Inspiration

I was sent this picture by a really special friend yesterday.  It speaks to me.

Meet Cleo

Cleo used to be a companion dog to an old lady who passed away.  She was taken over by her builder who developed a particularly strong bond with her. They lived happily together until the builder packed his bags and left the farm he was working on. He left Cleo alone at the farm. For months Cleo would sit on the road from where she saw her master leave, crying for him to come home. He never did.  The farm owner has been feeding Cleo for six months now but can’t take her home because he already has three dogs who would fight with her. He says he has never seen such a well behaved dog but she is pining for company.

The Bean and I have decided that we would  like to take Cleo in and give her a happy loving home.  We fetch her tomorrow morning.  I can’t wait!

A special day

This photo is one of my favorites  – taken in 1966.

It’s me and my dad.

(No comments about my big head, lack of hair and teeth etc. please.)

Today is a really special day for me.  It’s my dads birthday.  Last year I was lucky enough to spend the day with him. He was very ill at the time and I was very worried that it would be the last birthday I spent with him. Doctors said we didn’t have much time.

Through answered prayer and with the help of some alternative medicine and a lot of commitment to his healthcare (and amazing support from my step-mum) my dad is doing so very well. He seems like a new man.  Well, nearly new

 

Happy ❤ day

Even after all this time,
The sun never says to the earth,
“You owe me.”
Look what happens with
A love like that.
It lights the whole sky.

~ Hafiz of Persia

Homemade gifts

This year I decided to give homemade gifts to my family for Christmas.  My reasoning was not purely from a financial perspective but also from a green/recycling angle as well as how much fun and love goes into making things for loved ones.  I have been dying to show you what we made but had to wait till everyone had their gifts.

The Bean and I made some homemade tomato and basil jam which we wrapped up – a bottle for everyone.

We  gave each of the girls a homemade recycled handbag made from old curtains.  These were made for us by my colleague Charlie – a trade and barter deal.

and for my dad I painted this painting

I think this has been the most rewarding Christmas ever – I so enjoyed preparing the gifts.

Did you make any of your gifts?  I would love to hear about them.

Edit:   There is a great recipe for a homemade scented hand scrub in the comments of this post. Thanks Greg.

Driving home for Christmas

well it’s not really home anymore because home is here in Hoedspruit, but it’s where home used to be….once.  Yep, that’s right, The Bean and I are leaving tomorrow for Johannesburg to spend our Christmas with family.

I really don’t enjoy going to the city but the call of all things family, and Christmas with loved ones overrules the dislike.  I am really so excited to see them all and feel the warmth and love that surrounds the festive season in my family home.

 

So, to all of you, I would like to wish you a really fantastic festive season, a merry Christmas (if you celebrate it) and an awesome new year filled with love and laughter.

 

Photo: Graeme Robertson/Getty Images Dec 23, 2003

 

I will try to post as often as possible during the next week, however it certainly won’t be everyday.

My sneaky angel

who likes to wake me up at night and look at me like this….

Its really dark at night here ….

You see his poor nose – I think he has a mosquito bite allergy. I need to get antihistamines and/or cortisone for him. It gets terribly itchy at times and he scratches his nose open like this.

He is good company – my Fred.

Lest I forget….

Please never let me take this for granted

Far from the cities

And far from the streets

Far from the people

Is where my heart beats

It beats in slow time

In the vast open space

It beats out the rhyme

Of an African pace

 

With the sun baking down

And the buzz of blue flies

With chirping cicadas

And gentle breeze sighs

There’s no need to rush

No deadlines to chase

Just the slow steady pulse

Of an African pace

 

The cool of the morning

The heat of high noon

The balm of the sunset

The silk of the moon

The stars’ steady march

The rivers’ etched face

The life loving rhythm

Of an African pace

 

( “African Pace” by Wayne Visser)

Birthday time

Tomorrow my Bean turns 18

Party preparations are well underway – it is going to be a little different to any of her other parties.  Friends will meet at the farm and then go on a sundowner game drive and spend some time at the river.  When they return the dinner will be set up outside under the huge Marula tree next to the swimming pool.  The colour theme is black, white and red.  We will have candles and fairy lights.  The meal – Italian starters, Japanese main course and something oozing chocolate for dessert – the Bean’s favorite foods.  There will be a bonfire burning all night and they will be sleeping around the fire weather permitting.

Happy birthday my angel

Me and my girl

You can see it in their eyes,
in tender hugs and long good-byes,
a love that only moms and daughters know.

You can see it in their smiles,
through passing years and changing styles,
a friendship that continually seems to grow.

You can see it in their lives,
the joy each one of them derives,
in just knowing that the other one is there…

To care and to understand,
lend an ear or hold a hand,
and to celebrate the memories they share.

 

~ Anonymous