Saturday, January 31, 2015

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!

Weekly Wrap-Up

Monday, January 26, 2015

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, January 19, 2015

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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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

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, January 5, 2015

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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