Team Up Thursday - Week 32 - Home

Mariette suggested the theme this week...HOME - we both thought it would be  a great theme...AND I was touched that Mariette chose it, because I thought it would give me the opportunity to take pictures of some newly finished parts of my home....BUT, there is not one area that is completely finished yet - so we are still living in chaos and dust...
The theme did make me think though - What does HOME mean to me?
Mariette also asked herself the same question, and she came up with the answer that her home would not feel without home with out her animals...so here is a picture of Bruto waiting at the front door to welcome his family HOME..Sadly Bruto passed away last year.

So what does home mean to me...I have always said that my favourite places is in Mike's arms, I feel so loved and warm and safe and protected when he holds me close...When he holds me in his arms after a business trip - I always say to him that I feel like I am home...Where ever my children are, is where I want to lay my head AND of course animals as Mariette so rightly said make home more homely....So although having a "nice" home is lovely - for me "Home is where the heart (love) is"

The message is written in dust on my kitchen counter - if you look carefully you can see how lovely the kitchen wall tiles are...

To prove that animals do indeed make home more homely...Here's Misty making my kitchen shelf look really comfortable.  Cats are amazing that they can be comfortable almost anywhere....

This picture gives you some idea of what our bathroom is going to look like...OK - maybe it is still too "unfinished" to give you an idea - I will have to take photos and post them when everything is done and all clean and tidy again.

Lastly....Since we both thought of our animals this week - Kayla-Fern's little dwarf hamster "Nibbles" has a growth on his side...He has pulled all the fur around it out and it looks quite sore...She was very concerned, so this evening I took her and Nibbles to the vet...Turns out that the growth is not a tumour, which is what I was worried about....It seems to be a skin condition, perhaps from a little flea bite or some kind of iritation - so now we have to give him medicine (0.1ml - I think) twice a day...it is actually dog medicine that has been diluted by one part to a whole lot (he weights around 25 grms, so the vets had to do some serious thinking) and we have to bath him once a week in a cattle dip (also diluted a whole lot)... Total cost R217-90 - for a hamster that originally cost R35-00, but it is not the cost of the hamster that is important, it is the cost of not breaking a little girls heart....Animals do indeed make up part of the love that we need at home.

Lots of love

Me

TUT - Week 31 - Food

As I told you last week – our theme was FOOD – suggested by me and because I was feeling so relaxed when I had to suggest that the theme – I took a short cut and piggy backed on Andrea and Claire’s theme from the week before…

I chose my picture mainly because most people can relate to chocolate cake (a lot of people’s ultimate comfort food) – the coffee (cappucino) and chocolates are just a bonus….Do you notice something about my picture – It is “INSTANT” -  Instant  chocolate cake/Instant coffe and instant cappucino sachets….At least you know if you phone me to tell me that you are coming to visit for coffee and chocolate cake in an hours time, – there is a good chance that it will be available when you arrive.



Since our building/tiling etc is still happening, I ended up taking most of my pictures in my grocery cupboard – it was the least dusty area and the background was not some half tiled ungrouted wall….Never mind hopefully, next week I will find some fab areas to take pictures in….I think it fitting anyway, that I took pictures for a FOOD theme in a FOOD cupboard.

Mariette’s picture is of crumbs of cake left on a plate – you see I told you most people relate to cake…Well done Mariette – Lovely interpretation of our theme…

 

Here is Kayla-Fern’s ultimate comfort food – believe me if she could eat only this she would….I have no idea where she gets her sweet tooth from…

My ultimate comfort food is Lemon Merinuge Pie or Fudge and  my ultimate weakness is strawberry jam….I think one of Mike’s favourite things is scones and cream and jam – although he also loves custard slices and doughnuts or chocolate éclairs.

Ok, maybe I do know where Kayla-Fern gets her sweet tooth from…

For my birthday last year, Brad cooked me a fantastic birthday dinner of Risotto/Roast Chicken and Vegetables and  It was AMAZING - Here is Chef Brad hard at work...

There are many quotes about food – but one of my favourites is “Food for thought – is no substitute for the real thing”

One last thing…Please if ever I tell any of you “Mike and I are thinking of doing some renovations…” Please, Please remind me that I said I would NEVER do this again….My concern is that Renovations are like childbirth, once it is over you forget how bad it really was”…

Anyway, that is my post for this week – I do hope next week finds me in a less dusty home and in a less “building depressed*” state of mind…

"*" Didn’t you know that there was such a thing as building depression- well there is and I have it…It is when you think you will be physically sick if you so much as look at another tile and you just can not bring yourself to dust any furniture because tomorrow it will just be dusty again and you have to force your self to eat and brush your teeth because all you can taste is dust…..it really is not a nice condition to have, but the good news is that as soon as the building is done, all the symptoms disappear and you forget how awful they were because you are loving the results of all that hard work. It will all be worth it in the end.

Lots of love

Me

 

Taking a Break from TUT --- Because....

Hello everybody...Well, from ending last week feeling happy and relaxed...this week has been a mixed bag of emotions...
I really struggled to decide on a theme for this week...AND only sent my suggestion through to Mariette late on Sunday (normally I try and do it on Wednesday when I send my photo, cos then we have the whole weekend to "play" - which also does not happen often) - anyway, I knew that Monday was a Public Holiday in the UK as well as here....I chose FOOD (piggy backing on Claire and Andrea's theme from last week) because I thought...Oh well, whatever we are doing, we still need to eat, so there should be lots of scope - Well one thing lead to another (see below) and I did not take on single photo, not one.....so had to send a desperate e-mail to Mariette this morning, pleading a headache or some such story....
Why I could not do TUT this week....
After five to seven years of renovating our house...the last two weeks have seen a huge flurry of activity.....in getting all the last finishing touches done (this seems to be every bit as hectic and busy and expensive and chaotic as the whole process has been)...Mike has been fairly stressed and has not stopped running and writing cheques....But we have finally tiled our large entertainment area/kitchen walls/our bathroom is fitted with bath etc and now awaits tiling/the guest bathroom is planned and tiles have been chosen and bought and the patio has been tiled...It is finally coming together and the finish is just around the corner....I am so excited...it is going to be so lovely once it is all done...I also feel a twinge of regret that we have lived in semi chaos for longer then we should have and therefore have wasted time that we could have been enjoying our home...BUT - that is just the way things have panned out. I don't have any pictures yet of the chaos, but believe me it is CHAOS....
In addition to house renovations, both children had fairly tough projects to do - Brad in Grade 10 had a science project and decided to build a solar powered car....it is now finished and he will set it up at school tomorrow and get marked for it.

Kayla-Fern in Grade 4 has to build a bridge that can take a load of 500grms...Hers is due in stages...she took a write up to school on Tuesday and needs to take drawings of her bridge in next week and then the actualy bridge is due on the 20th of May - All in all I am all projected out.

Lance and Meagan visited SA from Wales and it was wonderful to see them and see how Megs has changed and grown into a lovely young lady and how Lance has not changed at all...He is just become Walealised and is as wonderful and positive and spontaneous as ever....They left last night to go home to ....I am still feeling a bit sad at the goodbye, but know that they are safely home where they belong with Claire and Skyla and Luke - Thank you my friend for lending them to us for a while....

Am also feeling sad because tomorrow it is six months since my mom passed away....I miss her terribly and sometimes the strangest things things remind me of her - Today it was black Arum Lillies - I just stood looking at them for the longest time, rembering her love for her garden and flowers and things that were out of the ordinary from black Arum Lillies to making Avocodo Pear Cake (I kid you not), to planting an avocado pip and giving it to Brad when he was small...We planted it in our garden (when he was about eight) and  now, seven years on, it is a huge tree - tall and proud, although it has never borne any fruit...I think I read somewhere that avo trees grown from pips will never bear fruit - Pam (http://www.look-to-the-land.blogspot.com/) my resident fountain of knowledge of all things healthy and organic and "green" perhaps you know why....now there's a challenge for you. 
I realise how much of my mom is in me...and often hear her voice or laugh whispering in my own and it makes me stop for a moment and listen harder...and then I smile softly and sadly.....and I just savour the moment and remember all the wonderful things about her.
Sunday is Mothers Day....I think we are going to light a candle for her and I will sing my version of "Amazing Grace" for her and only her - my family do not appreciate my singing ability ....May is also the month of her birthday, so I think that is going to be a hard "first"...but we will find a special way to commemerate it, and we will get through it....It has been harder on my dad then anyone else, but he is trying hard to carry on with his life and although he has some bad days, he has been amazingly strong - much stronger then I would have ever thought he would be - I am proud of him and I know my mom would be as well...Oh well guys that is about it from me this week - so until next week....Take care and lots of love.
Oh - one final picture - we were very fortunate to get tickets to see The Parletones (SA band) on Saturday night, it was an awesome evening out...If ever you get a chance to see them live where ever you are in the world - it is a performance you will not want to miss I assure you...

TUT - Week 30 - Bubbles

Hello Everybody .....
Well I am doing my post before Mariette AGAIN....Just need to start e-mailing her my picture by end of Wednesday and not early Thursday...sorry Mariette....
It was Mariette's choice of theme this week - BUBBLES..... And once again, she took an amazing picture - She says that the reason she chose this picture this week is because it captures Maxine beautifully...

Well Done Mariette - I love the concept and the picture and the colour and clarity....

I also took  a picture of a bubble bath - I woke up with a sore back on Friday morning and later in the day, Mike ran a special bubble bath for me ...... It was wonderful - AND my back felt a lot better on Saturday morning....

I must admit - all these holidays ***have made me feel very relaxed and peaceful...Good stuff
 ***In South Africa we had all the Easter holidays - like the rest of the world...then yesterday was another Public Holiday - Freedom Day....the day 17 years ago that SA held it's first ever democratic election...then on Monday we have another public holiday.

A couple of weeks ago I posted that my sister in law (Pam) in America had Teamed up with her sister (Heidi) in New Zealand to do TUT ---- Here is the link to their blogs....Visit them - it is well worthwhile...(I hope that the links work)...

http://www.live-life-as-a-play.blogspot.com/

http://www.hidesignphotography.blogspot.com/

Since Mariette and I started to TUT, I have tried to make my posts fun and always to have a meaning or story behind the fun - This week, I really do not have anything - My mind is blank, empty,  - Does this mean that I have had a meaningless, not so fun week - NO, I don't think so...I think my mind is just very, very relaxed and chilled... A good place to be - Don't you think...So I am going to go with the flow and let my mind rest for as long as it wants....Dear Readers, I do hope that some of the other blogs you follow have some fun or/and meaningful stories this week....AND, if my blog is the only one you follow (why thank you)  - BUT, you need to get out there and start following some others...There are so many bloggers out there, with funny stories/tragic stories/meaningful stories/stories of fashion and beauty and beautiful beliefs/stories with stunning insight and all sorts of stuff-  and the list goes on and on - Try it - I assure you, you will not regret it.......Just be warned though...you can go from my blog to Pam's blog to Mariettes blog to Claire's blog to Lynette's blog (and you can follow links from all of their blogs to Andrea's blog and Heidi's blog etc) then back to mine and then you can follow some of the peoople who have commented here and find other spots AND before you know it...The afternoon is gone and you are feeling comfortable and enriched and soul restored and craft and hobby and fashion pacified...And dinner is not cooked and the bath is not run and homework is not done...Am I speaking from personal experience - Heck - yes of course - But I have had fun and I hope you do as well....Which brings me to another question - Is my life lacking something because I find so much enjoyment from reading about other people's life stories - Of Course not...My life is great...But it adds another dimension to my being to know that there are other people out there in different situations with different points of view and interests....So until next week - Lots of love 'n' BUBBLES...
P.S. - because I am just so relaxed - I have no idea for a them for next week - Please help...

TUT - Week 29 - DOWN

Wow – Second week in a row that I am doing my Thursday post on Thursday….

I chose the theme this week – It seemed a natural progression from Mariette’s “UP” last week….

I love Mariette’s picture – taken whilst crouching “DOWN” in the garden – It is pretty and simple and very elegant ….Also a lovely clear picture…

I took my picture looking down from a second floor office window at work….From this angle you can see the haphazard way that the “leaves” of the cactus (???) have grown –I also love the little bit of water collected in the one “Leaf” from some earlier rain…I was a bit disappointed that the picture does not really show how high the office window is ...

I also like this photo – taken looking down at the reflection of the moon in a puddle of water (also from rain) on our unfinished patio…Kind of interesting I think…

Then last but not least – when I let our dogs out the other day (cold rainy afternoon) for a toilet call….Ticky (my little Jack Russelle) suddenly started barking like crazy – I raced outside to see that Romanni had fallen DOWN into a trench that Mike had dug for some piping…Poor old girl could not get out on her own, but I could not let the photo opportunity pass….(much to Kayla-Fern’s disgust)..Poor Romanni looks very sorry for herself.

I have had a lot of odd thoughts on my mind (which have nothing to do with our theme) and I think my musings were kind of nutshelled together when Kayla-Fern phoned me after I had dropped her at school and was well on my way to work – She borrowed a friend’s cell phone (she does not have her own) to phone me and tell me that she had forgotten some tins that she needed for school – which I had known about…she told me about needing them once on Monday…At first I was quite angry  - just such a disruption to my morning, but being a good, dutiful mommy, who felt slightly guilty at not having remembered in the first place, I turned around and went home and organised two empty tins – as a result we are having tomotoe and onion relish with our wors rolls tonight..I then dropped the empty tins off at school and arrived at work – Late…I was telling a collegue about my terrible morning and he said “Are you sure she needed empty tins – Maybe she needed tins of stuff for a comminty type project – mmmmmmm.

My random musings that have been formulated from this experience are:

What would my mom (or anyone else’s mom) have done in a similar situation -  the fact is that she would not have been in the situation… I don’t think cell phones were invented yet… and you only got to use the office phone in life or death situations – No I would have had to admit that I had forgotten the tins and taken the consequences.  And would my mom have felt guilty after school when I told her about what a terrible day I had had because of it.  Should I have made a plan so that Kayla-Fern could participate and not get into trouble…Would it have been that serious a situation anyway, especially considering that there is a chance that they did not even get time to do the exercise….How am I going to feel if indeed she needed full tins – and will I be able to enjoy my tomotoe and onion relish tonight, if it should have gone to someone who needed it more then me…These musings are very random and I thought I would figure out a point to them as I went along – but I haven’t, so if you are still awake after wading through this nonsense…Thank you – but you can go and take a nap now….From a very confused me who is clearly in desperate need of a long weekend (thank goodness we have one this weekend) and some major chocolate input..There are few things in life that chocolate can not make better – Don’t know who said that, but it was someone wise….Lots of love and Happy Easter.

Team Up Thursday - Week 28 - UP

Hi Everyone - I do hope that you are all suitably impressed - I also hope that this is a new trend which becomes the norm again...
Mariette chose the theme this week - UP...and she aced it this week - Mariette I am so proud of you - You have grown photographically and crreatively since we started TUT...Also you are now taking pictures and then choosing a TUT theme from the picture - this means that you are starting to look at the world through TUT eyes, but not only for TUT i.e you are not relying on our weekly themes for inspiration - Well Done - If you don't normally visit Mariette's blog - do yourself a favour this week and pop by and see her achievements - She aced all the pictures ...Her picture can say more for itself then I can, so here it is ....

I took a picture of Romanni - our beautiful old german shepherd - I lay on the ground, looking UP at her....I think Mariette's picture interprets the theme a lot better then my picture does, but none the less, I am happy with my picture...I love the way that due to the angle - Romanni looks bigger then the house...

The picture is fitting - it depicts Romanni's huge love for our family and her hugely generous nature...
Well, folks that's it for this week - Well, you can't really expect to have the post on time and for it to be long - Can you now????
Pop over to Claire as well - her and Andrea are back - Guys you have been missed, but we are glad that you are back and hopefully it is to stay.....Remember, don't let life get in the way of TUT....Make TUT a part of your life....MMMMM - Me thinks I need to take some of my own advice...
Until next week, when we are doing the opposite of this week and going "DOWN"....Lots and lots of love...

Team Up Thursday - Week ??? - Colour

Hey, Hey - Still not quite making Thursday - will Saturday evening do?
I chose the theme this week..
I love Mariette's photo....the gold dust on the butterfly's wings is beautiful - She took the photo on an impromptu (If I recall correctly) trip that her and her family took to Strathon on Avon in February - Well done Mariette - Lovely interpretation of our theme..

My picture is of something that Kayla-Fern did for me about two years ago...Kayla-Fern loves writing little notes and drawing little pictures for us...

For me, this little treasure signifies that we are all able to add colour to our own lives....Just draw a picture and colour it in (Figuritively and literally)...The picture also symbolises love - and how important love is to us all - what is a child without love to and from his parents/what is a family without love for each other/what is a friend without love and lastly I am reminded of a quote that I once read - "The greatest thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother..."

To my children and my husband and my father and my family (near and far) and my friends (near and far) - I love you all - You all colour my world...Thank you

Other pictures that I like this week are...

This bright and chirpy little bird sits on a collegue's desk

I think he is just too precious - Do you think orange is a happy colour - I do, I think orange and yellow are both really cheerful colours

This colourful chair is in our reception area, unusual but nice...

Lots of love - Hope you all have a great weekend...