**TUESDAY MORNING**

I'm at the table typing away with one eye on the telly.........a movie review program is on & I stop for a minute to watch.....

They are reviewing EAT.......LOVE.......PRAY!!!.........now I enjoy doing all three......I do it regularly-I do it daily without fail!!

The movie itself looks amazingly inspiring-less could be said of the book......

I bought the book 2years ago-started reading it on our trip to America-because of the time difference & jetlag I read early morning-between 2 & 4am.......like clockwork.The book for me started innocently enough but towards the trip to India(in the book) I literally lost the plot-I think it all had to do with the personal things that was happening around me!

A friend had recently passed.....another girlfriend just lost her husband & soon after her two best friends in a car accident-all in one year......the emotional impact of it all just scared me.......it was rather unsettling.

I stopped reading.......tucked the book in the bedside drawer & subconciously left it there when we flew back home after the holidays.......I simply wasn't ready to read it then!!

I actually think I will just wait till the movie premieres in my side of the world.....yes I think I will!!

**SEPTEMBER RECIPES**

CRABMEAT DIP:

600g crabmeat
2 tbs miracle whip
1 packet PHILLADELPHIA cream cheese
1/4 onion-diced
1/2 stalk celery
salt & pepper to taste

Blend together,
Chill until needed
Serve with baquette,crackers or nacho chips



SHEPHERD'S PIE:

1kg lean lamb mince
1 large onion,sliced
1 medium carrot,chopped
1 stick celery,chopped
salt & pepper
2 tbsp beef stock
2 tsp BISTO (gravy powder)
1 tsp corn startch

1.5kg potatoes (perfect for mash)
butter
salt & pepper


In a casserole dish place the mince meat,onion,carrot,celery,bisto,beef stock,corn starch & salt & pepper-mix thoroughly.
Cook in a slow preheated oven @ 150C for appx 2hours
When cooked,drain gravy & keep one side.

On the stovetop-boil potatoes until tender.
Remove from stove,drain water & mash with salt & pepper,butter (as per usual)
DO NOT make into a wet paste-instead keep it firm.

Add the drained gravy back to mince mixture to moisten
Gently add the mash to the top of mince meat.
Use a fork to spread across & gently poke the edges


Warm oven to 200 C & bake pie until the potato is crispy & golden-appx 30min

Serve warm with cabbage/broccoli/cauliflower & extra gravy on the side




CHICKEN COUS COUS:
1/2 cup flour
1 kg boneless chicken breast
6 tbsp olive oil
6 tbsp water
9 tbsp cooking sherry
4 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
4 tbsp sugar
1 bunch scallions
1 1/2 cup cous cous


In a saucepan simmer the sherry,sugar & soy sauce.
Rinse the chicken & cut into bite size pieces.
Heat the oil in seperate skillet & add chicken & scallions-cook through.
Mix the flour & water in a closed container(shake to mix)
Add the sauce mixture & flour mixture to the chicken & scallions.

Prepare cous cous as per instruction & place on a large platter.
Scoop the cooked chicken mixture on top & serve.

**COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK**

MOSCOW MULE:

vodka
lime juice
ginger beer
crushed ice

**GOOD MORNING WORLD**

You know some Monday mornings you wake up wishing it was still weekend??because you are that knackered??!!.........well I feel rather refreshed this morning-we crammed loads into three days........birthday dinner for my youngest son,leisurely afternoon @ the pool,cancer charity ball on Sat evening & a family bbq on Sunday.......!!

My folks are enjoying their last week in paradise....the holiday has flown by but we have cherished & enjoyed every minute & occassion with them......

In the coming week we are planning a trip to the elephant orphanage-hoping to watch them bathe & maybe even feed them??!!........it will be awesome to see God's creatures up close & personal.....:)-even if it is from a safe distance.....lol

May your week ahead be filled with joy & sunshine

**SATURDAY MORNING BLUES**

I was awoken this morning with a shove.....*wake up Mom-we want breakfast*.......the nerve of it all :)

I stumbled downstairs only to be greeted by 4 hungry men-uuuuugh!!

Of course none of them know where to find the kitchen or the maid for that matter?!-I quickly grabbed the ingredients & orchestrated the perfect breakfast from the sofa......:)

The sun is high,the grass is freshly cut & I know today is going to be awesome!!As it's my folks last weekend on the island I want to make it even more memorable,

I think a trip to one of the local hotels for a swim & some poolside fare is in order?!

Have a fabtastic Saturday!

**WHAT'S COOKING THIS WEEKEND?!**

As I sit here yawning into my coffee I'm fully aware that it will take atleast another 48hours to conquer my jetlag........travelling for almost 24hours is NO JOKE!!!!.........*yawn*

Today will be spent in bed till about noon........then my duties as Mom will kick in as the kids need picked up from school.Maybe a quick bite at a local eaterie & back home with an action packed movie??!!

Deep down inside I wanna drag my tush to the nearest club & dance the night away but I'm not too sure if my feet will play along?!......:)

Tomorrow evening we are off to a charity ball in aid of cancer research-I bought a gorgeous LBD with sexy leopard print earings-all my gorgeous gals will be there so I expect loads of giggles & sexy banter.........grrrrrrrrr :)

Have a rocking Friday mates!!!

**BACK TO BLOGGING**

Oh where do I start??!!........the past week has been a blur of excitement,travelling,fun & good food......:)

I flew to SA for an audition as a tv presenter on a very popular magazine programme last week.......I landed on the Wednesday & had a mere 24hours to compose & prepare myself-yikes!!

On the actual day I was a hot mess-we made our way to the FIRE & ICE Hotel in town & sat down for a scrumptious brekkie-NICE!!!......soon after we joined the evergrowing queue of hopefulls to register.

Number 42 was pinned to my chest & I took a seat towards the front,the anxiety & excitement was hanging in the air like ripe grapes........I met another chappie Andrew-who flew in from Abu Dhabi just for the audition-a bit like myself -but I firmly believe that opportunities like this are few & far between...........(if you have a dream FOLLOW IT!!!........)

Anyhoo the cameras were rolling everywhere-we filmed a segment for the program,were interviewed on camera & I met some gorgeous people too.......after a not too long wait we were led to the basement for the actual audition-three judges were ready to meet us including Jeannie D.....

It really was LIGHT CAMERA ACTION.......I kept my composure,smiled loads,delivered my link & it was all over far too soon.........I was left craving more -hahahahaha!!The feedback from the judges were positive but the actual results will only be made known towards end September......auditions are taking place ALL over SA till then!!!

I'm an eternal optimist & would LOVE to get the job but so would the other 50 000 people that applied-so we'll see.......*wink

On a lighter note it was just amazing to be back HOME-CAPE TOWN is spectacular..........even the weather played along!!I managed to get into the city,all my fave shopping malls & had lunch at two of my favourite eateries......*happy bunny*

I was fortunate enough to meet some of my old friends -even though they were slotted into my hectic schedule :)-I must admit I hardly drank any boozy cocktails but maybe that's because I was far too busy clothes shopping-YAY!!!.....I heart WOOLLIES,MR PRICE,FASHION WORLD & P&P FRESH PRODUCE.......if it didn't cost an arm & a leg I'd be over there every month......lol!!

Anyhoo it's great to be back in COLOMBO.......home is where the heart is & it's definitely over here!!!I got the bestest kisses & hugs upon my arrival but I think it had more to do with the great pressies I was lugging around........lol

Keep Dreaming.........:)