A day in the garden!

So if you do not have a garden, do go and wander around in the Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens :)
 I love Kirstenbosch, but it was such a treat when JC introduced me and my Mom to this little gem.

Unbelievable that more than 80% of the most common plants we grow in our gardens originate from Asia and most specifically, China - It really gives "made in China" new meaning!

Green and grounded was the concensus after a lushious lunch surrounded by nature. I feel like Eve!

Sunshine days!

I wished for this summer to come - and it came with all its radiant hotness! I live close by the sea and it is amazing how the sea tempers even the most scorching of days in Cape Town.

So, as not to look a gift horse in the mouth, I make a point of celebrating these lovely, long summer days.

- I feel the sun on my skin for 10min every day, no sunblock, I just choose the right time of day
- I swim, preferably in the sea -  as often as I can
- Have BBQ's or picnic's, even if it is just a humble sandwich - it tastes better outside
- Enjoy a sun downer every day, even if I am on my own - I celebrate the gift of another lovely day

To a glorious summer in Cape Town...and L'hiem - to life!

Filled with moonlight....

A beautiful full moon over Cape Town last night :)
I am a wolf woman, a coyote, howling abundantly with joy as She gently bathes me in loving light.

"The moon stood silent in the sky,
And looked upon our earth:
The clouds divided, passing by,
In homage to her worth.

There was a dance among the leaves
Rejoicing at her power,
Who robes for them of silver weaves
Within one mystic hour.

There was a song among the winds,
Hymning her influence —
That low-breathed minstrelsy which binds
The soul to thought intense.

And there was something in the night
That with its magic wound us;
For we — oh! we not only saw,
But felt the moonlight around us."

Excerpt from poem by Derozio

 

 

 

You're OK...just breathe :)

 

I've been having this dream. Some of the people are familiar, others not, but we are always in a state of helplessness?! I am sitting next to them, holding a hand or sometimes in a ferocious, all-out, child-enveloping hug. Thoughts, rather than words seem to come from somewhere...

 

"All is as it should be...you're OK...just breathe..."

 

 

I cannot explain the comfort and sense of love this image brings. Complete and absolute peace *sigh* :))

 

A special place...

 

There is a special town close to the most southern tip of Africa, called Struisbaai. Neither hip, nor happening, but it does have an unpolished, small-town charm.



 

 

We go there as often as we can, which is never enough, but it is like a gentle breeze washes over you. Close to nature, peaceful and quiet - I just love it.

We have these ridiculous little habits, which sound mundane, but create such pleasure - we really miss it when we are not around:

When we arrive all windows and doors are thrown open and a fire is made for dinner. We always open a bottle of bubbles - mostly because we survived the N2 and the road from Caledon to Bredasdorp! We always end up outside, where I try to revive all the fynbos and succulents which made their way into a garden of sorts.

Saturday starts off with "Struisbaai" moer-koffie (a special pot that stays on the stove the whole day) and rusks. Then a  slow trek to town (about 5km from where we stay) for the local pannekoek tent, some small town shopping and maybe some fish and chips at the little harbour. Most days, the fishermen come back around lunch-time with the catch of the day. Gorgeous, big yellow tail is the local delicacy, which we sometimes take home for our evening braai.

Long walks on the wooden walk-way at the beach or in the nature reserve where we stay, is always a treat. Sunday is slow and begins with a late brunch, a morning swim and maybe a video evening, as we mostly come back on Mondays or Tuesdays, to give the weekend traffic a miss.

Time flies, and in a blink we are on our way back to Cape Town. The only thing that pulls me through is a stop at Napier for Antiques, Houwhoek for the best bread and pies is the Cape and maybe the Engen for a quick take-away to ease of the start to the week :)

Indeed, a very special place...

 

Today, I am grateful...

For beautiful friendships....

For the test of the spot my sister-in-law's lung turning out to be negative...

For the birth of the "Birthday Angels"....

Axx

Prepping for a Lecture :)

I lecture part-time at the UCT Business School - and I love it! My favorite is a customised programme we developed for Financial Services, looking at professional key account management for Relationship Execs. It is still a miracle how it came to be - but that's another story...

So, part of the prep starts when I receive the class list for the next 18 month programme - these are 35 hand-picked, astute bankers. My first step is to go and pick crystals for each of them at Philadelphia :) I know, I know....but it works! My approach is to facilitate learning on 3 levels: The technical stuff (world of work) but to make sure it resonates with individual purpose (personal mastery) and enhances perspective (world view).

 

I got my inspiration at Philadelphia, under the Pepper Tree (with a glass of wine) and in the crystal shop - Cannot wait to meet the group!

Kind people...

I have never met a person who does not believe, on some level, that they are kind. Maybe it is the groups I frequent (read: beautiful people!) but I can honestly say that most people have an intention to go about doing good.

Why is it then that our roads are filled with angry, stressed out drivers; our courts crammed with fighting families and corporates have cultures of greed and narcissism - where are the kind people?!

I know from experience that most acts of unkindness is actually directed at ourselves, at a sense of anger or fear triggered by a situation where we perceive ourselves to be vulnerable....almost a survival thing that takes over. This knowledge has been invaluable in working in corporates, where most often, kindness is seen as weakness.
 

Just for today... I am going to be kind to all living things - starting with myself!

 "We ought, every day at least,
to hear a little song,

read a poem,

see fine pictures,

and, if possible,

to speak a few kind words."

 

Goethe from Your Mind can Heal your Body: Matthew Manning

Pre-birthday party...

Had a lovely day with the family, sharing my precious nephew's pre-birthday celebration. The usual ceremony had to be concluded, as the family will be traveling on his 5th birthday tomorrow:

1. A mock candle blow-out...don't ask!
2. A passionate, yet disturbing rendition of "happy birthday"
3. A speech by the man of the hour, in which he declared his happiness for having us, especially since we brought presents :)



My bro and his lovely family

The singing....at least we had my dad to help!

And the candle blowing...very important!

And the necessary wrestling in between :)

Grandma and me...



The crown prince ready to share his riches...

No sharing on this front...

OK, no sharing...period!

His other aunt and her better half....





After some hard partying, all a man needs is his grandpa's support!

So many possibilities!

So 2013 started of with a gentle forward motion rather than a bang :) Along with many of my friends, I am looking to implement some changes this year....

But sometimes it is just easier to do less of some things and more of others, rather than thinking outside of the box.

Maybe I should rather try this approach?!

"What would I attempt to do if I knew I could not fail..."

 

 

 



Happy Hydro...to a healthy 2013!

For the second year in a row we decided to start the year on a healthy note...by going to the Hydro in Stellenbosch. I know, I know...where is the new year's cheer in filling your body with everything green, no coffee, no wine??!

For me, it is all about escaping the new year's mayhem on my doorstep in Sea Point. And also about paying it forward and hopefully setting the tone for a healthy year. And, maybe, also to have delicious, scrumptious vegetarian food and juices without lifting a finger. And yes, it is definitely about the beautiful, tranquil setting in Stellenbosch mountains. Let me also not forget to mention the array of unbeatable treatments you can choose from whilst lounging around in your slippers and gown...I LOVE it :)

Breakfast is served...

The pool, with the most beautiful mountains as backdrop

On route to the indoor swimming pool

A new year's snack plate ;)

Lunch, salads with a sweet potato...njammelam!

Dinner starts with soup and home made bread, followed by, yes, salad

The very welcome soup...

My meditation tree - bliss

Very comfy rooms - we slept like logs

Some amazing treatments I can recommend were the reflexology, the ozone chamber, the detox wrap, the shiatsu, the chiropractor (life-changing!)....and the Hydro's signature hydro therapy. This is truly a gem in our own backyard here in Cape Town, where after just 3 visits, they made us feel like family.

May you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013!