Loving right now....

Gosh it's cold at the moment! The weather is rather crazy with tornado's and hail yesterday in our part of the world. And some rain - which is so appreciated. I am not going to lie - I am not a fan of the cold. But I am loving some of the little things that make the cold a bit more bearable.

I am loving going to the gym  during lunch times. It warms me up totally - especially those 5 minutes I spend in the sauna after exercising. I used to hate going ot the gym in winter - now I love it.

Citrus - all the glorious citrus. Oranges, mineolas, naartjies.... name it. I love it. Not a fan of pomelo though.

Electric warm water bottles - every night they get heated and placed in beds with little (and not so little) bodies to keep us all nice and toasty. I also think that it aids in falling asleep - I get that nice warm sleepy feeling if my feet are nice and warm.

Boots - I love love love boots. I found the perfect Jeep boots this year and promptly bought it it black and brown.

Scarves - I love pretty soft scarves. They keep you warm but also add a splash of colour to any outfit.

So what are you loving despite the cold or because of the cold?

Loving at the moment....

Zambuk - honestly nothing compares to the way it cares for chapped winter lips. I even use it around my nails where my skin tends to get irritated in the winter months. The cherry one smells great but leaves a red residue.

My new snood crochet by one of the moms at school. I love the colours and casual appeal of it and that I can wear it with almost anything. I know it is going to be a weekend staple. I do love scarves , buffs and snoods in winter.

Sorbet Nail polish remover - the most amazing nail polish remover you have ever seen. It cleans fast and there is none of the struggling to get dark colours off. It also features a brilliant salon pump on the top that works extremely well. And if you compare by volume you pay for it costs no more than the other brands.

My earworm for the last few weeks has been "If I die young" by The Band Perry. It was one of the pieces of music used for A's Lyrical dance exam and it refuse to leave me alone. It is truly a beautiful tune with stunning words and a cute video . I never heard it when it was a hit so it was all new to me. Do you know the song? For the rest they danced to the music of Pink, One Direction and Ellie Goulding.

And I am truly loving that A is writing her last exam tomorrow morning!

So tell me what you are loving right now.
I was not asked in any way to blog about any of the products and bought mine. This is merely in the interest of "public service" and not intended as a promotion.

Loving right now

This! Oh my word - brilliance! Nestle has realized that a lot of South Africans make peppermint crisp tart so they made us a premix. But never mind that ! It tastes amazing just spread on a Marie biscuit. So tasty!

Plaits! I have never even been able to do the simplest French braid. Then A and I saw this book and we are loving trying out new styles. I am still very clumsy but we are getting there. (book also available in English as Braids .

These lovely colouring in cards (also available in English as Creative expressions). Colour one in and use it as a birthday or just a simple greeting card. Colouring in with a purpose. And you save heaps of money on not buying cards. The whole pack cost under R90. The kids are loving them as I let them choose one for a friend and colour it.

A wonderful blog all about books - Read and seek. I first discovered Nihaad on Instagram and followed her there where she regularly posts about the books she reads (about 6 a month). But her blog is even better - go and have a look as she reviews her newest reads. A must read blog if you love books.

So anything new I should know about?

Loving at present

Gosh, I see I have not done one of these for ages. You can find some of my old ones through the years at the Loving at present tag. None of the items mentioned, if products has been sponsored in any way. These are just things I am personally enjoying right now.

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy

I was always part of the school of thought that "any nail polish is a good/crap as the next" and I used to buy whatever cheapies I could get. However - I tried this once, with the top coat (it was on special at Clicks - two colours, get top coat free) and boy, was I wrong. This DOES keep for a minimum of 5 days in perfect condition. I am going to try the topcoat on an ordinary polish too and see how that goes.

The real thing Omega Supreme

After checking prices, quantities of Omega 3 for your rands and quality (claimed) of the product this has to be the best value for money Omega you can buy. Two capsules gives you 1600mg of Omega 3 - at R100 for 60 (I have paid as low as R90 on Kalahari) its about R1,70 per capsule.

Levubu dried guava rolls

I have such fond memories of guava rolls bought at the tuck shop, little bits ripped of and shared. I used these a lot for lunch boxes - they are small mini rolls and cut into 3 with the scissors they pack small and tidy into lunch boxes. We also loved them on our recent trip in the Pilansberg. A great snack. It contains no colourants or preservatives

Bakers Good Morning Breakfast Biscuits

Just a warning - these are delicious and addictive (and not as healthy as they may seem), but they make a wonderful school lunch tin ingredient and emergency breakfast on your way somewhere. Packed in neat little bags - 4 to a portion, they are great.

The stage/age my kids are right now
I am loving the independence, mixed with the love for attention. The hugs mixed with the "I'll walk on my own" - the  help, the songs, the laughs The all.

The weather
The fact that although we are deep into autumn the days are still warm and lovely. It does of course pose the "how to dress" dilemma with the evenings and nights already quite cold.

And this song
Yes, it's Afrikaans - by two great artists. The words are wonderful - but so is the music.

So what are you loving right now? And which of these have you tried?

I should have known...

That there is just no way that I can do a one a day blog challenge post in the busiest month of the year. So without even thinking or bashing myself about this, I am moving on - moving on towards a "Currently I am" post like a few other bloggers did. In a time of overwhelm its an easy way to say a bit of the very much milling in our minds.

Listening to Classic FM. Mostly. I find in times of great business the classical music calms my mind. I have also fallen in love with You Tube music mixes - that top button on the right hand if you search any artist. The last few days saw Mozart, Pachabel and Bach and in various other styles Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr and Leonard Cohen . Works well when I work.

Reading . I have just finished "The lost girls of Rome" by  Donato Carrisi last night - a chilling hair raising thriller/who dunnit that I do not think I will ever forget. I have just started with "Goeiemore Mnr Mandela" and am looking forward to reading it.

Thinking about what will be my first small little foray into painting after many many years. I have to get the me inside out again - my plan was to start painting again this year - it took me nearly 11 months but I am ready.

Looking forward to sing at two Christmas services with our praise and worship team over the next two Sundays. I have never realised how much I missed singing and singing to praise God until I started again. In this year of turmoil it has been a huge blessing to me.

Anticipating the December holidays, spending time with the in laws and just breaking the routine. Seeing the kids playing with abandon in the sea and the pool. Just summer and Christmas in true South African style.

Planning to get through the next two weeks that will involve - 1 Judo grading, 1 Judo parent showcase, 2 school price givings, 1 recorder exam, 1 music centre price giving, 1 ballet exam showcase, 1 stables price giving, 1 grade 0 farewell, 1 ballet end of year, 1 teacher baby shower and I am sure more to follow.

Wearing soft pants of all sorts with Tshirt type tops. I am tired - and comfort works right now. Especially loving my new Big Blue Shwe shwe print pants.

Drinking way too much coffee and Roses lime cordial with soda.

Thankful that our kids really tried so hard this year. They gave their all.

Wishing and praying that L could have started at his new school next year but positively planning to start where he is now and make the best of it. Also wishing and praying for a place very early next year in what will be his new school.

Not looking forward to getting the logistic in place for next year - stationery, school clothes, bags , labels etc.

Dreaming about care free days , sunshine and sea

Whatever makes you happy

Possibly 2 years ago I read "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin. Now I am not a non fiction reader by choice - my usual poison is fiction but this came highly recommended by more than one person. I have to say that I flew through it taking into account that it is non fiction and that my habit of reading about 3 books at a time fuels my fiction reading. I enjoyed the book a lot and would recommend it for all. And while possibly most of her items on her happiness list can be added to mine if I ever had the time and chance (and money) to do a full year of happiness project - I may change say 2 of them, the one that I most associated with was her item as "Memory keeper of the family"

I have always since childhood been into photography on whatever level I could practise it at the time. I am not sure if my fascination stems only from the actual technicalities of a good photo or from purely the memory it captures. 

While all three are possibly nice enough photos it's the memories that they capture that makes them so very special. For instance the last one brings the holiday it represents immediately to mind - the boogie board, the sarong and the tiara - all so much part of that holiday (our first in Mtunzini).

In the past I made photo books of every year. Over the last year and a half I have tried to keep up with Project Life - for a long long time it went really well and easy. But ever so often I would get behind and most recently the shoulder op really caused me to fall way behind.

I am so enjoying catching up on it though - using before work, lunch times and whatever I get at home to go through this years photos and notes (at least I kept taking photos which makes it a lot easier). It just made me realize once again that for me this is an essential part of my happiness - not only making but keeping those memories - be it here in the personal blog, on Facebook (mostly shared for the sake of the grandparents) or then in Project Life which in it's very real touchable format brings not only joy to me but hugely to the kids as they page through and recall.

Are you a memory keeper and in which formats? I am interested if this is mainly a female thing - anybody knows a passionate male memory keeper?

Loving right now

1. A is loving the Mr Men and Little Miss series of books. At least one gets devoured a day and in 1 story we will run out of the stash at home.

2. Monopoly Jr - the recent rainy weather sparked the discovery of a forgotten Christmas gift to the great joy of C and A.

3. Spending time relaxing with friends and family. That end of the year is near feeling- not to mention the great joy of watermelon.

4. Rice crispie marshmallow treats. These were served at a party the boys attended over the weekend and the parents had possibly just as many as the kids

 5. Sleep. Gosh Hunter and I am both enjoying sleeping well so much at the moment. I guess one need to be as sleep deprived as we were to really appreciate it.

6. The rain - keep it coming. I love the weather at the moment.

7. The Ultimate Braaimaster - I love how we are seeing so much of our country and so much about making good food on an open fire. I love watching it with Hunter with a cup of tea and a biscuit ready. Our time.

8. The Sikworms - This year the kids each have their own 20 worms in a box. I love the learning and joy that goes with the few weeks that these guys are around. I am however happy that they are spinning already. Less is more really worked this year. Never again those 100's of worms.

9. Progress, milestones and achievements. A 100 stars on C's star chart, an A+ in unprepared drama for A and excellent progress in OT for L. I am a happy mom.

10. Being able to once again do our 3 boxes for Santas shoebox - I am 100% sure that this brings just as much joy to us than to the children that receive them.

And a bonus one:
11. Pretoria in her purple prettiness (although the sinus that goes with it had me very sick this year)

So what are making you happy right now - I am talking the big things and those tiny little ones that just warms your heart.

PS Don't forget you have until Friday to enter my competition

Making me happy at the moment...

•  
  
• Chicken soup in the freezer at the office to heat for lunch
• The nearing end of the term - really it can not come too soon.
• Warm baths and comfort food
• Good books
• Boots, leggings, tighs.
• Heated seats in my car
• A visit by the in laws during the school holidays
• The weekend - coming soon.Roll on....
• Prima toys for helping us to fix A's Leappad. Yes, it did cost me money but their service was fantastic.
• The new painted areas in our house - love it!
• Project life - gosh, I am still in love with it and think it may become a way of life. In all honesty it has taken some of my urgency to blog every minute of our lives away because we are recording it so well in the Project Life albums - btw a new week blogged yesterday
• My kids who are growing up so fast - sometimes I have to pinch myself when I realize how fast this is happening.
• My hubby - truly the perfect partner for me in life.

So what is making you so totally happy at the moment?

At the moment....

I am not loving:

1. The sudden cold weather
2. Blocked noses and sniffles in the house
3. Our alarm that went off twice last night
4. Kids waking up from said alarm and not finding sleep easily again
5. Me finding sleep even less easily than said Mr C
6. My thinning hair, spotty skin and breaking nails (and yes, I am taking a supplement which smells horrible but forcing it down)
7. Twitter - I have never been and will never be a tweeter of note. Too much noise, too much time, way too much over sharing.

 I am totally loving:

1. Bloglovin - I lived in complete denial that Google reader was about to disappear and then when some other bloggers reported theirs just shut off I had to try something else. I totally love Bloglovin and have totally moved to it. The iPad (or rather it's and iPone app) on the other hand can do with some improvement.
2. Chipstix from Simba- oh yeah! Totally over salted and vingegared. I think my blood pressure may be a tad low at the moment as I crave this.
3. Lego - which is just as always stunning. The Princess and the Lion played for hours on Sunday.
4. Project life - it feeds my need to be a memory keeper - it also feed my need for a tad of creativity. And it really takes max 30 minutes a week (including travel to the print shop). I will do a post on how to do this with very little time and money. To see my Project life album go to Captured by Cat
5. The new Cinnamon core kit from Project Life - I really did not plan on buying another (I bought the Cherry edition initially and there are loads of freebies around) but this one is simply stunning. The graphics are exactly what I like.
6. Reading - but I am totally not reading enough at the moment. I fall asleep way before I read just a few pages. 
7. Goodreads - love it! Simply love it.
8. Zambuk salve - the cherry one. Heals lips, elbows, heels
9. Creche Guard's Omega 3 Brainfuel chews - at last, one that all 3 kids eat willingly!
10. And Mr L's "Ek is lief vir jou" (I love you) that keeps popping up more regularly.

So what are you not loving and loving at the moment?

Obsessions

Every now and again I am totally amazed at how obsessive kids get about a certain topic/ item or something or the other. Mr L is a bit higher on the obsessive scale than most which does contribute it's fair amount of tension in the household, but so be it. We will remember these fondly as time goes by. So in honour of fond memories, let me tell you about the current obsessions:

Mr L is totally tool obsessed. He still adores his drill, screwdrivers and assorted tools they got for Christmas. He also has this thing about the lawnmower and weedeater. He constantly wants to be assured that they are safe in the garage, have their electrical cords with them (kid you not!) and that no crocodiles will eat them. ( the product of a Corcodile hunter episode he watched) Yes, I know it sounds rather entertaining, but it can get to you showing him the lawnmower etc in the garage 10 times a day. In addition, regardless of where we visit he needs to know where their lawnmower is. And mowing the actual lawn can be a tad tiring for us all (total SID kid behaviour). What he wants to be some day is everybody's guess but I would think that saving unsuspecting lawnmowers from crocodiles is high on the list.

Mr C is our little astronomer at the moment. The planets, black holes etc totally intrigues him. He just wants to look at Skywatch on the iPhone (I have so far managed to keep it secret that it is on the iPad too). In addition we get informed a million times a day about how many planets Jupiter is from the sun, and that Keppler is a planet too. That a black hole can eat planets. And so forth and so forth. Cute and rather brainy for a 4 year old, but I tell you, one can only talk so much about planets and stars on that level. At the moment he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up.

The Princess has the very obvious one. Her much anticipated Leappad is the bomb. Enough said, we have started with the time management lessons involved in getting some or other high tech pleasure in your life. The little device has certainly amazed me with the feedback I as a parent gets from it. I am seeing much joy in future from this, but we as parents will have to manage this carfeully. And no, she does not all of a sudden wants to be a computer specialist, she still wants to be a Veterinary surgeon, just these days she wants to protect the rhinos too. So she wants to be a Vet that helps rhinos. Future iPad or other high tech devise in hand no doubt.

So what does your kids obsess about or do you remember some of your childhood obsessions. I am told that I totally obsessed about stationary and pens etc. This has not changed one bit. I still adore my coloured pens. I only write in colour - black is for those of us who can only think with the left hand side of their brains

Loving at the moment...

It has been a while since I did one of these...

1. My new 20 set of fine liners (Steadler Triplus) in their own little bag. I am a stationary addict - and these make me totally happy (I am shallow like that)- everything happens in colours as I have been writing in for years - now I just have 10 more to write with.

2. Going with the above, my set of note books I use every day. I always use them - sometimes I just love them more than other time. A full post to follow on this.

3. My doodle book. I constantly doodle and spend quite a bit of time daily on the phone with people, why I doodle away.  I almost always draw - I find I concentrate better while doodling. One of the guys in the office then one day (almost a year ago) brought me this book which I use on and off, depending on my mood. These days I am in a doodle book mood.

4. My new work coffee mug - we have plain white ones in the office but it has been a tradition of years to bring your own fun one. My last one featuring Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" on broke the other day. This one form Mr Price home just brings a smile to my face.

5. Tranquil body treats hand mousse - I have had winter hands for years - this has been my best year ever for my hands even though it has been so cold due to this lovely thick stuff and my gloves. Going into summer I am continuing this.

6. Zumba class  - need I say more.

7. Avocado pears -in season at the moment and I am totally addicted to the stuff. Let's forget the oils and remember the vitamins!

8. Salticrax - with the avocado pear or just like that, on it's own. I am particularly partial to the Mediterranean herb flavour.

 

9. Wonderful Lindt chocolate hamper I have received from Mimbles all the way from OZ! What a great surprise!

 

10. Hubby having booked our December holiday at the greatest spot! We are all looking forward to it!

So what are you loving at the moment? A list in comments or a little blogpost?