Welcome back Kayleigh :)

Inspired by Mdumbi's beautiful creations

Two old friends, Mel and Max, came up from Grahamstown to visit me and we stayed at Mdumbi backpackers for the long weekend. We had so much fun catching up and having a bit of a break. Above, Max tackles the sea on a fishing expedition.

Mdumbi beach and river
I loved all Mdumi's rustic arty functional creations. Cool bench on stoep:

Birds on driftwood ornament
Driftwood banister

My favourite: shelf unit

I love these mosaiced bathroom floors

Bathroom walls complete with Xhosa bathing words

Hut decoration

My new bed

I have been sleeping on Kate's beautiful double brass bed frame for the last year or so (because it didn't fit in her new room). So when Kate left Zithulele and took her bed with her, i had to decide whether to revert back to the single bed i used in 2009 when i stayed in the nurses' res or to make another plan. Having slept on a double bed for almost my whole life i wasn't so keen on the single bed. I should add that Kate only took the bed frame, the mattress belongs to "the hospital" (whatever that actually means) so all i needed was a new frame. Enter Roger....

Roj has been teaching himself woodwork and produced some beautiful creations from recycled wood. Living out here makes it difficult to find furniture and to transport it back (especially when u have a small car and want a big bed). So i decided to ask Roj to design a bed and commission him to build it for me. I had two main criteria: a nice headboard, and space for storage under the bed. So the bed was designed and construction began.

With Brian's help, Roger quickly built the bed. I decided i wanted it dark so he used 4 coats of woodock. The bed is really solid weighing a lot more than i do, and took 3 men to get it into my bedroom. There was a little concern (or a lot of Roger's part) that the bed wouldn't fit through the door, but fortunately it did. I am delighted with the end result. The heart cut-out is becoming Roger's trademake and i think it finishes it off perfectly. I love my bed :)

My most exciting book

I read this book ("Red Moon Rising" by Pete Grieg and Dave Roberts) twice while I was at varsity and both times it made my so excited, it gave me goose bumps. It has been a landmark book in my life. At the moment, I'm busy creating a prayer room at Zithulele and wanted others to catch the vision, so I decided it was time to purchase my own copy. Kalahari.com is a wonderful invention for rural dwellers! This book tells the story of 24-7 prayer movement rising up around the world. The movement inspired us, as a bunch a UCT students who hardly knew each other but were united in passion, to embark on a journey of prayer like never before. A definite highlight of my varsity years and an experience of passion and unity I have seldom seen since.

Read it! And be inspired!

Creative storage solutions

I was getting fed up of all the clutter and disorganisation in my bedroom - especially my rapidly- growing creative stuff collection. I sorted my stuff into cardboard boxes (from the hospital pharmacy) that fit the space available. I covered the end of each box with wrapping paper and contact.

Above, is the top shelf of my wardrobe looking very neat. The butterfly boxes on the right are my fabric collection :)

Bedside unit looks better too. Both boxes are also sewing stuff! I am happy with the results :)

The joys of living with a doctor (part 2)

Very similar to part 1: Another experience of an unusual surprise when I opened Liz's fridge

Unfortunate incident