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Friday, February 10, 2017

Pretty Homes in South Africa with Linky

Welcome to my weekend blog hop -
Make My Saturday Sweet #208!



My series of photos today are of pretty South African homes and home security. I don't have a photo of the front of my home, but I have included a link at the end of this section, before the book blast and book review.

Many of my readers know that last year we were burgled while we slept. It wasn't a nice feeling waking up in the morning and finding out that someone was in our house. Besides losing many valuable electronics, what bothered me the most was knowing that our girls were in harms way. For that reason, a few months later I got a bigger dog. Our girls named him Koda and you can learn more about him on my post, Adopting an Adult Dog.

Towards the end of last year, we also put burglar bars in the windows that are accessible. These ones are made of Plexiglas. On the same day the burglar bars were being installed, we were outside hanging up the laundry on the washing line and heard two gunshots being fired. My husband jumped into his car and drove down our street to find out what had happened. A man had been trying to pry his way through burglar bars on a neighbor's property in broad daylight and the owner of the house spotted him and shot twice, presumably in the air. Other neighbors responded quickly and together managed to corner the man.

Dogs and burglar bars do not stop all crime. We also pray every morning and at night for our safety. "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain" (Psalm 127:1 NIV).

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A pretty thatched home in our neighborhood

A house and boat in Paternoster on
South Africa's West Coast.

A thatched cottage and bike in Tulbagh,
Western Cape winelands

Poem - My Home

Let my home be a safe haven
One to be counted among the best
May its walls build hope and the floors mercy
And may its rooms offer peace and rest

May its roof be a symbol of protection
May its ceilings teach us Your ways
And may the gates stand for honor
Together adding joy to our days

by Christina Morley


Our New Burglar Bars ~
Before and After Photos

Before

After (from inside)

After (from outside)

Our Neighbor's New Security ~
Before and After Photos

Before (a few years ago)

After (more recently)

After (more recently)

If you want to see the front of my home,
visit my post, My Entrance.


*********************

My Latest Book Blast
with a Giveaway:

collages18


My Latest Book Review:
Novus (Book 1)



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Make My Saturday Sweet is a weekend blog hop for all family friendly blogs. You are welcome to link your favorite post from the past week(s) and to visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment. It's a really easy and fun way to make new friends and to catch up on old acquaintances.

Now on to my blog hop...

Amanda’s Books and More

It's time for another Make My Saturday Sweet blog hop!

Join me (your host) for this fun and easy hop.
All family friendly blogs are welcome!

If you host your own blog hop(s), then feel free to
link them on my Blog Hops page!

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Here are the easy rules:
  • Follow Tina (your host) on one or more links listed above.
  • Link up a post from your family friendly blog.
  • Please try to add my hop button on your post or side-bar.
  • Share about this hop on Twitter, Google+ or Facebook.
  • Visit the last link before yours and leave a sweet comment.
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Amanda’s Books and More

Weekend Linky



Visit my Blog Hops page to see
what link-ups I take part in.

8 comments:

  1. That cottage is beautiful. It looks like a place I've always wanted to live. Thanks for linking up with #fridayfrivolity!

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  2. Kat @ Bright Lights of America commented: Those cottages just make me want to snuggle up in a tartan blanket in a window seat and knit. If I could knit. I could read a book instead I guess. They're absolutely lovely! #photofriday
    http://www.brightlightsofamerica.com

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  3. I have never heard of clear burglar bars like that, but it makes SO MUCH sense! I also can't believe the story about the guy trying to break in despite them in your neighborhood the other day! Your house & neighborhood are lovely, btw!

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  4. So great to see your surrounding area -- but very creepy to have burglars so bold!

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    Replies
    1. Sadly, there are lots of burglaries and hijackings in South Africa. Thankfully, we have never been the victims of violence. We are a praying family and we try to be careful. My eldest daughter did once have a verbal argument with a boy wielding a knife at her in broad daylight. She was walking with a girlfriend and the boy tried to rob them, but didn't succeed. We told her that in future you should not argue with someone holding a knife. Thanks for visiting, Michele, and God bless!

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  5. Gosh Tina I had no idea you were burglarized. Thankfully everyone was fine. South Africa is so beautiful, as are the houses. I also like the poem you shared.

    Thanks for hosting! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  6. Very beautiful homes.

    Sorry that South Africa has so much burglaries. Praying that you stay safe.

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  7. That is scary. Clear burglar bars are a great idea but so sad we need them. #FridayFrovolity

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