Marisa Girardi Presents

Getting ready for Kamersvol Geskenke (Roomfuls of Gifts)at the end of the month.

Though you would swear it hadn’t, it has in fact. I have never made it out to see the carpets of flowers that appear only for a couple of weeks every year in Namaqualand. But out on a walk near Kommetjie to a derelict WWII radar station last weekend, we did see plenty of sweet little pop-ups (spring blossoms) and that was good enough for me.

Preparing for upcoming CY Market happening 30 Sept - 4 Oct in Durbanville.

I never had a special desire to live within viewing distance of the ocean, but since moving to Kalk Bay 3 years ago and living literally across the road from it, I am smitten with all things that smack of the sea. Not only is there plenty of sea here, but there is also a working fishing harbour to make it a little less wild and scary (which, frankly, the sea is very) and I am enamoured of all the little vessels that come and go and I imagine having a little sail boat myself that I would absolutely not vomit over the edge of, because in my imagination I fortunately have no tendency for sea sickness.

Here are some  favourites from the treasure chest:

1.Sinking Ship by Limedrop

2.Sailing by Geninne

3.Anchor by Bride and Wolfe

4.Ships Ahoy Wallet by myfavouritedress

5.Steamboat by Nate Duval

6. Front Gate at The Save Our Seas Shark Centre, Kalk Bay

7.Underwater Circus Screenprint by Jamie Zollars

One of the bonuses of living in an old house, pre-electric heaters, is that they are often festooned with fireplaces. Our block of flats was built before electric wiring in homes became common, but although we have a kitchen cupboard where the cooking fireplace was, strangely we can find no evidence of any others. I think that the block may have been one big house before and perhaps there are / were more located elsewhere.

A friend who lives in Observatory - where big old houses with wooden floors and high ceilings are the rule - has three, (yes three!) of the beauteous features and I say “not fair!” However, I forgive him, as one of the mantelpieces is currently the residence of a Tangleton Couchie custom made for his girlfriend, and I think it is a spiffing spot for her to pose and  primp (the Couchie, not his girlfriend).

I love going to the little beach across the road from where I live in Kalk Bay and scouring for bits of driftwood, little spiral trapdoors (operculums), the odd bit of ceramic fragment and smooth pebbles of sea glass. I  imagine from what corners of the world they have come, for how long they have rolled in the waves so that their sharp edges become so softened. Most likely a lot of them are from booze consumed on the very same beach, but it’s nice to wonder… You know, I hate littering with a passion, but isn’t it wonderful how ugly and dangerous pieces of smashed bottles can be transformed into these little jewels.

My sister and her boyfriend’s workshop in the countreee.

And the shed - love the shed.