Raspberry and chocolate bread and butter pudding

We had a very busy weekend; two kiddies parties and a trip to Kruger but we still made time to get to the monthly farmers' market early on saturday morning. 

The market had a few surprises:  Fresh mushrooms, a wonderful makataan (type of watermelon used to make jam) and compost, which we ordered a full load of for the vegetable garden.  I went with my mom and together we collected a few bags worth of produce.  Actually, a bit more than a few bags full as you should have seen the size of the makataan; we had to get somebody to carry it to the car.  The market has a bit of kitch and a bit of cool.  A lot of ready made food and brilliant coffee.  Strolling through the stalls is probably one of the best ways to spend a saturday morning.

And then on monday I realized that I had a whole fridge full of ingredients for a meze style supper.  Far too much food though for our family and that's how I ended up inviting my parents for supper, on a monday.  This little impromto style dinner was one of my favorite dinners in a long time.  So easy to put together, but so enjoyable.  We sat outside and watched the sun set while eating and completely forgetting that it was the beginning of the week and not weekend yet.

Of course I had to do a bit of desert as well.  I bought some croissants earlier and had fresh raspberries in the fridge and just made some custard.  Easy to assemble and just as easy to eat.

A farewell and raspberry, mango and almond muffins

Today was a day of goodbyes and airport hugs.  The kind that is always accompanied by a few teary sobs and a few weeks of heart ache.  My sister and her kids went home to Canada today after spending six weeks here with us; never a happy event.

We spend the morning taking photographs and playing in the garden.  Her son adored the space and freedom of spending time in a country with abundant sunshine.  He wanted to be outside all-day, everyday, chasing the chickens, climbing trees, picking flowers and seeds and riding his bicycle.  So that was what we did this morning before going to the airport.  

My son, E was so sad to see his little cousin leave, heartbroken almost.  They became as close as brothers and spend hours together.  Distance is always harder for the little ones to grasp.  He has no concept of the size of the earth and always asks inquisitive questions about geography.  He wants to know if Canada is further than Johannesburg or Durban.  He wants to know if you can drive here or have to fly there.  He is trying to get to grips with the fact that his new best friend can suddenly disappear for years at a time.  Little does he know that we adults struggle with the idea too.

I thought that a day like today needs a bit of colour and cheer and therefor made little cheery raspberry muffins for breakfast.  The first batch was pretty standard with apple grated into the mixture.  But then the mango on the counter looked too appealing and I made another batch with mango.  

Muffins are the sort of thing that you can throw together on a busy morning in less than half an hour from start to finish.  And it always surprise me that something that requires so little effort can yield so much reward.  You have to try them, you know you want to.