Homemade Gumdrops...

My son loves Gumdrops...and SO DO I!!! I found this on Pinterest and followed the trail to Home made simple where you can find the recipe and many other interesting things.

And since I love planning parties and always looking for economical and creative ways of entertaining...I thought this would be a worthy post and know it will come in handy.  It would be a great activity for my son and I to do together too...he says he would like to be a chef one day!!!!

Homemade Gumdrops

Yields 50-60 candies

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Set time: 24 hours, plus 2 days for crystallization

INGREDIENTS

Cooking spray

Baking sheet

4 silicone candy molds or ice cube tra*

4 tablespoons gelatin (4 1/4-ounce packets)
1 cup cold water
1 1/2 cups boiling water

4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon flavored extracts**
3-4 drops food coloring

Small bowls for coloring and flavoring
Sugar for coating

*Tip: No candy molds? Use shallow baking pans sprayed well with cooking spray. After the candy sets overnight in the fridge, spray a knife with cooking spray, and cut the mixture into squares.

**Tip: Purchase a variety of extracts from the baking section of your local crafts or grocery store and experiment. Start with 1/4 teaspoon, taste test, then adjust accordingly.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large pot, add the gelatin to cold water, and let it sit for five minutes while bringing 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil.
2. Set the candy molds on a baking sheet and spray liberally with cooking spray.
3. Stir the boiling water into the gelatin until it dissolves, then slowly stir in the sugar.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 25 minutes, stirring constantly. It’s normal for the mixture to bubble and froth when you stir it.
5. Ladle the mixture into four small bowls, and stir the food coloring and flavor extracts into each.
6. Slowly pour the different colors into the different compartments of the silicone molds.
7. Set the baking sheet in the refrigerator and chill overnight.
8. Gently pull the candies out of the molds, then roll them in sugar until fully coated.*
9. Set them on a wax paper-lined baking sheet for two days so they can crystallize.

*Tip: When pulling the candies from the mold, they will be gummy, but gently continue to pull them out quickly. The candy will retain its shape after it settles.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS RECIPE IS NOT MINE BUT MAY BE FOUND ON THE ABOVE MENTIONED WEBSITE!!!!

Enjoy!!!!

Jay xoxo

Happy birthday to me...

A small token of gratitude on this my born day!!!! I am truly grateful to God in whom I believe that He has granted me another year!  But by His grace I stand...not by MY might or power....but by His grace alone.

Here's to the year that lies ahead and the many more that God may see me fit to see...woohoo!!!

Jay xoxo

DIY All Purpose Cleaner...

I found this neat recipe on a blog that I follow...find the original post at NATALIE 

Natural House Cleaning Recipe: All-Purpose Spray

Author: Adapted from Gorgeously Green

 

Ingredients

• 32-ounce plastic spray bottle
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon pure castile soap
• ¾ cup hydrogen peroxide
• 20 drops tea tree oil
• 20 drops of lemongrass essential oil. Or try using lavender essential oil in the bathroom

Instructions

1. Fill the plastic spray bottle with the water.
2. Add the vinegar, castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, and the essential oils.

Sorry this post is done in a real rush but I found it useful.

Jay xoxo

Movember 2013

I had unfortunately missed entering a post about Breast Cancer Awareness for last month.  Here is an entry for Movember 2013; something that has only recently become 'big' in South Africa, well I only became aware of it last year.

I will be posting information shortly....

Jay xoxo

Click, Click...Smile

Here are some snap shots from our time in Johannesburg earlier this year.  It was a much needed vacation and it was well spent with loved ones.  Today I am wishing I could be on some trip as I am snowed under with a multitude of tasks to complete.  The more I dig and complete the deeper the hole becomes...feels like I am never getting out.

At the Bird Garden at the Monte Casino in Johannesburg...such tranquility!

Thank goodness this was behind a glass case! yikes!

Hello Polly! Polly wanna cracker?!

Getting ready to watch the Bird Show!!!! 

Family time!

Looking at these pics makes me want to go back...wishful thinking!

Jay xoxo

Sucker!!!!

Yes okay!!! I have finally given in to the reality shows buzz...and though I actually do kinda enjoy watching the Kardashians...and I adore Kimora...I'm loving the Mowry twins!

Check out their website too...lots of fun and interesting topics to follow....never thought I would see the day that I fall for this reality tv stuff...but it happens to the best of us!


Jay xoxo

New Girl...

I have an obsession with watching Series...and most times I do it Marathon style...and that would be watching episode after episode after episode...and so on...

The series I am watching right now is New Girl...the first season did not really capture me...but the second season has grown on me and I'm finding it hilarious.  This new girl Jess is really quirky and her quirkiness kinda reminds me of myself.

Well anyway...back to my series then....

Jay xox

Frosty S'more cups...

I found this divine looking s'more while browsing on Pinterest...

With summer looming this will be a great experiment....follow the link to find the ingredients and how to make your delicious s'more's: easybaked

Summer Drinks...

I love planning parties...and I have decided that it would be my new hobby.  It's coming on slowly as I only take on personal or family events and assist friends and co workers with ideas for their parties.  In doing so I have come across many interesting sites on the internet where I get nifty ideas from...and that I change slightly to fit my budget.  I love this site called Catch My Party....here is a really fabulous idea to use...Summer is coming up and I will definately be trying this out!

Please note this is not my own idea and the links to the appropriate sources will be listed at the end of this post.

Start by slicing a ripe watermelon in thin slices--about a half an inch thick. Shapes like stars look better with thinner, rather than thicker slices.

Use a small cookie cutter to cut star shapes out of the watermelon.

Place watermelon stars on a baking tray lined with Silpat. The silpat isn't strictly necessary, but it does make the watermelon star ice cubes much easier to peel off after they're frozen.

Once the watermelon stars are completely frozen, they can be peeled from the tray and stored in a ziplock bag. This can be done several weeks in advance of your event.

Please find this on www.catchmyparty.com or at the originator Nicole from Tikkido  Hope you enjoy!!!!

Jay xoxo

Nostolgia...

I am feeling a little nostalgic today...thinking of my lil pocket monster...I'm sitting at my office desk and I MISS HIM SO!...motherhood creeps up on you and you once thought you had no maternal instinct in your body and you suddenly realise I'M A MOTHER...and I'm DOING THIS!!!!

This is him at his 1st birthday party...

His 2nd birthday...

Oooppsss...thought I had the third birthday on this pc....will try to upload the third and fourth and fifth and the sixth is already been posted.  I love his smell and miss it right now.  He drives me nuts most times but that his job I guess.  I find myself missing him at night...he is just in the room next to mine in his little bed...but I miss him! Is that weird?...

Anyway, just thought I would share this moment of nostalgia...

Jay

Oatmeal...

In my attempt to opt for healthier foods to help control my appetite, I decided that I would remove bread from my diet completely.  Though I have the occasional burger which is obviously made with buns....cutting bread out of my daily diet has helped tremendously.  I went from eating four slices of bread per day to no bread...not even toasted bread.  I replaced my morning sandwich with a lovely bowl of oats.  I still struggle with adding less sugar, but will opt for replacing the sugar with fruits now that Summer is on the horizon.  Here is 4 good reasons why we should have Oats for breakfast in the morning:

1. Because oatmeal is a WHOLE GRAIN it lowers your risk for several diseases two of which are hypertension and type 2 diabetes.  It is a great source of iron, magnesium and vitamin B and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease;
2. If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, adding oats to your daily lifestyle will assist in LOWERING CHOLESTEROL;
3. Since oatmeal is a source of fiber, having it as your first meal in the day will make you feel full for longer, as opposed to sugary cereals.  This in turn would help in LOWERING WEIGHT;
4. If like me you disliked oatmeal growing up, try to find better OATMEAL OPTIONS by adding fruit, nuts, cinnamon or nutmeg.

Now I am glad I have gotten used to eating my oats in the morning, it's the one thing I look forward to when I wake up in the morning...knowing that as soon as I get to the office I would be able to devour my wonderful bowl of oatmeal!!!!

Jay...

Coco Nut Hair Mask

So my mom gave me coconut oil but in its solid form...to use on my son's skin for his eczema....but I chose to stick with the ointment the Doctor prescribed.  Now I know Indians (Not native Americans) use it on their hair...so I thought instead of throwing it away I would use it on my own hair.

I found an article recently on Tia and Tamera's website on 5 different ways of using Coconut oil...here's how to use it as a hair mask:

• Grab a chunk of coconut oil and warm it in your hands;
• Smooth it through your hair but starting at the bottom, giving attention to your ends;
• Once you have thoroughly spread it through your hair, wrap your hair on top of your hair and wait for 30 minutes;
• For better results you could wrap it in a warm towel, or pop on a shower cap and allow the warmth in the shower to open up the hair follicles and better penetrate the hair shaft;
• Another option is to leave it overnight for optimal results;
• Rinse and wash as per normal with your shampoo and conditioner;
• And HEY PRESTO...gorgeous shiny and sleek hair!!!!

Foster Care Christmas Party...

So this year I am Co-ordinator for planning our annual foster care Christmas party!  What a task....I had big plans and started the planning meetings early on in this year.  But with the nature of the job and all the strict deadlines to meet...I did not quite stick to the schedule and plan I initially set out.  But here we are with just about 2 months left to prepare and my nerves are shot!  Our theme is Circus/Carnival...

So I have appealed to friends and family to assist me with this humongous task...I really would love to give the children something special and would not want to disappoint!  I hope we would be able to pull this one off this year!

Jay... 

BEEN SO LONG...

It's been a while since I have posted here.  Since my last post which was shortly after my son's birthday, so much has happened.  I was recently told that my depression had returned...severe depression...and I have seen many dark days since...but after deciding that I was not going to use chemicals to help control my condition, I needed to realize that I then needed to take some sort of responsibility in making changes.

So I started making really small changes.  So far it has been helpful and I am beginning to feel a lot less sad and depressed.  There are still issues that need resolving, but I am learning to manage the condition and my response/reaction to the challenges in my life.  It's not an easy journey, but in all honesty....there is much that I have to be grateful for...I have my health, my sight, my hearing and so forth...there are so many others in this world who are experiencing so many atrocities...I just have Depression...

In an attempt to work through all that needs changing in my life...I think that I should start posting here more often...as a means of distraction and a way of working through my emotions and issues.  Sometimes it helps to just put it out there...and then get over it.  I have found this secret group on Face Book for people who suffer from Anxiety and it has helped in a big way to be able to post whatever I feel at that moment and put my thoughts out there and have no one be judgmental and critical but understanding and giving guidance from down right experience!

There are so many things in my life that I am questioning right now...the perception of what life is....or should be...and all that I have been taught as a kid growing up...taught by my parents...it's weird...let's just say that I am testing and re looking at principles and concepts I have been taught as a child.  Trying to define the new me, the me in the aftermath of my diagnosis of Depression and the subsequent divorce.  Who knew divorce would leave behind such a big mess to clean up...much like an atomic bomb going off and wiping out everything that once existed or stood there...all manner of structures destroyed...and now I am having to rebuild.

In a way I am glad that the depression and the divorce happened...it's opened my eyes to so much...what I thought was so....was not...

So here's to many a happier posting here on this little blog!

Jay...

Little man's 6th birthday party...Pirate style...Ahoy Mateys

So my lil pocket monster changed his birthday party theme from Superman to Pirate's of the Carribean...yikes...what a challenge.  I thought I had it all under control but then I ran out of time and I needed to pull off this party with a very limited budget and very limited time! 

It was really fun to plan and I totally enjoyed it.  I wish I had the money and time to invest more in party planning.  I am checking out sales and buying things as I go along to build up on my own accessories etc....for now I will stick to doing my own parties and family events and maybe it will become something more series.  I don't quite want to stay in my current profession forever.  Change is good.  I like the challenge anyway...and I love seeing the look on people's faces when they see the spread and decor laid out before them...especially the kids!!!!  Brings me great satisfaction!

AAAAARRRRR me Matey!!!!!  That's the lil pocket monster showing off his lil outfit!  Mamma worker her butt of to make the most of the day...I must say though that I had lots of help from family and friends too.  I enjoyed the entire process...planning....buying the goodies....doing the decor myself...it was such a challenge...would I be able to pull it off or not...stressful!

The cake was so delish...yummy...I wanted to make it myself but that plan didn't quite work out...

Some of the decor...lovely mallow 'pirates rope'...lol...most of the photo's of the decor were taken with my mobile...these pics were taken by my dad who obviously didn't feel that the decor was that important to document as much as the kids having fun!

Lil' pocket monster posing for photographs...lil' munchkin!

The kids having fun on the jumping castle!!!! So much energy!!!!!

I will attempt to upload some pics from my mobile pretty soon...granted my browser on my mobile will allow it...

So that was lil pocket monster's sixth birthday done and dusted! Next year it's definitely Superman...so the shopping around already commences!!!!!

First Day - Grade R...

Yay for first days at school!!! My lil pocket monster did really well today!!!! What was even more awesome was that his dad could be there today and really made the day even more spectacular for him!!!  Awesomeness!!! I am just glad that dad managed to pull it together and get himself to be a part of this momentous day...though I know it did mean alot to him to have been there with his son...I think...I dunno...I don't want to put too much thought into that one...

So...I'm a little stressed about this whole school thing...I know my son needs his education and schooling is all part of life and know I can't keep him wrapped up in a cocoon all his life (which is so not what I'm wanting to do) but in my line of work...with all the stories I hear about what happens at schools these days!!!!!  It makes me want to curl up in a ball, hold my head in my hands and bawl my eyes out!!!!! It's freakin scary!!!!

I so seriously do NOT want my anxiety disorder to rub off on my son...eeerrrrrr....gosh I hope it has'nt started already....booohooo!!!!

Anyway, it's my last day of being on vacation...tomorrow it's back to reality...

Well I'm off to collect my little pocket monster from his first day at big school!!!!  Cannot wait to hear what the lil man has to say!!!!  Awesomeness!!!!!!!

 

Holidays!

So as my holidays draws to a conclusion...it ends with seeing my five year old son go off to 'big school'!!!! He commences his schooling career this year...jumping off to an excited start to Grade R.  oh boy!  I'm not quite sure what to expect and I hope that he will adapt well. 

All his school gear and necessities are sorted and labelled after much running around from shop to shop to get all the goods on the list.  Shoo!!!!  It feels like I am heading back to school.  So after I see him off to school tomorrow...I head back to reality the following day and drag myself back to the office.  I have already been contacted with regard to a case of mine that presents with some sticky issues!!! Blegh!!!!  Well, this year I plan to take it one step at a time.  At MY pace, it will be done...take it or leave it....

This holidays was low key...it saw the passing on of my grandfather on Christmas Day after a terribly long illness (Renal failure).  he was laid to rest on New years day...he made sure he will be well remembered.

So now I sit and plan my sons birthday party....Pirates of the Caribbean theme!  Ai Captain!