Special Kids – The Hub of Special Needs

Posted on July 31, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

Our journey as a family with Special Needs is at times a very lonely one.

Lets face it , your family loves and adores you and your children , your friends give you their supporting smiles ,who truly knows what our lives are like if not another parent with a child with special needs?

Yet – it’s still a lonely one, I’ve tried to make contact with other mums at therapy sessions or even out and about in stores but its a burden that tends to be left behind closed doors and I’ve been dying to speak out, to reach out.

So when Nina Zylstra the Editor of Special Needs.co.za asked if I’d like to be part of the Meet the Parents Segment I jumped at the chance at meeting fellow parents and having them get a little insight on our family as well.

Click here to visit their website and get to know us and the other parents a little better…..http://specialkids.co.za/home/index.php/meet-the-parents#.U9oQxGOLVQU

Chocolate AERO Cake – A slice of Heaven for our Winter

Posted on July 17, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

I was given this recipe years ago whilst still in my early teens by my Aunt Fatima.

Its a family favourite and my favourite as its the one cake that has no leftovers.Its a clean plate after any occasion.

Why is it so good?

Its Chocolate Chiffon cake
Its ideal for both the Warmer seasons and Colder seasons
The Aero Sauce is heaven on earth speared on each slice (fyi – this is not a Nestle’ sponsored post)

There are a few things we need to remember when baking this cake:

You need to utilize a Chiffon Tin (Angel Food / Bundt Cake Tin / Fluted Round)

Yuppie chef has some pretty nice cake pans to choose from.

http://www.yuppiechef.com/master-class.htm?id=3270&name=Master-Class-Non-Stick-Fluted-Round-Cake-Pan

http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-Angel-Food-Pan-Inch/dp/B0000VMI2M/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399361521&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=sicone+chiffon+cake

You need to have a deep cake plate/tray that will allow for the sauce to stay within.(Like the one below)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

This will be your most favourite go-to recipe this I promise.

Remember in Summer bake and make the sauce before time….make space in your refrigerator so that the sauce will be nice and cold when you serve it – an hour before serving should be fine.

In Winter serve this cake and its sauce warm – heaven on a plate!

Always Always…spread every slice with the Aero Sauce xxooxx

Enjoy!!!!

Top 5 favourite Household Products Series – Product 1

Posted on July 16, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

I’m blessed that I have Domestic help twice a week however over December I was alone with two little boys and a house to clean.

My little boy follows me everywhere I go and I love it but it was also a major worry as I dragged around the bucket and mop when I cleaned the floors.

I had to act fast and came across probably the best invention ever……

The Addis Spritza.

This is ideal for my home , in fact for any home as its easy, quick and safe.

No longer do we have to drag buckets of soapy water around, no longer is there a concern that an unattended bucket could be cause for a drowning child or swallowing of chemical water.

I simply place my floor cleaner and water into the bottle provided, clip it in and spray while I sweep……I love love this product!

With all the traffic coming in and out my home during the busy festive season I kept my Spritza close by at all times and it was simple and so so easy.

Addis has been a longstanding household name.

Life’s for living, and we love being part of yours. Addis – Making it easy

Click on their website http://www.addis.co.za/ for more fantastic Addis Products ( I know I found a few things I’ve added for my next shopping trip)

Father’s Day Gifts – Ideas from my family to yours

Posted on June 4, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

I try to make a big deal of any celebration.

My husband is of the opinion that days such as Valentines Day , Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are just commercialized money-making days.

I don’t care – I believe that children learn from our actions and I want my little boys to be thoughtful gift giving men.

Father’s Day isn’t just for Sunday – My husband’s festivities begin earlier in the week – From Monday and ends on Father’s Day Sunday.

Everyday he gets a small gift or treat shall we say….Its funny to see both the excitement in our boys and shockingly the eagerness my husband has to come home and receive his gift that evening.(now tell me who doesn’t like getting presents?)

We don’t spend too much money and they quirky little gifts or treats.

For instance:

Monday – A Personalized Shirt

Tuesday – Jar of Shortcake Chuckles (his favourite)

Wednesday – Dad mug

Thursday – Homemade cookies served with warm milk on the Personalized cutting board

Friday – Just in time for the World Cup – show off his supporting team with a personalized cellphone cover

Saturday – Barber Treatment

Sunday – All Day Daddy treatment:

Breakfast

Lunch of his choice

Final Gift – A hint a few months ago……. a traditional Shavette

1957809_790391247667193_9095460134163869457_o

Where to buy:

Shirt Graphics – Cool Beans Design Agency – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cool-Beans-Design-Agency/140760239299227?ref=br_tf

Jar of Chuckles Shortcake – Chuckles @ Woolworths Jar @Osbros

Mug – https://www.kidslabels.co.za/Catalogue/Coffee-Mugs/Personalised-ceramic-mugs/

Personalized Cutting Board – http://www.lovelettersstationery.co.za/A%20Wooden%20Boards.html

Cellphone Cover – https://www.facebook.com/tickledbluecustomcases

Enjoy and Happy Father’s Day

Yuppiechef.com – Nutella Pancake cake

Posted on May 21, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

This arrived in my Inbox this morning and has my taste buds tantalized.How yum does this look?

I’ve died and gone to chocolate heaven – Nutella and Ferrero Rochers in one recipe.Chocoholics……… Welcome

There’s def a jar of Nutella in our household and I can foresee exactly what we will be doing this weekend!Well Done Annie.

Visit the website for more inspirational recipes and ideas – http://www.yuppiechef.com/spatula/?ref=toolbar

Visit the Yuppiechef Online store for amazing, amazing kitchen gadgets you cant live without – http://www.yuppiechef.com/index.htm?ref=toolbar

Make a Nutella pancake cake

20 May 2014
by Annie Kolatsis
in Recipes

A jar of Nutella probably doesn’t last very long in many households. And if a teaspoon of the good stuff can cure a broken heart, can you imagine the secret powers this Nutella pancake cake holds? If you love the hazelnutty goodness as much as we do, then this pancake cake will go down a treat.

http://static.yuppiechef.com/spatula/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/nutella-pancake-cake.jpg

Makes 1 extra large cake. Halve ingredients for a smaller version.

Ingredients:

5 batches of classic pancakes (about 40–50 individual pancakes)
2 cups Nutella, softened

For the chocolate ganache
300g dark chocolate, chopped
300ml cream

Ferrero Rocher chocolate balls, to serve

Method:

1. Make approximately 45–50 pancakes using this basic pancake recipe. Allow them to cool completely before arranging the cake.
2. While the pancakes are cooling, make the chocolate ganache. Place the cream in a saucepan over medium heat. When it starts to boil, remove the saucepan and stir in the chocolate until it has melted and the mixture is smooth. Let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
3. Set aside ½ cup of the chocolate ganache to pour over the top of the cake. Assemble the cake by layering the pancakes and alternating between softened Nutella and chocolate ganache between each layer. A good spatula comes in really handy.

building-pancake-cake

4. Garnish with chopped Ferrero Rochers and allow to rest for an hour or two before serving.

pancake-cake-portrait

Warning. This is a slightly labour intensive cake to make, but we guarantee eyebrows will pop, tongues will loll and plates will be licked clean,

which is always worth the effort, eh? Plus, by pancake 49 you will be a seasoned pro.

by Annie Kolatsis

Fresh out of UCT, Marketing degree in hand, Annie is one of the newest additions to the Yuppiechef Grad Programme.

When not baking up a storm, you can find this self proclaimed travel and series addict

watching reruns of Friends or curled up with a book. View more articles by Annie Kolatsis.

Recycling Fun – Plastic Bottle Cap Puzzle

Posted on May 14, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

Children learn through play.Its something I witness everyday.

With all the holidays we had between March and April my little man could do with a few refreshers

I had my family collect their Milk Bottle caps/tops so I could make these.

What you need:

Paper
Double sided tape
Plastic Milk Bottle Caps
Printer
Scissors

What you need to do:

Using MS Word or any other program you feel comfortable with create the circles.Or use the template I created (click below)
Cut strips of the Double sided tape and stick on the back side of the page
Cut out the circles
Peel of Double sided tape and place the paper circle in the middle of the plastic bottle cap

Free Templates:

Click Here – Alphabet Bottle Template

Enjoy!

Ana

Footnote:We purchase these milk bottles from Woolworths

Top Gear Weekend – Ideal Giveaway just in time for Father’s Day

Posted on May 12, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Purchase your tickets below (dont forget your Discount Code)

http://www.topgearfestivaldurban.co.za/tickets

I searched for prices on accommodation and flights independently and found that the Travel Packages on the website are fantastic see for yourself:

http://www.topgearfestivaldurban.co.za/travel

Thank you to http://www.topgearfestivaldurban.co.za/

Free Mother’s Day Printables

Posted on May 9, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

Happy Mother’s Day

Spoiling mom ,gran , aunt or godmother this Sunday?

Keep costs low but still have a creative edge with these FREE Mothers Day Printables.

Below are simple printables to add to any gift ,table,wall or cake.

Enjoy!!!!!

Mothers Day Banner – Mothers Day Banner

Mothers Day Gift Tag and Cake Topper – Mother’s Day Gift Tag and Cake Topper

Mothers Day DIY Gift – Gumball Machine plus FREE Printables

Posted on May 8, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

Living in the Southern Hemisphere means we are in Autumn right now so inspiration for Mother’s Day was drawn from the beautiful strong colours that are synonymous with this season.

A few weeks ago we were at Lifestyle Garden Centre and I came across Terracotta pots with drip trays – I bought them immediately, I knew exactly what I wanted to make with them.

I came across loads of “Gumball Machine” tutorials on Pinterest – and we made one two years ago that now holds my nail polishes.

This afternoon the boys and I got busy making these for the two grannies for Mothers Day Gifts.

This is what we used:

Terracotta Pot and Drip Tray

Hot Glue Gun

Paint

Glass Bowl

I’ve also attached Free Printables we made to go with our gifts.

Click here for the Mothers Day Banner – Mothers Day Banner

Please drop on by tomorrow for the Free Gift Tags and Cake Topper Printable.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there – God Bless you all.

May the Lord keep you safe , happy and healthy so you may continue to be the best mom the Lord chose for your children.

Enjoy!

Ana

Inspired by:

http://prettypinkposh.com/2013/01/diy-gumball-machine.html

http://www.karaspartyideas.com/2011/05/diy-tutorial-make-your-own-bubble-gum.html

Additional Information:

Lifestyle Garden Centre

Cnr. Beyers Naudé Drive & Ysterhout Avenue
Randpark Ridge
Randburg
GPS Coordinates:
27° 56″ 39 E, 26° 5″ 44 S

http://www.lifestyle.co.za/

Ideas to spoil Mom’s this Mothers Day – Part 1 & 2

Posted on May 5, 2014 by anasilvasimoes

There are only so many fluffy slippers , hand creams or pajamas one mom can handle.

I’m a fairly new mom with only a few years of Mothers days under me and I have to be honest I love them…I love getting presents (who doesn’t?).

My favourite and most treasured gift is the priceless Macaroni bracelet I received from my little man in his first year at Nursery school.

So with Mothers Day 2014 approaching I need to find gift ideas to give the grannies.

Macaroon sent me their stunning Mothers Day Gift list and I’m in love ( meaning when I order aprons for the grannies I’d be adding an extra for me)

Visit their website: http://www.macaroon.co/macaroon/content/en/macaroon/mothers-day

My other favourite finds came from the online store – http://www.lovelettersstationery.co.za/A%20Personalised.html

I’m crazy about anything personalized so this is right up my alley.

I’m in love with the Personalized pencils ,Cork Memo Boards , Monogram Candles and lets not forget the awesome notepads.

PART TWO

With just days to go until Mother’s day I’ve just been adding to my own wishlist.

Have a look:

Kiekie Creations (situated on the East Rand) personalize the most amazing items (and you know how obsessed I am about personalized stuff)

Like their page because you will want to keep their details

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kiekie-Creations/346102972182628?ref=br_tf

and once again my favourite does not disappoint….Woolworths

Im getting the above for myself – a little treasure box to keep all the beautiful little treasures my boys make for me – R130.00

http://www.woolworths.co.za/store/dept?N=4294912559

Click above to take you directly to their Mothers Day gift items – you wont regret it especially if you don’t have the time to drop in to a store close by …have it delivered to you or directly to your mom.

Happy Shopping.

Enjoy!

my gifts from above

A great WordPress.com site

Special Kids – The Hub of Special Needs

Chocolate AERO Cake – A slice of Heaven for our Winter

Top 5 favourite Household Products Series – Product 1

Life’s for living, and we love being part of yours. Addis – Making it easy

Father’s Day Gifts – Ideas from my family to yours

Yuppiechef.com – Nutella Pancake cake

Make a Nutella pancake cake

Ingredients:

Method:

by Annie Kolatsis

Recycling Fun – Plastic Bottle Cap Puzzle

Footnote:We purchase these milk bottles from Woolworths

Top Gear Weekend – Ideal Giveaway just in time for Father’s Day

Free Mother’s Day Printables

Mothers Day DIY Gift – Gumball Machine plus FREE Printables

Additional Information:

Ideas to spoil Mom’s this Mothers Day – Part 1 & 2

PART TWO

Follow “my gifts from above”