Maddie's arrival!

YES!!! Little Maddie was born. Micaela, Matt and I all got kisses and hugs from her this morning. She is just too cute for words!

Big Mistake!!!

I went to donate blood on Monday, so chuffed with myself for "doing my good deed" and made the terrible mistake of going to the Post Office afterwards to collect a parcel for Mom. Well, unbeknowns to me... standing still (in a queue) right after donating blood is a guaranteed way to get a blackout! 100% :( YUP - you guess it. I went down like a ton of bricks, and whacked my head something cronic. Talk about painful way to learn what not to do. The nausea, dizzyness, congestion, bruising, sore neck, and massive egg are not typical side effects of donating blood - oh golly I long to feel normal again! The staff there were so very sweet, helpful and caring. A friend drove us home. Don't make my mistake!!!

This and that...

How is it that time just seeps away from me, every day... and no matter how good my intentions are to record all of the important little things; they simply are not enough? Just a few pics to share with you all...
Ziggy (a young mare) is still great friends with Jasmine & Chloe. She is in the background.

Ken's been really busy building a crawl for the cattle. We now have 5 BEAUTIFUL Nguni Calves, and the "nursery" is at Dad and Mom's (Silverbank).

Matt Fulmer is here with us from SC, and he has joined us for a month. It's been great having him here, and he was fortunate to experience first hand the capture that was on the go the full first week he was here! He has had some close encounters with the buffalo too!!!

Micaela and Kyra riding.

Can you believe this ICE!!! Yes... waterholes frozen. None of us were particularly excited... we just shivered and stayed inside!

We got some painting done on my stoep and passage! We have also started the major job of re-painting the lodge. Oh boy is that a big job.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed Derek, Jen, Karin, Michael & Kyra's visit last month!

Guess who made friends with the pilot? The cold spell really dried out the veldt overnight!

How low CAN you go? !

Stripes (a young stallion) who is blind, has adopted the Nguni heard, and stays pretty close to the crawl. He paces in circles, if he senses anyone approaching... we guess a snake got him last year.

Phat Tire is doing well, and LOVES all of the children's attention. The donkeys are doing well, Zoe still has not had her foal. She seriously looks like she is going to pop any day now. Poor little thing!

P.T.L. Another "ALL CLEAR"!!!

Oh God is Good!  God is Faithful!  We are celebrating yet another "ALL CLEAR" report from JohnD's Oncologist.  The two of us drove through to Pretoria yesterday for his second checkup.

It was good to hear those words... and healing too!

My heart is happy. Our boy is OKAY!

Micaela's sense of humor...

I keep forgetting to share this with you... Micaela really has a quick and dry sense of humor!

When it comes to our lunch table - we usually only have one vinegarette salad dressing on the table - not five different choices.... like the folks from the States are used to.

When one of our new guests asked if 'the salad dressing was a vinegarette dressing' - she chirped - yes, we only serve female salad dressings here.

Growing Herd

Amazing that I have not yet posted this photo correctly of the really special hog that JohnD bagged just the Sunday after all of our guests left. He was so very excited!
We are the proud owners of yet another little nguni bull born this morning. He is called Rocky... the Vosgatters came to visit (my cousin Bren and her family), and JohnD got to name this new young Bull... he wanted to name him after cute little Roxy - his 2nd cousin!!!
I'm very glad to report that Micaela's Jasmine is now through the 'woods' and is recovering from Horse Sickness.... for those not living in Africa - it's like a Horse Malaria. Sadly it claims a lot of really good horses each year. Our little tough mare is just amazing...
It's positively freezing here.... all sane people are wrapped up in winter woolies - tucked under feather duvet covers!!! I don't ever remember a winter this cold :(

Little Virginia!

Oh yes, we have a new little heifer calf, who was born while Charlie and Virginia were with us... actually the day before they left. With Ken hunting, I'd been keeping an eye on them, as I knew it was close. It would take me about a half hour to walk down to their camp... find them... count them all, and then walk home. They are such a quiet and peaceful herd of cows, and really are very friendly!

On Sunday, Ken and JD were able to go out hunting again, and JD made a really great shot on his first hog! :) Great excitement all around. Thanks so much Terry - for all of your hard work on the 222 - it really made all of the difference!

Kids finished all of their tests today, so school is officially closed. While in town today, the noise from all of the "VUVUZELLAS" was just overwhelming! There is great excitement all around with the opening on Friday. I sure am glad I don't have one of those things here... and think anyone attending matches should also go armed with ear protection... they make a horrid noise.