STOP and smell the roses

I have been reading quite a few blog posts on change and gratitude and the need to take breath. I normally lead a VERY busy life and have been burning the candle at both end ( and in the middle) for so long that I have forgotten how to stop. And breathe. And be thankful. And smell the roses, metaphorically speaking. So busy , in fact, that I neglected to take care of myself and am now flat on my back in bed until the middle of September or longer.

In November last year I damaged my Achilles tendon without realising it. A small niggle, left untreated, eventually got to the stage (six months later) where I could barely walk. I kept putting off going to the doctor in the vain hope that a)it would sort itself out and b) I did not have time to get sick or take off work. When finally got to the surgeon in June this year, the damage was so sever that my only option was surgery followed by six weeks bed rest. My surgery was done on 29 July but my body was so run down by that stage  that I spent  four days in hospital, instead of one or two.

So here I lie, with plenty of unplanned time to stop and rest. I have to rely on my amazing husband to care for me and our two little ones. I am very independent and am finding this very hard to do but I think this is part of God's plan for me to slow down and relinquish control. I now have time to just rest,pray and think. To catch up on my reading and handwork. To write letters and sleep. To focus on my children, my husband. And I am grateful.

I have been forced to stop. And the world has not collapsed. My job is there, my family is managing without me ( thanks to a lot of help from family and friends). It has been difficult for me to learn to rely on others but I know this dip in the road is being used by God to grow my character and to slow me down a bit so that I can focus and remember what is important. It has not been easy and I still have five more weeks in a cast before I can even think of getting up and running again. But it has been a time of slowing down and reflecting and remembering what is really important. Sometimes God needs to bring us to a complete STOP to get our attention and to start remembering again what is really important.

Winter holidays

Our winter here has just felt a bit more drab and cold than usual. I do not know if it is because we are all tired and have been ill or if it really is colder than previous years. Load shedding has also not helped and impending surgery for my Achilles tendon at the end of July has also contributed to my mood.

However, our winter holidays started with a bang as the children attended their first holiday club. They loved the games and crafts and had a lot of fun making new friends. There were about 65 children most days and I was kept very busy in the kitchen feeding both children and leaders. The theme was Everest and each day the kids had to dress up. Wacky hair day, your favourite animal and dressing up according to your interests were all a great hit.

I have discovered diorama's and we recently spent a busy morning making a pirate cove, complete with pirate and treasure chest. Our next project is fort and a kitchen. I  have a model of Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle at Disney Experience that I would love to build but I think I might leave that till our next holidays. If you want to find some fun models to build with your kids then Disney Experience is worth a visit. Look under Paper Models.

Noah had a birthday at the beginning of the month and he received some Playmobil. We chose the Pirate carry along chest as he is crazy about pirates at the moment. Both children have been very busy with that and their Lego. I love watching their creativity with these toys

We have also spent a lot of time at my mom's place. The kids love playing with my mom and one of their favourite games is Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Here is their ship and granny gets to play Captain Hook. Their treasure map helps them find "treasure" in the form of sweets. You can tell this is a very popular game.

Above is my first attempt at planting bulbs without soil. I found a second hand vase at a White Elephant stall a few weeks ago and when I saw these lovely bulbs I decided that they would go perfectly in the vase. I bought four bags of pretty glass pebbles from our local craft shop. The pebbles go in the bottom of the glass vase. The bulbs get placed on top of the glass pebbles and then you fill the bottom of the vase with water. I have placed it in our living room and the bulbs are already taking root. I am so looking forward to seeing the flowers.

Above is our gorgeous Daxie, Amy and her favourite snack. She is a very good hunter and catches pigeons regularly, much to our distress. Other than that she is a lovely dog who wants to be part of everything we do. She is a rescue and I would urge you. if you are looking for a pet, please to try the shelters and rescue organisations in your area before looking at thoroughbred puppies. All three of our fur babies are rescues and they have brought us so much pleasure.

 I am so excited to share Sophie's Universe CAL blanket with you by Dedri from Look at what I made. I am so inspired to try this although I am not sure that my crochet skills are up to it. That's all from our part of the world. For those of you enjoying summer in the north, happy holidays.

Look what I made

I am a school social worker and at times my job is very stressful and thankless. People often ask how how I cope with all the ugliness and heartbreak that is far too often part and parcel of what I do. One of the ways I unwind is by creating.I love making things, especially to give away to others. I would love to share some of my handmade creations with you. Some of these went to Swapbot swaps, others as gifts for my children and others are just because I can.

This lovely cat was bought at Transoranje School's Christmas market. He is very challenging and I tend to do a few stitches at a time and then come back to him later. Needless to say he is still along way from being completed.

I am rather proud of this. It is mt very first ATC, made for a swap at Very Berry Handmade

Mia's 5th birthday cake

My first Dotee doll, made for a Swapbot swap. I think her self satisfied smile rather reflects my own.

This sweet little snowman was also made for a Swapbot swap. I made him from one of Stephanie's patterns at Imagine our life. 

I am busy finishing off a pretty pink hat for my daughter. crocheting a hoodie for myself and trying to finish off my applique cat. I am also taking part in Very Berry's next ATC swap. My next really big project is the Montessori continent map, made by Stephanie at Imagine our Life. I would also love to crochet one of Lucy's beautiful ripple blankets from Attic24.  I will try and post photo's once I am finished.

Till next time, happy creating

Lauren