Christmas 2010

My mom and stepdad came from Germany and my sister from California to spend Christmas at our new home in England. 

We made lots of delicious food,

Had lots of fun,

And lots of presents too!

Then on Christmas Day we did it all over again with friends!

Home made yoghurt

I tried making yoghurt last weekend and was surprised at how well it turned out. It's so easy and tastes great.

Here's the recipe:

Boil 1 1/2 litres of whole milk.

Cool the milk to 45 C.

Add 250 ml plain yoghurt.

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla essence.

Mix, pour into a container and keep warm for 10 - 12 hours.

I place my container on top of a radiator and drape a towel over it to keep more warmth in.

If you save the last 250 ml of your home made yoghurt each time to make your next batch you will never have to buy yoghurt again.


**UPDATE**
It takes exactly 45 minutes to cool the milk from boiling point down to 45C. So you don't have to go buy a thermometer if you don't have one!

1 Tablespoon of vanilla essence makes the yoghurt tastes even better than with one teaspoon. This was my sisters idea and it's good!

Full cream milk and a good thick full cream yoghurt to start with makes the absolute best thick creamy yoghurt! (That will of course give you a free fat version and not fat free.) I think as long as you don't eat the whole lot in one day it won't do too much damage.

Holiday Club Day 2

Today was a very busy day and I'm absolutely exhausted! It was a good day though. We had seven kids this morning and another two for the afternoon arts and crafts session.

What did we do? We did potato printing.

Maybe this one will give you a better idea of potato printing.

Then we made Christmas cards.

             

As well as Rudolf the red nosed reindeer.

 

Christmas holiday crafts

This is what we did today:

which led to this

and this.

We're doing a holiday club with kids, making Christmas crafts. These photos above here were "snow painting"- painting with shaving cream.

It looks as though the kids enjoyed this!

We also made angels for the Christmas tree.

If we can remember to take pictures again tomorrow, I'll show you what we do each day. It's not so easy to think of taking pictures when you've got five (seven tomorrow!) kids with hands covered in paint!

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

We went to Winchester last weekend.

We went to see the Christmas Market at the cathedral. It was pretty cold, but nice being at a Christmas Market again. They tried making it a bit German.

We had Bratwurst mit Sauerkraut for lunch.

And hot chocolate and mince pies and waffles and warm potato wedges with blue cheese sauce. Mmmm... We spent our money on food to keep warm!

No other shopping at the market, just a good day out with friends.

Finding a gym

I really miss going to gym so we've been to visit a few gyms here to see which we'd like to join and find out what it would cost.

First we went to the Leisure Centre down the road from us. We can walk there in less than 5 minutes so it's conveniently close. Before I tell you about the gym I have to tell you a funny story. Andre and I went there one Sunday afternoon to have a look around. There was only one lady at reception who gave us the brochures with prices and asked if we'd be okay to have a look around ourselves as they don't have many staff on a Sunday to show us around. She explained to go up stairs, walk along until we get to more stairs and then take those stairs down which would bring us back to reception.

So off we go down corridors, not seeing anything resembling a gym yet. Then I see stairs at the end of the corridor and assume that's where we're meant to go down and maybe then we'll see the actual gym. I notice it's an emergency exit, but you know some places use these stairs as everyday stairs too. So we go down the stairs, but then at the bottom the door won't open. No problem, it must be the wrong stairs so we walk back upstairs. Again the door won't open! It's one of those one way doors where you have to press the handle down on the inside to open, but there's no handle on the other side! So we were stuck on the staircase!! (I now check for handles on both sides of doors.)

I remember that I've got all the brochures in my hand so start looking for the gym's phone number so we can phone reception to come and free us from the stairs. I read the number to Andre, but he accidentally dials a number incorrectly. Without realising this he thinks he's gotten through to reception and is explaining how we were just down there at reception and came to see the gym, but are now stuck on the staircase. The lady says, "I think you have the wrong number. This is the police station." hahahaha Now Andre's number is probably listed as a prank caller in Yateley!

Luckily just then one of the members walked past. We knocked on the glass door and gestured to him to come and open it.

I'm a bit scared to join this gym now out of fear of getting lost and locked up there.


Anyway, about this gym and most other Leisure Centres I would assume (we've seen two). It is not what I'm used to. I'm used to vibey large open space, bright colours, music playing and people working out hard. This one, not so. Lots of small rooms, few equipment, small studio, lots of corridors, and few people working out. And silence. I suppose in a country which does not require you to really ever appear in a bathing suit there is not as much motivation for exercise...

We went to another gym near Andre's office which he has been to before when he lived here. This one was more like what I was used to at Virgin Active in South Africa. Friendly, motivated staff, energetic vibe, larger spaces and more equipment. With TV screens. Not that that is important, but if I'm going to pay the money I want them to have the up to date equipment I've been used to.

Only thing is this gym is a 25 minute drive from where we live. And it's a little more expensive too. They did say they would contact us again and see if they can make us a better offer. If they can offer the same or less than the leisure centre maize next door then I think I might drive there.

Sorry now photos today. Were to stressed out on the stairs to think of taking photos and had a tour guide at the nicer gym.

Let it snow!

Snow started falling in our garden during the night of 29 November. Not even December yet and it was snowing in a country where it isn't normal to have so much snow! It melted away a little yesterday but then we got a lot more overnight. Andre was ready to leave for work this morning and I got up to make his sandwich for lunch. I looked out the window and called him to go check the road to first see if he will be able to leave before I make his lunch. It was totally covered in snow! Everything looks really beautiful, but the little road we live in does not get cleared or gritted. It's quite strange for us coming from Switzerland how people here get to stay at home when it's snowing. Not complaining! It's nice to have Andre at home! But it is dangerous driving on these roads which aren't cleared and without winter tires too.

Here are a few pictures of the snow.

Yesterday on our way back from Southampton, going to visit friends. Yesterday they had a lot more snow here than we had about 20 minutes away. Now we have about the same amount!

This morning in our garden.

Pure white!

We're here to stay!

Last night we were very very excited to receive Andre's 5 year residence card in the mail! We weren't expecting it for another month or two so it was a really good surprise. And such a relief! He is now legal and can stay for another 5 years after which we will figure out what he needs to apply for next. I think he will then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Now we can travel again. As soon as I get my German passport sorted out. I need to do a name declaration next week to be able to have my German passport in my married name. Then apply for the new German one. I have already applied for my SA passport in my married name and it would make things so much simpler to have everything in one name.

Yay! We'll be celebrating this weekend! If we don't get snowed in :-)

A&E

This weekend I had my first hospital experience here in the UK. Nothing serious. Just thought our SA family might find it interesting.

Andre's been having some stomach pains on and off for a very long time now. So far no doctors could really tell him what exactly it is. He was on a course of tablets for a month which relieved the pain a little. Now that's finished and the pain was really bad on Saturday.

So after we did everything we needed to do on Saturday we got home and said, "Let's go to the hospital! We haven't been there yet!" Just kidding. He really didn't feel too good and we need to get this sorted out.

Off we went to the nearest hospital A&E. That's accident & emergency. Neither really applied to us but if you need to see a doctor on the weekend that's where you go. You state your name and pains at the reception desk and then take a seat. It could take hours depending on how many people are waiting. You don't make an appointment. After about 30 minutes we got to see the nurse first who checked Andre out to see what he needs. She offered pain pills which he declined and said he needs to see a doctor and the wait will be about an hour.

We were lucky that after only 15 minutes a doctor came and called us.

Now when you go to see your GP here you get a 10 minute appointment. On Saturday the doctor spent over an hour with Andre. He took multiple vials of blood which they tested right away while we waited. He suspects Andre has some stomach ulcers, but also checked for everything else. We were very impressed. Even more so when we walked out without having to pay anything!

I know how much health insurance (medical aid) can cost in South Africa and often it won't cover everything. And how much a doctors visit can cost. All those tests and an hours time of a doctor on a Saturday afternoon would have cost us a small fortune back in SA. We are fortunate to get it all for free here. It still feels strange to us walking out without paying! But we're not complaining at all!


*Oh, if you're wondering what's happening to Andre and his stomach now: the blood tests came out fine so nothing more serious than possibly ulcers. He's seeing the GP today. (For the maximum 10 minutes appointment!) Who will then probably make another appointment where they will do more tests. If it is ulcers he will get antibiotics which will clear it up. But no more hot curries for Andre!!

Winchester

A few weekends ago Andre and I went for a drive in the MX5. Top down of course. It was a few weekends ago before this cold weather fully arrived.

Andre joined the MX5 owners club. For this he gets a magazine which he enjoys, all about cars, especially MX5s. He also gets discount on things like servicing the car. And then the other owners share scenic routes they've driven.

So that was how we ended up in Winchester. It's not that very far from us, about 40 minutes. But we took the scenic route, through small country lanes which took quite a bit longer. And was way prettier.

Winchester is a lovely town. We had a look around the shops a bit too. We'll be going back there for the Christmas market which starts next week.

These were the only photos I took there but next time I will take some more!

Andre and I are watching The Pillars of the Earth on tv at the moment. It's a mini series based on the book by Ken Follett. I read the book a few years ago. It's really good, you should read it if you come across it. Anyway, Winchester Cathedral is mentioned in the book/ series too. The story is about the building of a cathedral and it's very interesting to see how it was done and what life was like in that time (the 12th century).

Have I told you I love sushi?

Oh I have? Once, twice, three times? Almost missed one, here's another one!

Anyway, I'm gonna tell you again: I love it! But I won't over do it here with another sushi post. Go see the rest of the photos on our All Things Petite blog.

You thought we spend our time only making Sweets? We can do other things too!

River Cottage

Every time before I start writing a new post, I click "View Blog" to well, view my blog. And each time I see the date and think, "Was it that long ago I was on here last?!" Then I look at the calendar to check exactly how long ago that was. This time it's been over two weeks. I am ashamed of myself. Where are the days when I sat thinking up random things to write about here? Oh right, I left those days behind in Switzerland. We have a very busy social life here, not to mention business life now too! Oh and how can I forget the couch-and-TV life. It takes up so much time!

I'm not complaining. Not at all.

Just trying to make excuses for my lack of regular blogging. Sorry.

But I'm here now and will hopefully finish this post in one go.

Andre and I have been following Hugh Fernley Whittingstall's River Cottage cooking shows for a long time now. Andre has some of the DVD's so I've been watching it in SA already. Last week we were watching one of the shows again and saw them at the River Cottage Deli & Canteen. Well we saw it written on the building Hugh was sitting outside of. We were able to rewind the program to find out where this is. With a little extra help from google we found that it's 2 1/2 hours drive from us in a town called Axminster.

So on Sunday Andre and I drove there to go try Hugh Fernley Whittingstalls food. I suppose not really his food, but his restaurant. It's a very casual, homely restaurant with plain tables and chairs and not much decor besides all his books displayed on shelves along the wall.

The deli counter had so many delicious things. Lots of organic and local produce. Cheese, oils, truffles, milk, yoghurt, flour and many many more as you can see from the picture.

The menu changes daily depending on what comes in fresh from the farmers and fishermen. I had fish and mussels. I can't remember when last I had seafood. Andre had roast pork.

On the way to Axminster town centre, we took a wrong turn and (accidentally!) found River Cottage HQ and took some pictures at the entrance to the farm. Maybe one day we'll go to an event there too. You can have dinner there when they have certain events in the evenings but which will be quite a bit more expensive than eating at the canteen we went to on Sunday.

Spa day

Last weekend Andre and I spent a relaxing day at a spa.

After checking in, we changed into our swimming costumes and was each given a big fluffy robe and slippers to wear for the day. We went from one hot pool and jacuzzi to the next, sat in steam rooms (where I didn't last very long) and some other less hot rooms, lay on hot benches and had a nap next to the large indoor pool. There was even an ice cave which was as you might guess icy cold. The walls of the room were made of ice and there was fresh crushed ice to rub onto your body! Very refreshing, but I preferred the warmer, more relaxing activitites.

It was the perfect day for a spa day - gray and miserable outside. When we drove up to the spa we saw some people in an outdoor pool and jacuzzis and thought they were crazy! It was quite cold outside. But it was not long and we out there too! The water was so nice and warm... And you could swim from the indoor pool straight through to the outdoor pool without having to get out the water or walk outside.

We had lunch in the restaurant at the spa. In our bathrobes and slippers. Imagine going to a restaurant in a bathrobe and slippers! By that time we were already so relaxed and struggled to keep our bodies upright in a chair. We ate and then went back to lying down, floating in water and sleeping. By 6pm we felt ready to slowly go back to reality.

You can check out Pennyhill Park Spa here.

Our garden

It's been three and a half months since we moved in here and started working on this garden. It went from this:

to now this:

Click on the picture to enlarge and see the changes we've made.

A lot of hard work and many hours and it's looking a lot neater. We have moved some roses which were being over grown by other plants and trimmed everything back for the winter. Hopefully the roses will survive their move. The grass has also improved so much since we moved in when it was all dry and brown and patchy. We have given it some love and attention and it made a difference. Without buying any new plants we have had some colour in our garden too. The very dark red rose you see below was just a dry piece of wood which we thought was dead. I moved its pot right next to the front door where I could watch it and gave it lots of water. And it came back to life! It's still flowering. Most of our roses still have buds wanting to open up, but we'll have to see how long they will last now with the sudden cold.

We had some ice yesterday morning. It was very very cold! The grass was crunchy!

Ice crystals on the flowers.

Now the garden (and us!) can rest for the winter and we will start working hard again in spring. Which sounds very far away!

Lacock & Castle Combe

My mom and Jürgen came to visit us at the beginning of October for the weekend. Having done a long full day in London over a previous weekend vsisit to show them the sights there we decided to have a slightly more relaxing weekend this time.

Andre and I have been to Castle Combe with friends before who also told us about Lacock which is nearby. We decided to start with Lacock since we haven't been there yet.

It's a beautiful old village and we were lucky to see Morris dancing there.

This is a form of English folk dance. Men and woman performing choreographed dances sometimes with sticks, handkerchiefs and bells and lively music. It was quite entertaining and gave the village a great atmosphere while we were there.

We had lunch at a pub in Lacock and had the Morris dancers outside the pub for live entertainment!

By the way, parts of harry Potter was filmed in this village.

After lunch we drove to Castle Combe where we had another walk around this village.

Castle Combe is an even smaller village than Lacock so the walk didn't take too long! Then we went for afternoon tea and scones before taking the country roads back home.

A Give-away!

The friendly people from CSN stores here in the UK have contacted me to offer a give-away for one of my readers. I have shopped with them before and love the cookware section. They sell everything from beautiful wooden toys to wardrobes and other furiture.


To stand a chance of winning a £25 gift voucher to spend at CSN stores in the UK just leave me a comment in the comments section below telling me where you're going on your next holiday (or would like to go).

The winner will be picked randomly and announced on Sunday.

Be sure that I'll be able to contact you to let you know of your prize. If you're leaving an anonymous comment, then send me an email too to let me know how to contact you. (You'll find my email address on my profile.)

The Story of All Things Petite

I won't keep referring to our other blog and website here, but some family/ friends have asked about how we started our business and how we came up with the name. The name I'll still explain on the All Things Petite blog another time, but here's the story of how we started: The Story of All Things Petite.  The story is also available on the home page of the website. I'll be posting more about the business side of starting up on the blog later too.

Oooh and have a look later in the week to see what cake we baked yesterday! Something different to our usual Petite Sweets- larger and fun!

An attempt at shopping at Lidl, UK

Let me start by introducing Lidl and Aldi to those who might not know it. I know we don't have them in SA.

They are grocery stores which are supposedly cheaper than the other grocery stores like Tesco, Saisnbury's, etc that we have here in the UK.

They both have yellow-blue-red/orange logos and I have always wondered if they are actually owned by the same company. Well, if you were wondering the same thing, they're not. I just went and read a bit about Aldi and Lidl on wikipedia and they are actually each others biggest competition, owned by different people.

In Switzerland we had an Aldi in Dietikon where we lived and there I did find buying some groceries from them made quite a difference on what we spent on groceries by the end of the month. I bought tinned food, some meat, pizza dough, we liked their yoghurt, and some other things there. Then I would drive to the Coop afterwards to get the rest of the groceries, especially fruit and veg.

So yesterday I decided since I now have a car I should go try out either Lidl or Aldi here in the next town. They were right opposite each other. I mean right right opposite the road from each other. I chose to go to Lidl since I know Aldi from Switzerland. (We had Lidl in CH too, but not in our town.)

Well first of all as I was used to doing in Switzerland, you have to insert a coin in order to get a trolley. (See the picture above.) If you do not have the correct coin to release a trolley you will be carrying your groceries in your arms since they don't have baskets. Their thing is that when you get to check out you will put your groceries directly into your trolley and then after paying you can go pack your things in bags out of the way of the other customers. I found this out after trying to pack my groceries into my bags as it was being scanned and was told in German to just put it in the trolley as I'm too slow at packing bags.

Now I got this plastic token from my mom which you can insert into the trolley instead of a coin. Do you know how many times in CH I did not have the correct coin because I just tried to use up all my change? So the plastic token works great. You cannot use it to pay for something else so it always stays in your wallet!

So I insert my token, get a trolley and off I go. I am only a few feet down the first aisle when I start thinking, "Where's my laptop, I want to do this online!"

There were people behind me trying to get past and I need to take my time to choose and compare you know.

I had brought with a previous online grocery shop receipt to compare prices. I was surprised to notice that many products were actually a little more expensive or priced the same.

So I started unloading my trolley, but then noticed there's no getting out of this store without going past the till. And I don't want to abandon my trolley. I want to get my token back. So I decide to just buy what's already in my trolley and go finish the rest of the month's shopping at home on my laptop.

Outside I push my trolley back into the queue of trolleys to get my token out. But it's stuck. There is already a lady struggling to get her coin out too, which she manages to do eventually and then try to help me. Another guy comes along and has the same trouble. His wife eventually tells him to just leave the trolley there with their token in it. I didn't want to give up. My mom gave me this token. And even though I don't need to use it much here in the UK, once in a while we come across this kind of system and then I'm always happy to be able to take out my token.

Wel, sadly in the end I also had to just let go of my token. I drove home with my one bag of groceries. Cereal and a chocolate as this is what was in the first aisle at Lidl. And ordered the rest online.

It will be delivered within the next hour. A friendly man will ring my doorbell and carry all my groceries for the month into my kitchen. I will sign for it and unpack and not waste any plastic carrier bags. Then I will go back to the couch to finish watching some recordings on tv while eating my jelly beans that are on their way here now.

The jelly beans!

Want to have a look inside my shopping trolley? No token required for this one!

Mrs Balls Chutney! I bought three bottles just in case it's sold out next time!

Update: Here is a picture of what online grocery shopping looks like when it arrives in your kitchen. No trolleys, no heavy bags, no kids crying for candy.