blackwood's dam

The Summer season is in full swing and with that being said I am finding we are spending so much more of our time out doors. The weather at times still seems to be misplaced. Where there are days that could pass for confusing Winter with a sprinkling of snow lightly covering the Berg and other days that could pass for Midsummer sweltering and the only reprieve for the boys is to splash away in the pool.

Recently we took the opportunity to drive out to Richmond to spend the early hours of  the morning at Jenny's dam at Blackwood Farm. Jenny is one of Rob's very special customers and kindly allowed Garren to try out his new found all-things-fishing-obsession at one of her dams.

I was in awe at the beauty of it all. Snuggled cozily amidst the greening hills almost void of any human touch.

As the morning mists lingered - there was a special kind of magic about this place.

weekending

The weekending…? Has it been that long since I have been online to update our little blog here and catch up with you all?

It may even feel a little longer for me. Those razor sharp blades that invaded the little space in my throat last week turned into a full blown flu virus. I was
manwoman down for most of last week and only seemed to re-surface from my zombie like existence somewhere through Saturday. With our medical mostly depleted, I turned to a more natural form of self medicated remedy - Kali Mur – do you use tissue salts? Before all the nonsense of hospitals and doctors and pharmaceuticals prescribed over the past however many months before, they were my go to for all things health wise. And, although there is still a tickling cough every now and then, I feel much better for it. Almost as if my immune system may be a little stronger and thanking me for it.

There was also a little too much of the freakish weather – a few days where the temps teetered around 40 degrees Celsius and others were the sky circled in shades of grey and there may have been a dusting or sprinkling of a pathetic attempt at rain. This week looks like it may just be heading in the same direction.

Poor ol’ Blair has been bouncing around with a cone-thingie-magigie around her head. It’s the funniest thing to watch. Initially the poor gal went into a state of absolute terrror, but we have just had to persevere with it for the sake of her poor eye. Thankfully she is healing up nicely and not too perturbed (that much) by it anymore.

Saturday Rob switched over to watch the Rugby. I have no idea how long its been since we have watched any form of sporting on t.v. In the past I probably would have cringed at the thought of having to endure a game where I have no choice but to openly admit I have no clue as to what is happening. But, this time, I pulled out all my older knit projects and added finishing touches to them while pretending to watch. At least I was there in body right? Sadly, from all the hullabaloo, shrieks and moans from all the boys – we lost to the All Blacks, but in all fairness – Rob did says we played like idiots. I say, well done to the Boks for getting thus far. *insert sly chuckle here*

This week I will be keeping a close eye on our post box. I am patiently (well trying to be) waiting on the new supplies for my soap making obsession. I have quite a big order to get through before the end of November, for a very special customer that will be visiting us from England in December.
The boys have less than 2 months of school to go before the end of the year. So the week days have become pretty darn quiet around here while Joshua swots for his exams for next month. Keeping Garren busy during these quiet days has become easier as he gets older. We have now added a work table in his new bedroom and he spends his time drawing in his little journal and rebuilding his Lego pirate ship he got for his birthday this year.

I HOPE to share a few blogger sites a week (weather permitting) for you all to hop on over and show some love to. There are days when a little comment from someone out there makes all the difference in the world. Stop by when you have a chance – peruse their site and if you like what you see add them to your feed link.

This week head on over and say hi to Jeanette from The Farm and Wendy from Crickleberry Cottage
Thank you all so much for all your comments on my last post. I love your comments. Every single one of them make me smile.

Have a blessed week ahead.

Love Angie xx

big fish

Remember that heat wave I carried on about last week? Well the very next day it broke. Spring is back and I couldn’t feel gladder.

Between you and me I truly rely on our seasons being in sync. I feel together. I need that balance after the imbalance we have experienced this year. I need the sun to rise in the morning all sparkling and bright and set leaving the darkness and magic of the moon in the evening. I need to be one with the phases of the moon. And I need the seasons to be what they are…. I need to witness the awakening of Summer before Summer is here. All this makes me feel secure and in harmony, not only within myself but with the world around me. So, dearest Mother Earth - I thank you for bringing back Spring. 

I am ever so grateful that I have seen the end of last week’s tummy bugs, restless nights and seasonal coughs. The boys are on the mend but, with that, I seem to have caught that hideous virus from them. A grumpy throat and a tightness of the chest – really?!? Please can someone remove the razor blades from my throat. 

There was a reshuffle of the boys bedrooms and I think they are happier for it. It makes more sense, although for me, it means that I have to accept that our eldest may be in the process of not only leaving home but moving to another town and our youngest is growing and maturing enough to have his very own room. (insert heavy-hearted sigh here). 

The girls have settled nicely into their coop and we are back to getting an egg from each one daily. The old side of the coop is getting a little green growing make over. We have added more soil to even out where their scratchings left holes and I planted snippings of mint and marjoram while Rob sowed some coriander seeds and planted cuttings from our grass. The veg garden is flourishing and before we know it we will be harvesting again. The ol’ folk have planted well this year. 

There was much excitement when our budding fisherman caught his very first fish. He dreams of a future of doing nothing else but that… fishing. When I went through to check that he was getting ready for school and not being distracted by all the newness of his very own bedroom. I found him half-dressed, one sock on and the other lying limply over his unmade bed, imaginary rod in one hand and the other very busy reeling in yet another bass. I feel the exhilaration for Christmas coming on, Santa’s list of every kind of angler paraphernalia out there is growing. 

I am nearing the end of my grey beanie and I think it’s going to be just perfect for when the colder months embrace our little home next year. I have already started looking for a new knit project. I have never knitted socks, the bed-type variety yes, but never socks. I need to get out to the store and buy sock yard and just do it. What is your go to pattern for your socks? 

I’ve spent the last few days realigning and readjusting and I think I may just be back on track. I won’t claim to be healed completely but I will say this. I am eternally blessed to have my family and the understanding and strength from a man who supports me whichever way the wheel for today may be turning. 

I am going HOPE to share a few blogger sites a week (weather permitting) for you all to hop on over and show some love to. There are days when a little comment from someone out there makes all the difference in the world. Stop by when you have a chance – peruse their site and if you like what you see add them to your feed link.
This week head on over and say hi to Rachel from Chronicles of Just a Mom and Karen from Pumpkin Sunrise. 

Thank you all so much for all your comments on my last post. I love your comments. Every single one of them make me smile. 

Have a blessed week ahead!
Love Angie