A Good Day

Some days are better than others, period. I am happy to say yesterday was such a day, and I am so glad because recently, I have been sick, and feeling down and out.

Back to yesterday, it started off with my boss giving me this chocolate:

And any day is a good day when you get free chocolate! My S.O* also bought me some, so I had a double dose of free chocolate! HAPPINESS!

After work, I popped into the shops. Another customer complemented my dressing, saying how she can just take me to an African function "because I looked so nice." In the fridge, I finally found a coke bottle with my name on it. This is after many friends and family have found "Priya" but it has eluded yours truly.

Finally, in the evening, S.O called me outside. Why? Because this cute, little kitten was in our backyard: 

I tried to take a good picture of her, but she was so energetic and jumpy. I managed to hold her and pat her for a minute or so, then she was off again. 

So there you have it, a few small things that made me feel a whole lot better, and not dwell on those things that are bringing me down. 

Can I have more of these days, please universe? 

*S.O - Significant Other 

The Year Of...

A few of the gorgeous mugs I received this year

If I could some up 2013 in a phrase, it would be the "Year of Mugs". Here's why:

When S.O and I moved into our new house, his sister gave us four mugs.
Mug tally: 4

Shortly after we moved into our home, the Sister-Person gave me a grande mug, with a lion on it. Why? Because I am a Leo.
Mug tally: 5

The S.O also gave me a gorgeous grande pink mug for my birthday, and so did one of my dear friends.
Mug tally: 7

When I went to Doha for holiday, I also got not one, but two beautiful mugs from my friends.
Mug tally: 9

And maybe this does not count as mugs, but when we once invited S.O's friends over, they bought us a set of six espresso cups. It is still something to drink coffee out of, so I am adding it to the mug count.
Mug tally: 15

I want more of Mauritius

Mauritius is a place where a lady can wear a flower in her hair everyday. It's an island that thaws your stiff bones with the warmth of the sun, its people and fiery, vegetarian friendly cuisine. Its where local dancers can really move their hips! And it has become a destination I would want to return to.

"Let me do the cliched thing and go there on honeymoon," I thought. My needs were simple: I wanted to go to a place that was not too far from South Africa, I wanted a visa free destination, I wanted some peace and stillness from the intense busy period of the wedding and by George, I also wanted ample, tasty vegetarian food. I cannot tell you the amounts of times I ended up eating tubes of Pringles and chocolates...for the entire holiday. Mauritius emerged as the shining beacon.

A view of the beach from the reception area literally took my breath away. "This is going to be good," I thought. I felt instant relief and a weight off my shoulders. S.O and I made our way to our room, and my initial thought of things being good, improved to better. The room was magnificent, with the beach a short walk away. Perfect for some RnR.

It felt like any other holiday S.O.* and I had been on, there was no pressure to make it special simply because it was the honeymoon. We spent a lot of time on the beach, doing water activities like snorkeling (sea water kept on going into my eyes and troubling my contact lenses, so I gave up), the glass boat, the pedal boat, and sitting on a tube while being pulled by a power boat. There was time for gym, touring, morning walks on the beach, aqua aerobics, attempting to water ski (S.O.) and yoga.

I simply revelled in the fact that wedding was over, my time was mine and I was not neck deep in wedding chores! In fact, there was absolutely nothing to do except eat, relax, drink and take in the salty sea air and warm sun rays.

S.O: Significant Other 

Chocolate Monday: Week 15

The Significant Other's (S.O) aunt made this for me past weekend. How cute is it? So much so, my first reaction was: "That looks too good to eat!" Nevertheless I got over it and happily dug into my dessert. I even managed to share the saucer and the spoon with everyone... I suspect I was so touched I was left in a generous mood. ;)

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.

Some truths...

...I cannot hide from:

Image taken from here.

Cupcakes and playlists in Japanese

The Red Velvet cupcakes for S.O's Bday.

The S.O* had his birthday recently. I decided to bake Red Velvet Cupcakes with a Cream Cheese Frosting to celebrate the occasion. This was the first time I had ever attempted to bake such cakes. Usually I stick to my go-to-quick-and-easy eggless cake recipe, so trying this out was a bit of a risk. Added to that risk was that the recipe called for eggs (I do not eat anything with eggs) so I used Egg Replacement. I was terrified it was going to be a huge flop, but thankfully it did not. The only problem was that they rose beautifully, but sunk a little after baking. Thankfully the icing covered it up! Since I do not usually eat desserts (eating only eggless goodies limits my options), I found the icing much too sweet. Other than that, they were yummy.

The playlist in Japanese. 

On a different note, I recently bought a CD - yes, some people still do that. As I ripped it to my computer, this is the music titles that came up. Who else understands Japanese? Bizarre and curious, don't you think? Has something like this ever happened to you? And here is the other strange part of this story: the music came on two CDs and the second CD pulled through the English music titles!

*S.O = Significant Other 
P.S: Happiest of birthdays to S.O. Celebrating this special day with you for the past 11 years has been beyond awesome. 

World's. Largest. Chocolate!

OhMyGosh - I read an article about the largest chocolate sculpture and man, oh man, I want it now! 

Qzina Speciality Foods built it to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Read the article here on the Gourmet Guys website.  I love how they pay homage to the Mayans, and take into account the Mayan calendar too.

Excuse me as I wipe the drool off my computer.

**Still salivating though.**

PS: They may sign me up to 'destroy the structure' in December 2012.

Guest Post Chocolate Monday: Week 10

Image sourced here. 

The lovely Azra put up this pic on Facebook of a 5kg jar of nutella! Not even my best dreams make me this happy. It pleasantly haunted my memory (and taste buds) so I asked her to do a Guest Post for Chocolate Monday. She says:

"You have not lived until you've owned a 750g jar of Nutella... but a 5kg jar would also do! :)"

A gal close to my heart, that one. **Very content sigh**

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.

Chocolate Monday - Week 9

Image found on Imgfave

As much as I would love to say this is my fridge, it is not. But can I say how much I approve of this person, whoever and wherever they may be!

A century of chocolate-ness

Guess what? The humble Oreo biscuit turns a hundred years old today! Happy birthday to one of the best treats around. These sort of chocolate related milestones should rightly be acknowledged and celebrated! :) Read the entire story and get great recipes on the Eat-In website.

That Oreo martini really catches my eye. Note to self to try and make it at the next braai*.

*Braai - South African term for the word barbecue. 

Chocolate Monday - week 7

I got this pic from S.O's* cousin. She had it as a profile pic on her BlackBerry Messenger. A girl close to my heart, she is!

As soon as I saw it, I knew it was perfect for me, this blog and Chocolate Monday.

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.
*S.O = Significant Other 

Chocolate Monday - week 4

Dare I put this out there, but this has got to be the best. chocolate. Monday. ever! Okay, let me explain. S.O* and his family came over to talk about the wedding. Tradition dictates he give me chocolates for the event. He told me: "I bought your favourite chocolate." I asked which one and he simply said I will see it on the day. I didn't expect more that a box of Raffaelloes.  He walks in carrying the parcel below:

The parcel of chocolates from S.O and his family. 

A close up of the goodies. 

Unwrapped and ready to be eaten hastily!

Needless to say I was beyond pleasantly surprised! I mean, look at that beautiful bounty of all my favourites!  Oh my, oh my! I swear I will get into a chocolate induced coma quite happily. After he left, he told me: "Was going to put Nutella in there but know you have a tub so left it." Aw...


Now where do I begin?!


*S.O = Significant Other 
Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  

Chocolate Monday: Week 3

Picture found here: Imgfave.

It is a morning filled with dense, grey clouds and mist that hovers around like ghosts. This is very unusual for Johannesburg, but I do so love it. It is perfect for an indulgent lie-in but alas, it is Monday! It makes me crave things like hot chocolate and biscuits.

Talking about chocolate, S.O* asked yesterday:
"So...how many blocks of chocolate is okay for consumption? Just had six small blocks - the small ones. Hmm....dammit this fruit and nut [chocolate]."
My gut response: there is never enough chocolate that can be consumed!

*S.O = Significant Other
Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  

Chocolate Monday: Week 2

Oh my word, this Monday is turning out to be annoying! Even though it is only 6:30am, the following has happened:

• The boom into my office parking lot did not open, after numerous attempts of inserting the access card. So I drove around the block again to speak to one of those attendants. "I will let my supervisor to meet you there," the idiot says. So I wait, and wait, and bloody wait some more. Eventually, I decided to park outside and walk up. Oh, I will have words with that parking office today! 
• The doors of the elevator refused to close. On the fifth attempt, they did though. The fifth attempt! 
• The milk in my cornflakes did not taste good at all. I had to spit it out and throw out my breakfast. I never really knew that Soy Milk can go bad...
• To top all of this off, I only got in about 4 hours sleep last night. I almost feel as if the universe is telling me that is is a day to stay under my duvet, where I can be safe from agitations. 

This Chocolate Monday oozes goodness. And I really need some of that to rub off onto me today. 

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  

Chocolate Monday

I think the chocolate cake made into a castle is a divine idea! I would like to dig in! Picture found here.
Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.   
P.S: Is it just me or are Mondays become more cruel and harsh?... Waking up has never been such a horrendously difficult task! My brain still feels fuzzy even though it is already 6:27am. Even though I am already work, I am so tempted to go back into the parking lot and have a nap in my car! Sigh...

And to help make Chocolate Monday become Chocolate Seven-Days-A-Week, my dear friend and Editor, gave me this book. It is her last day at work today and as testament to her kind soul, she is the one giving her work colleagues presents, when she is the one leaving!  A very huge 'Thank You' to her. Lord knows, she will be sorely missed. As for her new path, I hope it is filled with many wanders, words galore, laughs, beach holidays and tales to enthral!
The recipe book is packed with over 300 treats - more than enough to make you want to  live on chocolate alone.

Chocolate Monday

Nutella - in art form. Picture found here.

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  

Chocolate Monday

It's been awfully hot recently - summer has definitely arrived. I think these chocolate coated kiwi fruit is a great idea, especially for these sort of hot days. Image found here.

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  

Chocolate Monday

I am back at work after a four day weekend and feeling sorry for myself. This milk and biscuits picture is comfort food at it's best, which is really what I need at the moment. Picture found here.

Oh and as an additional note, Happy Halloween to everyone! And a very Happy-Would-Have-Been-Birthday to me. The Female-Parental-Unit's doctor estimated my date of birth as 31 October but I decided to pop out prematurely on 21 August. I think a Halloween birthday would have suited my personality much better though.

Chocolate Monday

This weekend we held a surprise birthday party for S.O's* mum. S.O decided to order this heavenly Ferrero Rocher cake - and he specifically asked for it to be eggless so I could eat it too! I cannot count the amount of times I fell in love with it.

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.  
*S.O - Significant Other

Chocolate Monday

Is there a better way to eat banana? I think not. Pic found here: Imgfave. 

Chocolate Mondays have been created to banish Monday Blues, or at least lessen the sting of a new working week.