Happy 1st Day of Spring

 Good morning friends and family, it is officially spring.  Having said that I am secretly hoping that the Cape runs true to form and keeps winter around for a couple more months.  I am in no way ready for summer.  The days are getting longer and definitely slightly warmer, in fact, almost perfect temperatures. 

As I sit and type this I am looking out across the Hout Bay valley, the sun is just cresting the mountains, the world is quiet, still and peaceful.  You may have guessed, correctly that Jelly Bean and I are with the Bears. 😊

August in our family is called Birthday Month with 4 of us just in the immediate family. So wow, quite a month in retrospect.  Prince BabyBear started it off, a few days after his birthday party (last months post) and then the day after his birthday he came down with Hand,  Foot and Mouth Disease  😩.  It is the first time he has been sick and the poor little mite was so uncomfortable and yet remained his cheerful, happy little self.  We still are not sure where he picked it up and no one at the party had or got it. I had never even heard of humans getting this until  I read about an epidemic in Natal and the Eastern Cape.  It is extremely infectious and mostly limited to children under the age of 5.  He is now almost completely healed of all spots and peeling skin.  Through this all he still continued walking and is now EVERYWHERE, we need eyes in the back of our heads, he is so fast.    We spent a week with him and BigBear as MamaBear had to go to Johannesburg for business. It was a wonderful time of bonding and making memories, he is growing way too fast 😍.

Then off home for two weeks during which I had my birthday. It was a lovely day spent quietly. Jelly Bean and I took the dogs to the coffee shop ( a first for Dash, he was very well behaved). We had a breakfast and the pups had Pupaccino's and doggie biscuits 😂. Hubby was sailing.  We then went out to lunch in Rooi Els, two villages down from us. It was lovely and a nice treat. The fun things of living in a Biosphere is walking out of shops or a restaurant with food. The locals will warn you to hide your food.  The baboons are so quick and will take any opportunity to swoop in and pinch it. There was a big male sitting on the roof of the shops just checking us out  😁.

Hubby has been extremely busy with clocks, having up to 15 at a time lined up. It did get a bit hectic when he brought 4 onto the deck and they all chimed at the same time .... noisy. !!

Even though I have not advertised for work since my op I had a super busy  run last week, which kept me at the machine every day. I cannot say my knee is 100%. There is still a lot of sharp pain and weakness which is to be expected. I get tired very quickly when walking and stairs can be a challenge.

Last week it was the Bears turn for birthdays and on Saturday we all met at their house for a delicious birthday brunch celebration.  It was BigBear's 40th Birthday so a big milestone.  Poppet was also there, she is still not driving but walking mostly without crutches and just her boot.  She is healing well thank the Lord.  JB and I stayed over as they had a big evening planned with their friends.  Fortunately we planned on staying until tomorrow beacause, this morning their Nanny phoned to say her son is ill and she could not come in. God always knows what is ahead.  P.s. that is why I am running a little late with today's Blog 🤦🏼‍♀️

Big Guy is absolutely loving his new job and it is such a relief and joy to see him happy and loving what he does.  Princess had a rough month with back to back doses of flu.  She is still coughing but much better.  Oh how much I miss them both, especially at times like this when we are all together.  

Last week to my horror the municipality came and chopped down all the trees on our pavement. I understand why as they were aliens, planted before we bought the house, but for anyone  who knows me, I have a passion for trees and now we look straight out to the palisade fence and dirt road.  Zero shade or privacy.  The upshot of this is that some urgent goggling is taking place to find the biggest, fastest growing tree / shrub to grow along the fence, an indigenous one as well. Hmmppfff.

When I get home I need to sew some sheer curtains for the deck. This Io am doing in faith that they will not retain moisture and get mildew like the last lot did. That was an expensive mistake in ignorance. 

Folks that is my news for the.past month. It was busy, happy and fulfilling.  I pray you all have a wonderful September, that spring is kind and mild.  Stay safe please and stay healthy.  Ciao Ciao

Dash having his first Pupaccino.

Ferdi the Squish Frog which I was asked to make

My Life's Winding Roads: August, known as birthday month

My Life's Winding Roads: August, known as birthday month:   Good morning one and all coming to you from a very windy Betty's Bay.  Currently I believe that even the Meteorologists know what is g...

August, known as birthday month

 Good morning one and all coming to you from a very windy Betty's Bay.  Currently I believe that even the Meteorologists know what is going to happen from day to day.  This past week we had two intense cold fronts pass through one after the other, ending on Friday. Yesterday was typical spring day, no clouds, a gentle breeze,  just perfect. From last night we have had a hot berg wind pumping. Tomorrow 99% rain and cold fronts 🤷🏼‍♀️, it really is hard trying to keep up.

First up in news is that Big Guy has a job. Wow talk about stressful but also a major faith growing time.  He went for an interview last Tuesday and, on Friday got the call to say the job was his. He starts on the 18th and it is only God who could have made this happen.  Thank You Lord..

Next up, it has been anything but a quiet, boring month. 🤦🏼‍♀️. On the weekend of the 13th Poppet went away with friends and whilst walking among some rocks, stepped off a rock badly and hurt her foot. She walked around on it for a  couple or days before seeing the Dr who immediately sent her for scans and xrays. These revealed a spiral break in her ankle and 3 torn ligaments.  She was in surgery two days later and is now two weeks into a long recovery. Her initial cast was removed this week and she is now wearing a boot and allowed 12% weight bearing. So praying for a complete healing for her.  A friend of hers flew Princess down for a few days over the surgery period to just be with Poppet and help her adjust.

Princess is back in Gauteng and back into the swing of Varsity life. I am hoping this semester is a little kinder and gentler than the last one 🙏🏻

JellyBean and I had a wonderful weekend of babysitting our little Prince, when I was at 6 weeks recovery.  My recovery was going well and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend time with him, BigBear and MamaBear.  I did however something not quite too bright.  They have a very, very steep driveway and I walked down to the car with my case and not using my crutch, twice.  Not clever.  Since then I have had severe pain under my knee and can walk, for a little while before it becomes too severe.  So off to the Physio  tomorrow and hopefully get a solution. 🙏🏻

That brings me to this weekend.  Can you believe that on Tuesday our little Prince turns One?  This is a year that has absolutely flown past. He has reached so many goals and achievements and started walking properly a bit wobbly, last week.  Oh my word what a precious little blessing he is.  So grown up and yet still a baby.  Every time we see him he is doing new things and is our little sunshine. Yesterday was his First Birthday Party and what a perfect day.  All their friends were there and it was an absolute  joy and memorable birthday celebration. The food was out of this world as well.  Congrats guys on such a special, perfect day

Work wise ... I had my first sewing / mending job come in this week and have another on my table waiting for me.  I have really enjoyed  the break and being able to crochet.  I advertised Hooked_in_Luv on our local business site and was blessed to have my first official customer and order. It also made me realize that I need to build up more stock.  I also went shopping and bought all the little things I wanted for  packaging of the orders.  I also was sent a pattern which I tried and our Munchkin was the first recipient of Ferdi the Frog.  Ferdi has arms and legs which when you pull the arm the leg disappears and vice versa. Once I got on the bandwagon I made some more sensory toys for him including sensory bottles which has been so satisfying and great fun.  I really do enjoy that kind of thing. Currently on my needles is a lovely cardigan which is almost finished, for gues who........ you got it a certain little Munchkin.

Well folks, as I said , a far from boring month as well as being  extremely busy.  On that note I am going to relax for the rest of the day and wish you all a blessed month ahead. Stay safe and stay well.  Ciao Ciao.

Yesterday's sunset just out of Gordon's Bay looking across to the Peninsula. 

Ferdi the Frog. 

Birthday time

My Life's Winding Roads: And just like that we enter the second half of 2025

My Life's Winding Roads: And just like that we enter the second half of 2025: Greetings to everyone on this 1st day of the second half of this year.  What a year it has been so far, and as we go into the last half of 2...

And just like that we enter the second half of 2025

Greetings to everyone on this 1st day of the second half of this year.  What a year it has been so far, and as we go into the last half of 2025 and for our family what we call birthday season it promises to get busy.

Well, as usual June proved to be interesting but not as busy as most.  JB and I went through to Babysit the little BabyBear.  He is growing up so fast that every visit is filled with new achievememts and milestones.  He is crawling everywhere and standing and walking along any surface, just not walking on his own yet.  Don't be in a hurry Munchkin enjoy every little step.  This past weekend he said Mama for the first time 🥰 and as we haven't seen him for three weeks we are missing him so much.  

I had my Total Knee Replacement on the 10th, the day after we came back from Hout Bay .  Hmmm the surgery went very well and after spending one night in hospital I was discharged the following day.  I will say this... this operation was a WHOLE bunch more painful than I was expecting, and I can handle pain pretty well.  I started off with a "walker" / Zimmer frame which truly was the most comfortable way to get around.  The Specialist Surgeon I have keeps very up to date on methods, robotic surgery etc, he has an App which patients download.  It keeps you on a daily schedule re exercises, what to expect recovery wise, a chat to contact them if you are worried about anything, an all in one communication guide which has been very helpful and kept me on track.  I noticed the last few days the incision site was more red than usual but the dressing was clean and dry.  This morning I saw the Dr's nursing Sister who removed the dressing and gave me a thumbs up. It looks good and is a very neat incision. The redness is in direct relation to me overdoing things and trying to do more than I should. So im back on one crutch and ice therapy three times a day. So I guess I'm not going to be driving in this next week or so. On that note JellyBean has been an absolute star and my right hand in everything.

As I write this I have the greatest joy in saying that Princess and Sunshine are here with us.  She/ they saved up and booked  tickets down as a surprise for Poppet.  What joy it is to see them relaxing and just having them here. Yesterday Poppet brought them through and we had a lovely lunch together before she went back home.  Last night we played an old family card game before watching tv.  I miss them so much during the year, this feels like Christmas.  👏❤️. 

After all the weather predictions that we were going to have a drier than normal winter, the last week and a half have totally turned that theory upside down.  My goodness. For the whole of last week had unceasing rain, rain and more rain.  The result was that in many parts of the Cape this resulted in severe flooding.  Thankfully our ground at home is very dry and rocky and we experienced no floods and ... no leaks, for the first time in 9 years. Woohoo. But oh boy was it cold, maybe not as cold as up country but with the wind and rain it was COLD, colder than normal for the Cape.  Yesterday the sun shone for the first time in almost 10 days and today is the same. We have gone through all our wood and are needing to order some more. 🪵

What is on my needles at the moment ? I am busy knitting JB a pair of socks. My next project is a cardigan for Munchkin and then I want to make myself a Battenburg Throw. Lots of small single colour granny squares, in a set amount of chosen colours and joined together with white or off white similar to an afgan.  Last week I repaired a jersey for a client.  She purchased it in Peru, an exquisite pure wool cardigan which had a hoodie.  This lady did not like the hoodie so I was able to undo it and replace it with just a normal band collar. Thankfully she was very happy with the result.  That has been all the work I've done as it was hand work. See pic below.

Well folks there is only so much to write about when you have been housebound for three weeks haha. Everyone in the family is well and busy. Big Guy is still looking for a job and all our prayers are there and trusting God for the perfect job, soon in Jesus Name.

Ciao ciao. Take care and be safe please.

Charlie and Dash in their puffer jackets.

The altered Peruvian Jersey

My Life's Winding Roads: June and the onset of winter, eventually 👏

My Life's Winding Roads: June and the onset of winter, eventually 👏: Good morning family and friends. Seeing as today is the 1st of the month, I thought I would surprise you all with an early post 😉.  Winter ...

June and the onset of winter, eventually 👏

Good morning family and friends. Seeing as today is the 1st of the month, I thought I would surprise you all with an early post 😉.  Winter has finally arrived in the Western Cape, not as cold as I would like but it is here.  I said this morning,  out of all the different towns and homes I've lived in, in some of the coldest places of this country, I have only lived in one house that had a fireplace, which didn't work properly.  Ho Humm.  Now we have an awesome stove in the fireplace and it's not as cold 🥲.

Where has this year gone and on the other hand so much has happened that it seems New Year was forever ago.  May, as usual was a busy month, busy it seems is the new normal.  

JB and I went through twice to Hout Bay to assist with and babysit little BabyBear a.k.a. the Prince, Munchkin. He is growing so fast and reaching milestones so that every visit there is something new.  Now that he is crawling he is everywhere and yet stops as soon as he hears "no, shoo shoo, nee" (at least he doesn't laugh at my Afrikaans 😂) . It is hard to believe that in 4 days he will be 10 months old.  With each visit we have had the best time of fellowship with both BigBear and MamaBear. We are off again this weekend coming, yippee.

The rest of the family are all doing well. Hubby is out sailing today and as always busy with clocks.  One that he is working on was made in the 1700's.  Princess has had flu (more than once 😥), Poppet had some good news and moving around at work which is what she had prayed for. Big Guy has had a challenging month as his car (which is old) died over Easter. The timing belt had snapped and damaged the engine.  It took until this week to be repaired and delivered back to him. Then his company laid off some staff, of whom he was one. He negotiated a severance package and is currently looking everywhere for a new job. We are all standing with him in prayer. Then to top it off, he  had been given notice that the owner of his apartment wanted to sell 🤦‍♀️.  Good grief... his rental agent found another apartment which he viewed on Friday. He was in the process of accepting the new lease when the owner called, he had decided not to sell but to renew the lease for another year without an increase in rental. So two out of three challenges sorted and off the prayer list.  

On the four dotted family front  Dash and Charlie twice unpotted one of my snake plants I had in a pot on the deck 🤦‍♀️. It seems it is their payback at being left alone.  Little Zeepha has, I think the the sight in her right eye.  It does not seem to bother or hinder her at all and I am just keeping an extra eye on her (pardon the pun). 

There was some excitement locally this week when an Elephant Seal decided to go walk about in Gordon's Bay.  Gordy (now named) left the ocean and got himself through the suburb, over main roads, about 5 km inland. As you can imagine he caused quite a stir and became an overnight sensation. It took many hours of well coordinated work with security and animal welfare working together to keep him safe. The cars formed a moving wall keeping him on the sidewalks until the necessary equipment arrived,  loaded him and then released him about 20 kms away along Clarence Drive far away from suburbia.  The next day he popped up 45 kms away on the other side of False Bay, and then he settled further down the coast in Simonstown, at the Naval Base where he proceeded to sun himself and recover from his adventure. In typical South African fashion and sense of humor the social media posts and company ads had him front and centre before he was even relocated.  Stay safe Gordy. 

I had to eventually make the decision that it is time to go ahead with my right knee replacement.  Ugh.  This past week I spent half a day at the Hospital seeing the Anaethatist, sisters, Surgeon, pre admission and admission. It now done and organized.  I go in on the 10th June and am scheduled for theatre at 11.30.  I can't say I'm looking forward to this, but I needed to bite the bullet and get it done.

The little sweater I was knitting for Munchkin came out beautifully and what really surprised me was that it took just a little over one 100gr ball of wool. What my mind is trying to figure out is, what the difference is between the sweater and a cardigan.  The cardigan pattern calls for 5 balls of wool 🤔.  I may have alluded over the last couple of months, to something that I have been working on, and now I have taken the leap (a huge  one for me).  I have started a little online business, advertising on Instagram for now. It is called Hooked.in.Luv and the idea came from all the little things I have made since BabyBear was born.  I am making and selling 100 % Pure Cotton Olly Octopuses (named after my late Dad), Wooden Teething Rings treated with Coconut Oil, Worry Worms, and No Fall Snap Straps, which attach to highchairs, prams, baby seats, car seats, hiking seats etc and are adjustable. See the link at the end of this Blog and I will add it in my Bio.

Well folks that's the news for now, there won't be too much running around for me this month, just mostly recovery and getting mobile.  I wish you all all a blessed month, face your challenges head on and let your faith in God carry you through.  He never fails or leaves us.  

Ciao ciao for now.

Instagram Link :  www.instagram.com/hooked.in.luv    Please feel free to share the link to far and wide.

Shop Images.

Hout Bay warm and Cosy with Panda being curious.

👏