info4u: 2010

22 December 2010

Christmas greetings

May God bless you and your family

during Christmas

and in 2011!

To the tune of the old-old song "White Christmas",

shares with me the following lyrics by James Ryle,

as a confirmation

of our faith and hope

during the coming holidays...

"I’m praying for a Christ Christmas

Just like the ones we used to know.

With the Babe in the manger,

People being friends with strangers,

And helping every needy soul.

I’m praying for a Christ Christmas

Just like it was that holy night.

May your days be filled with God’s light

And may all your Christmases have Christ."

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13 December 2010

korannaberg adventures

The Korannaberg(-mountain) near our town,

is a nature lover’s playground,

with extensive grasslands on the mountain plateau and

lush valley forests in several areas.

Indigenous animal wild life roam the grasslands freely.

We passed some zebra.

The striking pattern of stripes of the zebras is different in each animal.

The road to our destination took us across

an exciting 4×4 off-road route called "Widow's Hill".

It curls and turns like a mad snake...

...loose stones and pieces of sandstone rock ... like riding on marbles ...

Casper (3rd son) is driving a 4x4 for the first time
with "co-pilot", dad Henk, at his side giving advice.
Nina, our daughter, on the backseat...

Henri, our oldest son, was enjoying the view from the back of the vehicle.

We headed to "Holkrans" (meaning "hollow cave")

an overhanging cave - this was our overnight "room"!!

The cave is surrounded by aged old trees and plants

and is secluded by a waterfall!

Can you see the waterfall at Nina's back?

No electricity or cellphone reception - we built a big campfire...

...we talked, told jokes, made music and sang till late with

guitar and African drums - magic !!!

Hammocks were rented to experience the real outdoors!

While Nina was looking where to hang her hammock, Casper was already trying to get 'the hang of things'!

We kept the fire going all night and morning arrived
with the smell of Henk's bacon and eggs for breakfast.

We decided to eat the watermelon back home, but...

the children dropped it whilst carrying it back to the vehicle.
That initiated a "big time" watermelon fight!!

Nina, Barend and Annelize(a friend).

A perfect end to a perfect day!

Did YOU ever participate in a watermelon fight?

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08 December 2010

monique's wedding!

My brother Casper, and his lovely daughter, Monique. She married her Primary School boyfriend, Walter, on December the 4th.

"I know I gotta let her go,

but I'll always remember

every hug in the morning

and butterfly kisses."

(Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle)

We attended my niece's wedding

on December the 4th!

The venue for this breathtaking wedding was

"Onze Rust" (meaning "Our Peace"),

located about 18 km south of Bloemfontein,

right in the heart of the Free State.

My older brother, Casper (photo below),

accompanied by his lovely wife, Amanda,

has three beautiful daughters,

including the bride, the newly named Mrs Barnes.

My gorgeous sister, Retha (photo below),

who is a only 17 months older than myself,

has a handsome hubby, Daan,

1 son, (the new) Dr. Malan, and 3 lively daughters;
the apple doesn't fall that far
from the tree after all...

This best (for us!) family in the world (photo below)...
myself, Henk - the love of my life - *ooh...aah*!,

and last, but certainly not the least,
our 4 precious children.

Together we form the lean mean "le Grange-machine",
who wouldn't want to be a part of such a precious thing, a family!

Our own sparkling, healthy and soft hearted
mother, aged 81,
is truly our angel-on-earth!
We all love her so-o-o much!!

The fresh outdoor air filled the wedding with

a distinct sense of peace.

The white and green flower arrangements

which blended in with the surrounding trees,

set the perfect stage for this beautiful wedding

every woman would die for!

A feast was waiting ...

The reception was in a canopied tent.
The menu kicked off with the starter above...

...and ended with super yummee Chocolate Mousse Cakes!!

This is Ester,

a beautiful elderly Xhosa lady

who had worked for almost 20 years at my brother's home.

She adores all their children.

She will never miss one of the girls' weddings.

All dressed up in traditional Xhosa clothes...
...the white spots on her face is a symbol of celebration.

Even though my husband and I had to
wait up for the children until 3 o'clock,
it was a unforgettable wedding
and the groom a welcome addition
to the family!
--------------------

26 November 2010

you're invited to: sunday lunch!

When the Sunday morning sun arises,

the air is filled with excitement!

Our church starts at 09h30,

and right afterwards the family unites in an effort to get everything ready for lunch,

although it's more of an effort for some than others...

Henk or one my boys will take up the "braai" (BBQ) duties,

one sets the table

and one makes the salad,

As for myself I, having to look after everyone's health,

simply have to account for the veggies.

--------------

For a braai to be a braai the most important ingredient

is of course the MEAT!

Steak, chops or chicken... whatever you like.

Our local butchery, being the best in the business,

sells tasty tenderized, marinated pork steaks

that is unlikely to be soon forgotten.

--------

Next on the menu: roasted vegetables!

On top of being the perfect side dish to a braai,

I add a extra pinch of love to ensure the perfect meal!

Believe me, even veggie haters love this!

How could you not!

Tip: to select vegetables,always think

- COLORFUL -

Simply use whatever you have to conjure something up.

(In a small town like ours, everything's rarely available at the snap of one's fingers)

Try using tomatoes, carrots, butternut, sweet potato, green pepper,

red & white onions and potato for a finger-licking dish.

Arrange veggies in a single layer in a roasting pan,

season with herbs en spices,

drizzle with olive oil

and roast at 200 °C .

Stir after the first 15 min.

It takes about 40 min.

--------------------
Then: yummy sandwishes.
The basics is simple:

bread - cheese - bread

Put whatever you like in between the slices:

chutney, tomato, onions, garlic...

Next, put your 'sammie' in a clamping iron grid

over the fire

hmm... Never tasted better, I know!
--------------------

Last, but not least - a fresh summer fruit salad!

(apples, pineapple and bananas)

topped with strawberry yogurt.

e-n-j-o-y!

YOU'LL KNOW YOU'VE HAD A MEAL!
UPSIZE PLEASE!

[Textcredit: Me and Barend(2nd son)]

------------------------------

19 November 2010

be a friend

be well,

be sincere,

be there for each other.

stay safe,

and SMILE...

(it makes your face feels good!)

a friend can be anyone...
-----
a friend reaches for the hand and he(she) touches your heart.
-----
a friend is someone
who knows the song in your heart
and can sing it back to you
when you have forgotten the words.

Matthew 18:20 says,

"For where two or three

are gathered together in My name,

I am there

in the midst of them."

-----------------

Philippians 4:6-8 (NET)

"Do not be anxious about anything.

Instead, in every situation,

through prayer and petition with thanksgiving,

tell your requests to God.

And the

peace of God

that surpasses all understanding

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

-----------------

have a G-R-E-A-T week-end!!!

♥ (((ida)))

Photo-credit: Unknown from an e-mail I received.

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12 November 2010

it's raining again!

the heaven opened,

the rain came down in buckets,

mixed with hail.

It looks like nighttime at 5pm!

(the sun is setting at 6.45pm at the moment)

It was so dark that the night-time lights came on. My whole garden was covered with a hail blanket, but I couldn't take more photos, because... the water was also streaming into our house!!

normally we have our first rain of the season

in september,
but it was really dry,

until tuesday...

Can you see where the pond is and where the garden begins? Just follow the stones!

ponds (photo above)

and parts of my garden (photo below)

were overflowing

then... the storm has passed

and the sun is setting in the west.

the streams of water

makes our whole community
(especially the farmers!)
smiling.
☺

we are so-o-o blessed...

The tower on the right-hand side, is our beautiful sandstone Church.

(It's built from the same stones that is used in many gardens in our town - see stones on the left of the picture )

I'm having 8-10 glasses water a day ...

reminds me of the Living Waters...

- cheers -

have a wonderful week!!

(Textcredit for last part: Willem Lötter)

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