Oh Man ...

.... I tried to be as elegant and stylish as my skunk friend here .....

but I did not succeeeeeeed! I couldn't quite get the 'look'
I'm trying to get back to normal after the Christmas feeding frenzy and getting my home back to

'Home Sweet Home'

Please tell me I am not the only one with this seasonal dilema?!?!

Love and Hugs to all and thank you so much for all your wonderful comments.

Denise
oxoxox

Challenge Fun ....

... over at ABAA with Linda and Rosie. These two ladies know how to keep us out of mischief!
This is my contribution to the Frame challenge. I chalked the background and stamped good ol' Mona and then used peel offs for the frame. The music paper was torn and chalked. The little butterflies were embossed. Can't see that too well!

I know I don't always get to do all the challenges but they are fun!

Have a great weekend everyone and hopefully all festive preparations are heading for the home straight LOL!

Hugs to all and thank you for all the lovely comments.

Denise
oxoxox

A community service reminder...

..... from the Universe

YOU RULE.

Your gifts are innumerable.

Your insights are profound.

Your choices are endless.

Your touch is healing.

Your thoughts become things.

Your power is indescribable.

And you are loved and adored,

on moment to moment basis,

more than you can now understand.

YOU RULE.

Have a wonderful week and thanks so much for your comments!

Hugs

Denise

oxoxox

The Gauntlet ...

... has been thrown!

Cut and paste and throw down the Christmas Gauntlet on your own blog space with your own answers, if you dare to share!!!!!

As my friend Candace says, “I know this isn't everyone's cuppa tea, but you might be surprised how some of these questions take you aback.

1. 'Tis the Season to be? Silly!
2. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both.
3. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. Handmade by local artist using wire.
4. When do you put up the tree? Around December 20th but before 25th LOL!
5. When do you take the tree down? Just after January 1st.
6. Do you like eggnog? Haven’t tasted it! Can’t say! This is Africa! Cool and cold is the choice!
7. Favourite gift received as a child? A Barbie, can’t remember what she looked like! And a doll given to me by my Gran that belonged to my Mom which I have passed onto my Daughter.
8. Hardest person to buy for? No-one! Everyone has a wish list!! (within reason LOL)
9. Easiest person to buy for? ME ?!?!?!?
10. Do you have a nativity scene? No.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both. Some are too far away and postal service stinks!
12. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Slab of chocolate. Don’t eat chocolate and everyone who knows me knows THAT!
13. Favourite Christmas Movie? None, not into movies!
14. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I can get my grubby little paws on Hubby’s Credit Card!!!!
15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Definitely NO!
16. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? No, nothing special!
17. Lights on the tree? No.
18. Favourite Christmas song? No, most have been played to death!
19. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home Sweet Home.
20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? errrr No! Rudolph (only because of his red nose, not sure whether that because of the cold or the brandy or the wine?!?)
21. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star (heard how the Angel on the Tree got there, ouch)
22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? More around Christmas Day lunch time when family and friends are here. Everyone brings their presents and adds them to the pile.
23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Nothing! It’s glorious SUMMER TIME.
24. Favourite ornament theme or colour? No favourite – alternate between silver and gold with reds and greens thrown in!
25. Favourite for Christmas dinner? Braai (BBQ) with steaks, ribs, little sausages, ham and loads of different salads and breads, ice cream with a variety of different sauces.
26. What do you want for Christmas this year? I have what I want, MY FAMILY!
27. Who is most likely to respond to this? Not A Clue!

Have a fab weekend and week!
As always thank you so much to taking the time to leave such great comments!

Hugs
Denise
oxoxox

If you were ....

......... all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth.

I get messages at times and this is one I would like to share:

Just how much time do you spend thinking really, really BIG?

Good, very good! Because that's exactly how much of "it" you're going to get.

Some I question, some I take as is!

Have a glorious week and remember to love, be kind and be considerate.

Love to all and as always, thank you for your comments

Hugs

Denise

oxoxox

This was ...

... the only image I could find (not very good, clarity wise) but ..

which could convey this message.

Three keys to more abundant living -

caring about others,

daring for others,

sharing with others.

William Arthur Ward 1921-1994

Have a wonderful weekend, be kind to yourself and others and thank you so much to all who have left great comments and those who have e-mailed.

Hugs

Denise

oxoxox

An Award ....

Thank you so much ........ Jaqi ........ for bestowing the “Marie Antoinette…A Real Person…A Real Award” award upon yours truly.

I would like to pass this award onto the following ladies, who each in their own way make my day. They make me think, they make me smile and they inspire me.

Ana
Anne
Becky
Candace
Cora
Michelle

Have a wonderful Wednesday and thank you to all for the lovely comments.

Hugs
Denise
oxoxox

We're back ...

.... travel weary, but safe and sound!

This is our Host and Hostess with the Mostest, Bertie and Kenny!

They always make our stay sooooo great! Nothing is ever too much trouble, right down to beer in the fridge for DH and Turkish Delight for me!

And this is the welcoming committee!!!

I think we arrived during nap time! Note the hairy eyeball!

Here's the link to The White House Guesthouse website so you can have a look at why we always stay here!

Hugs and love to all and thank you so much for your lovely comments.

Denise

oxoxox

Well ....

... we're off to fetch DD from University! I do hope the weather holds as it's a long journey and I don't think my brollie is big enough to protect us both! And I don't know how we are going to attach a trailer to this!


DD has been at 'varsity for three years and from next year she has to find digs. Rhodes University only allow students to stay in res for three years. Luckily she has found place in the Graduates Village (commonly termed as the Retirement Village by her wacky parents) She is bringing everything home, including her kettle, sandwich toaster, fifteen pairs of shoes and Psych text books! Why are textbooks always soooo darn heavy? And then in February next year we have to lug the whole lot back, plus what she'll need to furnish her new abode. I'm thinking Stuttaford Vanlines (removal company) and her travel weary parents grow wings and fly down!
No, seriously, our DD is an absolute pleasure and gorgeous too! Don't know where she got it from! Oh, the brains, definitely from her Dad. The rest must be a throw-back!

To one of my special friends Candace , travel safely to London (I'm still the green jealous monster) have fun and enjoy and remember St Martin's and Jaqi enjoy your crop and soup and other delish goodies tonight! I'll be there in spirit ( Scrumpy Jack :) )

Have fun and enjoy this weekend everyone!

Loads of hugs

Denise

oxoxox

Shoot ....

how skew is this and how a challenge?!?!?!?!

I am sooooo not a master or mistress when it comes to INCHIES. Thanks to Rosie & Linda. I was all fingers and fourteen thumbs. Well, I tried, yes I know, I am very trying. My family keep telling me that. Interpret that any way you know how or wish LOL. Maybe I'll use this as a base for a card?!?!?!
Keep well all and thanks so much for visiting and leaving your comments!
Hugs
Denise
oxoxox

Look who ....

.... has her very own Blog!!!!!!

DOTTIE !!!!!

You can find out all about what this little lady is getting up to here . She's staying with Jaqi so pop on over to find out what adventure is currently brewing!

Have fun everyone and thanks for all the wonderful comments.

Hugs
Denise
oxoxox

A bit of Fun and a bit of Thought!

Yea, I know, I've been a bad blogger! , partly BLOG whatever, ‘cause when I wanted to, BLOG didn’t and when I couldn’t, BLOG could!

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

I laugh when I cry and I cry when I laugh!!

A young couple moved into a new neighbourhood. The next morning while they were having breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbour hanging the wash outside. "That laundry is not very clean," she said, "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on, but remained silent. Every time her neighbour would hang the wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comment.

About a month later the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, "Look, she has learned how to wash correctly, I wonder who taught her.

"The husband said, "I got up this morning and washed the windows."

And so it is with life.

What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. Before we give any criticism, it might be a good idea to check our state of mind and ask ourselves if we are ready to see the good rather than to be looking for something in the person we are about to judge.

Uhmm, guilty as charged Your Honour!

Hugs and love to all and thank you so much for your comments. It means the world to me!

Denise
oxoxox

Profound....

........ the beauty of life is, while we cannot undo what is done, we can see it, understand it, learn from it and change so that every new moment is spent not in regret, guilt, fear or anger but in wisdom, understanding and love.

Jennifer Edwards
American Author, Artist and Educator

More, I cannot say! Jennifer has said it all and far better than me!
Change is happening world wide, let's make the best of it and remember to LOVE, be COMPASSIONATE and be CONSIDERATE.

Hugs
Denise
oxoxox

Really....

.….....

.... but in this case they don’t know what they are talking about.

They are not being helpful at all.

So, I need to ask a more reliable source for help. YOU!!!

Here’s my problem ….. I would like to make a book like thingie to house my ATCs. They (the ATCs) have told me that they do not want to live in a box any longer! (See, I do listen to some little voices, some of the time) I am trying to oblige them. But when it comes to making a book, this crayon is not the brightest!


I made this frame thingie, using the Fiskars Photo Corner Slot Punch. Please disregard the torn right hand side corner (didn’t really want to bring your attention to another of my mishaps) but if you’re laughing, I may as well make a good and thorough job of it. Back to the frame thingie. This will be pasted onto the page of the book, so that, should the ATC be required to wing its way across the world, it can easily be removed.

If any of you Angels out there can help, I will really appreciate it.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Huge Hugs

Denise

oxoxox

Missy Piglet ....

.... says a sincere thank you to all who have left such lovely comments on Bless This Mess!

Cause enough to do a jig! Don't you think?!?!?

Missy Piglet says goodnight and have sweet dreams and she looks forward to surfing blogland tomorrow and admiring all the wonderful art that has been produced while she's been in lala land.

Hugs
Denise
oxoxox

It's .......

.... awfully quiet in blogland tonight!

Soooooo, I thought a little smile, maybe a chuckle to start the new week would be in order!?!?!?!?!

Two brooms were hanging in the closet and after a while they got to know each other so well, they decided to get married.

One broom was, of course, the bride broom, the other the groom broom.

The bride broom looked very beautiful in her white dress. The groom broom was handsome and suave in his tuxedo.

The wedding was lovely.

After the wedding, at the wedding dinner, the bride-broom leaned over and said to the groom-broom, "I think I am going to have a little whisk broom!"

"IMPOSSIBLE !" said the groom broom.

Are you ready for this?

....Brace yourself; this is going to hurt!!!!!!....


"WE HAVEN'T EVEN SWEPT TOGETHER!"


Oh for goodness sake... Laugh, or at least groan.
Life's too short not to enjoy... Even these silly....little cute............. And clean jokes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds to me like she's ......been .....sweeping around!!!

Why two images, you ask!

I don't have a clue and I couldn't make the second 'pair' of rabbits disappear!

No amount of magic wand waving helped!

So, please enjoy them twice LOL!

To all those who celebrate Halloween, have a 'spooktacular' week! and to others who don't (like me) have a spectacular week!

Thank you so much to all who have left such lovely comments. I do appreciate them!

Hugs to all

Denise

oxoxox

Celebrate the open heart ...

and the beauty and mystery that surround us with The Heron Dance Book of Love and Gratitude. Now through October 29th, Heron Dance is offering the hardcover version of this popular book for just $19.95 (regularly $23.95).
Living with love and gratitude is at the center of a well-lived life. This enduring compilation of art and words, printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, is a beautiful source of inspiration and comfort for anyone interested in the gentle art of life.

The things that matter most in our lives are not fantastic or grand. They are moments when we touch one another, when we are there in the most attentive or caring way. This simple and profound intimacy is the love that we all long for. These moments of touching and being touched can become a foundation for a path with heart, and they take place in the most immediate and direct way. Mother Teresa put it like this: “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.”
– Jack Kornfield from A Path with Heart; excerpted in Love and Gratitude

I can't even begin to put this in my own words!

Hugs to all

Denise

oxoxox

Oh My ……

….. it’s nearly Friday again. Where has this week gone? In fact, where has this year gone?

Here’s my arch, in response to the challenge over at Linda and Rosie!




I used Making Memories Fabric Swatches for the background and the backing of the image, which I then ‘sewed’ using a ‘blingy thread’ LOL (I couldn’t sew a hanky, even if I tried) The edging is a velveteen ribbon and little silk flowers to top it off.

Yes, I know, the photo is not the greatest!

Hugs to all and thanks so much for all the lovely comments.

Denise
Oxoxox

It's in ....

... the Can! It's Canned! It's not Baked Beans ....It's my altered Can!
Thanks Linda and Rosie this was quite something!

I slapped two coats of acrylic paint onto a piece of callico and stamped and then coloured bits and pieces with Faber-Castell Colouring Pens and then added ric rac and some prima flowers!

Don't look tooooo closely, because then you will see that I smudged the stamp but then, in the words of Eugene Delacroix ....

The artist who aims at perfection in everything, achieves it in nothing.

This was fun and something different!

Hugs to all and thank you so much for your lovely comments!

Denise

oxoxox

Webster's Pages

How stunning is this collection?!?!?!?! and it's a give-away over here
Every part of this collection is absolutely F A N T A B U L O U S !
Follow the instructions and you're in with a chance of receiving this fabulous collection!
Take care everyone!
Hugs
Denise
oxoxox

Just Living ....

..... is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower!

H C Andersen

So here's a sunshine Daffodil for you!

Have fun this week and just enjoy!

Hugs

Denise

oxoxox

May your ...

..... week be filled with gratitude, joy and peace!

Enjoy and appreciate another of Rod's beautiful watercolour paintings!
Love and hugs to all
Denise
oxoxox

Breast Cancer ...

....Awareness Month. My Precious Friend Cookie is having a give-away (one of her delightful and gorgeous drawings) to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please hop on over to read all the details. This is such a worthwhile cause.

and then I was .....

by Jaqi

Five random facts about me:-

1. I don't wear dresses. Much more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt.

2. I eat chocolate very very very seldom and gave up coffee a looooong time ago (had to, I was on 15 cups a day)

3. Just love quiet at home weekends with my family.

4. I am a dedicated hoarder (still have our first grocery list and till slip from 33 yrs ago)

5. I say thank you everyday for my family and my friends.

... and now I would like to tag the following lovely ladies ...

Rose
Candace
Michelle
Cora
Ana

Thank you for stopping by and your much appreciated comments.

Hugs

Denise

oxoxox

Aawww....

..... thank you so much for your wonderful comments....
... they really have lifted my spirits. Heaven knows, at the moment I need all encouragement !
Hugs and love to all
Denise
oxoxox

My ...

........ take on the challenge over at Linda and Rosie! Being the first attempt there's loads of room for improvement and more experimentation LOL but it was fun!

Thank you for all the great comments and encouragement!
Hugs
Denise
oxoxox

Happy Spring ..

... to all in the Southern Hemisphere...
... just a little card, playing with decoupage and quilling. It's not the greatest scan, but it's the thought that counts, hey!
Thank you to all who have left great comments and encouragement. Here's wishing you all a wonderful, fantastic and fulfilling week!
Love and hugs
Denise
oxoxox

Challenges ....

..... Linda and Rosie have been issuing challenges these past two weeks and these are my responses .... a Matchbox Book. Rather finicky but great fun!!!!!

This was the first challenge. I used the water, acrylic paint and coarse salt technique on the paper. Yes I got messy and I thoroughly enjoyed myself making this, my first Shrine.

I did have hysterics trying to photograph these! We had sunshine but rather strong winds blowing and so if my photography is not up to scratch, it's because I'm a lousy photographer!

I cannot blame the wind or the sunshine!

Have a wonderful week!

Huge hugs and love to all and thank you to all who've sent encouraging e-mails and left lovely comments.

Denise

oxoxox

Another Attempt .....

…. At An Arch!

It's not finished yet! I can’t seem to get the journaling quite right!

This young lass doesn’t look too unhappy that the bird cage is empty.
I think she had something to do with the Great Escape!
Maybe that’s what I and perhaps others need this weekend and that’s to ‘just escape’. Let’s enjoy and appreciate our families and ‘never mind the weather, as long as we are together!’

Big hugs and loads of love to all and a most sincere thank you to all who have left such great and wonderful comments. I really do appreciate them.
Denise
oxoxox

To all ...

... who are having to cope with devastation and uncertainties, this is for you.

Believe it or not .... there is light on the horizon. Thank you Rod. Perhaps this is not what you intended but this is how I interpreted your wonderful art.
Healing thoughts to all
Denise
oxoxox

OK, whoever ……

….. stole, nicked or nabbed this past week, please,

kindly return it, in slow motion, so that I may try to catch up!!!

Sheeesh kebab! I don’t keep a diary as such (far too incriminating) and I can’t fathom where the time went! I know there is a saying that goes something like, ‘The older one gets the faster time seems to go.’ But this is ridiculous! I am only 33 plus 20 years experience :)
Have a great, rest of the weekend!
Hugs and love to all and thanks so much for all your comments.

Denise
oxoxo

Big OOPS !!!

I totally forgot the sole reason for going back into the wild!!!

........ it was to get this monkey for Michelle LOL !!!

Thanks again to SA Tourism.

These little blighters don't sit still for a second!

Enjoy Michelle, this one's for you!

Hugs

Denise

oxoxox

I’m back …..

…. from the wild! What a glorious time we had. Did absolutely, very little!!! My tail-end does feel a bit like a car seat but it was totally worth it. We visited with my FIL and his wife who live on the outskirts of the Kruger National Park. The ‘town’ is called Marloth Park which is actually a game reserve.

So we had daily visits from warthog (I couldn't get a decent pic of these so thanks to SA Tourism for this one)
and zebra at our cottage.

At the folks place we were treated to visits from a very shy duiker (again thanks to SA Tourism)

and a genet !!!

On our trip into the Park on Tuesday, we saw lion, cheetah, hyaena, elephant, buffalo, kudu, impala, klipspringer, hippo, crocodile and a host of different birds. It was like Christmas!!!

This is how close we were to this 'not yet fully grown' pussy cat !!!

Marloth Park is extremely dry and grazing is almost non-existent. They are hopefully coming out of a severe drought (it started drizzling when we left on Friday) and chronic food shortage. Some of the buck are in a very poor condition and are suffering from TB. I took a pic of a very sick and emancipated impala and forwarded it to the Chief Ranger and received a reply from him explaining the TB situation. He also explained the death of so many buck due to 'well-meaning' people feeding the animals maize, wheat and other human food left overs. With maize and wheat, it ferments in the animal's stomach which causes it to explode and the end result is a very painfull death for the animal.

Oh dear, I really didn't mean to end on such a sad note but I was extremely distressed seeing these poor animals suffering so.

So to brighten up, a huge smile and thank you to all who have left me comments. I really do appreciate. Have a wonderful 'rest of the weekend' and let's greet Monday morning with a 'spring' in our step!

Huge hugs and loads of love to all

Denise

oxoxox

Heron Dance

I've added a link HeronDance to my Inspiration List. Please check it out. Rod does the most amazing paintings and his words are from the heart!

This picture certainly does not do his work the justice it deserves so please visit the site to see it in all it's glory.

Hugs to all

Denise
oxoxox