Karoo Market Forces...

Hello Dear Friends!!

 

How are you all?

 

Rumour has it...that Christmas preparations are actually in full swing.... Sadly, I was not at all in the mood for any such frivolous endeavours...That was, until a friend posted about a market on face book and tagged me...

 

I have been avoiding all the posters on markets etc, but a tag on face book..well, it can not be ignored...and so I decided to tag along...

 

And boy, am I glad for that shove out of my comfort zone!!! Thanks Erika!!!

 

Well, have a look what I would have missed...

By the way, I was back to my usual snap happy self, so you go get another drink, while I load all the pics, and then we can have a nice chat over a cuppa....

 

 

This market, held once a year, in the stunning home of Sonette Barnardt was a feast for the eye, the taste buds and the soul...

 

Filled with art and all things vintage....it is our kinda place!

 

The theme was Markgoed (Market Things) Karoo Chateau. Now for readers who don't know, the Karoo is a semi-desert inland area of our amazing country, and it has it own rustic charm, when it comes to decor and a rich heritage to draw inspiration from.

 

 

So let's take a stroll through this Karoo Castle...

 

 

 

 The ambiance of the Karoo reflected perfectly.

 

 

 

 

So many things take me back to my childhood. Like those enamel jugs. They got used for all manner of things in my Gran's household, the enamel plates that I used to take on school camps as a kid, many moons ago, now!! I really loved the books with the flowers and then, the crochet roses on the serviette hit a note of nostalgia and I had to go look for a bit of consolation in a slice of home made cheesecake...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I could not resist the spectacle of these poppies surounding an old fountain...a happy profusion dancing in the breeze.

 

 

 

 

Loads of fabulous ideas. The pages of an old book stencilled in red for Christmas bunting that costs very little and is great fun to make!

 

 

 

 

Loved the paper Christmas tree top right and these stars strung together.

This was my beautiful view, while I was nursing away my nostalgia with cheesecake...

I know, what you are thinking....but I am closer to the bed!!!

 

 

 

 

Leaning more the French Chateau Theme...this table had me circling it a few times to absorb it all.

 

 

 

 

Loved the place mats and crowns.

 

 

 

 

You know how I love cloches!!! This was my favourite...barb wired fabulousness....LOL

 

 

 

By the way, this bustling market is now in its sixth year.... I ask you, where have I been!!!?

 

 

A cupboard full of treasure..just as well I am downscaling and my discipline is still holding up firmly!

 

 

 

...until... I saw these...

 

 

 

A walk down memory lane...

 

 

Cloched protea gives a nod to National Pride.

 

 

 

Here's what to do with them old ones.... how many of us had one of those on our touchies when we were naughty!!

This is a much better idea!

 

 

 

Spinach never looked to chic!

 

 

This market is still on until Saturday and for more info have a look at Sonette's Blog ~ click here please ~

 

I had a fabulous surprise installed when I hunted down the lady of the house to update info to tweet.... She has been following my blog for a while!!! It was such a great honour to meet with Sonette! Meeting followers has got to be the best part of what we love to do!!

 

 

 

 

As you can imagine, I am now well and truly ready for markets and Christmas decor, and in fact, I think, I will start earlier than usual getting all my bits out of the hidden depths of storage.

 

 

 

Are you decorating yet?

 

 

 

 

Sonette has a stunning home and I could not leave without a request to come back and photograph her home with all her own things, which she has had to store away in order for the the market to happen. So, looking forward to that...

 

 

 

Thank you all, for your precious company and for Sonette and all the hardworking ladies who served us. I had a fab visit with some old friends and it could not have happened in a more glam and gorgeous space!

Thank you!!

 

 

Live Well

 

Veronica

 

xxx

Any markets happening that I should know about!!??

Please leave your comments below, I am all ears...

 

 

 

 

Accosted by a Christmas Pudding!

Hello Dear Friends!!!

 

How are you all doing this Monday?

 

Before I get into natter mode, I have to firstly say this....

 

Thank you, to each one of you, for the overwhelming response to my previous post "Thoughts on October". Your outpouring of friendship, love and encouragement has left me humbled and just a bit speechless. I deeply appreciate each and every comment and email that I have received. I have replied to every one! Just another indication of the spirit of paying it forward, that exists in Blogland, and I am so very blessed to be a part of it, not to mention proud!! You rock!!

Now, it has been a busy weekend, in spite of the miserable chilly, and at times wet weather. On Friday afternoon, I braved the home time traffic down to the beach to take a couple of shots for my new food blog! It was mayhem and the traffic cut into my cocktail hour but I managed to get a couple of shots!

Then, on Saturday and Sunday we had the Seasons of Sauvignon Festival in Durbanville, the wine lands where I stay, which was a blast, despite the miserable weather! Much tasting and eating and indulging....

 

Recently, during September, I scurried into Woolies to buy milk and bread, only to be halted in my tracks... Can't be, I thought... but there, on the shelf, a Christmas pudding was flaunting her raisins and orange peel unashamedly at me!!!?? Huh?? Its only September!! All wrapped up in a cellophaned skirt she was a temptress, with no regard for my frail thin resistance. It was quite a shock to my system, and I had to leave with her tucked into my shopping bag, forgetting the milk and bread for which I had to return!!

 

Does Christmas come faster and faster with each passing year? Do you have the same problem ? I can not even muster a single Christmas decor or menu thought, in spite of that pre-Christmas pudding indulgence!

 

That pudding threw me off course completely! Imagine, being derailed by a Christmas pudding?!

 

This year, I might be immersed in boxes trying to move and squeeze  28 years of living into a new smaller house, let alone brainstorming menus and decor. Or it might be boxed, with nowhere to move to...sigh!

 

In years past,  I hosted my rather large ex-in-law family for Christmas eve dinner. A full on three course, sit down dinner affair, for around forty people (with all the trimmings and decor), depending on the hangers onners, and forgotten family emerging from nowhere, two hours before guests are due to arrive! The table, that you have carefully laid, has to be relayed to squeeze in two extra guests and frantic frazzle sets in...you recount the potatoes to make sure you have enough for the umteenth time~!

 

 

 

 

Foolishly in Housewifely Domestic Goddess mode, all this was single handily accomplished by Moi! Me, myself and I...

 

Being freshly divorced, however, this is no longer my responsibility and monetarily I felt a great sense of loss...

Understand please, that it was just a fleeting moment... until the towers of dishes that usually greeted me on my Christmas morn pre dawn tea making rounds flashed into my minds eye.

 

Amidst the festive debris of Christmas eve's dining, we normally settled in with tea to open presents. Not even children in their twenties seem to loose the knack of opening presents at dawn-o-clock!

 

 

 

Then, it was off to church and upon our return, I usually served brunch to the family and then the great tidy up started!! By which time, I am thoroughly pooped from the adrenalin rush of feeding a crowd and making sure that each and every roast potato is crisp and warm! And all that in the December heat!!! The way we stick to tradition! Crazy, isn't it?

 

 

Well, this year I am banishing the cumbersome old and winging in the sleek new and revised Christmas Plan.

Oh yes, I am!!!

 

I will be hosting a few pre-Christmas lunches for a small group of friends at a time, to give me the opportunity to enjoy each and every guest fully! Then, on Christmas eve, I intend to take my son out for dinner to a great restaurant and having a very relaxing Christmas day picnic.

 

There, the planning is almost done!!

 

Looks like that Christmas pudding merely altered my course and did not derail me entirely...

 

Live Well

 

Veronica

 

xxx

 

all images are my own

any thoughts on Christmas bobbing about in your planning yet...? Leave your comments below, I am all ears...with a mouth full of fruity Christmas pud...

 

October Thoughts..."By Invitation Only"

Hello dearest friends!!

 

Today marks our monthly "By Invitation Only" post by a wonderful group of International Bloggers.  The theme for this month is just simply,"Thoughts for October"

 

Our gracious hostess and my gorgeous friend, Marsha from Splenderosa is hosting us all as usual. Thank you!!

 

 

 

For most of  the participants in "By Invitation Only" this means, that they are going into Fall/Autumn, but down South here, at the tip of Africa, we are heading firmly into Spring (well, I guess its a matter of opinion!!!! The veld  and mother nature is buzzing, but sadly the weather remains pretty much wintry) We have had sooo much rain we almost need an Ark!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, for me this is going to be a very personal post and I beg your indulgence please....

 

 

 

I started blogging as a birthday gift to myself when I turned 49! I loved every moment of the Blogosphere and meeting amazing like minded people who are just so incredibly inspiring, talented and supportive. I have made the most wonderful friends locally and from all over the world!!! I never expected that...

 

 

 

 

So, I am deeply grateful for the unexpected blessings that came my way through Blogging, in the form of amazing friends!! 

 

Each and every one of you are treasured and appreciated!!

 

 

As you know I have been absent from your blogs, as well as my own, for some time now....

 

It has been the most difficult year of my life! At times, I just could not see the light and in those times my creativity and  need to blog just deserted me.

 

Starting last September and finishing this September it has been a "Annus Horribilis"!!!

 

The first tragedy was my young son's friend, who passed away in a tragic accident at University, right in the middle of a Film Festival that the two of them were working on together. I am so proud of my son for seeing it through amidst all the sadness. On the way home from that funeral, my husband had a heart attack. He recovered well and was doing fine, only to present me with divorce papers a few weeks after that. Yes, the rug was pulled from under me... Loosing family, friends, my home, etc and dealing with the impact it had on my two beautiful children took its toll, no matter how I tried to stand tall. I think here of another blogging friend, who also went through the same ordeal of divorce, at the same time! Well, twelve months on, and I have not been able to sell my house, yet, and move on with my life. My son and daughter have been amazing, and my friends have quite literally been the wind beneath my wings.

 

Then, in the last month, my brother-in-law took his own life and my ex husband landed in hospital again from all the stress. Those have been my major calamities with all the drama and oddities that divorce brings, thrown in for good measure... 

 

 

 

Now, you are thinking....well, and....???

 

Well, I have learnt a few things...

 

I have learnt who my friends are and they are angels, each and every single one of them!!! The buckets of love I received has renewed me time and time again.

 

Being a painfully private person, I have had to learn to share my calamities with others who have offered the most amazing insights and advise. Thank you!

 

I have found solace and daily strength and been deeply grateful, for the privilege to live in such a magnificent place, surrounded by so much natural beauty to feed my endless quest for answers...

 

 

 

 

 

I have found a new appreciation for simple pleasures...

 

 

 

 

 

...of just lying in the sun on the beach in such a magnificent setting!

 

 

 

 

I have also learnt, that in chasing after what you want, you run right past what you need!!!

 

And I was going to say...."oddly" but there is nothing odd about it... My house has not sold and the reason, was that I had to give up the dream of big and beautiful and scale down to small and easy!!!

 

The Hand of God and His timing and Plan is clearly visible to me now!!!

 

 

 

There has been the wonderful blessing of new friendships with people who, in the words of Mr Leonard Cohen, ...has shown me, "what I only knew the limits of..."

 

Do you know that wonderful song "Dance Me to the End of Love"???

 

 

 

Wonderful, isn't is? As is all his songs and his deeply touching lyrics, each one a poem of life's mysterious ways..

 

So, as the sun sets on your summer and our winter, bringing us both to a new season, alive with possibility, I am ready to go forth and live with renewed vigour in the knowledge that all will be well and as it should be...

 

 

 

Thank you for your precious company and for your indulgence.

 

Now, hop over to join the party by clicking here to enjoy all the wonderfully gifted women who contribute so generously of themselves. It promises to be a feast!!

 

 

May each and every one of you spread your wings and fly high and enjoy the view while you journey to a new or a familiar destination.

 

 

Live Well

 

Veronica

 

xxx

 

All images are my own 

Kreative Blogger's Award~Thanks Pondie!

Hello dear friends!!

I have been a bit silent of late...

A culmination of Internet issues, blogger and feedburner being sorted prevented me from reading all my usual favourite blogs and posting! To say that it left a big gaping hole in my days...well..is an understatement of note!!

To top it all, just when things got back to being on line again... The Cape of Storms was at her level best and we have just come out of an all weekend storm that has left much damage in her wake.

What a delightful surprise awaited me when I finally winged my way (with just a click of my mouse) across to the Pacific Northwest to visit a favourite blog  Pondside (click to visit, you will be beguiled)

Honora had passed on the...

...to me!! Wow... I am so honoured~Thank you so much!!

I am a bit late to the meme, of course, but am happy to pass it on with great enthusiasm.

I am to divulge ten things about me that I have not previously mentioned on my blog... Phew..lets see...

1. I am an impulsive cook! The family will enquire at about five in the afternoon as to what's for dinner. Me ..."Dinner...already??"

I will dash downstairs to the fridge and raid the caverns of the larder, line up some forgotten finds and eye them for a few moments. No inspiration seems to strike?? Answer...start chopping an onion and voila!! A lil bit of this and lil bit of that...and dinner is served...

Family will say..."wow that was yum"... and three weeks later ask for the same dish and I will not have a clue as to what I put in it!!!!  So, call me a hit and run cook!

2. Having told you that... I am about to launch another blog to commit to cyber memory such impulsive kitchen capers!

Only problem is that I can not decide on the name...For now, it is  to be called "Tastebud and the Paprika Princess" ~ as paprika is my absolute favourite can't live without spice in the world!

3. I am afraid of water and am not a good swimmer, yet I have been down parts the Orange River in a canoe five times and loved very moment of it!! Even when I was quite the novice and landed the "Christopher Columbus" award for making it across to Namibia first, while everyone else was happily floating down the river!!!  The rapids were not very big (grade 0-3 if I remember correctly) though... and I am not ready to take on the likes of the white water of the Kunene river yet! But, spending the days floating down a river in nothing but your bather for four days, in and out of the canoe, sleeping under the stars and waking up to the call of the fish eagle and  scorpions cluttered around the rocks at your head has tremendous appeal for me!

4. I am in love with this slab of granite!! A day without seeing Table Mountain... somehow just feels incomplete...and yet I am thinking of mowing...?

Nothing says you are home than when the aircraft circles the mountain and you simply can't wait to meet with terra firma and get home!

5. I suspect that my love of the colour terracotta springs forth from being born in a dusty little dot of a  town called Zeerust close to the Botswana Border where I spent my early childhood getting covered in terracotta coloured clay playing by the river!


6. I am a procrastinator of note!! Although I am always busy and on the go!  I have a work plan all drawn up as well as a blogging plan but jump around like a crazy thing and never stick to the plan. So, I need to tell you that I have had a blogging idea and then having revealed it, I am forced to do it... 

A few years back we took our kids on a bit of an amazing race around Europe and it made for some interesting, shall we say, family dynamics... as well as some wonderful memories that I would like to share on my blog!

Such as the magical city of Florence!

7. I am a plant collector. Instead of being a sensible gardener who plants things that grows well in my area ...I fall in love with every leaf that flutters. And have to take it home to convince it to make a new habitat for itself in my garden, hence a fruit salad out my back door!

8. As much as I adore shoes of any kind, and I have quite the collection ranging from pumps to Stilettos (not going to reveal any figures here), my favourite winter footwear consists of my trusty ..um..very well worn and ugly brown hiking boots with thick hiking socks ...blush blush blush! Most embarrassing is that sometimes, I will dash out to the shops, forgetting to change my footwear and only realise when I am in the line waiting to pay for my purchases and notice a perplexed fellow shopper arching an eyebrow at the my choice of footwear. Have you ever tried to hide the feet you are perched upon???


9. I can happily while away an afternoon sitting at a cafe with a latte and my camera and secretly click away at passers by to capture the street fashion....

10. I am busy working on a collection of images that I am hoping to publish as a book called "Postcards in my Rear View Mirror"

The idea for the title came when I was driving my kids to school, as I glanced into my rear view mirror the entire Table Mountain scene was perfectly positioned in the mirror. My heart skipped a beat and I thought..A postcard in my rear view mirror!!
Taking sunset pictures is a national sport with me and I can not get enough!!

I am so honoured that a friend has asked to paint the image below and I can not wait to see it completed!

Now, it is an absolute pleasure to pass on this award to ten bloggers that I enjoy...

1.Sharon from Roses and Rust for indulging my inner Francophile with such aplomb

2.Colette from La Brocanteuse for taking me on dreamy trips through the French countryside to gather and hunt in Brocantes as if I was actually there!!

3.Anita from Castles Crowns and Cottages for indulging me with regular flights of fantasy in the most delicious ways

4.Coty from Styling by Coty Farquhar for the most exquisite inspiration imaginable!


5.Rosemary from Villabarnes for all the amazing painting tutorials


6.The fabulously stylish Sharon from Fashion-isha for keeping me cutting edge stylishly informed and drooling all over my keyboard


7.Wifes with Knives! Every single time I click on this yummy blog I giggle at the name ~ so a smile is a guarantee besides more drooling over the keyboard!



8.Lisa from Privilege for a linguistic feast and sharp humour

9.Teresa at Splendid Sass for compiling fabulous decor posts that has me pinning way past my bedtime!!

10. Paul from The Magical Christmas Wreath Company because I love the way he writes and its de lovely to have  his company!


Please visit some of them for total enjoyment!

All images are my own

Thank you for your company

Live Well

Veronica

xxx