Bridget McNulty

Day 2: Carrot cake

// July 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // Inspiration, Life (and the living of it)

So I know what you’re thinking – YUM. How could you be thinking anything else?

That, right there, is one delicious-looking carrot cake. I say ‘looking’, because although this is my birthday cake for my work colleagues, it is also the ONLY flavour of cake I don’t eat. *Sigh!*

One of my colleagues has had a tough week or two, and didn’t get to celebrate her birthday. So I offered to share birthday cake with her and let her pick the flavour. Murphy’s Law, she picked carrot. Apparently it was delicious… The icing was some of the best I’ve ever tasted (cream cheese ohhh yeahhh…)

So come on, are you inspired to join in yet??

Day 1: Get Well succulent

// July 1st, 2010 // No Comments » // Decisions, Inspiration, Nature, Time

I specially painted a mug to look like the sky (with little puffy clouds!) and put a succulent in it to give to a dear friend. She looked after my succulent garden while we were travelling, and was more than a little sad to say goodbye to it…

She was supposed to come over after work, but was in bed sick, so I scurried over to her house and slipped the succulent under her front gate.

Day 1 of 29. So far, so good!

29 gifts, 29 days

// June 30th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Blogs, Cape Town, Decisions, Inspiration

It’s my BIRTHDAY on Saturday! And although I am turning all of 28 and should have grown out of such things, I am counting. down. the days. I absolutely love birthdays. Everything about them – celebrating, eating cake, being spoilt, presents (those above all).

But this year, in the spirit of growing older and (one hopes) wiser, I want to spread the birthday love a little further than just sitting back and waiting to receive gifts. I want a challenge.

So when I heard about 29 gifts, 29 days I was excited. Very excited. My mom told me about it, and the idea is that for 29 days you give a gift a day. They don’t have to be expensive (or even bought), they can be small and thoughtful, or homemade, or simply a kind word or an unexpected phonecall. The whole point is that you’re giving something to someone else every day. Making someone’s day, every day for 29 days! I love it.

I’m starting tomorrow, the 1st of July 2010, and as an added incentive to do one a day and not cheat and do five in one day (which, let’s be honest, sounds pretty tempting from here), I’m going to take a photo of each gift, or a representation of each gift, and post it right here, on this blog.

Find out more about the idea, here: http://www.29gifts.org/

Join me in my mission by commenting (and committing) below.

Let’s do it!

Taking time:

// June 25th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Inspiration, Life (and the living of it), Time

I’ve had the most delightful week.

We had to take Monday off because of the soccer game being held at the Cape Town Stadium (in our street!) It was an afternoon game, and my man and I went – very exciting. Portugal scored 7 goals! I’ve been completely soccer mad, watching games almost every day (Me? Watching sport? Hard to believe!) but yesterday, for the first time since before World Cup madness began, I had a chance to catch my breath.

This was mainly because I had a half day at work (and alll day off today, yippee!) because we’re moving offices. I hadn’t realised quite how busy I’d been until I was faced with an afternoon of nothing to do. What bliss! Nothing on my To Do list, no chores to run, no emails to answer or phonecalls to return (well, yes, there were both of those, but I chose not to do them).

So what did I do? I went shopping. Slow, leisurely, lovely and relaxing shopping. I didn’t spend a fortune, I just needed a few essentials, but giving myself the afternoon to windowshop and wander around and look at anything I wanted to without looking at my watch (or my phone, which I had conveniently left at home) was a rare and lovely treat.

When I got home I pottered around watering my plants, and then did some sewing and mending I’ve been meaning to do for weeks (or possibly months). This morning I went to a Nia class, which was simply extraordinary – a combination of yoga stretches, dance, and a little bit of martial arts. I loved every second of it!

And this afternoon my man and I are going out for soup (at a place called Soupa – ha!) and then going for foot massages, one of our engagement party presents. After that I’m going to spend some time with the cutest girl in the world (my niece) and tonight we’re going to watch a movie. I ask you – what more could a girl want from a day?
(The answer is nothing!)

What’s so interesting, though, is that every week I have two whole days to myself, but I somehow never end up just doing what I want to do. There always seem to be things to do or people to see or places to go. But when I allow myself to slow down and just do what I feel like doing, followed by a little more of what I feel like doing, and a little more, I feel so wonderful! Vital and alive and full of energy (even though I went to bed late cause I was sewing up a storm…)

Do you ever have days of doing just-what-you-want? Why don’t we have more of them?!

Photo: cavan images, via naturally nina

Creating opportunity, one bite at a time.

// June 18th, 2010 // No Comments » // Cape Town, Inspiration

That’s the tagline for Khayelitsha Cookies, the COOKIE FACTORY I visited this morning. Yip, you read it right. I went to a cookie factory this morning. Yes, it did smell like heaven mixed with oxygen. Yes, there were slabs of brownies being cut up. Yes, I did see rolls and rolls of cookies being sliced up and rolled out and cut out and and and…

It was terribly exciting.

But it was also, believe it or not, for a good cause. Khayelitsha Cookies was started as an outreach program for previously unemployed, unskilled single mothers in Khayelitsha (a township in Cape Town). The company hires these sole breadwinners, trains them in baking, packing and other skills, and together makes the most delicious cookies (and brownies like I’ve never tasted before. Ever.)

Everything is handmade, but I mean hand.made. Cookies individually rolled out and cut. Hand-whisked batter. Chocolate shaved off for the chocolate chunk cookies, instead of just using chocolate chips. They use the freshest locally produced ingredients, their hygiene standards are exceptionally high (they wash their hands every half an hour!) and the atmosphere in the factory is joyful and family-like. Best of all, not only are the ladies now employed and supporting their families, they also collectively own over 25% of the company. Incredible!

Find out all about them, and read some of the ladies’ testimonials, at http://khayelitshacookies.co.za/

And buy their cookies! They’re selling at Pick n Pays in the Western Cape for only R10 a box (cheaper than mass-produced preservative-rich cookies!) and you can ask your local store to stock them too

How cool is the box design? How much do you love this company? (This much, she says, spreading her arms wiiiide).

World Cup fever…

// June 10th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Cape Town, Inspiration, Time

… has hit, in no uncertain terms.

I’m finding it extremely difficult to concentrate on anything, or think any thoughts that don’t relate to wearing rainbow-coloured clothing and making a noise and supporting our team.

And I love – love love love love love – that all of a sudden everyone seems to have jumped on the ‘We love South Africa’ bandwagon. I’ve been on it for quite some time, and it is so lovely to have so much company…

If you want to get in the mood (or just get a taste of how beautiful and ready and waiting everything is), check out this incredible photo essay.

I can’t wait!!

Photo: Frames of Mind

Marmalade, magic and mist

// June 4th, 2010 // No Comments » // Cape Town, Inspiration, Tea Parties

Believe it or not, I can actually talk about all three of those things…

Let’s start with marmalade.
I made some! From scratch. In my kitchen. It was terribly satisfying.
I don’t actually eat marmalade, but my man loves it so I thought I’d give it a go. What do you think? Pretty, hmmm? Maybe if you’re nice to me I’ll share the recipe next week.

The magic part comes directly from Madame Zingara. I went to the show last night and it blew me away! Extraordinary stuff. The tent is from the 1920s, entirely mirrored and decadently decorated on the inside, and it is filled with colour and life and wonder. Extraordinary performers – acrobats and hula hoop girls (twenty hoops in one go!) and roller skaters and singers, it was honestly jaw-droppingly good stuff. The food was wonderful too – four courses perfectly prepared and delivered (even though there were 300 people there). And, lastly, the company was fab. I was lucky enough to be with my man and four other fabulous folks, including one of my favourite bloggers – I Want That.

And, lastly, mist.
I’m working late today, for the first time since I started this job. It’s Friday evening and I’m ready to go home, but I’m waiting for some files to transfer, and they’re taking a long time. Outside it’s starting to get dark and the mist is rolling in over the mountains. It’s wintry today, and I am so ready to go home to my nice cosy flat, have a hot cup of tea, change into my schloompfy pyjamas and do nothing much of anything but eat dinner and hang out with my man for the night.

Lovely!

Memory Lane Monday:

// May 31st, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Blogs, Inspiration, Memory Lane

What a beautiful thing health is.

// May 30th, 2010 // 3 Comments » // Decisions, Inspiration

I never had a real understanding of how wonderful it is to be healthy until I found myself in ICU with diabetes. And while I haven’t thought about it a lot lately, a combination of two things in the last couple of days brought the beauty of being healthy to light.

The first is that I had a doctor’s appointment with an endocrinologist, i.e. a diabetes specialist. What a relief! I didn’t realise quite how alone I had felt in my condition until I had someone to talk to who not only understood my concerns (unexplained highs or lows, leaking pens, hormonal fluctuations of blood sugar readings) but could do something about it. I’m testing in a new way now, and then we’re going to look at my insulin regime and see if it’s working as hard as it should be. I generally don’t feel that diabetic (I feel remarkably well most days), but having a doctor test for heart / kidney / lung / circulation / eye problems etc etc etc, made me realise just how lucky I am to be so healthy.

The other is that two of my brothers ran the Comrades Marathon today. For those non-South-Africans, the Comrades is the longest road marathon in the world (I think – I stand to be corrected). It is a staggering 89km, between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, a trip that takes almost an hour by car.

While I can imagine nothing worse (literally, nothing worse) to do with a day of my life, it is an extraordinary feat of endurance and strength, and I am so proud of my brothers for finishing. Their bodies are somewhat broken, they’re totally depleted, but they’ve achieved something that only a few people ever do.

Reflecting on how totally exhausted they are has made me extra-grateful for how well I feel today, though.
So here it is, a totally physically healthy gratitude list:
I’m so happy I am strong and pain-free and full of energy and vitality. I’m so happy all my limbs work and my organs are doing what they need to without me telling them (except for my pancreas, but I’m happy my body listens to insulin even if it’s stopped hearing my pancreas!) I’m so happy I don’t have any illness in my body, and that I wake up every morning feeling strong and alive and ready to face a new day. I’m so happy I’m not in hospital. I’ve been there, it’s not fun. I’m so happy my mind is clear and my heart is at peace.

When’s the last time you got happy for feeling fine?

Photo: Pink Sherbet

And the winner is…

// May 25th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Cape Town, Competition, Inspiration

Emmanence!
With the definition below:

“Magic is a moment of glory, a gasp of joy, a clap of hands, and delight.
An indescribable feeling of witnessing something that moves, amazes and awes.
Magic is available in all moments, and more so in others.
It’s a view, a willingness to believe, a turning towards the miraculous…”

Please email me to collect your tickets. And enjoy the magical show!

PS: Apologies for the late post – we have had a very exciting and eventful week… I’ll fill you in on it tomorrow!