Today, I graduate.

I am a bunch of mixed emotions and excitement is not one of them. You see, this is not the first time I’ve graduated because I have a previous degree and my first graduation ceremony felt like an anticlimax. I suppose the universities have to go through the formality of it for their students but 2 hours pale immensely when compared to the 3 years of sacrifice it took to get here. My husband of all people would have an inkling as to what has been required but even he really has no idea. Extra lessons during the week and on Sunday’s, missed parties, leaving family lunches early and emotions I feel where no words could ever suffice! Being a mature student has had its pros and cons but I won’t go into that now, what I will say however is how grateful I am to have completed this undergrad in the allotted time. Many of my fellow students have taken longer than I have with less than half the life commitments I’ve had to shoulder. 

I owe a huge thanks to my parents who have gone above and beyond for me, they are truly a God-send. No words are enough except to say a VERY BIG thank you and I love you both. My husband has been a soldier in the trenches of life with me and my biggest cheerleader – the yin to my yang andmy light when there where many dark days. Thank you my love.

While I feel like I am not where my life “should” be due to the fact that two major dreams are yet to be fulfilled, I have to remind myself that life happens in the here and now. No amount of comparison could make me happy, ever. I’m cognizant that today is the symbol of a small stepping stone for which I am to be grateful, it is this little milestone that has moved me that one step closer to my hopes and dreams becoming a reality. And I should definitely be proud of me – young, black, educated, full of potential and with a world of opportunities awaiting me. 

So to you reading this: never stop dreaming and never stop believing! Today is a manifestation of yesterday’s hopes, dreams and what you believe to be true.

Spirit lead me…

Here are the lyrics to a song that I have had on repeat for an ENTIRE week, it’s been such a blessing, take a listen and let the words seep into your soul, it’s called “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsongs United.

“You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am your and you are mine.”

McCain’s Favourite Winter Warming Recipes – Beef Stew

McCain’s Winter-Warming Selection

I LOVE a good stew! The cold winter months are the ideal opportunity to indulge in your favourite warming recipes bringing satisfying nourishment to your family mealtimes. Create wonderfully warm family moments with delicious filling stews, casseroles, pot pies and soups. McCain has a range of vegetables and mixes, which are perfect additions to any warming meal and the McCain Stew Mix makes preparing a hearty stew quick and easy without compromising on taste.

McCain Stew Mix includes diced carrots, diced broccoli stems, diced potatoes and whole green peas, and comes in a 600g pack that allows you to cater for a big family or to simply store for another day. Because McCain vegetables are already cleaned, peeled and chopped, there is less waste, and fuss – making it easier to provide scrumptious meals the whole family will love.

McCain’s selection of tasty frozen vegetables and potatoes contain all the locked in goodness from the farm. With a wide variety to choose from, you can get creative and incorporate vegetables at every meal making sure your family is getting the recommended five servings of vegetables and fruit per day.

Below are some of McCain’s favourite winter warming recipes to chase away those winter chills.

Visit www.mccain.co.za for a selection of delicious recipes.

Beef Stew with McCain Mixed Vegetables and McCain Garden Mix

Yield: 4 servings

 

Cooking time: 1 hour 15 minutes

 Ingredients:

500g                       Beef cubes

100g                       McCain Chef’s Solution Diced Onion

1                              Garlic cloves, minced

15g                         Butter

60g                         Celery stalks, chopped

60g                         McCain Diced Carrots

500ml                    Beef stock*

10ml                      Tomato paste

1                              Bay leaf

5ml                         Paprika

5ml                         Parsley, dried

2                              Tomatoes, chopped

50ml                      Red wine*

600ml                    Water

50g                         McCain Mixed Vegetables, quartered

50g                         McCain Garden Mix, quartered

TT                           Salt

TT                           Pepper

Method:

1.       Begin by browning off the beef cubes, until they resemble a deep golden brown and remove the meat from the pot and set aside for later use

2.       In the same pot, fry off the onion, garlic, celery and carrots

3.       Add the tomato paste and the beef stock and cook

4.       Add the bay leaves; paprika and parsley, mix through before adding the chopped tomatoes to the pot

5.       Allow the tomatoes time to breakdown and soften

6.       Deglaze* the pot with the red wine and reduce

7.       Add the water and the meat and simmer for 45 minutes stirring occasionally

8.       Stir in the McCain Mixed Vegetables and McCain Garden Mix and cook until tender

9.       Season well with salt and pepper and serve hot

Serving suggestion:  Serve with rice or mashed potatoes

Enjoy and keep warm.