Sunday, January 31, 2010

Time on Earth


I've loved the music of Crowded House and the brothers Finn since the 80's. This CD, Time on Earth, from 2007 remains one of my favourites.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Check-up


I went down to the pharmacy this morning to have a couple of routine screening tests (for my medical aid). As expected, blood pressure is still a little on the low side. Glucose and cholesterol are absolutely fine... phew. I do need to drop a little weight, which I know of course and am working on :-)

Friday, January 29, 2010

Tidy Desk


At the end of a busy week (and boy, this has been a busy one!) I like to straighten up my work desk last thing in the afternoon. All ready for next week.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Pear & Nectrarines


My love affair with fruit this summer continues. I couldn't resist the ruby red colour of this pear. Ooh, and delicious nectarines!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Lavender Oil


Last night I didn't plug in the Peaceful Sleep device and I woke up being eaten alive by mosquitoes. I find that the only thing that relieves the itch is lavender essential oil. This little bottle lives on my bedside table.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Cold Mountain


Earlier this month I read a bunch of so-so books: thrillers mostly, nothing memorable. A couple of days ago I picked by Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain and it gripped me from the very first page. It is sooooooo good! And beautifully written. I'm halfway through it and while I can't wait to get back to it, I'm also not wanting it to finish.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Crisp White Linen


I love this pillowcase... little purple lobelia flowers, hand-embroidered by my mom.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Mama Mountain


This afternoon I took a drive up the West Coast and went for a walk on the beach at Bloubergstrand. From here, looking back towards the city, one gets the iconic, picture-postcard view of the Table Mountain. It always takes my breath away.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

'Ouse


I've been indulging in a bit of series watching on my laptop recently. A bit of Big Bang Theory, some True Blood and today a couple of episodes of House. Love that show!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Murraya Exotica


My mock orange is flowering... the scent is intoxicating!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Decisions Decisions


I'm in the process of replacing the cushion covers on my old armchair. Claudia helped me choose a selection of lovely fabrics, but I'm having trouble making a final decision.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Maynardville


Went to see Anthony & Cleopatra at Maynardville, outdoor theatre. It was very good.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Excess Baggage


Time for my annual spring-clean and throw-out. I took all my old clothes, shoes and household items down to the homeless shelter. Shedding belongings is good for the soul.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Gecko Graveyard


My cats bring in geckos every day. If I catch them alive I throw them back into the garden, but more often than not the poor geckos get teased and tormented to death. Today I was doing some spring-cleaning and found half a dozen corpses under the furniture. Macabre!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Dappled Shade


My friend Dorothy and I both became members of the Botanical Society this year. This morning we met up at Kirstenbosch and spent the day lazing under a tree. We chatted, read, ate a picnic, dozed and gazed at this view. Such a relaxing Sunday!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Fruit Salad


I'm loving all the delicious summer fruit available at the moment. For breakfast this morning: apricots, blueberries and lichees. So sweet and delicious!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Wash 'n Vac


My car went in for a major service today - ouch, very expensive! At least it came back thoroughly cleaned inside and out. Tom inspected the job and approved.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Precious Darlings


My mom and dad had to say goodbye to a pet yesterday. So sad... Jinks was the sweetest dog. I can't even bear to think about losing my cats, even though I know that one day that time will come.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Colleague


My colleague Gerhard at work at his desk.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Agenda


It was our Body Corporate AGM this evening. We made some decisions about things needing attention in our building.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Two Blocks


I'm back on the straight and narrow with regards eating healthily. I've cut down on my sugar intake but am allowing two small blocks of chocolate a day. That way I'm not feeling deprived and I'm making a 100g slab last over a week. So this week my treat is hazelnut praline milk chocolate, served up here on a pretty little Sarah Walters plate.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Shopping Hell


This morning I drove out to Canal Walk to do some shopping. What a frustrating experience... I could find almost nothing on my shopping list. The only thing I bought (apart from some groceries from the supermarket) was this nice new translucent toiletries bag.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

St James View


Today I went down to the False Bay coast to visit my friend Dorothy. We went for a walk along the coast and had a swam at Dalebrook pool. This is the fabulous view from the balcony at her spot in St James. I'm jealous :-)

Friday, January 8, 2010

Funny Face


Trixie runs to meet me whenever I arrive home. This is her sleep-head face... she's just woken up. As she greets me there is a lot of stretching, squirming, purring and head-butt demands for strokes and scratches. So much cat love.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

H20 in the AM


One of my resolutions for the new year is to drink a big glass of water first thing in the morning, rather than juice or tea. Have bought myself a new water filter jug and am drinking my water in the morning and throughout the day. It is good for me and I like it.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Grilled Halloumi Salad


My supper this evening. I only discovered how delicious halloumi cheese is last year. Now it is one of my favourite choices for a vegetarian meal.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Sundowners


After work today I met Sue and Vanessa (and her sister Belinda) for drinks. We sat under umbrellas, sipped cocktails and enjoyed the sea breeze on this hot summer day.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Chill Out


I've rediscovered this old cd by Bluetech. I like to put it on when I arrive home... a bit of quiet time before I turn on the TV or computer or get started on supper.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Aquarium


Last night, before the ballet, we wandered around the Two Oceans Aquarium. Such fun !

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Please Take Your Seats


This evening my friend Aafke and I went to watch AquaBallet - part of the Aqua Festival - on the floating stage at the V&A Waterfront harbour (thanks for the tickets Kathryn). It was a perfect summer's evening, the dancing was lovely and wow, what a setting for a stage!

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Year Toast


My first meal of 2010 was rye toast with home-made apricot jam that I made yesterday. Scrumptious! Happy new year.