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Book Club: Top 3 books I read in 2020

In 2020, I read 12 books! I would have liked to read more but with the rollercoaster that the year became, I’m still proud of myself for ploughing through 12. During the hard lockdown, I devoured book after book. I found reading to be the best escape. And even now, with the start of 2021 starting on a sad note, personally, my nose has been stuck in three books already! My goal for this year is to read 15 books. It’s a realistic goal, and I am already three books in, so let’s see how I do.

A book club post is long overdue. I’m not even sure when the last time I did a post reviewing some of the latest books I have read but if you miss these posts and still want to see what I am reading, be sure to follow on Instagram as I’m always sharing there. You can also follow me on Goodreads which is the best app for bookworms!

Of the 12 books I read, these are the top 3 books I read in 2020:

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

After seeing such amazing reviews about this book, I knew I had to read it. It is no wonder it is such a hyped up book that everyone loves! The storyline just sucks you in from the very first few pages. And every time I opened this book to read, I was transported to the marsh.

The story is about Kya, who was abandoned by her family as a small child, including her abusive and alcoholic father. She lives in a marsh and fends for herself. She never attended school but a young boy by the name of Tate spends time teaching her to read. Growing up, she ends up in a murder trial where doesn’t stand much of a chance against the prejudiced people in her town. The book is so well written and so enchanting and I give it the biggest five stars!

Miss you by Kate Eberleen

If you’re looking for a book that makes you happy and sad at the same time, this is that book. The story is about Gus and Tess who meet briefly one summer in Florence when they are 18. After this meeting, their lives and paths cross and intertwine for almost two decades before they actually get to know each other.

I love that this book questions fate. This is the perfect storyline to get lost in. Thats exactly what happened when I picked the book up to read every day.

The Yellow Bird Sings by Jennifer Rosner

The most heartbreaking but absolutely beautifully written story set in Poland in 1941. After the Jews in their town are rounded up, Roza and her five year old daughter Shira, spend months hidden in a farmers barn. They are forbidden from making any noise whatsoever, except for the yellow bird from Roza’s stories that can sing melodies Shira composes in her head. Roza does all she can to take of Shira and shields her from the horrors of the outside world. They play silent games and invent their own sign language. But then the day comes when their haven is no longer safe and Roza must face an impossible choice.

This book is beautiful but sad. It is all about the language of music and an unbreakable bond between mother and daughter.

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Click here for more Book Club posts.

My most favourite and comforting pasta dish

I have two favourite pasta dishes, spaghetti arrabiata and spaghetti aglio e olio. Of the two, one of them brings me a bit more comfort and joy. When I eat it, I savour every fork full and if you listen carefully, you will even hear ‘mmmm‘. You’re probably wondering which pasta dish it is, well let me tell you …

It is spaghetti aglio e olio.

When times are so uncertain and everything is in shambles, the one thing we guaranteed to get comfort from is food. And for me, a bowl of spaghetti aglio e olio is better than a tight 5 minute hug. That is how much comfort it gives me.

Spaghetti aglio e olio is a traditional Italian pasta dish from Naples. A typical dish of Neapolitan cuisine. The dish is made by lightly sautéing sliced, minced, or pressed garlic in olive oil, sometimes with the addition of dried red chili flakes, and tossing with spaghetti. You can also add tomato, anchovies or even olives.

I love making a big pot of this pasta at home. There is just something so therapeutic about pouring myself a glass of wine while letting the smell of sautéed garlic permeate through the kitchen.

Read: My recipe for spaghetti aglio e olio with roasted tomatoes and olives

Most Italian restaurants have spaghetti aglio e olio on the menu. The two that always do it right for me is Pomodoro in Morningside and Old Town Italy in Melrose Arch or Pretoria.

So there you have it. My most favourite and comforting pasta dish. What is yours?

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Nothing plain about Safari Plains in Mabula

Summer in the South African bush is truly something special. Waking up for that early morning game drive, stopping in the middle of nowhere for a cup of coffee with rusks and spotting some beautiful sightings along the way. What makes it special in summer is that immediately after the summer rains, the animals start having their babies. This is the time when you spot lots of young animals. Together with this, the bush also bursts into colour. This is what makes summer in the South African bush so much more special.

Staying at Safari Plains

At the end of last year, in the peak of summer, we visited Safari Plains. Safari Plains is situated within the malaria-free Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve against the backdrop of the majestic Waterberg Mountains. After a short 2 hour drive from Johannesburg we arrived. A feeling of rejuvenation in the African bush immediately started sinking in. What makes Safari Plains special is the ultimate safari experience with the highest level of luxuriousness.

We stayed in one of the 20 breath-taking safari style luxury tents. Each air conditioned luxury tent has its own sunken bath, shower, hospitality armoire, viewing deck and tea and coffee making facilities. Sitting out on the viewing deck, in between morning and afternoon game drives, with our book, while listening to the sounds of nature, was our favourite thing to do!

If we weren’t by our deck reading, then we were enjoying a very delicious meal by the dining room. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all hearty affairs at Safari Plains with some of the most delicious food being served up. The dining room over looks the pool area which overlooks the waterhole. If you are lucky you may spot some wildlife grazing. The setting is truly beautiful!

Our sightings

During our game drives, we saw four of the Big Five. The game drives are through the 12 000 hectare Greater Mabula Game Reserve. Some of our sightings included lions devouring their kill (note: the lions are in their own section), rhinos with their babies, cheetah’s playing and running and buffalo with a whole lot of babies. We also saw hippo’s, elephants and giraffes with babies which is always beautiful to see, especially in summer.

Next time we hope to be more adventurous and do the quad biking or horse-back safaris through the non-predator section. What makes Safari Plains special is that we got to satisfy our bush craving in such a close proximity to Johannesburg.

For more information or to make a booking visit www.safariplains.co.za

*Our stay at Safari Plains was hosted.

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Read: Kruger Park Sightings 2020

An easy recipe for breakfast oat crunchies

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Some of my favourite childhood memories include waking up at my granny’s house to the sweet smell of freshly baked crunchies wafting through the kitchen into the bedrooms. I can just picture my granny with the biggest smile on her face when we walked into the kitchen to indulge in her freshly baked treats with cups of tea. The other day I decided to recreate these memories and baked a fresh batch of oat crunchies to enjoy during the holidays. That same smell permeated through my home, and my goodness, that nostalgic smell is everything. The crunchies themselves are just as delicious at that smell, FYI.

These breakfast oat crunchies are golden squares of pure deliciousness and are perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee or a cup of tea. They also make for a perfect afternoon treat. I like to make a fresh batch every so often and store them in a glass jar so they’re easy to reach. If you prefer, you can half the sugar quantity so they’re not so sickly sweet. But I find that sweetness to be so comforting.

Recipe for breakfast oat crunchies:

250g butter – melted
1 tbsp golden syrup
1 cup flour
1 cup coconut
2 cup oats
pinch of salt
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

  1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
  2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter with the golden syrup and the brown sugar.
  4. Pour the melted butter, golden syrup and brown sugar mix into the dry ingredients bowl and combine well.
  5. Pour the crunchie mixture into a well greased baking tray.
  6. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown.
  7. Allow to cool before slicing into squares.

More recipes: My Aunty’s recipe for the best cupcakes

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @minkys.co.za on Instagram.

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My (cheesy) birthday wishlist

For that night time chill in the air: Trenery Sweat Top

To complete my Work From Home outfits: Birkenstocks

Nothing better than a book as a gift: Book – Cilka’s Journey

Did someone say Smeg Coffee Machine: Smeg Filter Coffee Machine

No words for this but a very bold “yes please”: Le Creuset Heart Collection Soup Pot

To lounge around at home in: Personalised slippers

This long hair of mine needs to sleep on one of these: Satin pillow slip

For all the cheese platters I plan on serving up this year: Serving board

Pamper sessions always need a beautiful scented candle: La rose candle

To accompany the slippers mentioned above: Linen gown

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Ultimate Gift Guide: Chocolate for the Chocoholics

milk and white chocolate combo pack – R198

coconut blonde white chocolate – R33

almond nut butter with almond pieces – R43

nib and salt dark chocolate – R37

no sugar sea salt & caramel nut butter chocolate – R47

nut butter combo pack – R245

Less 15% discount code at checkout: LOREN

www.devillierschocolate.com

* Affiliate.

A weekend at Walkersons Hotel and Spa in Dullstroom

You definitely need to add Walkersons Hotel and Spa to your South African Travel Bucket List. After another glorious weekend here, I am happy to report, it is still a special place. We first visited Walkersons two years ago in winter (read post here), and not much has changed since then – the hotel is still intimate, cozy and full of charm, even in summer.

Walkersons is located just a few kilometres from the beautiful town of Dullstroom. Dullstroom is known for being quaint and cozy and is famous for fly fishing. Fly fishing is one of the very popular things to do in this area, especially at Walkersons. Rainbow and brown trout are found in the many dams scattered all over Walkersons.

Our weekend

We checked in late on a Friday afternoon after a 2.5 hour drive from Johannesburg. Our Lakeside Suite was a combination of traditional and comfortable. With a thatched roof, a fireplace, a comfortable lounge area, a queen-size bed and an en suite bathroom, everything was perfect. The cherry on top was the spectacular view of the lakes and dams. Every morning we woke up to birds chirping, guests fly fishing and the stillness of the countryside. It was magical!

Our weekend at Walkersons was spent eating, relaxing and savouring every moment out of the city. We also went for beautiful walks through the estate, enjoyed an afternoon of tea and scones, and watched the sunset over the dam with a glass of wine in hand. Next time, if we are feeling extra adventurous, we will do some horse riding. Unfortunately we didn’t do any fly fishing, but that will also be added to the to-do list next time we visit.

One of my favourite things about our visit to Walkersons was that everything was green and lush after all the rains that we have had. Summer is a fantastic time to visit because of this. I also loved all the hydrangea bushes in full bloom.

After all the stresses of everyday life, especially this year, a weekend at Walkersons was just what the doctor ordered. A perfect countryside getaway is absolute food for the soul!

To make a reservation and see their exclusive specials visit www.walkersons.co.za

My new favourite coffee shop: Morning Glory in Parkwood Johannesburg

There is a new (is it even new?) coffee shop that has opened up in Park Corner on Jan Smuts Avenue in Johannesburg that I thought I just need to tell you about. This new coffee shop is called Morning Glory and it has become my new favourite hangout. The reason why is because everything about it makes me happy. From powder pink walls, to neon lighting and many plants inside, these are my 3 favourite things. Pink, neon and plants!

Besides for those elements, the coffee is good and so is the food. They have a full menu including a whole lot of delicious breakfast options, sandwiches and salads for lunch, and sweet treats to accompany your coffee.

What I recommend:

Breakfast: A French Affair – French Toast

Lunch: Triple Cheese – Sandwich

Afternoon snack: Banana Rama – Banana Bread

For the full menu: click here

Address: Park Corner, 146 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg, 2193

Read: Where do I find goof coffee and strong wifi in Johannesburg?

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Ultimate Gift Guide: All Things Pink

For the cook: Heritage Square Dish in Rose Quartz

For the comfort seeker: Wool Crew Neck Knit

For the fashionista: Espadrils

For the wine drinker – Zandvliet Shiraz Rose

For the smoker – Zippo Lighter

For the beach goer – Sequinned basket bag

For the naughty – Pink Duckie

For the candle lover – Wild Coast Classic Candle

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Minkys guide to making salads extra delicious and nutritious

Sometimes salads can be a little boring but if you make them the right way they can be bowls of absolute deliciousness. I never used to enjoy salads. Now that I have mastered the way I do like to eat them, they are my favourite especially for lunch when I am working from home. A salad should be made with fresh ingredients and toppings you enjoy. It shouldn’t be soggy but rather crisp. The salad should also be drenched in the right amount of dressing and packed full of flavour. That is how to make a good salad but if you want to make an extra delicious and nutritious salad, here is my guide:

Here’s how to make your salads extra delicious and nutritious:

  • Start with a big bowl or plate. I like to use my wooden bowl that I got from Mr Price Home a little while ago. There is something about eating a salad out of this bowl that makes me feel like I am in Bali, or somewhere amazing! It also holds all the ingredients well. And you can toss everything inside without messing, which is great!
  • Lay a bed of greens. The base of your salad is important. I almost always replace lettuce with baby spinach leaves no matter what kind of salad I am making! I find baby spinach leaves to be tastier and a whole lot more nutritious with extra health benefits compared to lettuce. It took a little getting used to in the beginning and now it’s my standard salad practice!
  • Add an array of vegetables. I normally stick to the basics – like cucumber, tomato, carrots, onions, green peppers and your normal standard salad ingredients. But then I also like to mix things up and maybe add avocado, mushrooms, beetroot, asparagus, etc. Try keep it simple but exciting with a few extras!
  • Add a protein and make it tasty. Some of my favourite proteins include: tuna, smoked salmon, chicken breast, boiled eggs and cheese. What I like to do is season the protein to make it extra tasty and delicious. I like to cook my chicken breasts in a wok as this adds extra flavour. I also switch between feta cheese, mozzarella cheese or even a tasty cheddar cheese. All of this adds to the end result of an extra delicious salad.
  • Use a tasty salad dressing. I like to mix my own salad dressing using a very good quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar, adding a dash of garlic salt, some pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • Make it like a bowl or pile up the ingredients. There are 2 ways I like to make my salads – either like a bowl where everything is separated or I pile everything on top of each on a plate. Both ways are interesting and make the salad exciting!

So there you have it, Minkys guide to making salads extra delicious and nutritious.

Read: 5 Basic Ingredients for a Delicious Green Smoothie

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I am a plant lover and here is why

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The number one reason why I am a plant lover is because plants make me instantly happy. In such uncertain difficult times, happiness should definitely be number one, and with plants, it is definitely guaranteed. I started with one plant and now have over 20 in all different shapes and sizes. From indoor plants to outdoor plants and even a few very sensitive orchards, I have managed to keep all alive (which is an achievement in itself, especially for 2020!).

Reasons why I love plants …

  • Plants make me happy. When I look at my plants, they bring me instant happiness. And with happiness, comes an instant mood lifter. With everything going on right now, this is exactly what I need. So plain and simple, they make me happy!
  • What I love most about being a plant mom is watching how plants grow. Every day I notice a new leaf or a new flower and it is so fascinating. You don’t realise plants are living things and with sunlight and water, they just grow. I find this so inspiring!
  • Plants have become mine and my boyfriends mutual interest and talking point. Just as much as I love plants, so does he, and we can both sit for hours discussing our plant babies. We also laugh when one of us suggests getting a new plant. So we both have the plant addiction and not just one of us, which makes this new hobby a lot easier. Ha!
  • Keeping plants alive is a challenge and so far we haven’t killed any yet! So along with this challenge, all the learning curves along are very welcome. It feels like we achieving and learning at the same time, which is great.
  • Our home is now a home with a whole lot of greenery and extra oxygen. And I just love this!
  • They make for a great distraction. Watering the plants and taking care of them is so very therapeutic. And it’s something I look forward to doing every day!
  • Every plant is different. I love how some plants flower with the most beautiful flowers while some don’t flower but still remain so beautiful.
  • Plants make the best gifts. So if you’re thinking of what to get me for my next birthday, a plant or two will definitely do. Thank you!

Where do I buy my plants?

I love the whole process of visiting a nursery, walking around and choosing what I want. I find this a lot more exciting than ordering plants online. But don’t get me wrong, if I can’t get to my local nursery, I will opt for th convenience of online ordering.

Plant Subscriptions

A few weeks ago the lovely team over at Imbali got in touch with me and sent me their October Flowering Plant Box. This is a monthly subscription box and let me tell you one thing, the excitement and anticipation waiting to see what arrives in the October box was just the best feeling. Inside the box was a pretty pink daisy plant, gardening gloves and a protea ornament. A subscription box like this makes for a perfect gift! Visit www.imbali.co for more information.

Read: My Five Favourite Things The Pink Edition

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