Catching up!

I have not blogged for such a long time. I thought I'd better tell a bit of our Winter months. Above is a picture of the family at Hogsback. We went up to the mountains in early July, it was great. We just missed the fantastic snow which came the following week.

Below is a photo of the dresses I made for the girls. I used a soft denim and appliqued a picture on the front and sewed ric-rac just above the hem. I have not sewn since I had children so it was such fun to get back into it and now I feel inspired. I only wish I could find some decent old fashioned dress patterns.

\The above three pictures are of us during the Womens Day long weekend, at the beach. We stayed with my sister at her holiday cottage. It was so relaxing and the weather was mild for early August. Chilly nights. James and I have not had a photo in years, so I really like this one.

Here the children are dressed for a neighbours party. This was late June.

Happy Mothers Day!

To all the dear mothers reading this, may you be blessed today. It is great to be honoured on this day, but it is also worthwhile re-thinking exactly what we're doing and why.

The Girl I Used To Be

by Rowena K. Lewis

She came tonight as I sat alone, the girl I used to be.

And she gazed at me with her earnest eye, and questioned reproachfully:

Have you forgotten the many plans and hopes that I had for you?

The great career, the splendid fame, all the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height, with all of its gardens rare?

The silken robes that I dreamed for you, and the jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad, for I wanted her pleased with me.

This slender girl from the shadowy past, the girl that I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand, and guided her up the stair

Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay, innocent, sweet, and fair.

And I told her that these are my only gems, and precious they are to me;

That silken robe is my motherhood, of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love, and the only career I know

Is serving each day in these sheltered walls, for the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest, she smiled through her tears at me.

And I saw that the woman that I am now, pleased the girl that I used to be.

Autumn 2009

It is Autumn here in South Africa. Everything is looking tired and dry after a long hot summer. We also need rain rather badly. But the trees are looking lovely, of course it's mainly the exotics, but no matter. When we went to the lawns James also took some pretty shots.

Family Pictures April

On my birthday we went for a picnic on the lawns outside an old chapel. The chapel is on the campus of Rhodes University, so lots of students do this. However, as it was a public holiday it was actually very quiet. It was a lovely mild day, and in fact it started drizzling twice whilst we were there. We had a "Mama treat", ready bought take away meal, so I did not have to prepare on my birthday. That was a break!

The students passing by enjoyed the children and they in turn had fun running around and jumping all over the grass. Isn't it beautiful how a large area of grass always makes a child want to run?

We took a short stroll around the lovely old buildings and just before we left a choir assembled in the chapel and we listened to a them singing some beautiful spiritual songs.
I had a happy birthday, indeed.

Time to change my ticker!

Newsflash!

After months of not blogging, I have to make a quick entry here tonight. About a month ago, Shelley, our youngest, was finally weaned, after feeding for 2 years and 5 months. Yippee! So, for the first time in seven years, I am not pregnant, breastfeeding or both ;-)

I thought I would be rather sad about this, but it was a very happy ending for us both, the time was ripe, and I feel I need a bit of "re-charging" now.

So, I'll be on the look out for a new ticker to put on my blog... I wonder what else is out there...