I can hardly believe it is October...

Good morning all on this first day of October, apart from being a new month it is also a week of birthdays in our family, we really seem to group them up.  We had a very pleasant week weather wise and a fairly warm weekend, then today dawned overcast with a cool wind and rain forecast for later, I have no idea what the weather is doing haha.

Last week was quite busy getting caught up in the house and being back into routine, as well as recovering for JellyBean and I.  On Thursday my dearest Hubby woke up with the dreaded 'tummy bug' and so he had a couple of very quiet days and is much better now. I am struggling through a Fibro flare at the moment which is kind of expected after my trip and then not being well, this too shall pass.  I have not done any crafting and very little baking as a result but will get back into things shortly.

Sadly #cece_the_blind_kitten is not responding as we had hoped on the medication.  There was an initial improvement for the first week or so and then last week she started circling all the time and her aggression level has increased again.  We were told it take four to six weeks to see proper effects to will push on but at this point it is not looking promising, I can only pray that something will click in her brain, as the last thing I want to do is to make the decision to have her put down.  Currently she is only calm and happy when she is asleep or eating and even her sleep pattern has changed in that she does not sleep as long as she used to. #myheartissore

This week is Poppet's birthday and Hubby two days later so a special week for us as a family.  Everyone is doing well, all the usual challenges that life throws at us are being conquered.  BabyBear is preparing for her semi-location to Johannesburg, BigBear is seeing a specialist for a sore knee.  Big Guy needs a holiday and three weeks of solid sleep and rest  :).  Poppet and Princess are loving their new routine as a result of the new job and are sounding much more relaxed.  Princess is on school holidays this week, Poppet has her birthday on Wednesday and then her boyfriend arrives for a ten day visit on Thursday, so a big week for them.  We on the other hand are planning for Hubby's birthday and hopefully a normal, healthy, pain free week.

Everyone I seem to speak to is going through hardship in so many different areas, mainly financial and I would like to just encourage you all with this.  Even though it seems interminable and you can't see light at the end of the tunnel, it will turn around and you will enter a new season.  I really can speak from experience that no matter what hardship/challenge you are facing, it will end and turn around.  People would say to me that God never allows you to go through something you can't handle and I would get so angry thinking hadn't I proved I was strong enough, yet, out of each battle I fought I emerged stronger, wiser and with more empathy for others.  God says in His Word in Psalm 37 v 25 I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken , nor his seed begging for bread.  In Deuteonomy 31 v 6. He says - Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, the the Lord Your God goes with you;  " He will never leave you nor forsake you."  We were never promised a life of ease and never a challenge BUT, God always makes a way for us IF we put Him first and allow Him to work in our lives.  These are just two of  many scriptures to hold onto in the tough times, whether it be health, relationships, financial, work, children, whatever it is you are going through God can and will carry you through if you allow Him to, you just need to hand over the reigns of trying to figure it out and rather listen to what He is trying to tell you, it's most often that still small voice that shows us the way forward or strengthens us to keep on standing though the storm.  Don't give up friends, every season has a start and a finish and if you are in the middle, know this ........ It will end.

On that note I am going to say Ciao Ciao for now and pray that you have a wonderful week of victory and success, please stay safe and always be aware of at is going on around you.

My precious floofy cuddle bunny -Jasper.

What a week - back home !!

Good morning folks from a delightfully sunny but NOT hot Betty's Bay, after the heatwave of last week it is pure joy.  Well ......... What a week is putting it mildly hehe,  as you know when I arrived Princess was really ill poor little soul, I kept her at home until Wednesday and only discovered later in the week that it was some bug that was absolutely rampant up there, to the point that one of the local Primary Schools actually closed completely.  We had such a special time though and did all sorts of Granny / Granddaughter things, watched loads of television and laughed until our sides ached, we made heaps of precious memories that will last us forever.  It was such a relief when she felt better by Thursday and then after I had dropped her off at school  for no reason and out of nowhere I came down with a raging cold #facepalm #really????  At first I thought it was hay fever but nope, I actually cannot remember when last I had a cold or flu and was far from being a happy camper.

Is spite of all the health challenges we still had a wonderful week, although I had no idea I would miss home, my Darling Hubby, Jelly Bean and the zoo so much, but I did.  Jelly Bean spent most of the week with BigBear and BabyBear and she too came down with the same 'bug', which messed with her week as well.  She is still not over it but we are getting here there slowly.  My amazing Hubby coped like the absolute star that he is, he kept the home fires burning, all the animals healthy and well, even  #cece_the_blind_kitten has continued to slowly improve on her meds which I can only thank God for.

Poppet had a fantastic week in Sydney, Australia, so many firsts that she conquered and flourished with.  She took Ferry trips, explored, went to night markets, did wonderfully at work and has already become part of the team.  Big Guy had his usual insanely busy week, I simply do not know how he does it.  BigBear and BabyBear hosted Jelly Bean so beautifully, took delivery of their new vehicle and then on Friday left to drive inland about five or six hours to meet up with her Mom and Step Dad for a long weekend in the Karoo.  They are currently on their way back as today is a Public Holiday in South Africa.

On Saturday Princess and I tracked Poppet's plane, she literally had THE longest day of her life, and lef for the airport arriving about five minutes before she was due to land, hmmmmmm  opulent you know it, her plane was delayed and so after having something to nibble and drink there we sat, people watching.  Once she landed it took a further TWO hours for their luggage to come through ? Seriously that was absolutely ridiculous especially at the end of a fourteen hour flight.  Her plane also had the Wallaby Rugby Team on board, although their luggage came through way before anyone else's.  As you can imagine she was completely exhausted, in fact over tired by the time she arrived, it will take a couple of days to find her feet.  Thankfully we had made dinner before we left so we could back to a good home cooked meal.

Yesterday after a slow start we went through to Big Guy to say goodbye and he made the most amazing lunch - it was superb.  I am so very proud of the awesome people my kids have become, and what incredible cooks.  Your guys rock my world !!!  The girls took me to the airport where we had a last coffee together and so many laughs before I boarded my plane and came home to a wonderful green, cool Cape.  There is no comparison between the two Provinces, they are complete opposites.  Last week in Pretoria the temperatures soared to 39 c, the sky up there is constantly grey/brown from all the pollution and it is so dry (summer rainfall area) that everything is brown.  The people are always in such a hurry that you feel rushed every second.   As our plane started descending last night I saw snow on the mountains and so many little dams below us, I could literally feel myself relaxing. Being able to sleep under our feather duvet in winter jammies was just the cherry on the cake to me being home.

I miss my up country family more than words can say, but I do not miss one other thing and thank the Lord daily for putting us here in my beloved Betty's Bay.  Today is a catch up day, no housework as
Hubby did such a good job, lots of cuddling with Cece and fighting off the 'Fibro' lash back from
travelling and being unwell.

Friends, slightly longer Blog than usual but this week all will be back to normal as everyone settles back into their normal rhythms.  I wish you all a fabulous week ahead, don't be afraid to attempt new
things and spread your borders as you step out.  Be safe and stay aware our there, Ciao Ciao for now.

The gorgeous mountain behind our house

Coming to you from Pretoria

Good afternoon one and all, I trust everyone is well.  Today's Blog is coming from a squelching hot Pretoria,  it is 34c outside #verysadface.  Wow ok where to start ...... We had a fairly busy week what with one thing and another, also there always seems to be so much to do before going away.  We also managed a couple of visits with our friends back from Europe and Pupster has been to visit a couple of times. He loves running around our garden, and has actually run a path around the house haha.  Happily  #cece_the_blind_kitten appears to be responding well to her new medication, I have not lost any skin or shed any blood for five days which is a record given her recent track record. We continue to pray that as every dose is absorbed so she will improve, at the moment my ever patient Hubby is looking after her and ALL the other 'zoo' members and doing a wonderful job.  Thank you my Darling!

On Friday Poppet flew out to Sydney, Australia for her week of training and even managed to do a little sight seeing.  Today was her first day at the office and it went very well although she is absolutely exhausted.  Yesterday I flew out from Cape Town at 9.30 am and Jelly Bean went to spend a few days with BigBear and BabyBear, so my precious Hubby is having a few days of 'me' time and I believe he is really missing us both.  He will collect Jelly Bean on Thursday as the 'Bears' are driving to the Karoo to have a weekend with family on a Game Farm, enjoy guys and please drive safely.  Big Guy met me at the airport bless his heart, after only having three hours sleep, he is such a trooper.  Just before I took off I heard that Princess had been up the entire night and was really not well.  We came through and collected a very pale and sad Poppet, unable to keep even basic liquid down, brought her home and she had a bath before insisting that she go with us to lunch.  Shame, poor little thing just sat there looking green and taking tiny sips of water.  Big Guy took us to Old Italy which is a glorious restaurant and the food was truly something else.  I could have spent an absolute fortune there on all the amazing Italian products they sell, we didn't stay very long as Princess really was not good and he was totally exhausted (I do not know how he copes with doing these twenty four hour doubles - hats off to you son).  Not long after we got home the friends Princess had stayed with called and I took her back as B's dad is a Doctor, he looked her
over, gave us some meds and I brought her back where she promptly fell asleep and slept right through til about 9.30 this morning.  She is still very nauseous but definitely looking better than yesterday, the nest step is to try and get some food into her.  We managed a quick chat with Poppet and got her laughing before I dashed off to the supermarket to stock up on some basics and anything I could think of that will stay down.  Hopefully tomorrow she will be back at school and back to her normal bubbly self.  I have managed a chat with Jelly Bean and my Hubby so feeling a little more connected but missing them all. Also thanks to me being so busy and I think the flight, I am super sore so we are just going to relax today and recover.

Folks as you can see I am having a super busy day and to that end I am going to say Ciao Ciao for this week.  I wish you all a wonderful week, go out and spread some love and kindness as you get your week underway.  Please stay safe and always be aware of your surroundings.

My companion since I've been here - introducing Boude!

Cece in a peaceful moment.

Whew time to take a breath.

Good morning everybody I hope you are all well!  Gee whizz I did say it was going to be a busy week, but what an understatement.  Between having to go for Physio, #Cece_the_blind_kitten being absolutely impossible and having everything ready for our dear friends to come home, after being in Europe for four months, and having pupster ready it disappeared very quickly.

Happily the combined Physio and the 3 in 1 injection I had have helped a lot with my back and I am functional with just the odd twinge -yaaaay.  As far as Cece goes #facepalm is the best way to express the last week.  I currently look like I have been doing rounds in a ring with a tiger, which is not too far off the truth.  Her aggression escalated to unknown levels and it was an extremely difficult week.  We have spent the last fourteen days waiting for the Kitty Prozac to arrive and on Friday, due day, the Vet phoned to say "good news Cece's Klomicalm has arrived."  I nearly lost the plot.  Klomicalm is what she has been taking for months, for some reason the Prozac has not been delivered aaaarrgghhhh.  Eventually I spoke to the vet who then wrote a prescription for human Prozac (why didn't we do this two weeks ago?) and I got two pills which I have to divide into 8ths.  She has just had her third dose and although it takes between two to six weeks to see an improvement, we do think there has been a slight reduction in her aggression and panic.  This is really now our last option for her so I am praying that it will work, I will admit to being at the end of my tether at the moment.

All went well with Pupster's transition back home and much to D & E's relief he remembered them and settled down immediately, he is now one very happy boy, even sporting a red bandana hehe.  He as been back to visit twice and then loves showing them all the race circuits he does around the garden, hehe.  Yesterday was the first real Spring day we've had and we were truly blessed and spoilt by being taken out to lunch at the most amazing restaurant,  just in the next Village, it truly is a gem and to say we had a ball would be an understatement, I won't need to cook for a week hahaha - if only.

This morning just after we woke up, we heard a couple of very deep 'booms', thinking it was someone digging in a garden I was not too perturbed, but our trusty Village WhatsApp grapevine very quickly informed us that our S.A. Navy are busy doing manoeuvres with the Brazil and Argentinian Navy in False Bay.  I really feel for the whales because if we could hear it then I have no idea what it is like for them, hopefully it won't interfere with their breeding.

This week is set to be far more sedate although I will be getting ready for my trip up to Pretoria on Sunday, whilst at the same time Poppet will be finishing off at work and getting ready for her trip to Sydney, Australia - she leaves on Friday.  Next week's Blog will come from the other end of the country :D.

Folks, that was our week in a very small nutshell, I have no idea what this week will bring but I do know I am planning to rest and try to recharge my batteries, oh yes and try to keep Cece calm and centred haha.  We have had SO much rain that a tree on the fence with our neighbour has fallen over due to the weight of the creeper which is growing in it - sad face.  I wish you all a wonderful week, full of new opportunities and loaded with blessings.  Please stay safe and always be aware of your surroundings.

Some pics of the stormy weather last week,  one from the front deck and the other from the back door.

These little Mousebirds are amongst my favourite as they queue for nectar.

Spring is here, or is supposed to be

Good morning folks on this first Monday of Spring, I trust you are all well and ready to embrace the new week before us.  I have absolutely no illusions that this week is going to be quiet, it is set to be incredibly busy.  Last week was fairly busy, maybe it was a practise run haha.

Our dear friends are returning from four months in Europe which means the Pupster will be going home and we are going to sort out as much as we can for them tomorrow and Wednesday before they land.  While one of us goes through to the airport the other will be at the house with a bouncing teenaged puppy awaiting his Mommy and Daddy's return, I am sure that if he understood he would start walking now.

Last week was of a different rhythm altogether.   After having had a 'niggly' back for a couple of days,  on Tuesday after my precious Hubby left to go and play golf in Darling, along the West Coast, I pulled the duvet and landed flat on my face on the bed as the spasm knocked my legs out from beneath me.  In retrospect it was quite funny if it hadn't been so sore, even Poppet laughed when I told her.  This 'trend' continued for the next two days, at almost every thing I did I found myself face to face with some strange surfaces,  anyway I went to the clinic and she gave me a big three-in-one injection which helped enormously, for a day LOL.  Next it was off to the Physio, who is blind but incredibly good.  It is improving but taking a lot longer than it has in the past #sadface, I have just come back from a second session with him and am now glued to my heating pad.

We are waiting for the new meds for  #cece_the_blind_kitten to arrive, the Vet has prescribed 'Kitty Prozac' for her which should arrive this week and I am hoping I can get her settled on it before I fly up to Pretoria so that Hubby and JellyBean won't have too hard a time with her.  On the Pretoria side all Poppet's visas are through and her tickets are booked, so she is officially off to Australia for a week, lucky girl.  This means that Princess and I will be left to our own devices while she is away, I am looking forward to spending time with that beautiful grand-daughter of mine as well as seeing Poppet and Big Guy.  On the CT side of the family there has been big developments as BabyBear has been transferred within her company to a completely different position, based in Johannesburg.  This is going to be a challenge for both of them as they commute backwards and forwards, but they have  about it and because of who they are, they will make it work.

I cannot say that Spring has actually arrived, maybe I'm in denial that winter is coming to an end.  There is very cold, wet, snowy weather forecast for this week and I am holding onto the fact that our true summer doesn't really start until end October or there about.  Having said that and just put washing on the line I have one eye glued to the mountain keeping an eye on those big black clouds.  Yesterday while I was filling the kettle I saw the most exquisite little bird, it was a Yellow Bishop - the blackest black with bright yellow stripes in his wings and on his back.  It is one of the delights of my day when I stand in the kitchen and watch the huge variety of birds we have coming to feed.

Folks, not the most exciting of weeks as far as news is concerned, but I am quite convinced that the next few days will be more than enough to keep us busy and entertained.  I wish you all a blessed week, make the most of all the opportunities that come your way and, when things aren't going according to plan take a few minutes to add up all your blessings.  It is so easy to focus on the negative and feel sorry for ourselves that we then completely overlook all our blessings - our families, friends, the roof over our heads, our health, the food on the table, maybe you did something you've never done before, achievements, the list goes on and on when you sit down and start thinking about it.  Until next week Ciao Ciao and please stay safe and aware out there.

One of the smaller waterfalls behind us

Brrrrrrrrrrr it is cold

Good morning everyone, I trust you are all well on this cold and windy Monday?  Shoooo we have had some really cold weather, quite definitely the coldest since we have lived here.  Saturday all day the Cape was battered with gale force winds and then late in the afternoon the rain arrived with a passion.  We woke up yesterday morning to mounds of hail in the garden which is almost unheard of down here and positively Arctic air, and the situation has remained pretty much unchanged.  The wind is not gale force but is very strong and it is wet and cold, says she with a big grin.

I need to rectify something I wrote last week when I said I made a rye bread.   Ahemmmm, when I read the recipe on the flour packet on the Saturday I saw it had vinegar in it, when I made the bread last Sunday I mentioned to Hubby that it was weird I didn't add vinegar #doublefacepalm.  Well ........... Turns out I had two packets of stoneground flour one white bread and one rye, I made the white bread recipe.  Some will call this old age I choose to call it experimentation LOLOL.  I then made the rye bread during the week which was not nearly as good.  Yesterday I decided to redo the white bread recipe as it was really delicious and didn't hurt any tummy's, after very clearly looking to make sure I had the right flour I set to work and what came out can only be described as a monster hahaha.  The loaf came out perfectly, the best texture and crumb I've ever achieved, but, the loaf was absolutely enormous, I took a picture of the loaf next to a dinner plate and it dwarfed the plate, see pic below.  Next time I believe I will split the dough and make two loaves hehehe.

Last week was indeed busy as I guessed it would be, we had a trip through to  Hermanus and even went down to the Harbour in the hopes of seeing some of the whales, no such luck sadly.  Then on Thursday we had a trip into Somerset West, caught up on some shopping and then met with BigBear and BabyBear for a birthday celebration dinner (the three of us all have birthdays within one week).  We went to a little bistro which turned out to be delightful, the service was somewhat slow but the food was delicious and there was a lovely 'no rush' atmosphere and we ended up having a truly lovely evening.  Friday dawned and I turned yet another year older, hmmmmm, but I was so blessed by my family and friends that it was a very special day - we did not move from the house and had the fire going, Hubby made dinner and it was wonderful.

The weekend we hunkered down, tied down the house, kept the fire going and kept our noses inside. I worked on my clay projects, my darling Hubby worked on more watches and is doing so well with them. So far he has fixed and returned about eight watches and I am so proud of him.

The family are all doing well with Poppet busy with Visa applications and preparations for her trip to Sydney, while apparently Princess has nine projects to do for school. Big Guy is tired but  well, they have been doing upgrades and renovations at his business. Jelly Bean has been lost in the world of books whilst BabyBear celebrated her birthday yesterday and that leaves BigBear with his coming up on Thursday.  Miss Muffet and her family had an awesome week in Portugal, from all the pics we've seen, and are now back home and getting back into the swing of domesticity.

On the 'zoo'  front all is well.  Pupster only has another week and a half with us as his Mom  and  Dad will be home next week.  We are so looking forward to seeing them and having them back in Betty's Bay.  This morning I have sent off another video of #cece_the_blind_kitten to our vet, as I am hoping to get her onto a medication that will deal more effectively with her seizures and melt downs, as I type this she is currently wrapped up like a little Purrrito and lying on my lap.  Being wrapped up tight is very comforting for her and within seconds she falls asleep which equals great peace in the house hehe.

This morning I have an appointment with the dreaded dentist for a broken tooth, let me say our dentist is fantastic but, I have a 'thing' about dentists especially when it concerns me.  I have had very few good experiences with dentists ughh.
Folks having said that, I am going to bid you farewell for the week and look forward to giving you new updates next Monday.  I wish you all a wonderful week and want to encourage you to make the most of the opportunities that come your way, take time out to smell the roses and just appreciate your surroundings.

Monster bread - stoneground flour.

The Cece Purrrito.

The post with no title

Good morning everyone, it's a new week which means it is brimful of new opportunities and adventures.  Just now I was running around in the wet and freezing cold trying to get a picture of the beautiful waterfalls which are cascading down the mountain, unfortunately there is just too much mist to get a clear shot so I will most likely have to go up in the car to get closer.  That can be next weeks photo.

Well as per usual we never have any two weeks the same and I look forward to seeing what each week brings with it.  Last week Poppet received the news that she got the new job she interviewed for and we couldn't be any happier for her.  She has been with her current company for twelve years and the stress this job has added to her life has been enormous.   It's time for a brand new season in their lives.  Having said that she has to fly to Sydney, Australia in mid September for a weeks training, which will be her first time overseas and also means that I am flying up to Pretoria for the week to stay with Princess and keep their home fires burning.   Tickets are booked and I am looking forward to seeing the family although will desperately miss Hubby, Jelly Bean and the zoo.

Miss Muffet and her family are in Portugal on holiday and from the pictures we have seen are having an absolute ball.  Big Guy is over the flu and back into the flow of things,  BigBear and BabyBear are super busy with all the irons they have in the fire, so everyone is well, happy and busy.    I ended up at the Doctor last week and have just finished a course of antibiotics now I am looking forward to feeling better and actually getting on with all the things I want to do #biggrin.

Now that we don't drive through to Somerset West every day we plan our trips in and then end up with a long list of things to do.  Friday we went in to catch up on a number of things we needed to get done and actually had a great time.  I love shopping especially when most things end up cheaper than you expect and that was pretty much the trend for us.  I got to stock up on some pottery basics, while my darling Hubby got some things he needed for the watch repairs (which is going so well), as well all the other goodies which were needed.  Needless to say when we did get home it was a collective sigh of relief from all three of us to be back in our safe haven hehehe.  We had a super quiet weekend which wasn't really a bad thing as it is very cold and wet here at the moment and we've had the fire going every day.  I got to bake my first Pure Rye Bread which was a surprising success and tastes delicious, definitely better than bought bread.  Sharon 1 - failed bread 0.

Folks I am going to end off for this week as there is much to do, and a really busy week ahead.  I pray each one of you has a good week filled with good health and happy adventures.  Please stay safe out there.