tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43688229332458214722024-02-07T20:22:55.768-08:00Macgrafix StudioSubjects that will be discussed: design, art, poetry, books, cooking, music, writing, philosophy.magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-38765257227766710172011-05-25T07:40:00.000-07:002011-05-25T08:09:11.697-07:00<span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"><span style="font-size:130%;">One year later...</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is almost a year since my last posting and so much has happened in the interim. We moved into our new home at Cedar Hills on 1st September 2010, and Jenny and Petri had a wonderful wedding on Noordhoek Beach in the Cape, on 2nd April 2011.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was quite an adjustment to leave our home of 28 years, with all that space, a large garden and a pool. It did not take long to settle into our new home as we had decided to take only the furniture we needed, and to sell, give away or throw out the rest. We use our new space very efficiently and luckily Iain and I work well together so we don't get in each other's way.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jen and Petri's wedding was delightful. The weather was perfect, and it was a very happy day. Here are some of our favourite pics.</span></span>magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-67495703601606012212010-07-01T03:42:00.000-07:002010-07-01T03:53:25.367-07:00We have sold our house...<span style="font-family: georgia;">Our dear home for the past 28 years has been sold, and the most surprising thing is, it feels like the right time. Friends have asked if we are sad, but Iain and I are actually quite excited to be moving to a new home, with fewer responsibilities (garden, pool, maintenance in general). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our destination is Cedar Hills, Fourways and I will post pictures of the great adventure, if I have the energy. I believe it can be quite exhausting.</span>magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-69786079213212056682010-02-17T07:17:00.000-08:002010-02-17T07:35:18.989-08:00Beach and Berg Holiday<span style="font-family:georgia;">Our holiday break began with a visit to Jeanette and Barrie in 'Maritzburg. We spent the night with Dave and Sue in Hilton after a visit to Dr. David Figenshau to talk about health and supplements in particular. He was a fountain of knowledge, and gave us sensible and usable advice.<br /><br />We had a wonderful week at Breakers Hotel in Umhlanga. Both of us have become swimmers due to Iain's sore hip and this has made us realise how good it is to be fit. The Hotel pool was well used, and the newly revamped beach walkway (and the beach of course) provided us with further exercise.<br /><br />The next week was spent at the Champagne Sports Resort, and we were delighted that Jen and Cris could join us for the week-end with Petri and Stephen. Jen and Petri prepared Saturday evening supper for all of us (yummy pasta and sausage bake plus salads) and Cris and Stephen took over breakfast preparations (delish olive bread French Toast with bacon and mascarpone). Lots of fun and laughter was had by all. The rest of the week was spent walking around the Resort and the golf course, and of course swimming in the Hotel pool.<br /><br /></span><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-89624466299217884052010-01-12T01:52:00.000-08:002010-01-12T06:17:10.177-08:00Happy New Year!<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >The year is off to a very exciting start. Iain and I went to pick Jen and Petri up at ORTambo, and over breakfast they broke the news that they had become engaged. We are delighted, and very happy for them both. They had a wonderful holiday on Nosi Be Island, Madagascar, and we are looking forward to seeing the photos and video</span>.<br /><br /><br /></span>magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-71941663311826539732009-11-28T01:53:00.000-08:002009-11-28T02:26:13.754-08:00<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 153, 51);font-family:georgia;" >The first Magnolia blossom appears, three years after planting</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);font-family:georgia;" >....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">There was a great deal of excitement when we saw the very first bud appear on the magnolia tree. Each day I watched as it slowly unfurled, creamy white and beautifully scented. Iain said it took him right back to 'Maritzburg, when the magnolia tree in the garden there produced huge flowers each summer and filled the house with its perfume.</span> <span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />Our poetry book, 'Four by Four' was featured in the local community newspaper (Fourways Review) and though it is a bit late for anyone to purchase a copy as a Christmas gift, I will be ordering more copies in the New Year. If you would like a copy of this very special book, please let me know.<br /><br />On the right</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> is a small sample of one of my children's songs featured in the book, which I hope to use eventually in a small book titled 'Alfie's Silly Song Book'. </span></span>magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-33161981715378353822009-09-19T01:29:00.000-07:002009-09-19T01:57:45.659-07:00<span style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">Mac's Lemon Marmalade - The First Batch</span><br /><br />We have two lemon trees in our garden that have produced abundantly. These lemons are very juicy and perfect for the production of marmalade, so of course, I snapped into action and made my first batch for Spring 2009.<br /><br />I found an outlet that sells glass jars, and soon I had 24 jars of wonderful marmalade. Those of you who know me well, will understand the next step. I HAD to design a label.<br /><br />First idea. I thought of a stick-on label for the lid, and a stick-on label for the jar. I would need to print them on sticky-backed paper...cut them out...peel the backing off...stick them on the jars. Too much effort. I have gone through this sort of exercise before and it is murder on the nails, trying to find the edge of the label to peel it off the backing.<br /><br />Next idea. Print labels on ordinary paper, cut them out and then stick them onto brown paper (home-made aspect). Pritt Stick? Spray Glue? They certainly did look homemade and the glue part was a mess.<br /><br />Final idea. Design them so they LOOK as if they have a brown paper background and print them straight onto card. Punch a hole in one corner and attach with a rubber band. Done!<br /><br />I am making the marmalade as gifts for family and friends and I know they will enjoy the intense flavour. This is what marmalade should taste like. No preservatives, additives, fillers or flavourings. No pesticides, just organic fertilizer and plenty of mulch and love.magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-57280833757689671382009-09-12T03:20:00.000-07:002009-09-12T03:37:40.104-07:00<span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >Poetry Book Launch</span><br /><br />Our new book, 'Four by Four' has been launched!<br /><br />Denise, Jackie, Maryna and myself met at Stephanie's in Hyde Park Corner and celebrated this new arrival. This book is different to our first collaboration called 'Six by Six', in that we have included pages in colour. There are photographs, oil paintings, acrylics, watercolours and woodcuts included with the poems and stories. The response so far has been very encouraging.magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-47185052605209769102009-08-22T08:56:00.000-07:002009-08-22T09:18:54.763-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 153, 51); font-style: italic;">Spring is almost here!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After a great deal of thought, our decision to sell our house (or not) has been put on hold. This means that I will see the garden come to life again in the Spring, and this is delightful to contemplate. I am already working on what to plant in the vegetable garden. It is August and I think a little too early to go full steam ahead, as there are bound to be a few more cold spells before the warmer weather settles in. I plan to put in some pumpkin and cabbage. The vegetable patch is small, and I have been contemplating expanding this by using the rest of the garden. So much lovely space. Will keep you posted on the progress</span>.magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-72050910577151375322009-04-10T07:47:00.000-07:002009-04-10T08:06:48.027-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 153, 51);font-family:georgia;" >Slow Book Club</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:georgia;" >A few weeks ago, I read an article in the Lifestyle section of the Sunday Times, written by Ann Donald, which really peaked my interest. To read the article called 'MacBooks to burn on the Grill' go to <a href="http://thetimes.co.za/Entertainment/Books/Article.aspx?id=926611">www.thetimes.co.za/Entertainment/Books/Article.aspx?id=926611.</a><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:georgia;" >She speaks about a 'slow book movement' and I thought this was a great concept. Sorry to muscle in on your idea, Ann, but if this was expanded to include music and movies, I am certain this could form the basis for a very interesting Club.<br /><br />If anyone has ideas about how to set up or run such a club, I would love to hear from you. </span>magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-49664903945501892852009-04-06T08:24:00.000-07:002009-04-06T08:53:52.207-07:00<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">Reading at Present</span><br /><br />I am almost finished reading Marita van der Vyver's 'Where the Heart is' and I have enjoyed it so much. She is a well-known South African writer who went to live in Provence with her new French husband and writes about her life there. Settling in, gathering paperwork and all the other frustrations of finding her feet in a strange new location. Good fun. She writes in a light and humourous way, with many South Africanisms thrown in. Her most recent publication is a book called 'Traveling Light'. Will have to track it down.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Travel writing has a special place on my reading list. Some of my favourites are by Paul Theroux such as 'Elephanta Suite' and 'Dark Star Safari - Overland from Cairo to Cape'. His latest (2008) is 'Ghost Train to the Eastern Star'.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: georgia;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Other favourite authors are Bill Bryson, Chris Stewart, Frances Mayes, Peter Mayle and the team of Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor. Then there is Michael Palin and Ranulph Fiennes. Plenty to keep me busy for a while.</span>magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4368822933245821472.post-5245682083308517852009-04-04T09:03:00.001-07:002009-04-06T08:50:08.695-07:00<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(204, 153, 51);">The Big Decision</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Discussions have begun. Should we sell our house, rent it out or do what we can to stay? For weeks now, hubby (Iain) and myself have been mulling over this question, making lists, chatting to friends and generally having sleepless nights.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">We built our home 27 years ago, and have been very happy here. My daughters, Jenny and Cris, grew up in this house and the memories are everywhere. The pool was built so that it would be safe for two toddlers learning to swim. Grass was planted, trees were carefully selected for colour, shade potential and size. Some deciduous, some evergreen so that we could mark the changing seasons. Walls, paving, security gates followed, and during all of this Jenny plastered her bedroom walls with posters of her favourite pin-ups, and Cris painted her walls deep turquoise and hung batik throws at her windows.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Sorting through photographs taken over the years, it is astonishing to see the progression from bare stand with anthills all over it, to the house we have today. Setting all that aside, we still have to answer the question 'to move or not'?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">The main reason is that the house seems too large for the two of us now that our daughters are independent. Like many people around the world, we are trying to live in a more simple cost-effective way. As we age, it is becoming a mission to do housework without some assistance, so we have to add up these extras, and work out if it is worth it. Poolcare Company, gardener, maid, Security Company, Insurance Premiums and so on and on.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Friends have been encouraging, particularly those that have already made the move from a large property to a smaller one. Some say they should have done it sooner, others say that it gives them more time to go on holiday, visit the grandchildren in New Zealand, Australia or Canada. A proper 'lock up and go' situation.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">The other extreme, as hubby dear has mentioned, is to sell up our entire household and buy a caravan, or a Harley with a sidecar and go on a grand tour of the world. He likes to take pictures, I like to write so we could find a lot of interesting ways to spend our time. The seed has been planted.....!</span>magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14284324726728492628noreply@blogger.com0