It's been a long while!

A long time has passed since I last wrote anything here. Life has been happening with all it's twists and turns, ups and downs but I figured if I don't get back to it now and try to catch you up on it all, I never will!

It has been a difficult year as hubby was retrenched almost a year ago but by His grace, we continue on. Everywhere I hear of others in the same boat or in worse situations, and I am aware that we are not alone. We continue to put one foot in front of the other daily, and trust that all things will work together for good. It has been a trying time but also a time of great blessing and faith building.

Perhaps it has been easier to just keep quiet than to write when the pressures have seemed too great but tonight I have resolved to get back at it and share some of what has been happening in our lives. Daily I remind myself that there is always, always, always something to be thankful for!

The photos in this post are from a spring walk shared with friends not too long ago...

flowers

tree climbing

feather finding

fresh air

friendship

fun

I marvel at the beauty of creation and fresh air and wide open spaces always do me good!

We always find something out there that we have learned about recently, like this male pine full of pollen, just waiting to be dispersed by the wind!

Two girls just did not want to come down out of the tree and begged to bring their school work there the following day so they could learn in the tree!

Possibly next week we will head out for a morning under or perhaps up the tree!

A trip into the countryside...

This morning my dear husband had a houseful of kiddies ranging in age from from 8 to 15, while a couple of moms and myself took a trip out into the countryside. It was just what I needed and I felt the stress of the last while draining away as we headed out onto the open road. The canola fields put on a brilliant display of bright yellow and the arum lilies were out in full bloom too.

We were heading for the opening of Nurturing Fibres Studio! www.nurturingfibres.co.za

Outside the studio this little table and colourfully draped bench just looked so inviting. We were warmly welcomed by Carle and Terri who gave up much of their time to answer all our questions.

Carle selects only the finest yarns and carefully hand dyes them. Her die lots are kept small to ensure a high standard and uniqueness to each skein.

She is inspired by nature and only dies natural fibres that are hand spun at home. The array of colours was a feast for the eyes!

I didn't even know that things like bamboo yarn and banana yarn exist! She had self striping sock wool too. Apparently one will never go back to shop bought socks after wearing a pair knitted in merino wool.

Oh my, I wished my dear sister had been with us!

Carle and Terri have invited us to come out at anytime and sit and knit with them. Carle has promised to send me some patterns and we look forward to taking our children out there to learn how to make dolls,and see the spinning and dieing of wool too.

I came home with my purchase of one ball of rich speckled sock wool with which I plan to make a very special gift. A ball of hand painted merino silk kid mohair spaghetti aran will make another equally special gift. I could not resist a bottle of orange blossom honey from Carle's bee keeping husband and a hand made card with a special message .