My Beautiful Balcony

 Sitting on my balcony drinking drinking a cup of coffee enjoying the sun and the view!

 The Bougainvilleas grow thrive here and you can see them all around Fethiye. this one has reached all the way to my balcony and I'm on the third floor!

Oludeniz- There should be songs written about this place!

Oludeniz is indescribably beautiful! 

This picture of my husband and I enjoying the view, was taken by my good friend Asli, over the weekend.
The setting is incredible, the way the high mountains taper down into the crystal clear waters of Oludeniz. Every day, no matter the weather conditions, you are guaranteed a spectacular view. Of course the Best view is from above! Oludeniz is a haven for Paraglidingers and Babadag at almost 2000m is a world renowned take off destination all year round.


Some days the the sea is a bit choppy but on other days like yesterday, its as calm and as still as a lake! Its especially lovely now in November, when the beach is less crowded. I love summer and I love the tourists, I mean I am a foreigner, and this is a touristic destination after all, but there is a certain amount of gratification having the beach to ourselves.
The weather is very favorable this time of the year and although its a bit chilly for me, many people still swim! Its nice to pack a little picnic and head to the beach for a few hours. Its warm enough in the sun, and sitting around with good friends, some snacks and maybe a beer or two its not long till we pull up our skirts and show some leg😉
The kids play in the sand or on the grass with their friends. If we haven't already arranged to meet up with our friends, its almost guaranteed that we will run into someone we know there. If not, its a perfect opportunity to make new ones.
Everyones out and about. Its great to see all the little fishing boats scattered around the bay! Lots of new families taking their babies for a stroll along the promenade. Mom, getting some much needed fresh air and Dad, proudly pushing the stroller or running after the little terrors. I mean babies, and on the beach, someones throwing a stick for the loyal family dog. Many people bring their kayaks and stand up paddles and do a little tour around the bay. life here on Sundays is idyllic really. Like a picture postcard!

We are really lucky to live here and I am grateful everyday for this opportunity. I wouldn't want my daughter growing up any where else! There is a sense of freedom here that I haven't felt anywhere else. I love the fact that I'm not constantly looking over my shoulder to see where my daughter is or what she's doing,or who shes talking to. I love being able to leave my bag and picnic basket and go for a walk knowing that it will still be there when I return.
Living here in Fethiye and having the opportunity to come to Oludeniz is most definitely a great reason to smile!




www.oludenizbeach.com

FLUFFY SOCKS!

Jack Frost has been out and about in the mornings here in Paradise. I know! SHOCK! HORROR! So its time once again to bring out the long sleeve tops, jackets, hats, scarves and Fluffy socks. Well not thick woolly ones! Its not that cold! but after a summer where temperatures reached mid 40's for weeks on end, this is well...cold! We complain all summer about how hot it is, and that we cant wait for winter and now its almost here,and we are already bitching and moaning about how cold its gonna be. What can I say? Its human nature not to be satisfied hey?
One of the great things about winter of course, is Pajama Days. Where you just curl up on the couch with a duvet and some hot drink and just veg.
My daughter is finally old enough now to actually sit through a whole movie without asking a million questions and without demanding me to get up and get her something. In-fact, I, can now be the lazy demanding but lovable;) princess! She can now bring ME snacks and remote controls and stuff.
Dont get me wrong it don't abuse my position or anything but I've waited a long time for this :) and if I get her to bring the chocolate or popcorn or some other snack I do share! Promise.
In all seriousness though, I love to cuddle up with her and have some down time in our PJ's and fluffy socks and watch her favorite movie - she has just discovered High School Musical. Heaven help me!(I feel I'm gonna break out in song any minute now!)

 Some one else who loves to snuggle up with a fluffy sock is Marco!
He is the reason we had to go and buy some new socks and he just couldn't resist Stella's old ones! Its like his blankie now. He will search it out and drag it onto the couch or bed and nuzzle it till he sleeps😂😂😂😂

Greys is Family!

The first time I was introduced to Grey's was in 2007 when a friend couldn't shut up about it. She was literally obsessed and was always looking for sites to download or watch it on. I didn't get it to be honest, I thought she was crazy. Sorry Kerstin:) ... any way fast forward a year or two, I'm visiting my family in South Africa. Moms at work. Sister is a kick ass Nurse, working shifts at the hospital and I'm stuck at home with a 3 month old. Babies are great and of course I love my daughter but between all the crying, pooping, burping, washing and crying it doesn't leave much time for sight seeing or relaxing as one would expect to do on holidays.

On hearing that I hadn't seen Grey's Anatomy my Mom and Sister almost hyperventilated! It was a sacrilege and something that had to be rectified immediately. Luckily for me, my sister had a box set of the first 3 SEASONS... YAY!
I was tentative... I inserted the DVD at sat down with a load of washing to fold next to me. And thats where they stayed. In the basket on the couch!
I was hooked!
I didn't do anything from then on (and basically every week its been on since). I didn't do anything the whole day. Well anything that wasn't technically a necessity!
Roll on to 2016 and season 13 and now its a part of me.
We have survived deaths McDreamy, McSteamy, Lexy and Danny, I need to insert a shit load of crying emojis here! and failed relationships - more crying emojis and great friendships!



Even though there are loads of crying emojis here it still manages to make me happy every week. Its my weekly stress relief. A good ol' cry and giggle every week to reset the hectic girly emotions. And every week when I'm ugly crying and my husband feels its safe to come back into the lounge he looks confused and slighty afraid:) asks why I keep watching when it makes me cry? and all through the bad seasons and not so great episodes, I still keep watching Why? Because Greys is Family:)

Not to mention the sound track! These are the top 

18 Songs That “Grey’s Anatomy” Ruined For You Forever 

from BUZZFEED
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jemimaskelley/ruins-songs-ruins-lives?utm_term=.chVzqNJRq&sub=3693346_5093834
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jemimaskelley/ruins-songs-ruins-lives?utm_term=.skZZK8oVK

365 reasons to smile: Banana Bread

365 reasons to smile: Banana Bread: Ahh I love Banana Bread My Mom makes the best Banana Loaf evA!  She would normally make more that one loaf though and freeze it for a ra...

Banana Bread

Ahh I love Banana Bread
My Mom makes the best Banana Loaf evA! 
She would normally make more that one loaf though and freeze it for a rainy day. She is clever that way:) and always served it with butter. The aroma was amazing and the bread not to sweet but really delicious and the butter really complimented it.
I would find myself sneaking into the kitchen for another slice slathered with butter, much more than was considered necessary or healthy;) 
But she had a lot more skill than I do. When I do manage to make an edible loaf it doesn't last long enough to freeze for a rainy day:)
Gosh all this talk of Banana bread has made me crave other comfort puddings... Malva pudding, a true South African classic and of course one of my absolute favorites; Rolly Polly Pudding, served with lovely hot custard. Delicious!
Gosh now I cant even think straight..

I chose this as my 365 because not only did it come out right without a receipt, which was enough to make me smile, but it reminded me of happy childhood memories!
So I've added a link to a recipe that is similar to what I used. Ive tried to make it so many times but this time I just kind of threw the ingredients together. Hence the happiness that it turned out alright:) Go on go make some, the delicious smell alone is worth it!
simplyrecipes.com/recipes/banana_bread

ARDA MARCO DIAZ the worlds best Cat

My Cat Marco is such a funny ball of fluff! He only has about 4 lives left as he is quite clumsy and keeps falling off things, and He's not very good at jumping either. He does a halfhearted jump on the bed then has to do this frantic struggle to get up while looking meaningfully into your eyes. He much prefers you to pick him up.

Like other cats he can be extremely annoying. He is constantly tripping me up on the stairs for one and he always tries to race me to the kitchen to his bowl. He will meow for food even though his bowl is full and heaven forbid he sees you working on the laptop, that is an invitation to sit on your hands!

The best thing about him is He LOVES to play FETCH. He will bring his little chewed up ball and drop it in your lap then wait impatiently for you to throw it. Then runs like the wind to fetch it and bring it back. Every so often he walks around with the ball in his mouth just waiting for his Human servants to throw the ball for him!

Makes me laugh every time!