Caring About the Careless.

Dealing with and coping with careless lovedones is very very hard. How do you trust someone that have hurt you with your pain and let them back into your heart?

Recently a very sick person got an invitation to visit with family that have hereto showed absolutely no support and only contempt for the sickness and this person, and really do not know the extent of the person's suffering and degree of illness. To go or not was the issue?

My reply:

Q: do you want to prove you were RIGHT or do you want to WIN (something / anything from them)???

Ask yourself exactly WHAT you want from your family: aknowledgement/love/support/??? And can they give that? Do they know what you need? Do you? 

Personally, I would think of your visit as an opportunity to educate "strangers" factually about the reality of [your problem/illness]. 

People cannot be sympathetic / understand something they don't have any experience with. I say go, but don't fake / tweak anything. Be YOURSELF. If u puke, so be it. If u don't that's great too. Be true to yourself.

Also sometimes we need to show people what we need from them and that we need them. It is hard to do, letting uncaring folk into your heartstrust. Do try though and show them forgiveness and compassion first, by going, and you might be surprized. They might need you too. Show them what it means to really CARE about family and DON'T EVER give up on people. We are all flawed and need reminding of how to be better people.

Just don't be too emotially invested in any of them or set yourself up by expecting anything from them. That way, if they do come through for you, it will be a happy surprize.

You are worthy of respect and love, from yourself and others. 

May honesty and kindness be your armour and love your sword. Best wishes for a win on this battlefield.

💚💚💚

© 2014. Lizette De Klerk.

CONDENSED MILK RUSKS - Recipe

This next recipe comes from Peter Veldsman, one of South Africa’s most knowledgeable food writers. I hope you enjoy it!

CONDENSED MILK RUSKS
(Makes 120 rusks)

The easy way out for those who can’t or won’t bake mosbolletjies.

1 tin (397 g) condensed milk
500 ml (2 cups) boiling water
250 g (250 ml/1 cup) butter
200 g (250 ml/1 cup) sugar
500 ml (2 cups) cold water
3 extra-large eggs, beaten
2 cakes of fresh yeast (25 g each), crumbled
1 packet (2,5 kg) cake flour
25 ml (2 T) salt
50 ml (4 T) aniseed (optional)

BAKING TINS
4 greased loaf tins

1. Mix condensed milk, boiling water, butter and sugar until butter has melted and sugar has dissolved. Add cold water, eggs, yeast and half the flour. Mix thoroughly to a smooth batter. Do not be too concerned if small pieces of yeast are still visible. Cover and leave in a warm place for 1-2 hours to allow the leavening to rise and become spongy.

2. Punch back the leavening and add salt, aniseed (if used) and enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough. Sprinkle more flour, a little at a time, onto the dough board and knead well until the dough no longer sticks to the board. Knead for 15 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If another pair of hands is available, divide the dough into two and knead separately.

3. Complete dough by leaving it to prove, punching back, pinching into balls, packing tightly in greased baking tins and setting aside to rise again.

4. Bake the rusk loaf for 40-50 minutes. Cover with aluminium foil, shiny side up, as soon as the top becomes too brown. Turn out and leave to cool. Break into rusks and dry out.
Recipe from this site…http://www.showcook.co.za/pveldsman.htm