We had an interesting moment yesterday. Well, I thought it was. It interests me how subtly the girls are changing. Kate had a secondary music recital thing … we as parents were asked to bring something along for afternoon tea. Because I always was the woman in “I don’t know how she does it“, Alison Pearson’s book, not the movie, cos I loved the book and hated the movie, except I never pretended my shop bought cakes and cookies and things were homemade (I never had enough time and quite frankly didn’t give a damn). Anyway, so I thought I would make something for Kate to take (not sure whether to absolve my latent guilt or because I’m bored) … and I thought I would do those fab cheese puffs from Lynn’s mom that both my girls love. Kate was horrified. Why are we taking anything? We’ll be the only ones. And anyway why can’t you just buy a packet of biscuits? And if you (must) make something why does it have to be something South African with melted bovril (didn’t have marmite, Lynn) and butter drizzled over fabulously crisp cheese scones with a soft melted cheesy centre. I mean, nobody here knows bovril. It will be weird. Ergo I will be weird. I will be noticed. I will stand out and god forbid that happens. So, I settled on shop bought donuts, which I did arrange on a lovely muted 70’s green serviette and serving platter. Thank god for the other mum who brought the dainty tray of cupcakes or else I would have been the only one and then could you imagine how mortified my daughter would have been. What is with that? Is it a secondary we’re so cool thing, or is it a “don’t stand out” australian thing or is it a combination?? And why does nobody bring anything in? Is it just a we couldn’t be bothered who really cares kind of thing? Well, stuff it, we will still bring in our offerings, no matter how depleted. Because that’s us. And damn my girls need to be proud to stand up. Even if they are the only ones. And anyway, my donuts were eaten within seconds.
grace and dignity
a life to be grateful for
grace and dignity 
Wonderful blog today Lianne! Can so identify – I’m a frikkin’ hopeless human being in the kitchen. Hated it when we had to “take eats” – hate that expression too come to think of it!!
… thats why we were so damn lucky to have Woollies …. mmmmm, I do miss it. x
Can, absolutely, SO relate this this post!!!!! Been there done all of that too ~ definitely a combination of teens and Australian!!
I am sure you have Ange … isn’t it bloody confounding! Imagine me not being Australian trying to get it, especially when at home, South africans generally go overboard in their attempt to impress and outdo each other!! Yegods, when will we find the middle road!!! Anyway … guess I’ll just have to keep on pissing my daughters off … xxx
From facebook
Tamara Ogilvy, Angie Barnard-Engelke and 7 others like this.
Samantha Yates Schroeder Well done!!! A little rude to not bring?? ; /.
May 17 at 5:21pm via mobile · like · 1
Susie Pitts Australian thing, but it’s time for a change. It’s kind of cool to look like you’re not trying too hard. Pretty embedded in the society. x
May 17 at 7:37pm · like · 1
Charmaine Devitt I loved this Lianne. My boys would prefer me to wear all beige and blend into the paint on the wall. I’m not even allowed to make comments on Facebook without scrutiny, analysis and adjudication….but they got me:):):)
May 18 at 12:53am via mobile · like · 1
Corrie Medhurst I always have a jar of bovril in the house! Add hot water instant yummy soup… Does that make me even weirder??????
May 18 at 7:45am via mobile · like · 2
Lianne Cawood Absolutely Corrie, that’s clearly why I like you!! And Samantha , exactly what I thought. Charmaine, know exactly what you mean, and Kate and Jem got me too, so fun times ahead!! And Susie, as I said to Ange on my blog, it’s even funnier because in south africa everybody is trying so hard to compete and outdo everyone else!!! Also, pretty embedded. xx
May 18 at 12:35pm · Like · 1