Friday, August 30, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #47

Welcome to another weekend and a fun blog hop! You can make it sweet by linking your blog bellow on my Make My Saturday Sweet and visiting a couple of bloggers who linked up before you. I'm also joining Create With Joy's link party, Friendship Friday, and her topic today is "Time."

I took this photo at a really neat farm stall last year.
You can see my series on 1camera1mom.

Time does mean different things to different cultures. Some cultures are more event oriented and not time oriented. My son recently attended a Brazilian get-together and he got there with his Brazilian friend about 10 minutes "late." They were the first ones there. Some only arrived much later and everyone brought food.

I am not a big time keeper kind of person. I keep a schedule only for activities that we have to be at. I have to be careful to plan ahead, so that I or my kids are not late for things. My husband is usually more of a stickler when it comes to getting out of the house on time.

If I had more time in the day, I'd probably write more. I think it's more about prioritizing, though, than it is about having more time. If I kept a good routine, I'd be able to do it, but I'm more of a go-with-the-flow kind of gal.

*********************

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on


Follow on Bloglovin


Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
  • Follow any new blogs that you like.


Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop!

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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #54

My mom flew our family to the States to celebrate her 60th birthday. It was our first time seeing where they spend their holidays in Florida. These pictures were taken on the very first day that we arrived. My mom and step-dad were showing us around. You won't see me in any of these photos as I was taking the pictures, but there's a really nice one of me on my latest post, Matanzas, Florida - Part 2.

Amanda

Grandma Lisa and Amanda

Amanda and Samantha

Robbie and Amanda

Samantha, Jessica and Grandma Lisa

Amanda posing in the passage of where my mom
and step-dad were married. The doors were
locked, so we didn't get to peek inside.


Now on to my blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on
and
Follow on Bloglovin



Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
  • Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Read More

Friday, August 23, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #46

It's time again for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop. How can you make someone's Saturday sweet? By linking up your blog and visiting other bloggers who linked up before you! It's easy and fun.

I'm also linking up with two Friday blog hops and answering their writing prompts. Today's Finish the Sentence Friday is "I wasn't really myself when I..."

I wasn't really myself when I fell pregnant with Amanda, my fourth child. It's not that I didn't want more kids, but my three older kids had grown up to a large extent and I was enjoying having my life back. Not only was I emotionally not ready, but I also became physically ill with morning sickness. I lost 8 kilos during my pregnancy. My kids (and Hubby) rallied behind me and gave me lots of support. They were excited to be getting a new brother or sister.

When Amanda was born, she was the center of our family. We drew closer together and the kids learned how to help care for a little one. Their job was usually to take turns playing with her. This was a huge help. However, the first year was the hardest, as Amanda had terrible colic and couldn't sleep at all in the day. She slept at night, but not that well.

All my babies were born with colic. I don't know why I had to go through it four times around. My son's colic lasted till around 4 months, but the girls all had it for longer. Jessica had it the longest. She didn't settle until two weeks after turning two years old.

I always carried my babies around, because I knew they were uncomfortable and not crying for nothing. This put a huge strain on me every time. I suppose that's another reason why I dreaded having another kid, but Amanda has been the biggest blessing. She has thoroughly enriched our lives.

Amanda's foot prints made into a butterfly
Preschool Art 2013

Today's Friendship Friday's theme is "Back to School."

As many of you already know, we live in South Africa and our kids are on a different school system. Their school year begins in January and ends in December. Even their summer break, which is from Dec. - Jan. is not as long as in the States. I think that makes getting back into the swing of things not so hard, as there isn't such a big gap from the year end until the new school year begins.

My kids are now in their third school term. Jeremiah is in the 11th grade, Jessica in the 9th, Samantha in the 7th, and Amanda is in preschool. She will begin grade R (grade K) in January and is now preparing for that. Even though there is no perfect school system, all my kids are happy at their schools. We're really blessed.

*********************

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on


Follow on Bloglovin


Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
  • Follow any new blogs that you like.


Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop!

Read More

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #53

Friends of my mom and step-dad are involved in rehabilitating wild or feral mustangs near St. Augustine, Florida. Their names are Ericka and David Savage. They introduced us to three mustangs who had been recently rescued from bad situations and were being rehabilitated so that they could go to their forever homes. They also took us to meet mustangs that they themselves had adopted. Three of my kids even got to ride on the tamest one. It was Amanda's first time on a horse and she loved it. You can see more photos on my 1camera1mom, including the special tattoo on their necks, which allows wildlife officials to keep track of them.





Now on to my blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on
and
Follow on Bloglovin



Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
  • Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Read More

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #45

I'm linking with two other great hops today and I've enjoyed answering their writing prompts for this Friday. My own hop doesn't have a theme, so you are welcome to link your family friendly blog below. Just remember to visit the last two links before yours and leave a comment and make their Saturday sweet.


This week’s theme is on hobbies.

I have lots of hobbies, but I don’t always find time to enjoy them. Ever since I started blogging, though, I “found” more time for writing and taking photos, which are big hobbies of mine. I also love reading a good book, watching TV and feel-good movies, singing, painting, scrapbooking and going on outings. I get cabin fever easily, so getting out and enjoying other scenery is a way for me to recharge my batteries.

I don’t know if I want to learn a new hobby. I used to have romantic ideas of learning to play the piano or guitar, but I’ve learned over the years that I’m not cut out for it. I found that learning to play an instrument felt more like work than fun and so I couldn’t find momentum to make something of it.

One hobby that I’m passionate about and want to pursue more is my singing. I would love to have a wise and encouraging voice coach to help me go further.

What are your hobbies? Share them with me in the comments or create a post and link it at Create With Joy.

This is me recording my very own CD.
I made a hundred copies and my biggest
fans are my hubby and Amanda. I was
in my last month of pregnancy with her
when I began recording.


I used to love...

...the feeling of falling in love. I read romantic novels and watched romantic movies. They moved me. It was my way of escape and building a dream that wasn’t a reality. I fell in love and now my hubby and I live it out. That is hard work at times, but it’s also very rewarding too.

*********************

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on


Follow on Bloglovin


Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
  • Follow any new blogs that you like.


Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop!

Read More

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #52

We took Amanda on her very first safari. It wasn't in South Africa where we live, but in Disney World, Florida. We went on the Kilimanjaro Safari in Disney's Animal Kingdom. As you can see from the first photo in the set, Amanda was very excited.

If you are planning to one day make a trip to Disney World, then you'll want to check out my list of 7 Essential Sites, which helped me plan ours.










Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on
and
Follow on Bloglovin


Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
  • Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

Read More

Friday, August 9, 2013

Make My Saturday Sweet - Blog Hop #44

I'm back with another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop. I was in the States on vacation and kept my blogging to a minimum, so I haven't posted this hop since the 4th of July. My previous 4th of July was pretty dismal. I think you'll enjoy visiting both of those posts, so go on and check them out!

Friendship Friday - Birthdays

My favorite way to celebrate my birthday is to be spending it with good friends and close family members and eating good food.

I can't remember someone throwing me a surprise birthday party before. I do remember organizing my mom's 40th surprise birthday party. I was a 12th grader at the time and it was a success.

I love chocolate cake with vanilla ice-cream and hot fudge.

One of my favorite birthday memories was when my in-laws took us out to eat at a beautiful little spot. It was a restaurant on a wine farm that is not very far from our home. We all enjoyed our food and the ambiance. It was the perfect outing. I'm sharing a photo of that day with you.

My birthday lunch in 2007 with my in-laws,
my husband and our three kids
(this was before Amanda was born)


I have a bad habit of...

1. Losing my calm and shouting at the kids.

2. Collecting papers on anything from recipes to poetry, but not organizing them or even making use of them.

3. Taking on more than I can handle and then procrastinating when I feel overwhelmed.

***************

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on


Follow on Bloglovin


Leave me a comment with your link and I will follow back!

Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow Tina (your host) @ Amanda's Books and More.
  • Link up your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your most recent post or on your side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit at least the last two blogs before your link and leave a comment.
  • Follow any new blogs that you like.


Blog Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More


This is a blog hop!


Read More

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Picture Perfect Party Linky #51

If you love animals, then you'll certainly enjoy your time at Disney's Animal Kingdom. They have a variety of wild animals to see including endangered species and a live bird show called Flights of Wonder.

We also went on a few rides, including Expedition Everest, which was a roller coaster that Amanda was big enough to ride. We also saw the amazing Festival of the Lion King. I had too many pictures to share, so I'll keep the ones from our safari ride for next week.

We did one character breakfast at Disney World and it was at Tusker House in Disney's Animal Kingdom. The food was delicious with lots to choose from. Visits from Mickey Mouse and friends were a highlight for Amanda. At one point, shakers were handed out and Amanda joined a line of kids behind Daisy Duck while they marched and shook their instruments to an African-style song.

If you are planning to one day make a trip to Disney World, then you'll want to check out these 7 Essential Sites, which helped me plan ours.







Daisy leading the kids with shakers
through the restaurant

Flights of Wonder

Flights of Wonder

Disney's Mt. Everest



Festival of the Lion King

Now on to my blog hop...


Amanda’s Books and More

Here's your chance to link up your Wordless Wednesday
(with or without words) or any picture post
at this Picture Perfect Party Linky.
Come join me on this fun and easy blog hop!


If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free
to link them on my Blog Hops page!


I would love for you to follow me on
and
Follow on Bloglovin



Here are the easy rules:

  • Follow me. Please leave a comment so that I can follow back (as long as your blog is family friendly).
  • Link-up your post with a picture and follow as many new blogs as you like. 
  • Grab the button below and add it on your post or side-bar.
  • Tell others about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.

The Button Code:

Amanda’s Books and More

This is a Wordless Wednesday blog hop.

Read More

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