Sei-te de Cor

sei de cor
cada traço do teu rosto, do teu olhar
cada sombra da tua voz e cada silencio,
cada gesto que tu faças,
meu amor sei-te de cor

sei cada capricho teu e o que nao dizes
ou preferes calar, deixa-me adivinhar
nao digas que o louco sou eu
se for tanto melhor
amor sei-te de cor

sei porque becos te escondes,
sei ao pormenor o teu melhor e o pior
sei de ti mais do que queria
numa palavra diria
sei-te de cor.

sei cada capricho teu e o que nao dizes
ou preferes calar deixa-me adivinhar
nao digas que o louco sou eu
se for tanto melhor
amor sei-te de cor

sei de cor cada traço do teu rosto, do teu olhar
cada sombra da tua voz e cada silencio,
cada gesto que tu faças
meu amor sei-te de cor

Paulo Gonzo

Quem Me Leva Os Meus Fantasmas

Pedro Abrunhosa simplesmente fantástico...

Save Miguel!

A very good idea...ecology with a twist of humour...maybe the only way to seriously start thinking about what we are doing to our planet...and if on top it speaks of my beloved Portugal...then I am all for it!

Obrigado ao Paulo e Zé de "Felizes Juntos" por me terem feito descobrir esta campanha que merece toda a nossa atenção!

AFRIKAANS...ASSEBLIEF

Afrikaans Language Monument in Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa

Many of my readers and friends have been having the following comment "hey, what's up with this strange language that popped up on your blog?". I smile each time I read or get that kind of comment, because I also used to think like that...what a strange language...like I said...I USED to think that.

Those who know me, know how much I like to travel and discover new cultures, as well as learning new languages. For me it is natural that if you are visiting another country, one should try to find a few things about it first and try to learn a few sentences...it is always appreciated. I could find one is better welcomed when we make an effort, I have verified that in each of my travels around the globe.

Question is, why Afrikaans? Don't know my self. I was in South Africa years ago, but hadn't "click" with it, after all, everyone was speaking in English...

One morning after a conversation on different languages spoken with a friend, I got "challenged" to learn Afrikaans, I took it up. Thought I was making a mistake, because it sounded like a complicated language where "g" turns into "rhh", "v" turns into "f", etc and the grammar seems so "obscure"... I was so far from reality. What I wasn't expecting was to literally fall in love with this beautiful and so "smooth" language. Afrikaans is not harsh at all, although it may seem for the untrained ear.

With learning the language came also learning the culture and everything around it (including the recipes!!!) and letting go of some pre-conceived ideas...

How to explain the fun I am having, how much I enjoy each time I discover I understand what I am being told in Afrikaans and how much I am amazed of how automatic it is becoming for me to reply...although sometimes the order of the words isn't quite right (different grammar rules)...but that has occasioned some very good laughter moments!

So, to answer all those who have asked, there is no particular reason just the fact that I like it and that I would like everyone to discover how beautiful it is.

Afrikaans is one of the 11 official languages of South Africa. If you are interested in knowing a bit more you can visit this site (Wikipedia). Try also to learn a little bit more about the Afrikaans Language Monument here.

YSTERVARKIES

INGREDIENTS:

• 350g Bruismeel (Flour)
• 7ml bakpoeier (baking powder)
• 1ml sout (salt)
• 125g botter of margarien (butter of margerin)
• 250g suiker (sugar)
• 4 eiers (eggs)

1. Sif bruismeel, bakpoeier en sout saam (Sieve flour, baking powder and salt together).
2. Klop botter en suiker tot romerig (mix the butter and the sugar until creamy).
3. Klop eiers een vir een by bottermensel en meng goed na elke byvoeging (add the eggs one by one to the butter mixture and blend well).
4. Voeg gesifde bestanddele bietjiesgewys by en roer tot alles net gemeng is (add the egg, butter and suger mixture to the rest of the ingredients and mix well).
5. Skep in panne, maak gelyk en bak 15 - 20 minute (Pour in baking pan and cook for 15 - 20 minutes).
6. Keer uit op draadrak en laat afkoel (put the dough on a rack and allow to cool).
7. Sny in blokkies van sowat 3cm x 3cm (cut in squares of 3cm x 3cm).

The picture above is here for one sole purpose, a private joke
between me, A. and T. (Bigger sieve!)

STROOP (Syrup):

• 375ml kookwater (water)
• 600g suiker (sugar)
• 1ml sout (salt)
• 15g kakao (cocoa)
• 15g botter (butter)
• 5ml vanieljegeursel (vanilla essence)

DECORATION:

• 400g klapper (coconut)

1. Meng kookwater, suiker, sout, kakao, botter en vanieljegeursel in n' dubeel kastrol. (Mix water, sugar, salt, cocoa, butter and vanilla essence together in a cooking pan - let it get syrupy).
2. Doop koekblokkies vinning in stroop en sorg dat al sy vier sye bedek is (dip cookies in the syrup and make sure that all sides are coated with it).
3. Rol in klapper en plaas op draadrak (roll the cookies in the coconut and place on rack).

Dit is heerlike! GENIET!!!!!

Peanut Butter Cookies...

INGREDIENTS:

• 250g butter
• 500ml sugar
• 2 eggs (whisked)
• 125ml smooth peanut butter
• 10ml bicarbonate of soda
• 25ml milk
• 5ml vanilla essence
• 500ml flour (sifted)
• 500ml Oats
• 500ml coconut
• 500ml cornflakes

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat oven to 180 °C.
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add whisked eggs.
4. Add peanut butter and mix well.
5. Dissolve bicarbonate in milk. Add essence. Add to butter mixture and blend well.
6. Mix the rest of the ingredients (flour, coconut, oats, and cornflakes). Add to the peanut butter mixture. Mix.
7. Form walnut-sized balls. Place on greased baking tray (or covered with baking paper) and flatten slightly with a fork.
8. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden and done.
   

Makes approximately 8 dozen cookies!