Die begin van Lea

Omtrent hierdie tyd verlede jaar was ek in die valleie van die Oos-Kaap, iewers in die platteland. Ek en Johan van Landbou Weekblad het oor land en sand gesels, deels omdat ons albei Afrikaans was, deels omdat ons sommer net dadelik oor die weg gekom het, deels oor die bitter lang paaie wat ons gery het en deels omdat ons eerder die middag in die son gelê het as om die seremoniele samp en hoenderpote te eet wat vir die media byeenkoms wat ons daar voor was, voorberei was.

Een van die onderwerpe waaroor ons gepraat het was dié van kinders. Ek, wat amper-amper aan 30 raak en hy wat alreeds vyf jaar nader aan 40 is. Nee wat, sê hy, kinders is nie vir hom nie, sy gees is net te vry. 

Ja, het ek saam gestem, kinders is nou waaragtig vir die voēls. Maar eintlik was dit my verdedigingsmeganisme nadat ek jare tevore moes hoor ek sal nooit kinders kan hê nie. Ek het my hart probeer beskerm, want om Ma te wees is mos nog enige 13-jarige meisie se droom, en ek het elke jaar sedertien daarop die beskermingsmure gebou.

Maar ek het 'n gevoel gehad dat iets hier binne my verander. Ek het immers hormone gevat wat die proses om swanger te word moes aanhelp, veral nadat ek met polisistiese ovariums gediagnoseer is.

Intussen vlieg ek terug Johannesburg toe met 'n helse piepie en knyp al die pad van die Oos-Kaap af, want sodra ek land gaan ek vir Flip, my liewe man wat my kom oplaai na die lang dag, apteek toe vat dat ek 'n toets kan koop. Sommer by die lughawe apteek, langs die ou Keg. 

Dis al laat middag.

Na groot verligting stap ek met die toets na Flip toe. Ek wys hom die een baie helder lyntjie en die een, amper nie sigbare lyntjie. Jammer, sê ek, ons is nie swanger nie. Maar Flip haal die papiertjie uit die boks uit en lees dat as daar 'n tweede lyntjie is, maak nie saak hoe dof dit is nie, as daar 'n tweede lyntjie is, is jy swanger.

Ons stap toe nou die lang pad terug kar toe en in die tyd begin die idee nou deurdring. Toe kry ek 'n paniekaanval, net daar! In die lughawe!

Shame. Ek koop toe ook sommer een van daai fancy swangerskaptoetse, die elektriese een en daar kom toe wragtig 'n smiley op die klein skerm, saam met die woorde 2 - 3 weeks.

Maar ons geluk was baie gou kortgeknip. Ons het klaar ons ouers laat weet daar is 'n klein bondeltjie oppad, maar twee dae na die toets begin ek krampe in my sy kry. Vreeslik seer. So seer dat ek vir Flip vra om my hospitaal toe te vat, waar ek gou in die ongevalle saal opgeneem word.

Ek verduidelik ek is swanger, positiewe toets ens maar nou het ek hierdie pyn in my regter sy en daar is iets groot fout. Dis 'n hele dag se gewag, 'n hele dag se swaar gemoed wat hier op jou skouers kom sit, wat jou af druk in die verderf in, in die dwaalhof van onsekerheid.

Later eindig ons by die X-strale departement op, waar hulle 'n sonar doen en NIKS IN MY BAARMOEDER KRY NIE. "'n Baba wat twee tot drie weke in 'n swangerskap is, moet al op die skerm verskyn, hierdie tegnologie is baie gevorderd," het die sonar tegnikus gesê.

Ek dink nie ek het al ooit so baie gehuil soos wat ek daai middag gehuil het nie, sonder verweer, sonder omgee, sonder om my te steur aan die mense om my. My hart, wat al klaar soveel hoop en idees en liefde gehad het vir die klein wonderwerkie wat binne my sou groei, was in skerwe. Ons het lank daar gesit en wag en weer sonars gehad en elke keer het die nuus teruggekom dat daar niks in my baarmoeder is nie, dis leeg. Ek voel leeg.

Daar word gesê dis 'n ektopiese swangerskap, dat die embrio iewers op my eierstokke vas gaan sit het. Hulle gaan moet opereer, my eierstok ook verwyder. Ek word opgeneem in die hospitaal en op 'n drip vir die pyn gesit, die dokter kom in, doen weer 'n sonar en sien weer niks. Ek ween. Sy sê ons moet wag tot die volgende oggend, dan gaan sy op my kom inloer, as die pyn steeds daar is, word ek defnitief die middag geopereer.

Ek huil weer. Die verpleegsters gee drukkies van vertroosting, vee my trane af en gee woorde van hoop, maar drukkies en woorde is nie 'n sterk genoeg gom om my hart weer aanmekaar vas te plak nie. Die dokter, 'n moderne Sikh, met 'n pragtige sy kopband, gee my ook 'n drukkie en sê ek moet net bid. Ek slaap niks daardie aand nie. My Ma het deurgery van Pretoria af en saam my in die kraamsaal gesit en huil. Dag breek.

Die pyn is steeds daar, maar flouer. Dr Kabir is terug en neem weer bloed, die derde keer in 24 uur. My HCG telling is weer op, beduidend dat daar tog 'n swangerskap iewers is, maar waar weet niemand nie.

Dr Kabir sê toe sy gaan my ontslaan, want sy glo daar is 'n babatjie oppad. "Kom oor 'n week en 'n half terug," sê sy. Sy druk my hand en sê: "Moenie ophou bid nie. Glo net in God."

Nou toe, soos julle in die fotos kan sien het ons 'n week en 'n half later teruggegaan dokter toe, en alhoewel die pyn nooit verdwyn het nie, het daar op daai sonar daai dag 'n klein wit spikkeltjie verskyn, skaars groter as 'n kopspeld.

En hier, 'n jaar later sit daardie spikkel in my arms. God is groot. 

The Botanist/The Forager Gin Experience

I've been lured out of my blogging hibernation. By alcohol, not surprising, but ironic that I am coming out of this literal hibernation in the middle of winter. You all have The Botanist, a super-premium artisanal gin, hand-crafted on the wild Hebridean to blame (or thank) for that. 

I went to The Forager, a unique pop up concept, presented by The Botanist Gin, which saw a limited number of pop up evening events taking place between June and August in unconventional, secret urban spaces in Cape Town and Johannesburg. If you would like to have your own The Forager experience, check out the dates on Quicket.

And as these type of events go, everyone introduces themselves in almost the same fashion as an alcoholics anonymous meeting (oh the irony, it hurts). "Hi, I'm Megan. I used to blog, but..." And then the story of why I stopped would follow. But through all my interactions I was enticed to start writing again (and I did write, albeit not public, the 1000 plus notes on my phone can testify to that).
At the event I chatted to a couple of journos who said that writing was "such a chore" and while it did feel like it sometimes, I realised that it has always been what I lived for, the one thing that I loved more than anything. It took a few cocktails to realise that.

So, The Forager saw three bartenders find their ingredients for three different cocktails in non-urban setups, the veld, the sea, your garden. These three bartenders then had to compete and through a voting system, one of them would win a trip to where The Botanist is made.

Our first cocktail arrives but we're not allowed to drink it until bartender Julian arrives to explain what we are about to taste. I started sucking on a sugar stick in the cocktail. "It tastes like burnt sugar," I said. "No, it tastes like candyfloss," someone else says. I stood corrected. Julian arrived: "It's calendula - like saffron, but cheaper." It was delicious. The Backyard Sours cocktail further consisted of pan-fried lime juice (magic!), cumquats and six different foraged mints. It smelled like a spa! It tasted sort of like a brutal fruit. Julian, if you're reading this, please don't shoot me. It really was delicious!

Second, we were served a cocktail called Rose Gold. It was strong and bold and my favourite. I'm quite surprised I could remember much after the shot-sized drink. It was packed with gin, vermouth and a potent shrub. I really cannot remember much of bartender Dino's presentation, it really was potent.

Luckily we had some flippen lekker snacks, like guinea fowl pot pies and gin eclairs to settle our stomachs and I could gather my thoughts again.

In the background Black Betty starts playing and we are served our third cocktail, A Slow Walk With Margaret. The bartender, Keegan, explains that his special brew contains The Botanist Gin, Rooibos with wild ginger rosemary and jasmine flowers, Toscello bitters and RAW egg white. It made the cocktail thicker, he said. It also made the froth at the top. It looked like beer, it tasted like the kicking cousin of your grandma's rooibos tea. "But it doesn't have too much of a kick," Keegan added. "I want you to enjoy more than one."

"It's the perfect nightcap," my friend Nico said and the table nodded in agreement. Also in the cocktail is something called Ugly Betty Tincture - ties in well with the Ram Jam song, and it was topped off by a lavender flower - foraged on the farm of the old herb sage Margaret Roberts herself.
It was the perfect way to have a mommy's night out and the perfect way to get me out of my shell again.

{Pics by Alessio la Ruffa}

Illo {feature + giveaway}

Every once in a while I stumble upon a South African creative that just sticks with me. When I found illo, I thought it was illustrations designed by someone in far off Scandinavia. I was obsessed and would scroll through the brand's twitter feed, just staring at the intricate details of the hand-illustrated sketches. I had to know more.

How surpised was I when I learnt that illo was started by a Cape Townian, Vivienne van Deventer,
who works as an illustration artist from home. All here illustrations are done by hand with the use of fineliner on paper, then colour is digitally added .

 

Vivienne, your work is stunning. How did you start and how long have you been doing this?

I have always loved to illustrate, give me a blank piece of paper & a pen or pencil & I am happy! I have a Bachelors Degree in Fashion Design which I obtained from CPUT in 2007. During my final year, illustration was a big focus for me.

I have worked in the clothing - as well as licensing industries where I have gained a lot of wonderful experience. However, I soon realized that the clothing industry was not for me & knew that I wanted to pursue my illustration work.

Last year, a month before my wedding day, I finally said goodbye to the clothing industry for good & around June I slowly but surely started with 'illo' (still finding my feet though). I have never been happier & never looked back!

What sort of products do you make? Do you also provide services?

Currently I focus on my range of art-prints, as well as cards. There will be about two different new ranges every year.

I am planning on adding more products as well & will hopefully soon have products available online. I illustrate by hand & then add colour digitally. 

I am also available for commission based work such as custom illustrations, logos, invitations and things that you generally won't find mass produced in a mall.

3. Where do you find inspiration for your creations?

If you look at my current 'doll' range, you will see quite a strong fashion direction still coming through, due to my fashion past :)

Other than that I love patterns & seeing patterns everywhere, especially in nature & also ethnic patterns. 

I do not plan beforehand how I want my illustrations to look, I usually just start illustrating & patterns just emerge from there. I am currently working on a woodlands theme range which will focus on animals, here you will also see similar patterns coming through.

What are some of the challenges of being your own boss?

Yes, I am :) And pretty new to it. My biggest challenge so far, since I work from home, has been to have self discipline.

Believe it or not, but there can be a lot of distractions working from home. I set myself goals & realistic deadlines & always make sure that I stick to them. 

Always be honest with your clients & be true to your word. If you say you are going to email someone the next morning, then you do it. Always go the extra mile, it's never crowded.

How do you perceive the South African creatives/design landscape?

I can honestly say that I am proud to be a creative living in South Africa. We have an explosion of culture, ideas, incredible individuals & artists here, South Africa is alive with a creative pulse of colour & culture! 

I am born & bred in Cape Town & have also lived & worked in Johannesburg for a while & have met some amazing creative people. There is a hunger amongst people for authentic, unique & handmade goods, people are tired of retail & mass market products.

What is your favourite colour/ material to work with, and why?

My favourite medium is fineliner on paper. As much as I love colour, there is just something clean & classic about a black illustration on white paper.

It stands out strong & beautiful on it's own without the need for colour. Simple, yet striking.
 

What would you do if you won the lotto?

That would be a miracle, seeing that I have never played it & actually never would, haha :) But if I do somehow win that amount of money I would immediately travel, see the world & experience new cultures! 

When I get back I will buy a farm or small holding where my children could run free, live off the earth, breathe in fresh air & then give, give & give to people who really are in need. This probably sounds cliche, but I honestly would. Giving is something that makes my heart & soul happy, especially when it is from the heart, whether a small gift or just a hug. To give honestly is better than to receive.

 

Where to from here?

I am planning on getting my current products available in an online shop a.s.a.p, finish my next range & then have some new products available soonest (as well as my website up & running).
 

What has been your proudest moment since you started?

Having started! It really took me very long to build up the confidence & courage to start. There was a lot of self doubt, yes's, no's & maybe's. But the moment I started I wish I had done so earlier. Never doubt yourself, you have your specific talents for a reason, grow them, nurture them & bless others with them. I have never been happier or more content.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Two lucky The Sun House readers stand the chance to win either a Leah or Rae print, signed by Vivienne. The winner also has the choice of a wooden look background or a plain white background.

All you need to do is to tweet about this post, tag me @waitingformeg and @vivillo8, or share The Sun House's facebook post. Feel free to give Illo some love by clicking and following her on the social media sites below.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illodesignandillustration?ref=hl
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/illo.co.za/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/vivillo8
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/illo_co_za/

 Also please comment on which print you would like, Leah on the left, or Rae on the right.

Willow Feather Farm

You may have seen this place if your frequent the R21 between Joburg and Pretoria, but you might not have realised what you are looking at. All you can see from the road is a whole line of trees, just after/before the St George hotel bridge. Blink and you'll miss it.

What started as an indigenous tree nursery, the Willow Feather Farm had now grown into a little kid's paradise, with big gardens and a petting zoo and very well protected koifish dams. The little kid in me was awoken by all the critters, including llamas, hilarious gerbils!, baby goats, potbelly pigs and a couple of donkeys.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend that feels like you have gone out to the countryside, then you should consider visiting Willow Feather Farm. For adults, there is a restaurant that serves hearty breakfasts as well as a little curio shop filled with ceramics and candles.

Can I just tell you how obsessed I am with llamas? They are the weirdest creatures, but so cute! On the day that we visited, there was a little baby llama and she jumped around in her pen. It was the cutest thing ever. They had a little list up so that people could write suggestions for the baby's name, and a majority of it was Charlotte - not surprisingly, as it was just after Princess Kate had Charlotte Diana Elizabeth.

The daddy llama, which was simultaneously also the big brother of the baby llama - or perhaps I misread it - was kept in a seperate pen. We couldn't quite figure out if he was antsy because he wanted to be with the baby or if he wanted to kill it. Either way, trying to touch an antsy llama is near impossible and quite scary.

Besides the free petting zoo, you can also stroll their vast gardens and buy a lavender or two. The nursery had the most interesting French Lavender that I have never seen before. I was obsessed. Still going back to buy more. I know the below flowers are violas.

Pack a picnic basket or some braai goodies and head to the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve just a stone's throw away.

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All images are from the Willow Feather Farm website

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