Late April 2016: Sitting in front of coal fires with dogs

Oh long weekend, how we’ve missed you! We’re in for three full days of relaxing and recharging our batteries, perfect for the suddenly chilly wave of weather we’re facing. But first, a recap of last week’s highlights…

Sitting by the fire with the dogs late last week

Forgot to post these last week – the one on the left is Bassie sitting with me in front of the fire on Thursday, the one on the right is Bertie warming me up after I got drenched in Friday afternoon’s storm.

Saturday, 23 April 2016: Breakfast at Primi Blouberg, lupper at Black Bull

The need for coffee was strong in this one last Saturday, so I opted for the large latte at Primi. It was just right. You can’t see the lovely view of Table Mountain behind me, alas…

Husband opted for the eggs florentine, enjoyed every mouthful.

My ‘croissant’ turned out to be two little ones, both as fresh as fresh can be and still piping hot. Perfect with the latte.

Much, much later that day – after a fair deal of chores, Saturday tasks and studying  (Husband got 100% for his weekly graphic design quiz, so smart!) – we headed down the road to the Black Bull diner. Husband tried this craft beer.

For me? A strawberry milkshake, of course. Was very pink and creamy.

Husband was very hungry. so started off with a spicy salmon handroll. Ate all the wasabi and ginger, too.

For mains, he went for the pork sausages with mash and gravy. Seems the ‘bangers-and-mash-capades‘ of 2016 have begun!

I went for the starter nachos – truly enough for a main meal, especially if you load them with all these sides.

Sunday, 24 April 2016: Breakfast at Company’s Garden

Our beautiful brunch spot – Madame Zingara’s in Company’s Garden.

We wanted a breakfast to remember on Sunday, as we woke up late and were feeling lazy. Here is Husband sipping on his breakfast Cola at Madame Zingara’s in Company’s Garden. We snapped up the last table and got our orders in just before ‘breakfast ended’.

Mmm. Flat white with biscotti on the side. Tiny cup so it went down far too fast.

Husband had been dreaming of this eggs benedict, complete with spinach, rocket and salmon to dress up as you like.

The French Toast is just delightful at Company’s Garden as it’s made from banana bread and topped with rashers of crispy bacon, a lump of creme fraiche and lots of sliced strawberries. Loved sitting in the sun!

Bellies full, we went for a little explore as you can’t visit Company’s Garden and leave before you’ve seen a squirrel or three. There are lots of majestic trees to gaze at.

And suddenly they were everywhere! If you simply kneel down and open your hand to them they hop right up to see what you have to offer. Even the pigeons are curious as they know the squirrels get lots of treats.

Tuesday, 26 April 2016: Fireside doggies (again)

Husband lit the fire the minute he got home on Tuesday evening, to celebrate it being a public holiday the next day. The doggies were very interested in the crackling coals we added, collected from the beach.

Fire lit, I sat in front of it with a book and before long Bertie was trying to share my space.

Wednesday, 27 April 2016: Freedom Day breakfast at News Cafe

We knew mum and dad would be at News Cafe for breakfast on Wednesday, so got up earlier than expected and surprised them at their table. We enjoyed the double-shot cappuccinos.

Husband went for the pulled pork benedict, the rest of us had the early bird special.

It’s real ‘stay warm and dry if you can’ weather so expect another lazy update next week. Until then, enjoy yourselves! 🙂

Silver Wintery skies and loaded potato skins at Dropkick Murphy’s

Winter has hit. Not sure why I’m surprised, as mid-April in Cape Town seems to be when the winds and rain clouds collude to make everything simply miserable if you’re outdoors. Last year this week I even blogged that it was the first time we tried out the fireplace in the ‘new’ house – and this week also saw the first of 2016’s fireplace festivities. Here’s hoping for a few more sunshine-filled days before the wet, windy season truly sets in…

Saturday, 23 April 2016: Silvery skies and skins at Dropkick Murphy’s

Husband spotted little Bertie through the peephole last Saturday morning, sitting watching the world go by. So sweet.

We headed off to Village Place Cafe to fill our tummies with yummy weekend breakfast things. Husband opted for the pesto egg breakfast, which he peppered to within an inch of its life, as he does.

I dithered over lots of sweet treats on the menu but eventually went for this mini homemade milk tart – creamy and crumbly in all the right ways – and lovely tall cappuccino with a shot of toffee essence.

The sky had gone all silvery and grey by then. Beautiful but ominous.

But the doggies seemed a little sad when we got home. Maybe they could sense the pre-Winter snap headed our way. This was Bertie’s ‘woe is me’ face…

But as always, Little Miss Bass is the ‘saddest face’ content winner. Look at those eyes!

Following some doggy soothing and Saturday chores, we were ready for our next food top-up. We headed off to Dropkick Murphy’s (where Gourmet Boerie used to be, right by the ‘SA flag that replaced the Zuma Must Fall’ banner)…

I knowm I know – the decor’s pretty, but what did we eat? The bacon-and-cheese potato skins, of course! This is actually a starter, but Husband and I were full after this and a pulled pork sammidge called The Hogfather. I foresee many more potato skin meals this Winter as this was delicious.

We took the long way home, all the way past Sea Point, and stopped to snap a shot. Promenade was packed with dogwalkers and joggers.

The ultimate photo from the V&A Waterfront, including Table Mountain, a few of the boats in the harbour and the tail end of the Eye ferris wheel.

Sunday, 17 April 2016: Triple-shot coffees and birdies shouting at the sea

Sunday was so chilly that Husband had a ‘triple cappuccino’ instead of his usual breakfast Cola at Reload. That’s his with some sugar dissolving in the background – mine was peppermint-choc flavoured, mmm.

After many household chores we headed to the beach. The local sea birdies seemed just as awed by the sea as we were.

Look at that happy dog! Apologies for blurred photo, Bertie refused to sit still and pose nicely with his new chewy rope. He ran all around Granny’s house with it.

Wednesday, 20 April 2016: First fireplace sitting of the year

We were both home at a reasonable hour for a change on Wednesday so completed a few evening errands together. These are the interesting lights at the new ‘Chickin Tyme/Burger Perfect’ drive-thru that has just opened on Sandown Road.

Despite Bassie still practicing her Saturday sad face, the doggies were most pleased when Husband lit the fire that eve. T’was cold, windy and rainy, and the weather has continued to frown on us since then.

Friday, 22 April 2016: Conferencing at the Colosseum

On Friday the Colosseum Hotel in Century City was my office for the day. This is the pretty chandelier that you only notice when looking down from the boardroom.

Coffee cup full, pen and notepad at the ready and fingers typing away on the iPad as fast as the morning chill would allow.

I spotted this delightful wall art message in the hotel bathroom. Odd location for it but a sweet saying – even if I do prefer coffee myself.

That’s all for now, folks – stay warm as the chill sets in! 🙂

Beach days, Moyo cocktails and some of Cape Town’s best sunsets

Another week has come and passed, and here we are again, looking back at the past seven days’ highlights…

Saturday, 9 April 2016: Foodlover’s Market breakfast, Espana paella and Burgundy Estate sunsets

Ha! This was too funny not to snap a pic of. While walking through our local Foodlover’s Market on Saturday morning Husband struck a pose near these marked-down Easter chocs. ‘Foiled again!’

Once we reached the eating area we ordered my cafe latte right away.

Husband peppered up his omelette and washed it down with a breakfast Cola.

I went with the ‘Bar-One and banana pancakes’. They were delicious.

Of course we headed to the beach once the day started to heat up. There was such a low tide that Husband waded right in and plucked some mussels, which he cooked and ate at home.

Me? I was happy to sit in the shade and catch up on some reading.

Just look at that clear sea!

Not ready to go home just yet we headed on to Moyo at Eden at the Bay in Big Bay and had these delightful drinks – a Turkish Delight shake for me, and tiki cocktail for Husband.

Husband sipping on his cocktail…

Of course I had my face painted. Apologies for the squinting, you couldn’t see the intricate pattern in full when we tried the same shot with my sunnies on. Note our feet were in the water as we sat at the ‘surfboard tables’.

We bought a box of white marshmallow eggs – marked down to R24 for 24 at our local Pick n Pay. Look at how well my manicure matches the wrapper!

And before we knew it, the day was nearing its close. This is the gorgeous sunset we snapped from the balcony at Espana in Burgundy Estate. Husband and dad played a round of golf then we all sat down to a pan of paella. So yummy.

Husband and mum, enjoying their paella…

Dad and me doing the same thing at our end of the table. I’d rubbed off much of the Moyo face paint by then.

Then we looked outside and noticed the beautiful colours of the sky.

Dad and me had our photo taken in front of the pretty sky…

As did Husband and mum.

Sunday, 10 April 2016: Spur breakfast, doggy beach walk

This was my Spur cafe latte first thing on Sunday.

My furry son loves swimming in the sea.

Little Miss Bass also had a lovely time scrambling over rocks – much more adventurous than her usual safe trots along the coastline.

Only one of us is smiling in this pic but we’re all happy, I promise. And Bertie’s running around in the back, we didn’t leave him at the beach – despite how much he’d love that.

Tuesday, 12 April 2016: Working at The River Club

My office for the day on Tuesday was the River Club in Observatory. I was there to cover a media launch in the morning and a business meeting in the afternoon. What a relaxing setting.

Pretty protea as part of the table decor at the River Club.

The eye-catching lights in the stairwell at the River Club.

My lunch meeting at The River Club included their ‘famous’ beef burger and chips. I washed this all down with a coffee shake.

Husband snapped this shot of sunset that evening from our rooftop.

Wednesday, 13 April 2016: Palm tree sunset

I caught a later bus home than usual on Wednesday as I covered an event close to the office after work. This is what sunset looked like when we passed Woodbridge Island on the bus. Love those palm trees.

That’s all, folks! Have a fun-filled weekend. 🙂

Bassie’s 9th birthday

Last Friday wasn’t just April Fool’s Day, it was also little Bassie’s 9th birthday. She’s quite the character. If you know her, she’s pushy, stubborn, loving and just the sweetest thing. Here are the past week’s highlights…

Friday, 1 April 2016: Tabasco Yoda Andrews’ 9th birthday

Look at that sweet face! Can’t believe this sweetheart is already 9, she brings so much joy to our lives.

Giving the birthday girl lots of love and attention once we were home from work.

Saturday, 2 April 2016: Wimpy brekkie and Burger Fair lupper

Wimpy’s one of the few places open early enough for our often growly-too-early-on-the-weekend tummies, so off to Wimpy we went on Saturday. This was my toasted cheese, with saucy chips and a mega coffee…

Husband had his usual ‘streaky bacon breakfast with an extra cheese griller’, all washed down with a large Coke, of course.

After a handful of weekend chores we were dipping low on energy so decided to try our nearest road house – the Burger Fair in Bellville.

When at a roadhouse of course the tray is attached to your car window and you eat in your seat. This was my Milo shake…

…And you turn your (floral) lap into a table . This was my cheeseburger and chips. Along with the Milo shake, Husband’s chili burger and another Coke, we got change from R100.

Table Mountain looked pretty on the way home – it was too windy to keep the window open though so you’ll note the reflection. Sorry folks.

Sunday, 3 April: Brunch at McPherson’s, afternoon on Woodbridge Island

We popped into McPherson’s Restaurant first thing on Sunday. Here I am, perusing their new menu with my hair being its messy self… and you can’t miss my new tattoo.

Mmm. Cappuccino with foam and chocolate sprinkles. Just right.

You can’t go wrong with the club sandwich at McPherson’s. It’s packed with creamy chicken mayo and streaky bacon, with lovely potato wedges on the side.

Husband went for the chef’s omelette, which came with a side of toast and kept him full all day.

After some relaxing we headed off to Woodbridge Island. I had this delightful strawberry shake at the Beach Tavern. The sun was so bright we had to keep our sunnies on.

Husband opted for a Castle draught. All this for less than R50. And you can’t miss HIS new tattoo!

Can’t go to Woodbridge Island without at least a tiny paddle in the sea… or at least getting close enough to see it.

Tabby was so excited about her ‘chewy turkey leg’ birthday present from Granny that evening, she didn’t know what to do with herself and was quite suspicious of everyone’s intentions.

Tuesday, 5 April 2016: Pretty flowers in Wembley Square

Flowers of fire! I was in the area for a quick meeting and loved the fiery colours all round.

Thursday, 7 April 2016: Scotch eggs and sweet potato mash

Mum treated us to homemade scotch eggs and sweet potato mash on Thursday eve – let me know if you want her secret for avoiding a blue rim around the yolk 😉

That’s all, folks! Looks like we’re in for a brief respite from the autumn chill this weekend – enjoy!

Easter weekend 2016: Green dogs and beachy Adirondack chair DIY

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: Shorter work weeks are not easier work weeks. Not by a long shot as you tend to do the same amount of work as you would in a normal five-dayer. But I did have a lovely long break thanks to last week’s staycation, so am not quite as tired as I’d normally be.

Here’s what we got up to over the Easter long weekend…

Friday, 25 March 2016: Good Friday

Good Friday began with breakfast at Mugg & Bean, Bayside. This was my ‘flat white cappuccino’, a weekend essential.

Instead of traditional hot cross buns, I had the ‘apple and cinnamon’ flapjacks for Good Friday breakfast.

Husband had the ‘mushrooms and avo’ eggs benedict.

We stopped at the beach in Blouberg on our way back home as the weather was just amazing. Here is Husband heading towards the sea. He waded in deep enough to wet his shorts.

Isn’t that just a ridiculously beautiful beach day? Look at that glassy sea, the fluffy cloud reflection and the bluest sky, with seagulls on the rocks and my favourite mountain (Lion’s Head) in the background. We’re so lucky to live just five minutes down the road!

Soon after, the weather turned quite miserable, with overcast skies and the threat of rain. And so we spent the morning indoors with the doggies. These are Husband’s latest Star Wars books, along with his space-themed bookmark.

I finished off Devil’s Peak by Deon Meyer – despite Bertie trying his best to distract me with licks.

For a late lunch we decided on Rocomama’s in Durbanville, as we’d only heard good things about their ‘smashburgers’. They were so good I didn’t get a snap of them, so sorry, but here’s the fun order pad. You get to write your own name for your order, and can call yourself whatever you wish.

We had these gourmet milkshakes. Husband’s pale one on the left was creme brulee, mine was Belgian chocolate. Both delicious.

Saturday, 26 March 2016: Earth Cafe breakfast and the DIY beach chair

We started our Saturday with breakfast at Earth Cafe in Parklands, which recently reopened after a kitchen fire. Husband had this ‘au salmon’ croissant, I had banana cinnamon pancake with ice cream.

The doggies demonstrating the Adirondack chair and footstool ‘before paint job’. It was made for me by a lovely former colleague late last year and has been waiting for me to make up my mind on the colour scheme.

A quick trip to Builder’s Warehouse saw us purchasing all of this for less than R400 – the beach-coloured paints were on special.

Post-paint, doggies in almost the same positions.

Husband also put a peep hole in our front door.

26 March 2016: Easter Sunday

Luckily our local Village Place Cafe was open for breakfast on Easter Sunday, as we were up early with hungry tummies. I had these sweetcorn fritters with bacon, salsa and poached egg, Husband went for the pesto breakfast.

And then, pesto green beach time. Bassie had a bad experience with the sea foam on one of her first beach visits when we moved to Cape Town over three years ago so she usually steers clear, but you can see from her green front paw that she had a little dip at Kreeftebaai.

Look. at. this. dog. Bertie is in his element at the beach, and decided he’d look better in green than white. All the green bits are usually as pristine as his muzzle. Of course he had a shower when we got home!

This is how he got himself quite so green. Had a wonderful time splashing about!

Mmm. Chakalaka meatball pasta for Easter lupper at Mum’s.

Easter lupper 2016 table shot. We’re funny 🙂

Teehee. Of course we ‘bunny-eared’ each other while holding our Lindt Easter bunnies. But look a little closer…

How cute, their little ribbons were personalised with our names!

Monday, 28 March 2016: Family Day

We’ve not been to Spur for their Unreal breakfast in months. We woke up later than usual on ‘Easter Monday’ and broke the fast at Spur in Seaside Village. Yes, Husband used all the sauces.

I donated my bacon to Husband and had a wonderful time eating saucy chips and toast.

Later that evening we met the parents at the Buena Vista Social Cafe in Big Bay. These were our drinks…

Mum and me enjoying the sunset.

Husband and dad smiling back at me. I ate a burger much like the one in the ad on the door behind Husband.

See? Enormous. Had to bring some of it home for the doggies.

That’s all, folks! Hope it’s a relaxing one all round. 🙂