Project life | 3rd week of October

I'm really so fond of this project. I don't see myself ever not doing a Project life in one form or another.

About the underwater photo, bottom right: No underwater camera? No problem. I used my small Canon, switched on the self timer, placed it in a glass jar and sealed the lid on top. Then I placed the jar underwater, with-out fully immersing it (lid part still above water). It was probably very fortunate timing, but we snapped this photo with the first attempt, capturing his new diving adventures.  

This weekend: Strawberry picking

One of my favourite things to do is explore new places. Another favourite is to give our kids a taste of country life, even though we live in a big city. If we can do both of these with an easy 45 min drive out of town, then even beter.

This week-end we headed for Tangaroa farm near Hartbeespoort Dam. It had a picnic area next to a duck pond, and wide open fields with rows of strawberry plants and some mullberry trees full of fruit. One is allowed to go in and pick and eat as much as you like, but, because crops are not that abundand yet, not allowed to take anything home. It was quite hot- you're only allowed in after ten, so we preferred the shade of the trees. The strawberries are organically farmed which meant that you could pick them and eat them. Juicy and sunwarmed. I loved the feeling of space and quietness as you walked, looking for ripe strawberries. And that the kids had space to safely explore.

We had lunch on a blanket next to the pond. Only later noticing that we were within arms reach of a nest of white duck eggs. The parents were quite mellow, more interested in some bread bits. Later we noticed another duck sitting quietly on a nest inside a barn area. We walked past her a few times before noticing her.

On the way home we briefly stopped at a Dutch cheese farm (Van Gaalens). I loved all the names of the Dutch imported sweets. There were packets of those old fashioned heart shaped candies saying "modern" things like "Fax mij" -fax me, and "bel mij" - phone me.

Here's a lay-out I did of the day, using a Katie Pertiet (Designer digitals) template. Other products are also from Designer Digitals.

And a link to the Strawberry farm's website: http://www.tangaroa.co.za/ .

A morning at Brenthurst gardens...

A friend of mine invited me to a fundraising walk at a garden, with some tea at the pool to finish it off. Still being fairly new to Jhb, I had no idea what to expect, except for an approximately 3 hour walk (so it must be a big garden, I thought). It was 16 hectares big actually.

When we arrived at the parking area this morning, we drove past Strilli Oppenheimer. I recognised her from a magazine article I once read about her groundbreaking indigenious gardening. I was amazed that she took the time to personally welcome us (a little group of 20 Moms geared with broadbrimmed hats and sandals) to the estate that's been the home of Oppenheimer family since 1920. I enjoyed how natural and unassuming she came across. There were (understandably) no camera's allowed, and I surprisingly enjoyed just walking and enjoying without needing to photograph the beauty around every corner.

The walk was an absolute feast of sights, fragrances and interesting stories, our guide having been in charge of the gardens for a few years (hope I have that right!). Like the story of how the 2000 year old Cycad (carbon tested), was swopped for one of the Oppenheimer horses (since no money in the world could buy either one).

I especially loved the sculptures and their stories. The Renoir sculpture, {yes, I saw a Renoir!!!, yes, he sculpted too!} was done towards the end of his life, sitting in a wheelchair, and using a bamboo stick to point a student to what needs to be carved away. Her cheekbone is done is such a way that she looks like a young woman from the side, but as you come around the corner, she looks much older.(That's a photo of her in the brochure at the top).

 The sculpture of Scott's (think South Pole expiditions) son, done by his mother. Loved this because my husband has such an interest in the story. And the 6 metre high man and woman scullptures, expressing both the story of Eve made from Adam, and the deeper (and for years not known ) story of the artist's pain of losing their firstborn to adoption was quite moving too.

I loved the old trees: the purples, blues and deep reds. The grasses with little bell shaped flowers, tasting a sour "spekplantjie". The organic vegetable garden, how they work with nature. The arches and little paths. The changing moods of the different gardens. The fact that it is allowed to put on a seasonal coat. Birdsong and butterflies...I loved hearing that by not fertilizing your plants, it's allowed to become stronger.

The pool at the end of the walk was of course nothing like the picture I originally had in my mind. It wasn't blue or square :) It had lillies floating on the water, and irisses flowering in purple. We quenched our thirst with homemade mullberry juice.

I love natural gardens, and I love stories. This garden for me is the story of the power of a woman. From that first Eve who misused her power, or didn't realize the extent of her power, to the power of the Lady (don't have her name now) who rode her horse to the top of that hill, loved the view and persuaded her husband to build a house there, resulting in the sought after Parkhurst neighbourhood. To the creative power of renowned garden designer  Joanne Pim, and Mrs Scott, who made the statue of her sun loving son, to the power of a mother's love portrayed in the Man and Woman statue. To Strilli Oppenheimer who used her power to create something so beautiful, something that reminds us that our view of what beauty is have been corrupted, and taking it back to what is natural, as God intended it. It reminds me of every woman's power, that God calls us (His Bride) a garden (Song of songs 4 & 5). That He made us for delight. "Let the beauty and delightfulness and favour of the Lord our God be upon us.."! Ps 90 v 17.

If you would like to go feast your eyes, visit their website here: http://www.brenthurstgardens.co.za/  and take the time to look at the gallery and also the descriptions of the statues, and various wild, informal and formal gardens.

Paint on...

I recently (via pinterest) discovered a great site for art inspiration for kids. Link here: http://www.deepspacesparkle.com/2011/06/the-years-best-art-lessons/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:%20DeepSpaceSparkle%20(Deep%20Space%20Sparkle)

So yesterday we tried one of the projects. The idea is to divide your page into blocks and paint varius sized circles and rings in the three primary colours, and then experience colour mixing as you go. I painted along, hehe. But as you can see below it was Liam's artwork that is oozing with creativity and expressive confidence. He also had the trait of a real artist to know when to stop and call it good!

  I just felt so thankful for how colourful my life became since becoming a SAH Mom. My wardrobe became so much more colourful (I used to wear a lot of black back in my boardroom days), the washingline is an explosion of colourful kids clothes, painted projects everywhere, new colourful (in the best way) friends...

Ps: You can check out Ali's Thankful thought series here:

http://aliedwards.com/2011/10/thankful-thought-no-7.html

A great way to document the things you're thankful for.

And talking about paint, this is truly just awesome:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=164519210297670

Wishing you a colourful, gratitude filled day!

T-shirt project # 2 : Image transfer.

I recently rather innocently bought a little bottle of image transfer stuff. I ended up being very excited about the possibilities. Here's our project:

You'll need:

1 bottle of "Picture perfect" by Dala (got mine at Westpack at Lifestyle centre)
"Blank" t-shirt
A photocopied picture.

For the picture I used some word-art that I downloaded from somewhere. Unfortunately I didn't manage to save where I got it from when filing it away. But one can even create your own using interesting fonts. Remember to horisontally flip your image in your photo editing program before printing it, as you 'll get a mirror image transferred onto the fabric.

Apply the glue onto the front of the image, then aligning it well, place your picture face down onto the t-shirt.
Using a rolling pin, press down the image. Leave overnight. The next day: First iron the paper. Take a damp facecloth and place it on the paper for about half an hour. Remove and start rubbing the paper. (Paper works much better than cardboard). Keep rubbing till you've removed all the paper, dampening the paper as it dries again, untill you only have the image left over. Be carefull not to rub off any of the image. Apply another layer of glue (you'll end up using very little from your bottle). Iron again, using a cloth. And that's how easy it is to make a unique t-shirt.

Project Life | catching up.

I'm still quite good at finishing up my week's documenting at the end of every week. I just love this project that much, that it is one of those things that I actually keep "working" on. But I didn't get around to adding finishing touches and posting them. So here's my Project Life for the last 3 weeks:

You can click on an image to enlarge it. The cute text bubbles were a freebie from Audrey Neal (Every  Day Celebrations) at Design House Digitals. If you sign up you get weekly and monthly freebies.

The photo frame is from Carla Dudley, also Design House Digitals, http://www.designhousedigital.com/kit-types/freebies, the tags are from Katie Pertiet, Designer Digitals. Read more about Project Life here: http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/.

Seen and heard around here

I've had an Elise Gray diary for most almost every year of my adult life. It's purpose has evolved somewhat from a place where I wrote long pour-my-heart-out "dear diary" paragraphs, to a place now where I keep track of our months, and schedule in commitments and dates.

But I also now use it to note down things the kids say. Those things that make me smile or grin or laugh out loud. Those gems I want to remember for years to come, and especially in years to come.

Some of the things noted in the past month:

Liam (4) when he did something right : "Say thank you to Super Liam!"

Reuben (6) making up his own worship song. ("He has the biggest dinosuar in his hands"... etc)

Liam, repeating (incorrectly) something heard on tv "Ow, a crowmoach (iso cockroach) in my house. I don't think so!"

Reuben, when asked what is his hearts desire " He wants his tooth to fall out, so he can get some money from the toothmouse".

Liam, while waiting for 2 minute noodles: "Why is it taking so loooong?!"

Reuben: " Mom, you must have done something right somewhere. I'm takingthe washing down for you."

Liam, after we read the story of Jesus walking on the water and me explaining that there is nothing impossible for Him, with big eyes asks:  "Can He shoot out of his fingers?"

I've also seen Reuben's excellent report card.  His grade R Teacher's comment at the end describes him as independant and responsible, with good manners. He is cooperative and is a pleasure to have in class.

Going through the report I explained to him what I was reading. When I told him that it says that he can take leadership, he was so excited as if he just got permission to be a leader. That was the best part to him.

They are such a joy!