we took a road trip//part 2

If you haven't yet read part one, go over here to do that:)

And a quick warning...this is a picture heavy post...do enjoy!

All three of us barely slept on Saturday night.  Nicholas kept waking every 15 minutes or so and I think Rucus and I eventually got some shut eye when I just pulled Nicholas into the bed with me, which was around 2:30am.  We had actually gotten up at midnight and packed for an hour or so in the hopes that being up for a bit would tire Nicholas.

 The next morning we finished packing, said goodbye to everyone, and headed to Irene Farm where we met Rucus' dad and stepmother...

I wish we could go back to this beautiful farm!

So many lovely spots for pictures...

We had a lovely, relaxed breakfast with them and we all walked around and let Nicholas look at the cows, play on the old tractors, and took some sweet family pictures.  

These two have my heart.

This cheeky boy...  He had such a fun morning!

Nicholas loved walking around and seeing all the calves...

I must just add here that I feel so blessed by the love Rucus' family have shown to me.  Even though we haven't known each other very long and seldom get to visit, they make me feel so welcome and a part of their family.

I love all the family pictures we got...and it was truly special to see how much Nicholas and his Oupa (Afrikaans for "Grandpa" - Rucus' family are Afrikaans) enjoyed one another.

Nicholas with his "Oupa".

I am so proud to call this man my husband.  We have been married almost 2.5 years and I am so thankful for each moment.

He keeps life interesting!

We left the farm around 1pm and started the journey home.  We got to Bloemfontein late that evening and checked into a lovely guest house which was so welcome after a long, exhausting few days.  We all slept so well and felt ready to start the last leg of the journey the following morning.

The last couple hours in the car were rough.  Rucus and I switched places and he sat in the back and played with Nicholas for a bit to just give me a break from the constant entertaining I was doing to keep Nicholas from screaming and trying to break free from his car seat.  We were all so over driving and wanted to get HOME!

Ahh, it was soo good to come home and sleep in our own beds again.  It took us over a week to recover, unpack and get back to normal.  And poor Rucus came down with a nasty cold to make things worse.

I am so thankful we got to go with Rucus to the show this year.  It was such a special experience, despite it being extremely challenging with a toddler in the mix.  I love looking at all the pictures and remembering each moment...only the good things remain.

I hope you enjoyed coming along for the ride.  I love sharing about trips we do - it is so much fun to look back and remember how special it was.

Love, Kelly

a birthday luncheon & family pictures

Hello dear readers and a blessed Wednesday to you.

I do hope that your week has been a lovely one thus far?

 Mine has been filled with plenty of gardening, organising, and even a quick trip to the local nursery for compost and a few punnets of cheery violas.

~

Today I am delighted to be sharing (lots) pictures from Gabrielle's celebratory birthday luncheon...

This sweet sister is now thirteen years old.  

When I began my blogging journey in 2009, she was barely two...

Back then she was my little buddy - she followed me everywhere, and wanted to be just like her older sister - we even shared a room. 

I feel truly blessed that we have maintained that close relationship, and still love doing things together! ♥

The birthday celebrations may have been quite simple, but the day was still so special...

Beth sewed a beautiful skirt for Gabrielle (which she is wearing in all these photographs), Nancy made lovely crocheted heart bunting to match Gabrielle's bedroom decor...the little ones gave her a new diary and colourful pens, and I told her I would get her started with a blog of her own, something she has been dreaming about for a long time.

You can now visit Gabrielle over at An Old Fashioned Girl.  ♥

While Gabrielle spent some time sewing with Mom, the girls and I baked some delicious eats, and decorated the party table while listening to beautiful soundtracks.  

It was quite festive in the kitchen that morning. {{smiles}}

 ^Of course we had to use our prettiest tea sets for the occasion...

^The delicious orange, almond and polenta cake Gabrielle requested...this cake is gluten-free.

I will be sharing the recipe next week. ♥

^I baked these little vegetable quiches the day before and served them with fresh basil.

 ^Nancy baked these gorgeous mini orange and dark chocolate eclairs and served them on a mirror. 

 

^Gabrielle and Caleb, ready for the festivities to commence!

 ♥

^Gabrielle with Sofia.  How special our whole family could spend this time celebrating together.

 ^Gabrielle was so thankful Dad could be here for her birthday.

^Let the celebrations begin!  Rebekah sipping a cup of tea.

 ^The lovely birthday girl.

^Hmmm...♥

After tea we decided to take some family photographs in the front garden.

It may not have been the prettiest location for pictures, but they still came out quite nicely...can't wait to have a few printed once lockdown restrictions are lifted.

 ^Mom and Dad with Gabrielle.

^Gabrielle with Mom and Caleb.

 ^Beth and Gabrielle.

^Gabrielle with Nancy

 ^Rebekah and Gabrielle

 ^Mom and Gabrielle.

 ^Dad and Sofia.

 ^The Gray children - Caleb (3), Sofia (8), Rebekah (10), Gabrielle (13), Beth (15), Nancy (20) and yours truly.

 ^Mom and her older girls. ♥

What a beautiful day of celebrating Gabrielle's life and the blessing of family. 

~

Have a beautiful week further, sweet friends.      

Blessings,

~ Kelly-Anne ~

January's Daybook

A recent outing to our local farmer's market was the perfect opportunity for capturing a few sweet moments through my lens...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outside my window...

Today's deliciously cool weather is certainly very welcome after the few stiflingly hot days we have had this week.

I may even attempt a walk to the park when little Mia wakes from her nap...

But first tea. 

In my cup...

Fruit tea sweetened with honey.

This summer I just haven't been able to drink hot coffee, which means I only drink my morning cup, and then that is it for the day.

As I have been trying to cut down on my caffeine intake, I am so happy about this!

Around the house...

We are so thankful to have Dad home for a few weeks, and the family have been enjoying regular morning beach trips and afternoons spent relaxing beside the pool.

Reading

As usual, I have several books on the go at once...

I did a lot of reading over December while babysitting, and if you follow me on Goodreads, you'll know that I checked several titles off my list!

Currently I am busy with Lorna Doone and A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

I was thrilled to add a few books to my growing collection which I stumbled upon at a second hand store a few weeks ago.  More on that soon!

Watching

Not all that much...although sometimes I watch an episode of something (at the moment I am watching the earlier seasons of Call the Midwife again), or part of a Hallmark movie while folding laundry in the evening.

Listening to...

I was over the moon to find two old Celtic Woman albums while browsing a second hand store a few weeks back.

I did a lot of driving in December, so it was fabulous to have new music to listen to.

I also found Josh Groban's Awake concert which I was pretty chuffed about.

Thankful for...

The month my dear friend spent in South Africa and having my dad home.

From the kitchen...

Preserving season is now behind us, and I am delighted with the full jars we have in our pantry.

Together Gabrielle and I made plum jam, apricot jam, strawberry jam, pickled onions, beetroot relish and more.

With the weather being so warm, we are doing a lot of our cooking outside and enjoying a good old South African braai most evenings.

Creating...

A couple weeks ago I spent a few days making up a custom order for a client.  

I made seven ellies, each one slightly bigger than the one before.
It was a challenge as I was working with fabric I don't ordinarily use, and two ellies split, which meant I had to start all over again.

I am so pleased with how they turned out and felt they were definitely worth the effort.

Other than that, I haven't been creating much lately...

Out and about...

 After a crazy few weeks, I am relishing these quieter days and being able to simply enjoy resting at home...  Besides work, I don't go anywhere if I can help it.

One of my favourite things...

I am enjoying so much about life that I don't think I could pick any one thing...

However, I do so love having a swimming pool - it makes summer so much more bearable!

Dreaming of...

Buying my new camera and learning how to use it...

Reading the new book which should also be arriving in the mail soon.

I am hoping...

To start feeling more rested.

To resume my daily walks, although now that it is hot, I need to walk before I have to get done for work...around 6am.

Quiet moments...

I have been enjoying plenty of blogging time almost every morning while Mia takes her nap.

I haven't been able to invest much time in writing the past couple weeks, so it feels really good to be getting into the swing of things again!

~

Well, dear friends...  It was ever so lovely to stop in today.

I would love to hear what has been  happening in your corner of the world this month, so do pop me a little note in the comments section - it is always a treat hearing from you!

Oh, and do stop by Ponderings from the Inglenook where I am guest posting today.
Elizabeth is a dear friend of mine, and it is a true honour to be contributing something to her lovely blog!

Blessings,

Kelly-Anne

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