#365 Project Grateful: Day 3: Sunrises and sunsets

(Above: Sunrise over Mpumalanga, South Africa

It's day 3 of my "365Grateful" project.  

I didn't realise that this project would pose such difficulty. It's not that I struggle to find something for which I am grateful, but rather that my mind is running riot with gratitude - for the smallest practical items in my life, to the deeper meaningful relationships which I enjoy. Spiritual blessings, educational history, political/humanitarian events, etc, etc. 

The difficulty of this project lies in what to select each day as a singular item to post on this blog.  I could spend hours listing the many things that evoke gratitude to me, but I am going to discipline myself to simply post up one a day.

---xXx---

DAY 3

*** I am grateful for the beautiful sunrises and sunsets which grace our amazing country.

 Above: early morning sunlight reflects off the large tree in the green-belt below our house.

 (Above: As the sun rises, the new day presents itself as a gift - a clean slate)

 (The beautiful colours of evening in Johannesburg at this time of the year)

Every day, I look to the skies and wonder, in awe, about the creative power of a God who paints His palette so exquisitely. Thank you Lord, for reminding me that each day is unique - something new for me to unwrap - and that each sunset signifies the time which You have allocated for us to rest.

Sending lotsaluv

365 Grateful: DAY 2: I am grateful for the incredible diversity of animals on this earth

Hello, dear friends and...

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!

My prayer is that our Lord you will bless you all abundantly during this new brand new year: that He will fill you with faith, hope, love and immense peace; that you will be able to lovingly reach out anew to the people around you and to perhaps touch someone's life in a significant manner.

---xXx---

(Above:  The Meerkat mommy tending her babies...)

---xXx---

This year, I have decided to take up a very specific challenge and I am starting this project today. 

 Perhaps you'd like to join me? 

The project is called

365 GRATEFUL

It is a simple project and involves finding something everyday (and to perhaps photograph it) for which you are grateful. 

Gratitude is often something we forget to express.  This year, I resolve to be more grateful and to express my gratitude more. I am going to try my best to put up at least one picture every day - no matter how simple - and to share it with you.

(Please click on the above link and read up more about the project).

Since I missed putting up a blogpost yesterday, I am including yesterday's item here:

1 JANUARY 2014

***I am grateful for the incredible blessing of my family! 

Thank you - Les, Robyn and Jenny for all you mean to me.

I love you!

---xXx---

2 JANUARY 2014

***I am grateful for the incredible diversity of animals on this earth!

Today is my daughter's birthday. (Happy birthday, Miss R!!!)

By way of celebration, we decided to take a morning off and spend it at the Johannesburg Zoo. 

I am amazed at the diversity of creatures on this earth. It was with some sadness that I noticed numerous signs on various enclosures marked: 'ENDANGERED'.  This really brought home the importance of these creatures to our planet. I am so grateful that I share my planet with such an abundance of wild life. If only we can all play our part to preserve our wonderful heritage.

Here are a few pictures of our visit:

 Mokoko the Gorilla...

 A future vet student (?)...so sweet!

 Beautiful birds...

 Antelope...

 Elephant...

 Rhinocerous...

(Will my great-grandchildren be able to see these creatures during their lifetime?)

 Poor Polar bear - in the sweltering African heat...

Obviously there were so many more pictures, but I've just selected a few for today's challenge.

---xXx---

So...

are you going to join me in this challenge?

Let's all share some gratitude.

365 GRATEFUL

Sending lots of love

BUMPER HOLIDAY PHOTO-BLOGPOST: Drakensberg & Umhlanga

We have recently returned from a 10-day holiday to the Drakensberg mountains and the beach.

At this time of the year, the weather in South Africa is unpredictable.  The country has been experiencing extensive rain - particularly in Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal. We were gifted with exactly ONE day of sunshine during the entire trip.  Never-the-less, we rested well, had some super family time and I have some pretty photographs to share with you.
 I'll let the photos tell the story:

Below: The magnificent view from the Drakensberg Sun Resort

Above: Our room.

Above: The "Sunset" cruise on the lake.

Our welcoming committee.

Below: the view from our room.

Above: A storm is building.

Above: Dining room

When the weather eased, we set out on a 6km hike into the picturesque mountains. 

The 'Blue Grotto' cave and waterfall.

Above: I marvelled at the moss growing on the entire surface of a tree.

Above: fern tendril.

---xXx---

The second leg of our journey took us to 'Cabana Beach' - a seaside resort in Umhlanga, KZN.

 Our unit was on the 7th floor - with a magnificent view of the Indian Ocean.  On most days we counted 24 boats on the horizon - waiting to come into the harbour.

 Below: The pretty maroon flower of the succulents growing on the sand dunes.

 Below: The walkway along the beach front at Umhlanga.

 Below: The board walk at the lighthouse.

 Below: Sunrise on our 'one-and-only' sunny day.

 Below: A pigeon shelters from the rain on our balcony.

 Above: Beautiful duck in the hotel grounds.

 Above: Sunrise again (Sunny day)
Below: Charter-boat launching.

 Below: Who would think that the sun would ever shine?  :)
People emerged to frolic in the waves.

 Below: Sunrise on the day that we heard about the death of our beloved
Nelson Mandela, the father of our democracy and rainbow nation.
On this morning, the sun broke through the clouds to highlight the ships.
I couldn't help the thought:

"Our great ship has sailed. Hamba kahle, Tata Madiba."

 Below: Leaving for home in appalling weather.

 Below: The clouds lift along Van Reenen's pass.

 Below: Toby and Lexi celebrate our return.

 Below: The trio are determined not to let me out of their sight...EVER AGAIN!

Above: "I missed you too, my babies!"

As they say, "There is nothing like home!"

Sending lotsaluv to all my friends around the world.

Farewell Nelson Mandela.

Our nation mourns the passing of a great man.
May God bless our country and its people who were touched by his life.
May his great legacy live on.
Rest in peace,  Tata.