Wednesday 10 December 2014

DIY: Christmas Series: Home made christmas decorations

Hi Eeverybody welcome to my first DIY post. 

What better way to start of DIY’s projects than with Christmas Decorations. 
Handmade decorations are just the best, they are like wine, every year they just become more special.
My son will be 4 years old this January and his curiosity in my crafts have grown, so I have decided to let him join me in creating amazing Christmas decorations. But don’t let it just be a craft session, talk to your child about Christmas, the symbols and the meaning of it. Allow them to do as much as possible to teach them creativity.

Here is my top 5 Christmas decoration I have decided to do with my son:

1)      Ice cream stick stars


Materials needed:
Ice cream sticks
Embellishments/glitter
Glue
White paint
Yarn

Instructions:
    - Stack the sticks to make a star shape
    - Glue all of them in the centre
    - Make hole in just one stick where it will be hanged
    - Paint the star with white paint and let it dry completely
    - Apply embellishments., glitter anything that will sparkle on the Christmas tree.



2)      Candy cane sticks

Materials needed:
    Pipe cleaners
    Red and white beads

Instructions:
    - Thread beads onto the pipe cleaner alternating in colors
    - Make a small loop at the ends for the beads not to fall off
    - End the pipe cleaner in shape of a candy cane.



3)      Paper chain

Materials needed:
- Craft paper
- Glue
- Scissors


Instructions:

- Cut craft paper into 1 cm wide 
and about 5cm long strips
- Get them all read
- Start making circles and gluing the ends.
 Link the circles before gluing the next one forming a chain.



4)      Clay / salt dough glow in the dark ornaments


Material needed:
- Clay or salt dough
- Cookie cutters
- Yarn
- Glow in the dark paint (if you don’t have any use glitter)

Instructions:
- Roll out the dough and with cookie cutters cut out shapes
- Let the dough to dry for at least 24hours
- Once its dry, get creative with either glow in the dark paint or glitter



5)      Painted pines cones

Materials needed:
- Pinecones
- Craft paint
- Glue
- Glitter

Instructions:
Get creative, paint the pine cones different colors.
- Sprinkle glitter


Thank you for stopping by and reading my post. I hope it will inspire you to create amazing Christmas ornaments with your kiddies. Such special bonding time.
Happy Crafting.




Tuesday 9 December 2014

Have faith in your darkest hour.


Hi All,                                                                  
I am not going to do to much of an intro on this post as Barbara covered it so well. She is an amazing fighter and her story is something we should all learn from, that each day is not guaranteed to anyone. Cherish each day with your loved ones. Here is Barbara's story:


I have been in two minds about writing this article for this lovely blog. I have decided to do this though, for if I can make a difference to one person suffering from a terminal illness, it would be worth the while sharing something so personal.

In October 2013 I was diagnosed with a T Cell Lymphoma/Leukaemia  a rare type of blood cancer. I had visited the doctor the week before and the patient before me left his room in tears and it is with sadness I learned he was diagnosed with an advanced cancer.  I remember  it so well, the sadness I felt for this man I did not know.  I could not even comprehend the emotions he felt at the time. I sent a quick prayer for him and thanked God for my health and all the other blessings in my life.

You can imagine my shock and disbelief to hear the same only but a week later. It’s true, nothing can prepare you for this news. It destroys your very foundation.

What amazed me the most was the fear not for myself, but for my husband and two beautiful sons. How do you tell them it’s going to be okay when you are not sure yourself. Will God spare me long enough to see my little one grow up or share their special moments yet to come.  Will I be there to see my sons wed or have children? Who will be there for them once I am gone?  Will my husband be able to deal with his grief and still be able to give my children the support they need? These are only but a few of the questions that race through your mind a thousand times a day.   You always read these motivational messages of encouragement and all of a sudden they seem like empty words, meant for someone else.

Waiting for additional results to determine staging and treatment really took its toll on my sanity and my faith. You question whether there is God and if there is, why would he do this to you and your loved ones? You wonder how long do I have to live, will I suffer, if so, when and how long?  You are faced with questions for whom there are no clear answers.  You put on a brave face every day for you cannot allow the:  “What if?” get you or loved ones down.   You need to alleviate their fears and at the same time deal with your own.  You know that as long as you show its okay, they will be okay and it gives you the precious time to learn to deal and come to terms of what you need to do.

My sister-in-law gave this tiny book called:  “What Cancer cannot take from you”.  I read it that night and came to the realization that I could not continue on this road of doubt and fear.  It added no value. The support from my husband, kids and family really helped me through this very dark and uncertain time, but I realized If I wanted to stand a chance to win this fight, I had to get my mind right. The only person that could do this for me was me…  

I had to put aside my fears of changes that treatment would bring, the fear of hearing your treatment did work. The disappointment of hearing there is a possible cure, but it’s too expensive and we will have to look at alternative treatments.  Deal with side effects of radiation and months of pain and discomfort.   You have to daily deal with the uncertainty of what the future hold and dare you plan.

I have lost a friend this past two weeks who bravely fought her own cancer and gave it a run right to the end, although she dealt with her own demons, she always had a word or two of encouragement or a joke to cheer you up when you needed it most. On her death bed, her thoughts was not for herself, but for her friends suffering from this dreadful disease and her young son who already lost a farther and now his mother.  I have seen friends lost loved ones unexpectedly and had a few who escaped death by the breath of a hair and realized that no one’s tomorrow is guaranteed.

As long as you wake up and you have another day to make a difference we should be grateful.  How you spend that day is all that matters. Give some of yourself to others and make a difference whilst you can.   We all fall and make mistakes, but we need stand up, dust off and give it another go.


It has not been an easy journey and its far is from over, keeping the faith in your darkest hour is not easy, but if you allow it, God will walk this journey with you and give you the strength you need as hard as it is to believe. Have faith in the future He has planned for you.  It might not be what you planned, but what matters at the end of the day is the legacy you leave behind, whether it is a day, a week or ten years from now. Try to live a good life and do what matters and hope that it inspires others.

Thank you for reading my post,
Love Barbara

Monday 8 December 2014

Date night: as told by ladies and men

Hi Everybody,
Here is slightly more fun post and an interesting one. I have decided to ask 5 ladies and 5 men to tell me what would their perfect date night be if they are to be spoiled by their significant other. Over outcome showed me that ladies have a faster response regarding what their want. Hehe. But the reason for this was to shed some light as to what men and woman want on their date night. This is just few people that I have asked. But if someone is struggling, it’s worth while checking this post out.
So here it goes.

Date nights as told by ladies:
  • Candle light picnic.
Beautiful open field or a garden with soft background music and lots of candles. Why not grab a book  and read it to each other. A pure relaxing moment with lots of pillows and blankets.
Alice Lohrman. Married for 4 years and a mom to a cute little boy.

  • No buzz and hustle of a busy restaurant.
Quiet outdoor picnic and learning about each other. Talking and sharing thoughts and ideas. Pack a picnic basket full of yummy treats and nice wine.
Angelique Veldsman, in a long term relationship.
  • Theatre outing.

Book tickets at a local theatre and enjoy drinks and dessert afterwards.
Anna van den Berg, married and a mom to two cute boys.
  • Quiet night in.
Make a Christmas bed in front of the TV. Good movie, snacks and quality time together.
Antoinette Lindeque, wife and a mom to a 5 year old boy
  •  Boat cruise.
A romantic boat cruise on a river or around the Bay. Wine and good food tops up the trip.
Enjoying the sunset and sharing good memories.
Tyneal Jurghoo, mom to two bubbly kiddies and happily married

Date night as told by men:
  • Outdoors

A nice braai and a small camp by the beach.
Theuns Potgieter, husband and father to a cute baby girl
  • Braai
And so they say, best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
Phillip Els, husband and father to two kiddies
  • Simplicity
An outdoor intimate place with light snacks and good wine. Spending time talking to each other, being honest and not judgmental. Be true and be yourself and share the most true emotions about everything. Dave, single romantic
  • Small fishing expedition
Organize a quiet spot and if you and your partner likes fishing than have a challenge. One who catches fish first has to prepare a meal. Relaxing time doing what we love.
Anonymous.
  • Spanish restaurant
Book a quiet spot in a Spanish restaurant. What better way to get the heat up than with passionate Spanish music, good food and wine. Chill and enjoy the evening.
Peter Moscicki, husband and father of two teens.




Well there it is. Just some ideas from men and woman for a quick date night. What I have seen from the people, is that simplicity is just the best. Quiet intimate times is what a couple needs. Whether you are married or single. Take the time to be alone, share thoughts and do what you both love. Set an evening at least once a month for date night.


Thanks for reading.
Cheers.


Couples that pray together, stay together.


Mathew 19:6 ‘So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’





Hi All,
Welcome to my second post on relationships. Praying together as a couple should be the first habit a couple should learn. With this post I would like to help couple on how to pray together and what to pray for. This is just an example, so please adjust it and make it work for the two of you.

Before I carry on any further, here is a prayer for you and your spouse to pray over your relationship/marriage:


Dear Lord,
Help us to remember when we first met and the strong love that grew between us. To work that love into practical things so nothing can divide us. We ask for words both kind and loving and hearts always ready to ask for forgiveness as well as to forgive. Lord, we put our marriage into your hands.
Amen.

How to pray together as a couple:
  • Set time aside.

This sound pretty easy, right? But when busy schedules and kids come to play it gets pretty difficult to find some time alone. But make it a priority, talk to each other when it will work best for you both. Maybe it’s in the morning or maybe in the evening. Have a coffee outside and use that freedom to pray together. There is no perfect spot.
  • Length doesn’t matter.

I believe that it doesn’t matter for how long you pray. As long as you pray and as long as you mean it.
  • Pray out loud.

It’s when each spouse takes a turn to pray out loud. And the other listens.
  • Take turns.

When sitting to pray together talk what you two would like to pray for and decide who is going to pray for what. For example let one spouse say thanks for all the blessings and the other pray for family.
  • On the spot.

If you feel like an argument is building up. STOP. Pray together for forgiveness and peace and hand over all issues to God.




What to pray for in a relationship.

  • Protection

Psalm 91:9-11 “If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Pray, ask and beg God to keep your relationship in his hands and protect it from evil. Even when things are going okay, pray. Never cease to pray, don’t allow any chance for Satan to creep in.
  • God’s will over your marriage

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, ‘declares the Lord,  plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God has a plan for you and for your marriage. Submit your marriage to him. Let him guide you and your spouse on the right path. Enjoy the peace that comes from trusting the Lord.

  • Commitment to one another

Genesis 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

As God has said in Genesis 2:24, the two will become one flesh. You can’t get it more simpler than that. God tells us to commit to that one person. And why do that? Well,  in Proverbs 3:5-7 God tells us, ‘Trust in the Lord and he will make paths straight. Therefore if we keep our relationship/marriage holy, God will do the rest, he will guide and protect. Even in the Ten Commandments it says: You shall not commit adultery. It’s written in black and white, cast in stone, that you and your spouse are to become one.
  • Finances

Matthew 6:33: “ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Most of us know what it means to be  in a tough financial situation. It’s a big pressure point in a relationship and sadly, many relationships fail because of financial problems. There is just so many references in the Bible about not putting worldly things before God and your relationship. Many people don’t understand the concept marrying for good and bad. As soon as things get tough financially, they separate. What happened to that promise? But not to worry, God has a promise for us that we can be assured he will never break. All we ought to do is to lay our relationship and troubles in his hands. He promises us that he will take care of it. We just have to have faith in him and love each other like he loves us.
  • Good attitude

Phillipians 4:13: “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Pray as a couple for a good and positive attitude. Have a joyful heart and it will be a natural medicine in your relationship. Ask God to help you to uplift your spouse when times are tough. And stay positive.
  • Patience

Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in Hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Patience is not an easy thing to practice. Especially in hard times or if there is two very strong willed partners. But God promises us that we shall reap rewards by being patient. Remember that words spoken can be forgiven but not forgotten.
  • Supporting each other

Exlesiasles 4:12: “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

There is a reason why there is two people in a relationship. It is to support each other and to build a strong fort that nothing can break. Pray to God to help you support each other and to be a leaning shoulder for one another.
  • Affection

Song of Solomon 1:2:” Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for your love is better than wine.”
Pray to God to keep reminding you both to cherish the physical part of your relationship and to keep on re-igniting the passion. Never forget that your bodies belong to both of you only. Think simple, think what sparked the relationship in the first place, that first kiss…
  • Communication

James 1:19: “Know this, my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”

Proverbs 15:1 :”A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.”
Through the last 11 years of my relationship with my husband, I have truly learnt  the meaning of communication. And not just any communication, good communication. No-one is a mind reader, therefore you have to talk. If you don’t talk you leave a gap of doubt which allows  Satan to put bad thoughts into your mind. And at the end of the day it was just a misunderstanding, or it all started with something small that could have been solved. Talk, talk and talk again. No matter how long it takes to solve a situation, DO NOT STOP.
  • Love and respect

Ephesians 5:33 :”However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
This one should be easy and yet so many people can’t get it right. Give love and respect like you would want to receive it. Don’t expect something you simply cannot give. Ask God to help you be a better spouse and to love and respect each other like he does.



Thank you for reading this post. It is just so important for us to live our marriage like God wants us to and to teach our kids by example. Praying together is an amazing way to become closer as a couple and learn about each other.

Something I also want to share with you all:

The greatest thing a man can do for a woman is to lead her closer to God than himself.


Fun Christmas activities to do with your kids.

Hi Everybody,
So it is that time of the year again, Christmas. I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by.  I wish someone would just invent a slow motion button. This Christmas my little monkey will be almost 4 years, and I think it’s the right time to teach him what is Christmas about and what it symbolizes. I’m so blessed that both myself and my husband grew up in a home where Christmas was real family time, singing carols, dressing up the Christmas tree as family and the list goes on. We were taught what Christmas mean and that it’s more than just presents. These days so many kids don’t know the meaning of Christmas and what it is about. It makes me sad, because they don’t get taught of joy that comes during the Christmas time. That magical feeling of this festive time.

My goal this festive season is to teach my child about Christmas and what it symbolizes. Through fun activities kids learn so much more and with that you imprint happy memories that they will treasure forever and possibly pass it on to their kids. While thinking of ideas for this post, it bough tears to my eyes as it reminded me of when I was small. But it was good tears, tears of joy from all the good memories that my family made sure I have. That’s the same thing I want to do for my son, one day when I’m not here, there present will be long gone but the memory of joy and happiness will last forever. It is probably the best gift you can give your child, joy and happiness. Teach your kids what an awesome gift has God given us.
As every family differs these are just ideas of the fun activities that you can do as a family or with your child. Feel free to add, adjust, anything to make it feel personal. Remember, its simple things that are sometimes the best. Tip: think like a kid.


Here are some ideas for your family for every day, leading up to Christmas:

  • Set up the Christmas tree as a family.
  • Write a letter to Santa. Click here for template.
  • Make homemade decorations with your kids. Click here for some DIY ideas.
  • Watch a Christmas movie. Here are some ideas:  Dr.Seuss, how the Grinch stole Christmas, Polar express, Elf, Jingle All the way
  • Do some Christmas baking, and include your kiddies in the making and decorating. Click here for an easy sugar cookies recipe.
  • Go to the beach and make some sand angels, and if the creativity is flowing than make some snowman out of sand.
  • Build a snowman out of marshmallows. Here is a how to.
  • Drive around to see Christmas lights.
  • Read Christmas stories
  • Make Christmas eatable treats to put on the tree.
  • Make up a magic key for Santa, here is a quick DIY
  • Make treats for birds outside.
  • Create a snowman out of boxes
  • Teach about giving. Bake cookies and let your child help you donate it.
  • Listen to Christmas music while talking about the year and what you are grateful for.
  • Make up a slide show of photos from the year and make a family night of watching photos. Order pizza or make a fun fondue.
  • Art of giving. Allow your child to pick a toy and let them gift it to anyone of their choice.
  • Let your child pick a new Christmas ornament in the shop.
  • Make some Christmas cards with your kids.
  • Make a Christmas scavenger hunt. Prepare list of items to be hidden around the house and give the list to your kid/s to find them.
  • Star gaze and read Christmas stories.
  • Make Christmas treats for pets. Let your child wrap it. Here is a quick recipe.
  • Have Christmas themed minute to win it games on Christmas eve. Here is some ideas.
  • Everyone that receives a prezzie must first say nursery rhyme, sing a song or say a poem.


    Here is a printable Christmas bucket list. 


Here is a printable sample Santas letter.



I am so excited for Christmas to come and share the fun of this festive season with my son. I hope you are to and that it will motivate you to make this Christmas a magical and memorable one for your family. God has given us the most wonderful gift ever. Let us rejoice.


Thank you for reading my post, be sure to click on the links for the Christmas DIY’s.

DIY: CHRISTMAS SERIES: Sugar Cookies recipe


YUMMY SUGAR COOKIES RECIPE:

Hi everybody.
I hope everyone is their Christmas Spirit. If not, these next few posts will surely put you in a Christmas spirit. This year I decided to make lots of different Christmas activities with my son who is almost 4 years old. My goal this festive season is to teach him the Joy that Christmas bring. That it is more than just presents.

Below is an awesome, easy recipe that you and your kids can do together. Allow to have fun even if its not picture perfect cookies. It's all about the moment. And why not package them and ask your child who he or she would like to gift it to. One way to teach your child about giving. 

Hope you will enjoy this fun activity with your kids!

Enjoy,
Love Kasia





Faith = Praying = Believing

Hi All,
This is the second post in the you section. And Christine will share with us an awesome testimony of having faith in almighty God.


Hi, My name is Christine Smit and I live in Richards Bay. I lost my Husband in a Car accident almost 2 years ago, but although he is no longer with us, he left me with two amazing little princesses Melishia "5" and Kayleigh "2" they keep this Mommy on the go... They are my entire Life, and I just want to live to make them the Happiest little Humans on this Planet. (Rule NR1 for us is:  Be Happy and Have Fun - Life is just toooo short) 









FAITH = PRAYING = BELIEVING 

Having faith means to fully let go of your OWN will. 

To have faith means Trusting In God and the Amazing Plan he has for you. 

Jeremiah 29:11 
"For I know the plans I have for you DECLARES the Lord, Plans to Prosper you and not to Harm you, Plans to give you Hope and a Future..." 

This verse is such a Huge confirmation!!! 

I've learnt that if you are in a situation and have NO outcome, God will provide the answer, If not immediately, you will later realise that His Time was the PERFECT Time. 

This is my True Life experience - Let me tell you about my father and just something to prove how "IN"control God really is: 

# HUGE Faith shaking experience# 

My father had such a stressful job as a salesman for a Huge Corporate company in Pretoria, he was working 24/7 Stressing and Stressing and Stressing to make his Targets and to meet his deadlines... What a horrible way to live... He bought a flat in Sunnyside "Pretoria" back in the day when "Sunnyside was still Sunny" Over the years Sunnyside turned into a Hell hole of Drugs, Crime and vuvuzelas blowing every second! And he was stuck in the middle of it! But he carried on, Adjusted to his Life and slept with ear plugs and stayed positive. He Prayed for his Job, and he prayed for Sunnyside....... 

My dad had such a love for God and was never shy to spread the Gospel where ever he went. (He had an obsession with God) and he would spend all his extra time teaching people about God, he would go to the Homeless people in Sunnyside and take them food and go and sit with them on the street to read them the Bible. He even took extra Zulu classes to learn to speak Zulu just to be able to spread the word... Boy O Boy He was Fishing for JESUS!!! But he was only able to give so much due to him still working and stressing 24/7.... 

He woke up on his 65 Birthday and could not move, he was shaking so badly that he could not even lift himself out of bed, he could not dress himself, he lied in his flat for 3 days before someone realised that he was missing. He could not even TALK. They took him to hospital and confirmed that he had full on Parkinson's! The Doctors also said that he would never be able to do anything for himself ever again! 

We had to sell ALL his earthly possessions including his flat and moved him to a facility in Parys in the Freestate (This was the only place we could find that was able to take care of him). We moved him from his comfort Zone to a unknown Room in a Hospital in the Freestate.... 

My Father was so angry with God, I still remembered trying to convince him of how Amazing God and the Word is... I would sit next to him in hospital and read out of the Bible and he would turn his back to me.... Can one person with so much Passion, be soooo angry with God! I'm Sure its pretty Human and understandable seeing that he literally lost everything due to this sudden illness; he lost his car, his house, his job, his furniture, his medical aid, his love for Sports, everything he worked for 40 years he lost! (HOW COULD GOD DO THIS TO HIM) He was so angry with God... Isn't God suppose to keep you healthy and happy??? 

Eventually he went to Parys with a broken SAD hart and a body that could not function, he went from being a Fit, Active, Positive, Go-getter, Loving Happy Man, to someone Bitter and Angry! 

He was in Parys for 3 months when his Doctors realised he was wrongly diagnosed back in Pretoria, he was on blood pressure medication that caused him to look like a Parkinson's patient! In fact there was nothing wrong with him....:) 

He started preaching full time, and held huge conferences for the sick people, he started praying for people in the facility and they would be 100 percent healed, he went out to Black communities in and around Parys and preach for them. The people would queued up outside his room 24/7 so that he could pray for them. He eventually got a beautiful flat on the premises and he was soooo soooo HAPPY! No more work stress, no more crime, no more vuvuzelas right through, Just peace and quite freedom no stress, and to do what he loved most! Preaching!!! He was in such a HAPPY PLACE!! 

HOW.... WOW IS THIS STORY!!! THAT GOD WILL DE-RAIL YOU COMPLETELY, TO MOVED YOU! This story screams WOW!!!..... GOD ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN, EVEN IF IT DOESN'T FEEL OR LOOK LIKE IT!  HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING!!! 

Jeremiah 29:11 
"For I know the plans I have for you DECLARES the Lord, Plans to Prosper you and not to Harm you, Plans to give you Hope and a Future..." 

Thank you for reading my post,
Love Christine