I ordered my ring flash about a month ago. First they sent me a email to say that the flash is out of stock and then while we were on the SAPS cycle tour I received an email to say that my package are on it’s way. I was so happy.
The following week I went to my postbox at least 3 times a day to see if my letter from Customs have arrived. Â Nothing….
My father and Ronald asked every now and then have I received any word on my flash and every time the answer was no Nothing… Then I got an email on Monday from the supplier to say that due to bad weather there are a delay in the delivery.
Oh well I was telling myself that they did say it can take from 3 to 8 weeks for delivery depending on circumstances.  This morning my father came to me with a slip from the Post Office. My first thought was my flash!  But then the previous two times I ordered something from overseas I had go and collect it at the Customs counter in Epping industrial. I took the slip and after I picked up the boys from school I went straight to the Post Office and when the lady came back to the counter with a big package I wanted to shout out loud my flash…
I got in the car and tweeted immediately. I could not wait to get home to see what was in the package and when I opened it I was a happy lady. My ring flash have finally arrived….
Last night a friend came by with some Buchu stems. Now for those who don’t know what Buchu is here are a simple explination that I Â copied from Wikipedia.
“Buchu  is a word of Khoikhoi origin, which may refer to a number of South African plants, fungi or a mineral, that were used in traditional preparations. Most Boegoe plants are typified by a strong aromatic odour due to volatile oils released by glands in the leaves. The name primarily denotes those plant species of which the stems, powdered leaves or volatile oils are employed in herbalism.”
What I can tell you is that it do have a very strong aromatic odour. Â If you walk into my kitchen that as all you smell..
Now hubby have some Witblits  and  him and his friend thought it would be cool to make some Buchu Witblits. For now the bottled Buchu still look beautiful but I think a few months from now it will not be so green anymore.  I will make a note in my diary that I take another photo of the Buchu Witblits in three months time just to see if and how the colour changed.
Today’s photo is one of my new products that can be ordered.
The tray will be available in white and black for the time being. Â You can decide if you would like one photo or a collage in your tray. The choice is all yours. Â The tray is 270 mm x 210mm.
Depending on demand I will later on have different colors, shapes and sizes. I am very exited about the new product on my extra’s list.
You can order it for yourself or as a gift for a friend, family member or a colleague.
White tray with photo collage.Tray in Black & White
Today’s post will be a bit different. This morning I decided that today’s photo of the day will be our supper.
Chicken steaklets, Â homemade fries, Brown Mushrooms filled with Garlic, Bacon, Feta and Cheddar cheese. It tasted as good as it looked and smelled.
Ronald and I went to practice some Badminton this evening and decided that we will start supper when we get back from practice.  I prepared the mushrooms this afternoon and put them in the refrigerator peeled the potatoes ready for Ronald to cut and make the fries. The Chicken steaklets  must be cooked from frozen and I usually grill them in my George Foreman.
Supper in Black & White…Filled Brown Mushrooms, Chicken Steaklet and Homemade Fries
Today was one of those day’s I knew I had to get my photo of the day but what? So I walked through the house. In the kitchen I looked at my tin collection and decided to leave that for another project I have in mind for the future. Â I went to the bathroom were my frog collection was and decided that today is not a day for a frog.
I got back in the living room and spotted the Elephants that Ronald bought me a few years back. I love Elephants and decided I’ll photograph them.
“We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.”
Samuel Johnson
Addo National Elephant Park, Eastern Cape
“The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” Oprah WinfreyÂ
Addo National Elephant Park, Eastern Cape
“Prayer does not use up artificial energy, doesn’t burn up any fossil fuel, doesn’t pollute. Neither does song, neither does love, neither does the dance.” Margaret Mead
Sterkfontein Dam
“Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness.” Napoleon Hill
Cradock, Eastern Cape
“He who has not learned the blessed art of sharing his blessings with others has not found the true path to enduring happiness, for happiness comes mainly from sharing of one’s self and one’s blessings.” Napoleon Hill
Addo National Elephant Park, Eastern Cape
“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.” D. L. Moody
Avocca River Cabins. Kirkwood, Eastern Cape
“To give up the things you love is to abandon your dreams and allow a part of yourself to die. Nurture these parts of you as you would a flower and it will blossom and bring joy and beauty into your life; joy and beauty you may never have otherwise known.”  Michelle Ambler
Hi there,
Just want say hallo. May everyone have a Blessed week.
Three weeks ago this time we were busy packing and getting ready for the SAPS cycle tour in aid of the SAPS Educational fund…. Time surely don’t stand still and waits for nobody.
Let me rewind back in time for a little while and tell you more about the Opening ceremony held on 7 May 2012 at Cape Gate Shopping Center’s parking lot.
It was a very cold and cloudy morning. The riders were all pumped up for the tour to start, but like any big event it had to be started in the right way. There were some important people present to wish the men and women well on the tour.  They were  Major General Sharon Jephta, Brigadier Adonis, Brigadier Mamela, Brigadier van Niekerk, Lieutenant  Colonel Traut, Lieutenant Colonel Mngcokola, Colonel Joseph, Captain Petersen and Leon Brynard.
At the back: Lieutenant Colonel Traut. In Front: Lieutenant Colonel Mngcokola, Colonel Joseph, Brigadier Adonis, Major General Sharon Jephta, Brigadier Mamela, Brigadier Van Niekerk and Leon Brynard
The proceedings started with our Master of Ceremony Boesman van Zyl he had everyone in stitches with his acting.  I  was quite skeptical about how the top people will react to him but must say what I observed was that  Major General Sharon Jephta and Brigadier van Niekerk really enjoyed his acting and that was a relieve. It took the others a while to warm up to him but in the end everybody was laughing and even joking with.
Master of Ceremonies: Boesman van Zyl
Captain Petersen read from the Bible and said a prayer. I must admit the prayer was very uplifting and it touched my heart. I believe that you do not start anything without asking our Heavenly Farther to bless it and if you go on a trip you ask Him to put His hand of  protection over each and everyone on that trip.  Captain Petersen did just that. He even asked that the family members staying home be blessed and kept safe till we return. Amen to that.
Captain Petersen
Our Master of Ceremonies then told another few jokes.
Telling another joke…Enjoying the Master of Ceremonies jokes.Laughing themselves teary eyed
After laughing themselves teary eyed  the Master of Ceremonies  gave the podium to Colonel Joseph. Colonel Joseph are the Station Commander at Brackenfell SAPS.  He thanked the men and ladies for their eagerness and  bigheartedness to cycle 496 km for the children of colleagues who lost their lives in the line of duty. Colonel Joseph also invited Major General Sharon Jephta to join the cyclist for the last 8 km of the tour.
Colonel Willie Joseph
Now I must brag, I know my husband won’t but I am very proud of him. For nearly two years now he was saying he wanted to do another cycle tour to raise funds for something but what?  In the past Brackenfell SAPS  had 4 cycle tours all in aid of a school or children in need of medical equipment. Then last year the SAPS started the Educational trust fund and he saw the opportunity.  They got the Blessings of all the necessary people and the planning began.
14 of the 16 cyclist
Okay back to the ceremony.  Colonel Josephs gave the podium to Major General Sharon Jephta. She also thanked the men and women in advanced for what they are doing and told them that she was proud to be associated with members who are willing to cycle 496 km and put their bodies at risk for their colleagues.  She also thanked the Master of Ceremonies for his entertainment and said that she enjoyed his acting. She then accepted the invitation to cycle the last 8 km with the cyclist and members of the public on Friday 11 May 2012.
Major General Sharon Jephta
Brigadier Mamela also said a few words and also thanked everyone for going this extra mile for their colleagues.
Brigadier Mamela
The photographers from the SAPS took a few photo’s of the group and then the cyclist was on their way to their first stop on the Vissershok road.
This morning Louhn and I went to the  Winelands Winter Queen High Tea in aid of CANSA.  Sunette Nieuwoudt a semi finalist in Mrs South Africa was our hostess.  All of the ladies at Sunette’s table got a goody bag and a beautiful rose.
I just love flowers and roses are one of the most romantic flowers. Well that is just my opinion…. I just love the white and dark pink  rose it’s really beautiful…
More about Sunette and the High Tea at a later stage. Â But for now here’s the lovely rose I brought back home with me.
Raindrops are falling on my windscreen…. tra-la la la….. It’s a real winters day here in Cape Town today. Â An icy cold wind is blowing and it’s raining treedrops….
Today when I went to pick up the boys from school I grabbed my “boyfriend” (My Camera for those who don’t know)  for a  joyride.
While waiting for the boys the raindrops caught my eye. All of them had reflections of the tree standing in front of the car in them. Â I then decided this would be perfect for today’s photo of the day.
I took quite a few photo’s because every time I have got the focus on the drop and take the photo the drop runs out of the frame…
Here are just a few of today’s attempt. Next time I am taking with my Macro lenses.
Treedrops (raindrops with reflection of a tree)Tree silhouette through windscreen with raindrops in Black & WhiteRaindrops are falling on my windscreen…… tra la la laTreedrops…
Tonight I went with hubby to their League Badminton game against Edgemead. I tried out new settings but still need some practice. Taking action photo’s with an ISO of 2000 and 3200 is not easy. Next time I think I must take along my mono-pod for some support. Not only do one get allot of blur’s the photo’s are grainy and the lighting on the court is not very nice. But I will get there one way or the other. All I need to do is practice at some different setting.
Here are two shots I picked for tonight. As soon as I go through all 312 photo’s I believe I will get some photo’s that will have the seal of my approval but till then I am not going to beat myself up. I am still learning Action photography  at a high ISO and I know in due course I will master it…
The glare on the court drove me crazy… ISO 2000  F4 (Aperture Priority)Badminton Action. Black & White. ISO 3200, F3 (Aperture Priority)Badminton Action. ISO 3200 F3 (Aperture Priority)
I was busy editing the SAPS Cycle tour photo’s when my Farther came knocking on the studio door. Â Ha Ha Tea time went through my mind…
My farther asked me if I am going to join them for tea. I did not give him a chance to ask me twice  I grabbed my camera just in case something catch my eye on the way to their Granny flat.
I went to the bathroom to wash my hands and there I spotted my photo of the day.  While my Farther was still working he got a  Hen and chickens, Chlorophytum comosum as a present. When he retired he brought the plant home.  The only room in their Granny Flat that was perfect for it was the bathroom.  Just look how gorgeous the flowers are looking…
Beauty in the BathroomBeauty in the Bathroom. Black & WhiteHen and chickens, Chlorophytum comosum. In the Bathroom.Beautiful Flowers
Brrrr the winter is upon us. Cold feet and bodies are at the order of the day. Â Not this year.
We went shopping and hubby draw my attention to some nice boots, but unfortunately there were not in my size. Then my eye caught the table full of warm slippers… So I got myself a pair. After trying it out I am thinking maybe I must get myself another pair…
Today Hubby returned from his Badminton Tournament in East Londen.  So glad he’s back I really missed him allot.
He did not come home empty handed.  He brought back one Bronze Medal which he earned in the singles development category and two Gold medals one for mixed doubles and one for men’s doubles. I am so proud of Ronald and wish him all the luck for his future in Badminton.
He only started playing this year and just look at what he achieved.
Racket with medalsClose up Black & WhiteGold Medal Men’s Doubles
Yesterday was Armand’s 12th birthday. Sjoe time surely flies when you have children.
My mother ordered Armand a cake from Charmaine Smoothey . Aunt Charmaine is like family and her cakes are divine and so gorgeous. The detail in the figurines are just to die for. I could recommend her services to each and everyone.
Armand wanted a Star Wars cake with Yoda. Â When he saw his cake is first remark was Yoda is mine… It looked to good to eat and in the end Armand just could not eat the little figurine…
Yesterday was a very busy day and there was not allot of time to spare. I had to go to a Cheese and Wine function with the sponsors of the SAPS Cycle tour and afterwards the Gala Concert was held in aid of the SAPS Educational Trust Fund. What other 12 year old can say that there was a concert organized “for his birthday”. Â We only got home 00:04 so he spend most of his birthday at school. Â I’ll post more on his birthday a bit later…
This morning I decided that I just have to make Yoda and Armand my photo of the day so I grabbed my “boyfriend EOS” and took some photo’s of Armand and his cake.
Yoda in Black & WhiteArmand and his Cake…Just look at the detail…
This morning when I went to feed the chickens I took with my camera. I wanted to take some photo’s of our one Rooster.
In the coop we have two Roosters, one is still very young and three hens. I have no idea what breed they are, but will find out from the man who breeds them. They are very tame and the boys usually picks them up and pat them.
The large Rooster really made me laugh. In some photo’s he look like he’s having a bad feather day.
Large HenI just want some peace and quite…OOOh I am soo sexy just look at me…Ooh please don’t post this my reputation!Just look at me… This is my best side…Hey babe……WHAT? Can’t a boy have some privacy?
With my husband not being here and the boys in school this morning I had to go and feed the chickens. Â I took my “boyfriend” with for some company.
The chickens was very happy to see me. Okay not me the food and fresh water. I took some photo’s of our big Rooster. LOL he’s sexy and he knows it…
My photo of the day is a head shot of that Sexy Rooster. Please don’t ask me what breed the chickens are because really I have no idea. Â If I remember I will ask the person who breeds them I am sure he’ll know…
Winter is approaching fast. Was a cool day here in Cape Town today.
I just had to take a photo of Ogies all curled up on the chair. She did not even move a whisker when I turned the chair. Not even the pencil under her could make her move. She slept on the chair till I went to fetch Armand and Lian at school. When she heard her master she came running around the corner.
On Friday morning 4 May 2012 Â Shaun Tait a young local artist kicked off the concerts for the cycle tour in aid of the SAPS Education Trust Fund.
The children really enjoyed his show and one of the boys danced the whole time. The girls could not wait to get a photo with him and of course his autograph… Oh yes and don’t forget the boys some of them sneaked in to get an autograph.
Today I was so busy editing the Cycle Tour photo’s that I really did not think of  my photo of the day.
My Farther came to me very excited and asked me if I took my photo of the day yet.  I told him know and he said that he has the perfect photo for the day. The flower of a pumpkin plant.
Flower of a pumpkin plantFlower of pumpkin plant. Black & WhiteStarting to open up…
Today’s photo is very special to me. Ronald made me this cross out of driftwood that we picked up in Stillbaai and the rock shaped like a heart was also picked up in Stillbaai.
Cross out of driftwood and heart shaped rockCross made of driftwood and heart shaped rock. Black & White
“Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give.” – William Arthur Ward
Mooiplaas, Brackenfell
“Children and mothers never truly part – bound in the beating of each other’s heart.” – Charlotte Gray
Sandbaai
“Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason turn his back on life.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Sandbaai
“Pack all there is into your life; you only pass this way once! Sit back and think what is it you enjoy. Take courses, read books, find your passion, your “wanna do’s”.” – Catherine Pulsifer
“Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one’e self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another.” – Helen Keller
Sandbaai
“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Sandbaai
“Night, the beloved. Night, when words fade and things come alive. When the destructive analysis of day is done, and all that is truly important becomes whole and sound again. When man reassembles his fragmentary self and grows with the calf of a tree.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupèry
Yesterday I was dead tired and really did not have the energy to take a photo of the day, I only had 2 hours of sleep and a very busy week behind me. I downloaded the photo’s to my desktop and this photo caught my eye.
I took it on our way to Pikketberg on Wednesday.
Rider and landscapeRider and Landscape. Black & White
Last day of the cycle tour. I can not believe that this week went by so fast. I took 4022 photo’s on the trip and this coming week I will go through them all.
The General joined Ronald on the tandem at Hazendal wine estate. I must say she really earned my respect when I saw her enthusiasm. At least there are still some of the top people that do care about the members and their families…. More about day five later.
I just want to thank all the roll players for making this tour a reality and I thank our Heavenly Father for keeping us all safe with only minor incidents.
Last few kilometers of the Cycle tour. Ronald and the General on the tandemRonald thanking all the roll players in the cycle tour and the General for taking the time to join us for the last few kilometers.
Today was a tough 111km. I am very proud of all the riders. Rolling hills can brake ones spirit very easily.
We left Club Mykonos at approximately 8:45 to our next destination at Hopefield. The road was very narrow and the surface of the road was not helping either.
We had one incident on our way to Morreesburg when one of the riders crashed into one of the other riders. Luckily there was no fatal injuries only a few scratches from the fall.
We left Morreesburg with full tummies for Pikketberg. Up hill, downhill the men and ladies did not have it easy.
The road was long I started hanging out of the combie’s window to get some action shots. But more about today in another blog. I took nearly 800 photo’s today. Next week I have allot to work through.
This morning we left Darling around 7:45 on our way to Yzerfontein Farm stall for a lovely breakfast.
We went to Langebaan next for a lovely lunch at the yacht club then the riders rode to Saldanha were we where escorted to the police station with sirens and blue lights.
It gave me goose bumps and some of the riders told me it was like they got some energy from nowhere.
We then went on to Vredenburg and it was quite the opposite. There was no one to greet us and they only left a case of cool drink.
We then headed to Club Myconos were we are spending the night.
As I edit the photos within the following weeks I will tell you more about the ups and downs of the Cycle tour. I will also post allot of photo’s taken on the tour.
This week I will be incorporating my Project 365 photo a day with the Cycle Tour. I will only be posting one or two photo’s daily next week when I am home I will post some more photo’s with some more detail about what happened on the tour.
The cyclist left Cape Gate Mall around 8:30 this morning. I am traveling in style with Hugo Nieuwoudt.
The cyclist arrived at Melkbos 10:45. Where they received some coffee, tea and sandwiches. After about 45 minutes the cyclist hit the road again to Atlantis.
I went with Hugo to his show at Proteus Secondary School. I also made a stop at Berzelia Primary school were Erica and Hester held a puppet show for the kids.
We caught up with the cyclist when they still had about 15km left. We arrived at Darling Golf clubhouse at around 14:50.
The men and ladies still look good but I think tonight they are going to sleep like logs.
Nearly time to go to bed. Going to be a long week ahead and still hubby had a brainwave and I brought it to life.
We have prices to give away but to who do you give it? The person with a tag under his or her chair of course. So when I got home after a day on the road I went and made some tags and numbered them.
Now I can pack up my camera gear and take a long hot bath go to bed and when I wake up it’s going to be time for the cycle tour…
I will be blogging from my cellphone tomorrow.
Last minute brainwaveTags for drawing of prices at concerts.Last minute Brainwave…
“How many times in our life have we been afraid to tackle a tough job or project, believing that we just didn’t have enough talent or brains or guts to succeed, and then once we have forced ourselves to try – and successfully completed the challenge – we look back at what we have done, finally realizing that our greatest enemy, the one who urges us not even to try because we would certainly fail, was none other than ourselves.” Mandino, Og, Secrets for Success and HappinessÂ
Sandbaai
“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.” George Washington CarverÂ
Addo National Elephant Park
“Don’t be a spectator, Don’t let life pass you by.” Â Lou Holtz
Lion Park outside Johannesburg
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Â Plato
Lion Park Just outside Johannesburg
“Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good action; try to use ordinary situations.”  Jean Paul Richter
Middleton
“Whoever waits for time to pass loses time.” Sicilian Proverb
Middleton
“A photograph is usually looked at – seldom looked into.” Ansel Adams
Sterkfontein Dam
Everyone has a purpose in life – a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals. Deepak Chopra
Today we were invited to very dear friends of ours to go and make some “Boerewors”.
They wanted to use modern technology but it broke so in the end they had to prepare the meat  the old fashion way… This old Meat Chopper belonged to my grandmother and today it was used again to chop up the meat for “boerewors”
I have documented the process and will right a blog in the next few weeks about it….
Enterprise Tinned Meat ChopperEnterprise Tinned Meat Chopper in Black & White
As you will see on my Project 365 photo a day I already posted 2 photo’s of the children enjoying the puppet show.
Erica Crous and Hester Bussio is part of the Victim Support Unit at Brackenfell SAPS. They go from school to school and hold puppet shows for the little ones to convey a very important message.  One that you don’t go with strangers or take anything from them.  You also don’t  go into the streets without telling your parents were you are of to and that it is better to walk in groups than alone.They also learn the kids the emergency number off the SAPS.
Kids are very naive and they trust easily. With the help of the puppets they tell a story to the little ones and teach them these few simple rules and I must say the kids love every second of it. If you look at the photo’s you will see how involved they get  in the story. Just to make sure the kids did listen and understood the message they ask them questions and if they are correct the get a little reward.
Here are just a few of the photo’s I took yesterday morning.
Today was hectic. Â Hubby went to work early so that he could tie up sum lose ends and pick up some of the supplies for the Cycle tour next week. I also got up early to take the boys to school. Then I headed back home to get my camera gear ready for the first show of the cycle tour.
The ladies of  Brackenfell Police station’s victim support team  had their first Puppet show for the Cycle Tour at Fanie Theron Primary School in Kraaifontein. It was a huge success. What Erica and Hester teaches the little ones through a puppet show is that you do not trust strangers and even if they tell them your name they are not your friend and you do not know them. They also teach the little ones that and you must under no circumstances  get into a car with them or take sweets or cool drink from a stranger.  They also teach the children that their body are theirs and no one are allowed to touch it without your permission.
The little ones really get so involved in the puppet show and the expressions on those little faces are priceless.
The children of Fanie Theron Primary School enjoying the Puppet ShowThis little girls really enjoyed the puppet show. They got angry, sad and happy with the puppets. Priceless
Today was Ronald’s first Badminton league game. He only started Badminton a few months ago. The boys and I went with him for some support.
LOL I of course just could not leave my “boyfriend” at home he had to pickle along so that I can practice taking action photo’s without a flash on a high ISO.
I must say I had my laughs for the evening and especially when the ladies played. As I looked over the different  courts I just could not help to notice on the one side was all the younger players and on the other side all the Elderly players.  I just started laughing and Ronald just could not get it out of me every time that I want to tell him the younger players are getting  beaten by the Elderly players I just burst out laughing. I must say some of the Elderly players were in much better shape than the younger ones… Shocking I know.
I am also thinking of  playing badminton, but just to get fit.
Ronald playing BadmintonElderly ladies giving the younger ones a beating…Ronald Airborne…
Like always the boys don’t use their desks in their rooms for homework. Nope Mom’s studio floor are the bomb and the best place to do homework.
Today Ogies decided that she needs a little bit of attention and homework kan wait.
First she sat on Armand’s homework and when he moved her she decided that Lian’s work looks very inviting.
She made herself comfortable on Lian’s work and did not move. Both the boys said like one this must be my photo of the day.
I am a very lucky lady indeed my husband and boys all support me 180% in my work and they also support my projects. Many times they will bring to my attention something I can photograph for my photo a day project. I must start writing it down for those days I don’t know what to photograph.
Checking if it works…
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