About Pink Blocks Pantry

Omsie and the Pink Blocks Pantry

After nearly 20 years away, I have recently found my way back to South Africa by a route that was anything but direct. There were a few brisk and busy years in the UK, two fascinating years in Vietnam as a VSO volunteer, a sunny spell in Spain, a brief Maltese interlude, three very different years in Berlin and a short return to South Africa. Then came the Canary Islands, Lisbon and, last but certainly not least, a wonderful year in Malaysia.

My family and I returned to South Africa to spend time with our aging—aren’t we all—family. The younger family then decided that I should retire, which was very thoughtful of them. I am less certain.

One thing seems certain. Some jobs will disappear, others will change completely, and many people will need to find new ways to earn a living. The trick may be to make something that another person values because it feels thoughtful, useful or personal. Something made by a real human, for another real human.

And so, Pink Blocks Pantry appeared.

The idea is simple. Find a recipe that looks tempting, make something delicious for yourself, or fill a few small jars as gifts for family and friends. Put together instructions and encourage others to do the same. After all, there is a particular pleasure in handing someone something you made yourself, even when the label is slightly crooked.

Perhaps it will remain a pleasant kitchen project for me and for you. Perhaps it will wake up your creative streak that has been hiding for years. Perhaps a few jars shared with friends will lead to a market stall, a small online shop or a useful extra income. There is no grand plan required before you begin. Let’s start with one recipe and see where it takes us.

Pink Blocks Pantry is here to share easy recipes, honest kitchen notes and the occasional ridiculous experiment. Some batches work beautifully. Others need rescuing. A few should probably never be mentioned again, although they almost certainly will be.

These recipes are not rules carved into stone. They are starting points. Change the ginger, reduce the sugar, try a different fruit or make the relish hotter. Keep notes, trust your taste and make the recipe your own.

Most of all, give it a go. You may discover that you enjoy making things far more than you expected. And you may even find a passion you did not know was waiting in the pantry.

How did the name Omsie come about?

When my grandson was born the discussion around what I should be called got heated at times. I refused to be a Gran, Granny, Grampy, Grandmother and more. The list was extensive. If we reverted to my German heritage it would need to be Oma. However, not living in a German-speaking country, Oma would be mangled into some weird and wonderful sounds. So the nickname Omsie was born.