Winter arrived in all its glory (ummm, not too sure about glory) last week with lots of frosty mornings. I live close by a spruit and most mornings were below freezing. Once I was in my car, heater on and driving to work, I marvelled at how beautiful the frosty ground looked. There’s something about frost which makes even the drabbest places look magical!
This got me thinking of what I enjoy about winter, and even though I’m more of a summer soul, it does come with some special times.
Luxurious treat
It may be cold outside, but when I visited Sinzinani Spa at Thaba Eco Hotel recently it was beautifully warm and cosy. The glowing fire at reception was very welcoming, and once I was inside the treatment room it beckoned with a lovely fragrance, soft music and fluffy towels. Was I in for a surprise, though, when I lay on the bed and felt the warmth from the heat pad. Such luxury! I honestly could have stayed all day. A truly gorgeous spa in a wonderful tranquil setting. Treat yourself, you’re worth it!
Shopalot
Winter is also a time for shopping. Even window shopping can be fun when it’s cold outside. Make a day of it – go with a good friend and choose your favourite mall. Browse the shops, try on a few items of clothing while you have the time and enjoy a coffee break. Shop some more, relax over lunch and catch up on each other’s news. If you are at the mall long enough, enjoy a late-afternoon cocktail or a glass of wine. A day like this always makes me feel good and, as the saying goes, you’ll know the people who feed your soul because you’ll feel good after spending time with them.
Pamper time
Take an hour out of your busy schedule, probably first thing or later before bed, and enjoy a relaxing bath filled with fragranced bath oil or bubbles. Lie back and let your mind drift to times or places where you felt good. Make sure you have a fluffy towel at hand, ready to wrap yourself in once you’ve emerged from the warm water. Use a rich body cream or butter and massage well into your skin. During the winter months our skin does tend to be drier and needs more moisture.
Winter definitely calls for afternoon tea. This recipe I’ve shared with you before, but it’s so quick and easy, and the biscuits, delicious.
Oat Crisps
Ingredients
150g butter
50g golden syrup
100g brown sugar
75g quick cook oats
50g desiccated coconut
100g plain flour
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
1 teaspoon hot water
Method
Place butter, syrup and sugar in a large saucepan. Heat gently until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved. Mix together the oats, coconut and flour, then stir in the melted mixture. Dissolve the bicarb of soda in the hot water and stir into the oat mixture. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then form into 18 balls.
Place the balls well apart on greased baking sheets. Leave plenty of space for spreading and bake in a warm oven (160 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until evenly browned. Leave to cool slightly and set, before removing them with a palette knife. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Great fish shop
Last week I popped into Marlindo Fisheries in Augusta Road, Regents Park, for no other reason than a colleague had told me how good the shop is, and the prawns, fantastic.
As soon I entered the shop I could see how spotlessly clean and organised it was – all the freezers meticulously filled with frozen produce and the shelves stocked with Portuguese produce (olives, sauces, pickles, olive oils, pasta, beans, quail eggs and more tantalising jars and canned produce).
The frozen produce included prawns (deveined, marinated and all ready to cook or braai), sardines, octopus, salmon, baby hake, mackerel, snoek, crayfish, angel fish, traditional cod fish (which can be ordered whole, if preferred), rissoles and prawn meat as well as duck, rabbit, chourico and gizzards.
If you prefer to buy your fish fresh, salmon, tuna, hake, kingklip, calamari and octopus are available daily.
The shop also sells Portuguese cheeses as well as local cheese and some other dairy lines.
Managed by Celia Reis and Gorette Rossouw, service is tops! Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5.30pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm. Please phone to place an order or for more information on 011 435 0454.
That’s it for this week. Shop till you drop!
Julie
