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 ~

small happinesses

 Hello sweet friends and happy Monday.

I do hope that your weekend was a lovely one indeed...♥

I thought I would stop in to let you know that I am guest posting over at Ponderings from the Inglenook again today...

The theme Elizabeth picked for the month of April was, A Dozen Small But Sure Happinesses.

^Picture taken at Gabrielle's birthday luncheon last Friday...stay tuned for a post coming later this week! ♥

How lovely it was to sit and write out a dozen little things that make me happy...

In these challenging times I believe it is important we keep a thankful heart and look for the beauty in every moment.

You can read my post over at Elizabeth's blog, Ponderings from the Inglenook ...it would be a joy to have you stop by.

♥

Blessings to you, dear readers,

~ Kelly-Anne ~

little things♥lately

"What day is it?" asked Pooh.
"It's today," squeaked Piglet.
"My favourite day," said Pooh.

~ A.A. Milne

Hello lovely readers...

The chilly Autumn sun is casting her golden morning light upon our little corner of the world.
There is a stillness in the air, broken only by the occasional rumble of an engine, and the cheerful twittering of the birds as they joyfully welcome the arrival of a brand new day.

Today should have been the second last day of our 21 day lockdown, but instead we face an additional two weeks of being confined to our homes...
As I am nursing an ear and throat infection, these quiet days at home are just what I need to regain my strength.

I thought I would stop in with a few pictures of the little things I have been enjoying lately. ♥
Our world may be all topsy turvey, but our home is a haven; a place of peace and calm in the midst of a turbulent sea...

I decided it was high time I pick up my knitting needles and begin working on a new project...
At the moment I am busy on a ribbed cowl in gorgeous grey yarn...
And when I need a little break from knitting, I have a rather gripping new book to read...
I came across A Light to My Path by historical and Biblical fiction author, Lynn Austin, in a second hand bookstore quite some time ago, and am currently 200 pages in to this beautifully written novel...
I would love to find the other books in this series.

My lovely baby spinach is growing quite prolifically, and we harvest leaves almost every evening for our salad...
I spent some time in the garden on Saturday just before I started feeling under the weather, so my plants are quite happy for the time being.
Dad and I need to find a moment to stake up the rambling pea plants, though...

A few weeks ago the sweet potatoes we had in our veggie basket started sending out little runners, so I cut them off, along with a small slice of the sweet potato, and popped them in some soil...
And here they are growing quite happily in my little garden.
We used to grow sweet potato on the farm and were always amazed at how easy they were maintain.

Our little ones have been spending hours playing out of doors...
The other day they were playing Zorro (they have been watching the 1957 Zorro series with Guy Williams), and have now moved on to some sort of camping game...sheets and blankets are daily hauled out to the front yard, and snacks are carried off in a basket to be munched in their tents.

We try to spend as much time outside as possible, and even had a family picnic in the front yard over the weekend.
Cooler weather is coming, so we are making the most of these moderate days.

How pretty these buds look amidst the greenery in this vase...

It has been wonderful spending time blessing our home lately, although, with nine people living here 24/7, things don't stay tidy for very long!  {{Smiles}}

 "I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but those that bring simple pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string."
~ L.M. Montgomery

The girls found a little chameleon today...isn't he sweet?
I love chameleons and remember having so many in our garden when I was a child...at one stage there were even baby chameleons.

I just had to share a little peek of the birdy tea towels Mom and I have been sewing.
We have plenty more to sew (a friend gave us a big piece of waffle-weave fabric), but that will have to wait....this week we are planning a small high tea for Gabrielle who is celebrating her thirteenth birthday this coming Friday.

♥
 Well, sweet friends, may your day be lovely as you strive to choose joy and spend time cultivating a thankful heart.

I would love to hear what you have been up to lately...it always brightens my day to hear from my dear readers!

With love,
~ Kelly-Anne 

weekend joys

 

 

 

 {Pictures of the table my sisters decorated so beautifully for our celebration dinner}

"There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ."

~ In Christ Alone, Keith Getty/Stuart Townend

I hope all my dear readers had a wonderful weekend celebrating what our precious Saviour did for us on the cross...  

Through Him we have peace, hope and the promise of eternal life with Him in glory!

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 

~ Romans 5:8

these quiet days...

 Early this morning I awoke to a little person peeping around my bedroom door.

Something had frightened them, so we snuggled together in my bed till it was time for me to get up and make coffee.

I am thankful for more time for hugs and cuddles with these precious ones.

Today is another glorious Autumn day; bright and clear with a slight crispness in the air...

I long to immerse myself in beauty of nature at this time of year by going for a ramble in the forest, or a stroll along the shoreline, but instead I slip on my gardening gloves and potter about sowing seeds, weeding and making our little garden pretty.

I am thankful for more time to spend in my happy place.

 

After spending an hour or so in the garden, I decided I would work on my to do list...

The kitchen windows received some love and are now all shiny, and our homegrown piquant peppers were finally pickled and bottled...  How delicious they will be on homemade pizza later this month.

I am thankful for more time to bless our home and family.

 Just now I am sipping a cup of something warm and pondering how blessed I am to share my journey through my little corner of the great wide web, and be encouraged and inspired by others who endeavor to do the same.

I am thankful for more time to spend connecting with friends, both old and new.

  

I think I may do a little sewing this afternoon...

Yesterday I made another tracksuit for Caleb, this time I used dark grey material, and I think he looks quite spiffy in it.

I am also wanting to cut and hem a couple tea towels so I can work on a little applique tomorrow (stay tuned for pictures of the final products).

I am thankful for more time to spend creating at my sewing and making items for my loved ones.

Or I might catch up on some reading...I am thoroughly engrossed in my book and am just 100 pages away from completing a 1059 page book.

I am thankful for more time to spend cultivating my imagination by the reading of good, wholesome books.

A little later we will gather to sing hymns, read God's Word and pray for wisdom and strength for our family and the people we care about...

I am thankful for these times we spend together as a family praising our heavenly Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine...

And I am thankful for the peace that reigns in our hearts in the midst of the worldwide pandemonium.

These days at home may be quiet in a sense that we don't see anyone or go anywhere, but our hands are busy and our hearts are happy...

I want to look back on these strange days with fond memories, happy in knowing we didn't waste a moment that was given to us.

Blessings to you, dear friends...

May the Easter weekend be one of great celebration as you reflect on what our Saviour did for us on the cross.

Let us remember that because of Jesus, we have peace and hope.

In Christ,

Kelly-Anne

in my world ~ april

outside my window ~

Now that South Africa is in lockdown, it is a lot quieter in our normally very busy, noisy neighbourhood. 
It has been so wonderful to have some peace and quiet, and we are finding that we have more bird life in our garden...I even wake up to birdsong in the morning instead of traffic or people shouting.
What a gift!

in my cup ~

Earlier today it was a cup of coffee.

around the house ~ 

Everyone is busy with various projects they have on the go, such as the sanding and painting of furniture, the sewing of dolls clothes and the baking of treats, but we come together often...
If not around the table to share a meal, then outside in the garden for a cup of tea, or for our family devotions in the evenings.

reading ~

 I am currently busy working my way through The Complete Novels and Stories of Sherlock Holmes, volume 1. 
I have actually already read volume 2, so it is quite sad to think that soon I will have read all the Sherlock stories there are.
I also just finished When Tomorrow Comes by Janette Oke, which I really enjoyed.

listening to ~

I have been listening to a lot of hymns, both old and new, of late... 
I find them so uplifting and encouraging, especially in these uncertain times. 

watching ~

We have been watching season 7 of When Calls the Heart several evenings a week, and I have been working my way through season 1 of When Hope Calls while folding the laundry each day.
It is so lovely to have something clean and beautiful to watch every so often.

from the kitchen ~

As you can tell from the pictures above, I have been doing some baking...
I had been wanting to make hot cross buns for ever so long, and finally tried Mary Berry's simple, if somewhat time-consuming, recipe over the weekend, and was so pleased with the result!
Definitely worth all the effort!

creating ~

I have been doing quite a bit of sewing over the past week or so, starting with some sweet fabric pumpkins, then moving on to a tracksuit for Caleb, and birdy tea towels, which I will be sharing about soon.

in the garden ~

It has been wonderful being able to spend more time in the garden lately. 
Dad has cleared new ground for me, so I am hoping to fill this new patch with more veggies and salad leaves.
Stay tuned for a garden update coming soon.

out and about ~

As we are in the midst of a national lockdown, no one is going anywhere, not even for a walk around the block.  

one of my favourite things ~

Reconnecting with dear old friends in the world of blogging.

thankful for ~

Time at home with the people I love most in the world...
Evenings spent in prayer, worship and the reading of God's Word with my family,
and hearing how other families are drawing nearer to the Lord too...
Fellowship with dear friends via video calls.

dreaming of ~

Being able to go for a long, refreshing walk along the beach when the lockdown rules lift.

hoping ~

To use this time wisely and for the glory of God...
To get around to all the cleaning and organising that is on our to-do lists.

quiet moments ~

I love that the pace of life has slowed and that I can be home, my favourite place to be.

for the love of words ~

"The great thing about faith in God is that it keeps a man undisturbed in the midst of disturbance."  
~ Oswald Chambers
A beautiful truth to hold on to in these troubling times.

A blessed April to you, sweet friends...
I would love to hear what it happening in your world this month!

Blessings,
Kelly-Anne

how to make a rooibos cappuccino

Hello dear friends and happy April...

While my lovely readers living in the northern hemisphere are welcoming the beauty of Springtime, those of us on the other side of the world are delighted that Autumn weather has arrived...

And I have something deliciously warm and cosy to share with you today that is just perfect for those in-between days...

 "There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of Autumn leaves."  

~ Joe Wheeler

 There is just something comforting about snuggling up with a cup of something warm and a good book on a chilly day, wouldn't you agree?  

I have many favourite hot drinks including coffee, homemade chai tea and rooibos (sometimes called red) cappuccino.

I know many of my readers are not too keen on coffee, so perhaps this is the perfect hot drink to have as a treat when feeling like something extra decadent...

And the happy thing is, rooibos doesn't contain caffeine.

"Rooibos, meaning 'red bush'; is a broom-like member of the plant family Fabaceae that grows in South Africa's fynbos" ~ Wikipedia

"The leaves are changing;

I feel poetry in the air." 

~ Laura Jaworski

How to Make a Rooibos Cappuccino

I have several different methods for making a rooibos cappuccino...

One is to use a filter coffee machine if I am making more than two cups, the other is to use a french press, or a Moka pot.

I use one tablespoon of red espresso, or fine rooibos leaves per cup.

I then brew the rooibos tea just like I would brew coffee.
The difference between using a rooibos teabag and brewing red espresso, or fine rooibos leaves, is that using the leaves means your tea will be much stronger, which is what we want for our cappuccino...

Once you have put your tea on to brew, warm a little milk - about 1/3 cup of milk per cappuccino.

Now you can froth your milk.
If you have something specifically for this, then go ahead and froth your milk that way, otherwise you can pour the milk into a jar, seal and shake, or use a french press and froth the milk with the plunger.   Leave to settle for a minute.

 Pour the red espresso into your favourite cup and slowly pour in the milk, reserving the foam with a teaspoon.
Now gently spoon the foam on top.

To finish, drizzle over a teaspoon of honey and dust a little ground cinnamon over the top.

And there you are...grab your book, find a comfy spot and enjoy sipping your homemade red cappuccino!

If you do try making your own rooibos cappuccino, I would love to hear what you thought of it! 

~

Well, dear friends, week one of lockdown has drawn to a close, and what a productive week it was indeed!  I have been able to check a good few things off my to-do list, but as fast as I do that, new things get added!  Thankfully there are still a few weeks in which to accomplish all these goals.

I am so thankful for the many blessings that emerged through this time of having to remain home, one being how families are coming together and drawing closer to the Lord...

I would encourage you to gather your family and spend time in prayer, the reading of God's Word and the singing of hymns and spiritual songs each day...  As Believers we need to stand strong and be a beacon of light for Christ in this dark and dying world.

Thank you for visiting today, friends!

It has been lovely to reconnect with many of you whom I lost contact with over the years...  

It is wonderful to see bloggers returning to their little corners of the web and seeking to bring hope, light and encouragement to others through their blogs.

Have a blessed, peaceful weekend!

~ Kelly-Anne