Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2017 i Home

I have always been slender but sometime in September this year, The Huge Appetite took hold of me and it feels as if I haven’t stopped eating since. Yesterday morning, I ate two leftover potatoes for breakfast – the selfsame potatoes that Justine Krige makes for her Christmas meal (see page 35); when I read the story, I got such a craving for them that I tried the recipe that very evening. Justine is right: they are definitely “crispy on top and marshmallow-soft inside”. Even when eaten cold the next day! My friend Elna has on occasion taken me to task for not eating regularly, and my mom is always moaning at me because I don’t believe in breakfast. Well, both of them can relax now because as I’m writing…

Christmas is a time of sharing, true friendships, sincere love, special gifts, holy symbols and magical aromas. – Justine Seafood menu Starter Garlic mussels Main course Braaied prawns with gremolata Stuffed fish wrapped in Parma ham Panzanella wreath Asparagus and beans with anchovy butter Justine’s potatoes Dessert Festive trifle Braaied prawns with gremolata Serves 6 (2 per person) • Preparation time: 30–40 minutes • Cooking time: 8–10 minutes • 12 extra-large prawns • 12 sosatie sticks, soaked in water • 2 lemons, squeezed and zested • 1 garlic clove, chopped • a handful of parsley, finely chopped • 10ml olive oil • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 Shell the prawns but don’t remove the head or tail. Remove the intestine and thread the soaked sticks through…

 Few things get Darryl and Amelia Caalsen’s fingers itching more than a neglected house that has stood empty for a long time – so it’s no wonder they fell in love with an old, dilapidated home with an overgrown garden when they spent a holiday in the Riebeek Valley in 2013. “We seized the opportunity to live here,” says Amelia. Back then, the couple were living in England but now Darryl, a legal adviser, commutes between Cape Town and their home. “We prefer to buy an old house so we can furnish it to our own taste,” explains Amelia. This mother-of-three is busy with their renovation projects full-time – the couple buy a house, move in, fix it up and sell it again. And these two have restored quite a…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 5/10 Skill level 6/10 Time needed 2–3 hours Do it yourself for less than R1 500: wood and screws R950, steel and rollers R280, pipes for handle R140, paint and miscellaneous R130 You will need SHOPPING LIST • one 3m length of 6 x 50mm steel, cut to: four 100mm pieces (wall bracket) one 1 800mm piece (track) two 270mm (roller hangers) • 40mm square tubing, cut to: four 30mm pieces (spacers) • twelve 3m lengths of 22 x 95mm planed pine, cut to (for the door): ten 2 100mm pieces three 950mm pieces two 1 400mm pieces • one set of 80mm sliding gate rollers • 20mm galvanised pipe parts: one 300mm pipe two T-pieces four nipples two end caps two flanges • two…

THE CHALLENGE Nicole Whitfield of Cape Town writes We recently moved into a house in Wynberg and we need help with the décor and layout in our 7 x 6m lounge. We need to fit in a sofa and two chairs plus a dining table; we were thinking of replacing our rectangular table with a round one, which will probably have to go near the patio door. Any suggestions? THE SOLUTION Stylist Margaux Tait replies With the right furniture in the right place, you can create a lounge and dining area with plenty of room to move. Here are a few ideas: 1 FURNITURE With the TV on the wall closest to the kitchen and the fireplace part of the sitting area, clever furniture placement is crucial in order to…

TJHOKO PAINT PROMOTION You will need • 500ml Tjhoko Paint in Sherif’s Stone • 250ml Tjhoko Paint in Silver and Rose Gold • 290ml Tjhoko’s Stencil of Paris • 300mm round stencil (available at Tjhoko stockists) • 350mm round wooden board • 50mm paintbrush • 50mm paint scraper 1 Paint the wooden board in Sherif’s Stone. When dry, drybrush with Silver then Rose Gold. 2 Secure the stencil on the board with masking tape and evenly spread Stencil of Paris (Tjhoko’s embossing paste) on top with a paint scraper. 3 Remove the stencil while the Stencil of Paris is still wet. Once the Stencil of Paris is dry, use chalk to write guests’ names on the space provided. Visit tjhokopaint.co.za and facebook.com/tjhokopaint. Tjhoko Paint is made in SA. • It…

Lien Lutske of Steytlerville writes I have two adult cats that I love dearly. We’re moving back to George soon and I want to take them with us but I’m so afraid they will run away – do you have any advice on how I can help them adapt to their new environment? Dr Quixi Sonntag and Dr Karien Brink (below), animal behaviour experts and members of the South African Veterinary Association, reply A new environment is always a big adjustment for cats. They’re very territorial and it’s a well-known fact that they often try to return to their old home when moved to a new location. This is particularly problematic if the new house is close to the old one as they can easily trace their old territories, which…

This month... • To prevent bud drop, keep the root area around azaleas and camellias moist by mulching with a thick layer of compost. • Cut back chrysanthemums to encourage bushiness and more flowers in autumn. • Struggling with lawn caterpillars? Apply Efekto’s Wonder 4:1:1 with Insecticide, a fertiliser that contains a contact and stomach insecticide for the control of these pests. • Watch out for yellow and black caterpillars that burrow down into the bulbs and leaves of nerines, clivias and amaryllis, and a cream caterpillar with black spots that is found in the buds and bores into the centre of agapanthus; spray them with Margaret Roberts Biological Caterpillar Insecticide. • Pick up and destroy or bury fallen fruit that may be infested with the larvae of fruit fly.…

Q: I live in Durban and something seems to be lifting the soil in my bed of floribunda ‘St Andrew’s’ roses. I think I may also have termites because I dug up a rose that had dried up and saw that its stem had been eaten. The Durban region is known for termite infestations and they love chewing away the bark of the root stock. The disturbance of the soil is probably moles. Both moles and termites will be persuaded to move on if you drench the soil around the rose bushes with Ludwig’s Insect Spray mixed with Plant Care. Make holes in the soil around each bush by pushing in a fork to a depth of 25–30cm. Don’t dig over the soil. Add 100ml of Insect Spray and 10ml…

Club tropicana Acrylic pineapple and leaf tumblers R69.95 each, woolworths.co.za Her royal hummus Pesto Princess has added hummus (R37.99, spar.co.za) to their range of yummy preservative-free products. Get some! Splash out! TM 300 CorkscrewR798, lecreuset.co.za Get cookin’ The extremely versatile AGA stainless steel cookware range (set of three casseroles R4 540, agaliving.co.za) is not only durable but also features a chic and contemporary finish. OVER THE COALS A celebration of our love of the open fire, Jan Braai’s Shisanyama (R345; Bookstorm) offers a selection of recipes from Bacon Bombs and Breakfast Pizza to Lamb Jaffles and Brandy & Coke Short Rib, along with a story of the origin of each recipe. A PERSONAL TOUCH Handmade Gifts from the Kitchen by Alison Walker (R250; Penguin Random House) is packed full of…

WINNING LETTER passes Jeanne Viljoen of Ceres writes Home is where you live – and where your heart is! Due to various circumstances, we’ve moved about 13 times; my husband and I are now in our mid’60s and early ’70s. My motto in life has always been to create a home wherever I’ve lived; I’ve always painted the houses and planted trees and shrubs as a blessing to the next person. Time passes too quickly, so I really hope this will encourage someone out there not to wait until they own their own home to make it really, really special! We’ve all been given a good dose of creativity and the innate desire to beautify our surroundings. This is my latest garden project which Piet, my weekly gardener, and I created – it’s…

Tell a story Add a personal touch to your bookshelf as done by Rial Visagie and Daniel Swanepoel in their Robertson home. An old sewing machine that belonged to Rial’s mom Letha and one of many Tintin figurines displayed throughout their home add a quirky, textural element to a floating shelf. See-through! Karen Roos Babylonstoren commissioned these gorgeous bookshelves for the farm’s cottages. The yellowwood structure, designed by Prowell Kitchens, allows for a view of the garden and lets plenty of light into the space. The more colour, the better !– Rita Wall to wall  Avid DIYers Adriaan and Rita Louw didn’t see the need to buy a new bookshelf when they could have fun making one together. The couple took measurements to ensure that the shelf would cover an…

Who lives here? Alda and Sassie Fick WHERE Dassiesfontein farm near Caledon We are farm folk and children of nature family comes first. – Alda ; “ Over the festive season, we want our home to be hospitable and comfy with somewhere for everyone to relax,” says Alda Fick in her distinctive Overberg accent on the farm Dassiesfontein, a few minutes’ drive from the farm store of the same name. “We even pitch a few tents in the garden if need be!” She says Christmas should be a fuss-free, easy-going affair. Instead of a tree with shiny baubles, Alda prefers bunches of herbs from her veggie and herb garden and a few Christmas lights. Sassie has celebrated Christmas on Dassiesfontein all his life; his father bought this sheep and crop…

Kitchen makeover on a budget Annemieke Hiemstra of Johannesburg writes I’d like to give my kitchen a new look but my budget is limited so I only want to use paint. What can I use to paint my slate floor tiles and can I use Annie Sloan paint on my black melamine cabinets? Jani Goussard of Paint & Decor offers the following advice on the floors You’re very brave to paint slate floors! The problem with slate is that it flakes off – any paint you apply will also flake off with time as this is the natural process of slate weathering. There is, unfortunately, no product that can guarantee you a permanent solution. If you want to risk it, try the following: wash your floor thoroughly with sugar soap so that…

Q: Which paint was used on the braai wall on page 54 of your October 2016 issue? – Letitia Pekeur, Boston, Cape Town A: It was painted with Earthcote Sand Paint in the colour Blesbok. Q: Where can I find cupboard handles like those on page 58 of your August 2017 issue? – Luane Lavery via Facebook A: Homeowner Gina Ross says the Holly Wood Kitchens units (hollywoodfurniture.co.za) came with those handles; try handlesinc.co.za, gelmar.co.za or roco.co.za for something similar. Q: I’d like floor tiles like those in Episode 4 of My Plek of Joune? on Afrikaans lifestyle channel Via (DStv channel 147); where can I buy them? – Charlene Weimers, Stellenbosch A: Stylist Isabel Barends says it is vinyl flooring that she got from Builders. Enquire at your local…

Plans with pots Ilze Venter of Pretoria writes We have a courtyard near the kitchen that’s covered with a glass roof. I’d like to plant vegetables in pots and keep them in this area so they are within easy reach. The only problem is that this space only gets filtered light because of the glass roof. Will my plan work and which vegetables should I try to grow? JJ replies If the area gets good sunlight for half of the day and bright light for the rest of the day, you can grow leafy veggies such as lettuce, spinach and cabbage. CONTACT JJ van Rensburg is a horticulturist at Garden World in Johannesburg; visit gardenworld.co.za. Email gardens@homemag.co.za…

South Africa has experienced drought in many parts of the country over the past two years and, as a result, a rainwater tank is no longer considered an unnecessary expense on a property. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering installing your own. Size counts There are several factors that will influence the size of the tank you choose. Firstly, you must decide how much space you can set aside. In a townhouse with a compact back garden you may be hesitant to fill the available space with a tank. “Start by getting the correct measurements from the stockist,” says Hendrik Helberg, manager of RotoTank in Moorreesburg. Calculate what your roof’s yield will be, should it rain. Use the surface area of your home as a guide. For…

The veggie garden • Continue planting and harvesting vegetables. Plant a few loose-leafed lettuce seedlings in a spot that gets afternoon shade and harvest the leaves while they’re young and crisp. Fast-growing greens popular in stir-fries, soups and salads include Chinese cabbage such as pak choi, Chinese kale, daikon and Chinese mustard; sow seed every two or three weeks and harvest regularly for a continuous supply of greens. • Where gardening space is limited, grow herbs in pots on patios. • Pinch off any flowers on basil plants to encourage lush leaves.…

Snoek and sweet potato fishcakes Under R80 • Makes 6 fishcakes Preparation time: 45 minutes • Cooking time: 20 minutes • 200g cooked leftover snoek, flaked• 450g cooked leftover sweet potato or potatoes, mashed• 2 cloves garlic, crushed• 60ml peanuts, chopped• small handful of fresh coriander, finely chopped• 1 egg, whisked• flour• 2 eggs, beaten• dried breadcrumbs 1 Preheat oven to 200°C. Place the fish, sweet potato, garlic, peanuts, coriander and egg in a mixing bowl and mix well. Season with salt and black pepper. Shape the fishcakes and dust them with flour. Dip each one in the whisked egg and then in the breadcrumbs. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for 15 minutes. 2 Spray a baking tray with non-stick spray or an olive oil spray and arrange the fishcakes on the tray. Bake in the oven for 20…

With almost a century of experience in the bed-making business, the Slumberland brand is well-known around the world for its strength and superior comfort. Popular among South Africans of all shapes and sizes, Slumberland beds combine durability, support and absolute luxury – those who switch to Slumberland never look back! Each Slumberland sleep system offers its own unique combination of comfort and support and with a reputation for innovative technical development and design, every Slumberland bed is built to ensure a more restful sleep. Leading the way in the industry, Slumberland Premium Collection boasts an impressive range of features that incorporate all the latest advances in sleep technology. • Find more details at slumberland.co.za. HOW TO ENTER SMS the keyword SLUMBERLAND followed by your full name, physical and/ or postal…

ON THE BOX Weekend Reno is a brand-new renovation series (Season 1 starts 27 November on the Home Channel, 176 on DStv) about breathing new life into tired, old getaways. In each episode, designer Michelle Mawby and her team have one weekend to transform a cottage – and they pull out all the stops, revealing stunning fresh spaces that the owners can appreciate on weekends away. Festival of White Lights 8 December: Spier, Stellenbosch The Werf, Spier’s restored historic farmyard, celebrates the festive season with sculptures and light installations illuminating diverse artistic performances choreographed by Jay Pather. Enjoy a picnic from the Spier Farm Kitchen (book in advance at picnics.spier.co.za) or tuck into hearty fare from PJ Vadas’ Hoghouse BBQ & Bakery – and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine…

Who lives here? Carol-Ann and Hannes van Jaarsveld WHERE Graaff-Reinet, Karoo When Free State couple Carol-Ann and Hannes van Jaarsveld arrived in Graaff-Reinet 19 years ago, they had no idea what a life-changing move it would be – one that would, of course, also have an impact on their three sons. Hannes was a chartered accountant and Carol-Ann an interior decorator with her own antique furniture and décor store in Somerset East. Today, they own a variety of family businesses; Carol-Ann opened the Buiten Verwagten Guesthouse and décor store The Windmill Junction, which daughter-in-law Amori has since taken over. Hannes started the Montego dog food factory and now the couple’s sons – Morné, Marco and Johan – manage that business. Family time Carol-Ann and Hannes are retired, theoretically, but sitting…

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE Hard labour 1/10 Skill level 2/10 Time needed 1 day Do it yourself for R322 (paint R105, copper hooks R200, nail-in anchors and plugs R17) You will need TOOLS • masking tape • scissors • carbon paper • ballpoint pen • paintbrush • tape measure • jigsaw • vice grip • drill with 3mm wood bit and 5mm masonry bit • screwdriver • hammer SHOPPING LIST • 250ml Tjhoko paint in the colour Jane’s Jade • template (download it from homemag.co.za) • five 22mm copper elbows (90D) • five 22mm copper stop ends • 22mm dowel stick • all purpose glue • five 5 x 45mm nail-in anchors and plugs Tidy up your entrance hall with this pretty tree and hooks focal point. GET STARTED 1 Download…

A Christmas tree with a difference! You will need • 22 x 44mm planed pine, cut to: two 1 500mm pieces (sides) two 960mm pieces (top and bottom) • 6mm x 40mm chipboard screws • fishing line • Alcolin Ultra Wood Glue • drill and 3mm drill bit 1 Measure and make marks 100mm apart along the length of the two side pieces; drill a hole at each mark. 2 Use Alcolin Ultra Wood Glue to glue and screw the top and bottom between the ends of the side pieces. 3 Thread fishing line from left to right through all the holes and tighten it. Hang up the frame and get decorating! Make the decorations Make Christmas decorations by gluing multicoloured, patterned paper to cardboard – some are simple circles, others folded to…

Magical masterpiece Elizabeth Avenant of Pretoria writes Can you tell me anything about this plate? Does it have any value? Monique Kleynhans of Stephan Welz & Co. replies This plate is a Rosenthal collector’s item by Bjørn Wiinblad entitled Aladin und die Wunderlampe XII. It’s the seventh piece in the Rosenthal Studio Line set of 12 collectable plates depicting the story of Aladdin and his magic lamp. Bjørn was a Danish painter, designer and ceramic-, silver-, bronze- and textile artist. The plate was designed and manufactured in the late 19th century. AGE Late 19th century VALUE R300 – R500 at auction CONTACT stephanwelzandco.co.za Email stashit@homemag.co.za…

Sticking to tradition Yuma gets his groove on for Christmas. – Bettina Rupp, Hout Bay It’s a wrap Spikey was the first to open his present! – Estelle Zamudio, Great Brak River Keeping a lookout Karolis waits patiently for Father Christmas. – Lezani Stander, Durbanville Out for the count! Os, Nina, Roonie, Mia, Teddy, Minki, Benji, Roxy and Bella recover from the festivities. – Hesmi Olwagen, Bergville, KZN For your stockings... Spoil your furry friend with a special Friendship Collar and get a matching bracelet just for you (R599, shingavet.co.za). The vegan leather, PETA-approved collars come in eight different sizes so you’re sure to find the perfect fit, whether you have a tiny teacup pup or a huge cuddly Newfoundland! Additional bracelets are available for purchase so the whole family…

Not all poinsettia blooms will last as well in water. Pick one for the vase and see how it fares before you use it for a special occasion. Poinsettias are synonymous with Christmas. Although these showy red plants are mostly winter-flowering, many are available as potted plants in retail stores and nurseries over the Christmas period – and provide lovely colour for the festive table. In a garden setting, poinsettias bloom from late autumn throughout the winter. The red you see on the plant isn’t the flowers but bracts (modified leaves) that form around tiny, inconspicuous blooms at the ends of bare branches. Poinsettias do well in warm, humid areas that get little or no frost. Plant the shrub or small tree in a sunny spot in your garden (but…

150 litres The average water consumption per person per day in formal housing in South Africa. These figures were provided by experts and may vary according to your circumstances. 9 litres The amount of drinking water you flush away every time you flush the toilet. Two flushes a day is equivalent to 18L per person per day. 46 litres The average amount of water needed to wash one bundle of laundry (especially in older machines); the amount could be even higher. 25mm The amount of water needed per square metre per week for watering a garden in mid-summer.…

How to grow This perennial herb grows in full sun in well-drained, composted soil. It dies back completely in winter, pushing out new growth and white flowers in spring. Give it space to grow as it has a 1m spread. Horseradish repels cucumber beetle and potato beetle. Infuse the leaves or roots and use as a fungal spray for fruit trees. Tip of the month The main time to harvest roots is in autumn, although fresh roots can be lifted at any time during the year when needed. The roots can be frozen for up to six months, made into horseradish sauce or pickled in vinegar. Did you know? Horseradish root is very nutritious, containing vitamin C and many minerals. Finely chop the leaf and add it to dog food…

BASIC SUGAR SYRUP A lot of cocktails (and mocktails) call for a basic sugar syrup; make a batch and keep it on hand for when you entertain. • 250ml Huletts Castor Sugar• 250ml water Pour the castor sugar and water into a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool, then decant into a bottle and store in the fridge. 1 Watermelon iced tea Serves 6 • about ¼ watermelon, chopped• 500ml strongly brewed rooibos tea, cooled• 100–200ml sugar syrup• 1 lemon, sliced• watermelon slices• fresh thyme or mint sprigs• ice 1 Juice the watermelon pieces or blend them and strain through a sieve. 2 Mix the watermelon juice with the rooibos tea and add sugar syrup to taste. Add the lemon slices and refrigerate until ready to serve. 3 Serve…

And that’s my wish for all of us this Christmas: fun at the dinner table. It’s Christmas, a time of joy and goodwill. Christmas is celebrated in many different ways around the world. The European Christmas is white and cold; people drink glühwein and ski in the snow. In South Africa, we put the white wine on ice and pack a picnic basket for the beach. It doesn’t matter how you celebrate, whether with sincerity and religious reverence or in a casual fashion with little knowledge of the deeper meaning of Christmas; it’s an opportunity for family and friends to gather and enjoy the togetherness. And there’s always a feast. Or maybe not. While most tables are laden with way too much food, it is a harsh reality that in…