Author: Victoria Dühring

Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Niece, and Friend. Huntress and firearm enthusiast. Executive Director. Event Coordinator. Pilates Lover. Foodie and traveller of note. Outdoors-woman. Texas born and bred, Resident of South Africa. Afrikaner deur huwelik. Safari Outfitter. I blog about all, some, or none of the above.

I.D.P.A. – for all pistol lovers.

~ Victoria Dühring ~ 2 Comments

To start off my ‘Firearm Friday’ I thought that an introduction into just what IDPA is, would be appropriate. :)

I.D.P.A. – International Defensive Pistol Association.
This organization is one you will want to be a part of!
Originally founded in 1996 in the US, there are now over 22,000 active members in more than 50 countries, with most likely a club near you!

IDPA competitions have stages that solve real-world defensive scenarios using everyday practical carry equipment. The main goal is to improve and test the skill and ability of the individual by combining accuracy and tactical engagement procedure with speed.
Needless to say- it is a lot of fun.

At the Hluhluwe, KZN club shoot in 2014.
At the Hluhluwe, KZN club shoot in 2014.

Continue reading “I.D.P.A. – for all pistol lovers.” →

Homemade Pizza Dough and Sauce

~ Victoria Dühring ~ 5 Comments

Hello there and Happy Heritage Day! I was going to do a post today on a recipe for a lamb potjie- but that will have to be for another time as we did not end up making potjie today. Instead, we went to a wine festival… but more on that later. :)

So, for your Thirsty Thursday post, you have below the most amazing pizza dough and sauce recipe known to mankind.

We love making pizza’s- especially since we built a pizza oven.
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It is SO much fun! and when you have your own pizza oven, it is cheap and easy to eat yummy pizzas whenever you want. Anytime I can eat Italian food and not have to put on makeup, i’m a happy camper. :) Continue reading “Homemade Pizza Dough and Sauce” →

Diverse Gauteng

~ Victoria Dühring ~ 4 Comments

As I delve into all of the different areas of South Africa over the next couple of weeks, I thought it would be best to start at home, with the Gauteng province.

Oh, Gauteng, such a unique province you are.
It truly has so much to offer and is extremely different from one area to the next- even just traveling a mere 40 kilometers away.

We live just outside of Pretoria, so obviously that is where we spend most of our time, and therefore where I know most about.

I would like to think I’m not biased, but I am. I love Pretoria.
The Jacaranda trees lining the street in full bloom in spring is something that everyone should see first hand.

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IMG_3021   Continue reading “Diverse Gauteng” →

My Wedding Dress

~ Victoria Dühring ~ Leave a comment

If you haven’t heard the story of my wedding dress: Brace yourself- it’s pretty unique. I knew exactly what I wanted, and my stubborn self wasn’t settling for anything other than what I had in mind. What I ended up with was more than I could have dreamed of.

I did the traditional try-on’s at David’s Bridal and Alfred Angelo’s in San Antonio with family and friends, and was sorely disappointed in my options. Every ‘lace’ dress I tried on was just lace appliqué, seemed very mass produced, and were way over my price range. After searching online for inspiration, I found a picture of a designer dress style that was perfect- but it had a designer price and was in Arizona.

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(Designer: Claire Pettibone, Dress: Yolanda)

Continue reading “My Wedding Dress” →

Wanderlust is Wonderful!

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We do a fair amount of traveling in our line of work, and I am so thankful for it! I have seen more of South Africa’s landscape than most native-born residents have. Truly. From Hoedspruit to Cape Town, Mafikeng to Johannesburg, Kuruman to White River, Kimberly to Polokwane, Hluhluwe to Ellisras- I have been there!
Method of travel has mostly been by means of driving our trusted Land Cruiser, but also via Kalahari Ferrari, commercial airline and private jet a select couple of times.

Over the next couple of weeks I am going to highlight on the larger topographic areas that we have been to, as well as select trips that we have enjoyed, with of course the aid of many pictures.
So stay tuned because there is much more to come soon!

Scones and Strawberry Creme

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Ahhh.. the English culture spread its’ roots in South Africa long ago, and the best part of that would be the culinary influences it brought with it.  Tea time, anyone?

My husband loves scones. Absolutely loves them. Once I made them myself, I easily saw (or rather tasted) why. Warm yumminess that is similar yet sweeter than a southern biscuit, with strawberries and creme oozing out from the middle. You just have to eat them once to truly understand why tea time became a cultural staple- setting aside a time to sit quietly and enjoy some hot tea with a side of this wonderful creation is good for the soul.

Here is my recipe, that has been slightly adapted from the BBC Food’s original recipe.
It really doesn’t take long to make at all- give it a try, your tastebuds (and spouse) will thank you!
11999057_1013098722035212_5545152892292268337_n Continue reading “Scones and Strawberry Creme” →

Hello, Hallo, Здравствуйте, Bonjour!

~ Victoria Dühring ~ Leave a comment

Hello there, people of the world.

I must apologize for not having had the diligence or inspiration to really sit down and put thoughts to words since my last post. Interestingly enough, that post (5 Reasons My Children Will Hunt) has been extremely popular. Since I posted it in March, it has been viewed 446 times, by people from 29 different countries! My homepage (which has access to all of the blog posts) has been visited 722 times! The most popular countries have been the United States, South Africa, The United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, France, and Australia. I am shocked by how worldly diverse the visits to my site have been! The internet truly is an amazing tool.
Therefore, whoever and wherever you are as you happen to be reading this right now- Thank You for visiting my site!

…So what all have I been up to for the past six months?
It includes a lot of new experiences, travel, adventures, laughs, and learning-
But you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out more! :)

5 Reasons My Children Will Hunt

~ Victoria Dühring ~ 10 Comments

*Gasp! “She said that she will teach her children to be vile, cruel, HUNTERS!”

Yep. I did. And hunters they shall be.
However, my experiences with hunting that define that word for me, connote not one negative word or emotion associated.

DISCLAIMER To The Reader:
Hear me out. 
Have an objective viewpoint.
Learn to live in love and appreciate those that have different lifestyles or opinions than you.

Whew. Now that we are over the modern popular social ideology that we need to hate all hunters…. maybe I can get to the point of this article. :) Sorry about that….

Continue reading “5 Reasons My Children Will Hunt” →

Flour Tortillas

~ Victoria Dühring ~ 3 Comments

Sometimes, you just need some comfort food, and tortillas are my ultimate comfort food.

Besides being totally scrumptious, they are extremely versatile.
You can use them to make breakfast tacos
(yes, it is a taco- burritos are deep-fried and folded on both ends),
enchiladas, lunch tacos, sopapillas, … the list goes on and on.

So, should you be on the great continent of Africa, I have figured out which ingredients (throughout many cups of various flour and many trials) work best to make tortillas.

Here is your recipe. :) Continue reading “Flour Tortillas” →

Speak Like a South African

~ Victoria Dühring ~ 1 Comment

SA MEME
Planning on visiting South Africa?
Here are some words you’ll need to know.

USA English > South African
Awesome > Bakgat
BandAid > Plaster
BBQ > Braai
Beat Up/Hit > Bliksem
Biscotti > Rusk
Blinker > Indicator
Brass (spent ammo) > Doppie
Bug > Gogga
Cheers! > Duzzai!
Corn > Mielie
Crazy > Mal
Destroyed > Moer toe
Disgusting > Siff
Drink > Dop
Eat > Chow
Excellent > Hundreds
F%#! Off! > Voetsek
Fancy/Uppity > Laanie/Kitch/Posh
Farmer > Boer
Farm > Plaas/Plot
Fed Up > Gatvol
Finished > Klaar
Friend > China/Chommie
Gas > Petrol
Gross > Seis
Guy Friend > Bru/Bra/Boetie/Maatjie
Hangover > Babelaas
Hello > Howzit
Hood (of a car) > Bonnet
House Shoes > Pantovels
In a minute (soon) > Now Now
In a while (later… or never) > Just now
Jerky > Biltong
Kebab > Sosatie
Ma’am > Tannie
Millipede > Shongololo
Mini van > Kombi
Mountain > Berg
Movie Theater > Cinema
Nice/Cool > Lekker
No > Nee
Not Nice/Awww > Ag, Shame
Ooh… > Eish!
Ow! > Eina!
Party/Good Time > Jol
Pasture > Veld
Pick-up/Truck > Bakkie
Pretty Girl > Poppie/Cherrie
Purse > Handbag
Ranch > Farm
Rough/Trashy Person/Thing > Zef
Sausage > Boerewors
Sh!* > Kak
Shot > Injection
Shrimp > Prawn
Sir > Oom
Slap/Hit > Klaap
Some Guy > Oke
Stoplight > Robot
Stupid > Doff
Surgery Room > Theatre
Swim Suit > Cozzie/Costume
Tennis Shoes > Tekkies
Trashcan > Dust Bin
Trunk (of a car) > Boot
Waiting in a line > In a cue
Wallet > Purse
Wow > Jirra
Yes > Ja/Yebo
Young Boy > Laaitie

She’s in love with a MacBook

~ Victoria Dühring ~ Leave a comment

I wasn’t partial to any specific make of computer- Until I met my MacBook just over a month ago.

It was daunting at first- trackpad gestures and finder to name a few. But oh, how my love has grown.

I must admit, the first couple of days after getting my MacBook, I thought that I wouldn’t ever learn how it all works. But oh my good-golly, it is amazing! After the first week, I had it all down. Now, my phone and computer work seamlessly and efficiently together. If you have an iPhone and enjoy it- I strongly suggest taking the leap and buying a MacBook. Continue reading “She’s in love with a MacBook” →

‘Social’ Networking: What is a ‘friend’?

~ Victoria Dühring ~ 2 Comments

Scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook, I see posts from close friends, friends of friends I have met once, friends from High School, friends from Elementary school, a person whom I spent an 11-hour plane delay with in a terminal, in-laws, Aunts, Uncles, first cousins, and fifth cousins. Out of all of my 656 Facebook friends, I have not met one, max two, in person myself and had a conversation with them. But does that really qualify them as a ‘friend’? Do I really need all 656 people of whom I ‘know’ to interact with me on a social media site thus enabling them to share in my daily life via the digital world? Or, should I just limit my post content to include only things I know won’t insult anyone and/or their beliefs? I.e. Christmas and my Christian beliefs, hunting, eating meat, etc… Continue reading “‘Social’ Networking: What is a ‘friend’?” →

Heritage Day and the Billy Goat

~ Victoria Dühring ~ Leave a comment

     While milling around yesterday in the African younger sibling of Sam’s Club, Makro, I walked by a fellow bulk-shopper. As I walked away from this boot-wearing middle aged man, I felt the corners of my lips twitching- I just couldn’t contain myself, I had to ask him the question I knew the answer to. I gave my husband the i’m-going-to-do-it look and turned around. “Excuse me, Sir. You’re not from South Africa, are you?” He turned to face me, and I glanced at the white cap he was wearing, I instantly noticed it had the state of Texas embroidered largely on the front. “OH! You’re from Texas! I’m from Texas!” He giggled a bit at me, explained the he has lived here for about 3 1/2 years (looks like I will survive), and that there are about 200 Americans living in the east of Pretoria. We, er… I, exchanged contact details and teased him with the allure of my homemade tortillas and enchiladas. Will the overly-friendly, slightly-awkward Texan girl (ahem, me) ever get invited to an American get-together in South Africa by this stranger from Amarillo named Steve? Only time will tell. Continue reading “Heritage Day and the Billy Goat” →

Marrying and Moving to South Africa- Tips and Experiences

~ Victoria Dühring ~ 21 Comments

*Updated to include DISCLAIMER:
The following blog post is in no way meant to provide any individual with specific advice. An immigration specialist, or the South African Department of Home Affairs should always be contacted directly for advice. The following describes my experience from August 2013-July 2014, and laws and/or protocol could vary greatly depending on your specific case details and/or method and/or place of application.

Original Blog Post:
If any of the following seems boring or provides you with stress, anxiety, or headaches- just remember that I actually did it all- and if you are contemplating taking the same route, I pray for your emotional well-being.

If you are one of the few that wishes to marry in and/or move to South Africa, this is going to be the best thing you’ll ever read, and I will be your new best friend. You’re welcome. Continue reading “Marrying and Moving to South Africa- Tips and Experiences” →

An Introduction

~ Victoria Dühring ~ 3 Comments

Here I am!
Married in March, and only now do I decide to start documenting this transitional time in my life.
Thinking about it, I don’t know at what future date our lives will cease to be transitional. College, dating, moving, paperwork and visas, marriage, more paperwork and visas, moving again, babies, paperwork, babies while moving, paperwork….. Paperwork, changes, dishes, and laundry, are about the only constants we can count on.

I decided to start a blog because it seemed more sensible to me than buying yet another journal, that I will write in approximately 8 times a year. Detailed entries, yes. Good handwriting and commitment to writing frequently, no. However, one thing I am diligent with using on a daily basis, is my handy-dandy, world-connecting, handheld device- my iPhone. So a blog, a public journal, if you will, sounded more reasonably suited for documenting my thoughts and experiences. Plus, there is so much less anxiety in publishing a blog post that was written with a public audience in mind, than carrying around a journal filled with personal thoughts. (Flashback to Jr. High when schoolmates found my journal. *shudder* ) Continue reading “An Introduction” →