Shongweni Farmers Market, South Africa

On Saturday we rose early and drove to Shongweni Farmers Market, we ate pancakes for breakfast and walked around the market stalls, lots of lovely foods and crafts, Zulu Dancers and one very tired Spiderman

South Africa

I have added a few holiday snaps.....Sprigs is a real hit, been there for coffee before picking the boys up from school and also for lunch.

Baby Quilt

We are off to South Africa tomorrow to visit our daughter and her family. I have just finished the baby quilt for her friend Karen's newly adopted baby, to take with me. I am thinking that if anyone chooses to look in our bags on route they will wonder what type of people they belong to....alongside our clothes we have patchwork items and book for my daughter, gifts for people who work for my daughters charity, gifts for her and her husband, Buzz Lightyear and Woodie outfits for our grandsons and one wedding dress at the moment but maybe two tomorrow! My daughter has a blog Rich Bride, Poor Bride and I am taking her dress out with me and maybe another donated dress if I can fit it in. I will hopefully be able to check in here while we are away and post a few photos.

I Love My Boys!!

Next Sunday we are travelling to South Africa to visit our eldest daughter and her family, they have set up and run http://www.project-o.org/ which is a Christian ministry caring for children orphaned through Hiv/AIDS here is their blog http://literallyalifeline.blogspot.com/

So today I went into London to meet up with our sons before we go, my husband couldnt join me because he was running the 'Dad's & Toddler' group at church. This is an old photo of my sons taken last year...I didnt manage to get one today. It is always great to meet up with them they know all the best paces to visit and our trips always include lots of food stops! We met at Borough Market and bought a coffee in Monmouth then popped in next door for a cake from Konditor & Cook We then walked along the South Bank, calling into the Tate Modern as we passed. After this Dominic went home to his wife and Ben and I continued into town, stopping at The Milkbar in Soho for a toasted salmon and cream cheese bagel. We hiked along Regent Street and stopped to look at the beauiful flowers on sale at Liberty. We looked around a couple of shops before I jumped on a number 10 bus back to Euston station to get the train home. Yet another great day out in London with my boys!!

Eton Mess

Yesterday we had friends up from our old church, Jacqui & Graham. We had a great time, talking, laughing, eating, walking, eating! It's hard to leave friends when God moves us on to another area but so much fun when they come and visit!

So for desert I made Eton Mess, the first time I have made it and the first time I have used Carnation Squeezy Condensed Milk.

Raspberry Eton Mess

serves 4

284ml whipping cream

170g (6oz) Carnation condensed milk

Few drops vanilla extract

225g (8oz) raspberries, fresh or frozen, defrosted

4 small crushed meringues

1. Whip cream 'till soft & thick, fold in condensed milk and vanilla

2. Reserve a few raspberries for top, slightly crush the rest of them and gently ripple fruit through the cream mixture

3. Layer meringues and raspberry cream into 4 glass dishes.

4 Add reserved raspberries to the top

Baby Quilt

I have just put together the pieces for another baby quilt, this one is for Karen's newly adopted baby girl. Karen is friend of my daughters in South Africa, her and her husband have adopted 3 Zulu children. It is great for my daughter to have Karen as a friend, they are both English and have adoption in common. Their children are similar ages too and love to play together.