Spirited Mama

Living a SPIRITED life filled with wanderlust, emotions and everything in between

Category: Food & drinks Page 1 of 2

My homemade pecan nut rusks, it’s easier than you think.

By

On May 5, 2020

In Food & drinks, Recipes

I love homemade anything! And right now I need to feed my savages as they are hungry all the time. They love an on the go snack; so I leave a huge jar of homemade pecan nut rusks on the table and everyone can just grab some on the go. This is actually my Great Aunt Josy’s recipe which I adapted for my family.

Here’s my homemade pecan nut rusk recipe:

Ingredients:

1kg self-raising flour

5 cups of wheat bran

500g butter (melted)

1 cup of sugar [if you want to “taste” the sugar you’ll need to add a whole lot more 🙂 ]

5ml salt

10 baking powder

2 eggs (beaten)

600ml of milk (you can use buttermilk too)

50g pecan nuts

*Variations: you can add oats, coconut, seeds, dried fruit or berries and even chocolate. Be adventurous. I use pecans as this is what my kids like.

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.

Mix flour, wheat bran, sugar, salt, baking powder and pecan nuts in a large bowl. Add the melted butter, beaten eggs and milk and mix well with a wooden spoon. Spoon into a large oven proof dish and bake for 1 hour. I was lazy and only used one dish but you can make two batches from this. Allow to cool before cutting. I wait about 10 minutes, so it’s still warm and easy to slice.

*Patience is required here. You need to dry out the rusks in the oven for 8 hours or so. Set the oven to 60-80 degrees C. Pack your sliced rusks on a baking tray and leave to dry out in the *lukewarm* oven. If I don’t get it done in one day, I just carry on the next morning. The rusks are still perfectly fine to dry out the next day too.

Some say you can do this overnight but I’ve never done it this way. Not sure if it’s just me being paranoid but I don’t like the idea of the oven being on whilst we are sleeping.

And that’s it. Store rusks in an airtight container. I prefer the glass “cookie” jar on the table.

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I’m off to have another cup of coffee and a rusk.

What’s your go to snack?

Spirited Mama

x

 

Sugar glazed donuts… My recipe so that you can make your own

By

On April 20, 2020

In Food & drinks, Recipes

I wasn’t even aware that there was some donut challenge happening until someone asked me if I took part in the challenge. To be honest, I take deliberate breaks from my phone, social media as well as the television as I just feel overwhelmed with all the information. But that story is for another post.

For now, here is my donut recipe that I learnt from Mamma when I was a kid 🙂 Fun fact: Mamma and I once used a 20 cents coin to make those inner circles in the dough.

Donut Ingredients:

  • 3 1/2 cups of cake flour
  • 55g (about 1/4 cup) of castor sugar
  • 2 packets of instant yeast
  • Pinch of salt
  • 250ml (1 cup) of milk, warmed
  • 100g of butter (melt in the microwave)
  • 3 egg yolks
  • Oil to deep fry your donuts (I prefer Canola oil

Method:

Combine the flour, castor sugar, yeast and salt in a bowl, Just give it a good mix. In the centre, add the milk, butter and egg yolks. You need to mix this through thoroughly. Don’t fret as the dough will be sticky at this point.

On a lightly floured surface, knead your dough until it no longer sticks to your hand. Rub some oil in your bowl and place the dough back in the bowl. Cover the dough with some cling wrap and allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size. This could take from 60 – 90 minutes. Be patient.

Gently knead the dough again lightly on a lightly floured surface, until it is smooth again. Now you can roll out your dough until about 1cm thick. Don’t worry if you don’t have a rolling pin, you can also just gently press down on the dough with the palm of your hand.

Cut out round circles with a cookie cutter. Now here is where you can be creative and find a smaller round cutter to cut out the inner circles. We just used a test tube from Joshua’s Science kit. Let the cut “dough” rise whilst you heat your oil in a deep fryer or pot.

Tip: I deep fry the inner circles and pop them into a bowl of cinnamon and sugar mix. Perfect little bite size cinnamon bites.

The oil should be 180 degrees, so hot but not scorching the dough. Test your oil with a a small piece of dough. It should fry as soon as it hits the oil. Don’t be impatient. Take your time so that you get gold brown donuts instead of dark brown, scorched ones.

Deep fry the donuts for 2 minutes each side, I usually pop 4 or 5 in at a time.

If you are making the cinnamon and sugar coated donut, just pop the hot donut straight into the cinnamon mix and coat as desired. This is where the kids just shake a tupperware bowl 🙂 If you try to coat them once the donut has cooled the cinnamon and sugar won’t stick to the donut.

If you are using a sugar glaze, see my recipe for the glaze below, place the fried donut on a drip tray to get rid of any excess oil for a few seconds. Then just dip the warm donut into the glaze. I use a skewer as it is easier to work with and you won’t damage your donut. Place your glazed donuts on a drip tray and allow your the glaze to “set” whilst you finish off your frying.

Sugar glaze:

Over a low heat, melt 100g of butter in a small saucepan. Add 1 1/2 cup of castor sugar and let it dissolve completely. Now you can thin out your glaze by adding milk or water, to get your desired consistency. I prefer water as it breaks the sweetness of the castor sugar.

Tip: As the sugar glaze cools down it will crystallize. Just reheat the sugar glaze until everything is melted once again.

The donuts are best enjoyed immediately. If you do happen to have any leftovers, just store them in an airtight container. Pop in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and they will be yummy again. 

I also like to substitute the cake flour with coconut flour. It give the donuts a delicious coconut taste. The donuts I made yesterday was made with normal cake flour.

Enjoy and happy donut making. I get about 20-24 donuts out of this mixture. Let me know how it goes.

Spirited Mama

x

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Find your SPIRIT with Southern Comfort Black

By

On March 20, 2019

In Food & drinks, Lifestyle

All-new Southern Comfort Black to Encompass the Spirit of New Orleans

Although I am a mom of two boys, I do enjoy a whisky or two every now and then 🙂 I’m not a big fan of adding mixers and sodas to my whisky. I prefer to have it on the rocks! Also, I watch my calorie intake 🙂

On Wednesday, 13 March 2018, the Really Great Brand Company announced the launch of their brand-new bold offering; Southern Comfort Black during a New Orleans inspired event at the Living Room – Maboneng’s plant-filled rooftop café. A diverse group of media were introduced to the new bold, robust whiskey-forward blend while experiencing the Spirit of the South through the sights, sounds and food delicacies of this exciting city.

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Southern Comfort Black perfectly maintains the iconic flavours of Southern Comfort Original, but includes subtle spice and fruity accents, placing it in a league of its own.

In 1874, founder and legendary southerner M.W. Heron, created the first batch of his genuine smooth-drinking whiskey, blended with his very own fruits and spices. The original recipe is fitting for a whiskey that’s still deeply rooted in the local flavour and vibrant soul of one of the most unforgettable places in the world – New Orleans. Where there’s a party on every street, a story behind every door, and a mischievous smile inviting you to be part of it all.

 

“While our latest offering carries on the legacy of M.W. Heron, it also celebrates Sazerac master spirits blender Drew Mayville, who is responsible for this bolder profile,” says Southern Comfort Brand Manager, Grant de Jager. “Fittingly, the black label, truly takes the original Southern Comfort experience up a notch – for those of you who like their extra-smooth whiskey, extra bold!” he adds.

 

Best served with a variety of mixers, soda water or simply on the rocks, Southern Comfort Black is dark, mysterious and mostly – sophisticated. Available at all major retail stores, nationwide.

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Do you drink whisky? 

Are you willing to try some Southern Comfort Black?

Cheers!

Spirited Mama

x

Disclaimer: Pictures were supplied by Ronamo Media.

Cadbury’s Peanut Tumbles.. I miss you…

By

On September 19, 2016

In Chocolate, emotions, Food & drinks

tumbles

Where do I even start??? I am so pissed actually. I have been hunting down Cadbury‘s Peanut Tumbles but can’t find it anywhere…Like nowhere in Pretoria can I find just one freaking packet…And what gets to me is that this hunt has been on for a long long long ass time now.

Cadbury this is my plea to you. Please bring Peanut tumbles back….

Love how you say “Let the joy find you” well I am searching and just not finding MY joy!!!!

Spirited Mama

What we ate… Spirited Mama was featured on Harassed Mom’s blog

By

On September 13, 2016

In About me, Food & drinks, Where we feature

So we were featured on Harassed Mom’s blog in her  “what we ate” series.

You can read the full post here. I am so hungry just looking at that post but then again I’m pregnant and lately I am ALWAYS hungry!

Thanks Harassed Mom!

Spirited Mama

 

Random ramblings

By

On August 5, 2016

In Food & drinks, New baby, Uncategorized

It’s FRIDAY!!!! Whoohoooooo

Well in Spiritville this week surely took its own damn time. Even though we had a mini break on Wednesday as it was Voter’s Day ( I sincerely hope you made your mark as I did – your vote will only matter if you vote. Period. End of Story. I die a small death every time I hear someone say “my vote doesn’t matter so I why bother”. It is because of such attitudes that we miss the plot and that our RAND plummets every time there is anything remotely political being publicized.)

It’s been cold and warm in the same week, I think I even felt it on the same day too. Just love Pretoria Winters. But it does mess with your wardrobe a bit as you are not sure what would be appropriate attire. Well LAYERING is all that I can say…

On my drive in to the office this morning I realised that I really can’t imagine having weetbix for breakfast. I would much rather prefer some cooked oats. Well I didn’t have the luxury of time (for breakfast) this morning although I did manage to wash and dry my hair in record time, I made a quick pitstop at KFC. I was going to get the oats but then I couldn’t find it on the menu. However, the A.M. Riser caught my eye and that is what I got. Best R21.90 ever spent.

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Oh how I miss my coffee. Decaf is just not cutting it for me. It didn’t do the trick when I was with child almost 7 years ago and it’s definitely not cutting right now either. I have done the hot chocolate, hot milo, cold milo, tea etc…but I JUST CAN’T GET OVER MY COFFEE….

Have a great FRIDAY.

Spirited Mama

P.S. I have an official viewing of our Resident Alien later today. We will be taking Dudie along this time. That boy is so excited to see the baby.

Seattle Coffee Company.. I seriously love you!!!!!

By

On April 17, 2013

In About me, Family, Food & drinks, LOVE, Time out

So our new ok it’s not new but it’s still new as a family affair – is our Coffee dates at Seattle Coffee Company. I love coffee but a good coffee almost as much as I love chocolate. And I love hot coffee. Now just to clarify, before anyone call the welfare and the health inspector and who ever else need to be called when a child is involved… WE DO NOT give our child coffee. We substitute with Milo or hot chocolate or a Baby Foamy 🙂

Dudie, loves his coffee. That could possibly be one of the first words he learnt to master as he always saw either Dude or myself with a cup in hand…. Yes, we go through a crap load of coffee and let’s not forget milk….. I’m still looking for a cow, if anyone has any just standing around doing nothing… So ever since my child could talk he would ask for coffee.

So every now and again, and I noticed that it’s becoming a regular must have on a trip to Menlyn, we absolutely MUST NEED HAVE TO HAVE coffee. I would generally get the Latté, Dude gets a Café Mocha and Dudie well it’s either a hot chocolate or Baby Foamy. And we recently discovered the yummy apple cinnamon muffins – YUMMMMYYYYY! As I do not have any sugar in my coffee I will spoil myself sometimes with a Café Mocha too…

I’d like to think that we are becoming regulars and sometimes it’s a quick in out dash to get coffee and sometimes its a sit down and just unwind with your coffee… The best part is seeing the pretty images they create in your coffee cream – from flowers to smiley faces. These guys and girls are really talented. And it’s fun to see the excitement in Dudie for the surprise picture that awaits… Thank you Seattle Coffee, you make my family happy!!!!

 

 

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*This post is in NO way sponsored. We are just really loving Seattle Coffee. I told Dude, We need to go to Seattle to try this coffee in its hometown…. I’m working on getting him to take us to Seattle…

OOh, I think I need to do a quick detour on the way home.

SpiritedMama

P.S. Dudie bought the Russel Hobbs Red Edition Coffee Maker. Now whilst this is not Seattle Coffee and there’s no one to make me pretty pictures in my coffee, this is seriously my vice in the early hours of the morning. You get woken up by this freshly brewed coffee in the morning. Dude programmes this machine and sets it up before bed every day so that we wake up to fresh coffee. When Dude leaves for work and Dudie is having his second sleep in my bed, I sneak into the kitchen, pour a big cup and snuggle on the couch with my coffee. That 5minutes of pure bliss. It’s quiet and peaceful….well sometimes the birds interrupt my peace and quiet but I’ve now just learnt that I do not open them up until I’m ready to leave….

P.P.S Did I tell you that I get up at the crack of dawn to bake muffins/cupcakes or whatever treats I think the boys would like… Not everyday, but they love me so much more for this….They wake up to fresh baked treats…. I jsut nee dto figure out where I can find someone who wants to treat me…

RED Coffee Maker

The case of the missing Oxtail Potjie left overs…

By

On January 23, 2013

In Dudie, Food & drinks, Kids stuff

So you may have read about how I ended up at Wilgers ER but don’t fret I’m ‘A’ for away. No rest for the wicked….

So in between all the fine dining, drinking, partying, just living in true spirited style my Dude made us some delicious Oxtail Potjiekos. (For those who do not know what I’m referring to – You cook your food in a cast iron black pot over coals(firewood/coal fire). It is mouthwateringly tasty. I generally feel that left over Potjiekos(about a day old) tastes way better…

potjies have to be so expensive? We bought a flat based pot to make “Potbread” but is yet to try it out…>

Back to the point. So one day last week, I decided we are cleaning out the fridge, eating all edible left overs and chucking the rest. The spirited family (Dude, Dudie & I) gather in the kitchen and we take on the Fridge! We ate watermelon, cheese, desserts, yoghurts, mango, peaches and then we find the ‘Oxtail”….Ta da da dam! So Dudue decides we’re gona warm it up and go sit down at the table like civilised people who are about to share the most delicious food ever….(As most men, my Dude suffers from “I-Do-NOT-KNoW-WHAT/WHEre- ANYTHING-I’M-Looking-FOr-BUT-I-JUST-HAD-IT-A-Minute-AGO- SYNDROME!) I’m not kidding – he will stand infront of his closet stare at his shirts and continue to ask me where his white shirt is? WTF? It’s right there staring back at YOU! Or the infamous – WHere are my shoes? Really? Like you wore them so how the fck should I know where you put them.

Amidst the cleanup – he asks me “where’s the Oxtail?”  This is how it went down:

Me: How should |I know? You just had it…

Dude: But I put it down on the counter… Now it’s gone!

Me: You know how you misplace things…. Maybe you put it back in the fridge?

Dude: I’ll check. Fck, I just had it.

Then we realise Dudie is no longer there…. So we go searching. We find Dudie sitting infront of the security gate feeding the dogs… yes, the oxtail….Dude runs to rescue it but alas it’s too late. They have devoured 60% of the contents and Dudie is now screaming frantically that it’s for the dogs. We surrender the food and leave him to feed the dogs. We ate crackers with cream cheese… BLEH….

Note to self: Watch child around food. Dude will feed those dogs ANYTHING! As a baby, I was once caught him sharing his dried mago strips with the one dog. He would lick it then let her lick repeat process. True Story. I shudder to think what else they may have shared. Recently, i caught him trying to feed the cockatiels chicken and the drumstick bone…. I calmly said, baby They don’t eat themselves chicken. They will get very very sick. I’m sad to report that our one bird has passed on but we do not know the cause of death…

Spirited Mama

P.S. I’m very busy at work at the moment and hardly have time to pee nevermind lunch. I got to work an hour late this morning, due to delays with the GAUTRAIN!!! Thanks a mil!

P.P.S. My cousin had a baby girl yesterday!

The one where I choke whilst driving….

By

On December 14, 2012

In About me, Food & drinks

Ok, this was yesterday’s post but in all the mania at work and me desperately trying to finish up everything so that I can unleash my Festive Spirit, I never got around to posting. And last night was spent in Menlyn Mall. Eating at Fish Aways, we’re a seafood household so this is always a winner with the Dudie! And when no one was looking we sneaked and played in Santa’s playground 🙂 Even took pictures… I was so tempted to climb on the reindeer but Dude gave me “the look” so I digressed. (Generally, I would have ignored that Look but after a staff member of the Magic Company was NOT too happy to see me enjoying the carousel ride with Dudie, yes I get on a horse too, and even more revolted when he saw me sitting in the back of the Red Bus whilst Dudie pretended to be the driver, I decided that it’s best to just let the reindeer be…)

Anyway, yesterday after a very trying, I’m not kidding my child seemed to be possessed, morning routine we eventually set off for school and work. After the Dudie apologised I decided we could have treats, but it was mainly because I was starving and I really craved “junk” food so we had liqui fruits and flings. (Yes, hush, everyone has been guilty of giving their kid “Junk food” before breakfast. OMG, at least the school give him proper cereal and cooked food)

We ate and chatted and laughed and just enjoyed the ride. (Seems the demons left him). After I dropped him I made my way to the Gautrain station. About a kilometer away, I decide to finish my liqui fruit. Whilst approaching the traffic light, I choked on the last bit. And I kinda snorted/coughed/laughed/cried/screamed the liquids out of my mouth onto the dash and windscreen. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh/cry as

1. That choke was painful

2. Now everyone is staring at me

3. My Liqui fruit is finished and I really need a cold liquid to soothe my burning throat

I made my way to the station. Cleaned the car. And made a run for the train. I did some side step manoeuvre and hurt my foot in the process. I leapt onto the train as it was about to leave….  I made it but not without injury. I decided that enough was enough. No more rushing. No more demons. No more crazy. I will do what I need to do when I eventually get to where I need to be to be able to do it. Be it work/home etc…

Exhibit A:

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Spirited Mama

So we missed our flight

By

On December 11, 2012

In About me, Family, Food & drinks, Holidays, Time out

As in true Spirited Family style, we missed our flight… AGAIN! LMAO

Seriously, I’m so over stressing about the flight because somehow, even with all the bags being packed the night before, we still miss our flight. <Murphy?  maybe… But I think it’s in our plan 🙂 >

This WAS our plan:

5:30am                   Leave for OR Tambo (30mins)

6:00 – 6:30            Check in

7:00am                  Take off for Cape Town

This is how it actually went down:

6:15am                 Leave for OR Tambo

In between Dude driving as if we being chased by Devil himself and Dudie asking millions of questions, I shit you not this kid does not stop. <RECENTLY, we viisted the IRENE Christmas Mareket and a lady was watching us whilst we shopped. SHe mentioned that my kid ” does’t stop talking… My response – He’s only quiet when he’s sleeping. But sometimes he talks in his sleep too> I was trying to take pictures. And calmly remind my Dude that no matter how fast we drive, we WILL miss the flight. So let’s take it easy and we’ll get there when we get there…

Dude slowed down. Dudie asked less questions, ok slightly less or I may just have diverted it to Dude. I Do that when I’m mentally tired and Dude is around. I say – Ask Daddy, boy 🙂

So I got this

We arrive at the Airport. Dude dropped Dudie and I with our 3 suitcases, Carry on bag for me, carry on bag for Dudie, x2 stuffed toys, x3 Photo canvasses I made for the family, x3 books for Dudie, x1 Donald duck blankie for Dudie, etc etc

My trolley looked like a pack horse, with a Dudie on top of it all… Bags got weighed… *Ahem* let’s just say that they put them all on at once, Phew… Get into the check in queue and have a full on conversation with myself in my head * You’ve missed the flight best you go smile and be polite over at the standby counter*

I politely, and I may have bumped a few people out of the way, walked pass everyone and proceed to the standby counter. They’re busy with a shift change. I calmly wait and then a nice young man assists. He points out that we have missed our flight and where is the third passenger? I said that he  was parking the car and should be there in a few minutes. He proceeds to reserve seats on the very next flight and says you can go and chill in the lounge whilst you wait… *Ta Da* Cue Dude walking to wards us and I remember… Oh yes, Dude booked Business Class seats for us 🙂 Yes, Business Class.

So we make our way through the check in and take the lift to SAA’s Premium Lounge.  Sjoe, I just can’t get used to this life… Everyone is so relaxed. Your kid can run around but naked with snot everywhere and no one would give a rat’s a$$… Ok, I have NOT  tried that one and I don’t think I ever will. They have staff that will “babysit” whilst you relax/eat cake/have cuppacinos/whatever… And in true Dudie style, he made the Kiddie lounge “homely” aka unpacked toys, spread floor puzzles, messed with the muffin crumbs… within minutes.

When we finally boarded, Dudie was an excellent traveller. Everyone kept oohing and aahing over him. I’m telling you the air/mindset in Business class is very very different. Dudie really impressed us with his Good Behaviour. Reading and chatting like a “normal well behaved” toddler…We got to Cape Town and what a beautiful sight /day it was

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Shortly after arriving Dude’s Aunt collected us and we set off for our adventures…

Drop off Aunt, say hi to the other Aunt. Stop by the house in Hout Bay, as there was some issues with the alarm, drive through to my cousin in Fish Hoek via Chapman’s Peak, wow, what a sight and pricey I might add… Had a quick lunch, Drive to Soneike to my Aunt, drop bags, settle Dudie before we head off to our function party, shower change, get glammed up, and reorganise our room so that we don’t trip and break a leg when we get back… Might I add that the Dudie was so comfortable that he said goodbye to us whilst we were still getting ready. At the Party, Dude asked me to check on Dudie, message came back with he’s all good and happy and still very awake at 21:20… (Bed time in our house is 20:00) I replied with emoticons and said that it’s ok he’s on holiday too. We partied until 3am… I was still good to go but knowing my child who wakes us at 6/7am even if I only had an hour’s sleep I knew that it was time to call it a night.

And true’s bob, Dudie woke us at 6am. He eventually woke everyone in the house LOL. We had a family breakfast and then sadly had to pack and leave. Next step was lunch at Oupa Charlie’s house. (aka Dude’s dad, whom he only recently reconnected with…) What a lovely afternoon. We braaied, we laughed and I think some silent tears were shed over Dudie. And yet once again, our child was the poster child of well mannered children 🙂

Off to my Parents(if you’ve read older posts you’ll know this is a touchy subject) for a quick visit. Dudie got a bath and I got to spend time with my niece. Oh how I love that little princess. She greeted us with loud chuckles and arms outstretched. Big drooly smiles and baby sounds…. As soon as she is out of sight I long for her.

Off to my Gran, this was an adhoc visit. We literally popped in after 8pm… We eventually got to Hout Bay around 11pm. Dudie was passed out and Dude and I sat in the kitchen eating left over braai and chocolate cake…

Next morning we slept until 7am… Had breakfast whilst Aunt had a swim

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This is teh view they wake up to each and every morning… We had a light breakfast and got ready to be tourists. We went down to Mariner’s Wharf. Hopped on the Red Bus and headed out to the Waterfront. As we got there teh swing bridge opened, much to MY and Dudie’s delight! I took loads of photos. Dudie spotted Christmas and almost made a run for it.

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We had lunch at Mitchells Pub. That was awesome!!!! I’m so going back there.

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We ended off our day with strolls around the Waterfront before heading back to Hout Bay, via Kirstenbosch etc… Dudie and I dosed off on route back to Hout Bay. You know the humming of the bus, the sun on you, the peaceful nature scenes.. I just couldn’t fight it. Sadly, we repacked our bags and had a stroll around the house in the garden. We headed out to the airport and very nearly almost missed our flight again… Luckily, it was slightly delayed and we checked right back into the Premium Lounge. On the flight back Dudie refused to part with his dinner. He loves seafood so when the steward came to collect the trays he said, that is my food. Leave it. 🙂

We were spoilt and loved in all our glory. We soaked up family and friends. We laughed, we danced, we ate, we played, we indulged…. We will be back soon.

Spirited Mama

P.S. Since we changed our focus of tripping to Cape Town, we made it about us, we’ve been having fantastic breakaways… Cheers to many more. I’m heading home. Wrapping gifts and having an Amarula or two 🙂

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