mini hertzoggies that make your mama proud :)

I baked these this evening, just because. And yes, they are delicious, but taking the rest to work tomorrow to save my waistline from further expansion!

xx

HEAT WAVE!!

So since last THURSDAY, the weather has been awesome here. Its been between 22 - 25 degrees!

So we braaied on Thursday night at Jimmy and Fionnuala's. They have only just moved into their very own house, and don't have a braai, but we used dispoable camping ones.

Friday was my day off, so I tanned on the grass, eating salad and reading Game of Thrones.

I know I look really red in this pic, but I'm not, must be the camera, it probably was programmed to handle so much sun!

Saturday night was a pub quiz night in Belfast at Mark and Christina's. I was pub quiz master, and the quiz had 13 rounds with 10 questions in each round.

Of course we took advantage of the weather and tanned a bit, followed by a braai. And after some sour apple martini's, the quiz was ready to begin.

Christina had too many! lol (this is a pic of a pic by the way...)

dessert - choc mousse served in Belgian choc cups (I bought the cups) served with raspberries and mint. YUMMO!!

Karl, Orna & Enda were in a team, Mark and Chris in another and Harps and Barry were together. It was very competitive to say the least. The winners: Karl, Orna & Enda were given smarites as their prize (because they are smart!) lol. And the losers got suckers :)

We only went to bed at 2am. After Barry made us his AMAZING omlettes for breakfast, the girls headed off to do the UK Cancer Research Race for Life. After a lunch time picnic, we were ready to run the 5km - except for the fact that Sinead refused to run, so we walked it. It was hot, but beautiful. It took place in the grounds of the Parliament buildings, pretty steep uphill, but we walked it in 40mins.

the warm up

walking uphill!

we made it!

we even got medals

After the walk, we tanned again. And I am happy to announce that I am 2 shades darker (who would've thought!). And after our 5km walk, we rewarded ourselves with pizza and salad.

lettuce leaves from Christina's garden (first ones ever!)

We only got back to the Glens after 9pm last night. AND we overslept this morning. 8am!! We usually get up at 6:40am. It was much needed though.

Back in the office this morning, and SO don't want to be here! :( The sun is STILL shining and its STILL warm. gonna leave early methinks.

And guess what we are doing for supper tonight? You guessed it - BRAAI :)

Summer is here

So yesterday and today have been amazing days. It gotup to 23 degrees yesterday and Karl and I got some ice-cream (snickers - YUM!) and went for a morantic stroll on the beach. 

The sun sets at around 10pm here, so we really enjoyed the long hot day. Today, for lunch, Orna and I went to Belfast castle for our lunch (salad!) and it is 21 degrees. Now, I know that 21 degrees means nothing to you, but for Northern Ireland its BOILING. Everyone is out in tank tops and flip-flops etc, and it does feel HOT!

Its supposed to be sunny and HOT for the rest of the week and weekend. I am kicking off my weekend tonight with a braai at Jimmy & Fionnuala's. Let the SUNtimes roll :D

Life lessons

Yesterday after a productive day at work, I picked up Karl from work, we did a small shop and drove home. As we approached our house we saw a whole lot of police and forensics vehicles in front of the house 2 doors down. Karl's aunt informed us that a 16 year old boy committed suicide earlier in the day. He had asked his father if he could stay at home to cut the grass. When he was alone, he went to find his father's hunting gun and shot himself. Karl's parents return from Italy tomorrow, so they will probably go around to pay their respects.

I cannot imagine what it must feel like for a parent to come home from work to find their child has taken their own life. What goes through the mind of a 16 year old who feels that there is nothing left to hope for, to dream for, to live for. My heart goes out to the family. I hardly know them, but they have constantly been on my mind, maybe its because they live 2 doors down.

Life is short my friends, no one can know for certain what tomorrow brings. Pick up the phone and tell your friends and family how much they mean to you. Spend time with the people that matter, invest into your relationships. Say no when you need to. Take time to enjoy the little things in life. Forgive the person that has offended you. Do not allow bitterness and anger to take root in your hearts. Forgive yourself. Take chances. Sing out loud. Be random. Laugh til you're tummy hurts. Say I love you. And remember, in life there are no mitakes, only lessons.

no one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow  ~Euripides.

Joanne's 30th birthday cake

I know I've been quiet these last few days. Struggling with homesickness at the moment. Still trying to re-adjust after Mel's visit. The packing and moving and unpacking didn't really help the situation much. Our bedroom is finally sorted, but the room upstairs is still a MESS! I need to get it sorted because Karl's friend is coming to visit for a few days next week and there is no space to move in that room. 

It was Joanne's 30th birthday party on Saturday, and I baked her a cake as her present. The theme was black and white, and so was her cake. I baked the cakes on Thursday, decorated them on Friday and then did the stacking and last bit of decorating on Saturday at the party. So this time around it wasn't so stressful! Here are the pics.

Bottom layer - carrot cake

Middle layer - chocolate fudge

top layer was lemon drizzle

Michael W Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman concert

In all the goings on, I totally forgot to include the amazing concert we went to. We went to see Michael and Setven and it was really very special. They sang golden oldies and some new stuff too. Took me right back to my mom's lounge when she blared that music in the mornings. Mel and i were waiting outside in line, skinnering about people in the queue, until a guy turned around and said: "praat jule ook Afrikaans?" Lol! It was SO funny, we were actually embarrassed! He is from Cape Town too, married to a woman from here. Such a small world! That will teach us!!!