My Sunday...

Today was surprisingly a productive day. I didn't think i would have done the things i have today. I had a lie in this morning which is a lways a good thing for me even though i always beat myself up afterwards for wasting time.

I managed to bake some bread today, i put all the ingredients in the bread maker to mix and rise and then i popped it into the oven to bake. This way i skip the hard labour but still get to enjoy crispy golden bread. Master T loves home baked bread and will happily eat a loaf given the chance.

There were some over ripe bananas in the fruit bowl and i had decided to make a banana and chocolate cake but then i found a recipe for banana and walnut cake so i decided to make that one instead because it was much simpler to make. The recipe was for muffins and i just couldnt be bothered dividing the mixture between the cases so i chucked the mix into two loaf tins. I decided to give one of the cakes to my friend who had come to visit. We have already devoured half the cake between the two of us (Master T and I).

I also phoned my niece who was in the middle of writing an assignment which is due on Tueasday and also spoke to another friend who is preparing for her exams. I have worked on my assignment and still have a 1000 words to write, i am not panicking yet because i haven't written an introduction or conclusion/ reflection as yet. I do need to start studying for the exam though otherwise it will be a disaster if i fail.

I also had time to do some washing and watched Songs of Praise Choir of the Year while dinner was in the oven. There was even enough time for me to watch the movie Mulan with Master T. All in all a good and productive day i think. This is the reason why i love Sundays, they are much slower and relaxing and they are the days that i usually come up to breathe.

Hope you have all had a good and relaxing Sunday.

xx

More This and That...

I will be starting another block of placement on Monday and as i mentioned in a previous post i am not so keen on the time i finish. Apart from that i have enjoyed all my placements and hope to continue doing so. 

May is round the corner and i will hopefully be going back to menu planning and taking up my monthly challenges. Things are a bit hectic at the moment with exams looming and the last assignment of this academic year is due the same day so life in general is a bit stressful.

Today i went to Ikea with Master T and one of my friends as i needed a bookshelf for my ever growing collection of books that i never seem to find time to read. Another piece of furniture to dust. While i was there i walked through a passage full of mirrors and noticed that i looked very thin quite slim. A lot of people have been saying i have lost weight but i just didn't believe them. While we were having a little wonder in Ikea i saw some scales and decided to weigh myself. I couldn't believe my eyes, it looks like i have lost 4kg without even trying so one reason to smile.

I hope you have all had a good day.

xx 

This and That...

My little independence party went great on Wednesday. We were all disappointed that it had to end. It was great seeing some of my friends after such a long time. University and placement take too much of my time that i do not get the chance to see my friends as much as i would. It was also good for Master T because he also got the chance to spend time with his friends. I know i had promised to take photos of the food but things were a bit hectic and never got the chance to. Trust me the food was delicious, i made traditional meals and we all enjoyed the food.

I am a bit sad at the moment thinking of my next placement. My current placement is coming to an end, i was fortunate to have been given shifts that started at 8am and finished @ 4.30 so i was home in time to cook, relax and spend time with Master T. After next week for 8 weeks my shifts will finish between 6-9pm. I am glad though that it is spring so it's not so dark and cold and hopefully i can just get on with it.

We have been to our first carboot sale of the season. There weren't so many sellers but it was so full with people wanting to buy. We went with one of my friends and her daughter and we didn't buy much. All i managed to buy were some clothes and bits and bobs. Nothing interesting so i am not going to bore you with photos, however i am going to show you this...

                                      

I bought this in TK Maxx for a pound it retails for 8 pounds. My first ever Cath Kidston product, now i will see for myself what the fuss is all about.

Hope you have all had a good weekend and will go on to have a great week.

xx

                                                    

Independence Day...

Today my motherland celebrates 32 years of independence from colonial rule so i have decided to mark this event with my fellow country men friends. I was born and bred in a beautiful country in Southern Africa called Zimbabwe from the word Dzimba Dzamabwe meaning House of Stone.

                                 

This is the map of my country

                                  

and this is the flag.

Each colour on the flag represent something. Green represents the agriculture of the country. Yellow, the wealth of minerals of the country. Red, the blood shed during the war. Black the ethnicity and heritage of the people. White triangle, peace.  The bird is the national symbol of Zimbabwe and the red star represents all hopes and aspirations of the countries future.

In Zimbabwe you can find one of the 7 Wonders of World

                                     

 The beautiful and spectacular Mosi- oa- Tunya famously known as Victoria falls. These falls are fed by the Zambezi river, in this river you can find hippopotamus, crocodiles and so much more and if you are a water sport fan you can whitewater raft, kayak and more. The Zambezi river also feeds Lake Kariba which is the worlds largest man made lake.

The ruins of Great Zimbabwe (Dzimba Dzamabwe)

These ruins have to be seen to be appreciated because they cover a large area and the photograph does not do it justice.

All the Big Five animals can be found in Zimbabwe. The African Elephant, Black Rhinoceros, Cape Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. The best place to see all these animal is Hwange National Park

                                              

Pungwe falls not as popular as Vic Falls but just as beautiful.

 You can also find beautiful mountains, bird gardens and woodlands, hidden caves and more national parks. There is so much i can write about my Motherland but i do not want to bore you so i will leave it here.

Writing this post has made me homesick, i plan on visiting all these beautiful places and more on my next trip home.

Happy Independence to all my fellow country men. To celebrate this event i am hosting a little party for me and my friends. I will try to remember to take photos of the food and show you another time.

Whatever you will be doing have fun because i will.

Enjoy your day. xx

My Treasures...

Some of the things i bought .

Never mind the person in the mirror. I fell in love with this mirror the moment i laid eyes on it and just had to buy it. It did help that it was only half price because the charity shop was having a sale. When i originally bought it i was thinking of repainting it and decided to hang it up while i decided on the colour. When i saw it up there all thoughts of repainting it went out the window i just fell in love with it all over again. The photo isn't doing it any justice.

   Book end for Master T's ever growing collection

of books.

 Balls of wool to knit a lovely cowl for myself for winter.

This beautiful spice rack for my kitchen

Less interesting are these 2 magazines, Homes and Antiques from December 2010 and the Christmas magazine for Master T to do as he pleases with come Christmas.

I also bought loads of books but i have decided not to bore you with them. Off to a birthday party soon of one of Master T's classmates.

Linking up with missielizzie @ me and my shadow

Enjoy the rest of the day.

Happiness Is Free...

Just think of 10 things that are making you happy this month, write them down and grab the banner above for your post! Lets forget about the negatives for a minute, turn off the news and give some attention to all the good things in our lives!

1) Receiving a message from my brother telling me how much he loves me.
2) Being off for 11 days.
3) Lazy mornings.
4) Spending the long weekend with a very good friend.
5) Discovering new blogs.
6) Some of my seeds germinating.
7) Booking hotel and tickets to the summer Good Food show.
8) Seeing Master T happy.
9) Thinking of my 5 year plan and day dreaming about lifes possibilities.
10) Visiting the dentist.

Linking to Astra's blog at A journey to a dream.

Free To Good Home

Firstly i would like to say a very happy Easter to you lovely people.

I have an issue of Olive magazine that i got free this month, i have flicked through it but there are no recipes that i would use so i am giving it away to whomever wants it. Just let me know if you would like to take it off my hands.

Front cover

Maple pecan twist

      Cherry and almond twist

          Rhubarb and elderflower arctic roll

Also in this issue are recipes for pork pie, lemon and thyme roast chicken, spinach, fennel and goat's cheese cannelloni, french fish soup with rouille and gruyere and many more.

Hope you all have a lovely day.

xx

March's Challenge Update

11) Look after myself . This was a bit of a success but still need to do more.
12) Try something new/ different this month. Did the same old stuff all the way through.
13) Upcycle some of the stuff i have been putting off. Only managed one project.
14) Get in touch with someone i havent spoken to in a long time. Did this one too.
15) Sacrfice the extra 30minutes i get in bed on a Thursday morning and take Master T tap dancing. Only took him to two the other classes were cancelled
16) To use cash only when shopping. This was a very difficult one. I wasn't organised enough to succeed onnthis one.
17) Not to stress over small stuff. I did very well on this one, didn't stress over things that were beyond my control.
18) Meet new people/ make new friends. I did meet a lot of new people but they are not friends yet.
19) Learn a new skill. I am sure i have learnt something new just can't remember what it is.
20) Have More Fun. Was too busy to have fun.