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

The car winds through the lowveld.  South Africa revealing her humble soil and her majesty at every turn.  My eyes focus on a book set in Ireland and America.  Glancing up I am aware of my infidelity.  My unfaithfulness to the beauty around me, nature now pouring herself out, a waterfall cascading from rock.  Twinned with unfaithfulness to the work …

Back in 2011, an online jewellery story The Daisy Chain, ran a poetry competition with the given topic being “A woman of worth”.  I was delighted to win 1st prize and a R500 voucher.  Sadly the Daisy Chain has ceased to exist. The worth of a woman The shape of her laughter The truth of her gaze Her springtime unfurling …

My past is littered with failed relationships.  As a teen my grandmother told me that I was fickle, she was probably right.   I’m not going to try to analyse why I had such a very long string of boyfriends, fiancées, one night stands and one ex-husband.  I wrote this post on one aspect but was painfully aware that it only …

  It was not a dark and stormy night.  It was a perfect summer evening in the African bush, which started with no hint of the chilling events which would transpire in the space of one hour of mayhem.  Our luxury tent at the unfenced Mpila camp in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park blended into the bush.  Our son Fjord was four then …

In the past I have loved the challenge of writing prompted by creative prompts.  Previous prompts provided by others have resulted in some works which I have been most happy with and the stimulation of rising to a difficult challenge is so rewarding.  I have missed this inspiration very much since the Writers Bootcamp ended and woke this morning with …

This is one of those ‘recipes’ which I do so often that I forget to put it up here.  I don’t really like ordinary Toast with Tuna fish and Mayonnaise, I find it a bit heavy and boring.  My Mum always did hers like this and I love it.  This makes a very healthy lunch.  You can also use plain …

My Mum has asked me for a few of my old poems.  Since I have to type them out, I may as well put them here.  This poem was written when I was in matric for our farewell assembly at Maris Stella Convent School in Durban (1986). REACH OUT Reach out, toward the future Do not regret the past You …

This week I used some embroidery threads which belonged to my grandmother, they are still in a bag from Lynwood Fashions, her clothing factory in Harare.  I was named Ursula after her and recent thoughts have been around how much of her, lives on in me.  Strangely my grandfather’s name was Clifford and my husband’s name is Clifford.  Ursula and …

In the past week I have made Stork Custard Cookies, 3 times.  The children absolutely love them (and so do the parents).   I also had a bee in my bonnet to find the simplest and most efficient way to pipe the outlines.  Piping the lines to fill on the cookies was a bit of a challenge. The first time I …

This post is specifically for women in the situation which I have been in recently.  I spent so much time googling, trying to figure out what my body was up to, so if you have been led here by a search engine, I hope to be of help.  The past 3 months have been pretty stressful.  Four months later I …

Last night there were no treats in the house, today that had to be remedied.  I saved some Stork recipes on Pinterest and decided to try a new recipe.  The Custard Cookies taste lovely, and the bit of extra work decorating them was worth it, they look so pretty.  The recipe has no eggs which is ideal for Fjord who …

Whew I’m so birthday partied out, Fjord and Acacia’s birthdays are 2 weeks apart and planning 2 parties so close together is a fair bit of work.  Added to that I worry that all will go smoothly and according to plan.  I still forgot to make popcorn at both parties but over all they seemed a success.  What matters most …

Acacia’s 4th birthday was last month but this blog post on what you don’t need for a children’s birthday party, inspired me to share this.  When Heath (now 23) was little, I pulled off what must have been one of my most stupid parenting blunders.  I decided for his 4th or 5th birthday to give him a surprise party.  When …

I am not a fancy cook, I like meals which are quick, easy and taste good.  This Tuna Curry can be ready in 20 mins and tastes delicious.  Mum often made it when I was a teen, at that stage I did not like curry but I loved her tuna curry.  The ingredients are very flexible, only the tuna, mushrooms, …

There are 2 meals which we have every week, the rest vary as much as possible.   During the week we have a home-made pizza night and Friday is burger night.  The patties are so easy to make and I always freeze at least half.   I don’t use egg in my burger patties as Fjord is allergic to egg and they …