My thoughts on 50 Shades of Grey

Funny how a slightly "off-centre" movie, based on a slightly "off-centre" book, comes out and all of a sudden everyone has an opinion - particularly those who haven't watched the movie or read the book.  I find it all quite interesting and frankly rather annoying.

The way I see it, if you don't like it, don't watch it.  No-one's forcing you.  And if you haven't watched it, then for goodness' sake, don't publish your opinion about it all over the place and get upset with those who do want to watch it. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the books and the movie too.  I found them relaxing, absorbing and fun.  I especially loved the interesting psychological twists and turns, particularly in the books - I look forward to seeing how those play out in the movie sequel.  I love the underlying story of redemption, of love healing pain.  The sound-track was awesome and I thought the sex scenes were .... well...sexy.  And let's be honest, neither of the leads in the movie was particularly hard on the eyes!  

As an adult, I believe I am free to enjoy whatever movie I like.  I fail to understand why some people are so judgemental of other people's preferences.  Why can't we simply respect the views and choices of others without judging them? 

A lot of people seem to be getting their knickers in a knot about the type of sex depicted in the movie.  My view is, if two consenting adults want to enjoy some kinky sex, well then where is the problem?  Let them get on with it.  If it's not the kind of sex that you would enjoy, well then don't have that kind of sex...don't look at it, don't brood on it.  Problem solved.  And as for the violence, well frankly I have seen more violence in a LOT of movies my husband likes to watch and that wasn't consensual...

I just don't understand why we can't live and let live, why we have to attack everyone who believes differently to us.  And I totally fail to understand why people are getting more worked up about this than, for example, about the 200 school-girls that were kidnapped in Nigeria.  It baffles me.

Let's freak out about the important stuff people, and leave the movie-goers in peace.

The Morning Trade

After threatening to go for months, we made our first visit to the Morning Trade a few weeks ago, meeting Rox, Jon and Isabella there for an early lunch.

The Morning Trade is situated in the Rivertown area, which seems to be developing a nice vibe, and is open on Sundays from 8:00 to 14:00.  There are lots of farm fresh goodies and artisan foods for sale.

I was very impressed with the quality of goods on offer, lovely baked goodies, cold meats, veggies, coffees etc.

My only gripe is that a couple of food items were sold out by the time we got there at 12:00ish.  I think we'll aim to be there for breakfast next time, instead of planning to lunch there as we did this time.

All in all, well worth a visit and we will definitely be back.

Highland Nook

Last weekend we went off to Highland Nook for what seems to be becoming our annual family week-end away.  This time we went sans Rox, Jon and Isabella, unfortunately.

The weather played some bizarre games with us on the way up (seriously, it was SO weird!):

But other than the crazy temps and a minor hail storm at Nottingham Rd, we had a lovely trip up and soon we were enjoying the mountain views:

There are many things I love about Highland Nook, one of them being that my precious Jackie-dog can come with us when we go there.  Jax LOVES her visits to Highland Nook, the endless fascination of things to see and smell..... and it all starts on the drive up:

 

 

 

She slowly morphs from pampered urban lap-dog, to farm dog extraordinaire!

 

And it's not only Jackie that undergoes something of a shift, it always amazes me how within an hour or two of arrival at Highland Nook, everything slows down and becomes a whole lot more laid-back.  I just love it, wish I could spend a weekend there every month!

 

There are 3 cottages at Highland Nook, we like to stay in Stoneage, while Dad and co. stay in The Croft (didn't get any pics of their cottage).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I'd used my brain I would have taken a photo of our adorable bedroom, tucked upstairs, under the thatch.  Too cute.  I also failed to get a photo of one of my very favourite Highland Nook things.. the shower.  The houses only have baths, so we generally head up to the ablution block in the camp site for our showers (only a short little walk away).  The shower is a rustic, outdoorsy facility.  I adore it!  You can literally see the sky as you shower.  I have no idea why I get so excited about it, but I do!  Am kicking myself for not getting a pic.

 

Fortunately, before leaving home we had a good look at the weather report and saw that we were in for some significantly cooler weather than the 34 degree Celsius temps we left home in, so we packed our Winter woollies.  Saturday dawned very fresh... not quite as fresh as Paula (pictured below) would have you believe... but a crisp day nonetheless.

 

 

Aunty Wend in a worryingly "kappie komando" look....

 

 

So, what did we do all weekend?  Well we relaxed,

 

 

 

 

we read, we hung out at the dam,

we chilled,

 

Jax made some new friends!

 

 

we took some walks

 

 

oh the fascinating smells on these walks...!

 

 

and we braaied.

 



 

 

Utter bliss!

 

 

I was not asked to do this review or reimbursed in any way, these opinions are entirely my own.

December Reflections Day 31- My Word for 2015 is...

My word for 2015 is: STEADY

 

For me, embracing the word "steady" will mean opening my life to:

calm

 

discipline

 

order

 

peace

 

balance

 
 

 

Here's to a GREAT 2015!

December Reflections Day 30 - Thank you for...

So, 2014, you are nearly done and I want to thank you for:

* All the wonderful times I have shared with my girls.  I so love living close to my girls and the tight-knit, supportive, loving family that we are.  I am forever grateful. 

* Isabella!  I'll never forget 2014 because that's the year that gave me my Isa-boo, and turned my Rox into a wonderful mom.



That little poppet carries my heart in her teeny-tiny little hand x

 

* Paula settling so well at Varsity.  Shew, I don't deny that I had many sleepless nights about Paula heading off to Varsity.  But it's turned out just fine, she has made such lovely friends and is doing very well academically.  I have a very thankful heart.

 

 



 



* My Jax is becoming an old lady and her health isn't the best.  I am grateful for each and every day that 2014 offered me with this precious dog, my constant and faithful companion.  Love her more than words can say.

* Europe.  Our trip to Europe this year was the stuff that dreams are made of.  I am forever grateful that we have had the opportunity to travel the way we have.

* Lisa.  This year marked 40 years of friendship!  Lis and I have seen each other through so many ups and downs I don't think I even remember them all.  She's my "sister-from-another-mother".  It was so special that we got to cruise together this year. 

December Reflections Day 29 - My smile

So I am going to cheat a little here and change this prompt to:  "And the Smile of the Year goes to...."

And it was so easy to pick a photo for this one!

 

Don't you just LOVE those proud Mommy and Daddy smiles?!  Melts my heart!

December Reflections Day 28 - Love is...

Family