Office Party 2011....The Build Up

Most office parties / year end functions happen at the end of each year, however my company works slightly differently. Due to the fact that we are very busy at the end of each year, we have a "New Year function" instead of a "Year end Function". This year our theme is Hollywood Nights....all we have been told is to dress to impress and be at work at 4:30pm, where a bus will await to take us to a "secret location". The idea of not knowing where we are going is killing me! Myself and a few colleagues have been thrashing out ideas for weeks now as to where the function might be. The organisers must have done a fantastic job though, because we still have not figured it out. However, we have figured out what we will be wearing...our immediate boss will be going as Hugh Hefner and all the girls in our department are dressing up as his Playboy bunnies. (It should be an interesting evening!!)

The questions that always come up before work functions usually involve how much alcohol one should consume and how much alcohol it is appropriate to consume (please refer to my poll). I have researched this and most people strongly advise one NOT to drink too much as things may happen that leave you never wanting to face your colleagues and boss again! I am sure most of you have seen the clip below, however I thought it really illustrated why one should NEVER drink too much at a work function! 

Another interesting example is based on one of Jared's experiences...He attended a "themed" work function at Monte Casino last year and had to give a speech to well over 200 people. Naturally, he was quite nervous so thought it would be a good idea to have a few drinks to calm the nerves...this seemed like a rational though at the time. His speech went down very well, so in the spirit of celebrating he had a few more drinks, followed by his customers buying him yet a few more drinks. By the end of the evening he was being led by his boss through Monte Casino while dressed in an Uncle Sam outfit (complete with the top hat!) I wish there was video footage of this as I am sure  it was quite a sight to see!! Moral of the story: never drink too much at a work function. 

In saying this, when I came up with the poll questions and I thought about which answer I would choose, it would definitely be..."Just have fun, who cares!" Not to limit yourself is a risk, however why put a limit on the amount of fun you are allowed to have!!! Embarrassing things may or may not happen, but at the end of the day the whole idea behind having office parties or functions is to boost the morale and comradery between employees and what better way to do so than over a few tequilas!!! 

So stay in touch to see the photos which will follow next week Monday. I am sure they will be extremely entertaining to say the least!

If anyone else has a funny story to tell about an embarrassing moment at a work function please let me know? 

Welcoming Baby Bug into the World

*For the purpose of this blog names have been changed* "Chinrest" refers to our friend who was pregnant and "Chommie" refers to her husband.

In June last year our group of friends were standing at the Kosi Bay boarder post waiting for a boarder transfer to pick us up to go to Ponta Do Ouro in Mozambique. Most of us were drinking a cold beer and laughing at the fact that we were now working on "African Time" and could wait forever to get picked up. Little did we know that one of the couples that we are friends with were about to give us the most exciting news of the year. We all stood in disbelief staring at "Chinrest" and "Chommie" as they told us that "Chinrest" was 12 weeks pregnant!!! In an instant all the guys were offering her everything from a chair to a cool drink and asking if she was feeling alright while all the ladies went week at the knees at the thought of having a baby in our group. It was a truly special moment and we celebrated well into the evening (many R&R's were had by all!)

Since that day we have been waiting in anticipation for "Bug's" arrival. Up until the 21st January 2011 it was a surreal thought that we would have a baby at our next get together. We received a message on Friday the 21st to let us all know that "Chinrest" had finally gone into labour and that it would not be long before "Bug's" arrival. Now most people are not as brave (or as crazy) as "Chinrest", as she decided that she would have an "all natural" water birth!!!! FREAK OUT!!!! I would be saying "bring on the pain meds doc!!!!". However, she bravely contended with hours of painful contractions until eventually "Bug" was in distress and had to be removed by an Emergency C-section.

Last night our entire group of friends (which consists of 10 people) stood staring through the nursery window at the wonderful miracle of life that presents itself in a beautiful, healthy baby boy! I felt as if I was having some sort of outer body experience as I watched us all crammed into a hospital room discussing labour pains, babies winds and of course which sport baby Bug would grow up to play! It felt as if I was a child watching a bunch of grown ups discussing babies...until I realised that it was me sitting in that room and that I am the grown up!!!!

Although last night did not make me broody, seeing my two special friends so proud and beaming with joy and love over the birth of their baby boy made me realise that I am a grown up and this is my life and I am so grateful to be able to share in such a life changing moment with my dearest friends!!!

***For now the "baby braai tongs" are in the process of being made in anticipation of "Bug's" first braai next weekend.***

xxxx

Quick and Easy Bacon & Pea Pasta

All my recipes are made to serve two people, however there is usually left overs for lunch the next day.

This is one of my favorite pasta recipes to cook! It is so quick and easy. I know it sounds strange to use peas in a pasta, but the combination of bacon, peas and mint really compliment each other. Jared loves this dish and calls it my "signature dish". I can't take all the credit though, it is inspired by a Jamie Oliver recipe. Yes, I am a HUGE fan of the Naked Chef :)

Preparation Time: About 10 mins

Cooking Time: 15 mins max

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of lean, diced bacon (you can use Pancetta, however I find it too fatty)
• 150g Young and Tender frozen peas
• 250ml fresh cream (you can use 2 tablespoons of creme fraiche, however it is hard to find and quite expensive)
• a bunch of fresh mint leaves (chopped finely with no stalks)
• 100g mini-shell pasta
• 10ml Canola oil
• 100g grated Parmesan Cheese
• 2 teaspoons of crushed garlic
• salt and pepper to season

Variation:

• Add some chicken to your sauce (chicken breast strips work best)

Method:

Add 10ml oil to a non-stick frying pan, once heated add the bacon bits with a bit of ground black pepper and ground sea salt. Fry a little, then add the crushed garlic. Fry until bacon is cooked through and slightly golden. Next add the peas and turn the heat right down. At this point you can boil your pasta shells in water with a pinch of salt (cook until al dente). Take the pasta off the stove and drain most of the water, reserving a bit for later. Next add the mint to the bacon and peas, fry for a few seconds and then add the fresh cream. Let the sauce simmer for a little while. Next add the pasta to the sauce, you can add a splash of the reserved cooking water to thin the sauce out a bit. Mix the pasta in with the sauce well and then stir in the Parmesan cheese. Your pasta can now be served. (Season with salt and pepper to taste)

(This dish is delicious served with a fresh green salad.)

Enjoy!!!!

For some awesome pasta recipes check out:

www.jamieoliver.com

The meaning behind Mrs Double D

Before you all jump to conclusions...I do NOT have big boobs, I am not blonde and I hate everything about those stereotypes (I will save that for another post!) I got my recent nick name from my husbands Uncle. My husband, Jared, and I went out a few weeks before our wedding and bumped into his cousin and Uncle. We had been at the Keg all afternoon...and needless to say I was feeling very over zealous and had a fair amount of "Dutch courage"!!!! I suppose my pending nuptials made me very excited to announce to everyone that I was going to become "Mrs Doig". My maiden surname is Dauberman....hence if I was crazy enough I could double barrel my surname...and I would then become Mrs Dauberman-Doig. Between myself, Jared, his cousin and Uncle we came up with the theory that if I had to do this they could just call me "Mrs Double D". I woke up the next morning with a HUGE headache and a nagging feeling that I had embarrassed myself terribly the night before. The name Mrs Double D has stuck! I have to explain this story to everyone when I am in the presence of Jared's Uncle Cliff...as he does not seem to call me by my name anymore. To him I am Mrs Double D...and now that we are married it could not be more fitting!

P.S. I have not actually double barreled my surname as it would cause me years of embarrassment :)