Water

Water - life giving, refreshing, cleansing, calming. I am always invigorated by being close to or in the water, whether is rain, the ocean, a river, a lake, a waterfall, a shower, and definitely a good cry.

This picuture was taken when we went for a paddle on the lake in Pokhara, so peaceful and calm.

The Power of Twenty Minutes

I am grateful that I am learning manage my time better. Somewhere on my internet travels I've read about the concept of the power of twenty minutes, how productive one can be if you break down your time into twenty minute segments. I like working on a project from beginning to end over the course of day or two, all hands and attention on deck. An impossibility with G in the house couples with the fact that most of my "free" time I used to just smoke away.

I made this apron by following the power of 20 minute concept, it took a week or more but I got it done, which is a major achievement for me. I usually procrastinate and then work full blast for one or two days and  that usually includes an all-nighter.

G drew the picture, two houses and very happy stars.

Journaling Daily

 

 

There is nothing like having a beautiful inspiring notebook or sketch book to write, reflect and do ink doodles in. This is a daily ritual for me…its documenting my journey but also allows me to check in daily to my physical, emotional, spiritual and mental whereabouts and highlights needs.

If I ever have inner questions or feelings that baffle me and that I am uncomfortable with….all I need to do is put pen to paper and inevitably the answer comes to me from within.  The answers always come from within, no one knows better than yourself what you need.

Julia’s Gnome

 

Ethan had a birthday party last weekend and Julia wanted to make him this gnome as a gift and take a bunch of flowers from the garden… she did most of it all by herself – chose the colours, cut the shapes, sewed them together by hand.  Wema finished off once she was tired with the sequined face and beard.  It was truly amazing to watch Julia do this and to end it off, Ethan loved it and introduced it to the other gnomes he had in his collection at home.

Good Reason for Pause

Sick days aren't any fun but it was great to stay in bed late and squeeze in as much shut eye as possible, not rushing out the door for a regular school day.

Gardening Delights Me

 

Just as my stoep is my sanctuary, my garden provides me with endless moments of joy, colour and presence.   I use it as my space to visualise pulling out weeds in my mind and head…..and I use it to create magical moments where colours pop and add streaks of paint to ease my eye.  It is another healing haven.  Replacing weeds with life and beauty

Mum and I have been loving gardening,  I’ve chosen wild garlic with their dainty purple flowers, a miniature pomegranate bush, irises, Goura, to name a few….but my favourite I planted 2 evenings ago, with jubes my photographer in tow…..is by far the beautiful immune booster, most gorgeous…Echinacea.

It’s got to be good for you if you can just look at something and feel so much love and joy.

 

My Sanctuary

 

this is my heart and soul place to be,

i sit here daily and let myself feel nourished by the life in my garden

the street is calm and restful, the mornings fresh and contemplative

the evenings are cool and reflective

in silence, in company or in solace

this is my medicine, my sanctuary

Breakfast, Most Days

My quick-go-to-breakfast on most mornings is plain yogurt with almonds, dried apricots, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, grounded flax seeds and a bit of honey. Yum!

Evolving Mantra

My mantra for quite a number of years has been "Feel the Love".

It has evolved into " Let the love flow".

It keeps me in the moment.
It dissolves frustration and irritation.
It calms me.
It softens me.
It shows up in a smile on my daughters face.

Heart Warming Socks

How can I not be grateful?

G picked out my underwear and socks today. She gave me the heart socks and asked:" Do you know why I gave you those socks with the hearts Mommy?". I said no. She said: " Want jy is my liefste Mamma" (just can't translate that to come up with exactly the same meaning but something to the affect of, "because you are my darling Mama").