Blue Poinsettia

 Hello Ladies,

Sometimes we need some inspiration and I think this year was a killer on so many levels. Feels like I have lost inspiration lately.  I just didn’t have that motivation to do something creatively.  I needed some words that would give me the reason to get out of bed in the mornings.

I was scrolling on Sheet Street webpage and looked at their duvet covers and spotted this one and I knew I needed to check if my local store stock it – my luck was in – yeah – happy dance.

So the day when I made the purchase of this duvet cover and changed my bedding I was very impressed by the look and the feel. Nothing makes me feel so good than a clean made up bed and a new cover!  It’s bold and so spot on!

Sometimes just a made up bed and a few powerful quotes will give us that spunk back that we need and Sheet Street has done it for me.  

That saying that goes something like your surrounding plays an important role in your mental wellness is so true.

You will note that on the cover of the duvet the following words SMILE OFTEN are printed - we should actually. Laughter is good medicine. Find something that would put a smile on your face, don’t feel like smiling, then fake it till you make it and a smile would eventually appear.

Last but not least – CELEBRATE LIFE – yes, life is hard very hard at times, but those days are essentially there to give you character and that makes you, YOU! Yes, even you that are reading this little post of mine.

I want you to take a good look at your surroundings and change one thing that would inspire you to be a bit better than the day before.

If you can change your bedding everyone needs a good night’s rest to start the day on the bright side!

Stay blessed and safe,

Leanie

 

 Hello Ladies,

Do you love to be in the garden!? I assume you do, especially if you have flowers that are beautiful to look at and to relax in it too especially late afternoon.

Well, I always enjoyed being in the garden with my camera in hand taking photos of flowers and the odd chance that my cat comes to visit me at times.

Last week on my IG account I have mentioned that I have purchased the book called Jane’s Delicious A –Z of Herbs. It’s available at Bargain Books.

While I was glancing through the book my eyes have immediately recognized the flower since we have it in our garden, but never have I thought that it falls in the Herb category and that it has so many uses! I know it smells lovely when I rub the leaves with my fingers, but that was about it!

So what have I actually discovered about our Pelargonium (Pelargonium species):  That our Pelargonium is rose scented and the leaves can be used to:

~ Keep your clothes smelling fresh and to keep moths away by scattering them in your drawers. Use dried leaves. I think this would also be great to make a little sachet and add dried leaves in them and makes a great present for someone.

~ The leaves can be used to infuse your warm milk to make custard, jellies, teas, and cordials. I’m also thinking of infusing your milk that you add to make Pancakes.

~ The flowers are also edible so you can freeze them in ice cubes. This would look lovely in your water jug, especially if you are having guests.

It’s so true you are never too old to learn something new.  Keep your eyes open you might be surprised what you might find in your garden.

Stay safe and be blessed,

Leanie

 Hello Ladies,

The year 2020 what can I say it’s been a year full of changes and different experiences and one of them are having meetings over the Internet like never before.

Recently I have received an invitation to attend a Webinar. I was very eager to attend since I totally love most of their products. If you have been a long time follower on my blog then you would know that!  

have to say that Bramley has made this a very interesting event. I have received a gift bag with a Bramley Mug and a Hot Chocolate (Hug in a Mug) what can a girl ask for, especially since we had such long icy cold winters. Then I also receive a Magnolia gift (mine was the deodorant).

I was excited but yet a bit worried – you know that famous saying “what could go wrong?” Well, let me assure your technology can be your best friend and also your worst nightmare. Since this would be my first webinar I had to install Zoom that was the easy part and to create an account. I had received all the information that is needed to join the meeting, but when I clicked on the link to join my screen just kept on processing for nearly 10 minutes and still, I could join! Then all I could was to shut down my device and log into Zoom and use the Meeting ID and Passcode. I was in and I nearly wanted to shout yeah I’m in at last.

Wasn’t long till I was asked a question, but they could hear me I at all and I didn’t know that  I was on mute. What a moment…

So to those of you who are still a Zoom virgin here are some pointers to you:

v  Install Zoom on your Computer or Laptop if you can – much better experience than
on your mobile.

v  If you can have a trial run with someone to get the feel of it – please do so, just to put your nerves at ease.

v  Rather use the Meeting ID and Passcode to join the meeting.

v  Make sure your lighting and background are suitable so that you would be seen more clearly by others. Yip, my background was clear, but my lightning not so much.

v  Lastly, remember to breathe.

What was my experience from attending this event? I know who the gorgeous ladies are that works at Bramley and learned about the new range that is being launched into stores as we speak.

I have to say that the box of goodies that we have received to open during the webinar are looking great and some of those do give me the happy dance like the tissue oil (I do have a story about a tissue oil, but I would leave that one for another day) and the spray.

Bramley, you sure do know how to keep me guessing I would have never thought that was an actual biscuit to eat! I thought it was a beauty product. I’m sure you are laughing right now!  I only realized that until I have done a sniffing test.  

Keep a watch on my IG and Facebook for my experience by using these products.

Stay well and keep safe ladies until we meet again,

Leanie  

 

 

I've decided it's time that I should discover who and what I'm meant to be in life.  I have always thought that when you are thirty you should have your life in order and know who and what you are, but I was so wrong in thinking that! 


When I was a little girl I always wanted to be a Teacher. ( I guess that many kids wanted to be a teacher at that stage), but I even had a small blackboard and chalk and played that I'm a teacher. I think when I was in St.1 (Grade 3) I told myself no way do I want to be a teacher, just look at how rude the kids are!? 😄

Then when I was in St. 3 (Grade 5) then I was introduced to the world of Computers at school I was excited. This is really "cool" and I don't mind working in this field!  Then not long after that what on earth are you thinking Leanie? Do you really want to sit day and night behind a Computer how boring would that be!? No thank you, very much, but I will give this a pass. [ lol, yeah right who are typing now on a computer in the early morning hours?] 

Then came my High School years and I've taken Accounting as a subject. I remember that my mom has told me that if you fail Accounting you will take Art. Girl, have I studied the theory part of that subject for the first test like there is no tomorrow! 😆 So I wrote my first test and I have passed that test with flying colours! 

At the end of the first term, Accounting was my best subject I thought maybe this could be it you know!?  Little did I know that coming to the second term I was failing that subject. My grades were good, but the exam has resulted that I didn't receive 50% on my report card. 

My final year of school in St 10 (Grade 12) I wanted to be a Home Economics Teacher. So we went to Cape Colledge and ask if they offer the course and was advised that we should go to Cape Technicon since they cater in this field. 

Arrived at Cape Technikon and then was advised if I want to be a Home Economics Teacher I would have to study a Hospitality course and then apply for an abridged course in Education. I made the calculations in my head and that would equal to about 7 years! 😮 

So I have applied to be a normal school teacher instead.  Years down the road and had my own class teaching Grade 5. I've made the biggest mistake of my life!  I hated every minute at the school.

During the morning of the third term, I was sitting in the car on the parking lot and crying my heart out.  I just could face another day!  I felt like a bird caged in. So I just went back home instead.  It's not that I didn't like teaching, but the environment was hell!  So I have resigned on the third term 13 July 2010.  

The Education system has broken my spirit so down that I had been diagnosed with depression. It's not a walk in the park at all.  

Later I have created a little job for me being a Social Media Manager and I was hoping that this would lead to greater things, but yet again I was a fool. I just couldn't handle the environment any longer it has felt many times as if someone has put a belt around my chest and keeps pulling at it! 

December I have resigned and it felt for the first time that I could actually breathe and had a pleasant night rest! 

I'm in the process where I really want to reconnect with Jesus.  During late 2017 I felt in my heart that Jesus is pulling me to come closer. 

I want to know what His plans are for my life.  I'm not sure where that path would lead me. I'm anxious to know, but yet a little scared at the same time. Does that even make sense to you!?  


Recently I have read that "when you discover what your dream is - your unique purpose - your whole life would change". I'm looking forward to discover what my purpose is in life.  I want to wake up and to know that I make a difference and that it has meaning!

I know that I would only discover this through Jesus and it's up to me to allow Him to take the wheel of my life. 

• Have you discovered your purpose in life yet? 
• How does that make you feel? 

During the years I always wanted to have a friend that I could trust completely and to some extent, I had a friend like that, but I wanted a friend that I could share so much more with! A friend that I could tell about my daily struggles as a Christian. 

To be honest I have a friend that I always envied.  She has a family that is more open about there relationship with there Jesus. Maybe that partly the reason why I always liked going to her place during vacations! 

Her parents were the type that would have a household gathering where the whole family would get together and the Dad would read from the Bible and everyone had the opportunity to pray. They weren't ashamed to talk about there faith like asking questions etc.


I went the whole Christian thing of going to church, went to Sunday-school classes etc, but I knew that something was missing in my life that I was so desperately searching for many years. 

That was also the time that I have fallen in love reading Christian based novels and hoping to find some answers to the questions that I had and too afraid to ask, but I didn't find it the novels. My heart has only received that answer in 2007. You are welcome to read that post here that I have written about my journey with Jesus. 

It's 11 years from that event that I have said YES and accepted Him, but I do know that my relationship with Him isn't what it's supposed to be like at all. 

It's so easy to get distracted by everything that is happening each day.  I remember in 2010 I have started the year right by reading my Bible and to pray.  A bit later it was back to normal life.  The holidays are over and my working life has begun and there just wasn't enough hours in the day, especially when your career has just begun. So there went my normal morning routine out by the window.  I could feel that everything has begun to take its toll on me and I could not cope with everything. 

Yet, after all those years I'm still yearning to have the courage to have that relationship with my Saviour. Yes, I do have my evening time where I would have a time out from everything and would spend time with my prayer journal, but my heart wants something more - a much deeper level of commitment with Him. 

I have known it for a very long time what that is, but I'm afraid or should I rather say ashamed to acknowledge the fact that I want to have a buddy that we can have come together and read from the Bible, talking about our struggles as a Christian and to pray. 

The most challenging part for me would be to pray. Yes, you have read correctly. Yet, to pray together as Christian should be a normal activity, but I'm a coward in that regard! 🙈 

Why is it so easy to talk about anything under the sun to your friends, expect the most important thing talking about your faith!? Or is it only me? 

I know that I should get my ducks in a row and it's also the right thing to do and it's would be great to have that buddy that has your back. 

I would like to ask you that those of you that are a Christian that you should look at your friends and pray for them.  That they would have the courage to reach out. 

Stay blessed, 

It's Summertime in Cape Town and many people love to spend some time in the swimming pool floating on Unicorns, Doughnuts or even Flamingo's! It looks so relaxing and yet for me, it's a completely different story...


I can't swim at all.  There are times that I wish that my Mom should have taken me for swimming classes when I was still a baby, but money was tight and she can't swim either. So I can't really blame her. 

I remember so well like it was yesterday.  During a Sunday-school picnic, I was walking in the swimming pool and all of a sudden my foot has slipped in the pool and I have almost drowned that day and many other occasions after that. 

When you have a fear of drowning I believe that the teacher should be with you in the pool at all times and not like the teacher that I had in school where she has simply stand on dry land! 

When I was in higher grades my Mom has written a letter to the LO teacher to inform her she won't purchase for me a new swimming costume that year, since I can't swim. So I was excused from swimming during the Summertime - I was feeling so lucky since I HATE to be in the swimming pool with so many other people around me.  

Little did I know during my Varsity years I had to take swimming again as part of my teaching training and yet even the Lecture didn't go into the swimming pool with us and there were other students that couldn't swim either! 

I personally feel that when you want to learn someone to swim it should be on a one to one basis. Not where a bunch full of kids and shout instructions on what to do. Heck, I can also give instructions out. I feel this should change!! Don't you agree? 

If I was an LO teacher I would let the kids that can't swim take lessons after school one a one to one basis and I would be with them in the pool, but first, you should have the learners trust, especially if they have a phobia of water. 

I had the opportunity that someone would have taught me how to swim. Yes, that person would have been with me in the swimming pool, but I was petrified of the pool at the Varsity since it was an Olympic size! Not the average school swimming pool! 

Secondly, I didn't have a swimming costume, but I could probably have managed to get one, but I also don't feel comfortable wearing a swimming costume at all.

As I'm sitting here thinking back to those years there are times that I really wished that I should have said yes instead of listening to my head. I'm that kind of person that would think more before I would act. 

What would you advice someone like me that have a fear of water and that has a self-esteem issue with how she looks, especially wearing swimming costumes? 

Please stay safe near the swimming pool and keep a look out if you spot someone that is in trouble... 

 Dear Readers, 

I have decided that I had enough and I want things to look organized and cleaner in the house so I had decided that I want to do a proper Spring Cleaning! Jip, Spring Cleaning that other people normally starts just before Christmas I have started mine in January of all things...


So I decided to start cleaning the Living Room and while I was sorting through old papers of mine I have stumbled upon old papers and one of the items that I have discovered was the Bucket List that I have written in 2011. Wow! What happened with those years!? 

Back in the day (2011) I was thinking about that a Bucket List should have 101 things on the List, but I just have 64 items on my list. Mmm!? Is there something wrong of the act that I can't even think of 101 things that I want to achieve in my life before I die? 

As I'm reading through my Bucket List I've noticed that I have just achieved to complete 13 items - yikes! 🙈 

Some of the things that I had completed are: 

• Eating a Magnum
• Watch a movie in 3D
• To vote
• Win a Competition
• Sending a photo via Bluetooth. 

Some while ago I've visited a friend of mine and we had lunch at Sandown Blues in Kleinmond. 

It was the perfect time to enjoy some Hake and Chips while looking at the beach and the weather just called for it!  I mean with the wind blowing and with a bit of chill in the air just shouts it out for me anyways!! 

In a heartbeat, I would eat this meal again. 

The first sip that I took I've tasted it -  it's good I mean really good! I can't put my finger on it, but the taste seems somewhat familiar almost like a Nesquick flavour, but not exactly. 

I think it's safe to say that the Winter is in the past and Summer are here, but it seems that we do have a few wet days in between.  I'm not the type of woman that likes the gloomy weather, I like spending time outdoors even if it's just to walk to the post box or sometimes taking photos on a lovely sunny day! 

Good Morning! 

Who has told you that Christmas is over!? If I'm not mistaken I believe we still have a few days left until 6th January to still feel that Chrismassy vibe! 

I just have the products to let those vibes of Christmas last a bit longer for you! 


I was so excited when I have opened these goodies!  Oh my word, they smell just like Christmas that was being captured in these goodies from Bramley! 

To be honest I wasn't going to enter the SA Blog Awards this year, but some have told me that I write very well... 


So I have decided to enter this year. If you liked the content that I have blogged this year then I would appreciate if you would vote for me via this link: 
 http://website.sablogawards.com/2018/vote/voteforme/725,760 

In order to confirm your vote you would receive an confirmation 
e-mail that you need to click on and if you click on another blog in the Lifestyle or Religious/Spirituality category after you voted for Blue Poinsettia it would be discounted. 

Thank you for reading this post and especially if you have voted for me. 

I remember the days that my Mom used to take us to Scratch Patch when we were little. We used to take the train back then.  It was always fun to pick out your little gemstones...


I always wanted to visit Scratch Patch again and this time I thought that it would be great that my Dad went along with me, since he always heard about the place.  He could never visit this place with us when I was little, since he had to work. 

So we decided that Tuesday we would go to the Waterfront branch, since I can't remember that I've been there before, but apparently my Mom have informed me that I was. 

If I could give you some advice regarding where to park. Scratch patch are located near the Portswood Parking bay. Click here to view the tariff rates.  



When we have arrived at Scratch Patch it looked so much different than it used to be. In the early years the stones was scattered in a room as I could remember, but I must confess I like this layout much better.  It looks more realistic with the different Murial's that are painted. 



Here are my dad sitting on a piece of rock and he looks at the different pieces of gemstones all around him and keeping my belongings, while I'm on my stomach searching for my little stones that are going in my little pocket. 





My little bags of Gemstones! I have found some gemstones that I've never seen before!! At some point I will visit Scratch Patch again, since I want to find the rest from the chart. 

I have decided to put all my gemstones in this heart shaped basket! Doesn't it look beautiful to display it like this?  Scratch Patch are a place for the very young and those that have a love for rocks! I'm in my early thirties and I still like to look at my little rocks and do seek information where they came from. It's fascinating to discovering that the Rose Quartz are a soothing colour and means commitment and caring. It's also the colour of love obviously and I think this would be an great way to give someone that you care about very much a bracelet or a necklace.   It's the holidays and what better way then to take your kids to the Scratch Patchit would keep those little fingers busy...

• 1 x 200ml Moisturising Shower Gel
• 1 x 100ml Nourishing Tissue Oil
• 1x Shower Scrunchie 

Like every year we would go to Church and then we would go home and eat lunch and my parents would take a nap afterwards...

For me it's a day that I actually feel alone. It started to feel like this for a really long time okay years ago if I have to be totally honest.  There's something missing in that day for me!! 

I remember one year that I was sitting in Church and I was surrounded with people all around me, but yet felt so alone. Is it just me that feels like that or do you also feel like that at times? 

I not sure that I even want to go to the Church service this year at all, but I definitely know that I want to do the following things on Christmas day! 

The year 2007 was a year that I mostly never want to have over again - ever! 2007 was the year that I just couldn't cope anymore and everything have just been too much for me...