Posts filed under baking and cooking

A Week in the Life of the Malcolms in Somerset West

It’s been a whole week since I posted. I know you all have been clamoring for a post, but not much out of the “ordinary” has been happening. We’ve been staying close to our flat this week as it has just been time getting used to our new location and schedule.

Phindi enjoying her “skip rope” in our garden.

With this flat, we have a small garden (yard) and Phindi has been enjoying it by jumping rope and running around chasing her brother (mostly while they play hide and go seek). We’ve also settled in and started home schooling in earnest. The kids love when we do school (read: sarcasm). Tisetso receives his $3 reward for having a good attitude for the week, and Phindi gets to pick out a sweet at the mall for every four days of good attitude.

Table Mountain

We did go into Cape Town proper this past Sunday morning, as the church we attend meets at 4:30 p.m. We went to a world-renowned coffee shop called Truth where the decor and staff’s getups are all steampunk themed. The food and tea were excellent, and Brian says the coffee was great. I cannot testify to that. Gross.

The streets and clear skies of Cape Town.

After coffee, we headed to the Victoria and Albert Waterfront. It was a great place to visit last time we were here and where we spent most of our time in Cape Town. We loved getting to show Phindi around some of the Waterfront. It’s quite big, so we didn’t get to see all of it this trip.

One of the ships being repaired.

One of many seals we saw. This one just hung out like this for a while…maybe sunning itself? It almost got run over by a boat!

It wasn’t supposed to rain, but it happened to do so briefly while we were eating for lunch (indoors)! We did stop by the big warehouse where all of the artisans have booths and I found a necklace I really like (my first Cape Town purchase). Tisetso found a Mother’s Day present I was told not to ask questions about.

Pizza and Movie Night!

We also had a pizza and movie night last Friday and introduced Phindi to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone! It was magical! If you know anything about me, one of the things you probably know is that I love Harry Potter, so introducing my daughter to the wizarding world of Harry Potter was such a joy.

Harry Potter and my Harry Potter tattoo.

Phindi coloring on the back patio.

Phindi and I baking chocolate chip cookies (the best!).

When Tisetso and I made cookies for the first time together in South Africa.

Phindi and I also had a baking time together. I have my favorite cookie recipe memorized, so it was quick and easy to make. She and I had fun making them and apparently she is addicted to cookies, also known as ‘biscuits’ here. She’s been asking for them left and right!

Lest you forget this photo-hating teenager of mine is on this trip, too.

We also went to the beach in Strand (a 5 minute ride from our flat) and got ice cream and walked the beach. I made the apparent mistake of ordering a “medium” cone!

A medium cone the size of my face!

Posted on April 27, 2022 and filed under adoption, baking and cooking, In-Country Time, South Africa.

Bourbon-Poached Peaches

Lined up and ready to boil.

For the last three years, I've made bourbon-poached peaches (recipe here). This year, I got to continue the tradition working with my sister and having constant interruptions from my son and Erin's kids. I loved it! It was, hands down, the best time I've had making this recipe!

My beautiful sister.

My favorite part of making these is how sweet your kitchen and hands smell when you're all done. The smell from scraping the vanilla pods to collect the seeds is intoxicating! (Vanilla is one of my favorite things/smells) I don't have many baking traditions, but I think I can include bourbon-poached peaches now that I've hit the three year mark.

Simmering.

Definitely give the recipe a try! It makes more than you can eat in a month, so they're great to give away, too. Invite a friend and make a double batch. Peeling all of those peaches allows for some quality time!

The finished product.

Posted on July 5, 2016 and filed under at home, baking and cooking.