Cross-stitching & a Cross Kitty

Hi!

Well, it's been a quiet week here for us....

On Sunday afternoon, we had a "braai" on the deck, braai is the Afrikaans word for barbecue and all South Africans use that word. Who doesn't love a good braai? It went well and Caleb even concocted an on-the-spot dessert. I commend him, he just through some stuff together and it turned out brilliantly, everyone enjoyed it! It's so nice to be out on the deck in the fresh air.....

This week was a trying time for Blitzy, on Tuesday morning, we took her to the vet for her monthly tablet. She is usually quite calm and before she knows it, the vet has given her the tablet and she is on her way home again. This time however, the vet tried to give it to her by hand instead of using the pill dispensing instrument and that was a bad idea. This made her quite upset, she even gave the vet a little scratch. Blitzy was quite fidgety and she moved a bit as the vet was giving the tablet so we weren't sure whether it went down her throat or if she spat it out. Well, we looked everywhere for it but to no avail so we presumed that the tablet was given.....
Later that day, I noticed that the tablet was stuck onto her fur! She didn't digest it after all! Well, we had to go back to the vet a day or so later but her usual vet was performing an operation at the time so, we went to the other vet there. He used the instrument but she spat it out several times and then became quite "woedend", as they say in Afrikaans!! This means furious, really, really angry!
She gave this vet a nasty scratch on his arm and she broke free from my grasp and as she did so, her claw snagged my hand......ouch! It was not normal to see her like this, poor little Blitzy. Eventually the tablet went down and the vet suggested using drops instead of the tablet, we'll do that the next time for sure! Blitzy was fine for the rest of the day though.

On a lighter note, I've started cross-stitching once again! Well, in 2014, I entered my cross-stitched picture in the Royal Agricultural Show and it won 1st prize! Well, if you win, you are not allowed to enter in that same category of crafts again the next year, so I didn't enter in 2015 but this year I'm eligible to enter in the cross-stitching category since it's 2016! I won't show you the picture until I have completely finished it but here is a hint : Joshy & Blitzy are in the picture this time instead of Curly.
If you remember from the last time I did that picture, Blitzy loved to sit on the material in the hoop and liked catching the thread as I pulled it through. She hasn't forgotten about that because as soon as I pulled that hoop out again and began cross-stitching, she was at my side! It's actually quite dangerous for her because of the needle so I try to do it it discreetly or when she is asleep or even in another room. It's safer that way!

Yeah anyway, that's all for now!
God bless,
Sele'ha Mikhaila ♡  

The kids at dinner time, all assembled in the kitchen. 

These beautiful flowers outside Bible House and our church.

Blitzy the day before her vet trip, how innocent?

Waiting to go...

This is after the tablet ordeal, she fell asleep with her head hanging down!

And woke up with a fussy look on her face.

 Blitzy on the cross-stitching hoop.

When I came out of the shower, all 3 kids were in my room, waiting for dinner! 

Joshy and Blitzy having a staring competition.

My Dad is a wonderful artist...here are some of his paintings. This is my favorite.

And another one.

A Portrait and a Pie

Howdy ya'll!

Last week, I got into the Southern mood and baked a blueberry pie! It was delicious if I do say so myself. ;)
Well, actually, the real reason I baked this treat was due to the fact that my Mum was discharged from the hospital! The operation went well by God's grace and the patient is recovering. My Mom does not like to rest or take it easy, it's work, work, work!! I think it's like that with all mothers.....okay, well perhaps not ALL..hehehehe

During the week, we took a drive through a park. Now, though we live on a farm, the city is just 10 minutes away. It was a nice drive and we got to see a zebra or two.

I've been keeping up-to-date with my sketching, I try to do it as often as I can....it's a great stress-reliever! This time, I tried doing a portrait.....I've never done a proper portrait before so it was fun trying it out......please don't expect much from the photo, it's my first time! I sketched Uncle Erlo Stegen, the director of Kwasizabantu Mission, all the mission branches stem from the main mission which Oom Erlo started. It was actually his 81st birthday at the beginning of this month.

Joshy insists on sleeping on a chair and not in his basket so we had to pick a chair that will be "his".
Curly is certainly not a "morning doggie", she is so slow in the mornings and doesn't eat breakfast everyday, she'll only eat much later. Also, she eats all sorts of weeds outside which upset her tummy and then she just won't eat until she feels better! If you look at her chubby little body, you'd think that she eats alot of food and many people do think that. Although, she hardly eats! She does, however like to snack. We try not to give her too many unhealthy treats though.
Sorry that this update is short but do enjoy the photo's!

May the Lord bless you,
Sele'ha Mikhaila ♡

Joshy on his chair. ;)

The unbaked pie packed with blueberries.

Ta-daaa! The finished product!

Ooey gooey goodness...

It's not so pretty afterwards. Hehehe

Some zebras at that park.

Curly and Blitzy taking it easy.

My attempt at a "portrait" of Uncle Erlo Stegen.

Lazy Little Lassie

Hello dear friends!

Well, it's time for another blog post!

Yesterday, my Mom had to go to the hospital, they have admitted her for about a week because Mom has to have an operation. We pray that all goes well.
Now, this also means that I am on dinner duty!

Here are some photo's...

Blitzy and Joshy 

Hot days are lazy days for these two!

Blitzy simply adores him!

I tried to sketch something this week but Blitzy put a stop to it by sleeping on my sketch pad!!

This is Lassie at Bible House...she's knocked out!!

She gets the best priveleges!

But...who can resist this face?!

Our mission's logo and a beautiful tree in bloom.

Kenzo!! I just LOVE this big fella, he is the perfect gentleman!

My Mom made some fudge --->

Mmm....there is nothing like homemade fudge.

A Telescope & a Tree Named Michael

Hey....

So, we have continued to harvest Dragonfruit this week, God is so good, we have had a bountiful harvest, over 4 tons so far! It is certainly not over yet though and we will harvest again in March-April.
I hear that the services are going well with Oom Peet in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We expect Oom to be back in March.

I forgot to mention that a while back, my Dad bought a telescope! Yep, you heard right! Since we have now acquired the deck, (a great lookout point), we have proceeded to buy this. It is amazing to see the moon and stars so close! My Dad really enjoys his new "toy". We have yet to spot any planets though we're hopeful!

We went out for breakfast on Saturday, it was delicious and then we went to one of our favorite places....a quaint little bookstore and miscellaneous store. We love reading! Later on, we took a lovely walk through the dragonfruit orchards at home, in Claridge. On our way back, I checked on Michael. For those of you who don't know...Micheal is my treasured Avocado plant. My Dad and I nurtured "him" from a seed, once his roots developed, we transferred him to a potplant. He eventually grew too big for it but we were uncertain as to whether we should transplant him or not. Of course, this delay stifled his growth to an extent and he was considerably smaller than his "avo tree peers". Finally, we decided in favor of the transplant and into the ground he went! He has flourished over time and is now taller than the roof of the greenhouses! He has the makings of a magnificent Avocado tree.
I sure enjoyed that walk! Friends, we live in a beautiful country! The weather was cool, the grass was green and the air was crisp and fresh...........

God bless you,
Sele'ha Mikhaila ♡ ♡

Here is a random photo of Blitzy.

And here she is at night, her eyes become so big and cute!

 My Mom made hake filets and I made the chips! (Yes, South Africans say "chips" instead of "fries").

Joshy is always on places that he is NOT allowed!!

This beautiful granadilla flower.

They bear so well....

...though the monkey's love them too! 

An almost fully ripened dragonfruit.

A look through the orchard.

If you look closely, you'll spot Curly on the pathway!

One of our flower patches.

These are so bright and pretty!

Little Blitzy peeping at us through the window.

See her little face?

My beloved avocado tree, Michael.