Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Summer Vacation | Things to do with boys in Jozi: Acro Branch Centurion

I thought that I would do a little blurb blogs on some of the stuff we did while we were on vacation, here at home in Jozi (Johannesburg, South Africa).

One of the first places we went to was an activity area for the boys.
Now when you have boys, their energy levels are a bit higher than normal.
The more adrenalin pumped in one day equals MORE energy, so yes there is no slowing down!

Acro Branch, is a wonderful place, filled with Blue Gums that are not indigenous to South Africa.
However, someone very clever person, must be someone with like 10 boy children, added ladders, zip lines, rope bridges to these Blue Gums and made it fun!

There are a few courses that you and your kids can go on.
We spent about 3 hours there and if we were smart and packed a picnic we would have stayed longer.
You can pay up to R150 and go on the course up to 3 times.

Training on how to work through the course

Ready!

Being shown what to do

STOP TAKING PICS!!!





Yay for the ziplines!!!

HeeeeeHaaaaaaa






Love and Light

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

My Tangerine Surprise | Japanese Dress Project

Remember this Brag Blog, and then I realised I actually had to make something from these beautiful Japanese Style Books! These books are awesome and recommended for Beginners, which I am.
It includes patterns, basic techniques and beautiful captures  of the final garments.
I loved them so that I ordered two more:




So the surprise is that I actually ventured stitching something for myself!
My absolute favorite piece from the book, pictured below, is a Tunic.
I love big clothes.


Material of choice:
Gianni Linen
Colour:
I'll just call it Tangerine



Duration of project:
I started the project a month ago, honestly over a month ago, I wanted to wear this number for the Christmas feasts, and I finished it yesterday. But if I had to put a duration on the project sans, time spent on kids, cleaning, socialising, eating, basically time spent on living, then I would say this project is about 5-8 hours long (for a beginner). Including drafting of the actual pattern, cutting, edging and darts!

I did not document this project as most bloggers do, but that is because their stuff ALWAYS turns out so nice and so perfect!!!
That is why I am so surprised!
It actually turned out so nice, a little too big.
That is why I must part with it.



I decided to gift it to my Mom In Love.
She is just one size up from me, and I like to share.


I think I might try and document the next project.

Love and Light
Nicky

Friday, January 18, 2013

Happenings

Its been a while since my last blog, and for someone who complains that their readership is low, its silly! So honestly, its me to blame.

A few things have been happening in my life and I'm not sure if I have the captures (photos) to capture these honest situations.

Happening One:
Recently my Jacques and myself decided that we found a home in Catholicism.
Not sure if you know this about us but we both met at a Theological seminary twelve years ago.
Yep!

I was brought up as an honest baptist girl.
My Dad, having been put through Bible school and very involved in various outreach ministries, is finding this hard to come to terms with. He still loves me though.
And so are other family members.

Honestly, I want to try and write more about my conversion.
The way I feel.
The way my heart skips a beat when I hear
"Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now and forever shall be.
World Without End."
The reverence that comes into my body, mind, soul and heart when I kneel before the Blessed Sacrament.
The deep respect I have for Mary, Mother of Jesus.
A quick note:
My love and adoration of Mary began when my Systematic Theology lecturer at Baptist College, D. Morcorm, presented her to us as "Theotokos" greek for God Carrier, 11 years ago.
More about Mary later.

Jacques and I have always taken our relationship with God beautifully; He really is knitted into our marriage and our friendship and our relationship with the Boys.
By no means am I saying that we have perfected our relationship with Him.
I mean that because we Love God and desire to know Him, to relate to Him, to draw nearer to him;
we have allowed ourselves to fall completely at His risk.

I may not be making sense, but in my heart it does.
I trust that my Life is in His hands and that He will carry me through this.

I'm not sure how you feel, or if you even understand why people would treat us differently, but I would appreciate that you comment on it.

Happening Two:
South Africans begin their new school year in January, actually most schools opened last Monday.
My Boys are homeschooled, two out of the 100 000 homeschoolers in South Africa, so only a small amount of kids being taught at home, here in ZA.

We all have a different reasons for choosing the way our children are educated.
Not sure what mine are right now, but I love them, I want them to learn all the time, and I want them to learn differently; because they are different.

This year Josh, 7, goes into Grade 3, by South African Law, it is an assessment year.
Timetables, assessments, reports and specific pages have to be submitted...
More pressure!
Funny enough, I thought that this would be the year that I would be more of a parent with him and not militant (I can be that way, I'm working through my issues, believe me its hard!).
But you know what...
I'm going to do it, this year, more fun, less pages, I'm thinking about ONLY doing the assessment pages
*Ha! shhhh don't tell!

Lijie, I'm just going to see where he ends up on a day to day basis.
He struggles with auditory processing, and remembering verbal information directly given to him.
Just so you don't get me wrong, the boy knows EVERYTHING that we teach Josh; his stuff ehh let's say he kinda gets it.
(*sigh* much patience is needed with this little number.)

Choosing a curriculum; Christian based, Country based, age appropriate or just winging it because they are your kids...its not easy.

As a homeschool Mommy, I feel like I'm always been looked at, ok, judged, for what I do or don't do. As a family we have chosen a specific way to live, and yes it changes all the time, because we grow and learn all the time, we adapt or we choose not too, in whatever way we feel. However, I'm a woman and not sure about you, but most of the time I just feel judged.

(I know I'm rambling but this is the way my mind is right now)

Happening Three:
So I want to do something.
Start something.
Sew for an income.
I'm not good yet.
But this girl can make BAGS!!
I know!
And craft a few other things.
But I want to make it a Home business.
I have decided on a name and some products.
I have to start making these things and book a table at a craft show soon.
BUT...
I'm going to have to give myself some time.

So any advice would be much appreciated.

And for now, I'm just going to give you 3 Happenings.

Lijies $1 dollar find at the SPCA shop

A go at a hand painted canvas for market totes

Celebrating St Nicholas Day with cousins

Jesse Tree, only got as far as David!  
Packing Boxes for our babies at the Shelter

She is not a dog, she is our sister and is very much treated that way!
Thanks for lending me your time, eyes and heart!

Love and Light