Skimming Stones | Sula's Blog | Sula1968 A South African poet, potter and mother

When I visit Umdloti my friend Karin always comes to meet me at Java Café one morning.  We catch up on news and simply enjoy the joy of friendship.  After time with Karin I always feel that my mind has been given a good workout.  The day before we met, she set the challenge to write a poem about our …

After an idyllic day on Umdloti beach, Mum took us to the tea garden at Karibu Garden Centre (nursery) opposite Burndale for treats.  Apparently Burndale is really expensive these days.  When you’re a family party of 7, the last thing we wanted was a whopping bill. The lady managing the tea garden at Karibu is charming and hospitable.  The menu …

Indian Butter Chicken and Chicken Palak are my favourite curries. This recipe is a winner Chicken Palak (serves 4) INGREDIENTS 500 grams chicken thigh fillets salt and pepper 250 grams washed spinach leaves 2 Tbs melted butter 3 cloves 6 – 8 black peppercorns 1 cinnamon stick 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 onion peeled and chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled …

Being pregnant at ages 38 and 42, I don’ think that I did my body many favours dishing out calcium to grow the skeletal structures of 2 small humans.  For a total of 3 years the mineral generosity was perpetuated through breastfeeding.  I don’t know if there’s a connection but I have early osteoporosis and had 3 separate joint issues. …

On Sunday we went to the ‘Classic’ car show, I asked Cliff to write about it for me.  My brother Allan’s purchase of his Porsche 928S reignited an interest in classic cars in me and shortly after our road trip last year, Fjord, Acacia and I visited the Classic Car Show at Nasrec for the first time.  That show was …

  The bloggers breakfast at Emoyeni Estate, hosted by Kids Emporium was a lovely extension of my birthday the day before.  The thoughtful, meticulous attention to every detail by Lauren and her team reflected an organization based on the right foundation. The 3 speakers inspired respect and admiration.  Lauren spoke of her vision and fulfilment in founding and leading Kids Emporium.  …

Acacia loves getting muddy from head to foot, I often call her my troll doll.  She also loves to dress up like a princess.  Sadly at almost 6 she will soon outgrow her love for sparkles and will steer away from the princess phase.  I looked for a long time for a pattern to make pretty skirts with sparkly net/tulle.  …

A recently watched episode of Seinfeld, ‘The Apology’, reminded me of some past experiences. Stripping off my clothes in the car before entering a naturist (nudist) resort was terrifying. My heart pounded in my throat. What we wear conceals, our clothing is a shield, when Eve ruined it all, clothing signified shame. When Cliff first asked me if we could …

A summary of my week in pictures.     You can find the recipe here. Check out their page here

Today adapted this recipe to make cinnamon, raisin and cranberry bread in the bread maker / bread machine.  This will be a regular around here in future.  I suspect that it would also be pretty darn good in a bread and butter pudding. Ingredients 1 Cup water 2 Tbs (30 ml) sunflower oil 3 cups bread flour 3 tablespoons sugar …

My son Heath is working hard to get a break in the rap scene.  His lyrics are pure genius, he sent me a song by Hopsin to listen to. I then wrote these words to sort of the same beat, I may have gone off track, but only listened once and didn’t want to replay it until this was finished …

Some days I really don’t know if a poem works or not.  Comments below most welcome YOUR LOT Pillars of salt arise from retrospective tears white statues haunting eluding every sense breath blood passion and pain only exist in the now in today Yesterday offers unquenchable thirst Today presents champagne A few hours later the last few lines have been …

Fjord outgrew the dressing gown which I made for him a few years ago.  It was so hard to find a pattern for a boy over the age of 8.  This one was the only one which I could find.  I’m not mad about the top and nightdress with the pattern as they seem to have a funny pleat down …

I don’t do instant!  Instant coffee blasphemes the bean.  Instant meals and cakes are unconscionable.  My grandfather and great grandfather were master bakers and owned Pockets Tea Room (Bakery) in Salisbury (now Harare).  Baking is a tactile passion for me.  I shudder at the thought of instant cake mix. At the SA Mom Blogs #JoziMeetUp my exciting goodie bag contained …

The best news is news where a horrible situation brings about good. It’s even better if we can play a part in bringing that good to be. On Saturday (14 May), most of us rejoiced in the out of season, unexpected rain, it was good news. The drought has been devastatingly long and every reprieve is a blessing. For Frank, …