Garden Grows

Summer is here. We've had some rain recently and the temperatures are rising... and my garden is flourishing. I love it in the morning light. Hey there Trixie, good morning little cat!
~ A year ago today I was attempting to finish a knitting project. It is still not done. ~

Nice Day

"Why thank you, you have a nice day too now, er, parking garage."
~ A year ago today I was using my Thomas the City Cat bowl ~

Played with Fire

I haven't been to the movies very often recently, but I did manage to see Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a while ago, and today I saw the sequel. They are interesting films. Looking forward to the final instalment.
~ A year ago today I enjoyed a delicious refreshing smoothie ~

Jonkershuis

My aunt and I popped down to Groot Constantia for tea at the Jonkershuis Restaurant this afternoon. Mmm, baked lemon cheesecake. Then we strolled around a bit under the trees... it is such a quiet, restful place.
~ A year ago today Trixie was sunning herself in the garden ~

Drop

I've found out that one of the things I can do to help low blood pressure is eat licorice! It must be the real stuff though, with extract of licorice root. So I've hunted down some proper dutch zoute drop. I used to eat it often when I lived in Holland, but haven't had any for years. Really nice to rediscover the stuff. And it's the sort of medicine I don't mind taking ;-)
~ A year ago today I was padlocking my garden hosepipe ~

Keyboard & Mouse

I am absolutely loving my new laptop.
~ A year ago today I went to see the amazing Watsonias on Devil's Peak ~

Wires

I went to visit my friend Dom after work and had to wait for a few minutes for him to arrive. Not a hardship at all when there's a mountain to gaze at!
~ A year ago today I was reading A City Imagined ~

Hospital

This morning I took a stroll down to my doctor's rooms at the hospital. I had an appointment for a general check-up and wanted to have a chat to her about my low blood pressure. It's been making me feel really dreadful the last while.
~ A year ago today I bought myself some new hiking socks ~

Strange

I finished Damon Galgut's In a Strange Room today. It was utterly compelling. He's such a very gifted writer.
~ A year go today I had my first swim of the summer ~

Tea Break

Home-made banana bread and strong cup of tea... mmm, there's nothing better.
~ A year ago today I was visiting Kirstenbosch ~

Sweet Face

I spent the afternoon at my friend Vanessa's place. After much bouncing around Ozzie, her little pooch, settled into on her lap for cuddles. He's a cutie ;-)
~ A year ago today I was eating a delicious sandwich for my lunch ~

NoMU Stash

Went down to the NoMU warehouse sale this afternoon and scooped up some goodies. I love their cocoa, hot chocolate and vanilla, but haven't tried any of the savoury products yet. I hope this liquid stock, Fond, is as good as I hear.
~ A year ago today I was writing about the fabric of my favourite shirt ~

Unpacking the Box

Ooh, I bought a new laptop. It arrived today. So excited about my new toy!
~ A year ago today I was eating breakfast out a favourite bowl ~

Mascot

This guy always used to live on my desk. Today I found him in a cupboard. Hee hee, I don't remember moving him and I haven't missed him, and but Welcome Back, Little Bear!
~ A year ago today I got the new David Gray album. I still listen to it often. ~

Blinds

Summer is here again. It is hot. It is windy. And the bright sun is streaming into my office so I've had to draw the blinds down. It's bye-bye to my view for the next few months.
~ A year ago today I was enjoying green leaves in my garden ~

Catus Vomitus

What a start to my week: cleaning up cat vomit before breakfast. Tom didn't come home last night. He finally made an appearance around 7am, and promptly threw up in the bedroom and the living room. Poor boy! He seemed to feel better afterwards though.
~ A year ago today I was admiring flower arrangements ~

Fluke

Day-trip to Hermanus today! We saw a couple of whales in the bay... mostly they were bobbing in the water and rolling in the waves. Very hard to photograph.
~ A year ago today I was considering cosmetic products ~

Layers

I've been making my own muesli for year. Into my container goes: assorted flakes - rye, millet, spelt and barley - plus oat bran, digestive bran, wheat germ, ground up linseed and sesame seeds, whole sunflower seeds, coconut flakes, cranberries, sultanas, chopped almonds, brazils and hazelnuts. All I need to do now is fill up with oats and shake to mix.
~ A year ago today blue skies came out after a week of rain. Just like today! ~

The Cats Upstairs

My neighbours above have two sweet kitties who sit on their balcony and watch my two below. Mine are so fortunate to have a garden and the freedom to come and go as they please. I imagine the two upstairs cats would love to come down and play.
~ A year ago today Tom was showing off his new collar ~

Serena

This book has a beautiful cover, doesn't it. It is what I am reading now and it's good.
~ A year ago today I was doing some swimming ~

Utility

I finally made a decision on how to use my birthday gift. One of the items I got was this beautiful knife. I'm very happy with it!
~ A year ago today I was giving my feet a pedicure ~

Bumper Sticker

I saw this on the back bumper of a car today. Too funny!
~ A year ago today I was forgetting to take the DVD back ~

Switchboard

Very busy day at work today... there seemed to be a million interruptions and zillion phonecalls . Sigh, I hate talking on the telephone.
~ A year ago today I was taking my vitamins ~

Snippety-snip

My herb plants are thriving. There are few things more satisfying than popping out into my garden to cut some fresh herbs for my cooking. Thyme leaves for ratatouille... yum.
~ A year ago today I was having a quiet day at home and Trixie was napping. Just like today! ~

Cape Dutch

This is Stellenberg, a fine and gracious 18th Cape Dutch Century Manor house in Kenilworth. I was here this afternoon for more open gardens. It was fun!
~ A year ago today I was enjoying the scent of my honeysuckle creeper ~

Fever Trees on Bree

I drive past these trees on Bree Street every morning on my way to work... adore their lime-green trunks! Have a look at this wonderful blog by photographer Andrew Brauteseth: Bree Street "Cape Town's hippest street". Very cool.
~ A year ago today I was watching Moon and eating salmon roses. ~

Exotic

I bought some new ingredients to try this evening... rice paper and vietnamese coriander. I'm making fresh spring rolls for supper, with a sweet chilli dipping sauce.
~ A year ago today I was filing my paperwork ~

Shino

My latest purchase: jug with shino glaze by Nico Liebenberg Pottery. Not sure I need another jug - this is number ten in my collection - but I do like it very much.
~ A year ago today I was doing my grocery shopping ~

Blogiversary

I started this blog a year ago today. My intention was to post a photo a day for a full year, so I have been successful in that. It is pretty time consuming and I'm really not sure why I do it, or what purposed it serves. But it amuses me... so I think I am going to carry on ;-)
~ A year ago today I was about to start reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest ~

Louisiana Iris

After spending several hours this evening looking at the photos Michele and I took yesterday I have a bad case of camera envy. Michele's new Fuji HS10 takes amazing pictures. [Guest photographer: Michele]