Tuesday, July 30, 2013

My night off

I love it when my sister Manuela, comes to stay... she spoiled us by cooking dinner.  Pumpkin Risotto!

Monday, July 29, 2013

A table to remember


Celebrating Wayne's 40th birthday with friends and family on Saturday evening! Great fun!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Second time around


I think I'm enjoying it even more, second time around!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Birthday Dinner


 
~ The Menu ~
 
Mustard Chicken
Mashed Potato
Dukkah & Honey Roasted Carrots (so delicious)
Mashed Butternut
Greens -
Brussels Sprouts and Baby Marrow
Lightly Minted Peas
 
 

 
Dinner boasted many of Wayne's favourites and for dessert we made Fudgy Chocolate Pear Cake.

Monday, July 22, 2013

This is the day for...


We prayed this morning for the man of the house - to not just have a good day but have a G L A D day, that his heart would swell in gladness and rejoicing.  Happy Birthday to the most special Wayne on earth!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Chill airs and wintry winds

Alas! how changed from the fair scene,
When birds sang out their mellow lay,
And winds were soft, and woods were green,
And the song ceased not with the day!

But still wild music is abroad,
Pale, desert woods! within your crowd;
And gathering winds, in hoarse accord,
Amid the vocal reeds pipe loud.

Chill airs and wintry winds! my ear
Has grown familiar with your song;
I hear it in the opening year,
I listen, and it cheers me long.

~ Woods in Winter by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow





Along our wintry walk
 
 
A quick slide down... more fun than walking I was told.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Education


As a new term begins, I remind myself that Education continues after the formal school years are over and I want to develop a curious mind and a habit for life.

"Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life!  By “Atmosphere,” Charlotte meant the surroundings in which the child grows up. A child absorbs a lot from his home environment. Charlotte believed that atmosphere makes up one-third of a child’s education.
By “Discipline,” Charlotte meant the discipline of good habits — and specifically habits of character. Cultivating good habits in your child’s life make up another third of his education.
The other third of education, “Life,” applies to academics. Charlotte believed that we should give children living thoughts and ideas, not just dry facts."                 ~ Charlotte Mason method

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Bantam eggs

We have a miniature hen in our lot and she has started laying... Becca named her Cutie when she was a baby chick and looked like the others - the other chicks kept growing and she did not.  True to her name, she lays the cutest eggs. 

Her eggs.

This is 'Cutie'.  She is very weary of the camera and doesn't come near.

Compared to our other hens eggs.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Time for change

Don't we all hate this word - change. Some more than others.  Rebecca likes continuity, she was even upset when we re-tiled her bathroom.  But the thing is that sometimes going through the 'waters of change' can be refreshing and burden-lifting in the end.

Rebecca starts a new school term today and so we prepared as usual... clothing - check, shoes - check, nails - check, hair - needs a good cut.  But as soon as we were done she ran to the mirror and cried.
The next day however she woke up and said 'I actually like this, its lighter, easier and I like the way I look.' Glory be.




 

Thursday, July 11, 2013

A pitcher of sweet tea

Cranberry & Apple Iced Tea

3 Bags Cranberry, Apple and Cinnamon Tea
2 Bags Rooibos Tea
5 cups hot water
1+ 1/2 - 2 tablespoons of honey
1 litre of Apple Juice

Make tea as you normally would with all the teabags, water and honey in a suitable jug (I have a large metal one).  You can increase the honey if you like it sweeter.  Let seep for about 5 minutes.  Remove bags and add apple juice.  Cool and refrigerate.  Serve with ice.

So refreshing! 

 
I'm re-reading 'At home in Mitford' and someone is always drinking Sweet Tea... so it gave me a hankering.

      


Wednesday, July 10, 2013

True life

“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.
It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner.
Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship


Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Monday, July 8, 2013

Books, waffles and rides

Second hand book buying... we had to drag ourselves away.

Best waffle & ice cream combo at Gelato Mania.

Tabogganing

 A little simulated water-rafting.

No Becca-Holiday is complete without a trip to Ratanga Junction!


Thursday, July 4, 2013

A little leave


I am on leave for a week and this is how I feel - loving the quiet, slow mornings best.
 
 
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