Trust the process

When everything seems as if it is hopeless and going nowhere... trust the process. If you trust the process of life, your dreams and the life that you want and deserve is within your reach. Dreaming is great. But take your cue from nature and slow down, calm down, don't worry, don't hurry - just trust the process. As surely as Spring follows Winter, so surely will your dreams come true. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying and believing, “I’ve just got to trust the process. I’ve just got to trust the process. I either believe in what I am asking for or I don’t.” 

It really is that simple.

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Vintages - What every Guest room needs

Treat your weekend and holiday guests to bedside tables equipped with beautiful, thoughtful accessories, like a carafe of water to quench late-night thirsts; a shallow wicker basket brimming with notepads, pencils, pens, stationery and stamps; and a small vase for flowers - always fragrant, invariably out of season.

Remember to stock your spare room with good books and magazines (biographies, histories, novels, and gardening tomes are always welcomes); a reading lamp with a 40-watt or brighter bulb; an alarm clock with an easy-to-read face and easy-to-set controls; an extra blanket or throw within reach in the middle of the night; plenty of close space, not to mention a dozen empty hangers for guests' clothing.

A perfectly cosy guest room - A mosquito net for peaceful summer sleep, books, cosy scatter cushions, some flowers and a comfortable armchair to while away the hours with an interesting book.

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Yummy ideas for omelettes

Everybody loves an omelette, and it's so easy to make. Cheese and ham remain favourite fillings, but there's so much more you can do to lift this humble egg dish to new egglicious heights.

AMAZING FILLINGS FOR OMELETTES 

Tomato, sweet basil and tzatziki wrapped in prosciutto.
Caramelised onion, brie and spinach
Roast chicken and avocado
Smoked salmon and asparagus
Bacon, mushrooms, onion and cheddar
Smoked ham, cream cheese and rocket
Spinach, ricotta and roasted peppers
Smoked haddock and crême fraïche
Mushrooms and leeks
Chilli, cheese and bacon
Baby spinach and Chavroux

Tips for the perfect omelette:
Always add a few drops of water to the beaten eggs as this will create steam, making the omelette lighter.

Use a non-stick pan and, as the egg cooks, lift up the edges and tilt the pan so that the egg pours underneath and cooks. Beat the eggs moderately and add a dash of milk or cream - about half an eggshell for every two eggs.

Make sure your pan is hot, and don't smother the eggs with too much butter or oil in the pan.

EGGSTRA SPECIAL QUAIL'S EGG OMELETTE

Melt 1 T of butter in a non-stick omelette pan. Remove from heat.
Carefully break 12 - 14 quail eggs into the pan without breaking the yolks.
Place back on heat and cook for two to five minutes.
Carefully slide onto a plate.

SPICY POTATO OMELETTE

Category : Vegetarian / Quick / Breakfast
Prep time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 15 minutes

Ingredients:
Oil, for frying
3 free-range eggs
1 small tomato, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
6 mushrooms, chopped
1 potato, boiled, diced and lightly fried
1/2 t ground turmeric
1 t masala
1 small chilli, thinly sliced into rings
1 spring onion, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 

Cooking instructions:
Heat the oil in a pan. Mix all the remaining ingredients, then pour into the hot pan.
Stir gently, then cook until set.

Cook’s note: For added flavour and texture, add small blocks of Indian paneer, feta cheese or chopped bacon bits. Serve with chopped coriander or chives and chapatis. 

Recipes from Woolworths TasteMag

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I love...

I love unmade beds.

I love when people are drunk and crying and cannot be anything but honest in that moment.

I love the look in people’s eyes when they realize they’re in love.

I love the way people look when they first wake up and they’ve forgotten their surroundings.

I love the gasp people take when their favorite character dies.

I love when people close their eyes and drift to somewhere in the clouds.

I fall in love with people and their honest moments all the time.

I fall in love with their breakdowns and their smeared makeup and their daydreams. Honesty is just too beautiful to ever put into words.
— Unknown author

*•.¸♥♥¸.•*

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What every little girl needs

“Now, think of the happiest things. It’s the same as having wings.” 

~Peter Pan

 

Acrylics on Multi-media paper - Maree©

What every girl needs - big or small - a beautiful dreamy dress in the closet, waiting for that special occasion ...

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Little girls are made of daisies and butterflies and soft kitty cat purrs 

And all the precious memories of times that once were. 

Little girls are made of angel's wings and giggles and a firefly's glow 

And all the happy feelings, deep inside, that we all know. 

Little girls are made of cinnamon and bubbles and fancy white pearls 

And snowflakes and rainbows and ballerina twirls. 

Little girls are made of sunshine and cupcakes and fresh morning dew, 

And these are the reasons, little one, why everyone loves you. 

Author: Karen Barnes 

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Vintages - Simple bath pleasures

"Solitude is not a luxury - it's a right and a necessity."

When last did you spend time in the bath? No, I don't mean bathing to clean yourself - I mean spending time in the bath with flower petals, floating candles (because who can wash while candles are floating around?), candles on the side of the bath and soaking in a luxurious bath crème or bath salts. Even just listening to some soothing music or reading a couple of chapters of a good book.

Spending time by and with ourselves is essential for a healthy mind and outlook on life. It brings things into perspective and allows us to connect with our inner strength that gets scattered by everyday life pressures.



Whenever I use an exquisite flower... whether it's roses, lavender or violas, I simply toss the entire contents into my bath and sit back to watch the gossamer petals float by.



Then I have another question: when last did you look at your bathroom - really look to see what you're surrounding yourself with? Has your bathroom become a sterile room of necessities? Towels (maybe a bit old and frayed because the good linen is for visitors), facecloths and toothbrushes?

Making your bathroom a pleasurable place to visit takes just a little bit of imagination and not much effort. Buy beautiful soaps in stead of the everyday bars. A small vase with some fresh flowers, candles and a beautiful bottle of perfume displayed on the wash basin or vanity goes a long way towards perking yourself up after washing your hands and splashing on some cool cologne. Display your best towels in a basket and have some luxurious scatter pillows nestling in a corner. Hand and body lotions can also be displayed within easy reach.



Hang out your best nightgown, ready to use as you step out of your luxury bathing session, wrapping yourself in soft white towelling or silky satin if you're getting ready for an evening of romance!



Spotless white towels and linens and some white roses make this small bath a pleasure to walk into.

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'n Duifie het vir my gefluister...

om …
vanoggend by die venster uit te kyk.
buite te loop en die son op my gesig te voel.
iemand ’n lief-drukkie te gee.
te glimlag vir ’n vreemdeling.
iets gaafs en onverwags te doen.
te luister.
diep asem te haal.
geduldig te wees.
in die donker te sit en die stilte te geniet..
om meer te gee.

Nie geskenke nie, liefde

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Green tip #6 - Garlic

To fight pimples apply fresh garlic juice and lemon juice for quick relief. It will pinch but will show results.

Process the garlic cloves in a food processor or blender until pureed. In the absence of a food processor, you can simply crush with a garlic press, over a small bowl.

Pour garlic puree through the mesh strainer into a small bowl. Scrape the sides with a rubber spatula to retrieve all juices. Press the garlic through the strainer with the spatula. Discard pulp left in the strainer.

Refrigerate your homemade garlic juice in a glass container.

Mix some garlic juice with a couple of drops of lemon and apply to affected areas.

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Eggs-traordinary ways with eggs

What's more perfect than an egg? These versatile packages of goodness are the magic ingredient in the kitchen.

QUICK AND EASY:

 • Fry eggs in a little good quality olive oil for a different taste sensation

 • Chop a few green olives and fresh dill into scrambled eggs for a great taste and texture comibination

 • To make tartar sauce, stir chopped Italian parsley, spring onions, gherkins, hard-boiled eggs and capers into home-made mayonnaise

 • Simmer hard-boiled eggs in a little green curry paste and add coconut milk. Serve with fragrant rice.

 • Fry some onions in butter and balsamic vinegar until slightly caramelised. Use as a filling for omelettes.

 • Heat cream in a pan with chopped chives and garlic and cool. Break an egg each in small ovenproof dishes. Pour over the cream and bake for 6 minutes at 180 degrees C.

 • A pinch of nutmeg makes delicious scrambled eggs

 • Fry some drained butter beans and sliced chorizo before pouring on your eggs for a great omelette.

 • Add a dollop of wholegrain mustard to creamy scrambled eggs and serve with hot, buttered toast.

 • Next time you fancy egg on toast, pop a cookie cutter into a nonstick frying pan. Heat up and gently creack an egg inside. Cook over low heat until just right.

 • For Spanish picnic eggs, shell 4 large boiled eggs and sprinkle with smoked paprika. Slice the chorizo in diagonal slices and serve with the boiled eggs, black olive pesto and breadsticks.

 • Make the best-ever egg roll by mixing 1/3 cup of mayonnaise with 4 hard-boiled eggs, grated, and spoon onto a buttered fresh roll with some rocket. Top with a dollop of mango chutney

Info from Woolworths TasteMag

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Green Tip #5 - Make a frozen flower block

Winter is setting in here in South Africa now, but for my Northern Hemisphere friends who are just going into summer, here's a lovely idea of how to keep cool in the heat of summer.

Fill an ice tray halfway with cold water. Place a flower, slice of lemon/orange, a small block of chocolate or herb of your choice in the centre of the container and fill to the top. Place in the freezer and serve the ice cubes with sodas, iced coffee and fruit juices.

 

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