Summer is almost here...

Ok well, this is Cape Town and our weather changes more often than most people change their underwear! Apparently summer is meant to be here already, but I'm hard pressed to say that it has finally arrived.

Part of me is dreading the impending heat - something that I don't enjoy that much ... I'm more of a "spring has sprung" kinda girl. However, the joy of summer time is the awesome food and delightful social times with friends!

I've started doing meals, sandwiches and salads for people recently and its going pretty well actually. Its slow going to get it all up and running. Building a client base up of people is hard work, but I'm getting there.

The first thing I did was plan a menu and then source packaging for it. I found a fantastic company called Green Home that supplies biodegradable food packaging. Now I have to tell you that I have approached a few other packaging companies over the last few months and I've been so disappointed with the response that I've received. One company sent a rep to see me and after three weeks of waiting for a quotation I eventually sent the manager an email voicing my disappointment. I did receive my email after that, but the damage has been done and I don't want to use them. So I wasn't holding out much hope when I contacted Green Home asking to see samples.

However, I was soon to be pleasantly surprised! I was contacted by a delightful lady called Alison who immediately set up a meeting with me at my office. She arrived with another rep, also named Alison. They took such interest in the vision and dream for the future that Annely and I have for Treacle Studio as well as what I am currently doing with the meals, sarmies and other goodies. They made me feel like I wasn't a small fry client but someone special that warranted great service. For this, ladies, I am truly grateful and you now have a client for life!

Yes the product is a little more expensive than other non-green products, but the point is that if we're going for a certain feel to our brand then we need to make sure we package correctly too. Its about the bigger picture. So I'm all for going green as I believe many people are. I have a friend who mentioned that she won't buy certain well known products because they're not packaged in biodegradable packaging. Amazing how something that seems so simple can make a difference in how people buy.

So, these are the menu's I put together:

You'll notice I've mentioned "vouchers" on these. Well as you know we are obviously all going through interesting times financially and we all have to budget budget budget. So to help with that, I've come up with a sort of "coupon" idea. You can budget what you want to spend on bought in meals for the month ahead and purchase those "vouchers" from me ahead of time. This not only helps with the budget but allows you to plan meals ahead without the hassle of having to worry about cash at the time of purchase. All the meals are great for the freezer too.

So as you can see, I'm still being a busy bee. When times get tough, I get industrious :)

If any of you are interested in finding out more, email me on meegyn@treaclestudio.co.za

xxx
M

I'd rather be a whale!

I received this email from a friend at work today and I just love it! Had to share ....

      A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

Love it love it love it!!!

xxx

M

Markets, Busy Weekends and other ramblings

I feel like I've been at the gym all weekend actually exercising! Something which, if you know me well enough, you'd know I wouldn't do. No, I'd prefer to curl up with a good book!

Why do I feel like this, I hear you ask? Well, Treacle Studio had a three day Festive Fair/Market this weekend at Hathersage Farm in Somerset West.  It was great, but exhausting to say the least. Lugging things to and from our vehicles takes its toll on ones old bones. I made enough scones that if I see another one any time soon I may be physically ill. We also sold enough pancakes to feed a moderately sized village of starving people. So I'm doubting that making more pancake batter anytime soon will be in the cards.

It was interesting to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a while. Someone even had the audacity to tell me I'm obviously so happy and eating so well that I've gotten fat. Now I know I'm no supermodel and I love my food so much that the chances of getting down to a size "a" (aka anorexic) is way beyond my grasp. I know I'm overweight and could stand to loose a few kilograms. But when someone with the tact of a doorknob comes and tells you while trying to be very sweet about it and claiming to be a friend who cares, its hard not to want to reach over and bitch slap them upside the head. This is besides the fact that we never see each other and haven't in years and when we did we weren't exactly joined at the hip either AND she doesn't know about the thyroid and type-2 diabetic issues. I can still take it from someone that truly knows me and has for years, but not from someone like this.

Of course I'm way too diplomatic to be bitch slapping anyone in public. The restraint is pure torture at times, but worth it. However, being sarcastic is my best defence with any threat that comes my way. There is something to be said about saying something that seems so innocent but has quadruple meanings and is dripping with sarcasm. Its very helpful when dealing with stupid people on any level. Sadly though not everyone gets that kind of "humour" and its generally WAY over many peoples heads.

I also find it interesting to watch peoples reactions to seeing me again after such a long time. Previously they would avoid eye contact and ignore me as if I were some sort of sort of pariah. Now they see me, smile and say hi - still with caution though. I find it hilarious actually. Small minded people who don't know how to do anything other than being lead like mindless sheep. I'll still greet them, be friendly and will continue to just be me. I'm done with doing what others want me to do and live in a box of their making. Its claustrophobic in there and your heart dies.


Its sad how many people allow their wings to be clipped and even broken, allowing others to dictate how they should live and what they should think. Is it easier for them to be mindless and just conform? Are they just too lazy to be themselves - be the individuals that God made them to be? Or are people just too scared to go against what someone "powerful" says they should do because they think it will make them an outcast? Everyone has a fear of being rejected, so I guess the latter question could be the problem the majority of people have.


The problem with the "powerful" is that they are more often than not just bullies who revel in dictating and being in control. And they can't deal with it when someone actually stands up to them and says "your ass in a glass buddy - not happening"


Standing up for what you believe in and living your life as you feel it should be lived - those are not easy choices to make. Especially if you've been used to just leaving all those choices up to someone else instead of making them yourself. But you know what? Even someone like that can grow a backbone and finally take a stand. Its a mindset at the end of the day. Why would you want to give someone else the power to dictate your lifestyle, happiness, beliefs or choices. It's not their life to live ... its yours. And you alone will answer for the choices you make in your life.

The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself.

-Volume Two (1934-1939) The Diary of Anais Nin

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.”
― Paulo Coelho

“Life is too short, or too long, for me to allow myself the luxury of living it so badly.”
― Paulo Coelho

“I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It's all a question of how I view my life.”
― Paulo Coelho

So..... how do you view your life?

xxx
M

King of Anything

Keep drinking coffee
Stare me down across the table
While I look outside

So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet
And count the cars that pass by

You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to them
But I never asked

So let me thank you for your time
And try to not waste any more of mine
Get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe
But I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save

Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything

You sound so innocent
All full of good intent
You swear you know best

But you expect me to
Jump up on board with you
Ride off into your delusional sunset

I'm not the one who's lost
With no direction
But you won't ever see

You're so busy makin' maps
With my name on them in all caps
You got the talking down just not the listening

All my life I've tried
To make everybody happy while I
Just hurt and hide
Waiting for someone to tell me it's my turn
To decide

Let me hold your crown, babe

(Sara Bareilles)

The lyrics of this song reminded me of a few people I have known in the past .... those of you that know me will know what I mean ;)
xxx

Anything for love

“Love is like a narcotic. At first it brings the euphoria of complete surrender. The next day, you want more. You’re not addicted yet, but you like the sensation, and you think you can still control things. You think about the person you love for two minutes, and forget them for three hours. But then you get used to that person, and you begin to be completely dependent on them. Now you think about him for three hours and forget him for two minutes. If he’s not there, you feel like an addict who can’t get a fix. And just as addicts steal and humiliate themselves to get what they need, you’re willing to do anything for love.”
― Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

I love ...

I love your silences, they are like mine. 

You are the only being before whom I am not distressed by my own silences. 

You have a vehement silence, one feels it is charged with essences, it is a strangely alive silence, like a trap open over a well, from which one can hear the secret murmur of the earth itself.
Paulo Coelho

Thought for Day

“In fairy tales, the princesses kiss the frogs, and the frogs become princes. In real life, the pricesses kiss princes, and the princes turn into frogs.”
― Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Thankfully I kissed a King ... and he stayed the same. That was the best surprise ever!

The Blond Cookbook Diary

Blond Cookbook Monday:It's fun to cook for Hubby. Today I made angel food cake. The recipe said beat 12 eggs separately. The neighbors were nice enough to loan me the extra bowls.  Tuesday:He wanted fruit salad for supper. The recipe said serve without dressing. So I didn't dress. What a surprise when he brought a friend home for supper  Wednesday: A good day for rice. The recipe said wash thoroughly before steaming the rice. It seemed kind of silly but I took a bath anyway. I can't say it improved the rice any.  Thursday: Today he asked for salad again I tried a new recipe. It said prepare ingredients; lay on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving. Asked me why I was rolling around in the garden.. Friday: I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said put the ingredients in a bowl and beat it.. There must have been something wrong with this recipe. When I got back, everything was the same as when I left.  Saturday: He did the shopping today and brought home a chicken. He asked me to dress it for Sunday. I don't have any clothes that fit it, and for some reason he keeps counting to ten.  Sunday: I wanted to serve roast but all I had was hamburger. Suddenly I had a flash of genius.. I put the hamburger in the oven and set the controls for roast. It still came out hamburger, much to my disappointment.  GOOD NIGHT DEAR DIARY. This has been a very exciting week! I am eager for tomorrow to come so I can try out a new recipe. If I can talk him into buying a bigger oven, I would like to surprise him with a chocolate moose...

It's been too long!

Wow ... can't believe how time has flown! It's been WAY too long since I last blogged.

And and and!!!! I have SO much to tell you! I've been a busy bee ... again!

So where to start....

1. Married Life
My hubby and I have been married for almost a year now. How time has flown. And yes, I'm still walking on clouds. I am so happy, content and deeply in love with this amazing man. What surprises me is how quickly the time has gone - it still feels like it was only yesterday we said hi to each other for the first time and my heart started beating again.

Ok before you start throwing up from a sugar overdose, I'll move on....

2. Kids
My three klingons are doing well - they've adjusted well to their step-dad and our marriage. Their father remarried in May, and they have adjusted to having a step-mom and step-brother. School has been going well. Dani is going to high school next year and has been accepted (after a stressful/nerve-wrecking audition) to have drama as a subject. My little drama queen. Ethan is starting to grow up way too fast ... not so much my little boy anymore ... more like he's catapulting towards being a teenager. Raechel is doing so well in grade one. She's excelling in her subjects and has adjusted to being in big school.

And talking about teenagers ... I saw a great sign that I thought I'd share with you at this juncture:
... I'm so going to print this and stick it up in the kids bathroom! Like one of those public toilet stall adverts behind the door. Hahahahahaha!!!

Anyway, there's one more part to tell you about and then the future posts will probably contain constant updates on how this is going .....

3. The New Adventure

No, I'm not pregnant.

My BFF and I had a discussion one day about our hopes and dreams. To our amazement we discovered that we both have the same dream. We had both seperately come to the conclusion that it didn't have to be a far fetched dream but could (with some heavy elbow grease) become a great reality. So after we figured out how stupid we had been to imagine we wouldn't have a similar dream, we decided to join up and work our way to making it a reality.

And so, Treacle Studio was born....

The big picture is that we want to own our own shop/coffee shop/craft studio combo and eventually perhaps a B&B too. Having our own vegetable and herb garden to pick from ... *dreamy sigh*. However, without some hard work this isn't going to happen. So we're starting out carefully and slowly ... baby steps as it were. We've started creating our products and we're hitting the local craft/food markets.

What are we doing, I hear you ask?

Well, we do prepackaged muffin, bread and cake mixes - they look something like this:
We also bake goods to sell at the markets. We cater for events and do up baskets of goodies for companies and individuals. We also do baking and cooking for people who just don't have time to do so themselves (great for freezer meals).

Another leg to the business is the arts and craft classes. We've set up a mosaic course, paper making course and calligraphy classes - there are many more on the way.

The girls in my office clubbed together and had my car branded as a birthday gift:
Now we just need to get my partner in crime's car done too!

So as you see its busy days ahead. If you know any rich philanthropists to help us get started and know anyone with a very large property we can run it from, let me know!

That's all for now - I promise to update more often!!!

xxx
M

Wedding Pics ...