Weekly Wrap-Up : The One With Valentine's

The weeks are flying by it seems.

 Last weekend seems far away after the full week we have had. 

Hubby treated us to a decadent Valentine's dinner which was superb. He spent hours in the kitchen in secret and the meal did not disappoint. It was wonderful to share this special meal with our younger two who were home for the evening, making sure they would not be missing out on one of Hubby's special meals. We enjoyed a calamari starter, salad and juicy rump steak followed by a delicious chocolate cheesecake decorated with white and dark chocolate and pecan nuts. 

We appreciate his labor of love.

On Sunday hubby and I had the pleasure of enjoying the botanical gardens and a lovely picnic for two.

 He had won the tickets and the picnic some time ago and it was great to have a date with him. 

The gardens were so peaceful and the weather was perfect. 

We relaxed near the stream and later took a walk along unknown paths instead of the usual paths. 

We spotted some guinea fowl enjoying a dust bath as well as an owl sitting in a tree. 

He seemed most unperturbed by all the passers by who stopped to photograph him. 

Monday the kids hit their books and both had a good work week. 

Tuesday kept me busy with mosaic work. 

I loved spending the day working under the guidance of my mosaic artist friend.

 At the end of the busy day we enjoyed ice cream pancakes for dinner as it was pancake day. 

Keren spent hours working on her art practical which is coming along beautifully.

 Zak was a good sport and modeled for her.

 It was lovely to see them chatting away while he posed and she drew.

 The week came to an end with the usual Friday evening youth group for the younger two while hubby and I enjoyed a quiet evening home with our eldest. 

Weekly Wrap-Up: 2 in one with loads of life!

They say life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. 

The last two weeks have been full of unexpected events! It's been interesting so say the least.

Keren has forged ahead with her studies, applying herself diligently daily. She has begun an art practical that will take a few weeks and it has been wonderful to watch this project emerge from a concept to something concrete. The topic is "journey" and she had the privilege of listening to the life story of a Swiss born German lady who stayed in our home over last weekend. 

This visit was unexpected as I had met her only a week so before. She was stranded in our city when her travelling companion became very ill and needed urgent hospitalization. As this had been rather traumatic, I could not just dump her in a hotel and invited her to spend her remaining days in Cape Town in our home. It was a blessing to have this gentle and beautiful soul share our home for a couple of days. 

Her travelling companion and friend remains in hospital and will travel home in the coming week. She is faring well and I have been amazed at the wonderful medical care she has been given in one of our State Hospitals. I have been to visit her a few times and am relieved that she is safe and getting the right medical treatment. 

Zak has enjoyed his technology class where he is learning more advanced wood working techniques. Sadly after one session, the coach has cancelled basketball for the term due to lack of interest. 

Most days Zak is done with his workload by lunch time and this has left him free to visit with friends in the afternoon. As February is usually our hottest month, the pool has been enjoyed regularly with friends and family.

I have enjoyed sitting alongside Zak while he works and working on a few mosaic projects for my friend's business. 

She and I also spent a day working on a large mosaic project at a mosaic factory outlet. Oh...the tiles and the colors and the ideas....I could go a little crazy in there if let loose with a purse full of money!

Despite the busyness, there was time made for morning walks with Walk for Life,

taking in the sights of our city from Rhodes Memorial with my new found German friends,

  hair modelling with Carlton and a funky new cut to got along with the blue hair do, 

a leisurely stroll along the cat walk, dipping toes in the ocean,  mom and daughter time and ice creams shared with my girl,

Sunday afternoon tea with all my kids home and decadent doughnuts brought by a friend,

 ....and last but not least visitors of the cute and mischievous kind.

(Who by the way slipped while playing around the pool and needed 4 stitches under his little chin last week but was an absolute angel when his "Aunnie Endy" the nurse, took them out for him this week!)

Monday's Multitudes

This week has been good.

 His blessings abound....

chores done with cheer

our gas cooker for when the power is out

catching up with my mum

exercise, so good for the mind and body

smoothies and conversations shared with a friend

summer fruits

beautiful views of the sea

ice creams on a hot summer day

evening swims with friends

time with our son

hubby's homemade pizza

a day's paid work

a beautiful day exploring our beautiful coastline, shared with two beautiful women

the magnificent mountains in our home town

toes in the warm sand and cool Atlantic ocean

lazy Sunday

friends enjoying a braai with us

Lindt chocolate crunchies

mosaic work for me to do

a good nap

vigorous exercise

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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.