5 Indispensible Kitchen Items

Since we are on lists of things that are important to us, and in some ways, since we are nearing Christmas, maybe it's a good thing to do - you just never know who sees your lists, hey!!??

So, onto my list of indispensable kitchen items:

• Chefs Knife (altho large, it's just such a pleasure to work with)


• Electric Frying pan (which I use loads, funnily enough not for frying as such, but to make risotto, stir fries etc. etc. etc.)


• Kettle - absolutely essential - how else could I make the coffee I so desperately crave!?


• Electric beater - what a win, this little hand held machine beat up cakes, desserts and many other things in a whip, if you'll pardon the pun!


• Stick blender - this whips up dips, sauces, and soups in minutes.
  

So there you have it ..... my 5 kitchen essentials.

What are yours?

Picture credits: Gena D Photography

5 Things I cannot (could not?) live without

I was thinking recently, if in an absolute worst case scenario, what could I absolutely not live without, what would make the world of difference to me and my "wellbeing" as it were. Being Libran, I've already worked out that under varying hypothetical circumstances, some things would be of greater value than others ... anyway, this is what came to mind .....

1. Coffee - I function just that much slower without the good stuff!!

2. A bottle of water - with me at all times

3. My Camera - as if that would be an option?!

4. Comfortable shoes (of course, here we are assuming that I already have in my possession a few comfortable clothing items!? hehe!)

5. Lip balm/ gloss/ lipstick

So what would you not be able to do without?

A List of things that make me happy 2.

A while back I attempted to compile a list of things that I love and things that truly make a difference in my life. Initially I thought this would be a daunting task, but once I got going it really wasn't that difficult. I am now going to add to that list and also wish to challenge my readers to compile their own list. Go on... even if it's 5 lines, try it, it's a great way to remember the good things in life.

Okay so here goes :

• the smell of toast
• the smell of freshly brewed coffee
• a fresh (lemony) perfume
• my wonderful dogs who make me smile every day
• spending time with my ageing parents (listening to their amazing stories!)
• a breeze on a very hot day.
• ice cold orange juice on a hot day
• beautiful art (in whatever form)
• architectural detail (in old or new forms). In fact great attention to detail is amazing as it takes a huge amount of thought and attention (even if it's something that I personally wouldn't enjoy in my own space, I still appreciate the thought process ....
• growing and picking herbs from my own garden and using them in our meals
• hugs (okay so I'm a hugger!) giving and receiving
• the seasonal changes in nature ..... which I avidly try to capture with my camera

To read the previous entry click here

Photo Credit: Gena D Photography

A list of things that make me happy 1.

I recently read an article on the things that make, or that people perceive to make them happy, and got to wondering, if I could compile a list of my own. Evidently it would never be comprehensive and neither would it be conclusive, since after all we change constantly, and I am sure that there are many things yet uncovered, which I will only with time come to realise what they mean to me.

That said, in an effort to put some ideas down, here goes....

• the smell of rain (especially after a hot, dry spell)
• a good cup of coffee (without which I don't think I'd function very well)
• a great home cooked meal, like goulash, for example
• good company - normally a good friend with whom I can share almost everything
• a good (dare I say it, South African) red wine
• sitting in front of a crackling fire
• listening to animated '"story teller" (you know the type that can tell stories with just the right words, level of emotion and thought ......that are just by nature very entertaining)
• good music (and this can vary substantially depending on the time, the event etc. -see my previous post on music .....
• a great unputdownable book
• a great discussion or debate
• laughter (and someone who makes me laugh)
• making someone smile!
• stargazing
• wonderful fabric!!! (my weakness!!!!)
• rich autumn colours
• the smell of popcorn
• a great (entertaining) movie
• vast open spaces
• my camera (how could I forget!!!!) see link to My Photography
• being able to make a difference (in whatever form)
• being surrounded by good friends
• sharing a meal
• the smell of baking bread
• the smell of jasmine in spring
• a bunch of roses
• the sound of running water (i.e. a river, or water feature)
• being part of a family
• spring!!!
  

I'm going to stop here, leave the rest for another time ....... What an interesting exercise to do and it wasn't as "brain wracking" as I thought it would be. Like the question - "what are your positive traits?" - one normally has to think about it, yet when you get going, it's amazing what you can come up with!!!

Try it, it's a great exercise in getting to know yourself, and if nothing else, at least we are reminded of all the things that we take for granted or simply forget about and that in effect we should be grateful for!

To read my previous post on "Where would we be without music" click here

For My Photography aka the love of my camera, click here

For wholesome, comfort food, see recipes under Vintage Rose

Picture: Gena D Photography taken at National Botanical Gardens, South Africa