Turning Red - a movie of teenage angst, but also great joy (Review)

Turning Red (The Walt Disney Company)

Disney Pixar celebrate teens and their big feelings with new movie Turning Red - In theatres from Friday, 11 March 2022

Miss Fine and I watched Turning Red this previous weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed the awkwardness of the teen years being explored in the change of Mei Lee to a literal big red panda. We had such a smile at the mother Ming running around when she thought her daughter had her first period, and the total embarrassment of Mei Lee by all of this. Especially when Ming turned up at school. Another "smother" at work, big time!

Shallow Pig Cottage near Parys - great breakaway

Shallow Pig Cottage - Koedoesfontein

We haven't gone away for quite a while. We had the camping weekend last year at Sondela, but mostly we had been staying home. It's still a pandemic all around, and in South Africa we are not getting the vaccinations just yet.

I was going down the rabbit hole of places to stay on the Internet, and found Shallow Pig Cottage on Booking.Com. I have already made my next booking as well, as there are quite a few good deals and great places to stay. 

We love Shallow Pig Cottage. It is near Parys, but it is the most quaint cottage on a farm, with everything that you need to stay for days and days. Each morning hubby went and fetch our eggs from the nearby hens on the farm. We braaied and looked at the view for hours and hours. Miss Fine was also very happy with her wi-fi that was sufficient to keep her going. She even entertained herself with mud building, and searching for rocks. 

Shallow Pig Cottage - farm 

We drove through and into Parys on Friday and Saturday. We went over Easter Weekend, which was not a good idea, because the place was too busy. Next time we will only spend time on the farm. We were so disappointed with Venterskroon Inn and the Dog & Fig Brewery. Both were not at all catered for the the guests, and we had to go even though we would have loved to stay. Luckily we found LiewerKoffi (based on a recommendation) when we arrived in Parys, and the next day we had a lovely lunch at Cherry On Top. 

Vredefort Dome Information Centre

We made the bumpy trip to the Vredefort Dome information centre. The previous time we were there, it was with the Voortrekkers at Venterskroon in the Vredefort Dome, and we wanted to show Miss Fine the significance of this place which is the largest verified crater on earth. 

The cottage was more than we could have hoped for. There was the cosiest beds, purified water on tap, wood to braai, and for the indoor fire-place in the cottage. The bathroom has a lovely view. There is a worker on the farm, but we never saw him, except when he went to open and close the chickens in the barn. We had the place all to ourselves.

Miss Fine enjoying herself at Shallow Pig Cottage

Our host was extremely friendly, and made sure we had the best stay. Thanks, Warrin!

Disney's Upside Down Magic - our thumbs-up review

 

Disney's Upside Down Magic (cc Disney)

Disney Channel (DSTv 303) premiered Disney's Upside Down Magic on 29 January. We as a family enjoyed the movie so much, and Miss Fine watched it more than once. The movie has all the important elements she enjoys now: magic, suspense, humour, friends and friendships, action, and of course, teens being teens. The outsider element of the nerdy characters of the Upside Down Academy proofs that we don't all have to conform to be valuable. 

We give the movie 5/5 for perfect family entertainment. Hopefully a series is on the  cards, or in the making?

See the trailer here: Disney Upside Down Magic trailer on Youtube

Foodie Friday with Disney's Cookabout - Cornbread with Cheddar and Herbs

Cornbread with Cheddar and Herbs -
Image: Anita Reed/Disney Channel

Every Friday I get a Foodie Friday recipe in my inbox. Inspired by Disney's locally produced live action show Disney's Cookabout on Disney Channel, they are sharing some of their healthy and totally delicious recipes that were featured on the most recent season of the show. Kids learn where our food comes from by visiting farms from around the country, before they head back to the kitchen to learn to cook with the ingredients.

I made this absolutely divine cornbread. We have an issue with our oven in our rental, but it still came out super delicious. See our version in a photo, where we used the exact same recipe. Which is a first. We usually add, or substitute something in a recipe, but this one is perfect, and super easy to make!

See recipe, which I copied exactly as is:

WIN online tickets to DON'T BURN YOUR SAUSAGE, with Chris Forrest and Pete Goffe - this Saturday

Staying in is the new going out:  Chris Forrest and Pete Goffe-Wood re-create a night out 

In these strange and challenging times we need more comedy to keep us sane. What better than the upcoming Don’t Burn Your Sausage, via Mzanzi Live, featuring Chris Forrest and Pete Goffe-Wood this coming Saturday. 8pm, on your couch!
We can't wait!

Two readers can win tickets on Instagram to attend the show. @karentoittoit

View this post on Instagram

GIVE-AWAY! >>> What are you doing this Saturday evening? We need comedy to keep us sane during this time! There’s nothing better than a double whammy of comic genius, Chris Forrest, and celebrity chef, Pete Goffe-Wood, who are creating a night out by scrumptiously blending comedy and cooking together into the ‘Top Gear’ of cooking shows with their lockdown version of Don’t Burn Your Sausage on the 18th of July. The show will be a live online broadcast with Pete cooking from Tintswalo Atlantic in Cape Town and Chris from his home in Randburg. Following sold-out shows in Grahamstown, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Windhoek, the duo has cleverly and successfully delivered this live food show to rave reviews from critics and adjusting to the times, this will be their first online show. The show promises to be an absolute hit for both food- and comedy-lovers alike. Tickets for Don’t Burn Your Sausage on the 18th of July are available at R80 via https://mzanzilive.tv/. The show starts at 20h00 CAT. Proudly brought to you by Mzansi Live in association with Tintswalo Atlantic and La Vierge. Two online tickets are up for grabs: - Tag a bestie - Follow @tintswalo_atlantic @laviergewines The two winners will be announced Friday 17th June at 15pm.

A post shared by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on Jul 16, 2020 at 12:34am PDT

Getting creative online (and in the kitchen), comic genius, Chris Forrest, and celebrity chef, Pete Goffe-Wood, are re-creating a night out by scrumptiously blending comedy and cooking together into the ‘Top Gear’ of cooking shows with their lockdown version of Don’t Burn Your Sausage on the 18th of July.

Deliciously funny and rather ‘whisk-qué, this cheeky duo will demonstrate how food and sex are delectably intertwined as they prepare the ultimate seductive 3-course meal with a naughty line-up that will have you salivating salaciously and crying with laughter.
This refreshingly funny show is jam-packed with great humour and great cooking – with Chris working his special brand of South African humour alongside Pete Goffe-Wood’s unmatched cooking talent, candour and naughtiness.  This pair will win over your hearts and your stomachs.

Chris Forrest has been on the SA comedy scene since the late nineties and Pete Goffe-Wood (best known as the Masterchef South Africa judge known to crack a joke or two), has been making great food for nearly 30 years.  When the two of them met on the set of Celebrity Masterchef SA in 2015, they found that they had a couple of things in common – one of them being the same dry sense of humour and the other, a liking for mouth-watering, delicious food.  After the series ended, they decided to combine their respective talents to bring you this culinary comedy show, the likes that have not been seen before in SA. 

Tickets for Don’t Burn Your Sausage on the 18^th of July are available at R80 via https://mzanzilive.tv/.  The show starts at 20h00 CAT.

Proudly brought to you by Mzansi Live in association with Tintswalo Atlantic, which launches on 29 July, and La Vierge.

We are planning to sort Miss Fine with a movie, while we will be sipping wine and escaping, with humour and food. 


Disclaimer: We are also getting a ticket!                   

Gauteng Choristers Human Rights Concert - WIN TICKETS

Human Rights Concert

The Gauteng Choristers celebrate Human Rights Day with a glorious two-day choral concert

POSTPONED FOR NOW!

Human Rights day is upcoming on 21 March. The Gauteng Choristers, alongside a 53-piece Orchestra, will commemorate the role of struggle stalwarts and the church with two cantatas performed on 20 – 21 March 2020 at the  Linder Auditorium at the Wits Education Campus in Parktown.

New Food Lover's Market at Morning Glen Mall

Food Lover's Market at Morning Glen Mall

Food lovers in the heart of Morningside, Morning Glen Mall, are in for a greater variety of food as Food Lovers Market opens.

Food Lovers's Market "Farmer's Crop"

I was most impressed last week with the offerings at Food Lover's Market at the revamped Morning Glen Mall. As a vegetarian I spend most of my food budget on vegetables, fruit, nuts and beans. The Morning Glen Mall has recognised the need to support the growing healthy living habits of the community. My list grew larger and larger while I was walking through the displays and shelves. The variety, freshness and healthy choices makes it easy for a one-stop shopping experience. Which I always try to do!

A short drive for a great weekend break - Magaliespark

View from the chalet at Magaliespark

We haven't been away for quite a while. The last time was in 2017 when we had the holiday in Ballito. We desperately need a long break somewhere, but in the meantime this past weekend at Magaliespark helped with a bit lot of relaxing.

Magaliespark view

We were pleasantly surprised by how lovely Magaliespark is. The greens, and the accommodation and the facilities... There is nothing like arriving at your chalet, being greeted by some wildlife, and the sun setting on a fire for the braai! (That's heaven!) The best is, we only had to drive for 45 minutes in Friday afternoon traffic! It's my dad's upcoming 81st birthday, and him and my mom are celebrating 54 years of marriage. He used his Holiday Club points for the weekend. Thanks, Dad!

Disney Descendants are back with Series 3 - WIN

Disney Descendants 3

In celebration of Disney Descendants movie premiere on Disney Channel on Friday, 11 October, Disney Africa has made available a cool hamper to win.

Catch them on DSTv Channel 303 at 17:25 today!

Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart and Cameron Boyce return to Auradon
and the Isle Of The Lost in the dynamite new Disney movie, Descendants 3. 

Some cool facts from Descendants 3 that makes us look forward to it!

It's a Friday

On a Thursday

It's basically Friday today. Although on the calendar it says Thursday. It's Easter weekend and we are looking forward to it. Even Miss Fine said she couldn't wait. She has been picked up at school early by her dad.

I am out of the office in a few hours, and the weekend is here.

Of course we would have loved to go away. Travel anywhere would have been nice.

In the meantime we will be living our best lives at home, chilling and coach-surfing. My to-do list is as short as possible, but here goes:

Plans for an Easter Weekend at home 

- Chill with the family.

- Do an Easter egg hunt. (Although Miss Fine is 10, she still hinted that she would love to do one. We bought some provisions at CNA last week)

- Braai with the family.

- Watch some series, and some movies lined up. We are into If I hadn't met you and Russian Doll at the moment.

- Attend Paasfest tomorrow.

- Fix Miss Fine's blazer for school. She has Choir lined up for next week.

- Read The Good Professional by Don Turner, before BookTasters fire me for taking so long to read the books. I have a really good feeling about this one.

- Help Miss Fine with preparations for a speech.

- Make some Easter craft with Miss Fine. She has a How To project for school and decided on an Easter thingy to make. I wish the second season of The Derry Girls would become available soon.

- I have to do two reviews on the blog. I am really impressed with the AgeWell skincare range. After a month I can see a remarkable difference. The Baby Born Soft Touch also needs a write-up. She is super cute and cuddly! (They are both #gifts)

- Do absolutely nothing!


What are your plans for the long weekend?

What are you watching?

We miss Alexa the most

This is the only photo I have this week of power surges and outages. We lost some stuff, but it was not the worst we expected.

We woke up Tuesday night at 2 am with bangs and cracks in the roof. Hubby and I were running in circles, before we realised the power was surging. My first thoughts were that we were being attacked, and that's why my pepper spray was the first thing I fished out of my bag. By that time we were in the dark, and every time the power came back on, it popped some more gadgets and lights. Our complex was getting too much juice from Johannesburg City Power.

Miss Fine's Grade 5 Year

School drop-off selfie: Miss Fine

This year has started much more relaxed with regards Miss Fine and being in Grade 5 this year. Last year we were anxious about Grade 4, which was a culture shock, but she aced it by doing very well in her first exams. So much so that she is getting an academic achievement award next week. We are so proud.

The ABBA Show is in town and it's ABBAsolutely fABBAulous

The ABBA Show - CC Emperor's

Relive the ABBA Concert experience

That's exactly what we did! The ABBA Show is a real treat. It's on at Emperor's Palace until 10 February.  Who does not know the music of ABBA? We all grew up with it. Even Gen Xrs know their music. Hubby and I had a great date night on Friday. I made sure I had all the ABBA on our sound systems before we did the drive to the South, and it was more than worth it.

DC Comics Animated Memory Match Game - WIN

DC Comics Animated Memory Match Game - CC Prima Toys

                                                                                                                              #Sponsored

Perfect for the Festive Season. This DC Memory Match Game is ideal for family time. It forms part of the Prima Toys DC Campaign for summer and the festive season. DC Superhero fans, boys and girls, will love this as a gift.

The DC Comics Animated Memory Match Game is ideal for ages 3 plus and can be played with 2 or more players. The game features Wonder Woman, the Flash, Superman and more.

The game is valued at RSP R99.99  and available from retailers and toy stores. Easy on the budget and super cool as gift for boys and girls and the whole family.

Prima Toys has made available one of these for a give-away here.

Harley Quin 

WIN A DC COMICS JUSTICE LEAGUE ANIMATED MEMORY MATCH GAME

• Comment below with the DC Superhero your child loves the most?
• This competition will run for a week, until Friday 7 December 2018 at 12 pm. The winner will be drawn via Random.org. 
• This competition is only open to South African residents.
• If you have won on this blog in the previous 3 months, you will not be eligible for this competition.

Congratulations to 

Aidan Kew.


Related post

DC Superhero Toys for Boys and Girls - Great for gifts

Tips for parents for Grade 4 Exams

Miss Fine

We are beginning to breathe. The end of the Grade 4 exams are in sight. Friday will be the last subject. I read my previous posts about Grade 4 exams, and realise we go through the same motions each time. But it gets better!

I was really worried about these last exams. We did not prepare as much as we would love. Notice the "we" as the parents were still greatly involved in the process of learning. We both stepped in, and tried to help. It is not always easy when you try to help, and the recipient of the help knows better most of the times.

Amazingly, Miss Fine found her groove. It helps that she gets to stay at school (we don't have any other choice). She summarizes her subjects at school, and then we are able to check her knowledge at night. We are so impressed with her!
Here I was dreading this week, and when I pick her up I hear that she has gone through her work at least once! *Happy dance!*

I am so proud and so relieved!
Grade 4 was difficult! But she made it!

I have picked up some tips on how to cope as parents when helping a Grade 4 preparing for exams.

6 Tips on how to survive Grade 4 exams 

For parents of Grade 4 learners

• The earlier you start, the better. If you have difficulty in convincing them to start early, don't sweat it. The work can be done in two one day.
• Help, but also take a step away. They are supposed to start doing it on their own.
• Take turns as parents to help. It keeps frustration at bay.
• We set some goals. Do a page, and then we give you something/a surprise to do. Such as exercises, or jumping on the trampoline. (This really worked)
• Pull up your own exam papers for them to complete. It gives you insight in how much they know, and helps them to feel better about an upcoming subject.
• Give the responsibility back to the kid to learn. They may surprise you. 

Well done, Miss Fine!
You are so fine!

Photo at Kwenyani Guest house this past weekend. We attended a wedding in Roodeplaat on Saturday.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast JR at Peoples Theatre - WOW!

Disney's Beauty and the Beast JR #BeautyBeastJR

Jill Girard and Keith Smith have done it again with the most recent production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast JR at Peoples Theatre. It's amazing, entertaining and totally different than the previous shows. It's not only theatre for young people, but for the whole family. The "storybook comes to life" shows are always a total treat. I am surprised each time at how creative they use the stage and the characters while still staying true to the original story. Well done! This is a great way to introduce children to theatre, and making them want to come back for more.

Miss Fine asked for the first time about the kids playing in the show.  How do they get to be there? They are such wonderful actors already, and inspires her immensely. I had to tell her about the auditions, but hopefully she forgets to ask again (*thumbs crossed*). It looks like they have so much fun on stage, but I am thinking about all the repetition and hard work and getting the children there...

MomAgain@40 clan at People's Theatre

Miss Fine waiting for the show to start at People's Theatre

We were blown away by the set and lighting for this show. The transparent drops with moving images added so much more to the eerie and somber scenes.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast JR will be on until 24 December. It will be great for an exam reliever or a great holiday outing in December.

Final bow at Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Related:

Upbeat Annie JR at Peoples Theatre 

Beneath African Skies at the Peoples Theatre


Disclaimer: We got tickets to attend the show on Friday night. Thanks, Peoples Theatre and Buz Publicity

Hatching a Mermaid - Coolest ever

Nurchums

Ever since the hatching craze started, Miss Fine Fine had her eye on a hatching egg. Two years back the craze was sold out. We could not even get them from America when my brother came to visit. So we never got around to get a hatching egg. The excitement was high when the Nurchums Hatch Egg arrived as a blog drop.

What she always wanted - a hatching egg!

It was indicated on the package that it was going to be a mermaid, and the countdown started...

Apparently it was going to take a while, even 14 days a-while, which was very long for a child (and Mom). But I was surprised. Miss Fine took it in her stride. She started to mark off the days on the calendar, and everyday there were more cracks starting to show. We got the egg on Tuesday, and by Friday the cracks were large enough to see something inside. We convinced Miss Fine to wait another day, and on Saturday she finally cracked it open. You can see the progress on my Instagram Highlights.

The allure of the hatching toys ticks the box for Socio Emotional Learning (SEL) toys, which teach children nurturing as well as delayed gratification. It also forms part of the collectibles craze, while the surprise aspect also adds to the fun. We knew we were getting a mermaid, but not how she would look.

Miss Fine is still busy growing the mermaid. Apparently you can let her grow, and when we take her out of the water, she will return to original size.

Nurchums are also available in Dinosaur ranges, as well as Fantasy figurines. Great for girls and boys alike. 

This is perfect for a birthday persent, as well as a Christmas present. They retail for R89.99, which is fantastic! This is my best go-to birthday present and Christmas gift option sorted for the upcoming year! They are available at Plasticland, Toy Kingdom, and other independent toy shops and can also be purchased online at Takealot and Loot.

For more information, visit Pollywiggles

Disclaimer: We got this as a blog drop, but I was not asked to paid or write this.
                    This is just too good not to share!
                   

Coming to a cinema near you: Smallfoot - Win tickets

"Get Yeti" - SmallFoot Movie poster

Yetis or BIG Foots. Who knew they would be afraid of a SMALLfoot? Thinking of  a humans as a monster mythical creature... This is definitely a must see for the whole family. The movie will be in Ster-Kinekor cinemas from 28 September.

Perfect for the upcoming school holidays. Even better: Watching Smallfoot at the Kid's Cinema would be the perfect outing.

A Yeti called Migo (Channing Tatum) has a run-in with a small foot (a human) after a plane crashes in the Yeti world up in the clouds. Migo is terrified and curious of small foots because Yetis believe they are mythical creatures, in the same way small foots think of Yetis.   When Migo tells his tribe about his encounter, the tribe starts to panic and the stern elder of the tribe banishes him for telling tall tales.
With the help of Meechee (Zendaya) and the Smallfoot Evidentiary Society (S.E.S), which Meechee heads, Migo must come down to Earth and capture a human as evidence that small foots exist. The journey is hilarious, with lots of twists and turns, but it’s equally heart-felt with a message that sometimes what we fear, fears us too, and to never judge anyone based on what they look like.

HOW TO WIN TICKETS TO SMALLFOOT (FILM)

Two readers of this blog can each win a set of 4 family tickets each.

These are the participating cinemas that the winners can win tickets:

Greenstone
Mall @ Carnival
Cedar
CapeGate
N1
Parow
Promenade
Sandton
Gateway
Mall of Africa
Cresta
Eastgate
Blue Route
Cavendish
Tyger Valley
Bayside
Somerset
Irene

HOW TO WIN:

1. Comment below with the Ster-Kinekor cinema (listed above) where you would like to go and see the movie.
2. The competition starts today, and ends Friday 28 September at 12pm.
3. Only residents of South Africa who can get to the cinema by own transport is eligible.
4. The winner will be selected by Random.org and it will be announced here and on Facebook.
5. An entry is only allowed when you have not won here in the past three months.

Good luck, Smallfoots! ;-)

Thanks, Ster-Kinekor, for the opportunity, and for giving us two tickets as well to attend. 


WINNERS:

Congrats to Jessie McKay and Leandra du Toit. Please send your email addresses?

Mrs Simpson's should be on your Dullstroom list

Wallis Simpson, the late Duchess of Windsor

We had the most amazing weekend getaway in Dullstroom two weeks back. One of the places that really deserves a mention, is Mrs Simpson's. I would not have given it a second look driving past there, but you have to go in to experience the ambiance, the people and the great food.

We started off our Friday evening at Wild about Whisky, and after that we went to Mrs. Simpson's. The whole weekend was a treat, and this is one I want to remember and go back to. The history of the restaurant and well as the history of Mrs Simpson is well worth looking up. Wallis Simpson must have been something in 1930 to have dated the Prince of Wales while she had two divorces behind her, and he abdicated from the throne for her. A true love story!

New Disney Junior shows and products - Give-away

New episodes from Trulli Tales, Sofia the First, The Lion Guard, Muppet Babies, Mickey and the Roadster Races, and Vampirina. They're all on Disney Junior (DStv Channel 309), and some brand spanking new this month.

Watch out for the Muppet Babies (Mom's choice) and Vampirina (Miss Fine's choice), as some of the exciting new episodes.

MUPPET BABIES   

Muppet Babies - Disney Junior

What were those delightful creatures The Muppets like when they were babies? They look as cute as the original Muppets, maybe even cuter... The Muppet Babies premiered on Monday 3rd September and continues on weekdays until Friday 21st September at 10:00 SA
The legendary Muppets live in a nursery, looked after by a human nanny, where they play and have lots of adventures, often solving problems using their imaginations.

VAMPIRINA     

Vampirina - Disney Junior

The fun-filled “fangtastic” series Vampirina continues this month with premiere episodes from Monday 24th to Friday 28th September at 17:30. The series is based on the hit children’s books Vampirina Ballerina. Vee is a vampire girl whose family move to Pennsylvania to run a guest house for ghouls and goblins.

In the episode entitled Dance-lvania (Thursday 27th September at 17:30) Vee is celebrating Dance-elvania day, her favourite Transylvanian holiday, by hosting a dance party. She's worried a visiting zombie will spoil things but he turns out to be a surprise hit.

GIVE-AWAY

Disney Junior has made available one hamper to give away in conjunction with all the new products which are available in retail for Disney Junior shows. All the products are new on the market and available at all good retailers both in-store and online. Some of the new range include books, activity sets and toys for shows like Vampirina, Puppy Dog Pals, Sofia the First and The Lion Guard.

WIN one hamper consisting of the following:

1. Puppy Dog Pals Busy Book - R270

Puppy Dog Pals - My Busy Book

2. Puppy Dog Pals Surprise Action Toy - R500

Puppy Dog Pals Surprise Action Toy

The Lion Guard Puzzle Book - R150

The Lion Guard - My First Puzzle Book

Total: R920

 How to win: T's & C's

- This competition will run for a week and end on 24 September 2018 at 12 pm.
- The winner will be announced here and on MomAgain@40 Facebook Page.
- Comment below to be entered into the competition. Which shows do your kids love the most on Disney Junior? (Please leave your email address to make it easier for us to reach you)
- This competition is open to South African residents only.
- If you have won here in the past 3 months you will not be eligible to win this competition.

Updated: 24 September 2018

Congratulations to the winner:

Megan Hartwig