One year later....
It is almost a year since my last posting and so much has happened in the interim. We moved into our new home at Cedar Hills on 1st September 2010, and Jenny and Petri had a wonderful wedding on Noordhoek Beach in the Cape, on 2nd April 2011.
It was quite an adjustment to leave our home of 28 years, with all that space, a large garden and a pool. It did not take long to settle into our new home as we had decided to take only the furniture we needed, and to sell, give away or throw out the rest. We use our new space very efficiently and luckily Iain and I work well together so we don't get in each other's way.
Jen and Petri's wedding was delightful. The weather was perfect, and it was a very happy day. Here are some of our favourite pics.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Thursday, July 1, 2010
We have sold our house...
Our dear home for the past 28 years has been sold, and the most surprising thing is, it feels like the right time. Friends have asked if we are sad, but Iain and I are actually quite excited to be moving to a new home, with fewer responsibilities (garden, pool, maintenance in general).
Our destination is Cedar Hills, Fourways and I will post pictures of the great adventure, if I have the energy. I believe it can be quite exhausting.
Our destination is Cedar Hills, Fourways and I will post pictures of the great adventure, if I have the energy. I believe it can be quite exhausting.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Beach and Berg Holiday
Our holiday break began with a visit to Jeanette and Barrie in 'Maritzburg. We spent the night with Dave and Sue in Hilton after a visit to Dr. David Figenshau to talk about health and supplements in particular. He was a fountain of knowledge, and gave us sensible and usable advice.
We had a wonderful week at Breakers Hotel in Umhlanga. Both of us have become swimmers due to Iain's sore hip and this has made us realise how good it is to be fit. The Hotel pool was well used, and the newly revamped beach walkway (and the beach of course) provided us with further exercise.
The next week was spent at the Champagne Sports Resort, and we were delighted that Jen and Cris could join us for the week-end with Petri and Stephen. Jen and Petri prepared Saturday evening supper for all of us (yummy pasta and sausage bake plus salads) and Cris and Stephen took over breakfast preparations (delish olive bread French Toast with bacon and mascarpone). Lots of fun and laughter was had by all. The rest of the week was spent walking around the Resort and the golf course, and of course swimming in the Hotel pool.
We had a wonderful week at Breakers Hotel in Umhlanga. Both of us have become swimmers due to Iain's sore hip and this has made us realise how good it is to be fit. The Hotel pool was well used, and the newly revamped beach walkway (and the beach of course) provided us with further exercise.
The next week was spent at the Champagne Sports Resort, and we were delighted that Jen and Cris could join us for the week-end with Petri and Stephen. Jen and Petri prepared Saturday evening supper for all of us (yummy pasta and sausage bake plus salads) and Cris and Stephen took over breakfast preparations (delish olive bread French Toast with bacon and mascarpone). Lots of fun and laughter was had by all. The rest of the week was spent walking around the Resort and the golf course, and of course swimming in the Hotel pool.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Happy New Year!
The year is off to a very exciting start. Iain and I went to pick Jen and Petri up at ORTambo, and over breakfast they broke the news that they had become engaged. We are delighted, and very happy for them both. They had a wonderful holiday on Nosi Be Island, Madagascar, and we are looking forward to seeing the photos and video.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
The first Magnolia blossom appears, three years after planting....
There was a great deal of excitement when we saw the very first bud appear on the magnolia tree. Each day I watched as it slowly unfurled, creamy white and beautifully scented. Iain said it took him right back to 'Maritzburg, when the magnolia tree in the garden there produced huge flowers each summer and filled the house with its perfume.
Our poetry book, 'Four by Four' was featured in the local community newspaper (Fourways Review) and though it is a bit late for anyone to purchase a copy as a Christmas gift, I will be ordering more copies in the New Year. If you would like a copy of this very special book, please let me know.
On the right is a small sample of one of my children's songs featured in the book, which I hope to use eventually in a small book titled 'Alfie's Silly Song Book'.
There was a great deal of excitement when we saw the very first bud appear on the magnolia tree. Each day I watched as it slowly unfurled, creamy white and beautifully scented. Iain said it took him right back to 'Maritzburg, when the magnolia tree in the garden there produced huge flowers each summer and filled the house with its perfume.
Our poetry book, 'Four by Four' was featured in the local community newspaper (Fourways Review) and though it is a bit late for anyone to purchase a copy as a Christmas gift, I will be ordering more copies in the New Year. If you would like a copy of this very special book, please let me know.
On the right is a small sample of one of my children's songs featured in the book, which I hope to use eventually in a small book titled 'Alfie's Silly Song Book'.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Mac's Lemon Marmalade - The First Batch
We have two lemon trees in our garden that have produced abundantly. These lemons are very juicy and perfect for the production of marmalade, so of course, I snapped into action and made my first batch for Spring 2009.
I found an outlet that sells glass jars, and soon I had 24 jars of wonderful marmalade. Those of you who know me well, will understand the next step. I HAD to design a label.
First idea. I thought of a stick-on label for the lid, and a stick-on label for the jar. I would need to print them on sticky-backed paper...cut them out...peel the backing off...stick them on the jars. Too much effort. I have gone through this sort of exercise before and it is murder on the nails, trying to find the edge of the label to peel it off the backing.
Next idea. Print labels on ordinary paper, cut them out and then stick them onto brown paper (home-made aspect). Pritt Stick? Spray Glue? They certainly did look homemade and the glue part was a mess.
Final idea. Design them so they LOOK as if they have a brown paper background and print them straight onto card. Punch a hole in one corner and attach with a rubber band. Done!
I am making the marmalade as gifts for family and friends and I know they will enjoy the intense flavour. This is what marmalade should taste like. No preservatives, additives, fillers or flavourings. No pesticides, just organic fertilizer and plenty of mulch and love.
We have two lemon trees in our garden that have produced abundantly. These lemons are very juicy and perfect for the production of marmalade, so of course, I snapped into action and made my first batch for Spring 2009.
I found an outlet that sells glass jars, and soon I had 24 jars of wonderful marmalade. Those of you who know me well, will understand the next step. I HAD to design a label.
First idea. I thought of a stick-on label for the lid, and a stick-on label for the jar. I would need to print them on sticky-backed paper...cut them out...peel the backing off...stick them on the jars. Too much effort. I have gone through this sort of exercise before and it is murder on the nails, trying to find the edge of the label to peel it off the backing.
Next idea. Print labels on ordinary paper, cut them out and then stick them onto brown paper (home-made aspect). Pritt Stick? Spray Glue? They certainly did look homemade and the glue part was a mess.
Final idea. Design them so they LOOK as if they have a brown paper background and print them straight onto card. Punch a hole in one corner and attach with a rubber band. Done!
I am making the marmalade as gifts for family and friends and I know they will enjoy the intense flavour. This is what marmalade should taste like. No preservatives, additives, fillers or flavourings. No pesticides, just organic fertilizer and plenty of mulch and love.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Poetry Book Launch
Our new book, 'Four by Four' has been launched!
Denise, Jackie, Maryna and myself met at Stephanie's in Hyde Park Corner and celebrated this new arrival. This book is different to our first collaboration called 'Six by Six', in that we have included pages in colour. There are photographs, oil paintings, acrylics, watercolours and woodcuts included with the poems and stories. The response so far has been very encouraging.
Our new book, 'Four by Four' has been launched!
Denise, Jackie, Maryna and myself met at Stephanie's in Hyde Park Corner and celebrated this new arrival. This book is different to our first collaboration called 'Six by Six', in that we have included pages in colour. There are photographs, oil paintings, acrylics, watercolours and woodcuts included with the poems and stories. The response so far has been very encouraging.
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