Contentment is

Good day dear readers, I've had an early start today, but I've done so with a smile on my face. I am off to Stellenbosch this morning as I embark on my last family visit before I become a mommy. After this trip my doctor is less likely to grant me permission to fly and will my next visit only be after the arrival of our little prince.

I am in such high spirits today - work is off to a good start for the new year, the charity ball arrangements are going really well, the baby room is finally getting the attention it needs (I promise to do a post on this), my first baby essential was delivered yesterday - the car seat! - and things seem to be falling into place :).

Last night the husband and I had a lovely dinner - something we can easily neglect when on holiday with the family, so I assume this is part of my feelings of contentment today.

Life can so easily rush past and we can too easily forget to stop, breath, appreciate and see all that is beautiful around us! My last few months of working from home and having a bit more time to do these things have made me realise how important they are - our lives will be over in an instant and someday it will be better if you can tell stories of wonderful adventures and experiences instead of the races of getting things done, gulping down take away food and sprinting to the next meeting - perhaps today you must think about what is important and reassess what it is that you want (Perhaps a little deep for so early in the morning, but this is something that was pressing on my heart when I sat down to write this post)

May you have a lovely day and a splendid week dear reader!

From here

DIY Thursday_ Map loving

 I am mad for maps at the moment - old maps, atlases, map graphics - anything that has a route and a direction on it really. So today I dedicate my DIY post to this current love affair.

Love this DIY map covered shoebox tutorial from Wear the Canvas:

 

How great is this chalkboard World map featured on Here comes the sun!?

How to make funky travel tape by the Mayberry Home Journal

For some great "map" gift ideas be sure to visit not on the high street! They have some lovely products on sale:

Vintage map giant ampersand

Bespoke wooden map letters

Some of my own map projects for the house:

Latest additions to the lounge

 This beauty is waiting to be framed, it was a gift from a friend.

Wishing you all a lovely day dear readers... its almost weekend, so please smile!!

Bloglovin'

I found this amazing photography blog yesterday! It is one of the Blog lovin' award winners for 2012 and I can clearly see why! It includes fashion, interior, architecture, landscapes and movies - you will find something of everything here!

From me to you is a blog by a photographer that lives and works in New York and who has an eye for all that is interesting and nice... Here are a few of the shots featured on the blog, but for the full experience I recommend viewing From me to you!

Fresh beauty - from here

Rhinebeck Retreat - from here

Perfect day to spend at the museum - from here

You scream, I scream - from here

I'm in a New York state of mind - from here

Great inspiration to take more photos of where we are right now!

Off air for a few days

Tomorrow I am off to KwaZulu-Natal for a few days to support the husband in the Dusi Canoe Marathon.

We will be road tripping and I am already looking forward to seeing some of South Africa's beautiful scenery!

So, as I will be bundu-bashing for the next few days, I will probably be "off-line" and not able to do any blog posts, but if given half a chance I will definitely make the effort to put something up!

I leave you with my quote of the week:

From here

"Jesus wants me for a SUNBEAM", so that is exactly what I will be!

Have a lovely week dear reader and may you feel the joy and warmth of this month of love!

♥

In our backyard

I often refer to the game farm as being my place of escape where I can stop, relax, breathe and recharge. But I am yet to do a proper post about this place of wonder.

So for the past few weekends spent in the bush I have focused on taking some images to share, so that is what I am doing today. I hope you enjoy it! 

Kurumakatiti Reserve, where we spend so many lovely weekends away.

The farm is located just outside Vaalwater, Limpopo, about a 4 hour drive outside of Jo'burg, but as soon as we leave the city skyline behind us we are on "holiday".

The drive to the farm_ clear skies and open road!

Typical road on the farm

All the cooking is done on the open fire

 

One of the thousand natural finds - a giant toadstool

Spot of the year (so far)_ a Brown Hyena at a watering hole

 A visitor at the camp this past weekend - these images were taken from the stoep (veranda).

We are also in the process of designing a new camp site - we've already identified a spot and are in the early stages of planning; watch this space! 

EXCITING!!!

Happy Friday!

As I sit facing the first Friday of my 2012 working year - Friday the 13th - I consider all the plans and excitement of many weekends to come. This weekend we are off to the game-farm! Yippee I cannot wait - my previous post Bushveld Day dreams refers to what I am expecting for this weekend and I am super excited.

From Pinterest

What are your plans for the weekend? My Friday Favorites include:

What happens when you give thousands of stickers to thousands of kids - an AWESOME Colossal Art Design project.

The best street art of 2011

Wondering which camera is best suited for you? Here is a breakdown of the world's leaders in Compact Camera.

Awesome Idea - make your own Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub.

Thinking about the versatility of a scarf.

Have a wonderful day dear reader and may you not fall under the wrath of Friday the 13th! xoxo

Holiday Bliss

As mentioned previously, I am writing today from a room with a view. I have now been on holiday for over a week and I would lie if I say I haven't been having the time of my life!

What is better than family,  holiday, rest, sea and sun? We have been blessed with the most amazing weather, beautiful sunsets and a very entertaining sea here in Stilbaai - there is nowhere else in the world I would want to be right now!

Derksenjol - The family beach house...

As I am sitting here now, the husband has just lit the fire and the whole family has moved onto the veranda, glass of wine in hand, to enjoy the last bit of light the day has to offer. We have fresh fish that we bought at the harbour this morning waiting to be cooked on the braai- life, at this moment, seems perfect to me!

Stilbaai Harbour, from here

View of Stilbaai from the harbour, from here

I am wishing all my readers moments like these tonight - moments of complete bliss, filled with love, joy and laughter.

Considering the end of a good year

So I am in the process of finishing up at the office and will be leaving for a long and well deserved Christmas break tomorrow afternoon.

As I am sending the last few emails to ensure that clients and colleagues are all well informed and instructed for the next couple of weeks, I am filled with a tangible feeling of excitement for the holiday that awaits! Wow! What a year!! New friends, new family members, a new job, new hobbies, new adventures - fantastic!

I know this might sound like my last post for the year (I promise it is not) but this morning as I was driving to the office a strange feeling overwhelmed me - another year to put on the bookshelf. I cannot believe how quick this year has flown past, but in the same breath I cannot believe how much one's life can change, develop and grow over such a short period of time. 

Today I am not writing to say happy new year, today I am writing to say thanks for a great year!! 

Thanks to all who made this a GOOD year!

For those of you who will be traveling, I am wishing you safe travels, for those of you who will be home-bound, I am wishing you happy DIY's, gardening and chilling on your couch, for those of you who are going on adventures, I am wishing you many happy memories and good times, for those of you who are still indecisive, I am wishing for inspiration and creativity in the festive season.

Some inspiration

I will be traveling for the next few days, so expect a short delay in my posts, but when I do write next I will be doing so with a happy heart and from a room with a sea-view in my happy place - Stilbaai, Western Cape.

Wonderful holidays await... sigh!!

All images from Pinterest

Traveling in style

I absolutely love these Bon Journey bags by The New Domestic Shop.

Also see their other canvas range here.

Have a lovely Friday dear readers!

A weekend affair in Cradock

As mentioned yesterday I spent the past (extended) weekend in Cradock, a small town in the Eastern Cape. The main reason for this trip was because the husband was participating in the Fish River Canoe Marathon and it had nothing to do with it being my birthday...but WOW was I pleasantly surprised!

This small little town came alive with thousands of people traveling from all over South Africa and was ready and waiting when the numbers descended on it. We were fortunate enough to stay in a very nice guesthouse De Oude Pastorie - here we were greeted by a friendly host and excellent service.

Here are some photos of the weekend:

The Dutch Reformed Church in Cradock

Local Business Men displaying their goods

The beautiful street facades left me in awe!

The boys; all smiles after the race.

Jacobus getting his hair cut at a local salon

Driving home - my view of the beautiful Karoo (Boats on the car roof)

These are just a few snapshots of a very eventfull weekend and all I can say is:  

Cradock we'll see you in a year!