Recipe from Ghana

Last night I had a friend over for dinner. I made a dish that I sourced on the internet - Chicken stew with peanut sauce, apparently from Ghana. Oh my word, it was yummy. Served it with wild and brown rice. An all green salad - baby marrow, broccoli, asparagus, sugar snaps, peas, mint and red onion, with a homemade feta and garlic dressing. Some wine. Sat outside and waited for a cool breeze.

Still life

Happy birthday dear colleague

I have decided to bake muffins or cupcakes for my colleagues this year as a birthday gift. Happy birthday! Enjoy.

Family portrait

Wish upon a star

For 2013 I have made a wish for each star in my sign of the zodiac. That's only 5 wishes. I'm sure the universe can manage that :-)

Lemon tree oh so pretty and...

This morning I found a lemon tree in my garden that I had forgotten about. Hiding behind a mulberry tree and a giant rosemary bush. I was surprised to find it bearing fruit, 2 lemons, and it was full of buds. Transplanted it into a giant pot. It's a little sick, spiders I think, but we'll soon remedy that. It stands proudly on the patio now, in full sun.

Prince Uulabra and Prince Rababra

My PRETTYUGLY princes. Prince Uulabra is the one with the red crown/hair, Prince Rababra is the other one. From the principality of Zaybihna.
PRETTYUGLY is the brand name of my soft toys.

Boozy blueberries

Returning the jam jar with something in it. The blueberries have been soaking for more than a week now, in gin. Lovely.

Fire sky

One, two, cha cha cha

2 days of grey

It rained all weekend, all day and all night. DVDs, tea, duvet, roasts, toast and honey, puddings, gin and tonic, coffee with cream, chocolates. It was so relaxing.

Frogs and flying things

It rained all Friday but at dusk the sun could be seen weakly gripping onto the horizon, then finally letting go, and quietly slipping away. Frogs crossed my path everywhere in the garden and flying termites burst from an unknown source. Magical! (Yes, I added the artwork with the flying things)

Deep blue sea, without the deep sea

Meet Meryll, Beryl and Sheryl

Some new PrettyUgly - maybe a little more ugly than pretty, sies tog :-)

Building inspection

This summer there are more that aren't up to scratch, where they had to start over. The demolished ones I found in bits and pieces on the ground.

I loved the book more

The movie was wonderful, some of the scenes were breathtaking but I liked the book more.
Life of Pi © Yann Martel 2001.

Add a bit of green, please!

Adding a little colour makes it so much more appetising. Lunch today, yum.

I would pay money for this jam!

The best homemade jam ever! Chunky, delicious. Thanks, Trish.

"I think it would be cool to be born on Earth and...

"I think it would be cool to be born on Earth and die on Mars. Hopefully not at the point of impact." - Elon Musk.

Such a wonderful adventure, hmmm! They make it look so fantastic! Remember to read the small print. For more info: mars-one.com

© Sunday Times 13 January 2013.

Refreshments will be served

Tea and coffee from Tanzania.

In-flight entertainment

Scribbling away during the flight. Thinking about the year ahead, plans and dreams.

Take off, going home

Local flavour, Dar es Salaam

Loved every minute. Thanks, and goodbye.

Catch of the day

Oh no! It's the last day

Drive by shooting

Coastal road back to the hotel, taking photographs as we speed along. Another great day in Africa.

Struck in a traffic jam

17h45, trying to get back to the hotel. Trapped in traffic. View in the side mirror of the taxi.

Return to the city

Heading back

Stone Town, Zanzibar

As I said it was a flash visit, 30 minutes. Included immigrations. Strange but true ;-)

Out at sea

Taking the ferry across

This is still about last week when we were in Tanzania. Took the ferry across to Zanzibar, and back in the same afternoon. I kid you not.

Low tide

Wednesday, early morning stroll

08h00 - 17h30, client meeting

At their offices in Dar es Salaam.

Tones of battleship grey

Still and calm

Tuesday morning, 06h30, Dar Es Salaam

Up, up and away

Flew to Dar es Salaam on Monday. All that separate me from Business Club was a curtain (and a bigger/thicker wallet). There was a storm in Dar es Salaam just before we landed and it was still raining a little. Hot as hell, and humid. Awesome Afrika!

This little piggy...

...couldn't go to the market, or anywhere else in fact. I broke my toe, and it's too sore to gallivant around town taking photos. Sorry.

Thanks for the invite. Lovely evening!

Stand up straight, don't shake

Trish gave me her tripod. Thank you, so very much. She took it down to Stellenbosch many (many) years ago and brought it back, still in the box, all labels attached.

Saturday morning - apple crumpets

Sleep soundly

I bought a new duvet cover and if I were an insomniac I would be up all night colouring it in :-)
Tell me you're not tempted.

Summertime, fresh and light

Eat your greens, mmm!

Cream soda float is one of my favourites. And now available in a cereal. Really!
The first mouthful is great. At the end the milk was not green - a little disappointing. Or did I just eat them too fast?

Rainfall 2012, at my house