Milktart for CJ - We are proud of you!

This past weekend, CJ took part in his first, Graded Three Phase Horse Jumping Event, over two days, at the Stellenbosh District Riding Club. For Graded Events he needed a formal horse riding outfit. When he put on his outfit on Friday night, to make sure everything is right and ready, I realized my son has grown up! I was making Daniel asleep and as I came out of his room, this young man was standing in my bedroom – it was quite a shock – me still attending to little babies, but also having this young man for a son!

The first phase of this event was a Dressage test on Silverball. CJ had never before done dressage, let alone a dressage test, so we took him for some extra lessons with his instructor during the past week. I would never have had the confidence my son had to do this test with only two or three lessons the week before, but that is his spirit. I believe his confidence, is the fruit of being home schooled. CJ knows we believe in him, he has a positive self esteem - not broken down by pears and teachers. He knows God gave him this talent and is part of his calling in life.

Saturday was a beautiful, spring day, with no wind and a clear sky! Nine O’clock he performed the dressage test. He actually did very well for a first attempt, but needs some more practice and training.

The second phase was the show jumping. He competed in the Pre Novice Class at 90 cm jumps. It was so good to see how CJ had grown in his show jumping over the past year. Very early in the jumping, Silverball showed signs of refusing a jump, but CJ handled it perfectly and got Silverball over the jump. Unfortunately he refused another jump and CJ got 4 penalties.

The last phase, the cross country was the next day. Cross country is CJ’s favourite. He loves to give Silverball the reigns and Silverball just goes for it! This course was into the woods and 2 km long – CJ has never done such a long course, or even into the woods. On Saturday afternoon the participants were allowed to walk the course (without their horses) and familiarize themselves with the jumps. There was also a time limit of 470 meters per minute for finishing the 17 jumping efforts. Thus, to qualify for a win, he didn’t only need to finish a clear round (no refusals or kick off poles) but also needed to finish in 4 min 15 seconds. Now CJ loves challenges like this and Silverball was the right horse, since he used to be a race horse.

Sunday morning was a miserable, cold, rainy day and I needed to seek extra peace from the Lord, for my child’s safety, as I heard the raindrops on our roof. The woods would be wet and slippery. The Lord just knows how to comfort me, almost immediately after my prayers, a song came into my mind and stayed there the rest of the morning – Great Are Thy Faithfulness! Throughout the morning, every time I became unsettled with fear, I could hear this song and trust in the Lord again.

Since it was such an unfriendly day for little ones to be outside, we decided I would stay at home with them. A huge disappointed for me, but I would be kept up to date by the cell phone and Josua would go along with Dad to support his brother. The previous day, the little ones had such a fun time, playing on the wide open grass and in a dry river bank and I could relax and followed CJ’s performance.











At 11h00 Sunday morning Christo let me know CJ was “under starter’s orders” for the 2km cross country and I could only pray the next 5min.

How thankful I was, when the phone rang within 5 min later and Christo reported CJ was through and safe. He finished in 4 min 19 seconds. There was a special “cool down” arena for the horses and I could speak to my son while he led Silverball

I could hear the excitement in his voice, the adrenaline pumping through his veins, as he told me what an amazing experienced it was to go through the woods, on Silverball’s back. It was only him, Silverball and the woods! He was going so fast, the wind drove tears out of his eyes. I know this is what will make him a man! A man that one day would be fearless in the face of challenges and won’t hesitate to go sleigh a dragon if necessary! The fact that Christo and I will be old before our time, because of worries is beside the point! After all, we will be more holy, in the process of God teaching us to pray and trust more!

At one stage CJ miraculously stayed on top of his horse, when he came down some steps, to fast! It was only God and in His mercy answering our prayers, that kept my son safe! (Christo only afterwards realized he almost captured the moment his son fell off his horse!)

CJ enjoyed every moment of this event and did very well for his first graded competition! He learned a lot and can go practice more. His horse riding is now taken to a next level.

While CJ, Josua and Christo was away Sunday morning, Heidi-Mari and I decided to bake milk tart. CJ wanted to say thank you to his instructor for putting in so much effort in preparing him for this event and we wanted to let CJ know we are so proud of him!

The previous day Christo bought me a decorating pen and I wanted to put it to the test.

Here are our decorated milk tarts!







The little ones, enjoying their milk tart, chocolate decorating and some organic strawberries, we got hold of at the Organic Market in Stellenbosch!











Our Milk Tart recipe - made of Spelt flour and Rice milk (Wheat and Diary Free!)

Milk tart crust:

30 g butter
30 ml xylitol or 30 ml white/brown sugar
2 eggs
10 ml baking powder
180 ml spelt flour or 135 ml plain flour
pinch of salt.

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C (350 degrees F).
2. In a medium mixing bowl, cream together butter and xylitol or sugar. (I use my Kenwood)
3. Add eggs one by one and beat until mixture is smooth.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together spelt or flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually stir flour mixture into egg/butter mixture, until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
6. Spread mixture with a spoon, into bottom and sides of 2 x 23cm or 9-inch tart dishes.

Milk tart filling:

1 250 ml rice milk or milk
30 g butter
200 ml xyitol or white/brown sugar
100 ml spelt flour or 75 ml plain flour
45 ml cornstarch
3 eggs (separate)
10 ml vanilla essence
pinch of salt

1. In a large saucepan, combine 1 200 ml of the milk, butter and xylitol or sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then remove from heat.
2. In a separate bowl (I use my Kenwood), gradually mix together the remaining 50ml milk, flour, cornstarch and yellow yolk until smooth with no lumps.
3. Add a little of the warm milk/butter/sugar mixture to the egg/flour mixture and mix to form a smooth paste, add to the remaining milk mixture and bring to the boil, stirring continuously until mixture thickens.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla essence.
5. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form and lightly fold into filling.
6. Divide the filling evenly between the two tart dishes and bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until set and crust is golden in colour. Remove from heat.
7. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve at room temperature.

Bon appetite!