8th anniversary

Today is the day of the spring solstice in South Africa and the autumn solstice here in Oman. Today is also my wedding anniversary.   Eight years ago my love and I committed our lives to one another under a lapa on the most beautiful beach. There were colourful potted plants dotted around us, lots of champagne on the tables, and the sound of wind chimes in the distance.

It was a huge step for us as a couple and for me as an individual.  I was very hesitant after the disaster of my previous marriage. As a couple who already had one child together, it was a natural progression in our relationship.

I have learnt many things from our relationship.  My husband is a hard task master who does not take lightly to any feelings of insecurity.  This has spurred me on to become far more confident in my own abilities.  He also is the most gentle and kindest person I know.  He is my best friend and someone I can always relate to.  In short, he has taught me that love is more often than not, a doing word, a verb, not a distant, descriptive noun. He supports me and my decisions without fail.  I feel very lucky to be with him. 

So what are we going to do here in Nizwa to celebrate our anniversary?  This is a big question.  There is no appropriate restaurant in town so celebrating with food is not an option.  Perhaps a swim in the wadi, or a ride up the mountain, or a swim in the pool.

Next week we will be driving down to Muscat for the day, so maybe we will put off today's celebrations till next weekend.  We always have such a good time shopping in Muscat.

My beautiful gannets

One of my main interests in life is food.  I love to eat and I love to cook, expressing myself creatively in the kitchen.  I am faced, like most moms, with the incessant question every single day of my life…what can I eat, Mommy?

When I was younger and living in my parents’ home, my father used to call me and my siblings gannets.  These amazing sea birds dive from a height of 30 meters, achieving speeds of up to 100 km per hour, using unique, binocular vision.  They are able to dive the deepest and eat the most of all birds. Talk about focus!

My dad was right. I can see the situation at our table over dinner.  My kids devour everything that is put in front of them with their own brand of single-minded determinedness that would make my dad proud.  When they are finished I have to clean the walls, the floor and their seats. Cooking for them so satisfying I don’t even mind the dishes.

I love to try new recipes and spend hours in front of my computer (we don’t have cooking magazines here in Nizwa) looking for new recipes and ideas.  Of course South African recipes are the best but I love and hate South African food blogs.  Their glaringly bad grammar and spelling mistakes deter my attention away from their purpose. It’s really bad and I am really ashamed of my country in this regard.  South Africa has some really outstanding chefs who show a dire lack of professionalism when it comes to presenting their dishes on their blogs.  To show my passion for this subject, I am even willing to edit any restaurant reviews, food blogs and food reviews for free.

Picnic food is really something that is high on my list of priorities too.  Interesting food that does not go bad in the intense Arabian desert heat, or soggy within a few hours and is nutritionally sound is hard to come by.  Perhaps there are some suggestions out there.

I find ambiance important when dealing with food as well.  I love sitting on my camper-chair with my feet in the waves, watching the intensely beautiful red sunset, drinking rooibos tea and eating homemade chocolate-chip cookies with my love.   

Now that is one of my main interests in life...