It's Christmas. It's hot. It's Africa. When in Africa...braai! (BBQ) on Christmas Eve.   My brother got/earned/volunteered for the job of chef for this one.   Braai-ing is a skill. No gas fire here. The coals have to be just right.  This sausage is what many South Africans live on. It's called borewors. I make it from time to time.  Baby potatoes speared with rosemary.  Broccoli cheese.  And that's how it's done. Christmas dinner, enough for ...

This is Warren. This is Warren with his early Christmas gift. This is not coffee.  This is chocolate sauce. It's made using Bar Ones, a nougat & caramel South African chocolate. Here is the recipe. I made it once when I ordered Bar Ones online. It's Warren's favourite ice cream topping.  My Mom loves Warren. A lot. Whenever my Mom visits us in the States and whenever we visit South Africa, my Mom makes this for ...

"I have a farm in Africa." My sister and brother-in-law (BIL) can say that. Doornkop (translated "Thorn Hill") is a large acreage property on a ridge southwest of Johannesburg. My sister and BIL share this property with a few others. All had the same dream. A quiet place for recharging the batteries.  They call this home away from home "The Lodge".  This home away from home is gorgeous. It's sturdy. Concrete. River ...

We spent last night doing laundry and repacking for Christmas at The Lodge. Mia thought she was coming along and packed herself into my suitcase. My sister Charlie and hubby Aaron had gone on ahead with my brother Paul and his family joining them at The Lodge. The rest of us (my boys, my sister Tanya, my parents and I) loaded the cars and headed to the airport to get Warren. ...

On route to South Africa our flights took us to the U.K. which is where Warren's family live.   Flying over the little row houses as we headed towards Heathrow reminded me of when we used to live in England.  We only spent 4 years there and we have great memories.  Warren's parents and sister live in England with her 3 kids.  The boys were reunited with their cousins, aunt and grandparents.  Warren's cousin Theresa ...

Each Christmas season Starbucks sells gingerbread biscotti and it's delicious. Of course, I had to try and replicate it so this is my version of gingerbread biscotti. I based it off the Almond Cranberry Biscotti I made last year.  You need brown sugar, butter, eggs, molasses, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and slivered almonds.  Start by creaming the brown sugar and butter together until fluffy.  Add the eggs ...

The Melting Pot in downtown Littleton is one of our favourite restaurants of all time. We've spent anniversaries there, we've taken friends and family there. Its a special place for us.  Currently, the restaurant is running a 'kids eat free' special on Tuesdays and Sundays and since we don't have family or plans over Christmas time, we decided to treat ourselves and our kids.  Inside the restaurant is a cool ...