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"...

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.