Christmas shopping, without a mall

For the first time we are Christmas shopping and getting cheerful and comforting things ready for our new nest, in the cold!! This is very different from our southern hemisphere sun-blistered Christmas.

Shopping outdoors in the freezing cold didn't sound appealing to me but when we got to the nearby town is was so lovely and festive.  Carol singers and the brightly decorated stalls of pastries, brutwurst rolls, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and on and on, line the squares and streets.

And our favourite - 'Churrrrrros', I exclaimed through chattering teeth.

It might be blustery but its also merry and carnivalesque.

Run

My favourite route to run is off the road behind our house... so blessed to have this 

patch of earth to roam in.

Beach babe

After a very long and energetic walk along the beach... ice cream was a fitting end.

After winter

On Sundays its lovely to get out of the city and drink in the landscapes.

We have winter rains so by this time of year its all dry but still beautiful.

With a little coffee.

The last few days

The last few days have been busy ones as it always is at this time of year.  Entailing deep cleaning of wardrobes and pantry, planning, christmas gift shopping, studying for exams, spring planting and garden cleaning.  Going to local markets is always a good way to get refreshed and restocked.

My girl normally leaves with something sweet... this time it was brownies.

Actually its usually brownies if they are not sold out.

A day at the farm

A day learning about chickens, rabbits, pigs (the piglets are adorable) & bees.

  

Our lovely outdoor lunch.

Harvesting raw honey is so rewarding and its hard to stop snacking on this edible gold.

Our weekend in the mountains

Ladismith is the proverbial 'breath of fresh air' place.  It's surrounded by mountains, 

is quiet and relaxing, with the friendliest people.  When we stopped to ask for directions at a nearby farm, these folks just hopped into their car to drive ahead of us and led us to our cottage.  

In the city we just draw them a map.  

Every view from the patio was beautiful.

We stopped at Diesel and Cream for crumpets, as you do.  Their milkshakes are amazing!

my happy plant

Afternoon escapes from studies

"Rest time is not waste time... It is wisdom to take occasional furlough"

~ Charles Spurgeon

Market

We did a quick trip to the market for our greens and grabbed a sweet for teatime later.

so much choice...

we did get greens... see

Last night

Dusk... Its the best part of the day... breezy and the heat is bearable. A good time to go for a walk.

It was so hot that it was almost 9pm when I ate... quinoa, salad and pumpkin & kale stew.

A family run

This is my favourite... when all three of us are out in the fresh air together. Sometimes we all run and other times we do different things but together - I run, Wayne is on his bicycle and Rebecca is on her skateboard.

Wayne has been away for a few days and only arrived yesterday afternoon.  He was a champ to still come out with us in the evening.

A horse ride

A glorious sunrise

This was my treat this morning as I was finishing my run. That is my house in the 

distance. A very beautiful and welcome sight.

The Cape wildflowers

This is in the fields just behind our house where we walk. 

off to market

Filling my basket with organic veg

Couldn't decide between the 5 grain and the 100% rye so I got both

Rebecca's Oreo brownie

Walking and resting and thinking

" I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."
~ John Muir 1838 - 1914

Walking in nature is one of my favourite things to do.   I become calm, clear-headed and a bit Polly-anna-ish.  And yes, sometimes a bench is a welcome respite.

A walk by the dam

One of my favourite activities... a brisk walk at the end of the day.

Organic carrots

See the little baby carrot... so sweet!

Light the fire

Ryan, my awesome brother-in-law braaied for us this past weekend... it was so good!! Then we watched a movie and in the last 15 minutes the lights went out so we went back outside and revived the fire.  We then had tea and smores! Yum