oneundonly

2011-06-23T21:09:00.010+02:00

Reflections / Reflecting

SMS, a word used every day without any further thought and not part of our usual vocabulary a couple of years ago. As I was getting totally mesmerized with these reflections of the fisher-boats in Kalk Bay Harbour, a whole lot of abstract images where being created in front of my eyes through the camera lens and all that was needed a little turn here and press the shutter button and voila an abstraction of an artwork in the making and caught in a blink, that's when it occurred to me, ropes and buoys all part of the expression SOS and enjoying this process was definitely part of my SMS as in saving my soul....sending out an "sms", a message in a bottle, weird how sometimes things are wired...enjoy these images as I definitely enjoyed capturing them. And this was also an inspiration from Wicus Leuwner,http://www.ziyafanaimages.co.za/... a long time ago...

It all started with an overall picture and then the absorption of more detail as you go along.

2011-01-12T21:18:00.013+02:00

Ceramic Conversations

Yes, its been a while, I've even forgotten how all this works, thanks to those that still take a peak at this blog, I will keep it more updated and join it to the behind the stories of the new images that appear on the flickr stream...

The new year of 2011 is already in it's second week and it was a lovely welcoming change to go the Irma Stern museum and be absorbed in the wonderful ceramic work of Clementina van der Walt and Hennie Meyer. The exhibition is aptly named:"Ceramic Conversations" and runs until the 15th of January 2011.

"Dinner Installation" of Clementina's work at the Irma Stern Museum.

Some detail of beautiful plates. Great portraits and use of colours.

Irma Stern's studio at the museum, love this space and the old potter's kick-wheel in the background.

As you proceed upstairs to the actual exhibition, a kaleidoscope of colour and shapes of these quirky wall hanging vases welcome you... absolutely stunning.

More surprises around every corner, some black & white work from Clementina.

Some of Hennie Meyer's work, love the very organic shapes with this surface treatment and "cheeky" looking handles.

Hennie Meyer's Teapots

Beautifully applied functionality and yet standing proudly as "art pieces".

And more of this later, if you happen to be in Cape Town, take time out to enjoy two of our very successful and inspiring Ceramic Artists in South Africa.

Have a wonderful, inspiring and calming 2011.

2010-06-10T18:12:00.007+02:00

World Cup Soccer 2010

Well, its here: 20 hours to "kick off ", the biggest event to be hosted on the African Continent, the Fifa World Cup Soccer 2010 and the fever is picking up.

Cape Town is eerily quite, so its true about the sleepy town...lol...its more like the quite before the storm. Well, people are working and we quickly popped in to town and the V&A Waterfront, lovely sunny windless beauty of a day; absolutely "chilling", not much traffic, no queues, just smiley, happy people. First World facilities are suddenly all in place and everyone and everything is ready willing and able and waiting for the major onslaught.

I must admit our time was very limited but the few snapshots I managed really wanted me to stay and party, you could feel the vibe... and this post is for Anne, who so dearly wanted to be here but all you do is blow your vuvuzela to kiss the African sky and you are here... enjoy...

Unpacking a sculpture.

I had to add this, my dog -child, Clyde, decided to shred my other dog-child, Bonnie's, soccer ball to pieces, just to make a point that tennis-balls rule, regardless....

Attitude....

2010-05-19T21:46:00.003+02:00

"Exploding"

Nature, the best artist at work:

This poor blog is suffering serious neglect syndrome, the owner has become so preoccupied with photography work where the images tell a story and story-writing has been placed at the very back, the end of the line...☺

Two years ago, yep also missed the blog's birthday; I started with the image of the estuary's sunset and here is a detail of the mountains, that line the backdrop of the Zandvlei estuary, being enhanced by the mist and fiery sunset working the little clouds...☺

And to top it all, I would like to thank everyone, my family and friends who sent all the wonderful birthday messages and wishes in all kinds of formats, from voice to printed matter on my special day yesterday...☺The party is still rolling on, until the birthday-girl realizes the head and heart are younger than her body...

So with the onslaught of winter, the wet, cold season in the Cape we will be more indoors and share more in stories to come, so dont give up, on this poor blog as we start to enhance and unfold things one by one und only...☺...

2010-04-19T14:19:00.001+02:00

A King Protea – Flickr pic of the day Apr 19, 2010
by Anja

This photograph, of a King Protea at the Harold Porter Botanical Garden, was taken by our Cape Town. Live it. Love it. group member Anja aka anni.b’s.

Anja says: “What made this so different was the soft light exposing the gentle pink and the many textures of this hardy plant.”

Do you have images of Cape Town you’d like to share with us? We’d love you to join the Cape Town. Live it. Love it. Flickr group!
Image © Anja aka anni.b’s 2010
View Comments (0) Category: Photography

Today, my image was chosen as a flickr of the day on this informative Cape Tourism blog.

2010-04-03T21:31:00.003+02:00

Happy Easter

Frohe Ostern

to my family and friends

Mutti, always made sure that the festive side of this tradition was followed when we where young and searched for those special eggs and bunnies , not to mention the strange paintwork that we tried to do...

Ingrid, a little nostalgia, Omi's crocheted egg warmers always bring a smile and lots of memories...

Hope you all enjoy this time with your family and friends where ever they may be.

2010-03-24T12:25:00.004+02:00

Sir Cliff Richard:

http://www.news24.com/Content/MyNews24#1

News24 user Anja Friese Cloete sent us this photo of Cliff Richard on his way to have lunch at Kalk Bay harbour and signing autographs for some of his local fans.

☺☻☺

Sometimes between all the bad news one must just add a surprise candid shot. This was a luck and so down to earth, totally unexpected and it made their day, the fisher community at Kalk Bay Harbour with Sir Cliff Richard signing autographs on waterproof aprons to old newspaper that actually gets used for wrapping the sold fresh fish....I also send this through to the local newspaper...☺☻☺ I wish I could fill all those pages with good news!! Enjoy!☺☻☺

Windswept

2010-03-24T12:16:00.002+02:00

Windswept
Originally uploaded by anni.b's

Pic of the day today on this wonderful blog. Up to date for any travelling and tourism needs, very informative and supportive towards and about the local community of Cape Town.

http://www.capetown.travel/blog/

2010-01-24T22:22:00.007+02:00

Gone Fishing

Change of scenery can work wonders even if it is only for a weekend. Time out can be like 30 days in your head even if it was only for a few hours; well it sure feels like that.
Affordable, value for money and pet- friendly places are starting to become quite an interesting exercise. Luckily we found such a place and like in most cases were not too sure what to expect as the internet was our guide and that does not always match up to reality, you know what I mean.

Charming little beach cottage in Vermont which is a little seaside village outside Hermanus, about one and half hours drive from Cape Town along the coast. Nestled near the beach and a lake with gentle giants, as in mountains filled with fynbos as your backdrop scenery.
A simple ,comfortable and quite spacious wooden cottage erected on a kite shaped plot, hence the name. Have a look at http://www.kitecottage.co.za/ and of course I could not resist “shooting” the attention to the detail placed so welcoming in this home from home. Most importantly what has been discovered is all “real”, no make believe…Enjoy.

Cute little painting for the kite cottage.

Sleepy dog guarding the entrance.

Love these cupboards.

More detail of the cupboard

The utilization of space in the door...

Detail of an 'Art Deco' Handle belonging to a stove.

Interesting bathroom mirror with little painted, wooden offcuts.

Swimming with dolphins?

Shelly Curtain tie-back

The outdoors, plants that belong here naturally.

Not to mention the most beautiful scenery that surrounds you.

Perfect end of the day, magic to take into your dreams...

2010-01-01T11:50:00.003+02:00

Wishing all family and friends a prosperous new year, all the very best for 2010.

Let it be filled with lots of happiness, love and peace. Einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr.

2009 was really the most challenging and sadest year for me so far, I hope it can only get better from here onwards.

2009-12-24T19:45:00.001+02:00

Merry Christmas everyone, hope it as cheerful and colourful as this angel, handmade with lovely bead detail. To all family and friends enjoy a tranquil christmas eve. Frohe Weihnachten.

2009-10-29T16:33:00.003+02:00

http://www.capetown.travel/blog/entry/pincushion_protea_flickr_pic_of_the_day/

Its really groovy to have your foto up as a picture of the day and its not small either, very overpowering... Thanks to this flickr group of cape town live love it. Seems to me that flowers are my best models at the moment and the learning curve continues.

2009-10-27T16:21:00.005+02:00

The Cape of Storms surely lived up to its name again. Howling Gail force winds reaching up to 70 km/h at Cape Point and huge sea swells from 5-8 metres along the coast causing lots of havoc.

One place that lends itself well for watching this drama unfold is Kalk Bay Harbour. The layout of the pier creates an immense upsurge of these swells smashing with thunderous intensity and engulfing the lighthouse in the process. Quiet unpredictable and not to mention dangerous…The restaurants at the harbour have previously experienced their share of these rough seas smashing their windows, this time though it was a mere cleaning surge with a odd mussel taking a peak…

Symphonic

Thunderous splash

Hair raising

Boats, even safely in the harbour were rocking about and had to be continously 're-tightened'.

Warm and safe with the odd window cleaning splash.

'Warming' up at the Harbour House Restaurant and keeping an eye on the lighthouse and would you believe some daring surfers too.

2009-10-04T19:36:00.008+02:00

Muizenberg, my seaside village in the Cape Southern Peninsula, making special, splashy news today.

The New World Guinness Record making attempt of more than 100 surfers riding the same wave at the same time, today's result is not confirmed yet and also awaiting with anticipation for Brazil's later attempt. More at this website: http://www.surfersvillage.com/feed/show.asp?Id_news=43282

All registered, waiting and ready, notice the iconic bath huts in the background.

And away they go.

All lined up and again waiting for one o' clock and the perfect wave, which was challenging today as the breeze was slightly more westerly which flattens the crucial waves a little but the high tide/ full moon scenario had a major role to play...

Look everyone here we are...riding the wave...

So , the result of this will be announced later, beautiful day for the onlookers, only the surf was not quite up...

Somewhere in all this excitement, time stood still. Historical clock tower by Muizenberg train station, time to give this beauty her maintenance...

Brazil is next in a few hours time. http://www.wavescape.co.za/general/earthwave-2009.html#

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday...

2009-09-09T21:30:00.005+02:00

Some of this “absence” time has been utilized doing a road trip and hopefully you are ready for the onslaught of more obscure observations and “ongoings”/ “going on’s” in this neck of the woods.

Today on this 09/09/09 day I decided to make it a warthog day. Being able to observe these strange animals in their natural habitat again, made me realize how much character they actually carry off to our human eye. We were in the Addo Elephant Park near Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape and warthogs seem to be one of the featured animals besides your elephants and Kudu’s.

Is it in their walk, or the little tail that points in the air, or those strangely positioned tusks that convey an element of danger, or the kneeling on the front legs to reach food; whatever the mannerism one cannot help but smile…

One of the reasons I went for the tiniest porcelain bowls of Katherine Glenday was the transfer of the warthog and her caption in it “oh I feel so ugly today”…

Not to mention this weird and wonderful carving from alien wood of this warthog, the ears, tail and tusks are removable, {don’t ask} …

This one is really a happy warthog in the mud; it had us fooled for a minute as we assumed it wasn’t alive; with sharing this mud bath with enormous elephants you never know…

2009-07-29T17:39:00.004+02:00

Remember one of the best kept secrets of the Cape? Yes, wind still and sunny winters days. We have been blessed with a couple and it really helps to lighten up the mind: body, soul & spirit. I’m continuously attracted to the waterfront in the pursuit of finding different things and happenings that are not in the tourist mainstream so to speak and also finding a lot of local designs that are not in the everyday mainstream for the locals.

At the Cape Town Waterfront you will find everything from the rich and famous, a little Monaco, to the poor, humble fisherman Oscar, who gave his only catch to a big fury seal and hence the life size sculpture of Oscar, the golden seal, in front of the table bay hotel.

http://tablebay.suninternational.com/

Table mountain reflecting in windows of hotel.

Notice the motor yacht for the

One & Only hotel; a hotel "franchise" from Sol Kerzner, the man who dreamt up Sun City and Lost City and many more all over the world. By the way have a look at the sculptor Danie de Jager www.sculpturesa.com who also was comissioned besides the seal to some of the animal "structures"/ sculptures at Lost City.

This is not exactly the London Bridge or any of those in the Netherlands but progressive never the less for South Africa.

Progress report on the building of the enormous stadium for the 2010 soccer world cup. Just another angle from the far end at the helicopter pad at the waterfront.

As the days progress we will find more warmth and bug you with some sunset and evening shots when all comes alive at this remarkable place, the waterfront, that also started with humble beginnings.

2009-07-18T19:58:00.003+02:00

Happy Birthday Dad

While you sharing this day with another famous icon of our country, Nelson Mandela, I thought we ought to put you in the limelight too , even if its so small. The internet is jammed as everybody wants to be part of this important birthday.{lol}

Ahhh cute, even your father could'nt resist carrying you around and that mob of hair? hmm.

If they could only remain little and cute.

To us you will remain Eggi. Enjoy your day. Alles Gute zu Deinen Geburtstag.

2009-07-03T16:49:00.003+02:00

Presies/Presents/ Gifts/

Gift: my late German grandmother was always quite perturbed by that word, as it means poison in German. No resemblance to her ‘Geschenke’ word. We always looked forward to all her presies she would lovingly make or select and wrap and ship to our shores, all those goodies we couldn’t get here, in South Africa, in those days. So, I have an incredible weakness for presies and especially if they have been handmade by the actual person who is giving me a presie. And when it’s also for no reason, unexpected and out of the blue, it really makes you feel special.

Steffi has done just that. Its one thing to follow on her blog how she selects her fabrics and sews all these wonderful clothes, cushions and bags, amongst other things, but to actually have it in reality is just something else. The interesting choice of fabric for the cushion and the appropriate choice for a “winter” handbag… what fun, and what makes this even more special is that this was chosen for me in the making process and we have never met. So as you can gather I really love these presies, gifts, Geschenke.

Cushion with interesting fabric at the back as well...

Detail of cushion and logo...

lovely, big, fun and warm bag for our winter...

Detail of fabric on handbag.

The reason for this, yes there is always a link, her husband, coming from Germany, decided to surprise their daughter, who is currently doing volunteer work at the junior Muizenberg school {in Cape Town} for a couple of months, which was a suggestion via Wendren . And this is only a small fraction of blog social networking at play… No wonder the suitcase was so full. Sweet…

So, Steffi, we have met your daughter and husband, when are we going to meet you? Virtual is all fine and well but nothing beats the real thing…I still don’t know how you found my blog so quickly with the first post?

Thanks again for my wonderful surprise.

Guten Flug zurueck fuer Dein Mann heute.

Have good weekend everyone…

2009-06-30T18:18:00.005+02:00

End of June already?

The neglect, somewhere out there is still a blog of mine, while I have been absorbed with my flickr. How on earth do people maintain all these goodies, do they still have a life out there and make time to smell the roses?

When time marches on like this, I become more aware of what surrounds me or rather what happens in that specific time frame that I happen to be in a certain place. Like this afternoon for instance, these where just a few little snapshots that I picked up at the beach in a few minutes. Yes, we have been blessed with an exceptional warm, windless winter day and if you don’t grab it, what’s the point. There are smoke breaks, tea breaks, lunchtime, exercise time etc and then there is’ me’ time or ‘our’ time.

Time has wings and marches on.

Still water?

Or would you prefer sparkling?

Special 'our' time and me?

Just ordinary folk having fun in the winter sun; just so that you don't think ,that's not me... Muizenberg Surfers corner and train in the background, one of the most scenic everyday routes in South Africa. Just another afternoon of what surrounds me but keeps me going when the next cold front decides to play havoc....These images where taken with little digital still camera and I dare say not to shabby for something that you cannot tweak at the lens...

2009-06-18T19:25:00.003+02:00

My new/old “notebook”
appears in a fancy, durable case,

is wireless, needs a strong touch and makes slightly louder clicks than a ‘mouse’. A Remington travel writer; typewriter.

I sneaked this one towards my channels as it was meant for my dad, yes, and that before fathers day {in South Africa}, kids….what can I say besides the fact that it evokes a lot of nostalgia and my feelings towards these gadgets 20 years ago were not of fondness but this one has a certain cuteness about it and wants to be taken to the Serengeti to start an African novel…. Picture it : perched tent, endless views over the plains and Livingstone meet Remington, trustworthy companion, no viruses, hard working and consistent.

Love these images from a flickr member, her wildlife captures portray something special that is really different from your usual wildlife fotos; take a peak, while I carry on visualizing going to the Serengeti… { see above}

2009-06-10T12:48:00.003+02:00

Image of the day on this Cape Tourism Blog . http://www.capetown.travel/blog/entry/last_light_in_constantia_flickr_pic_of_the_day/

Its really great when someone goes through so many images and says : I like this one, we want to put this up for the day on our blog.

No matter how small, its still a nice boost in such a competitive field between so many amateurs and pros alike.

Its also incredible how many moods and angles the Cape really has and that there is a platform for locals to show off the 'off the beaten track' images of the usual "postcard" scenario's.

All thanks to that enormous social network of flickr...

2009-06-08T16:08:00.003+02:00

Dishes:

Yes, I know blogging about dishes must be really off the rack. But these are my last Mohicans going to another rack, as in a new/old shop in Hermanus, opening soon, [more about that later] and they needed a wash…due to dust. How often do we do all those mundane chores, like washing dishes and aren’t really conscious or aware of what we are busy with. These dishes are quite cheerful for a grey, rainy day and had to be handled with care as they are all handmade by me from that lump of clay into thin delicate functional forms. Also durable for everyday use and will continuously bring a cheer to any household, well that’s what they say.

2009-05-28T15:45:00.003+02:00

Mit viel Stuetze und Geborgenheit

durch diese schwere, bedenkbare Zeit

mit viel Liebe, Gisela

bleibst Du in unseren Herzen

und hinterlassen sind alle Schmerzen

von Anja F. C.

2009-05-18T10:31:00.003+02:00

More celebrations:

It’s all written in the stars: the one in a million, the odd one, or the one that shines brightly mostly like a special star. The day, the month, the year and the time you were born, that’s me today, all worked out in some scientific/ mathematical formula.

On a birthday, which I say is everyday, it’s so lovely to get spoiled with all the warm wishes from family and friends even if they soooo far away. Its also nice, no matter what age, in a nostalgic sense to feel like a little girl again when the thoughts are presented into presents {presies} and attention to any other detail; just that little something to make you feel like a special star, absolutely priceless. Thanks so much everyone.

2009-05-15T11:18:00.009+02:00

Yes, it’s been exactly one whole year for this 'one und only' blog,

Happy Birthday blog…

The blog invited some serious party animals with style, as in black tie affair…

Meetings, meetings and more gatherings; “hey, where you going?”

“Well someone has to get the fish for this party!”
“Wait for me!”

Some already started, “let’s dance”….

Oh, guys what’s with all the fuss, really?

Well, the fuss is that the penguins are ‘red’ on the endangered list of species. Today I’m taking the opportunity to help with a donation to Sanccob , it's only a drop in the ocean but this organisation can really use every cent, especially when disaster strikes with oil spills and these tuxedos have to be cleaned, all voluntarily. So, to all my supportive readers out there, please also take this day to look at this website http://www.sanccob.co.za/index.htm and proceed to the pages where you can help, maybe even adopt a penguin?

With this I also want to thank especially Steffi, my 'one und only' blogger fan, who always ‘faithfully’ leaves a comment, which really kept me going in this sometimes dark virtual space and also to Wendren, who actually awarded me the Creative Blogger award, which I will still acknowledge in the near future. Enough now, this is getting too ‘schmaltzy’…{and starting to sound like the ‘Oscars’.}

By the way all these images, unless stated, are shot by 'one & only' being me 'Anja' and if you have the desire to use them, please let me know, if you are using them, please mention my name and the source of origin and if you are making money from them send 99 % of your profits to me, as used Euro's and dollars are seriously very welcome in these neck of the woods, all those charities....

Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend everyone.

2009-05-07T20:40:00.010+02:00

At this specific moment in time my perception is drawn to one of the primary colours namely, yellow and red but more yellow. My personal feeling towards the colour is a quiet distance or is it because the usual road signs, robots [S.A. English for traffic lights] and road markings are becoming an oblivious day to day scenario. And then the question arises what is really the true yellow?

All I notice, at this stage, is more lemon yellow and orangy yellow but the real yellow could you please show yourself?
http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/showed+true+colors
Check out this whole theory of true colours and how we perceive them and then J.W. Goethe’s theory: {yes, the writer/poet}”colour is the deed of light”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goethe

Then like a vinyl turning round and round in my head, 2 popular lyrics spring to mind mentioning ‘yellow’: the Beatles and their ‘yellow submarine’ and ‘they call me mellow yellow’ by Donovan P. Leitch.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Submarine_(film)

The yellow used in Ceramics, now there is an interesting one, its not like you can open and squeeze cadmium yellow out of a tube… It’s also a leaning towards a lighter or darker yellow and has the tendency to loose a bit of its brilliance at higher firing temperatures.

Yellow, seems to be an every season colour. Important in autumn and winter for the presentation of warmth and available in a lighter manner in spring and summer.

Wearily I cannot get my head around yellow clothing or footwear or driving in it. Yet it surrounds us like a warm sun ray on a grey day and its so part of our daily lives not to mention the healthy food we consume… What’s for supper?

Home-grown yellow light bulb tomatoes, patty pans and gooseberry {slightly more orange..}
Off the shelf: sweet corn, squash and guava’s.

Keep an eye on my flickr www.flickr.com/photos/frieannib/ also in bloglist, when I’ll continue to add more ‘Yellow’ to the ‘set’ that catch my attention….

2009-04-29T16:21:00.005+02:00

Sinful overindulgence!

Another long weekend has come and gone and another one is staring us in the face. After that there will be none for quite some time, really weird distribution of time off. Once in a blue moon when it starts getting cooler, some sort of comfort food awakens our taste buds. This one came in an overdose for the sweet tooth.

All this passion and detail to building these delicate French patisserie’s had to get some serious notice. No wonder Marie Antoinette said:” let them eat cake”. Now, we have the real ‘stuff’ a French pastry maker in Cape Town. http://www.cassis.co.za/ unfortunately the website is under construction. Nevertheless, I hope that my presentation is justifiable with all the decadence, what do you think?

Over the long weekend I also managed to join flickr. {And the crowd goes crazy} Romanticising the idea of getting famous? Also just to pick up some photographic speed….Still early days but will tweak it. Most images and ideas will start there before I put a story together here, so feel free to check out images that don’t make it to the blog or vice versa.
www.flickr.com/photos/frieannib/

Creme Brulee, the way it should be.

Symphonic cheesecake, irresistable...

Last but definitely not least, this chocolate decadence goes to a very special lady.

Happy Birthday Tutti.

Thank you for sharing this very momentous occasion and letting us contribute to a memorable event in your life. All the very best.

2009-04-21T12:31:00.018+02:00

Catch of the weekend:

Yes, it’s a bit late to come up with a weekender story but think of it as one of the many long weekends in this month…

It’s the in-laws, normally not a ‘blogging’ subject but if there is a birthday {father in-law} and a getaway involved then there is also ample of ‘happy snapping’ opportunities to catch up on, especially in the “country”.

Youngest brother in law and his better half organised a weekend getaway near Caledon, http://www.overberg.co.za/content/view/18/27/ the capitol of the diverse Overberg region. The main aim really, besides all the obvious, was to catch the most talked about fish and all its processes involved, the famous trout. I have a very weak spot for the trout {forelle}and I can appreciate the delicate fine art involved in this sport and as Murphy’s law has it , the few occasions the brothers and their better halves get together we always without fail have extreme 4 seasons weather conditions. So, I take my hat off to Johan and Iona, for proving to us that it is possible under any conditions {like strong winds}, okay, they [with] drew the line when rain approached. Once again a big thank you for a wonderful weekend and a different opportunity to celebrate a family birthday, it was a good getaway, proof is in the pudding, actually the trout delicatessen and the millions of images I cannot eliminate even if cloudy conditions were of essence…

Real Beauties of the day: Rainbow trout.

Parked home at the end of the [railway] line…{where is everybody?}

All screws still tightly on?

Another look at being off the beaten track or derailed. {After my vote can we fix this? I want this, all the railway lines, to work!!! Ja, I wake up and….got off the track}

Still life of guinea fowl feather.

I‘m drawn to all things rusted and weathered, must be the lack of iron in the system? Detail of a gate.

If something didn’t move in the bush I would have not found these beauties, not even the lack of sunlight can dim their positive glow. Indigenous bulbs that only flower in late summer early autumn in the western Cape region called Haemanthus coccineus or commonly known as blood lily and plenty more names.

Preparation for the meat meal or better known as ‘braaivleis’ [barbeque] German adaptation pronounced ‘breifleisch’…..

So, where is the supportive confidence in the fisherman’s catching abilities? How must they feel?

Well, the fire is being started and everyone is throwing a beady eye as the surrounding is very dry and the wind very strong…

My other beady eye was watching the sky and one thing is certain, the time towards sunset is always dramatic no matter what the conditions. As we enjoyed the no electricity concept we could also indulge in the starry sky that always strangely reaches the earth …

Beginning of the painterly drama unfolding all within half hour watching the changing light ...

The next day I threw in the towel for outdoor shooting, yep the winter is slowly showing its face brrrr…

2009-04-09T19:15:00.006+02:00

I think it’s now safe to say that autumn is creeping upon us. The days are getting shorter and the mornings and evenings are definitely nippier, laden with dew. The colours though are something else and there is a predominant pull towards things purple and kind of egg shaped.

Fresh purple {red skinned} figs are really a delicacy with perfect red globe grapes and pomegranates, chopped pistachios as illusions of fallen leaves, perhaps?

This eggfruit or brinjal really had me going. First it was a nice surprise to find it in the garden, as I was not familiar with this plant at all. Trying to capture this fruit, well there is still lots to learn of special effects and tricks of the trade as they say.

Looking for a different take on Easter? How about the egg-otic granadilla or passion fruit instead of a egg. Still harvesting these, filled with all the “good goodies”.

Here is wishing all family and friends and bloggers a very happy Easter. Take care and enjoy the break with 99% cocoa chocolates in moderation…

2009-04-08T19:25:00.009+02:00

A little bit of time out …transpired to the idea of “mechanical animals” as the after thought of the Venetian glass dog. {previous post}

In the Cape southern peninsula going towards Scarborough coming from cape point or over the mountain from Simonstown, you will find a place called the cape farm house. http://www.redrocktribal.co.za/ A nice website to check out more info on all the "going ons" and artwork.

The rustic farm environment lends itself wonderfully for a city escape and interesting sculptures of scrap yard type car parts or any other machinery. The exhaust horse which is actually a zebra is my favourite; exhaust pipes cleverly put together, representing the stripes?

An "African" scenery on the ostrich farm. Did the crocodile empty the ostrich eggs? Watch this space as we conjure up some “eggcentric, eggciting” egg stories with a bit of a twist, gearing up for Easter .

2009-03-26T21:45:00.006+02:00

Still staying within the winelands just outside Paarl on a wine farm called Seidelberg Estate. http://www.seidelberg.co.za/ {next to the famous Fairview Estate with their goats,cheese and wine}

Our own little” Venice”. Serious glassblowing to hypnotise and leave you in awe with further mesmerizing magic on the finished vessels and lights in the gallery. Have a look at more fine examples and more about the operation on http://www.redhotglass.co.za/

Lovely views and restaurant preparing more traditional type Cape meals and obviously wine tasting. { Almost sounds like a travel blog and as if I’m getting paid for it} No, just appreciate the glass art and it’s a fairly reasonable place for locals to visit too.

In this image the repetition of the garden sculptures, in the shape of the vessel caught my eye.

Striking patterns as mounted glass-lights.

The twirly glass pieces presented a feeling of roots from the enormous old oak tree.

Last but not least and because I can, something from Venice.

Glass sculpture of a ‘squashy’, magic balloon creature, you know the ones that get knotted up from a blown up balloon from the magician. It just makes you smile, the colour and the idea to remind you to keep that inner child alive. Snapshot from the water taxi on the main canal, nearly 3 years ago. Not sure if this is a permanent fixture?

2009-03-17T21:54:00.023+02:00

Yes, it’s me and the grapes again. For some bizarre and certain reasons we decided this last weekend to tackle the wine lands in as far as the Hex River Valley. http://www.hexrivervalley.co.za/ I was hoping to find the patchwork of vineyards of the various autumn- coloured leaves. Well, due to certain time constraints etc. we ended up in the hea[r]t and soul of one of the many “furnaces” available in the Western Cape. Phheeewww, is still a mild form of expression. Hot, bothered, mesmerized and confused I sheepishly ask hubby:”what’s with all the table grapes, there are still tons hanging on the vine and the leaves are proudly displaying their greens of green ?”…They hide these special grapes from the shelves of the city folk as these are all for the export market. {go figure}.

We feel like stalkers as we investigate accommodation on a “zimmer frei” {room available} kind of concept as some paths lead you into the depth of really private wine farms towards the slated Karoo mountains. All to no avail as the valley happens to be full of grape inspectors? That was some serious grape packing happening there, on a Saturday, in the heat…

Our exploration continues and contemplating further off the beaten tracks back to the Worcester area in pursuit of a farm getaway kind of thing. It’s not that easy anymore the romance of the search for good , friendly, wholehearted plaashuis {farmhouse} accommodation is disappearing as everyone is climbing on the fancy 4 to 5 star bandwagon for tourists.

Going through Worcester,nope,{ its so busy here just like a small city}slowly having the urge to throw our toys out of the cot and thinking of heading home. There in front of us it just popped up, in another very small dorp { village} Rawsonville. That big, green I for Information centre. Oops, its closed but wait a very descriptive map on display with all the necessary info, that’s a welcome start…Ahh, we in luck, must have been the tired desperation in my voice accompanied with a peculiar German accent in the Afrikaans language via the cell phone waves.

Memorize the map and away we go. Oops, we can’t find it, hubby says we too far, I say it's here on this road, had to turn around and we passed it, so inconspicuous, no fan fare just small letters.

What a place, original Dutch gabled homestead.

Meet the very friendly owner and she says we must follow her with the car; oh no I can’t handle more strange surprises.

Few more vineyards further and hiding behind shady, old oak trees another beautiful original homestead.

Oh wow, this to ourselves, a whole big old farmhouse to get lost in, high ceilings, wooden floorboards, big bathrooms lovely cool due to thick walls that have a whole history to tell. Check all the lovely attention to good old fashioned country house detail.

Finally, we can relax. Sweet wine from the farm, homemade rusks, attention to comfort, a home from home and it feels like you’ve been having a whole weekend already. Just switch off and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the country, birds, sunsets, clear open starry skies, sunrises unwinding to all the little things that count….

2009-03-13T19:52:00.005+02:00

Sunflowers:

It all starts with a bunch of flowers and the curiosity of how to capture the natural sunlight on a sunflower. {Have to still experience a field full of over- towering, smiley, sun- turning sunflowers. Must go to the Free State Province for that, make mental note.}

In this slow thought process {still warped from the heat} the post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh http://www.vangoghgallery.com/ springs to mind. The Sunflowers surely are his; as quoted from one of his many resourceful letters of his art to his brother. He also explains how he was drawn to the colour yellow and the life stages of the sunflower from full bloom to the final wilt. Paul Gaugin’s {another impressionist painter and friend} room was to be filled with sunflowers and the painting had to happen vigorously as the flowers were wilting. {I realized this too with the camera}

Going through my own resources of books and prints {this man did paint a lot} I was dismayed of not finding any of his sunflowers. Then I asked my computer, the mighty brain, that heavy head on my shoulders, look under Amsterdam, 1990, centenary of his death, brochure of Vincent van Gogh Museum,the opening, Aunt Ingrid taking us , it was very special, face to face with these paintings…oh ,Anja, you are quite a squirrel, voila there it is in it's original state, in Dutch and sunflowers, in luck, lets shoot…

Wilting, real sunflower 3D meet van Gogh’s expressive 2D…

This thought process awakened my observations to his paintings again and why we are drawn to it and that the sunflower even in its final stages evokes interesting sculpture like features, stark shapes and colour.

Can you imagine if he only went more south, to Cape Town with the Dutch ships how he would have painted our proteas, the Namaqualand in spring and all the other fauna and flora etc. etc. Just another thought….

2009-03-12T15:57:00.006+02:00

We are experiencing some pretty hot days in the Western Cape and in this moment in time the heat is starting to warp my brain works. All I want to do is take my goggles, snorkel and flippers and put this head under in tropical water. {Glug, glug, glug} Just escape for some time and look for Nemo. {Animation}http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finding_Nemo and all those other colourful, exotically, patterned fish that are so curiously cute that you cannot help but smile. Oops and there the water starts seeping through the mask, did no one tell you not to smile or move a facial muscle under water???

The Atlantic water unfortunately does not really tickle my snorkelling habits. The Aquarium at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town http://www.aquarium.co.za/ has fine examples of our oceans specimen in their tanks, I know it’s not the same but they are impressive never the less.

Triggerfish with cleaning companions at the aquarium.

Atlantic Ocean specimen like the yellow tail, the cape salmon, red stompneus all happy in this tank with kelp.

So, while we getting the last of the hotter than hot summer days with some strange autumn leaves lurking around to remind us in what season we are actually in, let me join the rest that are squarreling {squirreling} around and go to that big “pool”{ the ocean} with waves to cool down. {Blub, blub}

2009-03-06T22:33:00.002+02:00

And the heat is on...

Last years race {march 2008} also extremely hot. Main Road with Muizenberg beach in the background

And the heat is on.

Cyclist from all walks of life, shapes and sizes are gearing up for the big race, the famous Cape Argus Cycle Tour.

And it has been extremely hot.

To convey heat one can really be descriptive about it, it still needs to be felt, the message is really not be the same on a photo or a video. This stifling hot air we really only experience 5% of the time in the year in this area of Muizenberg. Spinach and Celery are being compared to the fossil plant, the Welwitschia, in Namibia …Lying low is really of essence here or back to ice-cold ocean, I knew there was a purpose for that somewhere along the line.

So here is to all the brave, crazy, cyclists, hope all goes well and that it will be much cooler on Sunday. My thoughts also go out to the fire-fighters who are struggling in this heat with the fires that are still raging in the mountains.

2009-03-03T23:19:00.005+02:00

According to http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/heard-it-through-the-grapevine.html heard it through the grape vine, meaning an indication that a piece of information was obtained via informal contact. Important news sent via telegraphs. Farm workers obtaining and sending out news while working the vines? Sounding familiar with today’s applications… Let’s see: Telephones, Cell Phones, Radio, Television, Printed Media and the Internet that’s really a lot of communication and information going about.

When taking these images of the late harvest of the “Hanepoot” grapes it only occurred to me afterwards one could start writing a book and indulge on information overload just alone on the origin of the vine,{in the Cape Region} the grapes , the area, where & how it is grown, the architecture of the original wine estate like “Groot Constantia”, how the grapes are harvested, when , what quality, how the muscadel wine or any other wine gets made etc etc etc and all that just around grapes.

Now my information to you via the click of a mouse {could that be a new song:" heard it through the mouse click?"} These deliciously sweet hanepoot grapes were bought from a street vendor near Muizenberg beach and some locals would say: “ hanepoot as sweet as “honey pot” it’s that characterful type of information {play with words} that surrounds us and really is the essence of the Cape.{apart of all the grape stories of course}

2009-02-17T22:21:00.005+02:00

Muizenberg beach tonight, looking out towards Simonstown and part of Fish- Hoek.

What a lovely end of the day today. Nearly 8 pm, in the evening and Muizenberg beach is balmy, people are still surfing and swimming, crazy...

http://www.dieburger.com/Pages/SponsoredSections/Fotokompetisie/Fotokompetisie.aspx

And the winner of the foto competition of nearly 4000 foto entries is a grandmother of 74. The image of the house in ruins in the Swellendam area. If you look at the second paragraph they chose 10 finalists and then the readers chose the 2 that should win. The image of the fisherman on the rocks in Mosselbaai is the runner-up. {It’s the summary from the Afrikaans}

This just goes to show, digital technology is accessible and easy for anyone and the future in how anything will be conducted/applied. Interestingly females are picking up the camera and “shooting” . All female winners and whenever I go out with the camera I notice more and more women taking on the “professional” digital world.

Well, my image remained in Galery 53, unfortunately, better luck next time…

Muizenberg and the iconic bath huts. Mountains leading up to Rooi Els in the background. False Bay.

2009-02-13T18:32:00.011+02:00

Hearts, hearts, hearts working up to Valentine?

More fun and different takes on matters of the heart in a seriously lighthearted manner.

Pouring out your heart? {from glass pitcher this time}

To my hearts content{s} or {constraint}

My bead{t}ing heart, today I saw some more of them, three dimensionally and in red...

Let your heart melt...

Most importantly follow your heart.

Enjoy the weekend and make everyday a Valentine day and listen to your heart...

2009-02-12T22:37:00.007+02:00

Too heart {hard} to handle:

Just a bit of fun. Ceramic handles on copper vessels in juxtapositions with some hearts. The quirky shapes with the intriguing little blue painted, stylised flowers was the actual draw cards of these items. Whenever things get too hard to handle place a" heart" and take a new look.

Detail of a handle from a kettle.

The wood carrier which must have been for coal due to the very deep round basin and wide spout. Love the little lion feature that connects the handle to copper- pot

Love the extended handles on this little copper bowl and I use this a lot for floating candles. Somewhat strangley cosy for our heat at the moment, must be all the snow images .

2009-02-11T21:54:00.006+02:00

Getting caught up with Valentine?

Just another take on this strange day of celebration. The heart shape and its origin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_(symbol) Somewhere else I came across the fact that the ivy leaf was also an inspiration on drawing the heart shape. Hence the ivy leaf detail on a plate and a plant holder I have made some time ago.

It is also inspiring to see local ceramic artist that are making use of the blog. If you check Clementina’s blog {on my bloglist} have a look at John Shirley, Elsbeth Burkhalter and last but definitely not least Eugene Hon; since I’ve studied Ceramics, many moons ago, I have been a" secret admirer" of his work and its wonderful to see the ceramic sculptures from those days all categorically placed on a wonderful blog. Unfortunately I was not one of his students at the time, different institution...

Keep an eye on this space as I conjure up more

light-hearted takes on the matters of the heart leading up to this 'economic' day of Valentines.

2009-02-03T22:27:00.008+02:00

Innocently I was preparing a post about flies. Curiously strange and maybe not so wise just a part of our summer life, never the less. So I’m busy downloading the images that I shot for this story and a strange smell, like wet ash, started to occupy the airwaves. It is unfortunately the time for fires to flare up in the Cape but this is now right under my nose. Yes, the PC “box” was smoking, the shots were that hot. {Have to blow my own trumpet, just kidding, after effects…}

The result is that now we have developed a smokescreen {saver}. Anyone interested, please leave your used Euros, Pounds and Dollars at the above e-mail. (Profile). Okay, so it’s just a good old fashioned fly- door, the ones you nostalgically remember from the butchers in those curious places in the country. Strangely at the sea with all the wind, I possess a fly door and would be lost without it, no, I’m not a butcher nor a fish monger.

Furthermore, the food and liquids get covered by these “fly- covers”. Always enjoy how the beads are niftily crafted by the local people and of course” ways with shells” at the ocean…

Do you still want to hurt a fly, just look at that smile. Luckily they are made of Ceramics. You didn’t seriously think I was going to give you a big, live green African Fly? Those are for the chameleons, lizards, frogs and whoever else needs them in their diet.

Just a strange still life, squashed ceramic fly between horns, or rather in a very tight spot, I dare say it’s all a bit weird but hey that’s life, just like the flies and the peculiar phrases we use them in. And hoping to succeed in placing them in another light...

I'm watching you.

2009-01-30T21:39:00.010+02:00

White Field Day:

A late flowering, white Agapanthus {indigenous plant} was demanding my attention lately, every time I passed it I said to myself, I must “shoot” it. The white flowers viewed from above reminded me of puffed up bridal dresses but eventually the angle I decided on made me realize what an intense blue sky was on display today. No touch ups or changes; just good old fashioned honest blue. Then I decided to search for other white blossoms in the garden and what a field day.

The Myrtle bush is in full “bee-swing” blossoms but another pollinator, a serious beetle, stirring up some interest in this frame. Notice the little white dots to fool as another pair of eyes.

Even the end of a common peppermint herb, tiny white blossoms.

Again, small bell like flowers against that “untouched” perfect blue sky.

What can I say, the strawberries are still producing. Its way passed their official season, happy hardworking fellows.

Even the peppers are hard at work, its going to take a while for this particular one to reach maturity, but luckily some are ready for us to enjoy. It’s indescribable to have this beautiful, perfect specimen evoking the senses: the smell, the texture, the taste, the crunch of water kept in those cells and the knowing it’s been growing under your eyes organically, safely.

Well, otherwise this chap, the cape dwarf chameleon would not be here. Holding on for dear life in the very delicate coriander bush {also with white fluffy flowers and seeds} concentrating, seriously rotating those eyes of 360 degrees turn, what envy.

Enjoy the weekend and keep an eye on those little creatures…

2009-01-28T15:31:00.005+02:00

I'm doing it again. I have entered a fierce foto competiton, run by a local Afrikaans newspaper/website:" tons" of images of the beautiful Cape, go and have a look to get the feeling of every possible angle of some iconic places in the Western Cape. Some images are very interesting if you check the rest of the galleries. With me, they decided on the tranquil image of the Muizenberg bathing huts. {by Anja F. C.}

http://www.dieburger.com/Stories/SponsoredSections/Fotokompetisie/19.0.1246741708.aspx

And as promised the Mauritian images that reminded me of this particular tranquility, taken in November 2007, oooh how I would love to be there again, but a dream for most and I had the pleasure of experiencing it and now being able to share...

2009-01-22T21:45:00.005+02:00

Escaping the ice cold South -Easter sea winds; one of the many the things to incorporate in a country day drive is a trip to Butterfly World, near Paarl in the Cape Winelands. http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/indoors/animals-indoors/butterfly-world/index.htm It's really a interesting way to experience some tropical-ness with all these unusual creatures fluttering by.

It does not get more tropical than this...

How about some orange flame, well that's its name.

The pattern on this owl butterfly lends itself beautifully for inspiration on some handmade glass work or translucency of porcelain...

Why on earth did we come up with the most strangest names for these exquisite creatures? Butterfly? I ask you, a fly in the butter? In German: Schmetterling, so harsh, the sound of a trumpet "schmettern", correct me if I'm wrong...In Afrikaans: Skoenlapper, movement of wings on a shoe? The French have a nice one, not sure what it means directly translated: Papillion, must have something to do with the pupae that the insects morph from? I'm open to corrections and suggestions and would love a new name for the" flutterbyes"...

2009-01-14T21:23:00.004+02:00

Muizenberg’s best kept secret:

Not an everyday occurrence in summer, when the wind changes direction, namely a north westerly, Muizenberg's water transcends into a gentle island lapping style with the most amazing blues and jade. And better yet, things are nearly back to normal, meaning most people are back at work, it’s only the school kids left and then we can have our beach back. I must say quite a number of tourists are visiting and the Germans, hey, I can understand you, so keep it done a notch, just kidding… this is for the rest that are shivering in the north, it will melt the ice or make you really cold, sorry, there is a southern hemisphere and we are having SUMMER…

Nearly five o' clock in the afternoon and the water was pleasantly warm. Lazy' island ' waves.

What a life, come back from work and you can still enjoy some sunny last hours of the day.

At eight in the evening, tranquil drama. This was really an unusual sunset, it reminded me a little of Mauritius, you will see why, next time.

2009-01-07T21:31:00.006+02:00

Just when you thought the festive season has come to an end, snail mail, postal services are still catching up and I received this beautiful handmade card from my aunt, in California ,today... It always is such a treat, the interesting watercolour/collage creations.

more detail

Finally,... the tomatoes have found their blush and even push their limits to the oddest shapes, bordering on 'rude' fruit. Perfect peppers for a 'still life', and us beaming to have such a beautiful harvest. Now does anyone have more creative ideas or recipes for beans?

2009-01-05T21:06:00.002+02:00

Captured, the last sunset of 2008, from Noordhoek beach. A moment in time coming to a standstill as the next second continues...the power of the camera? the power of the story behind the picture in that fragment of time? the power of time?

As time is again marching on and leaving some mere mortals behind to catch up, I want to wish all my readers the very best for the year ahead and may it be a fine two thousand & nine.

2008-12-19T22:19:00.005+02:00

Yes, this is it , early Christmas tree. I'm going to the city of gold, Johannesburg, for a couple of days to have Christmas, {Heilig Abend} with family and this is the" twiggy" seaside cape tree for the before and after celebrations.

Twiggy, due to the bare , white branches to hang all the decoration gathered over the years.

The smallest, cutest vintage bauble, love the indented , decorative part.

So, I will not be getting near the Internet facilities over the next few days and with this I am at Liberty to first wish you a wonderful weekend and a peaceful, joyous Christmas. Festive Season Greetings, Frohe Weihnachten, to all my readers, family and friends especially the ones scattered around this one and only globe.

2008-12-19T09:01:00.005+02:00

Just a few images of a summer take on the red and green that dominate the Christmas season in a traditional sense. It's lighter, tropical and also cheerful.

Cheerful Cherries , cherry tomatoes, and the 'cherry' on top a twin gooseberry, just to break the 'cheerieness'.

Smooth, delicate four piece band petals resting on thick thorny stems, alternative to roses? Well succulents need much less water...

Whats Summer without the typical hardy, tropical hibiscus? Cocktails and lounging around the water and chilling the Summertime.

What do you mean stuffed turkey, no its more like stuffed crayfish, oh, what a life. Luckily we adjusting to different takes on the tradition to suit our climate and environment.

2008-12-17T22:10:00.006+02:00

Once you’ve had enough of being sandblasted by the notorious South Easter in the Cape , go to the Irma Stern Museum: http://www.irmastern.co.za/ and check out Clementina van der Walt’s: http://clementinaceramics.blogspot.com/ Ceramic Exhibition. A really tranquil and inspiring venue to experience the successful thought process of a solo ceramic artist show, making use of wall and floor space.

When these hanging vases greet you at the entrance I just knew there were more pleasant surprises around each corner.

The Incorporation of the vintage furniture , the retro style, it completes the journey of the vessels and gives them the dot on the exclamation mark.

And this is as much as I will reveal, as you have to experience this yourself and the exhibition runs until January, the 17th.

Another very talented ceramic artist on the other side of town for us, is Hennie Meyer at the Belville Art Gallery: http://www.artb.co.za/ inside the Library.

” Stripped”, no decoration just emphasis on clean lines, form and true shape. Interesting approach and this exhibition also runs until January the 21st. {Please check all details on Clemintina's blog; on my list}

Both very successful and talented ceramic artists and definitely a must see and have and enjoy.

2008-12-10T21:52:00.006+02:00

The race is on and the beans have won hands down, the tomatoes still need more time for the blush. Here our lovely thin beans are getting steamed with the infusion of a lemongrass “ribbon”. Not too shabby and just the other post they were still only flowers.

False Bay from Cape Point through to Muizenberg and other places the ice cold ‘polar’ south Easter wind has been blowing, no, more like howling us around the bend for days on end. While everyone else is struggling with the heat, this must be the coldest place in summer in southern Africa. We call this our natural air conditioner, more like ‘Eisleben’ {ice living} to me.

Seriously though nearly virtually around the corner, the biodiversity is much less windy and a lot warmer.

Roses have zero success rates in my garden that’s why we go and admire them elsewhere.

A Rose farm, named the Chart: indulge in a little breakfast or other titbits and pick your own roses. Enjoy the view of the valley of the first vineyards in the Cape, the Constantia region and figure out how to become the next property tycoon to own one of these prestigious pieces of land. Better yet take time out and smell the roses. In the background typical Cape Dutch gables on this particular farmhouse.

2008-12-05T21:53:00.006+02:00

Gone fishing…

Gone fishing:

I’ve always wanted to put that on my door. A number of people from the inland areas in South Africa will be doing just that, breaking away for their sea holidays especially to the West Coast.

The traditional crayfish/lobster season that has officially opened and here also on ceramic painted by me, the traditional “bokkom” {dried sardine- type fish that have been pickled and salted}

The very ice cold, deep blue sea, open blue skies with scorching temperatures, strandveld- type vegetation, typical fishermen- type cottages and you have a success story for hundreds and thousands of visitors. An inspired visitor’s guest book entry:

To make things even more tantalizing, a sea–anemone for girl{y} Friday. The people that live here are the lucky fish that can enjoy this all the time and so we gear up with weariness for the onslaught of the ‘inlanders’.

Take care by the sea and of the sea, nice weekend everyone.

2008-12-04T19:19:00.004+02:00

UNFOLDING: the month of December, the ending of another year, the packages made with love.

Is snail mail dying out ? Well,I have relatives in Germany that dont have a PC let alone get near to one and as a child I've set the standard of all things handmade. {like making and drawing cards etc}

Throughout the year I've been collecting these wonderfully textured and colourful A4 pieces of paper not really wanting to cut up. But here goes, into some christmas cards and birthday cards with some printed photo images and away they go, hope I'm not too late again.

Wish I could be there and see their expressions of appreciations as they unfold their packages and that's what really will make snail mail and the post office here to stay?

2008-11-30T19:56:00.005+02:00

1 Advent

Tradition prevails as we make way for the first Advent. It's really also an excuse for me to make the home more festive {and play}. The only difference is that its summer and still light into the early evening hours, but gemuetlich {cosy} none the less. I also make use of my "handmade" ceramic advent ring which allows me to use fresh summer flowers , that are now in abundance.

Here I'm trying something that is less traditional. 4 floating tea lights in one of my "handmade" bowls with,yep, you guessed it a supported floating flower.

Enjoy your Sunday evening and erster Advent.

2008-11-21T21:13:00.009+02:00

Lots of flowers: {for girl{y} Friday}

I cannot help myself I'm hooked on flowers at the moment. Summer has definitely come this way and it was really the most fabulous day at the beach and that in Muizenberg. At the moment the camera is still 'driving' me, so here goes to some practice shots and bear with me while I'm hunting down resource material with a bit more substance to share as we are happy go lucky just like the season.

Just when you thought I'm only growing vegetables and fruit.

Enjoy the weekend and take time to smell the flowers.

2008-11-20T21:52:00.004+02:00

Vegetable Progress Report: {from seeds of previous post not so long ago}

I’m seriously stalking our bean stalks. The anticipation of home grown beans is serious high maintenance. What? You thought growing them is work, no, it’s the waiting game. The race is on, who will be the first to the kitchen the tomatoes or the beans?

I’m always amazed how much ‘food’ one can really grow in a few square metres, limited direct sunlight due to the shadow of buildings, constant strong sea winds and controlled water supply. This is when my thoughts go in appreciation to people that tackle this on big scale {especially organically} and face the challenging natural elements like the recent floods again.

Radishes, so easy to grow and very versatile and to top it all, power punched full with all the necessary daily goodies your body needs fresh, raw and immediately, ever wondered why their storage life is non existent?

No excuses permissible grow your own “food” its simple and worth it, ten fold. Or is this a start of a new business plan?

2008-11-14T21:35:00.005+02:00

Girl{y} Friday

Winding down for the weekend in a ' light hearted' manner.

Whats a girl gotta do if she cannot find anything in the clothing department ?

Could not resist getting more of these christmas baubles as they are enjoyable all year round.

The sunlight creates twinkly magic with this strange texture on the inside.

Create and enjoy some magic this weekend and any other day, of course.

2008-11-13T22:45:00.005+02:00

Whether to mention the weather is reaching weathered proportions. Oh dear, this reminds me of serious English lessons from school days, the teacher would always blow the letter h wherever applicable.

Talking of which; it blew, yep, this place did not get the name Cape of Storms for no reason. In local news reports the wind reached gale force speed of 35 knots and people trying to walk in Cape Town City had to hold on to things of sturdy nature or each other.

Weathered by the sea air and driftwood niftily turned into a handle.

Detail of a rusted wheelbarrow, not much escapes the weathering effects of the elements at work.

Except tiles.

These are on a building in Kalk Bay where you will find the ‘potters shop’ [lovely ceramic gallery and supplies] . A historical scenery of that very spot. The use of just the blue is so simple and effective. A ‘painting’ on clay, now there is something that should be demanding more ‘investive’ attention.

2008-11-07T19:16:00.003+02:00

Girl[y] Friday:

Warmer weather and longer sunlit days definitely prioritize more outdoor activities.
And with a new toy to study, everything will be standing still and run into near total neglect.

This GIRL, yes me, joined the semi-professional rank {no, not the navy}, its bye bye happy snappy days, hello DSLR Camera [digital single lens reflex] with all the bells and whistles, as in lenses.

Researching for a purchase of a camera is more daunting then figuring out the mechanics and its applications. How brand names play such a major role even on consumers with a tight budget is mind boggling and it surely does not end there either.

So watch the pictures progress as I venture into the unknown ‘depth of field’ passing the security of the auto mode button and shouting for much needed help of tons of useful hints and tips.

With shy exposure , my flower of the day, serious tomatoes in progress, the soldiers of beans and radishes surviving all battle tactics.

So here goes, shoot girl shoot.{ Directly quoted from my sister}

Have a wonderful weekend!

2008-10-31T16:29:00.011+02:00

Girl{y} Friday

Also just returned from a lovely girl{y} treat, actually outing. Thanks to a constant reminder of Heather Moore from http://www.skinnylaminx.com/ and Wendren from http://thewrendesign.com/ for sharing this http://www.kamersvol.com/ geskenke with us. Interesting how similar the Afrikaans is to the German, in this case. Eine Kammer voll Geschenke, a room full of gifts/ pressie's.

You will have to make this an outing {only 2 days left} with family and friends as it is about 60 km from Cape Town. It really is worth the trip, avoid those shopping malls and enjoy the wine valley and get all those pressie's/gifts , mostly handmade and local, sorted for the season ahead. Just some images to get you going, indoors was a bit of a challenge as it got a bit' squashy' for taking pictures...

Sorry, just couldn't resist this, cupcakes de luxe.

Just loved the way old furniture, like the hanging doors, were made use of for display.

Anything works as a fountain

Shop till you drop?

Window display or more like window shopping?

So many ideas every where

Time to rest, nostalgically.

Enjoy your weekend...

2008-10-28T11:32:00.009+02:00

Check this out : The kites [my photo] were 'flying' for 24 hours, high between all the other news breakers: so cheerful even if they are so 'devilish'...

Thanks for choosing my image. {Amongst fierce competition}

More fish, seals and frogs, they all agree what an awesome place to be flying.

A very worried scuba diver sharing the same airwaves with crocodile.

Still the smiling devil at full length

Just when you thought the kids will fly the kites, no, they prefer to be flying themselves, cannot blame them.

It really was a nice day for flying; a kite. Even the very tiny kites, they such fun, check their website http://www.tinykite.com/ Very novel idea to send to people and as promotional items.

2008-10-27T13:56:00.012+02:00

Hot off the press:

Images of the day from the weekends kite festival at Zandvlei / Muizenberg

General overview:

Squeeze tightly into the frame.

A serious series of string quartets.

Always chasing the poor little guys.

The devil with a smile {made me do it}

Still chasing little ones while holding onto the mountain

Seagulls are not worried one bit by these monsters.

Watch this space for more tomorrow as we awaken your inner child.

2008-10-26T15:09:00.010+02:00

Happy Birthday Mutti.

Alles Gute zu Deinen Geburtstag.

Here tradition prevails: Mom always made sure before we had to dash off to school that on our birthdays she would arrange the table with presents [presies], flowers and a cake[unsalted butter] with all the appropriate lit candles on. Today I insist on the same tradition but unfortunately electronically. Wish you were here, Mom and all the very best on your Birthday!!

2008-10-24T19:22:00.005+02:00

Winding down for the weekend with girl{y} Friday.

Lately there has been a lot of hype and talk about “High Tea”. The most magnificent place in Cape Town for this is the Mount Nelson Hotel also nicknamed ‘The Nelli’…really one of the few Victorian, colonial type buildings that can get away with the idea of a totally pink painted exterior; it just became such an important feature. http://www.mountnelson.co.za/web/ocap/afternoon_tea.jsp

I started rummaging through my own things to see if I would qualify for a tea party. It looks good on the linen side of things but to my horror of horrors not on the cutlery and nor on the crockery.

Remembering the much used, palest of pinks with grey border, tablecloth and napkins kept in an interesting plastic type folder; just love the detailed graphic illustration; given to me by my aunt from Germany.

This cup and saucer/plate {made some time ago by me} is in everyday use and will not be appropriate. Oh dear.

This dishtowel will conjure up some inspiration and so does Clementina’s blog.[check on my blog list]. Her latest work is really" heating up the pace". The white utilitarian work and those beakers with ancient plant detail are placing themselves on a ‘must have list’. What really sparked all this was her ‘double decker’ cake stands with those handles, what fun.

While I’ll get back to the drawing board, you must enjoy the weekend and don’t forget the kite festival at Zandvlei…

2008-10-23T20:05:00.004+02:00

Dragging Thursday

For the past couple of days you've been "dragged" around the Cape Peninsula only to be "dragged" back to the starting point of Zandvlei where we end off with dragon boat racing that took place on that balmy Saturday.{see more details on link of : notes from the cape blog.}

The 'round about' tour is 65 km from our place and the diversity of fauna and flora will drag-on for more posts as we still have not captured the whales,baboons and all the mountainous fynbos walks...A tourist guide in disguise, no, just cant get enough of this beautiful part of the world.

2008-10-22T20:01:00.004+02:00

Wacky Wednesday

Are you flirting ...eehm… with the camera? This ostrich was quite the male model: the red lips, the long eyelashes; all this for the female bird, its really strange. As if that’s not enough, the strutting and prancing around, {those legs I tell you, don’t get in the way of them} on the ostrich farm just outside Cape Point.

Another flightless bird: the penguin

Can you imagine the conversation here? To me it sounds like:” What do you mean I can’t go to the event tonight?”
“Well, we have to wait for your tuxedo to grow back on..”
While the third one thinks its better to leave at this point and check the waters at boulders near Simonstown.

“What’s with all the fuss?”

Seriously though all jokes aside, the African jackass penguins are on the endangered list as vulnerable. There is something we can do to help if you check on http://www.sanccob.co.za

Lets not have another extinct species on our hands.

2008-10-21T21:56:00.007+02:00

Choosy Tuesday

A glimpse of Namibia; perhaps? This landrover "found" its place next to the aloes in a parking lot in Simonstown at the yacht harbour. By the looks of things it has gone through a lot and won't be able to move another inch. In the background another mode of transport {boats} but parked in dry docks at the harbour.

Walking up from the parking area to the main road of Simonstown, seems like soled feet are a "requested" mode of movement. Signs for bicycles don't seem to feature as a choice around here, despite the "millions" of cyclist making use of this scenic route around the south peninsula.

Main Road of Simonstown with thankfully various old architecture intact. This is also where the railway line ends, last stop before the wild, blue yonder. So much to choose from; { well just the mode of transport for now}. More in depth look at Simonstown at a later stage...

2008-10-20T11:24:00.006+02:00

Moody blue Monday?

This really remains one of the most beautiful spots shortly before the Cape Point area and shortly after Simonstown. It was one of those perfect balmy settings that hundreds of visitors pass by en route to Cape Point. {the ones that are stuck on tour buses}

The imagination can really run amok between all these boulders and personally I think this inspired the low rise hipsters...

More blues and climbing about...

2008-10-17T18:41:00.005+02:00

Oops where did the time go? Girl {y} Friday is here and on the way out, so just a little something.

These lovely little cards I found at a church fest in Malmesbury, http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionswc/swartland-attractions.htm [out of all places]. This happens when 'dearest' plays accordion at strange gatherings.

I just love the way the typical items found in country places have been placed and the gentle light stirring up nostalgic emotions.

Simple and effective and so charming to use along with gifts etc.

And the flower of this day; the one und only King Protea. The image has been fiddled with and would love to see aspects of this in a repetitive pattern for upholstery or something.

Capetonians, enjoy the onslaught of some warmth this weekend...nice weekend everyone...

2008-10-16T18:45:00.012+02:00

It's time to pay attention to growing some seasonal food.

Budding soldiers, beans, vulnerable to the onslaught of snails, worms, moles and salt-laden South Easter winds.

Bursting radishes, finding strength in numbers.

Promises of tomatoes.

Underglaze painted on rim of plate waiting for the cherry tomatoes.

Budding leaves of custard apple tree, south Easter winds above, hang in there...It's really an incredible fruit: http://www.custardapple.com.au/

But wait we do have something to harvest.

Strong Swiss chard leaves beaming with antioxidants and it's companion is leeks.

Not too shabby, grew very quickly from the flowers of the previous post.{ lol.}

So for desert we have a harvest of strawberries for two,

a dash of organic vanilla powder

a spritz of rosewater

a twirl of honey

finely chopped fresh mint

and a grind of sugar crystals with chocolate from Melissa's

mmm, absolutely decadent...

with beaming pride of all the vitamins and minerals that make it in our garden to our experimental kitchen...

2008-10-10T18:39:00.009+02:00

Girl{y} Friday, time to chill and enjoy the finer things in life. You must agree that a garden should have its special areas just to recharge and rekindle your vital senses even if it is just for 5 minutes. We have created such a spot and it also helps to have a stimulating view from the kitchen sink.

I nicknamed this area Antoni Gaudi meets miniature Fontana di Trevi. The affects of travels before and after.

Had to have my hands in some of the tiles {creating & painting} and funnily enough my dearest put the puzzle pieces together and realized that it is immense therapeutic fun. Here I declare myself defeated because mosaics, like puzzles are not my strengths.

All in the detail of the tiles

Decided to try my hand again with ‘shooting’ running water and realized this ‘happy snapper’ camera: Sony DSC-H2 can ‘paint’.

The play of the 2 thin copper pipes splattering the small trickly amount of water onto a tiled background really lend itself well for all these strange abstracts.

So if anyone would like a Gaudi/Trevi fountain commissioned, leave your name and number at the tone and the keys to your Italian villa and the Ferrari…Okay so the cappuccino is ice-cold and the birds stole the biscotti….nice weekend everybody.

2008-10-09T19:33:00.005+02:00

Has anyone lost a nuclear aircraft carrier lately? Well, it got the okay to drop anchor in Table Bay, {Cape Town}, despite the official objection from Earthlife Africa. I ask you with big whale tears in eyes: Why? And why can’t an enormous surface like that make use of the wind, waves and sun to create energy? Enough said, leave at that and hopefully their “radiance” leave us soon too.

In the foreground of the previous image we have an interesting design innovation made by South Africans. {Fanfare/ bravo} Their unusual shape is intriguing and so is their name: ‘Dolos’. More information on this story on your trustworthy Wikipedia :{ wish I had this at school, when I was young} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolos these heavy concrete bone like features are here to protect the installations around us, from the action of the waves.

The pilot skills were really admirable here in the strong windy conditions to hook up cargo non stop for the 'vessel' back and forth.

180 degrees turn, never have your back to the sea, but this angle of the new Stadium to host the 2010 soccer world cup, caught my eye, more bone like features. All in a days work of one of the many Victoria & Alfred Waterfront activities.

The amount of construction and demolishing going on in the ‘Mother City’ (Cape Town) is in my eyes worrying. Do we have to loose all the charm and uniqueness of this one und only place in the world to more and new advancements? Most ancient cities like Italy, Spain etc it’s their main attraction and the new blends with old without the unquestionable compromise.

So from now on I will document all the ‘old’ architecture as we do when we overseas and do like all these sightseers come to do; hopefully it will not be too late.

2008-10-08T21:24:00.003+02:00

Yes, its official. The kite festival at Zandvlei taking place on the 25th and 26th October 2008. More detailed information available at http://www.capementalhealth.co.za/kite.htm . This is really groovy magic for old and young at heart.

Miniature kite found in envelope size and made of Zebra pattern on tissue paper and string is normal yarn on flat piece of cardboard, a fun item to send via snail mail and it flies beautifully in breeze, not recommended in strong South Easter wind. Found on previous festival. Also check previous post of May[zandvlei, kites] to get an idea of those wonderful kites flying about and obviously bring your kites and enjoy.

2008-10-01T18:42:00.006+02:00

My wacky family, 5 minutes of sunshine and that's what they, Bonnie and Clyde, get up to. Early morning outside temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius and the water well you have to ask them and the whales.

Clyde contemplating how life really can be a beach. Not a soul in sight, not even a doggie soul to strut my terrier stuff and style.

Look Ma, I'm airborne, ..." My Bonnie flies over the ocean" . She taught me today to always seize the moment and how right she is because the rest of the day became grey, cold and grim but we had the wacky few moments forever...

They might not be the legendary Bonnie and Clyde but they do know how to steal hearts...

2008-09-26T13:49:00.006+02:00

There used to be a job description called 'girl friday'. Well I've decided to put this in another context and make Friday's a girl day. Decadent, indulgent and just time out for girls. I'm going seriously PINK, not my favourite colour but for today it's really such a lift/boost.

This ice cream 'parlour' [due to chandelier] is on Muizenbergs beach front and called Sinfull..The pink water running in the background really caught my attention on a rainy grey day and the ice cream, decadent and creamy with lovely flavours.

Some more fun, one of my own handmade platters with some decadence, looks like I'm really longing for sunny days.

What is 'girly' friday without flowers. Some wild fig blossoms from the west coast. Have a good weekend everyone.

2008-09-23T20:58:00.007+02:00

When all the ‘bling’ goes on the blink. Why is it that when one thing goes wrong more will follow suit, like a domino effect or is it ‘Murphy’s law’.

A washing machine is “necessary” luxury, in other words bling. Well, mine decided to turn the jet engines to propellers.

While taking this image it struck me how futuristic it looks and how these appliances have evolved over the years. What is even more mind boggling is that repairing will cost nearly as much as getting a new machine…

So the next thing that goes on the blink is the good old fashioned telephone. Classified as luxury, bling because a large number of people do not have access to this necessary facility of communication.

6 days,…Telkom, who is still the main monopoly, decided to finally send a’ technician’. The most frustrating process, even with all the technology at bay, when the line is dead. What eventually sparked was to physically be with a consultant at their offices and place the long awaiting process into action. People with time constraints must find this very medieval. Hearing a dialling tone though…, wow what can I say.

The Internet, or rather the access to it, is really the biggest puzzle of them all.
To try and resolve a PC problem with the guidance of the service provider, with the absence of a landline was quite consuming. Needless to say the precious, costly, bling bandwidth still gets chewed on at sporadic intervals as soon as connection commences, hence the long absence.

And this is for all the damn spywares , spams, cookies, malware, viruses etc, bunch of piranhas ‘tagging’ along the main sharks, chew them , delete them…

Handpainted on a puddle platter, earthenware by Anja

In the same time frame the president decides to resign. [Go on blink]. Was showing off all that bling of a navy fleet, a story behind the story, one of the last straws ? [previous post]

And somewhere between all this bling on blink it’s officially spring, cold, wet and snow caps. The equinox, more tilt to the sun of the earth’s axis, please don’t go on the blink…

2008-09-08T15:53:00.005+02:00

It looks like I have to start "blommetjie" [little flower] blog; but bear with me,it's Monday and it's grim, grey and raining again. Besides this is internationally famous, people visit from far to experience this.

Saturday, sunny t-shirt day and off we go to the unspoilt West Coast Sea Village of Yzerfontein,approximately 80 km from Cape Town. The main reason is that it is one of the first accessible places to find the 'wild' daisies and vygies:http://www.plantzafrica.com/ .

I've managed to create a weak spot for flowers with house - hubby because he only tackles the West Coast for abalone, crayfish and fish but now he says he feels like a criminal the minute he puts on his flippers, the logistics for recreational diving are unmentionably sad. So compensation came disguised as fish for lunch with amazing sea view and not a breeze...

Anyway, back to the blommetjies, we found them, different variety of patches, no carpets of colourful outbursts of once a year spring show offs; faces following the sun.

Can you imagine what the "Impressionist" artists like Claude Monet would have done with this; an absolute field day...

Just slightly closer

Close up

and all varieties in one frame, the daisies and the vygie. [see above for link]

The rest I'm keeping for later because rumour has it these are the last of the season, glad we caught them and the sun and the time...

2008-09-05T19:50:00.006+02:00

A real try and squeeze in everything kind of day: mellow,yellow,sunny and windless and just going on minding my own 'busyness'.

My kids [4-legged] Bonnie and Clyde love their run at the estuary [Zandvlei].

"No, we don't see no bees", this is fun yellow flowers just for us once a year. Absolutely stunning.

Then I decided to do the "catwalk" without the dogs. Its a promenade next to the sea and the railway line and main road. 3 ways of transport modes. all in one line and its been there for a long time.

The locomotive 'dumps' these carriages here at the Muizenberg Railway station. Its a hotel on wheels, called the Shongolo and they are stationed next to the sea and get transported to all their various activities. The everyday train passes here and is partly yellow.

So, further along I notice the show off of the navy fleet and this sign got caught in the middle of things and I found it kind of apt.

Quite close to the shore, and the whales are in this water right now too.

Then further towards Kalk Bay, the next sea village at Sundown 'er time another sign caught my eye, outside a popular restaurant. I'm still minding my own business.

Normally, this is not my kind of blog material but all these signs just gave me the sign,they demanded attention. All in a few hours.

2008-09-03T12:17:00.010+02:00

Weather logistics are still very much at play: The Cape of Storms scarily whipping and slashing its path, swelling the sea to monstrous, threatening heights, never ending rain and hail [check blog: notes from the cape ] with added chill factor of snow on mountains not yet visible. Check http://www.skinnylaminx.com/ found different kind of 'snow' more like slightly melted marshmallows frothing and lashing about.

Personally, we had some damage and leakage control to attend to. The transparent fibreglass roof sheeting of car-port nearly had a 'rip roaring party' of it's own and around here along the main roads some up-rooted trees, lots of branches and blown over signboards. What's really curious is the constant, reliable supply of our ever so controversial electricity...

With 'cooped' up indoor activities, I decided to bring the beach to me and play, with a purpose of course. I promised to do this some time ago and eventually figured out a more artistic approach.

Muizenberg has it's own logo/brand. The stylised design depicts the beach huts in their glorious primary colours; also to be found on flags along Main Road in Muizenberg.

Found this calender picture from some time ago.

Together with the logo you will find a logo store. Interestingly, this one is in the Rustenberg Pharmacy on Beach Road. Novelty gifts, stationary, t- shirts and souvenirs all from a beach hut and interesting fotos of a bygone era. When you've run out of gift ideas and need something from this area, go check out the logo store. For more details look at the link of the whale heritage site under shop and dine.

"Building" with the beach sand is really extremely therapeutic and its such wonderfully fine , smooth, running texture. [ like refined salt]

Ahh, there is a glimmer, shimmer of light, nothing beats going to the real, big 'sand- pit' and who knows, next we'll bring snow or move the mountain home, well okay, I'll wait for the 'sun button' then...

2008-08-27T22:03:00.005+02:00

There are so many cliches attached to speaking about the weather but at the end of the day it does affect our well being in so many ways, positively and even negatively.

Take this season for instance, the ending of winter and beginning of spring. It's like a roller coaster ride, one cold front after another arrive at this southern point and once in a while there is a breather rewarding us with a warm, tranquil, windless day. Its the Carp Diem day because the next one will be wet and windy.

In the previous post spring was in full swing and then we get a chilling reminder caused by snow capping the mountains nearby.

This is the scenic route in my neighbourhood were we do have the pleasure of the sight of snow even if it's distant. The possibility of a sunny, blue and colourful flowers with snow in the background is not so far fetched. (lovely paradox)

Anyway, I found 'snow' on my beach today. It's a small patch on the dunes but it's the popular coastal daisies nonetheless and when you see them in abundance it looks just like snow; with a figment of your imagination.

So many visitors use this very same scenic route to get to Cape Point and travel so far to steal a glimpse of these flowers that only open once a year with the sun and don't forget the whales that reach these very shores in the same time fragment.

We have all this on our own doorstep...

2008-08-21T15:16:00.005+02:00

Promise of my own strawberries and whipped cream?

Blossom of a myrtle.

The arrival of Spring: Just like bulbs finding their passage to burst into a display of colour and fragrance, green buds unfolding from 'dead-like' twigs and millions of fruit blossoms filled with pollen awaiting the birds and the bees to promise the bearing of all delicious summer fruits; we celebrate the arrival of my one & only sister from many moons and springs ago, today. Just like the burst of spring, nothing can describe that little bundle of energy that unfolded and grew in front of our eyes and into our hearts.

Happy Birthday little, big sister. [the tallness]

So with the 'tools' available to us today we can now move beyond the birthday card tradition! We take chicken wire mesh heart, some butterflies [flutterby's], flowers, a wind still day [tricky, as they only a handful around here], a camera and action.

I think tradition still prevails, candles on a cake... but hey; my sis keeps me on my tip toes: totally up to date and warns me to 'chill out' all at the same time. So when can we close this distance of 1500 km?... Enjoy... Alles Gute...

2008-08-15T19:38:00.006+02:00

We need colour, tons and tons of it. How many tons are these whales again? Their sightings in False Bay still very elusive to my eyes, have not spotted a single one yet. Although if you check the link of the whale route/heritage, there are people spotting whales in False Bay as we speak. So for now I use table mats that I found some time ago by Elmien Kotze where one can appreciate the "naive" approach in her artwork.

Arum Lilies, our indigenous bulbs, flowering in abundance everywhere except in my garden. Tons of them, to me a sure sign of spring being just around the corner. So, once there is more sun I'll be chasing tons of 'Namaqualand' daisies, carpets full of colour, every time it just takes your breath away. It's time for a whale of a weekend...

2008-08-13T12:31:00.006+02:00

The onslaught of my aunt's, Ingrid, birthday today made me dig up some archives. { Thanks to her husband for making them digital } I have a weakness for old black and white photos, especially from my parents and their family when they were young. I always pester them to tell me more about the story behind the story.

Look at her, you just want to reach out and hug her. Yet in that vulnerability is a sense of strength. Its in those sturdy legs and those boots were definitely made for walking. Today she is walking, no, more like climbing, and that at age of, no, not gonna tell you.

This one is fun, not quite sure what happened here but knowing my father, who is in the pram, I think someone needed to take control of the situation. I just love the pram they had here, its sassy design, the curve of the handle and the "chubbiness"...

This remains the famous family photo. Omi and her two kids; my dad already clearly character distinguished, as in always up to mischief in what's next. [der schelmische Blick] And Tante Ingrid the sensible and sensitive one. To this day she also has created some beautiful art pieces and enjoying California. Although both of them moved to far away places, they simply cannot deny their roots in Europe. I can just hear her saying: "Are you kidding me". Tante Ingrid, enjoy your birthday and I hope all your children and grandchildren will spoil you...

2008-08-08T17:39:00.006+02:00

Oh dear, what neglect, its already Friday and the 08/08/08; the opening of the Olympics in Beijing and for more "historicalness" I'll focus on woman's day for tomorrow.

These hand painted tiles are on the old Post Office of Noordhoek and have been painted by Joyce Ordbrown. It depicts the story of Christina Rousseau on receiving this land as a grant/gift by Baron Gustav Wilhelm van Imhoff, Commissioner Extraordinaire of the Dutch East India Company in 1743. Apparently she grew impressive veggies and they were supplied to the ships anchored in Simons Town. I once had a farm in Africa. Anyway, the whole story with wonderful images is on this with a difference, artistic website of http://www.imhofffarm.co.za/ under the history section.

The farm is still to this very day buzzing with activities for the whole family, with a farmyard and the farm buildings have been converted to farm shops, working art studio's, shops with local craft and if you visit the cheese shop, there you will get to know a dynamic cheese maker or is it maker'ess'. Still did not try their camel rides yet...

What is most enjoyable, to me anyway, is the restaurant [housed in a traditional Cape Dutch style, with historical photos] which has the most magnificent view towards Hout Bay and there is a feeling of grandeur as you stand on the traditional "stoep".

See, what did I tell you. Now lets do this in style, where is the waiter. Cheers, here is to the women, enjoy your day, woman's day... and every other day...

2008-08-04T22:50:00.006+02:00

The previous post made me aware of another 'iconic' item that I was wondering if it still could be found. Needless to say you forget about things until it pops up out of nowhere and your observant obsessions suddenly run parallel with other findings at the same time.

Chappies bubblegum: http://www.chappieswrappers.iblog.co.za/ , [post of 2 august 2007 the story of 'Did you know?'] I found myself at the Noordhoek farm village, on Saturday, where this little bric brac/antique shop also sells candy, the old fashioned way, and there they were the iconic bubblegum chappies. The main conversation always revolves about the price:" I remember buying them for half a cent each." These ones were 20 cents each and that after 35 years. Okay the inflation rate cannot be measured to a sweet and that's not the point.

It was the wrappers, where everyone read out their Did you know...while blowing these enormous bubbles. Was that our Internet? Information overload? Pity they never got filed. As kids we found such simple pleasures. Anyway, the realization today is what an incredible way to market a simple bubblegum when there were plenty others to choose from.

So the next day in the Sunday Papers I came across this ad making use of the Chappies Did you know ... wrapper.

Its an advert for entrants to be aware of and enter the marketing excellence awards of 2008. Brilliant.

So, do designers/artists subconsciously 'work' in their marketing tools, in their work? Is the 'name' and the exposure still an important and sufficient marketing solution?

2008-08-01T19:38:00.008+02:00

Winter rainfall is difficult to get used to when your origins are from a summer rainfall area. My mind often wanders to the fauna and flora of the north of South Africa especially the wildlife. In short : I miss the bush.

Then it dawned on me, that we actually exchange and work with the Big 5 [lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo & leopard] every day. There they are still in my purse [lucky me] .

How many of us actually pay attention to which animal is on what note. Obviously, the credit worthiness amongst us will use plastic or electronic banking but I always liked the colour and design of our money. [noticeable, especially when abroad]. It might not have the value like it used to, but it is really not that long ago when the lion, R 50.00, the buffalo R 100.00, and let alone the leopard R 200.00, got introduced. [1990] Jaaa, we only worked up to the elephant R 20.00 for a long time and a rhino R 10.00 still filled a fuel tank. And I bet you that most of us still use 2 buffalo's before we even use or keep a leopard.

Well, we had confidence in our monetary value, it was once very strong and equal and the Big 5 were sufficient. I would really feel uneasy with a R500.00 note in my purse and if they would place Penguins on it, I would never spend it. Subconscious brainwashing from early days , perhaps?

And then, wildlife that remained of iconic value; the infamous Springbok. More designers are re-inventing this one.

You can stop holding your breath, I know butter is poison, but when my German mother searches far and wide for unsalted butter in Africa then you know it will be imprinted on your taste buds forever. This graphic slightly changed now but it has been with this Springbok butter for as long as I can remember. To this very day there is only one unsalted butter with of course the introduction of the 'Woolies' one but that really costs a small fortune. We could always immediately taste the difference especially in a cake, cringe. [So, Ma, wo ist mein Zitronenkuchen?]

A truly, internationally acclaimed, successful ceramic venture that also portrays the African Wildlife at its best, is Ardmore. You can indulge more on http://www.ardmoreceramics.co.za/.

There is so much more , so don't take away my wildlife icons, EIKONA...

2008-07-28T19:48:00.009+02:00

My mind has really been boggled, this weekend, partly due to some 'blogging' research and realizing I've gone totally off the beaten track, I've been derailed and completely stopped in my tracks. { Side effects of living near railway lines}

If I don't part and post these thoughts they will keep boggling me. The blog was initially intended as a platform for my work and what surrounds me as inspiration. For a true artist that is really everything. Then I got wrapped up with the click of the camera and the click of the mouse and got seriously sucked into a vacuum of blogging addiction and also realizing its one way to confront the 'wet winter blues' and share the 'goings on' in my area, but in a off the beaten track kind of way.

Then friends, that have lived here but moved on to Holland, are visiting at the moment and 5 years are being mind blown in a boggled few hours. Then the inevitable confrontation, how is the pottery/ceramics going?...

Saturday morning visit to the old biscuit mill. http://www.theoldbiscuitmill.co.za/ This place is now really Cape Towns hub of 'communal' activity. You have galleries and shops with the most inspirational local art and its not in a shopping mall.[yippee] And not to mention the neighbourhood market. Its not a flea market and its not entirely a vegetable/fruit type market like you get in Europe. No, its really special, the stallholders are 5 star selected, from yes, a lot of gourmet food and wine and beer tasting to keep the men at bay, while the ladies indulge in queen of tarts, to fun with vintage, lots of design items and organic, organic,organic. [sorry, I,m fired, no snapshots] but check out http://www.skinnylaminx.com/ in her blog under posts of markets, she shows the atmosphere very well.

But my main reason to visit was actually to check out Clementina's new gallery/shop http://www.clementina.co.za/ that she recently opened in this very Biscuit Mill. And my ceramic 'guru' was there herself. To me she is really the most successful ceramic artist in South Africa. Through the years her approach to clay has remained honest and yet fresh regarding form and function and the newly approached application of surface treatment is so uniquely unified that the one cannot be without the other. Not only is she talented but she is the kindest and most generous person; downing her own tools in her hectic schedule to help me figure out the mysteries of my boss, the kiln, and its firings; now that in my books calls for a lot of respect and admiration.

So again the inevitable question, hows the ceramics going? Then..the stop in the tracks,.."Are you ever going back to it?" Did I hesitate, no, just slightly cautiously answered:" I will get back to it."

Clementina has also now recently discovered the 'blog' and I think hers will stay true to ceramics. What also boggled me, was that I noticed the South African Ceramic Artists don't make much use of the Internet let alone blogs, because that's really a great way of interacting, updating, advising etc.and we need that in our isolated clay world, I think.

I must say, I do miss that click clack sound of the temperature controller of my boss, the kiln, who now also has a boss called Eskom/Koeberg [they switch it all off] Green solutions are needed for firing pots.

Anyway, stay on track girl. We wish Clementina all the very best on her new venture, the gallery/shop, where she also showcases other aspiring local ceramic artists and will keep us updated on her new blog.

In my collection, special Clementina tea light bowls, carved porcelain to reveal light through the translucency; with gold lustre, as Johannesburg's 'gold dust' will never really escape us...

2008-07-25T19:13:00.008+02:00

A 360 degree view of Kalk Bay harbour, no video.

The entrance/exit to the sea. This is the calmest it can be. {spiegelglatt, mirror like}

Mountains towards Simonstown in the background.

In the background the start of the seaside village of Kalk Bay.

A very characterful, authentic Cape way of doing things at Kalk Bay harbour. The fish, Snoek, has been cleaned and gets hung to dry.

Snoek: a traditional Cape fish, long and silvery and slightly oily. There are numerous ways to prepare this fish. Personally the best is on the coals, better known as a fishbraai.

So waar is daai rooipote, die krewe, jy...{ local lingo for where is the crayfish?}

2008-07-22T21:45:00.012+02:00

It's show off time again. I hate to say it but I think my dad lives in one of the nicest spots on this one and only planet. To top it all he also shares his birthday with Nelson Mandela.

So, the overnight bags got packed and 180 km further down the coastline towards Cape Agulhas, the most southern tip of Africa, you will find a coastal village [dorp] called Gansbaai ; now internationally known for the shark cage diving expeditions.

The minute we drove into 'De Kelders', just outside Gansbaai, a whale tail greeted us. [to quick for the snapshot]. What a sight: sunny, blue skies, calmest of waters and near the shore, there they are, graceful, gentle giants. V blows everywhere, the Southern Right Whales are here.

Then further, all different kind of aroma's welcomed us, the birthday-boy cooked up a storm [he wouldn't hear of any other suggestions] and his indigenous fynbos garden had a clash of sweet and herb like smells from the little warmth and humidity.

So when we settled down at the end of the day I asked him how he felt about sharing his day with Madiba's 90's and this still is his 'point' of VIEW.

If you look at Wicus's website you will notice a spectacular sunset shot taken from the very same spot. [dad's balcony]. To think that it was 'this' close to being lost to runaway fire, thank goodness for the guys that hover those helicopters in banks of smoke to dump those water- buckets in the appropriate spots. Unfortunately the fynbos and all the dear creatures with it, they suffer the most and it takes a very long time to re-establish itself.

Harbours intrigue me, they are also a 'happy snappers' / photographers paradise. Gansbaai harbour is known for it's canning of pilchards and catching of various other fresh line fish. But something stood out that day and I remembered another image of, listen to this, my own harbour around the corner from me, namely Kalk Bay Harbour.

These are tied up in Gansbaai.

These are tied up in Kalk Bay.

Now whenever someone says they are tied up or down for time or appointments, or whatever, these are not the images to have in mind?

2008-07-18T18:55:00.010+02:00

Blommetjies, blommetjies {it's a cute descriptive Afrikaans word for little flowers}

So, when last did I mention flowers? Okay, alright, I know but just bear with my predictability because there is always a story. Is this 'close up' recognizable as the Nasturtium flower?

It apparently grows anywhere like a weed. Well it's the first time in my many trial & error attempts that they are finally making it. Now I stand to be corrected, but as far as I know they don't really flower in winter.

Two bright orange {again} flowers peeping out under all that enormous green foliage, now that demanded my attention. Not to mention the nasty bunch of zillion snails getting there before me. How helpless the young ,strong and vigorous leafy green vegetables bursting with antioxidants face the onslaught of those brutal munchers, no, chompers. Any successful, organic fighting tactics out there?

Vegetarians don't look...

This is my' gourmet burger'. Comfort food for now. My dad halfheartedly, in an unofficial way declared me the 'bouletten queen' { berlin for fricadel }. He is not big on compliments, so it must be good. He is actually a born 'Berliner' but moved to Hamburg {to grow up to be good Hamburger}...cheeky, kids, of today...

In those attempts of trying to grow this herb, it became part of a design of my handmade bowl. Exposing the white clay through the under glaze colours with a simple' line scratching' ; showing the leaf and the flowers joined by twirly bits.

The flower was more appreciated visually, back in the vase. Maybe in summer we will have it tossed in the salad but after this close up study I think the pollen should be left to the working birds and bees...

2008-07-16T20:47:00.006+02:00

Professional wildlife [bird] photographers don't look :

Gotcha! Such an easily, [why did you fumble] packaged opportunity like this had to be snapped up. Now, I'm not equipped with the appropriate camera & lenses etc. for this ; remember I retreated as a 'happy snapper'. To top it all, this is such a familiar 'post card' image shot to perfection, I would not even want to fiddle with it, let alone look for another perspective of this all too familiar subject: Sunbird seeking 'sweet' nectar in aloe.

Today like this bird we were searching for the illusive sun and the brief moment occurred, all happening next to the side of the road. Yes, nothing 'frazzled', 'fuzzed', disturbed it, not me , not the cars, nothing. The road coming from Simonstown going towards Scarborough, where they display all those weird and wonderful sculptures mainly of the 'big 5' animals. There is that brief country feeling, smelling of whipped up ocean mist and added to that the freshness of 'Fynbos', that's swelling up of all the water it received and all the different protea species just slowly bursting their precious, beautiful flower heads, what show offs! And all this 5minutes away from built up areas. So I guess what I'm nudging at, is no opportunity should be ignored or shrugged off due to whatever reasons. Okay, now when can we leave the city and do the real nature thing and bring 'those' cameras, yes, come lug them along....

No matter what, the personal experience, was really what this was all about. This one is mine and it just has that much more meaning, like seeing the original artwork of the great masters.

2008-07-11T15:59:00.005+02:00

Local conversations ?

"What on earth is she up to now?"

"Looks like she packed a bag and using the magic carpet, sorry springbok hide."(sorry bokkie)

"Ja, but what's with the french ribbon?"

"Hmm, Mauritius is french influenced, I think the cold got to her"

"Ja, swaar, did you check the snow, eish its thick, can see from here, broe.."

"Ja, man so what gives"

"Ag, check it out, her househusband is playing in Franschhoek the whole weekend gig for the Bastille fest, with this duke box."

"oh, you mean trekklavier?"

"No, man, accordion"

"You see, voila"

Yes, Franschhoek has a history of the french Huguenot, check it on their website at http://www.franschhoek.org.za/ and to coincide with the 14 th July of the storming of Bastille there is a once a year festival in this quaint 'french' village with all it's 'Cape Dutch' gable architecture. Strange, nice valley though, well worth the visit. Yes, and the househusband is famous for his french accordion playing talents, which are really appreciated, the crowds go crazy...

"so that's what is , so can I score a lift with you then, take the Porsche for a spin? Can go and check the snow from nearer, hows you?" "I'm serious".

"Nooit, where do come from, hey did you switch off all these gadgets, people might hear us, you know, ek se broe."

2008-07-10T17:06:00.007+02:00

When all else fails, there is always a beautiful flower to find colour,warmth and patience for a promise of dry, warmer days. It's not an ordinary hibiscus flower, this was one of the last 'Mohican's' that survived and was given to us by our wonderful friends. (ex- landlords of 10 years ago), that's another story for more rainy days. (no, I didn't say that?)

Beautiful multi colours of orange and red, nature just knows how to combine colours. Now it's forever. (verewig, verewigt)

I love this green vase, its from my childhood memories and it's really so 'retro'; it always intrigued me. Small, for a one stem, square and ever so green. Simple and strangely effective. Yes, I know, there is some amazing glass art work out there and one of them jumps to my mind, http://www.redhotglass.co.za/ , they have a wonderful workshop/studio on a wine estate and while you eating away at the restaurant next door, (observe the magic through the window) these stunning glass blown vessels come alive. One should also not forget about David Reade our South African Master Glassblower. (Wonderful gallery out in Worcester, Cape, and really lovely people committed to their art) Quite a number of well known ceramic artists have gone over to glass work; (as in slumped glassware) hmm...must say the translucency is very appealing.

2008-07-08T19:13:00.002+02:00

Zandvlei playground, where are you ?

Its been raining non stop and somebody forgot to switch on the' pause button' . A little bit of light appeared just before sunset and I still don't have Gummistiefel (gumboots). So if anyone comes with the story they are swamped with work, well this one is definitely an alternative image to have.

Which one is which, the vlei or the bit of land-swamp? It was extremely cold when I decided to brave the 5 minute gap of no rain, and there is always someone canoeing, unbelievable. I feel like a real wimp in comparison. Just heard, snow has fallen on the Witzenberg mountains near the village Tulbagh in Western Cape. I will bring some more colour in the next post, promise, this is looking a bit, dare I say dark...

2008-07-02T17:10:00.008+02:00

Climbing up some cobblestones, (reminds me of Genoa/Italy) to get to a side alley called sea view. Some really lovely houses up here and they have a wonderful view...

Yes miles and miles of beach starting from the railway station, Muizenberg, here by this lovely old clock tower. Best kept secret: beautiful, sunny winters day and not a single breeze...( great for beach walks) but we are going down again because the shade of the mountain is creating a slightly, uncomfortable chill factor. Just one quick observation on the way...

One poor last fig and leaves, slightly confused ?

Okay, down by the beach again and catching the last sun rays while surfers catch their waves. What a life, I tell you. If you look closely, you will notice the last range of mountains, (extreme left) that's Cape Point, it's not the furthest point, but if you here in Cape Town for '24 hours' it's near and good enough and absolutely stunning on a day like this, phew...

Keep watching this space for more best kept secrets of this area...

2008-06-28T17:14:00.006+02:00

Adapted Stadsjapies/ City dwellers?

When an image has a 1000 words... { caught by my beloved 'househusband' }

After some kind of confrontational chit chat with the seagulls the African black oystercatcher ( Haematopus moquini), Tobie, turned around and showed them what he thought of this, but the seagulls, well they seem unfazed, unhurried and not worried; {that's one possible version}. Talking of worried; the black African oystercatcher is in DANGER of EXTINCTION. You see, it's breeding season from November to March, the height of our summer holidays when zillions of other recreational coastal users flock to these very shores. We're still at surfer's corner in Muizenberg and here is the start of the boardwalk to St. James. These birds make their nests in the sand with 2 camouflaged eggs which would be impossible to do here. So are they here just for the food ? We have to bring in the experts on this...

(permission of Wicus Leeuwner)

Talking of which, our dear friend Wicus Leeuwner, became an overnight celebrity on our local lifestyle television show pasella .http://www.pasella.com/agter/624718.htm

Now here is definitely an expert. The most captivating images of some of our endangered and iconic birds in the De Hoop Nature Reserve." Nice one, Wicus, Baie mooi."And not to mention the 'tandem in flight' oystercatcher / Tobie photo, the gracefulness and the ahhh moment with that split second of knowledge and patience, all while a camera-crew is pointing at you.

So do yourself a very big favour and go and investigate more on some really truly, inspiring photos on http://www.ziyafanaimages.co.za/ Local is lekker.

2008-06-25T21:23:00.002+02:00

So in my retreat to the professionals I found a certain 'pridal' joy in harvesting my own cape gooseberries and enjoying the colour and mostly, delicately munching them away like a delicatessen, you mean I had to share ? Oh dear. It seems to me we have a pull to the blue versus orange colours...

Today I cheekily retreated and declared myself a 'happy snapper' because beach activities have definitely become dare I say, competitive. When I downloaded this I realized gender equality also placed itself neatly in this frame. In the background already in the shade, main road to all the other coastal villages and interesting historical buildings. By the way this is part of surfers corner at Muizenberg.

2008-06-24T19:16:00.006+02:00

I must confess I got to the sea too late today. The surfers corner was already in very dark shade and to me that did not look inviting to do justice for the surfers. Yes, there are all the adjustments etc. but sun is my light; so patience... Another angle of the iconic bathing boxes and mountains going towards Stellenbosch, up towards Rooi Els at the tip of False Bay.

Blue sea as background for aloes, works quite well.

Indigenous , water wise plants.( No, don't even think of asking me their names. In my books the one is sputnik and the other one bells, or gloeckchen). I'll check with Kirstenbosch... The amazement lies in this true, warm and juicy colour for this time of the year. The reds and orange seem to be just so much more there, if you know what I mean.

Finally, I thought I was going to start joining all those kuck kuck (cuckoo) clocks. Everything can get dry, until the next spell, yes there is always a next one, but for now, we press 'play'.

2008-06-19T15:36:00.010+02:00

Open the gate, to the left the water of Zandvlei then to my right the mountain. You didn't believe me, its grim. Non stop rain... This is still the nice version, its just busy getting worse as we speak; I think now it's time for that 'pause button' for the rainwater. My thoughts go out to the people in Kwa-Zulu Natal that are experiencing floods, not normal for them to have rain now. Well, it's full moon and the coming of a solstice, I think, better call in the experts, to explain all these things.

We are grateful to have this very handy item as part of the household. I swapped some of my own ceramic work to acquire this beauty.

A cast iron 'firing machine' (mein Feuerofen?). If I stoke this oven a 'welcome dover' any longer it will become a locomotive and find the railway tracks up the road. Here is just some detail of the tile work we have done, of which some are my own designs.

Another aloe design, that I've put together some time ago. Small one stem vase.

2008-06-18T18:31:00.006+02:00

Mein hubby, or househusband, also has those sweet moments, { side effects of western vudu flu medicine, I think} to cheer me up. Yes, I'm going to whine again {ah, gluehwein}, no outdoor day, those different shades of greys and cold and rain just dont do it for me. This is getting very 'cooped up' but we have positively found some sort of 'Ablenkung'.

An 'Iconic' (aloe) sturdy,recycled shopping bag caught his attention today. He loves to get all the "other" groceries that are not so wholesome,they call this 'alternate' shopping. (kidding)

Sorry, to all the people that sew those big stunning bags but I would never put the heavy groceries in those beauties anyway. But here is what I like, one of our icons, the aloe, (which happen to be flowering right now) put to everyday good use and making you feel local, which is 'mos lekker'.(good) Our way of saying and encouraging more locally produced goods. Checkers gets a star. Pick & Pay and Woolworths where are you? I must say what strange names for supermarkets. Anyway, when possible the journey will continue.