Happy Lunar New Year!! #23

Happy Chinese New Year to all my friends who celebrate this festive season!!

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4710 begins today on Jan. 23, 2012.


source: here

The Lunar New Year begins on the first new moon of the new year. For many Asian families in the Far East and around the world, the Lunar New Year is a celebration of change.

Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.

source: here

Breathing Fire into the New Year

Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in dragon years are innovative, brave, and passionate. Salvador Dali, John Lennon, and Mary-Louise Parker were all born in the year of the dragon.

Fireworks and Family Feasts

At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

The Lantern Festival

In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese-American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.

The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.

In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats.

source: Peter Tsai

What can we expect for 2012 ~ The year of the Water Dragon??

In 2012 this Dragon year begins on January 23rd and continues until February the 9th in 2013. It indicates a transformational time for world events and important turning points for individuals as well as a high degree of luck. The calm perceptive nature of the Water Dragon will make it a good year that should also incorporate a few surprises.

source: here

Dragon years in Chinese Astrology are usually noticeable times of change when they involve Dragons associated with the other elements of Earth, Metal, Wood or Fire. When, as in the case of the year 2012, Water is the driving element influence, it still brings with it transformations but they are calmer. This is because the Water Dragon has more patience than the other Chinese Dragons and is not so reckless in his decision making. He prefers to evaluate situations before taking action and his domination of the year 2012 will introduce only essential important changes. These may be when you least expect them but you can be assured that they will be beneficial in the long term. Adjustments in society structures and peoples world views and development are highlighted during a Water Dragon year.

All years of the Dragon have a traditional association with new beginnings, happiness and good fortune and 2012 is no exception. The Chinese consider Dragon years to be the best times to get married and have children or start a business. There are lots of positive energies for growth at work in 2012 courtesy of the Water Dragon's influential progressive spirit. The Water element influencing this Dragon calms him long enough for him to emit his aura of positivity and direct it sensibly rather than recklessly. His influence will be concentrated in the right places and directed at those who will benefit the most from his lucky air of wisdom. In a Water Dragon led year everyone should be inspired to contemplate the grasping of new opportunities and directions that may present themselves in 2012.

2012 promises to be a dynamic year with plenty of changes underway and the Water Dragon has a valuable message. He advises us to ensure we resolve old issues during this time and to aim to build strong new foundations. The first few months of the Year of the Water Dragon will appear to be quiet and quite uneventful. Once the Spring arrives in 2012 this Dragon's influence will be at its peak as this is this mythical creature's favorite season. We will be reminded of our weaknesses and how to be resourceful and adaptable when faced with difficult challenges. The period around May the 20th to the 18th of June will see the appearance of a Dragon Moon. This is when a Water Dragon's perception is at its most intense and so creates a fortunate time to begin planning anything for the future. This short lunar period's luck for initiating actions applies equally to society as a whole and to individuals.

The Summer and Autumn of the 2012 Water Dragon year is predicted to be filled with a steady flow of additions, corrections and positive developments. This is as the Dragon prompts adjustments and improvements with a sway towards less dependence on artificial foods and materials. The remainder of 2012 is destined to be quieter giving a time of reflection to assess the first results of any changes. This quiet year end may have a couple of unexpected occurrences that although unanticipated are forecast to improve our environment. Any ideas generated in this favorable timespan are likely to be groundbreaking and highly advantageous to mankind's future. There are plenty of ways to take advantage of a Water Dragon's reign on the year if we trust his intuitive vibes of optimistic fearless progression. His message of reassessing situations and determinedly moving forward will make 2012 a year to remember for the enrichment of knowledge and understanding in many areas of life.



Let's see if the predicaments will come out, next year around this time I will come back to this post and see if the Chinese astrology came out!!

Do you believe in astrology??

What animal are you in the Chinese horoscope? If you don't know, look here. The girls and me are horses, while Dirk is a sheep/goat.

Read your 2012 Chinese horoscope here!!

If you want to find out more of the relationships between Chinese astrology and Western Zodiac. Which I found VERY interesting and so true for the 3 of us, see here!


新年快乐！= Happy New Year!
Mireille xx

TIA ~ This Is Africa #22

Before I start with my blog post... did you noticed that I added a PIN IT button to my site? Now you can add any of my pictures to your pinterest collection. How great is that? Just click and add :-)

I was googling Dutch and Johannesburg and came upon this article from 2010:

"A group of 36 Dutch women were arrested in Johannesburg on Monday because they were dressed in the wrong skirts.



FIFA officials discovered them in the Soccer City stadium and reported them to police after the Holland-Denmark duel. The girls wore orange miniskirts, so-called Dutch Dresses, supplied by Bavaria brewery, a competitor of FIFA's official sponsor Budweiser. The officials acted against the Bavaria girls on the basis of the contract with Budweiser, which stipulates that other beer brands are not allowed to advertise in the World Championship stadiums.

Students
Bavaria initially denied any involvement, claiming that the 36 women belonged to a student group who purchased the skirts and paid their own expenses, including the trip to South Africa. But Bavaria's Managing Director Peer Swinkels told reporters that he was appalled the Dutch Dress girls were arrested. "There is not even a brand name on those skirts, so what are we doing wrong? Since when are there clothing conventions during football matches?"

Mr Swinkels admitted that Bavaria had footed the bill for the Dutch Dress campaign. Barbara Castelein, a spokeswoman for the so-called Oranje Babes said they were shocked by FIFA's rough-shod handling of the case. "We were forcibly manhandled, some girls were covered in bruises. All of a sudden the action lost its innocence." They were held in police cells for four hours. Ms Castelein says the group was having second thoughts about a follow-up to the dress action".

Can this only happen in Africa, or is this a FIFA thing??
Mireille xx

High Tea #21

Last weekend we were invited to a friends house for a High Tea.

The girls were ready for it... shiny dresses and huge flowers in their hair, like a proper young English lass.



The cakes were amazing!! Came from Tart, close by at Leaping Frog shopping centre. YUM!!



Everybody was dressed in flowery or colorful dresses, some with hats, but most of us just a flower in our hair...

TOO HOT FOR A HAT!

BUT FUN!!



Do you like to go to themed parties like this?
Mireille xx

Lucky Ducks #20

The most wanted gift for Xmas this year was a laptop. Since the girls and us travel so much, we thought a net book was even a better idea since it is lighter. So easier to take on planes etc...

The girls are super happy with their new Sony Vaio net books!! Although Jasmine doesn't look like it on this picture, but she was more annoyed that I had to take a picture of her... while playing on her new 'toy'....



Like their Iphone Touches the colors are lime green for Juliet and pink for Jasmine, so it is easy to keep track of whose is whose...
They even have both a desk chair in lime green and pink, so color coordinated these girls :-)

Such Lucky Ducks!!

What was your child's most prized toy or gadget this year??
Mireille xx

Two Peas in a Pod #19

What more do I need to say?

They are each other's best friend...

Almost never fight!

And like to be together always.

They still sleep, play, shower and hang out together ALL the TIME!



How are your children together? Like 2 peas in a pod, or the total opposite??
Mireille xx

A different view #18

In July 2008 we moved to South Africa. So January 2008 was our last snowy winter. I was looking back at my folder of 2008 and came upon this picture. Taken from my covered patio looking into the garden and this is what I saw.....

A view on water... a small lake called Fox Hill Lake in Ridgefield, CT. It was a magnificent cedar wooden house, just a gorgeous setting. You walked right into the water from our garden. We had snapping turtles and big fish in that water and we always told the girls to NOT put their feet in the water. They never did, but some of their friends tried... luckily the snapping turtles were never close by! This picture was taken in January 2008, in the middle of the winter.



This is the view looking into our garden from the covered patio now here in South Africa.

Again a view on water... just a different kind of water, a pool. And it is summer in the middle of January 2012. Also a beautiful home and the view is not bad, but not as spacious and wide open as the other view. Nonetheless a nice view. No snapping turtles, but hadedas ibis, weaver birds and an accidentally snake that crowd our garden now. The girls dip their feet in the water on many occasions :-)



How is your view from the house? Do you have a good one?
Ciao, Mireille xx

Brownie baking & Beauty treatments #17

Just add E.G.G.S. and B.U.T.T.E.R.

The girls love these simple baking packages!

They can do it ALL by themselves, no help needed.... the only thing I do is put the oven on the right temperature.



Mixing, pouring, decorating.... they are like little pro's in the kitchen :-)



And then while waiting for the cake to be done, have some lunch and a beauty treatment... all with a facial mask on while eating some fried rice!!



H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S. !!!!


Are your kids into home making or beauty treatments?
Mireille xx

Home work #16

Every day some Math & Reading....



NO PROBLEM for these girls!

Most of the days already done in the bus, but instead of 30 minutes reading they do at least 2 hours!!

They finish a book a day, if not more!

BTW; did you notice how JJ is sitting again?? Thai style.... ;-)

Nature vs Nurture?? Definitely nature!!

Enjoy your Monday!
Mireille xx

Yellow #15

Y.E.L.L.O.W

In the garden and in the kitchen.


A cute weaver bird in our garden.



Our summer favorite.... home made lemonade in the kitchen.



A P.E.R.F.E.C.T Sunday!


Enjoy your Sunday!
What are you up to?

Mireille xx

Support from mum to mum #14

See here some impressions what other mothers have to do to give their children a reasonable life...
These are Masai women from Kenya.








"No matter where we live, no matter how our circumstances are the love for our children crosses the universe.

I have a deep respect and admiration for your dedication to make your children’s lives better and the care you give.

Greetings from a mother of twin girls age 9 living in South Africa."


This is my message to the courageous women of the Masai tribe.

Michelle, creator Molly Moo, is traveling to Northern Kenya this March and is taking messages of support from mums all over the world to the Masai women. So simple, yet I know it will mean a lot to these remarkable women. Will you take part?


Enjoy your day,
Mireille xx

Corn vs Tomato #13

(My photo a day, turned more into a blog post a day.... ;-)

So I am having for one month long (because I am not sure I could do this any longer, I get bored!) A-SOUP-A-DAY!

We LOVE soups around the house here, it's so nourishing and I feel every bowl of soup fills your body with love and joy!

I started with Sweetcorn Chowder from Bill Granger (he is one of my favorite chefs, simple & fresh!) I found it on Almost Bourdain, see here for recipe.



This is a soup the girls ADORED!! They loved it so much!! And it is easy to make, a meal in 30 minutes! Perfect for a week day. I served it with some garlic bread, and me and the girls devoured it. YUMMY!!

The next day I made a Roasted Tomato Soup with Crostini, I found the recipe via my favorite food search engine Food Gawker and this brought me to a link of Joyilicious, see here for the recipe.

The soup was completely made from scratch, actually the other one too, but in this recipe more steps were involved. First you had to roast the tomatoes and garlic in the oven and since I made a double portion this was quite some work... coring, slicing the tomatoes, seasoning and in the oven. For all the effort the end result was actually not as spectacular as I would have hoped... In total this soup took me almost 2 hours to make, while the other one was on the table in less than 45 minutes!





So for me and the girls the winner was absolutely Bill Granger's Sweetcorn Chowder!! He made this soup for the first time when he was 7 years old, I told my girls this and now they want to try and make it the next time. But in his latest book which I got for Xmas he has a slightly different version of this soup, more with an Asian twist, so next time we will try this one!

This book is by the way just FABULOUS!! The pictures are so beautiful and the recipes are totally up my alleyI already saw tons of recipes that I am going to try!!



So what is your favorite soup? Do you like the creamy ones or the broth types?? I actually really love a good brothy one, with a deep and intense broth, homemade of course!! I prefer to make only fresh soups, everything from scratch, but it still has to be quite easy and fast on the table... so my search goes on for the most yummilicious soups!!

More to follow!
Mireille xx

Feel free to post your favorite, I need inpiration!!

Things around the house #12

The other day I was walking with my camera in my hand and my eye caught some of the items I have hanging around the house.. so here a peek into my home. The things I have hanging and standing around.

I realize I have not yet made new pictures of this house, should do soon... you never know when we need to move again ;-)


African Pop Art made by some kids with disabilities in a home in Pretoria, I love the colors, so vibrant!



African tribal jewelry from shells & bones. Quite heavy to hang around your neck!



dried Protea ~ the national flower of South Africa. When they are fresh they have this soft pink color, but dried they actually are very special as well.. so I always keep them for a while. This flower is like a work of art ~ beautiful!!



When you live in all these different countries like us you do gather and collect things from all over the world... these are some African inspired items. But I have items from Asia, Europe and the USA in my house as well... it is an eclectic mix.

What is your designing style? Do you collect things from all over the world? Is your house eclectic, modern, country, antique?
Tell me about it!

Mireille xx

Korean Dinner #11

While living here in South Africa I got more introduced to Korean food. Not just the only hot pot that you eat in the restaurants, no to proper home made Korean food!!

And I must tell you: I LIKE!!

It's a new combination of flavors for me... not like my usual South East Asian that I have been so used to. No this is a different way of combining great and yummy flavors.



Thanks to my friends Hyun and Stella they have been teaching me some Korean dishes, and I kind of combined them all together in my own fusion way! Just to mix things up a bit, I made it like a combined dinner and I am sure that Stella and Hyun are NOT making it like this, at least not combining like I did. But I had to think of my baby girls and what they like to eat for dinner, so I combined their most favorite of ALL, which is crispy flavored nori (seaweed) sheets with sushi rice and combined that with Bulgogi beef.

Then I also made the Goo Jul Pan, these are very thin pancakes with a topping of yummy ingredients, but the pancakes I didn't make, no I followed the lead of my friend Stella and pickled some horseradish root for 24 hours. First I cut them in thin slices and then I pickled it in vinegar:sugar:water = 1:1:1 and added a bit of salt. So instead of pancakes I used my slices of horseradish as a base.

I will tell you: THIS IS GOOD!!

As a topping I shredded carrots, cucumber, marinated some wild exotic mushrooms, and separated some egg yolks from the white and made a thin pancake from the whites and a thin pancake from the yolks, cut these in strips and you all top then on the sliced radish. To make it complete you add one of these sauces: Gyeoja & Kanjang dipping sauce and pop it in your mouth.

What an explosion of taste and texture this is!! YUM YUM YUM! I really can't get over it how delicious this is!!

You have to try to make this!! You can do this, when you follow the recipes!!

I will give you the links, if you promise me to try this and come back to me, and thank me for missing this the whole last decennial of your life!!

For the Bulgogi ~ marinated beef that I served with sushi rice and we wrapped it ourselves in crispy fried and seasoned nori sheets.

1-1.5 lbs. of thinly sliced rib-eye steak purchased from a Korean market. Or you can slice your own rib-eye or sirloin steak across the grain in paper thin slices. Partially freezing the beef helps with cutting clean slices.

Marinated at least for 1 hour in:
1/3 cup of soy sauce
3 Tbl white sugar
1 Tbl sesame oil
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 shallots, sliced into medium moon shaped slivers
2 green onions including the white parts, finely sliced into small pieces
2 Tbl toasted sesame seeds
1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp of fresh ginger, finely minced
2 pinches of black pepper
sliced mushrooms (optional)

Then up to the other exciting part of my dinner, the Goo Jul Pan. Really you have to make this once, and you will be hooked.
Here is the link to the recipe I used: I Korean Food

I looks more daunting then it is really. And if you skip the crepe pancakes and instead do the radish it makes it easier and I also believe MUCH tastier!!

좋은 날이 있다! = Have a good day! (in Korean)
Mireille xx

Pinterest #10

I joined P.I.N.T.E.R.E.S.T

Are you part of it??

You must know what it is??

Or have you been living under a rock??

I am sure not, as MY reader, you know what it is for sure!! But in case you didn't know.....



Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

What Can You Do with Pinterest?

Redecorate your Home!
Plan a Wedding!
Find your Style!
Save your Inspirations!
Save Your Recipes!

and all that in just ONE PLACE!!



Their Mission

Their goal is to connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting. They think that a favorite book, toy, or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests.

If you like?? Go to: Pinterest

Let's do some pinning together!! Are you in?

Mireille xx

Crazy hair #9

The hot tub or jacuzzi is a nice change from the pool, since the water is so much warmer. So the kids jump in from hot to cool and back again. They love that!



Look at our funny hair is JJ saying....



And you can see Aviv thinking: "Girls can be weird" but he is so much in love with JJ that he takes it all in and enjoys these funny girls!



Yes... you read that right... JJ has a boy friend.... :-)
They are even exchanging gifts... so cute!!

Now Jezz and Elle are a bit jealous....

Girl drama is starting!!!!

Have a good day!
Mireille

Sushi for the kids #8

It is still Xmas break and the sun is hot, so the kids are in the pool all day and that gives them a big appetite, so I made some sushi for them.

But only with ingredients they like!!

So I call it Sushi for Kids.



The ingredients are:

* sushi rice
* nori wrappers
* egg omelette
* cucumber
* carrots, a bit softened in a bit of oil/water to make it not so crunchy
* tuna with mayo
* spam from a can, cut in strips and browned a bit in oil
* salmon

Then I just made a few combinations with these ingredients and the kids LOVED them!!



Although 2 of them were not so sure, so an hour later I made them something else...

Oh well, the maid and gardener ate all the left-over sushi and they were so HAPPY!!

Enjoy your day,
M xx

Summer Fun #7

OK, not one today... but 2, since sometimes that has more effect :-)

Who is jumping first?



Me! Says Elle, while Aviv, Jasmine and Juliet are watching while she jumps into the pool.... so much fun!!




Greetings from a sunny South Africa everyone!!

How is the weather on your side?

M xx

a photo a day ~ 6 (Praying Mantis)

Dirk and me saw a praying mantis in the garden, but we thought it was a 'wandelende tak'/ stick insect at first but then we called the girls and they told us: NO, this is a praying mantis!!

And they were so right!!

These girls are so much smarter than us in the animal world.....

I asked them to pick it up, so I could take a close up photo, but they didn't want to do that since these animals can bite. I didn't believe them, so I googled it and YEP they were right AGAIN! Although it only bites like an ant bite, so doesn't really hurt that much but Jasmine and Juliet were not in the mood even for an ant bite... so I just took a picture in the grass....

Oh well, I can't make them do anything these days anymore :-(

Are your children such good listeners and do whatever you ask them to do??

Ciao, M xx

A photo a day ~ 5 (LemonGrass & Lavender)

LemonGrass & Lavender ~ Cooking around the world.

I am starting with cooking classes as of Wednesday, February 1st, from 8:30 - 13:00

Sign up now! Full = full!

Fun ~ Learning ~ Eating ~ Drinking ~ Creating!

The themes will be Asian, herbs & spices, quick & healthy, vegetarian, Mediterranean, meals under 30 minutes and so much more!

I can't wait to start :-)

See also my page on Facebook: LemonGrass & Lavender

Hope to see you!
Mireille xx

A photo a day ~ 4 (weaver bird)

This little guy is working so hard, he deserves another photo a day.



Look at him he rips long strips from palm trees and then builds his nest, mostly from the inside out, it is really a work of art!

Weaver birds, also known as weaver finches, get their name because of their elaborately woven nests (the most elaborate of any birds!)

And that in my garden, so we can follow him while he is working so hard to attract a female bird.

What kind of birds do you find in your garden??
Mireille xx

A photo a day ~ 3

We bought a new bird feeder for the garden and it attracts so many weaver birds! This male is even building his nest next to the feeder.... I am not sure if this is a smart move, because so many birds fly in and out to get some seeds, the babies in this nest could never have a quite moment!



The nests are really intricate but the females are very picky and decide after the male has build it if she accepts it or not...


By the way... how are your new year's resolutions for the New Year coming along??? Are you still going strong, or haven't started yet... or gave up already??

I am in between...

Love, M xx

A photo a day ~ 2

The party was all in WHITE with one ACCENT color, the girls choose black.

Here they are getting ready for their performance....

A photo a day ~ 1

I hope I can do this for a whole year... one photo a day, a snippet of our life here in SA.



We had a New Year's bash at our house with about 35 adults and 25 kids....

Fireworks could not be left out!

We started the New Year with a BANG!

Happy New Year to you all!!

Goodmorning 2012!!

Did you all survive the big party last night??

How are you feeling the first day of the New Year??

Like me... pretty hang over??

Or as fit as a spring chicken??

Well, I like to tell you something about a tradition we Dutch people do on the first day of the New Year.

You know that in Holland it is cold now.... REALLY COLD!! (Not like here in South Africa, and I am glad I am not there now!)

So on New Year's Day some... a lot of crazy Dutch people like to dive into the freezing cold water of the North Sea in order to start the first day of the year 'refreshed'!!



This is known as the so called 'Nieuwjaarsduik'. And this tradition has been going on since 1965 were only 7 people started this swim, now more and more people are joining every year. Even from abroad people are coming over to make this cold dip.

UNOX, part of Unilever sponsors this event and gets loads of attention. Every year they try to find in between the huge crowds a pretty girl with some nice assets and they declare her the Unox Girl. Well, every young girl is trying to have her 15 minutes of fame, so they brave the cold and cold water to get the attention of the camera. In hopes to become the new Unox girl.

Here some examples of some Unox Girls and wannabees. This girl on the right was actually one of the Unox girls.





By the way, the temperatures of the water in the North Sea around this time of the year is 6 °C (43 °F) and the temperature of the air is around freezing. So pretty cold to run around in your bathing suit!! Just to get noticed....

Well, my day will be a nice and relaxing with some healthy brunch dishes, and maybe a dip in our pool which is at least 29 °C (85 °F).

What will you do on your first day of the New Year??
Share it with me.

Mireille xx

The Amazing Orange Cake...

As Jill Dupleix says on her website: "very now and then, a recipe comes along that is set to take over the world. The Amazing Orange Cake is just such a recipe".

Since Jasmine and Juliet are into baking these days I thought this was a good Holiday recipe we could make.

So yesterday we, or I must actually say: JJ & Jezz made this cake. Although they baked it, they haven't tried a slice yet... that is the part. They like to bake, but then they are not really interested in eating, and then Dirk and me are stuck with a yummy cake, but way too much for us. So that's why I don't like to bake!!

Here the girls are getting all the ingredients together, and buttering the pan. When you click on the link above it will bring you to the recipe. We halved the recipe, since this was a huge cake, and half is already for a 22 cm pan, which is more than big enough!



Mixing part is so much fun, they took turns!



And then the end result.... not bad for a first attempt! And the girls are so proud of themselves :-)



It's a very yummy cake, but my friend Dunke makes a better version!! So Dunke, next time I'll come and get your recipe, because nobody beats your yummilicious Orange Cake!!

Have a wonderful Xmas all!!
Mireille xx