You can add a little water to thin it out if necessary. 

Now pay attention because this next step will either make or break your day. Divide the egg whites in half and pour half the whipped whites into the cake mixture. Use a big spoon or a whisk and slowly fold in the whites. You don't want to stir them in completely, the idea is to fold them in just enough that the bubbles are still intact but you don't have huge chunks of egg white clouds floating around. Once the first half are done fold in the second half. You will see in my pic that my whites are not 100% mixed in they are stirred in just enough so try not to over do it! Pour the mixture into a greased Chiffon Cake tin and bang it into the oven for 50 minutes or until your kitchen smells like cake and a knife stuck into the cake comes out clean.

Now you have probably been wondering why your cake tin has funny legs on the top- here is why. When you take your cake out the oven, flip it up side down ,balance it on its little legs - don't worry, it won't fall out - and leave it to cool. This step gives the chiffon Cake its impressive height. If you don't let the cake cool up side down, it slowly slouches down to something resembling a stodgy flop- we don't want this. When the cake is cool, take it out of the Cake tin, stop to marvel, and then smother it in Chocolate ganache and chuckles:)

Colouring in with Kareena Zerefos

A while ago I posted about Kareena Zerefos here. She continues to be one of my favorite illustrators and her latest work has me falling in love all over again. Do yourself a favor and spend a little time exploring her website - her work will leave you starry eyed.

I am in love with this Grey Hound, I think I need him for my wall.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

 

well said Mr Johns

Freedom Tuesdays (not to be confused with Wacky Wednesdays)

Durbs is a buzz with the talk of Neil Roake's latest venture Freedom Cafe. I have been trying to get down there for ages to check it out and post some piccies for ya'll, but as usual I have been able to tick everything off my list except for that. 

Today I was doing my daily blog rounds when I found this awesome little tit bit on Ask ashe  and I absolutely had to share it. Up until now Freedom Cafe has been operating only by day but now my sweet readers, they are breaking out into the night scene- queue hoorays and applause! 

For now, their night time domination will only grace the dark skies of Tuesday, But im sure with time and many rounds fisticuffs for reservations they will slowly take the week. Here is their sneaky plan, “We love cooking and want to share our collection of food gathered from our travels around the world, cooked with local fresh ingredients. We can seat only 20 inside our recycled shipping container but if the weather is kind and balmy, then we can spill out into the moonlight so phone us on the day to see if we can take more outside. Book early please and grab some friends. This is food to be shared and enjoyed.”

Here’s a nifty calendar of the Supper Clubs planned for the future:

I Mean is this not the raddest vibe ever? I am very keen on the Tokyo with Eriko night (I wonder who is this Eriko sounds very mysterious:)  If you go please please send through some of your piccies , I am dying to hear what it is like otherwise you can send me an email and maybe we can go on a date:)

Lonny Mag

The Oct/Nov Issue of Lonny mag is out and it is as lovely as ever, treat yourself here.