Winter sun

Journaling reads:
I was so blessed that the family members came from far and wide to celebrate my birthday with a barbecue. I managed to take photos of the food, but was relying on my cousin to take photos of the people, which she did, but only with her camera. So my memories of the day are full, photos of the day, only the food is featured. It was really great though, if that counts?

For the first one I also used a template by Genia Beana (from ScrapMatters)

Journaling:

July is supposed to be Winter, but we have been having the best weather. We all know that it can't last, we really need the rain to fill the dams or we'll suffer come Summer. But for now, let's just close our eyes and soak up the rays.

I got to create with Meredith Cardall Designs - Ants not invited.

This kit is available at ScrapMatters in their shop.

For your viewing pleasure:

Our school holidays:

Our school holidays were spent enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, mid 20C’s and just fabulous. The first week I was very sorry for myself, sick with a streaming headcold, which I thoughtfully shared with the oldest and the youngest. There have been many sleepovers, playdates, LAN’s and general kuiering with friends. Topaz has discovered the outside and relishes time spent there with his furry and non-furry family. We have made pancakes, cupcakes, smores faces and so much more. Got furniture from Granny that needed to be sanded and re-painted. Watched tv, played jenga, Hannah got her legs waxed for the first time. Our final Sunday was spent driving around Stellenbosch, going to the Berry Farm for lunch and just reminiscing back to when we lived there.

My thanks to
Scrapping with Liz - template
Mommyish for the acrylic alpha
Everything else is Elise's Pieces Designs.

Sue's challenge 108.

I know the challenge was for a movie, but we are only occasional movie goers. The TV show NCIS is practically an obsession, so it felt much more authentic to create a page about that. The journaling reads:

"Phil started watching because he like the stories; I got hooked because of the characters. Now we watch the regular episodes on CBS every Tuesday night, the re-runs and marathons on USA, and we own every season on DVD. We can quote Gibbs' rules, always know by the music when the scene is in Abby's lab, and worry at the end of every season that a favorite character will not be back. Gibbs, DiNozzo, McGee, Kate, Ziva, Abby, Ducky, Palmer - they are all so well-written, we feel like we're peeking in at their lives."

This is Sue's last challenge for us and we thank her for her gorgeous Lo's and spot-on often humerous journaling. Thanks for your faithful participation Sue, we appreciate you and wish you all of the best as your life priorities change.

Heather's challenge 108.

Journaling: Joey and I watch this movie each year around Christmas. Sounds cheesy, but it does remind me to look for love everywhere, in all things. And, I'm a sap for a good British accent (or two... or twenty!).

Karen's challenge 108.

My fave film

journalling reads

 I love this movie, Paula and I went to watch it on a big screen in the open air when I visited her in Manchester

The film is so funny, the scrapes they get into, the last moment of the film when Jack Lemmon tries to scare off his sutior by telling him he's a man, all set off with great costumes and music

A second from me, challenge 108

Because my children are such diverse ages it is seldom that we can find a movie 9or 2) that we all love to watch so this Friday we had an all ages one, followed by bedtime of the youngest and then the later viewing of the age restricted one.

Winter family time at it's best.

Again the journaling comes from my internet searching.

Little Fockers:

In a world where so many situations bring out the anxiety and fear of needing to impress, be perfect, and live up to an ideal, Meet the Fockers is a welcome reminder that love can overshadow any and every less than ideal aspect of our lives. The movie reminds us of how important love is within a family. It paints us a picture of a father and mother who truly love their family and, in this, portrays a love quite like that of a heavenly father who loves us all more than even the Fockers love their son. While God may not be exactly like Bernie Focker, the exuberant, life affirming love that the Fockers share with everyone reveals the heart of God's love and His desire to dwell not on our faults but recognize and grow everything we have to celebrate.

The Tourist:

The movie opens with Elise (Jolie) being trailed by French police working with Scotland Yard. They are trying to catch her old lover, Alexander Pearce, who owes a large sum of taxes. She receives instructions from Pearce. Elise is to go to Venice, Italy, pick out a man en route who resembles Pearce, and trick the police into believing that this decoy is in fact Pearce.

Elise follows the instructions, picking Frank (Depp), an American tourist. She spends much time with him, seeming to start a romance. The police recognize the ruse, but it does fool Shaw, a gangster whom Pearce defrauded.

Pearce leaves further instructions for Elise to attend a ball. Elise abandons Frank, who is then chased by Shaw's men, who think he is Pearce. Through a mishap, Frank is arrested by the police. A remorseful Elise starts to have feelings for Frank, and frees him from both the corrupt police and Shaw's men, leading to a big canal boat chase scene. They escape.. When Elise arrives at the destination, Shaw moves in, takes her prisoner, and threatens her with disfigurement or death unless she finds and opens a safe containing his stolen money. Frank slips the police boat to rescue her, causing her feelings for him to intensify, but he himself is captured. Inspector John Acheson repeatedly orders the snipers to hold their fire, convinced that Pearce will show. Ultimately, Chief Inspector Jones (Dalton) arrives and orders the snipers to fire, killing Shaw and his men. Jones lifts Elise's suspension, but then terminates her employment.

After the confrontation, the police run out to chase a possible sighting of Pearce. Frank then opens the safe, with only Elise present, demonstrating that he is no decoy, but the real Pearce. He and Elise take the money and run away, leaving behind the balance of his taxes owed.

Paper from Elise's Pieces, stitching from Jady Day studio's and embellishments from Madame Butterfly - Watcha watching.

Time for a new challenge : 108

Movies, we all have some favourites.

Choose one,all time favourite and tell us why.

What you loved about it, the setting, the characters.

Is it the same genre you love to watch.

Do you remember where and when you watched it for the first time and with whom?

Did you buy it as soon as it came out.

Favourite quotes from the movie etc.

My journaling:

This is arguably my favourite movie of all time, replacing "seven brides for seven brothers ~ my fav from Primary school) and Star Wars (my fav from high school).

I googled "the Proposal movie quotes and then copied and pasted them onto my LO.

Even now reading through them makes me smile.

We use some of the quotes as part of our family banter now and we all still smile and reflect on good times spent together.

This was (mostly) a layered template from double D studios - Designer Digitals.

Some DT work from me.

Design by Tina's latest kit : Summer rain.
Now on sale and available at Digiridoo Scraps.

My journaling:
raising a son keeps you on your toes, you need to constantly be one step ahead, prepared for anything because they are just so different from girls and if you as a Mother have no idea of how the male brain works...all I can say is pack your umbrella and wellington boots and enjoy the ride because you will get wet!
(I also use a template by A Carlson - wildflowers.)

Next up:

jellebelleke's Dream Templates.

Available  at Missesbeehaven.

I used Jellebellekes' template and Design by Tina's - Summer Rain.

Karen's no regrets challenge.

Don't want to regret

journalling reads

I don't want to feel, when we go back to the UK in the summer, that i never made the most of living in Holland- so I go out- I go to Amsterdam sometimes just to take pictures of walls and things- so I don't feel like I missed thee best opportunity in my life- July 2011

Introducing Jellebelleke's Template Designs.

 Jellbelleke's :Let's get started volume 1. 

 I used this template and Elise's Pieces - Cloud Nine.

Journaling says:

Regardless of the weather, the ups and downs, anything and everything life throws our way you are steady and true I can't help but love you. I appreciate that you go with the flow, choosing to be content in any circumstance.

Jellebelleke's: Let's get started Volume 2.

 I used this template and My 4 Princesses - the graduates.

Summer sun Volume 1.

 I used this template and Elise's Pieces - All natural.

Title: Fearless

Journaling:

It must be a guy thing. All of you jumped on the quadbike and just set off, at high speed, changing gears, spreading dust in your wake. I stayed behind, too fearful, closing my eyes and then peeping out between my fingers, only prepared to take photos.

 I used this template and Elise's Pieces - Happy camper.

Title: Burn

Journaling:

One of the things you excel at is fire making. Your fascination with Granny's lighter and your love of matches sure paid off when we needed you to make us a cooking fire. You alone could get it to burn.

 I used this one and Elise's Pieces - Daddy's Day.

Father's Day 2011

I really appreciate that there are many things that Andrew does that I take for granted. Driving the children to school, taking out the trash on garbage day, painting and patching the walls, drilling holes for my pictures. Buying take-aways when I am too lazy to cook, keeping the pool clean, chasing the roosting pigeons away. He makes us laugh and keeps us safe. He looks after the finances of the family.

 I used this one, rotating it through 90 degrees.

And Design by Tina's - Digital Mom.

Tickle time.

Lately when Dad gets home the two of you start with some name calling..."hey you lady boy". That degenerates to some gentle face slapping, which while it freaks me out seems fun to them both. This is followed by rough housing, tickling with scream and laughter. What can I say? They like it.

Jellebelleke's Designs available exclusively at MissesBeehaven.

Olivia's challenge 107.

There are decisions I have made where things haven't gone to plan & at the time I wished I had done something different, but I'm also a believer in everything happens for a reason. Even when my decisions haven't been the best ones I still wouldn't wish to change them. Something I would like to change though is being a creature of habit. I do the same things at the same times everyday, I eat the same food & I use the same dishes, I still have a teaspoon my parents bought for me in Florida in 1993! I get overly sentimental about things, I've lost count of the number of times I've cried because a favourite cup or bowl has gotten broken. I wish I could go with the flow more easily, it would certainly make my life easier & mean I'm able to go with a change of plan.

Sue's challenge 107

After 2 college graduations, 1 son (now married), 1 swimming pool, 1 Masters Degree, countless pets, 5 moves, 3 states, and 1 very happy marriage, and after playing together, laughing together and growing together for 30 years....We Would Not Change A Thing!

One from me.

I can't say that I have one choice that I regret and would love a do-over.

Instead I need to make the choice - almost daily to see the good, to search for the  silver linings and not just be overwhelmed by the dark clouds. There is so much good to be seen, savoured and relished if we but choose to look.

I used My 4 Princesses - Serendipity which will be available and on sale at Divine digitals from the 5th of July