HennieB verjaar 2015

Ontdekking van die lewe

Dis nie net ’n nuwe week nie, maar ook die begin van ’n nuwe werksjaar. Dit voel so anders as verlede jaar hierdie tyd – toe was dit voorbereidings tref vir Willem se koms; angs, onsekerheid en opgewondenheid. Hier staan ek nou ’n jaar later en ek is opgewonde om elke ding opnuut deur ’n kind van byna ’n jaar oud se oë te beleef, opgewonde om te sien hoe hy net wil begin loop en paniekerig elke keer as dit lyk of hy dalk sy balans verloor. Dis oulik om te sien hoe hy op die vensterbank klim en aan die diefwering vashou, maar so angswekkend dat hy dalk agteroor kan val. Wat ’n vreugde om hom te hoor lag van lekkerkry as ons in die swembad speel, maar dan kom die hartstilstandoomblikke as hy uit jou arms bars en self wil swem.

Elim Tehuis: Optrede

Ek het vanoggend 'n onbeplande besoek gemaak aan Elim Tehuis in Bredasdorp. Ek het ook die geleentheid gehad om sowat 10 minute te gesels met die personeel. Ek het dit baie geniet

Monday Mix Tapes: Autumn Leaves, Old Ideas

This Monday started like many do in late September—sun pouring through the leaves, green but tinged with the hints of yellow, orange, and amber soon to come; a slight briskness in the air that hints at the cold soon to come; and me visiting NPR First Listen and squealing with glee at the albums soon to come. At the top of the First Listen page, there's a black-and-white shot of Lucinda Williams, badass as ever in her leather jacket, heavy eyeliner, and a look in her eyes like she’s either just knocked out a man or put back a double shot of bourbon, maybe both. (Lucinda, I'll get to you soon!)   (more here)

HennieP verjaar 2015

Petzi and Proud Mary

The idea of champagne is truly big, and it pops up in even the least likely places.

I'd like you to meet Rasmus Klump, Skaeg, Pingo and Pelle. They are well-beloved Danish cartoon characters from the fifties, and many Danish kids will get to know them sooner or later. Our own kids watched cartoons with them for hours and hours.

These cute little characters live in a nice and neat world of

How to get the most of a chilly friday

Friday morning in the vineyards.

We are cold.

Sunny sunny 6th of February. But a freezing cold wind. So I have to be dressed up like this.


But saved by the bell. A young vet pops by, sent to us by a friend to discover a little bit about growing vines in Champagne.

Since he is vet, I take for granted that he is used to outdoor life and invites him to discover the vineyards with me. Despite