Monday's to do list

Hello lovely readers. How are you on this fine morning? By this time of year one expects things to be slowing down and finishing up but in fact the opposite seems to be true to me, as we speed head-first int to the last few weeks of the year.

So here is a little list I found, of things to remember this week. May it be a good one for you.

Sandy and the Carousel

We walked along the waterfront to Jane's Carousel, the glass-enclosed merry-go-round near the Brooklyn Bridge, on the Sunday we were in NY - it is quite magical, sitting on the water's edge with golden light streaming over the horses in the late afternoon sun. The carousel survived the storm and I find the image just as magical but eerily so - like a forgotten childhood abandoned in the midst of the night...

found

I came across these match boxes on the streets of India. A gun and a pistol. Little treasure troves of untold stories. Bright jewels that catch your eye on filthy streets of grime and sadness.

On Movember

I love a good moustache. My father has always had one and it invokes his Latvian roots, along with his shock of white hair and bear-like nature. The waiters at one of my favourite restaurants in NY, Freemans, don their tache's like woodcutters an axe - they swagger up to your table and I always half expect them to whip out a bit of wax for the ends before taking my order. Moustaches are dapper, dashing, daring... They don't just happen. They are a decision  A declaration. In fact, I still believe there is a Secret Moustache club, known only to those with fantastic facial hair. It comes with a secret password, a subtle nod of acknowledgment when two members should meet in their everyday lives.

It may seem strange then to you that I abhor a moustache on the husband. It just looks bad on him. Simple as that. And thus, although I support the cause, I ban him from growing a tache for Movember.

{via here}

Check out some 'tache swag here

And some mustachioed legends here

The human-ness of birds

In general, we underestimate the intelligence and emotions of animals. I recently read that hyenas have the intelligence of primates - they can count and solve problems. This snippet of information kind of breaks my heart. I love these portraits of wild cockatoos by Leila Jeffreys because of how human they look. One or two of them even remind me of people I know.

Stolen kisses and a blushing bride

They did it! Human and Cheska got married. They said I do in a tiny church in the small town of Malelane. We celebrated the night away with family and friends on my uncle's farm - the tables adorned with gold animals, more flowers than you can imagine and a sea of glittering candles. The bride looked so beautiful. Gosh. My little sister is married! It is true that the only day as exciting as your own wedding is your sister's wedding. We were so proud or her. Of both of them.

As with all great love stories, there are many stories to tell. Like the unseasonal storm that shook the banks of the Kruger Park two days before the big day. Or that there was no electricity on the wedding day (think about how a bride gets her hair done with no electricity. How food is cooked and bands are plugged it. Not to mention the fairy lights...). But it magically reappeared just before the guests arrived. I don't have many pics yet but here is one snapped by a friend on a phone. The first picture of Mr and Mrs Stark. Look at that dress (well done mom)!

Stay tuned for more.

PS. I am back at work now and suffering serious post-wedding-Monday blues.

xoxo

The count down...

Cheska and Human's wedding is three nights away. Which, is like, as quick as you say, "On your marks, get set, go" or "Ohh la la" or "Oh MY WORD!" In drips and drabs people are heading down to our uncle's farm, where the wedding is taking place. I can honestly say, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth - situated on the banks of the Crocodile River and overlooking the endless expanse of the Kruger Park. Bridey, Mother-of-the-bride, and half the bridesmaid contingent are already there. As are the aunts and uncles and cousins and gran. The other sister and I head off tomorrow, with the flower girl in tow.

The thing I love about an away wedding is the days leading up to the BIG day are almost as much fun as you set up, family gets together, and finally, all those plans and images and dreams you had in your head start to magically transform into reality. The husband and I got married at the same place so it is starting to bring back so many wonderful memories...

Here are some pics from the few days before our wedding.

PS. Look who I spotted - the bride- and groom-to-be practicing their dance moves!