Sunday, December 20, 2009

Catch up

I'm so not a good blogger! I don't even know where to start catching up. These past few weeks have been a big rush. Barely touching ground and feeling overwhelmed and stressed most of the time. Lots of good times in between as well, which kept me going though.

We had my moms 80th b-day party on 28 November. This is what the table looked like - we only had one loooong table, so all the guests could sit together.
It was a really special day for my mom and she loved seeing all her friends and family that she haven't seen in years.


This is me and the boys with the birthday girl.

As a birthday gift to her, I made her an album with photos of her with each of the guests as well as a handwritten message from each and everybody there. I did 24 pages. for the album. Unfortunately I never had time to take photos of the album before I gave it to her. Will do so later.


Then on 7 December, my god daughter Annalize's little baby girl Leeloo was born! I looked forward to this day sooooo much and despite everything on my plate, I just had to go and meet this little angel as soon as they got out of hospital.

Leon's birthday was on 13 December, and I wanted to make something special for him. I decided to make a painting of his idol - Mark Knopfler. I wanted to make it large, and ended up with a huge 1.5m x 1.1m canvas. If it wasn't for my art teacher's confidence in me, I never would have even attempted something as big as this. Unfortunately, even after I took an entire day's leave from work to work on the painting, I couldn't finish it in time for his birthday and only finished it yesterday. This is what it looks like:

He is very chuffed with his work of art in his bar.

This is the birthday boy on his b-day last week.

Since I finished the painting and wrapped most of my Christmas gifts yesterday, I feel much more relaxed. I even had time to make this wrath and Christmas tree that I wanted to make last year already.

And this is our Christmas tree .

Two weeks ago, we had friends over for Sunday lunch. Leon cooked some excellent food and I had a ball decorating the table. I found these old silver wine glasses in one of the antique shops in Parys a while back and since then I wanted to use them as individual flower vases.

For desert Leon made this absolutely gorgeous Amarula Cheesecake. I only helped a little with the decorating.

Unfortunately I'm one of the "skeletons" at work and business isn't as slow as we expected. I have to run around between three desks trying to keep everybody happy.


So there it is - what kept me occupied for the past couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to a peaceful Christmas with my family now.

I hope that each and every person who reads this post will have a wonderful Christmas filled with love, peace and hope for the future. Keep the real reason for this day in your heart and it will be filled with His love for you! :)

6 comments:

Shayne said...

everything looks so gorgeous! Love the lunch table (the red one) in particular. Beautiful.

That wreath is stunning - simple but so effective.

And such an adorable little baba.

You have a wonderful Christmas too and I hope that you manage to relax just a little!

Michelle Ramsay said...

You certainly have been busy. I love your painting and I am sure you hubby is suitably impressed especially one of his idol. Your table decorations look stunning and what a great idea for vases using silver goblets. Amarula cheesecake - yum yum!!!! You too have a wonderful and hopefully relaxing Christmas

Lynette Jacobs said...

Sjoe, you have been busy...love all the pics...they tell their own story.

Have a wonderful Christmas...and relax!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures! Merry Christmas to you :)

Regards,
Someone from Finland

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I have missed you Michelle!!! LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE the photos!! I want to come visit your house!!! GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Desire Fourie said...

Wow Michelle, you have been seriously busy. All the tables look so beautiful. You truly are very talented and creative. Your Mom still looks very young for 80 ... well done on making her special day, a day to remember. Looking forward to seeing the gift album. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed festive season.
Hugs
Desire