History of 31 May

On 31 May 1902 was the end of The Boer War.

It was on this day in 1910 that South Africa became a Union. Because of the war the country was quite separated and Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Transvaal and Orange Free State were not always united .... so on 31 May 1910 Cape of Good Hope become part of the Union of South Africa.

On this day in 1928 a new look South African flag was flown for the first time.

On 31 May 1961 South Africa went from being a ‘Union’ to a ‘Republic’ and we left the Commonwealth! Yeah!
And every year after that there would be big parties out on the street, people would celebrate the anniversary of the Republic of South Africa in street parties, with marching bands etc. braais were a big part of the celebration too.

Famous person born on 31 May...there are lots but the only one I like is Clint Eastwood.
31 May was a public holiday until 1994 and now it’s just a normal day...and my birthday. Sometimes it comes with a bit of sadness as it was on this day that my father in law passed away (I never got to meet him) and my brother in laws’ father also passed away on this day ...

But let’s not ponder on the sadness for too long or the history … And just say Happy Birthday to me

ME - Two months old

I was such a cute baby ...  

Worth reading - I am a racist

Worth reading ..... This is so true it's actually sad. And it all came about because the ANC do not like a painting (The Spear) of Mr Z  

I am a racist

Bird photographers

In April when we enjoyed all those long weekends I ventured out with my photographer on my first trip to Marievale (Awake with the birds). Soon after that early morning he convinced me, or twisted my arm, and I got my basket and my flask one more time. On this trip two of the other photo buddies were coming too...they were on a mission. It was a misty morning so most people stayed away from photography that day and we had the hide all to ourselves. Every trip they try something different to perfect their 'strategy' on the kingfisher :) These boys are determined and just a tad crazy!
I had a camera and lens again and did a better job this time - here are my pics 

Redknobbed Coot

This is what we came for the Malachite Kingfisher - a tiny little bird (about 13 cm long) that only stops long enough to swallow a little fish and off he darts again. Gorgeous little thing painted in brightest colors, he was and always is the highlight of the day.

and that was another beautiful morning with the birds and the photographers....

Lazy Sunday lunch

I had a new visitor in my garden today a robin I didn't want to fetch my phone for a quick picture cause then I'd loose out and I wouldn't be able to enjoy him...
It's a perfect winter day, beautiful sun shine, washing is done, the pool pump is almost putting me to sleep. The boys are watching some sport on TV. 
Today's lunch? Oh that was so easy, a family favorite - I made lentil pie 

My Lentil pie - for a lazy Sunday lunch 
two rolls of puff pastry - make your own if you feel domesticated, I seldom do :)
one tub of spring onion & chives cream cheese 
tin of lentils

fry a little onion and mushrooms in pot until soft, add grated carrot and let it cook for a few minutes. Add salt & pepper to taste and the cream cheese. Line the pie dish with one roll of pastry and pour the lentil mixture in; then cover with the other roll. Bake for + - forty minutes until golden in color @ 200 degrees

Enjoy, xoxo

Secrets

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” 
Roald Dahl

My oldest son keeps secret things in secret places, he has hiding places for everything. His money, old collections of value to him, his external hard drive (his most prized possession) everything has a secret hiding place in his room. But he doesn’t really keep secrets from me J

The younger one has no secrets in his room it’s all over the place like a hurricane of mess. But the rest is all bottled in and if I want information I have to drag it out of him.

How different they are.

*sigh* It’s not their secrets that keep me awake though, something else on my mind lately...

Two friends - two stories so similar and so sad. You have kept me awake at night and during the day I think of you all the time. I can see it in your eyes when no one else can.
My sincere wish for both of you is love and happiness for ever and ever....


When secrets keep you awake....

My boys in comic strips

I love comics, really really love them. They were invented for people like me. And I found my kids in some of my favorite comic strips

Calvin is the twin of Tigs

Tigs has used this excuse before, Calvin copied him 

Garfield = Moo

They have the same attitude to life. Soul mates

That's my boys!

I came to the garden

I heard a good sermon today, but even before it started, this was played and we sang this song. That alone was a sermon for me. Absolutely beautiful. It's one of my favorite hymns. And the most beautiful words, enjoy it like a poem...

I came to the garden

Charles Austin Miles (1912)

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear falling on my ear 

The Son of God discloses.

 And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

I’d stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go; through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

   mwah xx

Black Bra

This is one fo those Monday Madness posts - it's a crazy email I received today that had me laughing for a while, hope it makes you laugh a little - -

The Black Bra (as told by a woman)

I had lunch with 2 unmarried friends.
One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I had been married for 20+ years.

We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door wearing a black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes. We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes..

Here's how it all went.

Engaged friend:
The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask.
He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams. I love you' then we had a passionate night.

The mistress:
Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra, heels and mask over my eyes. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble and we spent a passionate night.

Then I had to share my story:
When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes.
When he came in the door and saw me he said....

!

!

!
!

!

!

!

! 

!
! 

! 

 
"What's for dinner, Zorro?"  

LOL!  :0) What a romantic. It's so funny, really had me in stiches ...

Sweet nothing

What does "I did sweet nothing" mean?
I'm sure the explanation is found somewhere in my weekend.

Friday - Freedom Day
Slept late, started making lasagna for Sabbath lunch it took the whole day to put it together, my energy levels were just not cooperating no amount of sugar would help. It was Freedom Day and I didn't want to be a prisoner in the kitchen so we got take-aways for lunch. The rest of the day was spent resting...

Saturday
Early morning drive to Marievale for some quiet time in nature listening to the birds, and the rest of the day was spent resting....

Sunday

I made pasta for lunch that's as much effort as I could gather up, hey, at least it wasn't take-aways again.

Monday
As most people took this opportunity of the long weekend and went away somewhere the roads were quiet. I was home alone, Tigs off on a school camp so I visited crazy Inga (wax lady) and then my favorite bakery and health shop for some veggie stuff and the rest of the day was just grand. I rested some more...

Tuesday - Workers Day
Oh yes, it's a holiday for a reason, so we can rest from work life and I did just that. The weather was so perfect you could almost jump in the pool. Braai! 
We have not braaied in ages and it felt and tasted good, just wish my boys were home for it too...they use to love braais.

So that must be the explanation of sweet nothing. The work stuff will go back and be done at work, the cupboards are still a mess, the home bills and accounts will have to pile up some more...cause this weekend was for sweet nothings. It was perfect.