Weekly Wrap-Up: The Holiday One

Holidays...a wonderful week of relaxing and enjoying no deadlines or commitments. 

Easter Sunday lunch was spent with hubby, my sister, her hubby and my brother enjoying the best fresh fish and chips at one of my sister's favorite spots.

A walk along the seaside and dipping our toes in the ocean completed the perfect afternoon.

Monday brought tired and happy campers safely home from their amazing weekend away.

Keren was thrilled to discover that hubby had completed making her art table and had it set up in her room.

Holidays meant I had time to do some of the things I love.

 Italian tomato sauce and beetroot chutney were made. 

My friend and I worked on this beautiful mosaic table top.

I knitted my first pair of bed-socks! 

Something I have wanted to do for a long time but could never find the right pattern to use. 

The kids made the most of the week off ....

sleeping in, sleeping out at friends and generally having a good time.

 Keren had fun doing some modelling for her cousin's photography project.

Zak and his friend spent days hanging out.

Yesterday they enjoyed a trip to one of the township areas where they helped to put up a sign at a community center and had fun interacting with the kiddies at the center.

It has been a good week!

Weekly Wrap-Up: The Fiery One

Last weekend our beautiful mountains caught fire. The winds fanned the fires and the fires grew and grew and spread far and wide. Helicopters flew for days trying to bomb the fires. 

(Photographer Reon Rich)

Fire fighters came from up country to help our crews here. There were evacuations at night, some homes lost too. Communities pulled together and donated food, drinks and medical supplies to those fighting the fires.

(Photographer Reon Rich)

We were thankful that my Dad's home was safe despite being so very close to the fires. 

The devastation of our beautiful fynbos and forests is unbelievable. One cannot begin to imagine the loss of wildlife too. 

(Photographer Reon Rich)

We were not affected as we don't live close enough to the mountains. Just the smell of smoke hung in the air and fine ash was scattered in our garden. On top of the fires, we had the hottest recorded temperature in 100 years this week! 

 (Photo M. Barnard)

As a city we salute all those men and women who fought bravely against these fires all week. Crews remain out there monitoring the situation in case of flare ups. 

Despite the chaos of the fires, we had a good work week with school. Zak finished off the table he has been working on at technology class. Hubby just needs to help him with the sanding this week.  Midweek I treated him to milkshake when I did my shopping at Food Lovers. He now wants his own Food Lovers card so he can enjoy a milkshake as often as he likes...pity he has to wait until he is 18. Nice for the two of us go get out together though and great to have a willing helper in the shop.

There were visits from friends and time spent swimming and he tried his hand at mosaics too.

He really enjoyed it!

As usual Keren applied herself diligently to her work. Art taking up much of her time when she is not working on her books. She had her monthly book club, fit club classes and also started as a volunteer with a Christian Union at a local high school this week. She was responsible for last night's youth meeting too so it was an extra busy week for her. 

Working on mosaics while Keren works on her art.

I had a fair amount of work with mosaics this week. The beauty of it is that I can fit the work in around the kid's schedules and can work in the evenings too. 

This weekend hubby is attending his 30th school reunion and otherwise it's all about relaxing and enjoying time with friends and family. Hope your week was good too!

Weekly Wrap-Up: One That Flew By

Another week seems to have slipped by so fast! 

The mornings are noticeably darker and the sun does not seem so harsh despite the beautiful sunny days. Leaves are beginning to turn shades of brown and autumn is on its way. 

I have missed my girl this week as she has had a busy one with three days where she has been gone from early morning until evening. Two days were taken up with hair modelling

and she now sports a funky purple hairdo! Art classes took up the remainder of those days and yesterday she spent the day at the Design Indaba Expo with her art school. 

This is South Africa's premier showcase of high-end African design. African talent and creativity at its best. Design across all disciplines: architectural, communication design, design for social impact, digital design, industrial design, fashion and accessories, furniture, handmade goods, home ware and jewelry!

She had a fantastic day! The students were sponsored by Woolworths and given backpacks filled with all sorts of goodies as well as t shirts. They attended workshops and she thoroughly enjoyed exploring the expo and meeting and chatting to designers. She met the creators of a new South African superhero comic book and they were inspired to create a character based on her as they loved her purple hairdo so much! 

On the days she was home she spent much time on her art practical and has enjoyed reading her set-work, The Life of Pi. 

Zak has made good progress this week and we were thankful that big brother was here one evening to help with math concepts. One of my requirements is that he reads at least a chapter a day in whatever book he is reading. The weeks read has seen him reading more than a chapter a day as he is enjoying the story.

Oh, and he was thankful to get a haircut this week too!

I had some challenging mosaic work this week.

 Miss ducky! I have not worked with cement and sometimes the tiles didn't hold and would fall off while I was working on another area. 

We enjoyed a visit from my little nephew too. Always a pleasure!

And yes, he's had a haircut too!

At the end of the busy week, it was youth as usual and hubby and I spent a relaxed evening home. How was your week?

Slow Living Essentials Monthly 9 Link -Up: May 2014

May was a time of knuckling down and getting back into the rhythm of regular school weeks. Weekends were always looked forward to.

 As autumn faded, the weather was beautiful on some days, and others let us know that winter is certainly on its way. First fires were enjoyed and winter woollies kept us warm.

NOURISH:

 Nourishing, warm comfort food graced the table this month. Seafood paella made by hubby was enjoyed, goulash soup with lashings of sour cream, curried butternut soup, and a creamy cheesy broccoli and cauliflower soup....a definite winner!

The weather was warm enough for one or two braais and I made a delicious curried sweet potato side dish. A great low GI alternative to the usual potato salad.

My daughter made yeast bread and doughnuts for her consumer study practicals. Both were delicious and we look forward to more of her practicals.

PREPARE: 

With 6 varieties of chili growing my garden, I made a fiery hot sweet chili sauce using 500g of chilies. Tomatoes from the freezer were used for a chili and tomato jam and basil pesto with a hint of chili was made too. 

I made a batch of beetroot and apple chutney and the usual apple and oats bake was made for hubby's breakfast whenever the oven was on.

REDUCE:

Some poles that were lying about were used to make a simple trellis for my new granadilla vine.  

My daughter, youngest son and I cleared out clothing from our cupboards to donate to shack fire victims. 

I reduced the number of contacts on my email contact list and cleared out the inbox. So good to de-clutter even the seemingly small things.

GREEN: 

Just the usual home made compost and worm tea.

GROW: 

 I enjoyed visiting a local nursery as they had a sale. I bought some lavender for my front beds, bright yellow daisies, violas, gaura , marigolds, lettuce and some basil mint. 

The harvest has consisted mainly of baby tomatoes, chilies, granadillas, lemons, herbs and a few green peppers. My poor peas got eaten but I am hoping to sow more. Freesia bulbs went into the ground and dahlias were lifted. 

CREATE:

I finished off my mosaic projects.

 Knitting projects kept me busy...a slouch beanie for my niece, a red snood for my daughter and a scarf for my brother in law (modeled by my youngest).

A friend was delighted to receive this pretty blue snood as a birthday gift.

DISCOVER:

I have been reading a book by Dr Caroline Leaf. The book deals with one's thought life and how to detox the brain from toxic thought processes by changing your thinking. Scripture backs up neuroscience and it is an informative read with real tactics to detox the brain and thought life. 

ENHANCE: 

My little nephew has been spending Monday afternoons with us while his mum is at work. We treasure our time with this cute fellow. 

I have not been too diligent with my walking group as the weather is sometimes not in my favor but I managed a few sessions.

We enjoyed an International Food Fair in support of missionaries that our church helps to fund as they work with other nations.

ENJOY:

I enjoyed a wonderful over night getaway with my niece and my daughter. They spoiled me with a delicious dinner and girly time was great fun!

A girl friend and I enjoyed a night out at the movies and my daughter and I spent a great morning out at our church's woman's event. There was a guest speaker, tasty treats and a morning of creativity at the Clay Cafe. We look forward to receiving our items once they have been fired.

We have a new neighbor and there was a neighborhood meet and greet pizza evening.

Hubby and I have had a good time catching up with old friends over dinner. 

Wonderful to reflect on the month, thanks Christine.

 

Slow Living Month 11 and 12

Time to wrap up 2013...

November and December have been wonderful months with loads of activity.

 We wrapped up the school year at the end of November and my eldest finished his final exams early in November and begun working as a junior software support technician. He is loving his job and we miss having him around the house.  

My daughter and I had a fantastic holiday visiting my sister and my mum in Kwa Zulu Natal. My daughter is still away, now visiting with her cousins on the farm in the Free State. 

NOURISH:

 Summer is here and braais and simple salads are best in the heat. 

I bought some wonderful curry mixes while on holiday and we have enjoyed a delicious chicken curry with apricots. I look forward to trying out the others too! 

While on holiday, it was a real treat not to take care of daily meals and I was blessed to enjoy my mum and sisters cooking. We were also treated to a fair amount of eating out. 

PREPARE: 

In holiday mode, there was not much achieved here, except a batch of tasty tomato and chili jam laced with loads of ginger and garlic....

made with my own abundant tomato harvest!

REDUCE: 

My daughter raided my cupboards and decided what needed to go. We gave away most of the clothes she thought I should no longer wear. She also went through her cupboards and passed things on. We have been blessed with so many clothes by a dear friend and it was a pleasure to pass some of ours on.

GREEN: 

Nothing new here.

GROW: 

I planted green and yellow peppers, leeks, beans and gem squash. 

Kale, cabbages, tomatoes, chilies and granadillas are all doing well. I have harvested strawberries, gooseberries, onions and leeks.

Its been fun to pull up carrots when they are needed in a meal. 

My lemon tree has a few lemons on it and so far I have picked the first two.

CREATE:

 I have had great fun creating all sorts. 

Most of the items made were used as gifts for Christmas.

 The above was sent to Germany as part of an International Handmade Gift Exchange.

 I made my first ever Christmas wreath using a fynbos wreath, ribbons and cones. I loved the way it turned out. 

I finally finished off a pair of thick warm bed-socks for a friend. I felt rather guilty that they took so long as she will have to wait a number  of months to wear them. I knitted up a number of snoods and beanies as gifts too. 

My daughter made these magnetic decoupaged fridge notepads as gifts.

DISCOVER: 

I caught up on magazine reading while on holiday, just little snippets enjoyed at a time. 

ENHANCE: 

We took part in an International Children's book exchange and received two parcels, one from China and one from USA. We sent sent out gently used books with a South African flavor to our exchange partners.

My youngest son and I took part in an alien vegetation hack in a local fynbos area.

ENJOY:

We certainly embraced enjoying this season with precious family and friends!

We enjoyed our Church family fun day, numerous Christmas parties, Christmas Carols and more. 

My daughter and I enjoyed the beauty of country life in the Underberg area with my sister and her husband. 

We all traveled south to enjoy time with my Mum down on the coast. We dipped our toes in the warm Indian Ocean, caught up with one another , rested well and ate far too well! 

We were treated to a fantastic day at the Wild Coast Sun where we spent the day at the Wild Waves water park. Adrenaline  pumped as we had enormous fun riding the thrilling rides! 

I celebrated my birthday in style with my Mum at the balmy south coast and the following day I flew home to my guys. 

It was a fantastic holiday! 

Christmas eve was celebrated with extended family at my Dad and on Christmas day we enjoyed celebrating with hubby's parents. 

A wonderful time of year ...

Thank You Christine for hosting Slow Living in 2013.

Slow Living Month 9

Month 9 has been full and fabulous.

My finger was on the mend and slowly I could do more which made me really happy.

Spring is in the air and there are colorful blossoms everywhere. Days are noticeably lighter earlier and

for longer in the evenings. We have had some really cold spells with snow on nearby mountains too and a good deal of spring rain.

 Today however has been a perfectly warm spring day with a beach walk and a wonderful braai this evening.

NOURISH:

This month I had great fun experimenting with my new Indian cook book that I recently won. We have eaten fish in coriander chutney, lemon and coriander chicken, spiced meatballs in tomato sauce, chicken in coriander and coconut sauce and new style bunny chow (not made from bunnies as my youngest thought!).

The recipes use ingredients that are commonplace and  the combinations of aromatic spices, chili and ginger certainly make the the most mouthwatering delicious meals.

PREPARE:

Besides a little baking here and there, nothing else in this department but I have a few kilos of tomatoes that will be used for chili and tomato jam tomorrow.

REDUCE:

My youngest has passed a few books onto his baby cousin and we are continually passing on items that are of no use to us anymore or clothes that we have outgrown or are no longer worn.

GREEN:

Coffee grounds are being scatted in the veg garden in the hopes of deterring the aphids that seem to be back again. Today I collected dried kelp at the beach so I can make kelp tea for my veg garden.

GROW:

Things seem to be taking off in the garden all of a sudden. It is looking green and full. Sweet peas are flowering and sunflower and other seedlings are popping their first tender leaves through the rich soil and I look forward to what is to come.

We have been nibbling on peas, strawberries, gooseberries, herbs and lettuce. Mustard greens are enjoyed with hamburgers.

CREATE:

I enjoyed trying my hand at oil painting for the first time ever.

My Dad patiently spent hours instructing my youngest and me on mixing paints and brush techniques. It was most enjoyable and I look forward to returning to his studio to complete my painting. 

Once my finger was better , there was no stopping me in the mosaic department. 

I spent hours enjoying creating a number of items....

Our house number eventually made into onto the wall ...

( I think I started this project about 4 years ago!)

 decorative hearts, a pot stand and words....

I knitted my younger two each a colorful snood, a quick and easy knit completed over an evening or two. 

My daughter wanted hers longer and my boy can be seen wearing his almost daily. 

DISCOVER:

My daughter and I visited a local church fete and managed to pick up boxes of books for next to nothing. 

We have visited the library a few times this month and I have been browsing books on mosaic.

Our read aloud is a wonderful historical story about a whaling station in South Africa set in 1912.

ENHANCE:

Hubby has been tirelessly working around the home and done a little painting to spruce things up a bit. Bits and bobs that have needed hanging have been put up and it is great to have little changes in the way things look. We now have a blackboard wall in the kitchen and it's great for the never ending shopping list and the kids enjoy doodling there too! 

The younger two and I signed up for free Afrikaans lessons once a week at the local library. The class is filled with a dynamic group of people of various ages and nationalities.

My daughter held a holiday workshop where she taught seven youngsters from the age of 9 up various icing techniques.

 Great fun and lots of finger licking!

ENJOY:

The younger two kids and I made the most of the San Parks free entry week early in the month.

 We enjoyed two days "off school" visiting the national parks.

My eldest declined and was diligently preparing for his upcoming Matric final exams. 

 One day was spent with friends exploring Cape Point and the other at Silvermine Dam. 

We enjoyed a walk around the dam and lazed in the sun as I read aloud from our current novel.

 Thoroughly enjoyable!

My youngest and I visited my Dad's home overnight and enjoyed the break from the routine.

We celebrated our daughter's 16th birthday with a family dinner and then an afternoon tea party for friends and family. Next weekend we have an invasion of her teen friends for a pyjama party!

We have enjoyed a short spring break from school and it's been good to put away the books and just be.

Wonderful to link up with Christine again.