Weekly Wrap-Up: The One Where Work Began

My this week flew by in flurry of activity! With the beautiful weather it still feels like summer holidays and it is an adjustment getting back into the routine of term term but the kids are managing well. Thankfully the pool is up and running and a splash can be taken anytime between lessons. 

Monday was box day for Keren and she was most excited to finally receive her text books for her final year of school. 

Keren was a hair model on Monday and she really can pull off the new blue hair!

 I love that she has the freedom to have whatever hair color she wishes and is not restricted by school rules. I got enjoy one of my birthday gifts, a pedicure, while she was having her hair done.

Her first art lesson for the year took place on Monday afternoon and Monday night was the start of a 4 week fit club challenge that she and I joined. We are hoping to increase fitness and it will a bonus if we shed a couple of kilos too.

Zak decided he wasn't happy with online schooling anymore so we have put together our own curriculum. He is thoroughly enjoying working with books again. He and I have more interaction which is enjoyable. His favorite subject seems to be technology at the moment. I treasure the moments that we spend working together as I know that all too soon these school days will be gone. 

Wednesday and Friday early morning walks for me, and runs for Keren, with Walk for Life got the blood pumping before we hit the books. 

On Thursday I started working with a dear friend in her mosaic business. It was gorgeous day and we did repairs at a beautiful B&B over looking the sea. While there, we met some of the guests and today I spent the day taking them on a mini tour of the peninsula.

A truly magnificent day to be a tourist in Cape Town!

Monday's Multitudes

Despite a real and deep sadness, this past week has been a precious time of connecting with friends and family. So much to be grateful for.

kids enjoying our pool now that it's blue again

ice cream pancakes shared with friends

friends and good hearty laughter

sweet friend treating us to take out

good first day back at the school books

morning walks with my girl

summer evening dinners outdoors

watching my cute nephew and kids enjoy an evening swim

relaxed afternoon outdoors, catching up with girlfriends in the shade of the pines

hubby making dinner when I was feeling overwhelmed

power outage which meant I had time on my hands to be creative

my first swim for the season

braai with dear friends

my brother's calls

perfect weather, perfect views,

 perfect Sunday enjoyed with precious friends

time spent with our son

relaxing pedicure, a birthday treat

hope in Him

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Monday's Multitudes

Counting my blessings one by one....

an encouraging read lent to me

relaxing facial treatment

coffee with friends

Asian food enjoyed with hubby, a wonderful prize I won

cool breezes in the forest

encouraging Sunday service

Sunday chats with my Mum

connecting with my girl and niece, an evening of good food, laughter and fun

supper outdoors on summer evenings

sleeping in

orders coming in

sharing decadent waffles and conversation with my dear friend

toes in the ocean on a hot summer day

freshly made fish and chips enjoyed with my precious ones overlooking the harbor

chocolate ice creams on a hot summer day

holidays

the beauty of the botanical gardens shared with my crazy girl and my sweet niece

granadillas dropping from the vine daily

answered prayers when my aunt and uncles farm was in danger from a fire

laughter and loud happy teens filling our home again

morning walks to start the day

comfort of my sweet girl

her outstanding grade 11 report

celebratory dinner to celebrate her results

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Monthly 9 November and December 2014

Better late than never so here goes the monthly 9 post for the last two months of last year. They were months filled with the busyness of wrapping up the school year and precious moments with loved ones on my sister's far away farm.

NOURISH:

Before leaving for the farm I tried out some new chicken recipes.

 Chicken lasagna became a firm favorite as well as home made chicken pies.

On the farm we were well nourished by my dear sister and her husband. 

Freshly baked croissants; pickles, jams and preserves; home made muesli; milk, butter, yogurt, sorbet and cheeses all made right in her kitchen.  Fresh veg just picked before each meal made it to our plates. The beef we ate was raised right there too. 

PREPARE:

I harvested my beetroot patch and made a delicious beetroot and apple chutney. 

REDUCE:

I raided my cupboard for clothes that were a little too snug and passed them onto my dear sister. I am pleased they fit her beautifully yet a little sad they don't fit me anymore. I am inspired to get back into a good exercise routine to shed the unwanted kilos. 

GREEN:

Before leaving for the farm hubby got me wheelbarrows of compost from our heap. 

The beds and pots were well dressed. 

GROW:

We have enjoyed red and green peppers, beans, beetroot, carrots, zucchini. herbs and tomatoes from the garden. My nephew was delighted to help me pull a bunch of carrots out that he could take home. I am a little disappointed by the garden this summer as it doesn't seem to have produced as much a previous summers. 

CREATE:

I knitted a couple of slouch beanies as Christmas gifts and despite the fact it is summer now, the recipients were pleased with them

15 little bunnies were knitted for an order. Though time consuming and finicky, it was great to be paid for the work. 

I enjoyed knitting this scarf as a gift for my Mum. 

The bamboo cotton was wonderful to work with.

My friend taught me how to make mosaic and beaded fridge magnets.

This mirror was another Christmas gift 

and the tray a belated birthday gift for my sister. 

ENHANCE:

I helped a dear friend with a mosaic project for a local school.

DISCOVER:

My daughter, Mum, sister and I spent a day discovering the art galleries in Clarens.

 A wonderful time of exploration!

ENJOY:

There was so much to enjoy over these festive months. My sister visited from the farm before we all descended on the farm. We enjoyed socializing with mutual friends and her daughter's year end photography exhibition. She and I also enjoyed a night away together at my Dad's place, always relaxing and enjoyable.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with a family dinner, a wonderful evening together. 

Hubby and I enjoyed a day out with friends at Dusty Rebels and the Bombshells. My birthday treat to him.

My birthday celebrations in December were really special and my sweet family and friends spoiled me with all sorts of wonderful gifts.

Christmas Carols with friends and family was wonderful.

Two weeks spent on the far away farm surrounded by family (3 generations) made for precious memories.

 My Mum's surprise birthday dinner was a night to remember. 

All in all a time of precious memory making moments.

Monday's Multitudes

There has been much to be thankful for over the last few weeks. 

birthday breakfast surrounded by beautiful girlfriends

spoiled with pampering gifts

beautiful flowers gracing my table

perfect gift from my in laws

family dinner

mosaic fun with my dear friend

my Godfather visiting and treating us to take out dinner

phone calls and wishes from family and friends far and wide

good results from medical tests

my boy stopping in for lunch

feel good funny movie with my sweet friend

safe travels to the far away farm

all four of us siblings at the farm house

cousins reunited and having a blast

seeing my dear Mum and surprising her by being there

wonderful celebratory birthday dinner for my Mum

visiting Clarens, a place I have always wanted to see

wide open spaces with magnificent views of the Malotis.....so good for the soul

pink sunsets

restorative rest

good wholesome farm food straight from the garden to the table

late night laughter and conversations

country night sky....billions of stars

miraculous reconciliation

incredible hospitality of my dear sister and her husband

Christmas celebrated with precious loved ones

New year filled with His hope

travelling mercies on the long journey home

reunited with hubby after 2 weeks away

first church service of the year

Sunday afternoon pancakes with all my family

safe overnight bus trip home for my niece and my girl

fresh chilies and tomatoes from the garden

coffee with girlfriends

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