Rooibos Tea at the Robot

We are heading downhill of the A to Z Blog Challenge and today we'll be chatting about something that is a big part of South African culture.

Rooibos [pronounced roy-bos] (Redbush) Tea.  The leaves are used to make an herbal tea called Rooibos

My kids grew up on this stuff because it contains no caffeine and low tannin levels. They called it "juice" until they were about two years old.  It has great health and nutritional benefits and assists with nervous tension, allergies and digestive problems.

The second Southafricanism I am going to talk about is The Robot.  

In South Africa, when we talk about a robot, we don't mean a wee metallic man who moves with a couple of taps from a remote control, we mean a set of traffic lights.  The etymology of the word derives from a description of early traffic lights as robot policemen, which then got truncated with time.

In South Africa you “jump” the robot, rather than go through it.

Usage: Jump the robot and take a short [first] left.

When last did you hug your Mum?

So, when was the last time you gave your mum a bear hug?

It's been over a year since I was in the physical presence of my Mum.  I miss her so much.  Last year August, I flew down for a weekend alone and spent not even a handful of days with her.  It was brilliant.  We chatted, we giggled, we drank tea, we went shopping, we cooked, we cleaned and watched telly together.

We just hung out.

I miss that.

Especially, after my Father In Law passed away recently...

...it's got me thinking that I would gladly drive 800km just to sit beside my mum for a day. I'd drive all that way just for a cuddle.  There is absolutely nothing like a warm embrace from your mum that makes you feel blessed and invigorated....and like a 8 year old girl.

Even at 40 plus *cough cough* I still want my mum when I'm ill.  I still want her to feel my forehead and bring me sweet black tea.  When I'm feeling stressed or emotional, I still want her to hold me tight and tell me everything is going to be okay.  When I'm feeling out of control and frustrated, I hear her words and voice in my head.  She is telling me to calm down, warning me that losing my quick temper never got me anywhere.

So sensible, so wise, so strong and so full of love.

If you have the luxury of having your mum living close to you - you are truly blessed.  If your mum is present in your children's lives - I envy you.  If you have the kind of mum that babysits when you want to pop out to the shops - do not take it for granted.  Don't complain that they irritate you or get on your nerves.  You are incredibly blessed to have them close to you.

Go give your mum a hug.

Thank her for giving you the best gift in the world....unconditional love.

To Tea, or not To Tea

Paula's July Blog Challenge topic today is "The one thing you can't do without in your kitchen".

That's an easy one.....

Vanilla Tea and a Kettle

“I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Notes from Underground

Happy Mother's Day

Here I am freshly awoken in my jammies, with bed hair and bare-faced.  My Boerewors and my girls surprised me with breakfast in bed and home-made cards.  My favourite! 

What a brilliant day filled with love, hugs and kisses and many wishes of  "Happy Mother's Day".

I hope your Mother's Day was just as special!

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