One of the easiest puddings in the world- has it's roots in England
You start of with a layer of sponge cake,( cut in half, spread with jam, then cut into squares) then you moisten the cake with juice or sherry depending on your preferences, then you add a layer of jelly( or jello in the US) , then a layer of fruit and nuts, then some custard or instant pudding and you keep going until you are almost at the top of the bowl, then you top with whipped cream or topping and sprinkle with nuts, hundreds and thousands
Easy and most kids love it, and you can use whatever leftovers you have on hand

I have enough leftovers for several meals this week as well as to freeze- I figured if I'm going to be cooking I'll make a bit extra so I don't have to cook for at least 4 nights- have some leftover roast, mac and chess, veggies and trifle-a rather big bowl of trifle. Should be able to take all my lunches to work this week- no buying for me
It's been so hot this last week- over 30c every day- so it will be a relief not to be in a hot kitchen

Having DH's birthday lunch- so I picked up a birthday cake from the home industries shop this morning. I love these places- everything is homemade, mostly cakes, bakes, tarts etc as well as some crafts. The shops normally work on a co-op basis, with each member contributing part of their eanings towards running the shop. Do you have places like this in the states?
I much prefer their cakes to a commercial bakery- you're getting a homemade cake- usaully they taste really good, without the hassle of making it yourself, and supporting another woman, often a SAHM, in her own business
While I'm working I find I'm too tired to bake anything elaborate, when I'm at home it's a different story- plus I have the wonkiest oven on the planet- it has 2 tempretures- off and on- tha'ts why I'm temping for a few months- to make enough to remodel the kitchen

Picked up a few bargains for Xmas and birthday gifts. Managed to get six new children's books for R90($15), which is good for SA- books are so expensive here. Also managed to get a Barbie art set and a Little pony set for R60 total ($10)so I'm quite happy. Have ordered DH's books for Xmas online- we have a tradition of only buying new books as presents- rest of the year it's second hand.

Went shopping this weekend- the mall was packed and it's not even month end-I've decided that unless something is on a really good sale I'm going to be shopping online till at least the silly season is over- One of our local grocery stores delivers your groceries, which you choose and pay for online, for only R55- sure it's extra but the saving in terms of stress and aggravation- cannot put a price on it. I'm also sure that when the shops are busy and crowded that I spend more, not sure if this is me feeling rushed not always looking for best deal or feeling that I should stock up so I don't have to go back to the madness:-))
I was shopping as we are having a birthday lunch for my DH this weekend, and I will be spending Saturday cooking not shopping. Dh said he would prefer a traditional style lunch as it is less work than a BBQ( for whom I ask, for whom..)

I have this very pretty pink peasant style blouse that I have not worn for ages due to two bleach stains on the front- got while shopping- bottles leaked in the shop. So I decided to try and rescue it- tried stencilling over the blotches- which resulted in bigger blotches- so I carried on with the blotches idea- now the blouse looks as if it has been tie dyed. I used cotton wool to dab bleach directly onto the fabric- stains are now covered, and blouse can be worn as hippie look tie dyed blouse- rather than looking like a stained blouse
I find bleach can be the worse for stains, it doesn't have to be big but it is so noticeable.

So far I have been able to park my car for R15 a week at work. There is small side street, which is visible from the office windows, so several of us park there and pay the self employed car washers once a week. If the traffic cops arrive, we all rush down and move our cars- parking is free for 60 minutes, so because there are several of us we just shuffle our cars. Here's hoping we don't get tickets- but the underground garage costs R400($70) a month vs our , slightly illegal, system of about R60($10) a month.

Managed to get some free gifts for the birthdays I have this month. I received two lovely wall/ desk flower shaped clocks, when I ordered a complete skincare set- which I would have ordered anyway. One of the clocks will be for my goddaughter's birthday this month.
I also managed to get DH a free electric razor for his birthday- the drug store where I do most of my shopping( is a bit like Boots in England) gives you cash back vouchers every quarter. I get about 8% of what I have spent back , so if I save them they really do mount up.

It's quite an adjustment being back at work.
I found shopping this Saturday to be a quite an experience- the shops were packed, when I was at home I would go in the week. I spent quite a bit, but I have got the bulk of the shopping done till at least mid December- so that helps.
I am taking my own lunch most days of the week- I either make extra when cooking supper, or pack some salad, tuna etc and make my sandwiches with rolls from the bakery. I prefer to treat myself to something I really enjoy ( like a falafel)once a week, rather than buy a boring sandwich everyday
I don't have to wear suits or heels to work, as long as I look respectable( to quote my boss). I've started getting to get into the habit of changing when I get back from work, means the clothes last longer and I'm more comfortable at home

It has been a tiring week- not used to missing my power naps. There is a bakery right next to the building where I work- this is both a frugal help and a challenge. A help because instead of fixing sandwiches at home, I bring the filling- cheese, veggie polony (spam) salad and buy fresh rolls- no more soggy sandwiches.I also buy my bread from there, so if I have long life milk at home, can go for quite a while without shopping.
A challenge- well you can guess- very tempting, so I try to limit it to one treat a week for DH and myself- their gingerbread men are very good, as are there Chelsea buns.. I could continue
Now to relax watching Friends reruns

I received this email from a very dear friend today- this for all the women on line –enjoy.
In this life I am a woman. In my next life, I’d like to come back as a bear. When you’re a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that.
Before you hibernate, you’re supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that.
When you’re a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you’re sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.
If you’re a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers you’re cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.
If you’re a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.
Yup, gonna be a bear!!!!

Went back to work today, after almost a year at home. Quite an adjustment, but one I'm looking forward to. I'm not planning on working full time but rather temping for about 4 months so that I can earn enough to renovate my kitchen cash instead of borrowing against the mortgage( house is already paid up) . I used to work for this company, so I know some of the the people and systems.
And I will be packing my own lunch- didn't today because I didn't have access to a fridge- was in training-but after nearly passing out at he price of a toasted sandwich, as soon as I'm back in the old office I will be packing lunch. My old boss organized an employees lunchroom, with a kitchen attached- sink, microwave, fridge and kettle- which makes it really easy to bring your own food.
Hope everyone had a good Halloween