Summer at KuierKos ☀️
Dear KuierKos Friends,
I hope you're all having a wonderful summer so far. We've certainly been spoiled with the most beautiful weather! I also hope the school holidays aren't feeling too long yet. Keeping children entertained for six weeks can be quite a challenge.
Luckily, my two are pretty good at keeping themselves busy, although every now and then I have to delegate a little. After all, how many pyjama days can one have? Yes, I do enjoy no extra washing, but sometimes I have to remind them to get dressed, walk the dog, and come and give their Mom a hug and a kiss at KuierKos!
Thinking back to my own childhood, I often wonder how my mom managed to keep five children occupied during the school holidays. There were no TVs to binge-watch, no PlayStations, no iPhones or iPads. But then again, our parents were a different generation. We were taught that children should be seen and not heard. Parents didn't organise entertainment for us all day and it was good to be bored.
Most of our holidays were spent on the farm, and only occasionally we did go away on holiday. Those trips felt incredibly special because they didn't happen often. Looking back now, I realise we didn't need holidays away—we had everything we needed right there on the farm.
My brothers usually helped out on the farm, while I loved keeping myself busy around the house. My mom taught me how to sew on an old, foot-operated sewing machine. There was no electricity involved—you worked the pedal with your feet while trying to keep the fabric straight! I thought I was the most glamorous little designer. I made beautiful dresses for my Barbies and, with my mom's help, even learned how to use a simple pattern. Before long, I was sewing clothes for myself from all the leftover fabric she had. I still remember making myself a pair of patchwork ("blokkies") trousers. I thought I looked absolutely fabulous!
Then came knitting lessons... and that's a story all on its own!
We had a little storage room where my mom kept all her knitting needles. For my very first lesson, she sent me to fetch the thickest pair. On my way back, I was stung by a bee! After all the tears and drama, I still insisted that I wanted to learn to knit with my swollen, sore pointer finger. To this day, I still hold my knitting needles a little funny because of that first lesson.
But my holidays weren't only about sewing and knitting. My mom also taught me how to bake, preserve fruit and cook. The guavas and figs all came from our own trees on the farm, so making guava preserve and fig jam was simply part of the season. Back then, nothing went to waste, and I only realise now what a privilege it was to learn those skills.
Looking back now, I realise my mom wasn't just teaching me practical skills. She was teaching me patience, creativity, independence, and that making mistakes is simply part of learning. Those little moments—even the disasters—have become some of my favourite memories.
Thank you, as always, for supporting KuierKos. Whether you're popping in for your favourite biltong, a cup of coffee, or just a friendly chat, we love seeing you and appreciate every visit. (Tannie Marnella maak lekker Milo babycino’s for the kids.)
Enjoy the rest of the summer, stay safe, and make lots of beautiful memories with the people you love.
Warm regards,
Marnella & Andreas