A Fire, A Feisty Tabby & Finally Crocheting Again

Hello dear readers,

I have fresh photos and new updates for you all!

We went to Durban to visit my grandparents last week, my grandfather turned 70 on the 26th so we spent some time with him on Friday. He does not look his age, really! It's hard for us to even believe it. Anyway, as we reached the city of Durban, we noticed this huge, dark cloud of smoke. It was quite windy that day so the smoke traveled throughout the city. It was unlike anything I've ever seen before. When I checked the news on the Internet, there was already an article about it. A huge warehouse in the Bluff area of Durban had caught alight. There were wax panels and plastic stored in that warehouse so, it took the firefighters a while to extinguish the fire. It burned for hours but thankfully nobody lost their life.

In other news, we took Joshy to the vet today. Don't worry, he is in perfect health but it was just time for his yearly vaccinations. We loaded him into the car and were then subjected to his meows throughout the entire journey. He is a lot more relaxed now so his meows are actually just a way for him to complain. He was due for his vaccines a few months ago but my parents were really busy. Finally, we got the job done and he was home in no time!

Well,  the annual Royal Agricultural Show is coming up in May and I have decided to enter something in the crochet section this time. I have only ever entered cross-stitched items but I just wanted to change things up a bit. I LOVE crocheting! I did take a break for a few months but I'm into it again, with more vigor. 😊 I didn't want to do the boring old tablecloth or blanket though (no offense), I wanted to do something more fun, well at least for me. I wanted to challenge myself. I have made amigurumi toys for friends but I decided to rather do a playmat. Now, you might be thinking, a playmat? Isn't that as boring as a tablecloth or blanket? (Again, no offense)
I'm not making just any playmat, I'm making an interactive one that is actually a scene in the country as well. Does that make sense? I'll upload a photo when it's completed. It's going to have a road, a pond, flower patches, a hay field, fruit fields and so much more! Okay...I may have gotten a bit carried away, it is after all just a crocheted playmat. Though, I'm making it more for fun than the competition of it, I just simply love crocheting, did I mention that already? Now, I'm sure you're tired of hearing about my crafty side, so, take a look at the photos below!

God bless,
Sele'ha Mikhaila Dhew
  ♡♡♡

P.S. There is a wedding this Sunday at the main mission, it is the wedding of Christoff de Wet and Elona Joosten. Stay tuned for my next post to hear all about it!

We made some dragonfruit sorbet and topped it with whipped cream.

I crocheted this bird and her eggs a while ago but I showed it to Blitzy the other day.

This is how I found it after Blitzy was left alone.

She's not sorry at all!

I took these photos whilst we were in the car.

You can't see the building from here but the smoke had engulfed central Durban.

Due to the strong wind, it reached North Beach too.

Curly on the deck

A train in the distance, the railway runs at the entrance to our farm.

Pretty!

Blitzy inspecting the water fountain

Joshy 

She just noticed the teddy bear now!

Tulsa Visitors & a Turtle Tank

Hello,

I don't have many updates for you this week but there are loads of photos! Since I have Instagram for Cats of Claridge and Blitzy, I have been taking a lot more photos of my furry friends. ;)

Today we had some visitors over for breakfast. It was Uncle William and Aunty Elena Gavrilov from Tulsa, Oklahoma. I am friends with their daughter, Alina Gavrilov. Oom Peet and Tannie Andra are taking them to Virginia for a few days and then they'll spend some time in Claridge too. They were already at the main mission.

Oh, we gave Juliana Matveyuk our fish tank. Do you remember little Sam the turtle? Yes? Well this was her very own tank! We're glad that it can be used again! I think she has 6 fish if I'm not mistaken.
Katya sent some treats for us from Russia, it's delicious!
We're still harvesting dragonfruit by the way.

Anyway, I have to go but enjoy the photos!

God bless,
Sele'ha Mikhaila  

Curly

Blitzy

I wonder what she's up to now...?

Curly and Joshy are naughty, they're not allowed on the couch, my Mom had to even put a cover on the seat.

You got any treats to spare?

Granadilla's also known as Passion fruit.

Beautiful dragonfruit!

Cutie pie

Playing hide-and-seek with Blitzy this morning. 

Hello!

Curious kitty

After a long day....

....a nap sounds good.

Blitzy trying to open the window for Joshy!

Blitzy helping with the laundry

I was making cards and she "helped" me. :)

Katya sent us some Russian treats!

Loads of dragonfruit!

Sam's tank in its new home.

Ministers Conference & More Harvesting :)

Hello there!

I'm sorry, I had written this post the other day and forgot to upload it to the blog! I just noticed today...anyway, here it is :

This has been a busy and blessed week for us! As you probably know, it's harvest time at Claridge. It's also the week that the Ministers Conference was held, it was from Monday to Wednesday. We went on Tuesday, the first session was at 09:00, Rev Youssef Ourahmane spoke, he is the Operation Mobilisation Algeria Field leader and then there was a short tea break, where they served refreshments. We actually arrived a bit late and missed part of the beginning, we heard that Domino Servite School sang.
The second session was at 11:00 and Rev I.M. Zwane from Richards Bay gave a short devotion, thereafter Advocate Reg Willis spoke. He is the chairperson of the Christian Lawyers Association SA.
Lunch was served afterwards but we headed to the coffeeshop instead, we had to leave before the third session because as I mentioned above, it's harvest time in Claridge so it's busy! We could have lunch with Renate and catch up a bit, it's always lovely to see her.
The next day, my Mom, Caleb and I went to the conference again but this time with Oom Peet and Tannie Andra. My Dad stayed behind at Claridge to help with the harvesting and cleaning. Not everyone could go! Anyway, this time we were on time and the brass band played and the Young Preachers choir sang too. The auditorium was full! All the ministers stayed over of course and there were lots of visitors and ministers from other countries and branches of KwaSizabantu Mission. Rev Youssef Ourahmane took the morning session again and his wife also spoke. The 11:00 session was taken by Prof André Vanbeckevoort (Professor Emeritus & Author), he is from Belgium. The Youth Choir and the young men from Umphakhathi sang during that session. We left afterwards like the previous day but it was a blessing to attend some of the sessions from the conference. It was also great to see so many friends and familiar faces amongst the crowds of visitors.

Back at home, Blitzy, Curly and Joshy were not too happy that we were away for 2 days! I think Blitzy is getting too attached to me these days...she follows me everywhere, like a little puppy! She's so sweet though. :)

Alright, I'll end off now!

God bless,
Sele'ha Mikhaila
            ♡

The theme of the conference was "Streams of Living Water"

After the service, we had some dessert at the coffeeshop on the mission. This is Mocha Cake with a creamy coffee icing.

Carrot Cake with a cream cheese frosting

Bar One cake with fresh whipped cream

My Dad made a dragonfruit smoothie at home for us! Yum!

Green eyes

Sniffing her paw

Sleepy...

Tamarillo, otherwise known as tree tomatoes

A big yawn!

Pretty Blitzy

Waiting for me...

Joshy peepin' inside!

Blitzy watching Curly and Sniffles through the screen door, innovative!