Resolve to salve

It’s been several years since I’ve made any New Year’s resolutions. I used to be relatively pedantic about them insofar as they helped to incentivise me. They’d be quite objective goals such as getting good marks at University, getting an interview at certain law firms etc. They were geared towards academic achievements and my career.

Life has been pretty good to me this year and I feel really fortunate to be in the position I am in. Despite this, and despite my knowing better, there have been certain, small, aspects of my life which still tend to cause me a disproportionate amount of grief. Accordingly, my New Year’s resolution is to limit my exposure to certain people (and social networking sites) which make me feel bad about myself (yes, I know the old adage that “no-one can make you feel bad without your permission” but I guess I’ve granted them permission).  

In any event I feel like this "life", documented in virtual reality, has become a mad competition about whose life is the most lived, whose happiness is the happiest. I find it exhausting and unhealthy and I’ve chosen to opt-out of that “race”.

I was speaking to Ric about it all this morning and he reminded me that (as I’m ever inclined to forget in my dark moods) I have a really full life. I’m loved by the people that matter. I’m a good person. I deserve to be happy (to the best of my melancholic ability). He asked me why I give so much attention to something that makes me so damn unhappy. So simple. So true.

I’m so thankful to have Ric in my life- we make such a good team. I have an incredible family and I'm crazy in love with my hairy children. The friends I have are the friends that matter. The kind of life I'm trying to live is the life that matters.     

This is the year in which to place things in the proper perspective and to resolve to keep them in that perspective. 

Walkhaven

During the course of this week we took our hairy children to Walkhaven, a massive park situated just outside of Johannesburg, built specifically for dogs. Seeing as we have four dogs, its a major relief going to a park where they can run free and where we don't have to mitigate the risk of fullofshit people laying into us about them. We hadn't been there in a while and were pleased to see that it had undergone even more improvements recently. The dogs had so much fun running around in the park and swimming in the dam. We had fun running after the dogs and rescuing them from the dam. It was definitely worth the slightly long and cramped drive.

Somedays



today's a someday more than another day.
these god-damn dreams are getting old.



Wolf in Geek's Clothing

fool

“I've never fooled anyone.

I've let people fool themselves.

They didn't bother to find out who and what I was.

Instead they would invent a character for me.

I wouldn't argue with them.”

- Marilyn Monroe

Chocolate Ganache Pie

A while ago I ordered a cookbook entitled "The 30 Minute Vegan" which has really great recipes which are, most importantly, really quick and easy to make. I decided to make the Chocolate Ganache Pie for Christmas Day and thankfully it wasn't a complete disaster on my first attempt. Warning: its pretty damn decadent so a little will go a long way (I still have a sweetness headache three days later). 

Piecrust

• 1.5 cups almonds
• 1.1/4 cups pitted Medjool dates
• 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
• pinch cinnamon
• pinch allspice

Place almonds in a food processor and process until just ground. Add the dates, coconut, cinnamon and allspice and process until the dates are broken up and the mixture begins to run up the sides of the processor. You may need to add more dates or a bit of Agave nectar if you're using a variety of dates that is not as moist as the Medjool. Use your hands to press the crust into a 9-inch pie plate.

Pie Filling

• 3 slabs dairy-free dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 package firm silken tofu
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• pinch sea salt

Melt the chocolate by heating it in a double boiler over medium heat until the consistency is smooth, lump-free and creamy, stirring only once or twice (alternatively, melt the chocolate in the microwave oven for two-three minutes if you're short of time).

Meanwhile puree the maple syrup, tofu, vanilla and sea salt in a food processor until smooth. When the choclate is thoroughly melted, add it to the food processor and blend well.

Pour the mixture into the pie shell and chill until firm all the way through (at least one hour). Serve and enjoy!

Feliz Navidad

This Christmas was one of firsts. 

It was the first time that I cooked a vegan Christmas lunch for the family.

It was the first time in ages that the three of us spent Christmas in Jo'burg (as opposed to celebrating it in Cape Town with our massive extended family).

It was the first Christmas spent in my new house.

~ Feliz Navidad ~

Drive

I went to watch Drive the other night at Cinema Nouveau. Such an awesome movie. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Despite the graphic violence (akin to "No Country for Old Men") the movie was pretty subtle- carried by an awesome soundtrack, ambient cinematography and a brooding Ryan Gosling. 



Noel

I

knew

I was

going to

see you today.

Merry Christmas

Monoman.

 

go with the flow

entrophy

when the fuck did life become so crazy
(!)

Chanson du jour (x2)

parking-off on Reconciliation

Today was such nice weather and we decided to finish off the public holiday at our local James and Ethel Gray Park with Hoochie and Lua.

can-alone-i

A few nights ago we made the most amazing broccoli and cauliflower vegan cannelloni courtesy of The Vegan Swedes. We've been cooking a lot more lately and I'm so encouraged to find that there is so much more variety in vegan food than we ourselves ever thought possible. With Ric being vegan as well now, its also much easier for me to motivate myself to try new things and learn more about health and nutrition. This cannelloni was, without a doubt, the best I've ever had- delicious and entitrely guilt-free.

Ingredients:

• one pack egg-free cannelloni shells
• one head brocco
• one head cauliflower
• 2 garlic cloves
• two cans tomato puree
• 2 table spoons vinegar
• 1 table spoon sugar
• three table spoons flour
• two table spoons vegan margerine
• 500ml water
• vegan parmesan to taste
• 1 tub vegan cooking cream
• 2 teaspons vegetable stock

Break the broccoli and cauliflower into chunks and boil in lightly salted water until soft enough to mix. Drain most of the water from the brocolli and cauliflower, add the garlic as well as salt and pepper to taste. Mash the broccoli and cauliflower until it achieves a smoother consistency and then leave to cool.

Mix the tomato puree, vinegar, sugar, as well as salt and pepper to taste, and pour the mixture into an oven-proof tray.

Start stuffing the cannelloni shells with the broccoli and cauliflower mixture and place the shells on the puree mixture until the tray is filled.

For the cheese sauce, melt the margerine and mix in the flour until it becomes a paste. Add the vegan cream and mix. Add the vegetable stock, salt and then slowly add the water to the mixture until it has a thick, smooth consistency. 

Pour the cheese sauce over the cannelloni shells and place in the oven at 200C for 30-45 minutes.  

 

(my) House on Fire

Its been several years since I was told about House on Fire, a gallery and creative space/venue located in Swaziland. I still haven't had an opportunity to go there but I do visit their website every now and again in order to covet their amazing pieces. I dream of owning one (or several) of their pieces someday.



After Gerard Sekoto's Girl with Orange

All your Ducks in a Row

Cellphone Angel

 

Kind of Blue 2

Open Bust



Red Rackham's Treasure



Night Nurse 2



The Greatest Cross-dresser beats the Upsized Burger



Rosie



histoire en images