Celebrating parents’ 40th anniversary: ruby chocolate & 12 Apostles’ breakfast

Last weekend we celebrated my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary – luckily it was a long weekend, as there were many parts to the celebrations!

Saturday, 22 September 2018: Ruby anniversary breakfast at 12 Apostles, dins at NinetyOne in Sea Point

The long weekend started off on a very special note, as we had booked for the buffet breakfast at Azure restaurant at the 12 Apostles Hotel. It was such a beautiful sunny day!

T’was a bit chilly so no-one sat outside, but just look at that view! Heart-eyed emojis everywhere.

Ching ching! We had flutes of bubbly, cappuccinos, oysters, pastries, fruits, yoghurts, cold meats and cheese – and that’s before the hot breakfast.

Mum and Husband went for the eggs benedict-style breakfast, while Dad and I ordered the waffles. They come with sliced syrupy banana, diced apple and creme fraiche but I topped mine with marshmallows, nuts and mini M&Ms instead.

The beautiful roses on each table, jars of sweeties to take home with you and the dry-ice anniversary surprise that arrived at the table once we were all full-to-bursting. Beautiful!

My Sugar in Sea Point is one of few specialist chocolate shops that offers ruby chocolate – the ‘fourth chocolate’ after milk, white and dark, it’s the first official ‘new chocolate’ in 80 years. It’s made from a specific cocoa bean that gives it that fruity pink flavour and colour you can see top right. As it was my parents’ ruby anniversary, ruby chocolate seemed fitting, so we stopped in to make the purchase.

As we were in the area, we stopped at NinetyOne on Main Road, Sea Point for an early dins before making the long trip back to Table View. See me with my cup of masala chai, the pretty decor inside, and our curries – the butter chicken and chicken korma are divine, especially with a side of paratha naan (with a sweet, desiccated coconut filling.)

Teehee. Bertie rested his head on my shoulder when we watched some telly that evening. So cute. Bassie was just out of the shot.

Sunday, 23 September 2018: Trecastelli breakfast, ruby anniversary tea

We treated Spec to breakfast at Trecastelli on the beachfront on Sunday morning, as he’d slept over at ours. See some of the decor, the cooked breakfast (not yet on the menu) that the boys enjoyed, and some berry tarts cooling in the fridge.

The rarely-spotted Husband-ordering-dessert – he went up to the deli counter before our breakfasts arrived, ordered a cannoli, and promptly topped it with chili sauce. He declared it delicious. Also see my R40 ‘latte and Nutella cornetto’ breakfast, yum.

Teehee. The doglets both looked embarrassed to be caught sitting so close together on the couch that morning. So cute.

As it was the actual day of my parents’ anniversary on Sunday, the whole family was invited over for afternoon tea. Mum put on a delicious spread of mini sandwiches, crackers, cheese, spreads, homemade scones with jam and cream and an amazing peppermint-crisp tart. Drooling at the memory!

Toasting the lovely couple with assorted flutes of bubbly, wine and even cups of coffee.

Monday, 24 September 2018: Heritage Day breakfast, Cosy Bay swim, Jamaica Me Crazy cocktails

Bertie and his Father-dad had a nice lie-in to kick off their public holiday.

We started our Heritage Day activities with a home-cooked breakfast at Husband’s parents’ house. See various stages of the fry-up, flowers and Bertie grinning.

Later that morning, we made our way through town – fitting for Heritage Day, the SA flag was still beautifully displayed on the side of the infamous building at the end of Long Street.

Next stop – Cosy Bay, where I soaked up some sun while Husband had a swim in the sea – you can just see him in his wetsuit in the pic on the bottom right.

Later that afternoon, we drove out to Jamaica Me Crazy – Husband had a Fokkof Lager (hence his pose), and I had a Volcano cocktail, which is a blend of strawberry daquiri and pina colada. I tucked the cocktail umbrella behind my ear, as you do.

For our last stop of the day, we went on to Barristers in Newlands. Husband had their bangers-and-mash pub lunch, while I tried the nacho skins (potato skins with typical nacho toppings). So good, especially with a large mug of coffee shake!

That’s all, folks! It’s set to finally feel summery towards the end of this coming weekend, we can’t wait. 🙂

Beyond the beach in Cape Town: Planetarium, museum and rugby

Last weekend we continued our ‘do something new’ mantra, going beyond just food to include Cape Town weekend activities over and above the expected beach visit…

Friday, 14 September 2018: End-of-week dins at Petiscos

We got the weekend started a little early by going out for dins at Petisco’s last Friday evening. We both had the chicken fillet xai-xai, while Husband opted for a glass of red and I went for the Lindt latte – you drop the chocolate discs into the coffee and drink the resulting hot mocha. Yum!

Saturday, 15 September 2018: Planetarium, museum and rugby

We decided on breakfast at Village Place Cafe on Saturday. See our various breakfast coffees, Husband had the salmon-and-egg rosti and I had a mini red-velvet cheesecake. Yum!

Close-up of my mini red velvet-cheesecake at Village Place Cafe.

And now, for something completely different, Husband suggested a visit to the Planetarium. It’s inside the Iziko SA Museum near Company’s Garden and we’d never been, so off we went! We attended the 1pm ‘The Sky Tonight’ show, which was wonderful.

Your R60 Planetarium entry fee – R30 for pensioners and half-price on Heritage Day this coming Monday – means you can wander around the Iziko SA museum itself, too. We spent most of our time around dinosaur exhibits and the shark area, clearly.

We also passed the ‘Arch for Arch’, built for Archbishop Desmond Tutu outside Company’s Garden.

Next, we collected my parents and headed off to Theo Marais Park to watch Uni Mil’s next match later that afternoon.

See the rugger folk on field and some of our snacks – lovely cheese-griller dogs on pretzel rolls, fresh hot chips with sauce and coffee out of my thermos. Was a wonderful 90-minutes of cheering on our winning team!

Spending some quality time with my doglets later that evening.

Love this look from Bassie as she snuggled on the couch under a blankie that evening. She looks smug and snug. Cue heart-eyes emoji.

Sunday, 16 September 2018: Bread & Butter eggs ben breakfasts

On Sunday, we breakfasted with Husband’s parents at Bread & Butter. We were thrilled to find they now offer half-portion benedicts, so each ordered this – except for Husband, who had a full Mexican eggs ben.

Sweetheart Bertie patiently waiting to be let back in the house. He’d been out to run a few laps and soon discovered it was warmer – and drier – in than out.

The view across Table Bay from Table View was just gorgeous that afternoon! Here are more of our beach visit photos for the week. See the pretty wild flowers blooming in the sand dunes, and Husband first contemplating then actually taking his dip (see if you can spot him in the pic below!)

Gorgeous Table Bay.

Later that afternoon, we stopped at Pakalolo’s on Marine Circle for an afternoon treat. See Husband’s pina colada and my raspberry daquiri.

Precious doglets had a relaxing afternoon at their grandparents’ house that afternoon. Bertie napped in the sunshine and Bassie paid lots of attention to the humans’ treats.

The ‘treats for humans’ I mentioned – cinnamon twists from Food Lover’s Market with coffee. Just the thing on a Sunday evening!

Tuesday, 18 September 2018: Mickey Mouse 90th birthday, sweet-and-sour pork

On Tuesday afternoon, I attended Disney Africa’s annual content showcase and Mickey Mouse’s 90th birthday celebrations at the River Club. See my blackcurrant-scented temporary tattoo and lots of snacks fit for a mouse.

Mum rustled up this delicious homemade sweet-and-sour pork with egg fried rice for dins that evening.

Sweet doglets snuggled up together on the couch. They were soon under the blanket.

That’s all, folks! It’s Heritage Day on Monday so we are more than ready for a relaxing long weekend. Chat soon! 🙂

The Fat Greek, Cape Town’s spring flowers and Hout Bay roadtripping

Last weekend was chilly but bright, so we took advantage of the sunshine to take in some of the sights we forget when we stay closer to home in the wet winter months…

Friday, 7 September 2018: Spring Day braai at work

Scenes from our Spring braai at work last Friday, after our monthly staff meeting. We were just finishing off when the rain came, good timing!

Saturday, 8 September 2018: Trecastelli breakfast, Fat Greek lunch

Last weekend’s mantra was all about trying new places to eat. We started first thing on Saturday with breakfast at Trecastelli in Marine Circle. See my cappuccino and ‘Nutella cornetto’ – R40 for both, as well as Husband’s cooked breakfast of two eggs, cheese, tomatoes, bacon and avo. Yum.

Pretty kites near Melkbos that afternoon.

Sticking with our ‘try something new’ mandate, we decided on lunch at the Fat Greek, on Marine Circle. See my very pink shake and chicken gyro with chips, as well as Husband’s lamb kleftiko and glass of red. Lovely!

These post-lunch pics give an idea of the weather here – sunny but chilly. Various spots in and around Blouberg.

Sunday, 9 September 2018: Hout Bay roadtripping

With a road trip you never know when exactly you’ll stop for breakfast, so it’s a good idea to get a coffee for the road. Our cappuccinos were from Reload. Love the cute sugar bowls.

It was Yours Truly’s ‘Today and Tomorrow’ on Kloof Street where we finally stopped for breakfast. Husband went for the eggs benedict, and my banana bread breakfast with a chai latte was just right.

You can’t help but take beautiful mountain-ocean landscape shots when travelling along the Atlantic coastline.

Ah, Hout Bay. We stopped for another stroll and a spot of lunch once we reached Mariner’s Wharf.

The tunnel through a bit of mountain along Chapman’s Peak

Chapman’s Peak has numerous ‘scenic’ stops’ for snaps like this, back towards Hout Bay.

The train, complete with passengers, was stopped near Fish Hoek beach throughout our 10-minute or so walk above the beach.

We went back to one of our favourites, Saint’s in Eden on the Bay, for our final treat of the weekend. See my Insomniac alcoholic shake – chocolate with espresso, Amarula and Frangelico.

Proof that Husband was there, too – see his mint- and lime-heavy blueberry mojito.

We also stopped to smell the flowers, or rather sit amongst them, that afternoon. That’s how you know Spring is in the Cape!

Sweet Bassie was very interested in all the foodies when we had lupper at Mum’s that evening.

Some of the delicious Trecastelli Italian delicacies we ate at Mum’s that afternoon – not from our visit, they went for their own breakfast on Sunday, following our recommendation.

Monday, 10 September 2018:  Day off reading, relaxing and pizza lunching

I had put in for a day’s leave, so spent much of the morning relaxing with the doglets. See my book, coffee and even Pop-tarts for brekkie.

Lol at my fashion choices! Love these kitty socks.

The highlight of the day was milkshakes and half-price pizzas for lunch with my parents at Col’Cacchio in Seaside Village.

Thursday, 13 September 2018: Spark Media breakfast event

I started my Thursday at the Spark Media breakfast presentation, held at the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice. So much to choose from to eat – so much brain food, too – coverage coming to Bizcommunity, soon!

My sweet deskmate treated me to this new Bubbly Oreo chocolate slab on Thursday. Yum!

That’s all, folks! Have a happy, healthy weekend filled with delicious moments. 🙂

Spring 2018: Seaside milkshakes, beers and braais

Last weekend was chilly yet sunny – some would say Spring is here, but the weather at the moment is anything but. Grey, misty and drizzly, with bursts of sunshine now and then, it feels like we’re back at the start of winter. Let’s look back at the sunshine instead…

Friday, 31 August 2018: Bizcommunity and Cinemark’s Cannes Lions feedback session

Some of the scenes from the Cape Town version of the Bizcommunity and Cinemark feedback from Cannes Lions morning – see Proteas and French flags alike at the food table to depict a taste of France (Cannes) in SA; as well as some of my favourite moments from the presentations of the morning. Click here for a more comprehensive overview.

Proof I was there! Networking with a lovely attendee from Doctors Without Borders – her boss bought her a ticket to attend the event as a birthday present.

Saturday, 1 September 2018: Spring Day braai at the in-laws

Beautiful palm tree-lined street in Melkbosstrand, and just look at the cute little bench.

We got to Damhuis in Melkbosstrand just as they were opening on Saturday morning, so that’s where we breakfasted. See our cappuccinos with tiny rusks to dunk; as well as my scone topped with jam, whipped cream and grated cheese; and Husband’s banting bacon eggs benedict served on a mushroom.

Bertie was in the Spring spirit later that morning, merrily sniffing flowers in the garden. Such a sweet boy.

Beautiful crashing waves and view of Table Mountain at one of Husband’s favourite swimming spots that afternoon.

Lol! Pictures on the right are there to see if you’re paying attention – it’s my caramel treat milkshake and husband’s beer, obviously. This is outside at Doodles on the beachfront in the early afternoon. Just lovely.

Later that day, we headed to my parents-in-law’s house for an evening braai.

Pretty flowers blossoming at my in-laws’ house.

Little Miss Bassie did a heckin’ explore of the long grass in the garden. What a cutie!

Bertie boy sitting patiently on the couch while we braai.

Sweet little Bassie wanted to see all the foodies on the table. Teehee at her facial expression.

Some of the foodies Bassie was interested in – assorted braai meats, salads and chocolate mousse for dessert. Yum!

Aww. Bassie having a moment with her father-dad.

Such pretty clouds above!

Sunday, 2 September 2018: Brotherly breakfast at the Pink Olive

Spec slept over at ours that night, so we breakfasted at the Pink Olive the next morning. Big smiles once our coffees were downed.

The Pink Olive should be called the Blue Olive with this decor, really. See our coffees, the boys’ ‘bacon banting basket’ breakfasts (yes, Husband’s second banting brekkie of the weekend) and my toasted chicken mayo with red onions and gherkins. Yum!

Monday, 3 September 2018: Sunrise from the bus window

Sunrise on Monday morning, as seen from the bus window on my commute to work.

Wednesday, 6 September 2018: I always feel like somebody’s watching me

This is how the doggies stare at me when I’m trying to work. That’s when they’re not jostling for spots on my lap, of course.

That’s all, folks. Keep warm and dry this weekend!