these gorgeous red, velvety "christmas" spiders come out with the first rains of the season in our part of the world.......bringing back so many wonderful childhood memories and hopes for a good season ahead!! This will be my last blog until the New years, blessings one and all.......

may your Christmas be filled with the warmth of family and friends and the mystery of the incarnation. We are blessed to overflowing, walking miracles. May we always believe that something wonderful is about to happen :) From our home to yours.........

our pet white faced ducks.......

"may my life become a praise song to Him by proclaiming His glorious presence to the world.........."

 My hand carved ebony nativity scene bought on the streets of Tete

our children have grown up with this one, angel wing missing , their plastic animals added, Jesus crib missing, so many stories told and memories made, special times..........

"embrace the obvious gifts and search for the hidden ones".............

GLORY to God in the Highest and on the earth PEACE, goodwill to ALL men............

its that time of the year again in the tropics, where we feast on mangoes, pineapples, leechies and paw paws in abundance........our bowls are overflowing and we are blessed indeed :)

"may all the entrances to our hearts and homes this Christmas, be warm and welcoming......"

Boroma Mission, Tete, Mozambique

driving out of Tete on the main road to Zimbabwe and Chimoio, I took a double take seeing this "chap" on the side of the road. I noticed he did stand awfully still. I backed up and realised it was a "scarecrow". Not scaring birds but obviously trying to stop the cars for people in the village needings lifts..... :)

Christmas isn't celebrated in Tete, Mozambique. There are no decorations, lights, sparkles or carols to get us into the "spirit". But if we really look we can find it in so many different places, sometimes requiring a little imagination :) It is after all inside our hearts.........

and now its on to the rusty derelict carriages.........I just adore the gorgeous colours in rust, blues, yellows, deep reds.......(yip, you most probably thinking that this heat is getting to me, it most probably is!!)

took a trip with a friend of mine, to a rusty, abandoned and "beached" old locomotive in the nearby town of Moatize. The locomotive and all its rusty carriages are now the playground for the village children :) I learnt so much about shutter speeds, ISO, F stops and using the tripod!! What fun.......

"Give me eyes to see - ears to hear......."

we visited a farm a few hours from here the other day and memories came flooding back.....a mixture of emotions engulfed me. Many I thought I had dealt with, resurfaced again. It's the "busy" time now as the rains have arrived. The smell of freshly tilled soil, still damp from a light rainfall, is my "african farm" perfume. Thanksgiving rose up within me for 24 amazing years farming in one of the most beautiful parts of Zimbabwe........

Used a dry brush technique from photoshop to get this look.......

this photograph was not taken by myself, but by a friend in Tete.........Rich Yiend. Thought it too amazing not to share. Crocs are the cause of a lot of deaths in Tete. Some say one person per month is taken and others one per week. Who knows in Africa, the stories just get juicier by the day :) All daily household duties and more, are done in the Zambezi, so therefore the risks are high........

The 'EVIL EYE'

just adore the different colours of the baobabs. When I paint an orange or shocking pink baobab, I am not really using my "artistic licence" they are definitley not all grey!!

a few memories of my Art Exhibition evening..........a wonderful time was had by all......

 I love it when this happens :)

this evening I will hold my first solo art exhibition. I thank God for this talent of bringing a splash of colour into peoples lives........A fun evening is planned :)

very interesting info regarding the plant I added to my blog post today..... thanks Mandy and Richard.http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/exotic/calotropis-procera.htm

this is a very prolific plant that grows in our area. It looks great despite a serious lack of water. It has green balloon like "balls" which pop and seeds attached to a fluffy white "cotton wool" are blown around by the wind, where they settle and germinate. The lilac/pink flowers are great too. I tried to google it, but had a problem trying to explain it (eg....plant with green balls!!) can anyone help me with the name??

due to stolen lines I have had no internet for nearly a week. I do hope it is replaced soon, but who knows in Africa.......... :)..

memories of a great weekend.................

meet the "wooden bench' maker and a few members of his family..........

drove to an area called Matambo on the way to Cabhorra to buy these wooden benches called Nyathandadza by the local people. The heavens opened whilst there (what a welcome relief for all, in this dry, barren area.)

I adore Ilala Palms, they are often featured in my art and photographs..............One of my recent art pieces was featured in a group on redbubble......

http://www.redbubble.com/groups/afrikaans-is-my-mother-tongue/forums/11258/topics/248527-toekennings-features-24-nov-2011

I just adore it when the rains arrive in the Lowveld.......New "surprises" emerge out of the ground overnight :)