A Successful Week

Success at last. Over the last 8 or 9 years I have experimented, sometimes very successfully, with Gluten free baking and have had as many if not more fails. It is definitely not always easy or rewarding, but when it goes right then WOOHOO. As mentioned in my last post I discovered Coconut Sugar with great delight, and decided to try making Crunchies / Anzac Biscuits. In the past I have tried a number of different sugar substitutes with dismal results. To Hubby and Jelly Bean's credit they have valiantly eaten the failures and always been encouraging. I have the kind of personality that hates giving up on something like this and will keep on testing until I get it right. Well friends, this week was a great success. I made my Wheat/Gluten free, Dairy free, Egg free, coconut sugar crunchies which turned out amazing. Much excitement and rejoicing. Let me say this - the Coconut sugar is brilliant for baking. It has a number of natural minerals unlike 'normal' sugar, it also contains a fibre called Inulin which is said to be the reason why it has a lower GI and doesn't cause sugar spikes. The one draw back is that it has more or less the same calories and carbohydrates as ordinary sugar - 4 cals / 15 gm carbs per teaspoon. I would say that moderation, as with anything, is the rule. As far as the Crunchies go the coconut also helps to lower the GI. Now that I have conquered that particular hurdle I'm looking forward to the next experiment. If anyone would like the revised recipe, please just send me a message.

My knitting project is also coming along nicely, not that I am 'allowed' to knit as freely as I would like due to one little bundle of fur. Speaking of that particular family member, we at last have peace in the home. We can now say that Gemma has accepted Kiko but at this point they are not curl up buddies yet haha. The fascinating thing with Kiko is that her colour is changing. I have never had this happen with any other cat but have read that it is a Birman trait. It can apparently take a year for their colour to develop. At the moment Kiko's fur is slightly darker and her face is becoming a darker brown. She currently looks like she is wearing dark glasses which looks very funny.

With our extended family we have one daughter and her family living in the UK, one son and his family living in Cape Town, my youngest son and his wife also in Cape Town and my other three kids are up here in Johannesburg. We have always managed to get together on a regular basis which are highlights for me. I see the 'local' side of the family at least once a month and look forward to those times with great planning. Right now I am yearning for those that are not close. Our family in the UK seem so far away, and with all those at a distance we Skype to keep up to date. As well as that, we have a 'Family' group chat on What's App which results in everyone being able to partake in a conversation at the same time, sometimes every day. We share jokes, food pics, achievements, love you's and a lot of teasing. The last time we saw Big Bear and Baby Bear was Christmas last year and it feels like an decade. I am sure every mom whose kids live far away will identify with me on this one, the longing to see, hug, sit and catch up in the flesh with your children. Once we move down to the Cape it is still going to be the same, just with different children. The positive aspect though is the planning and build up to the next get together which I am hoping will be soooooon.

Tomorrow we are going to install some beautiful wooden cupboard doors that Hubby made for someone and I'm hoping to take my girls out for coffee while he is busy. Have an awesome weekend friends, enjoy your loved ones and be safe.

Beautiful stops on a road trip.

One of my favourite things about a road trip is that every now and then you come across the most beautiful scenes. Whether it be a copse of trees alongside a river, or the sight of the ocean after a long dusty road, for me it's always soul soothing, encouraging and refreshing. Last week turned out to have some of those beautiful moments.

Poppet had to go for her regular 6 month check up with her Oncologist. It's always a tense time for us, plus the fact that the Dr hasn't ordered a full panel of Cancer Marker Blood Tests since she has been seeing Poppet. The usual tests were done the day before the appointment and when Poppet saw the doctor she shared her concerns and they then ordered a full panel of all the tests. We got the phone call the following day that EVERY test came back clear. Praise the Lord, she is now 5 years Cancer FREE. God has been so faithful and so many prayers have been answered. When I look at how she has grown, in every area of her life over the past five years, I stand amazed, grateful and so very proud. Way to go Angel.

Then, after me telling you all on Friday that Hubby's contract was finished, his boss spoke to him on Friday and said that they still need him for the next few months. This is what we have been praying for - a short term contract - until the sale of the house is complete and WE are ready to make our move.

It is all these things that encourage me and give me the ability keep on pushing, believing and moving forward. After all the tragedies, dramas, and stresses I have faced along my journey, I have learned to see the positives, to concentrate on the good and appreciate every day that I have with the people that I love. There is a saying that goes 'The good times don't last. Well friends neither do the bad times.

Yesterday I discovered something completely life changing for us as a family. I was reading a Blog that I follow, a lady whose family are extremely allergic to a huge amount of different foods. She had posted a recipe for Sticky Cinnamon/Blueberry buns that were wheat/dairy/egg and sugar free. As one member of our family is a Type 1 Diabetic and a couple of others are Insulin Resistant as well as wheat intolerant, this recipe caused me to take a look at the ingredients. The first thing I saw was that the Chef had used Coconut Palm Sugar, which after a bit of investigation I discovered is a totally natural 'sugar' that does not cause sugar highs or lows, does not taste or smell like coconut, caramelizes like real sugar and can be used in baking with the same results, which none of the other sugar substitutes do (for me anyway). Needless to say I have already bought some and am planning some healthy baking this week. I will let you know the results so here's holding thumbs

On the cat/kitten front, not much has changed. Her Royal Highness Gemma is still a bit hissy, we are still having lots of laughs as little Kiko continues to try and befriend her, even going as far as stalking her and then jumping on her back which as you can imagine didn't go down very well. With a terrified squeal Gemma took off down the passage and stalked out of the house looking very disgusted. Baby proofing a house has nothing on the steps we are having to take to keep Kiko safe as she loves to climb but doesn't know how to stay safe. Windows closed, doors boarded up to above where she can jump. Fun and games on a continual basis in this house, truly never a dull moment.

Have an awesome week folks, appreciate all the positives and stay safe.