First crochet project

I started on this blanket for Carli a while ago and just when I thought the end is in sight did I decide to add on a row or two. It was just too small to make it worth the effort so here I am crocheting again.

I was inspired by Sam my very creative and industrious friend while living in Spain. She always has some project she's busy with. So here I am Sam, after 16 months in Ozland following suit. Another week or two and it will be finished.

This is my first ever crochet project so I am very proud of myself.. One needs to get praise from some where :)

Emotions!!!

I haven't been active for quite a while due to various things happening and emotions I had to deal with.

I did my orientation with the New South Wales Dep. of Ed. and Training the previous week and 5 days of in school assessment last week. All went well and apparently I am still fit and able to teach. Yeah for me!! So now to go and hand out my shortened version of my resume to different schools in the area. We'll see if they like my face :)

On the emotional side, without blabbing too many personal details I'll just say that moving abroad is not for sissies. We left South Africa August 2006 and started a new life some where else and life carries on and life is good and then we got bad news from SA and the Soccer World Cup happens in your birthland and then.... And you are not so strong anymore.

But here we are, the sun is shining, I have a new washing machine, Carli had her 13th sleepover birthday party here last night, (lots of laughter and noise and tired eyes this morning..), we will be with friends later today and on we go! So many blessings and another sunrise with wonderful promises.

The photo was taken by a 'Weg Tydskrif' user.  Used with permisson.

Journeying through life

Would we have been scared, excited, unsure, exhilarated if we had known what the future holds for us as a young adult? Maybe all of the above, but we might not have had the courage to go on or on the other hand to storm ahead and don't learn the lessons that life has in store for you.

God knows best not to reveal the future but He promises that He will be there to guide us if we put our hand in His. It makes the journey so much more safe even in those times when life knocks you down and you barely can lift up your head and so much more joyful when your cup runneth over.

Enjoy your journey, and don't forget to be glad at the beginning of a new day and to give thanks at the end of a day.

I am 'stealing' a quote from a friend...

When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change. (Wayne Dyer)

Images of Spain

I will put a few pictures of Spain on here when ever I miss the country with all it's beauty and different culture and life style.

Hope you will enjoy the little bits with me and share in a small way our wonderful experience while living there.

The following pictures are from my favourite Andalucian style village called Frigiliana, north of Malaga.

Autumn

I was hoping we could get to a few 'famous for their Autumn colours', towns during Autumn but alas time is running out and the leaves are falling fast here in Sydney. the colder towns have started some time ago with the splendour so I doubt there will be any left when we get there. It has been raining for the last few days and no picture of the lovely colours would look great, specially if it's taken with my mobile.

So I have decided to put the pictures on I took last year in Leura, a quaint little town  somewhere inland. I have used some of it before in a news letter last year but I think they're worth showing again.

Boere braai

A few weeks ago we had a very typical South African braai/barbie celebrating Tommy's birthday. He made himself a proper 'konka' braai and as you can see we had great fun sitting around it and had 'lekker' conversations about everything and what not. We left at 11:30 but the other 2 families left only way after 12. Ieteke made 'stokbrood/stickbread dough and the kids and the grown-ups enjoyed the fresh warm bread with butter and syrup. Tommy also made a pumpkin 'potjie' which was very delicious. Food was good, company was good and the fire gave us all a warm fuzzy feeling!!


Thanks guys for a lovely evening!!

Jessica Watson-Good on you girl!!

What a welcome Sydney and Australia gave Jessica on Saturday!! It is incredible to think that she left home 7 months ago as a 16 year old girl with a big dream in her heart and here she's back, turning 17 tomorrow and with a massive smile on her face, her dream achieved, sailing solo, unattended around the world.

The world is her oyster.

Here is her website http://jessicawatson.com.au/Blog

Mothers day at Bobbin Head

We left home early, at 8:15 (for a Sunday that is early!), with the Hoeks, our dear Dutch friends for a 'braai'/barbie at Bobbin Head. It is in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park only a few kilos from home. It was the most beautiful day. The sky was blue blue, no wind, few people while we were there and the company was great. We went for a walk along the mangrove boardwalk and the kids had great fun trying to catch little crabs in the mud. There are thousands of the little things. It was great to be outside and it was a wonderful mothers day for Annemarie and myself.

Afterwards we went to their house and had a few cuppas and played our favourite family card game, Bushman bridge. A card game we also played with other families while still in SA. It's a great fun game for old and young.

 These 'braai' facilities are found all over Australia. Wherever you go you'll find it. Always clean and ready to be used.

                    Mangrove boardwalk

         Would like to know what kind of Eucalyptus this is.

                                            Natural garden

                     Blue skies, I love it!

                         Fun time!!

The Kimberley - Western Australia

We have been in Australia just over 15 months and have seen a lot of Sydney and the immediate surrounds. We have been down the south coast and have explored a few other places outside of the Sydney council area. Our area is quite green and totally overpopulated by Eucalyptus trees. The area is also very hilly and it feels to me I can never see far enough or over the trees do appreciate a beautiful sunrise (hence the name Sonrisa for my blog) or a sunset. I like spread out areas and horizons! I definitely can breathe better in such areas. In Spain we talked about the vista.

One of the areas I am desperate to experience is The Kimberley in north Western Australia. It is a massive area (similar in size to California) and it has red sand and waving grass and amazing mountain ranges. I have put the link to the area and please go to the 'gallery' on the left and have a look.  When I watch programs of the area on tv, do I actually experience a physical pain in my chest, can I call it a heartache.. it is soooo beautiful to me.

Long time still before we'll be able to see that part of our new adopted country, but surely we will.

Enjoy the pictures and also have a look at some of the interesting facts. This country is wild!!!

Enjoy the rest of your week end.
Carina

http://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/kimberley_western_australia.html

Scrapbook for Carli

Carli turned 13 a few weeks ago and I made her a little scrapbook as part of her present. I couldn't believe what a time consuming project it was. I loved every minute of it and she was duly impressed and thankful.

Here, just a few of the pages.

                              With all my love !!