The Life Of Kathe: Who Said Having A Disability Couldn’t Be Fun?!!!

"Who Said Having A Disability Couldn’t Be Fun?!!!"

The time has now come that I need to start using cane!

Having Fibromyalgia and Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, along with a badly sprained ankle {we are now 8 weeks +2 days}, I have now resorted to using a Cane to help me get around.

I really wanted a Cane that screamed “Kathe”, and this Cane was perfect for me!

I love the pattern on it, it reminds me of my {many!!!} Jacqui E dresses!

It is height adjustable, and my Physio, Matt from Physio 54 adjusted it to the correct height for me.

Also, it is a folding Cane, which means it can fold up and fit inside my handbag!

Because I am now using the Cane {which my daughter has told ALL her friends about – (she and) they love it!}, I have had to change handbags, so I have gone from my black Kardashian Collection handbag {thank-you AliExpress!}, and reverted back to one of my 10 Kathy Van Zeeland Handbags {thank-you ebay!}. 

The reason for the switch is I needed a longer handle/strap that I can sling over my shoulder, + it is roomer to fit my Cane in!

Sue from Access Mobility was my “Mobility Specialist”, and helped me choose the Cane that reflected my personality, and I am rapt with Cane that I “walked” away with!

After all, “Who Said Having A Disability Couldn’t Be Fun?!!!”

Here are some piccies of my Cankle … cringe!

Cankle Day 1

Cankle Day 2

Cankle Day 4

Cankle Day 4.5

Cankle Day 6

Cankle Day 8

Cankle Day 14

Cankle Day 58 {8 Weeks + 2 days}

The End Of An Era ...

The end of an era ...

Today the Cook Family Homestead and property sold.

This land has been in the Cook family since 1912, and it is with much sadness that we say goodbye.

My brother's comment says allot ...

"Remember even though the physical has been taken away from us and the great grandchildren to come, the memories, the stories and the love will never be taken away from us".

Thank you for the memories Grandma and Granddad Cook...

This photo is of my grandparents on their wedding day, and is taken back on 3rd December 1947. 

and these photos were taken just before Grandma and Granddad  passed away ...

A book by Sue Murray, was written about our family and the property, entitled 

"Cook Family Chronicles: Early Settlement of Upper Moncks Spur, Mt Pleasant, Christchurch 1912-2012"  ...

and here are some recent photos of the property ...

and finally a "drone" movie ... 

1.39ha (3.43 acres)

Steeped in history and boasting magical views across Christchurch city to the mountains and sea, this is truly something special. 

Purchased in 1912 the property has remained in the family until now. As well as being used as a military base throughout WWII, the property also boasts an original army hut. 

Modest in design the home offers potential plus with a character filled kitchen/dining at its heart. With sliding doors connecting the space to the decked verandah outside, the room is flooded with natural light and amazing views morning and night. 

Found adjacent is the living area. With built-in cabinetry and timber joinery throughout it offers a warm and neutral canvas on which modern day family life can play out. 

A Masport log fire ignites notions of cozy nights in. 

Four bedrooms and one bathroom ensure there is a private retreat for every family member. 

Able to enjoy the view from bed, the master bedroom has touches of luxury with sliding doors to the verandah and a separate toilet. 

A separate laundry with external access completes the floor plan. 

Sheltered from the elements by mature plantings, macrocarpa and olearia hedging, also a stand of pine trees planted for firewood. 

The house and surrounding 1.39ha is comprised of five paddocks. Perfect for those with a love of space or looking to run stock. 

A mature garden connects the home with surrounding pasture. 

Ticking all the boxes for outdoor utilities is a wood shed, small hut, garden shed, hay shed, glasshouse and old army hut. The army hut was given to the family by the army as compensation for the use of the land. 

An external access single garage is also found on the property.
Without a doubt this is a property all about location, location, location. With unbelievable views it is something you have to see to believe. 

Have you fallen in love with the Cook Homestead yet?

I Just Met Nadia Lim, MasterChef 2011 Winner!!!

Nadia Lim, MasterChef 2011 Winner

#‎NadiaLim ‪#‎CantWaitToMeetYou! ‪#JustMetNadiaLim #‎winner

This evening I had the great pleasure of meeting Nadia Lim, MasterChef 2011 winner, and author of 4 cook books!

The event was hosted at Petite Fleur at Seifried Estate, in Richmond, Tasman.

I won a ticket with a Richmond Mall promotion, and was all ready dressed {in my new Jacqui e dress} and ready to go by 11am {the event started at 6.45pm!!!}!!!

I went with my very good friend Tracy, and a couple of her workmates, and we had such a great evening ...

On arrival there was a glass of wine each, and 2 platters per table.

We had a goodie bag at each place setting, which had 2 magazines “New Zealand Taste” and “WildTomato” inside, along with a number of sampler products from local shops around Richmond, including a glue stick {from Paper Plus} and a coffee card from Muffin Break ...

Anna from Paper Plus was the MC for the evening, or “Oprah” as Nadia called her, and Nadia was an amazing speaker, and I went home buzzing with excitement.

As I had {another} meeting with my Dietician Tonia earlier this week, allot of the lingo that Nadia used I was familiar with, as I have been asked by Tonia to start the "FODMAP Diet" {"Fermentable Oligo-Di-Monosaccharides and Polyols", FODMAPs are carbohydrates (sugars) that are found in foods}.

Nadia talked about how at the age if 12, she decided that she would be a food author, and marry her idol “The Naked Chef” Jamie Oliver!

Years later the first part of Nadia’s dream came true, the later part, well unfortunately Jamie married his sweetheart Jools!

We could have listened for hours as Nadia spoke about meeting her mother-in-law for the first time, and her faux pax made on live TV when recounting that first meeting, along with many other antidotes.

There was a question and answer session that must have lasted at least 30 minutes, and Nadia handled each question with ease, and I loved that she repeated what the question was {as she had a microphone} before relaying her very informative answer.

All too soon, the evening was drawing to a close, but not before we had the opportunity to purchase Nadia’s cook books at a discounted price, and also get a signed autograph from Nadia and a selfie!

I purchased her latest book “Nadia Lims’ Fresh Start Cook Book” over 100 delicious everyday recipes for lasting good health and weight loss.

My favourite recipes thus far, as I thumb through the book are “Grilled Cinnamon Bananas With Maple Caramelised Pecans + Yoghurt”, “Salted Caramel Fudge”, “Strawberry, Basil + Lime Sorbet” and ohhhhh yum “Chocolate Berry Fudge Brownies”!

As you can tell, I have a sweet tooth {not good when you are meant to be on a low sugar diet!}, but Nadia’s most recent book also has recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Vegetarian, Meat, Chicken, Fish + Seafood, Desserts + Treats, Healthy Snacks, and Essentials.

With a background studying nutrition and dietetics for five years at Otago University, Nadia is more than qualified to offer advice on nutrition, and share her love of food.

If you get the chance, take a look at Nadia’s website www.nadialim.com or better yet, pop into your local bookshop or library and pick up a copy of one of Nadia’s books: “Nadia’s Kitchen”, “Nadia Lim’s Good Food Cook Book”, “Easy Week Night Meals” {included in the book is her famous “Thyme Stuffed Chicken With Roast Pumpkin and Mushroom Sauce" recipe} + her latest book “Nadia Lims’ Fresh Start Cook Book”.

WOWsiers, what a night!

“Thyme Stuffed Chicken With Roast Pumpkin and Mushroom Sauce"

Nadia’s Cook Books may be purchased through her website www.nadialim.com or through any good book seller.

The Most Divine Cheese Ball EVER …

The Most Divine Cheese Ball EVER …

I recently borrowed this yummy recipe from a friend, and then switched up the ratios/volumes!

250g Cream Cheese, diced/cubed {Philadelphia is perfect, but NOT diet/lite or spreadable}

1 Cup Cheese, grated {Edam is perfect}

1 Red Onion, diced

125ml {1/2 Cup} Sweet Chili Sauce {ended up accidentally using half the bottle!!!}

Slivered Almonds

Make the Cheese Ball the night before it is to be consumed!

Leave the Cream Cheese out of the fridge for 2 hours to soften, and then dice/cube.

Grate the Cheese.

Mix in a bowl all ingredients {except the Slivered Almonds}, stir with a wooden spoon until all ingredients combined.

Split the BIG Cheese Ball ingredients into two, as this recipe makes enough for two Cheese Balls.

Spread the Slivered Almonds on to a dinner plate, and then roll the Cheese Ball, until covered entirely with Slivered Almonds.

Place Cheese Ball in a serving bowl, cover with cling wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

Serve with Crackers {the “Peckish” brand is soooo yummy!}, Carrot Sticks, Celery Sticks etc.

I have to admit the last Cheese Ball{s} I made was Friday night, for my S#@$%&Y Party on Saturday. The second Cheese Ball was left in the fridge, and I ended up eating the WHOLE Cheese Ball, along with a WHOLE packet of crackers on Monday night @ midnight.

WARNING … once you start eating the Cheese Ball, it’s very hard to stop!

Enjoy!

“Create With Kathe” For Thursday 25th June 2015

This week, one of our projects made, was a tabbed file folder card, featuring the Envelope Punch Board, and my new favourite stamp set “Awesomely Artistic”.

I recently brought the Calypso Coral Seam Binding Ribbon, and it contrasts nicely with Basic Black and Whisper White.

Pearl Basic Jewels and Silver Metallic Thread add the finishing touches.

Thanks for stopping by, and happy craftin’!

Kathe.

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