The Stream

There is a stream that runs across the back of the garden - it actually comes off one of the many lakes in the area. As we don't often get rain in winter here in the northern part of the country, the stream sometimes dries up then. In Summer though it is always filled and this past summer we had so much rain that it was close to overflowing many times.
The stream is one of our favourite places on the property and we have spent many happy and interesting times here. You can spent hours here although in Summer it's usually too hot to be outside except in the early morning and late afternoon or evening.
The area around the stream gets left pretty wild and natural there are always lots of facinating creatures and things to see.

Lama (above) on a path through the thick, wild area on the south side of the stream where it enters the property.

Upstream there is a wild, boggy area - just right for frogs and toads and tadpoles.

Also a place for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, water beetles and all other interesting things. There was even an otter enjoying the stream this summer

If we sit really still, the frogs and tadpoles and little fish come out of their hiding places among the reeds and plants and carry on with their lives just as if we weren't there. One of the most common frogs we have here in the stream is the 'platanna'. They don't stay still long enough for us to get a photo of them but below is a pic of what they look like.

We also get the African Bullfrog here - they grow very large and can be aggressive sometimes.

Down by the stream is also a lovely place to sit and have some quiet time with the Lord.

Lots of birds nest in the thicket. The Masked Weaver (above) likes to build it's nests at the end of branches hanging over the stream.

Of course the dogs love it down at the stream as well, but we don't love it when they come back all wet and dripping! The cats find it an especially facinating place, but they make sure that all four paws stay as dry as possible! :D

I don't have to tell you that it's also a favourite place for our flock of 11 geese! Whether swimming in the deep part at the northern end of the stream or gliding up the narrower part, they spend most of the day here.

So please come and take another 'walk' with us and in picture form and enjoy some moments down by the stream :)

"When I would beget content and increase confidence in the power and wisdom and providence of Almighty God, I will walk the meadows by some gliding stream, and there contemplate the lilies that take no care, and those very many other little living creatures that are not only created, but fed by the goodness of the God of Nature – and therefore trust in Him!"

Treetop Windows and Willow Curtains

Rachel and I had our bedrooms on the top floor of our house until a few months ago when we moved to the downstairs bedrooms. Since then we've been using my old room for arts and crafts and Rachel's to put up the table-tennis in. We really enjoy spending time up here - not only do we have wonderful views all around, but we also get a glimpse into the "treetop world". :)

There are two large willow trees that grow close to the front of the house, on either side of the driveway, and whose branches reach right up to the upstairs South and East-facing windows and "curtain" them with green leaves in the summer. From here we have very good views of many different kinds of birds which nest and perch amongst the branches. It's also lovely to watch all kinds of butterflies and other insects fluttering and flying around up here.

Nest hole of a blackcollared Barbet

Blackcollared Barbet (above)

A Crested Barbet pair also nest in the same willow tree, just a few branches down.

The trees top branches are also a favourite place to perch for a pair of Spotted Eagle Owls. We often hear them hooting at night and when we still slept upstairs, their calls sounded very loud right outside our windows!

The eastern windows also look down on the driveway and front gate so we can see when Dad arrives home or there are visitors at the gate. :)

Across the road is a large vegetable farm and we often see the workers in the fields busy planting or harvesting different crops.
Of course in winter when the willows loose their leaves, we can see even further across the veld to a small lake. The leafy "curtains" are then drawn back and we get to admire the lovely shapes of the branches.

View from the South window

From the North window we have a good view of that side of the garden.

In winter when some of the trees are bare we have a view of some of the other smallholdings across the road and the horses in the fields there and can watch them being ridden down the horse trails.

The north window is also the warmest in winter and at this time of year, in the late afternoon, hoards of ladybirds fly up into the thatch overhanging it and spend the night there. They land on the window pane and some even find their way inside and crawl along the blinds. There are ladybirds just everywhere!!

But as we get to 'share' the treetops with so many creatures we don't mind the ladybirds sharing the window with us. :D

Putting Smileys On Blogger

You will probably notice when you read our blog posts that we like to use "smileys" quite often. :) Not only do they make the posts look more interesting, but they also help to add some "emotion", that's why they are also called, "Emoticons".
You can easily put emoticons on your blog by just adding a simple code to your blog's html. The javascript will then automatically change certain pre-defined symbols or characters into emoticons.

Here's what you need to do to get "smileys" working on your blog:
Step 1: Sign into Blogger and then go to Layout > Edit HTML
Step 2: Back-up your template.
Step 3: In the head section of your template, right in front of the </head> tag, insert this code:

<script src="http://mltan100.googlepages.com/emoticons.js" type="text/javascript"/>

Step 4: Once you've inserted the code, click "Save Template" and you're done! =D>
Remember that the page usually has to download completely before the smileys will appear on your screen.
Most of the Yahoo emoticons will work with this javascript. Do an internet search for "Yahoo Emoticons" and you will be able to see which characters or symbols make up the different smileys.

This Is Where We Live

Our family moves around a lot! Since I was born we've moved house ten times and Jessica can add on an extra two moves in her sixteen years. We've often wanted to settle but somehow that doesn't seem to be the Lord's plan for us, so soon we'll be packing up and moving once again! Sometimes one does just long to be able to stay in one place but then it's as though the Lord gives us the extra strength we need whenever a move comes up and He always so wonderfully smoothes the way! Every move we've made has a wonderful testimony behind it. Also we've really been privileged to travel around the country, see and experience so many different places and meet different people, all of which would never happen if we stayed in just one place. So yes, we actually enjoy the 'pilgrim' life we lead, it can be difficult at times and hard work, but it's full of excitement, miracles, surprises and fun. :)

Come and take a walk around 'in pictures' to get an idea of where we are living at the moment: :)

Our house

The back of the house and Gran's cottage are enclosed by wall which gives it a sort of private garden and seperates it from the rest of the property.

Northern side of the property in early morning light.

Our flock of geese out on a walk!

Two of our dogs, Tula and Lama on the lawn on the southern side of property

Above & below: flowers, shrubs and trees, oh and Tom, the cat :)

The trees and bushes grow thick here - often all we see of our neighbours properties are a bit of thatch roof and the lightning conductor poles.

Cresent Moon and the Evening Star

Our family has always been facinated with the night sky. Mom has good memories of many nights spent outside looking at the sky through a telescope while her dad sat next to her teaching and guiding her through the constellations and planets. etc. Mom has passed that interest onto Rachel and I and we too have memories of when we were still very young, walking out in the garden with her while she pointed out the more easily recognizable heavenly bodies. The very first planet we learnt to recognize was Venus - "the Evening and Morning Star". The first constellations were Orion and of course, our favourite one of all, "The Southern Cross". There is so much beauty in the night sky and one marvels at God's incredible creation!

We'd been away from home most of last Sunday and were returning just after sunset. The sky was perfectly clear and calm and we had a wonderful view of the young cresent moon and Venus close together in the western sky. Mom tried to take a photo but it didn't come out very well but I'm posting it anyway just to give a little idea of how brilliant the two looked.

Up coming sky events: This weekend, if you're up just before sunrise, you'll be able to see the International Space Station passing close by the bright planets Jupiter and Mercury. The ISS is very bright and easy to see, as is Jupiter. Enjoy the viewing! :)

"I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.”

- Abraham Lincoln

Greetings!

Greetings in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We are really excited to get this blog up and running at last! We have had the idea for it for quite a while now and have worked on it in bits and pieces but somehow just never reaching the stage where it could "publish online". Eventually we decided that it's either now or never so here it is - our first blog post. :)

We have started this blog for many reasons, most of all to glorify God and share His amazing Love. It's so wonderful to be a Christian and truly know the Lord! God is so good to us and does so many wonderful things in our lives - some of these we'd like to share on this blog, and we hope that you'll comment back and tell us of what the Lord's done in your life too. For anyone who doesn't know Christ as personal Saviour, it is our hope and prayer that you may find something here to encourage you to seek Him and that you to may come to know Him and find peace that passes all understanding and fullness of joy!

We have always been homeschooled, rather 'unschooled', also called "Natural Learning" or "Delight-driven Learning". It has worked so well for our family to be educated this way, but we do get a lot of questions asked about "how does one unschool". As it is a lifestyle and not a curriculum, it is often difficult to explain in brief and usually there's not time to go into detail. We hope that we can share something about natural learning in some of the posts.
Many of our overseas friend want to know what it's like living in South Africa, so hopefully you'll get some insights into that as well.

Then, of course, we are looking forward to fellowshipping with friends here and look forward to meeting new ones! :)

We hope you enjoy your visit to our blog.
May God bless you.
~Jessica & Rachel~

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.- Ps. 34:3