Eight days to Christmas...

"(9) And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before
them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
(10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
(11) And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother,
and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures,
they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh."
~ Matthew 2: 9-11 ~

I love Christmas time. It has always been my favourite. I keep these stars up to remind me of this season all year round. Each one has its own sentimental place for me.

The small gold star reminds me of the tradition my Mom started of giving me a new tree ornament every year in December. I cherish each one.

The large gold star was a gift from a dear friend of my Mom's, Joyce Fishwick, who I spent Christmas with in Germany of my Matric year. She passed away a year and a half later from cancer, and those Christmas memories of sharing stories, lebkuchen, blazing fires, snow and weihnachtsmarkts will always hold a very special place in my heart.

The large wooden star reminds me to hold on to the simplicity and true spirit of Christmas. For those who view the Bible as a religious text, or just a historical one. Even for those who just think that the Bible is just some fantastical story book, I like to think that its words hold unique value to each of us. Jesus was born in a mere stable. His coming was the true gift of Christmas. Therefore, the value of Christmas lies in the people, not the gifts.

Take time to celebrate the people in your life who you love the most. That's the greatest gift of all :-)

Links of the day:
Beaded stars and other ornaments to buy at:
African Home
Ilala Weavers
Daaft Designs
Khumbulani Craft

P.S. If you have any other links to local ZA sites that help to create employment by selling Christmas related crafts and would like me to list it here, e-mail me the link at juanita(at)therecanbeonlyjuan(dot)com

Nine days to Christmas...

Fave tea
(It tastes like Christmas and their secret ingredient is Love) :-)

Link of the day:
Where to find My-T-Chai in your region

Ten days to Christmas...

Poinsettia for 2009
(Also called the Christmas Rose, I love that modified leaves can look so pretty :-)

Link of the day:
Potted Poinsettias to buy at Pot Plants Direct

Eleven days to Christmas...

Favourite Christmas movie since 1995

(I've watched it faithfully every year since I was 14)

Link of the day:
"Mixed Nuts" DVD to buy at Take 2

Twelve days to Christmas...

The Christmas countdown begins!

Christmas 2008

Link of the day:
Twilight quote Christmas ornaments to buy at Etsy

Jou ma se New Moon

Hubbs, friends and I ended up watching New Moon last weekend, and I've gotta say, I was surprised that they managed to pull off a very good bastardization of the book.

Now, at the risk of being lynch mobbed via comments because of my comment by some random googling New Moon fans who end up at my site, you'll know exactly what I mean if you've read all the books. As in, it seemed like a tough book to adapt because so much of it focused on Bella's afternoon visits to the reservation.

However, what I loved most about the movie was the audience.
About 80% were adults (so you may just see jou ma there), which was not the originally intended demographic. That speaks volumes about the transcendency of some adapted books and the hype surrounding them.
The remaining 20% were teenage girls, and it made for many giggles to hear them ooohing and aaahing and gasping (yes, a literal gasp when Jacob appeared shirtless) during the evening.

A couple of things, in my opinion, which were a bit OTT: The vamp make-up was waaaaayy too caked on in New Moon, and their eyes were much brighter yellow compared to Twilight. Notice the redness of Victoria's hair also became much more intense? I guess I like a bit more continuity in "sagas".

All in all, it was really enjoyable though. And I'll leave you with my favourite line by Harry Clearwater: "Don't worry Bella. My kung-fu is strong." :-)

On the fly choc chip cookie recipe (gf style)

I made up this recipe yesterday from a few leftovers I had in the kitchen cupboard, and a giant bar of Cadbury's milk chocolate which was supposed to be a stand-by Christmas present for any unexpected extended family members on the day but didn't survive my sudden chocolate craving. :-)

I'm stoked that they turned out yum, since I haven't baked biscuits from scratch since my chef-fy years!

Ingredients:

• 100g unsalted butter;
• 250ml flour (I used 100ml rice flour + 100ml potato flour + 50ml soya flour);
• 200g Cadbury's milk chocolate (which I threw in the food processor to make choccie chips); and
• 3 Tbsp. water.
  

Method:

1. Put the processed choc chips (more like choc chunks) in a bowl.
2. Process the butter, flour and water in a food processor (I have one of those mini ones which come as an attachment to some brands of stick blenders).
3. Mix all ingredients together using a spoon.
4. Line a baking tray with baking paper (or just grease it well).
5. Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 12 - 15 mins.
6. Makes 18 biccies.
   

Photos:

The dough turns into...

...biscuits fresh from the oven...

...to be enjoyed with authentic Ceylon tea
(a lovely gift from two Sri Lankan sisters I tutored for English).

Flashback: Strawberries and Strawbs

Harvested from my fridge...

Harvested from my dad's music collection...

The Muppets sing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody

Tibetan Teahouse

Simon's Town holds a little orange gem in the form of the Tibetan Teahouse.

With awesome views of the ocean; calming, milky chai served in little wooden cups; delicious vegetarian food; a friendly cat and an invitation to linger; you just don't find much better than this for a soulful afternoon hangout.

Just drive through the town's on it's main road till juuust before the golf course, and you'll see it on a corner on your right. Say hello to the penguins for me, please :-)