I baked

Yup, stop the press, I actually baked, those that know me, know this is my Achilles heel, and I have this stubborn streak in me that keeps whispering in my ear "if you keep tyring, you will eventually get this right"  Well try as I may, I am no Julia Child and won't ever be giving Martha a run for her money.  We had friends over for Lupper (Lunch/Supper) yesterday and thought I would attempt a caramel Cheesecake, my poor friends were so supportive and finished a piece each (please note my own family didn't) but both Cally and Ross cleaned their plates (now that's true friendship for you), I really and truly do not know how I can NOT bake anything, I just is beyond me, how can a person cook really well (even if I do say so myself) and not be able to even make a fairy cake without some disaster occurring.  I am well beyond understanding this.  With all that being said here is a pic of my latest attempt.
Till next time
xoxo

And yet another year rolls by

It was that time of the year again, you know the time where life cruelly reminds you that it is time to face the reality that you are in actual fact yet another year older, (realistically we don't actually age overnight, but gradually, one day at a time, then mark the day that we were born, as now being "a year older"). As I have mentioned before, I did not go into my 30's gracefully, but actually got dragged kicking and screaming into them, however turning 40 was a breeze and I was actually quite upbeat about what lay ahead, turning 41 was kind of "oh well, here we go again, yet another birthday" kind of feeling, until some stupid person at the office said "Happy Birthday, so how does it feel to be old"  I kind of swithered between replying "I don't know, what does it feel like to be stupid" and running her over with my car.  I mean I ask you with tears in my eyes, seriously, I am not that OLD.  I gracefully smiled and walked away, I mean, you don't argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

That being said it truly was an amazing birthday weekend, it was a great opportunity to get together with my family and close friends and just spend some delightful time together.  Which is exactly what happened.  I got thoroughly spoilt by absolutely everyone and we all just had a glorious time. I am so very blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life.

Till next time

xoxo

My friend is preggie

Nomvula & I

O Langa 16 weeks

I got a call this weekend from a good friend of mine to say that "I was going to be an Aunty" as "Langa was on his way". I am so very thrilled for Nomvula and Emanuel and wish them all the absolute best, such wonderful news for them both. I await eagerly Langa's arrival around 12 December.

Till next time

xoxo

A month of Birthdays

May is one of those months where I just have so many birthdays, starting with our friend Ross who turned 40 on the 17th, followed by the following weekend my darling husband turned 41 on the 23rd. We had our friends round for an "American Hotdog Party", I researched different kinds of toppings for hotdogs that are served on hotdogs around America, typed the recipe's on to American flags and had a buffet of all these toppings along with dogs and rolls for people to make there own. Something different and was enjoyed by all that was there (if the very small amount of left overs is anything to go by). This last weekend my sister turned 32 and we celebrated it at the Brightwater Commons, who were fortuitously having an oyster fest. With live music, wine flowing and oysters served in many ways we had a great albeit cold time. This only leaves this weekend where Jordy turns 16. I ask you with tears in my eyes, how can so many people that I love so dearly choose to have their birthdays so close to each other, it just isn't fair on my poor wee bank account.
Till next time
xoxoo

Happy Birthday Darling Hubby

Grant's birthday rolled around again and what was originally intended as a small intimate affair became yet another Fouche party. I always feel sorry for people who's birthdays fall in winter as it is too cold to be outside so we all huddled inside the bar with the fire going, keeping us all toasty. So to my wonderful, amazing, superdeeduper hubby, hope you have a marvelous birthday babes. You deserve it.
Till next time
xoxo

a weekend of walking down memory lane

The weekend kicked off on Friday, at the Barnyard Theatre in Cresta, we met up with the Bateman's and Friends of theirs to watch Absolute 80's. It was a really great show, and such a lovely trip down memory lane. Jordy enjoyed it so much she was telling me that she "hearts the 80's"

Saturday was our Friend Ross's 40th birthday and they had arranged a "Grown up, kiddies Star Wars party" with a blow up boxing ring, shoot the storm trouper, death star pinata, party bags and pass the parcel. What fun, we ended up acting like kids again, even cheating at pass the parcel. Who says you can't go back, even if it is just for a little while.

Till next time

xoxo

Happy Birthday to Cally with The Parlotones

My very dear friend Cally, held her birthday at the Barnyard Theatre, where The Parlotones were playing. Well if you are anything like I was, it was a matter of "emmm, who are they" ony to be told by both my hubby and daughter that I would recognize them when I heard them.

Not so much.

However I absolutely fell in love with their music, they kind of have a Coldplay feel to them. They are a South African band who are already touring the UK and doing decidedly well for themselves. A great evening was had at the Barnyard celebrating Cally's birthday.

Happy Birthday Cally

The Parletones

A very Ghoulish night ... Double, double toil and trouble, Fire burn, and caldron bubble

We were invited too celebrate Halloween at our Friends Cally & Ross. They went ALL out to ensure the night was well and truly scary, the decorations were everywhere and so well done. There was even cockroaches in the jelly. eeeeuuuuw. Everyone dressed up in really brilliant costumes. Thanks guys for a stunning evening
Till next time
xoxo

Caitlin

Cally & RossGrant & Jordy

Michelle, Gerald & their girlsCraig

Thane & Yolande

One beautiful wedding ... well two actually

Nomvula & Emanuel
Fatima & Imtiaz

Thabisile


Inez & Mark

Congratulations to Nomvula & Emmanuel. They tied the knot officially on 23rd October at Thaba Ya Batswana, their traditional wedding was held on 21 October and brought together both the Zulu & Nigerian cultures, what a divine couple and what a beautiful bride Nomvula was, in all 3 of her outfits.

Till Next Time

xoxo

It's been a while ... a long while

I can't believe how quickly time flies by. I haven't posted on my blog for an absolute age. So what have we been up to, hmmm well let me see:

1. we hit the ice for CJ's birthday party, we had the entire rink all to ourselves (plus all CJ's friends, it was her birthday party after all), the foam machine was switched on and the pile of foam was enormous, it was so big that when it dropped to the ice, you couldn't see the kids, I haven't laughed that much in such a long time, I would definitely recommend it for future birthday parties (both adult and kids). Hmmmmm, maybe my 40th should be on ice, or should I just pretend it isn't going to happen and just put my birthday on ICE for good. It really was Grant's first time skating and he got the hang of it pretty quickly (he spent the entire time trying not to fall, so next time he needs to relax a bit).

2. My Kindle arrived (yipeeeee) and I am absolutely loving it, my Kindle has become my new favorite thing, I haven't loved a gizmo so much since Grant bought me a Garmin GPS. I am already on my 4th book, it is so quick and easy to read, absolutely anywhere. this is what I have read in the last two weeks

3. Went shopping to a very unusual French Kitchen Shop, with my Sister-in-law, Debbie, and then we went for lunch and Cocktails at Outerlimits, had a stunning afternoon, sipping cosmo's and catching up, I always love spending time with Deb. 4. Had Heritage day at work and was convinced into wearing a kilt (not a really good idea on an exceptionally warm day, there is a reason it is the traditional dress of Scotland, you know that very cold soggy island at the top of the world) This is the team I work with, Leigh-Anne is MIA. Nomvula (3rd from right) chose to adopt another culture for the day and wore a kurta, I think I will go that route next year too, anything to avoid the very itchy, scratchy, hot tartan.5. Had a picnic at the Walter Sizulu Botanical Gardens for my Father-in-laws Birthday as they were having a Jazz concert, we had such wonderful weather, it was really warm but we had a lovely breeze blowing that just kept things at the right temperature. 6. We went to see Mama Mia, playing at Monte Casino, this was absolutely outstanding. They did it amazingly, I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves musicals. As it ended Grant asked me to book again to go and see it.

7. Had a stunning weekend when my parent came down, they arrived on Thursday and left on Sunday so I had four days of Mum & Dad to love. For some reason I don't seem to have a single pic from the weekend, I just love having my folks so I took leave and spent Thursday & Friday with them. I then snuck in the Monday as leave as well, thought I might just have a Me day, which I spent being pampered at Sorbet then followed it up with cocktails at Outerlimits, would definitely recommend me days to all out there, they are good for the soul.

8. Spent a wonderful relaxing day with our friends having very yummy food and great conversations

9. Went to watch Eat, Pray, Love with Cally. Loved the girls time out, movie was sweet but didn't touch the book by a barge pole. Definitely not the kind of movie you should take your boys to. Scenery was filmed superbly, Julia Roberts was a fair portrayal of Elizabeth Gilbert, but overall the movie was nothing to write home about. We finished it off with dinner at the Spur. Lovely way to end the weekend.

Till next time

xoxo

Long weekend

What a divine weekend, it started with my colleagues & I going out for lunch at Calisto's for prawns on Friday afternoon. Saturday morning was overhaul day, I gave myself a facial, mani, pedi & wax, so all scrubbed and polished later, we made our way over to our good friends, Cally & Ross. The boys serviced Grant's bicycle, whilst Cally and I drank Pimms cocktails and ate homemade scones with cream & strawberry jam and caught up on all our chit chat. When they were done, we all went out for dinner at the Cattle Baron, the food there is absolutely gorgeous, Grant's steak was so big it looked like he had a cow for dinner. It was such a fun evening with loads of laughter, and a little food fight (with ice, don't ask, but suffice to say, boys will be boys). On Sunday I made my way down to Chamdor (I could spend days in there) and I bought all sorts of lace & material. I came home and sewed a lace collar onto a plain cardi, and now I have a Anthro lookalike cardi. We had my in-laws round for curry & drinks on Sunday night, so lovely to catch up. Monday was a public holiday and I set out on a mission to make a skirt that had a zip in it (I have always stayed away from patterns that have zip), it took me all day, but it was such fun, I watched movies whilst I sewed and I actually managed to figure out how to do this zip thing. The skirt looks great and I am thrilled that I can now venture forth and work patterns that have zips.
Till next time
xoxo

Look at the size of this steak, I mean seriously, small countries could feast on this

Jordy & I

Ross, CJ & Cally

Thane & Jordy

My Anthro-esque cardi

Back from Holiday :(

We set off on holiday after work, on Friday 2 July (our first holiday all together in 3 years, and the plan was to relax as much as possible) to meet up with Mum, Dad & Jordy at Magalies Park, we arrived at 6:30pm to a very warm welcome and dinner in the oven (aren't mum's so special) so we caught up on all the chit chat over a divine meal prepared by mum and hit our beds for an earlyish night. Woke up at 5:00am and had a little giggle to myself and went straight back to sleep only to wake up at 8:00am (such an indulgence). Donna and Jason arrived and we all went out for breakfast at The Upperdeck, our waitress looked so much like Raven (from the Disney movies) that I had to share this point with her, she informed me that many people had previously told her this, however she had never seen this Raven person, so I googled a picture for her to show her, she got so excited she asked me to bluetooth it to her, now technology is not one of my strengths, so I told her I knew how to email it, twitter it, send it to Facebook and MMS it but had no idea how to blue tooth it. So we settled on MMS and after receiving the pic she merrily ran off to show all her friends, ahhh, the joys of technology. We then went back to the chalet to spend a lazy afternoon watching DVD's and reading whilst Donna, Jason & Dad went up to the club house to watch the Quarter finals with Germany playing (apparently, they were the only three there supporting Germany, so Donna felt the need to make up for this fact and screamed for the German chaps so loudly I am surprised they didn't hear her in Germany itself). Dinner ala Mum again (mmmmm) and some more chit chat then Donna and Jason made their way home and we were off to bed. On Sunday Donna, Jason and great friends of ours Cally, Ross & their daughter CJ, joined us for a braai, we had so much fun and I am a little embarrassed to say I partook in a little too much of my favourite Pongracz and had very little to eat and therefor became a blether blether, mmmm, note to self, eat before you drink, or at least eat while you are drinking. Monday Mum and Dad left to go back to Gabs, so Grant, Jordy and I took a drive out around Harties and ended up at a restaurant called African Swiss, the owner is Swiss and his food is made in the true Swiss style, my very adventurous daughter and husband opted for pizza's and I had the most divine cheese fondue (spot the only one who actually ate Swiss food). Back to the chalet for DVD's and board games. On Tuesday we made our way down to the craft market to have a look around and made our way to a divine Indian restaurant for lunch, we ordered way too much food and were convinced the waiters were standing there laughing their heads off, at us trying desperately to consume the amount of food we ordered, it really was very good though. We then finished off the day by playing board games in front of yet another roaring fire. We left on Wednesday morning (earlier than anticipated as we were booked in till Friday) to come back home and spent the rest of the day relaxing and watching DVD's. Luckily I got to relax so much as I then spent the next three days of my leave sewing curtains for Jordyn's bedroom and lounge, and even if I do say so myself, they came out really nicely and her room looks stunning. Saturday we had Ross, Cally, CJ & Thane over to watch the rugby, well that was a match worth missing, what on earth happened to the Boks, I really hope they pull their socks up and start doing what they do best. "WIN". And so ended our little holiday.

Till next time.

xoxo

Breakfast at the Upperdeck

Braai on Sunday

Lunch @ Africanswiss

above must have been prior to things going south with the Boks

and below must have been when things went south.