Lately,

I've been planning... a bridal shower for my best friend and lessons for my kiddos at school.
I've been eating... oranges every day!
I've been dreaming about..... writing a cookbook and owning one of these babies.
I've been splurging on.... novels. The local bookstore had a sale and I went bananas buying ten books which I never heard of before.
I've been reading... "The English Patient" by Michael Ondaantje. I've seen the movie ages ago. The book was on a friend's shelf and I decided to give it a try. Love it so far.
I've been wearing.... cardigans and flenny dresses. They are lovely and warm.
I've been praying for.... Oliver to come back.
I've discovered.... that spinach makes a nice (warm) substitute for lettuce and the joys of cake pops
I've been struggling with.... getting my ass to the gym.
I've been happy about... the first signs of spring and an upcoming wedding. 
I've been inspired by.... .a new cookbook, my  neighbours garden with it's pretty Camellia's and this amazing project. Check out their Facebook page. You won't be sorry!
I've been indulging in ..... oatmeal with peanut butter and fried banana. I got the delicious idea from here and it might just be my favorite breakfast food ever.
I've been creating... worksheets and 3rd term files. It's back to school...and back to reality.

A Weekend in Pictures # 21

 

This weekend was rainy and cold. We stayed inside, taking cat naps, reading and drinking tea. When the sun did come out, we braved a walk but midway the rain caught up with us and we had to take shelter in a beautiful old church. But despite the weather, proof is there that spring is on it's way....and I couldn't be happier about it.

Am I going a bit potty?

Never in a million years would I have imagined myself swooning over a brochure advertising pots...let alone considered paying a small fortune for orange cookware. But here I am, totally smitten with  Le Creuset's "Flame" collection, and I don't even mind that I am sounding a little crazy!

I mean to say, with it being French, guaranteed for life and oh so pretty, I really can't be blamed for wanting to spend all my savings on obtaining the entire collection.

67 minutes

Today is Nelson Mandela's birthday and to celebrate it the Nelson Mandela Foundation made a call to donate 67 minutes of one's time to serve others.
After devoting 67 years of making beautiful South Africa a place of liberty and democracy, that's really not asking for much.

What did we do?

 

 

Well.....we peeled, chopped, grated and boiled until we had the perfect soup to hand out to the way-to-many people without homes that sleep on the sidewalk just down the street from where I live. How terribly easy it was to find hungry people. How terrifying that we are so accustomed to turning a blind eye. How sad that it takes an icon of hope's birthday to remind us that we have a responsibility.

Lets not wait for another year to pass?! Lets do this on a regular basis?! Once a month?! More? Yes!!!

At 94 Mandela still has the power to inspire!
Happy birthday Madiba. You are loved.

A Weekend in Pictures # 20

This past weekend I headed back home to celebrate my sister's birthday. She turned 25 and we have a tradition of singing happy birthday as the clock strikes 12.  After taking only a couple of snaps, my camera's battery died and silly me forgot to pack in the charger so this week I'll leave you with a collection of vacation photos instead. Three glorious weeks I spend doing very little.

Pretty Camellia from my neighbours garden * sister's birthday breakfast in bed * soaking up the sun *  afternoon walks * studying * baguette and cheese lunch * pretty places to discover * coffee shop lovin' * road tripping * country pumpkins.

Happy Monday!

I don't know why I like this song, but I really love it!

Hope you have a lovely week!

Lately,

I've been planning...on doing absolutely nothing! It's school vacation and I've been spending my days waking up late, reading, studying french and soaking up the winter sun.
I've been eating...hearty soup from pretty coffee shops, chicken bake with prunes and chocolate covered rice cakes.
I've been listening to..... Jack Johnson, Louis Armstrong and a lot of Counting Crows.
I've been dreaming about..... taking a sabbatical.
I've been splurging on....  these skin care products and glass mugs.
I've been learning...basic accounting, a little bit of French and how good it feels to be well prepared.
I've been wearing.... the most comfy skinny jeans, coats  and warm woolly shocks
I've been praying for.... time to stand still and my kitten to come back. Oliver ran away and I am heartbroken.
I've discovered.... hidden away coffee shops in Cape Town and the joys of cooking. 
I've been struggling with....cold hands, procrastination and planning in such a way that I don't feel overwhelmed with all the things I still need to get done.
I've been happy about... a unexpected spending money surprise and trip to the countryside
I've been inspired by.... this lady. I am currently reading her biography and man, she was awesome! Jamie Oliver's  Ministry of Food is right on top of the list when it comes to my favorite cookbooks.
I've been indulging in ..... corma curry made from scratch, sleeping in and afternoon walks in the city.
I've been creating... neat, organised spaces.

A Weekend in Pictures # 19

This past weekend, we headed back to my beloved Sutherland for a week of country life. It was wonderful. We read, slept in, had late breakfasts and dined on lamb pie and stews well into the night. We played board games and went for leisurely walks in the field, searching for artifacts and finding tiny skeletons. We baked bread, played with the cat, huddled up in front of the fire and spend entire days doing nothing. We drank red wine and fed the neighbours geese. We listened to the local radio station and laughed at our own silliness. We wore pajamas most of the time and warm water bottles became a necessity. We made friends with an old dog and laughed at my jealous cat. We saw rainbows and the prettiest of sunsets and almost cried when it was time to leave. It was lovely!

And I am afraid I'm turning into quite the country pumpkin.

Happy Monday!

A special favorite!

Happy Monday!!!