Friday, June 11, 2010

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

GREETINGS FROM a jubilant and chilly SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...

("ZAKUMI" the official Mascot for the tournament.)
Hello there to all our friends and visitors from across the world!
The buzzing sounds of expectant Vuvuzelas started in the early hours of this morning. Indeed, I think they have been buzzing all night.  Today however, they are louder and far more purposeful.
Why?
Today is the start of the event which we have been waiting for so long:


It is the kickoff to the
FIFA SOCCER WORLD CUP 2010!!!
(OPENING CEREMONY: 2pm SA time!)

and the atmosphere here in South Africa is electric!!!

This is how my hubby went to work this morning...
Last night the atmosphere in our house was also highly spirited...

So was our walk!
The sounds of Vuvuzelas are everywhere and many kids are kicking soccer balls in the streets, in the parks or wherever they find themselves!


I am just so excited, I can hardly put this blogpost together!
Perhaps I should walk the dogs first though!.....we musn't forget them in the excitement!...

KING TOFFEE at his spirited best...
Jubilant TAMMY-GIRL...
"Sit Still Tammy! We want to see what you look like!"
(Check the flags on the house behind her...Go ITALY!)

Last night was the incredible opening concert at Orlando stadium...
Over 30 000 people attended and it was a proud moment to realise that, as a unified country, we are about to pull off the biggest spectacle the world has seen.

Our famous "BISHOP TUTU", a Nobel Peace prize winner and amazing man, was also there to spur on the crowds. He is an icon in South African history!
He paid tribute to the father of our rainbow nation....
MR NELSON MANDELA...
(On a sad note, we ofer our sincere condolences go to the Mandela family with the tragic passing of their great-grand daughter in a car accident yesterday)

---xXx---

Today is the Official opening ceremony to the Soccer World Cup and the nation is waiting!
(Please don't forget to tune in for this BIG SURPRISE to be televised at
14h00 SA time!!!)

After that, the first match of the tournament will feature between...


This afternoon, I will be going along with my family to join up with a group of supporters who are going to watch the two featured games on a BIG SCREEN. Although we don't have tickets to the matches, there are supporters venues all across our city which are alive with anticipation. We are dressed in our supporters outfits and have our Vuvuzelas and soccer balls on hand. 
(Yesterday's visit to Soccer City...see previous blogpost...)
As I promised to you all,and in my attempt to celebrate:
"UNITY IN DIVERSITY"
 I am going to try and recognise each country involved in this great event. At our function this afternoon, the 'braai's'(Barbeques) will be ready and we will be able to purchase some typical South African 'quick meal' cuisine.   I know there will be "Boerewors rolls" for sale, so here is the recipe:

....Boerewors Rolls:...
(If you are unable to read it, don't despair!...all you need is a fire which converts into hot coals. "Boerewors" (Sausage) is grilled over the coals and then encased in bread rolls.  Various sauces are available too. )
 So get your fires going and grill those sausages in support of
SOUTH AFRICA!!!
GO BAFANA BAFANA!

After that, you may want to enjoy some
SOUTH AFRICAN AMARULA MILK TARTLETS:
If you are a Mexican supporter, then perhaps you may want to enjoy
 a traditional Mexican recipe:
"CORN ON THE COB"
Or Mexican Chocolate brownies and Tequila sauce...
(It looks delicious! Good luck MEXICO!)

Our flags are flying and the supporters are congregating at various venues. The noise of jubilation carries across our city and tells a tale of comeradie and celebration.

The opening game kicks off at Soccer City, here in Johannesburg at 15h00 local time:
(after the OPENING CEREMONY at 14h00)

Later in the evening there is also another very important match.
URUGUAY vs FRANCE!!!
This will be screened at 19h30 (SA time) today.
This time it is at the beautiful stadium in Cape Town:

I can't imagine anything more enticing than being part of this amazing experience - in a stadium below the slopes of Table Mountain.  Perhaps the sunset will look like this...

The game will be between
Uruguay

and France

I believe this is a recipe for...
 URUGUAY:
...and one for FRANCE:...

(Recipes courtesy of our local Supermarket chain, PICK AND PAY as well as THE STAR NEWSPAPER)
---xXx---

As part of our
 "UNITY IN DIVERSITY"
initiative, two of our blogging friends have put up special posts today in support of today's playing teams...I invite you to visit them!...

---xXx---

FRANCE!!!
Please go and visit:
ANGUS AND WILF
to see their special post includes...
"One of Madame Bay's special recipes"

---xXx---

SOUTH AFRICA!!!
Please go and visit:
for their post on
"Why is Football called Soccer in America"

---xXx---

Over the next few weeks, other bloggers will also be putting up special posts for countries playing in the Soccer World Cup.  If you want to participate in this initiative, please read all about it


---xXx---

THE MATCHES WHICH WILL BE PLAYED TOMORROW
(And featured on World Wide television) :
12 JUNE 2010 are:

 ARGENTINA vs NIGERIA (14h00)
ENGLAND vs USA (20h30)
KOREA vs GREECE (13h30)

Bloggers featuring countries tomorrow are:
BOUNCING BERTIE (England)
GEORGE THE LAD (England)
(Where are bloggers for other countries?)
(Thank you to all the bloggers participating! If you want to participate, please email me at

---xXx---

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS!
MAY YOU HAVE A FANTASTIC GAME!
and to our visitors and supporters
ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY!

WE WELCOME YOU!!!

One final note:
Obviously with this world wide spectacle in our country, I personally cannot guarantee my internet connection.  I will do my best to post daily, but I rely on your understanding if, for some reason, this is disrupted.  But for the moment...
WE CELEBRATE OUR DIVERSITY!

Sending lotsaluv to all my friends...and now "I" am off to celebrate and join in with the fanfare!!
See ya!

27 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

That picture of hubby going to work is just priceless!!!
Enjoy the day!
Gail and Bertie.

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

I thought of you last night when I watched the news and the new soccer ball was debuted.

Everyone looks so festive in their soccer supporter attire - especially hubby.

xo
Lynn

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! Great Recipes. Going to ask my neighbor about Boerewors and Amarula. This is wonderful. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

MySpecialDoggies said...

Recipes look yummy!
Greetings from Nadine, Apples & Neeli

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Mom and me are so excited for you! Great recipes too, thanks for sharing thems with us.

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Unknown said...

Thank you, Maxmom, for getting us Americans in the spirit of things! We must be the only country in the world where the majority of our population is unaware of the World Cup (and the only soccer player we can name is David Beckham!). But reading your blog, we've now got Cup fever way down here in the southernmost corner of South Carolina!

Go South Africa!!!!

Your pal,

Petey

Zona said...

We didn't know soccer involved so many delicious FOODS. Me and mom are now among those with soccer fever!!

Love hubby's work uniform!

Wags,
Zona

Molly said...

My Mom described the photo of your husband and it did make me smile, sadly my dad does not like footie but Mom does and we will be cheering on England tomorrow and our Cross of St George are proudly hanging from the windows. I look forward to seeing what foods you will show for us Brits. It's nice to see Tammy & King Toffee looking so cheerful .
Lots of Love

Molly

Heather and Kelly said...

Wow! Look at all that food...so many different types.

You've certainly got all us bloggers riled up for this event. Can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Marg said...

It does look all very exciting. What a good time you are having. We sure hope SA wins. Those recipes sound delicious too. We need to try those.
Have a wonderful week end.

Nika + PARKER said...

Yum look at all the food, it's always about food : )
GO TEAM SWISS!!!!

CONGRATS TO SA for welcoming the world!

Mrs. JP said...

Love the picture of hubby going to work.....do you think there will be any serious work done? I hope not..it's time to let the workers have some fun.
That milk tartlet recipe looks so delicious.
Enjoy,,,BAFANA BAFANA

Scout and Freyja said...

I think the photo of your hubby should be printed and framed! It is PRECIOUS!

Getting ready for posts about my countries in the coming days and weeks.

Today I will cheer for South Africa! US television is alive with news about the games, at least the channels that I watch☺ I even got to hear a little concert done entirely with those vuvuzelas. Cool!

Scout and Freyja said...

Forgot to mention: Les looks like a South African Viking in his hat, hehehe!

the booker man said...

YAY YAY YAY!
we are so excited at my house!!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Thanks fur sharing the excitement with us -

We were khwite saddened to see the loss fur the Mandela family -

Mom says she'll have to take The Xterra to our Adult Beverage Store and prokhure something from South Africa!

Cheers and Enjoy!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

houndstooth said...

I still love those hats! Your hubby is a good sport!

I now find my stomach gnawing on my backbone again after reading your blog!

the magic sleigh said...

What fun! I loved the hat! That is a picture for the memory book! we will be posting tomorrow on Korea...
-Kira The BeaWootiful's Mom

Doris Sturm said...

Another fun post from you! I love the way our posts have been so full of color and excitement - I'll just check in here with you for the updates since I don't have TV and don't follow soccer much (I know, I'm boring) but I love reading all about it and all those yummy foods ;-) I voted for Sugar and discovered why it's called soccer and not football...I love lerning something new every day. I have to work on my posts today for the soccer countries.

Ms. ~K said...

C, Wonderful post.
Your excitement is contagious and it makes me happy to see you smiling again! Max would think all this excitement is for him wouldn't he, chuckle!!!
Enjoy!
xoxo

Jacqueline said...

So glad to see the lively celebrations in your country as well as in your hearts; your enthusiasm is certainly infectious, I can feel your excitement from the post!...Hope you and your family have a happy, safe month enjoying the fun and delightful festivities...Hugs and love Caryl!

Asta said...

Thank you fow making us feel like we awe pawt of the celebwation. Mommi, Daddi and I watched and Mommi , who get teawy ovew evewything, was so moved by the celebwation of divewsity.
I think youw hubby is magic!
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Two French Bulldogs said...

Hi Tammy & Toffee we will post about the World Cup tomorrow, saturday. What a great post and pictures you have!
Benny & Lily

sprinkles said...

I love that picture of your hubby dressed up for work!

King Toffee sure looks happy. Maybe he's excited about the World Cup too!

All that food looks sooooo good with the exception of the escargo.

George The Lad said...

Hi maxmom great piccy's looks like its buzzing over there, mom's going to have ago at making the brownies and milk tartlets.on the recipe do you put it straight in the pastry cases after its thickened?
Its starting to buzz over here to.
See Yea George xxx

fromsophiesview said...

We will be glued to the TV, so enjoy yourselves and we will to!

Lorenza said...

uuufff!
Here in my house we are happy with the result because... we did not want Mexico to lose... and we did not want South Africa to lose neither!
All those recipes look delicious!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza