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A Family Affair

Xperience 7

It would be a bit far-fetched to say a wedding is a new experience, though this one for some reason promised to be a new experience from the beginning.

Marko and Janine was the last unmarried couple and the pressure was on… They withstood the pressure really well and made it clear, if they decide to tie the knot it, will damn well be in their own good time.

Needless to say their engagement announcement was completely unexpected and to make matters worse, Janine kept the secret for almost 2 weeks!! Not on, dudes, not on at all…                                                       Everyone made themselves ready for a long engagement, it did take them about 6 years to get here after all.

Big was the surprise again when, one night three of us were hanging over some kind of divider at ‘n club called Aandklas, Janine quite carelessly mentioned their wedding in seven weeks time, only 5 months after they got engaged. I know it’s not a big thing, but this couple is known for taking things veeeeerrrrryyyy slow.

The invitation called the wedding a family affair and frankly none if us ever knew just how true these words would turn out to be. I bought a new dress and shoes (as every wedding deserves this, call it my idea of a good luck charm to the bride) and got my bum sprayed (refer to “Bend over…please”). In really bad taste I arrived 2 minutes late, but thankfully a good friend (Ed), warned the bride to be fashionably late.

The couple had the ceremony and reception at the groom’s brother’s house. An amazing place with the most awesome garden. They went all out and it looked like a Top Billing crew was about to jump from the bushes any minute to do some of those cheesy “What do you think of the couple” inserts.

When Janine walked down the path on her father’s arm, everyone went “Aaaah” at how perfect everything turned out. The wind from the night before disappeared, but for a light breeze and Janine’s father was most probably the proudest and simultaneously the saddest dad at that moment to give his beautiful daughter to Marko. It was very clear that only their closest family and friends was there to witness this union.

The feast then began, my word, did we feast. The Blush was flowing at the bar, manned by family, the food was finger licking good which brings me to the main course. The most delectable lamb curry I have ever eaten, there was almost a fist fight for left overs (I’m not kidding), made by Janine’s new in-laws. The white chocolate cheesecake wedding cake, also made by family members, made me forget about trying to cut down on sugar. This whole wedding was a family affair in the truest sense, everyone pulled in and made Janine & Marko’s day everything they dreamed it to be.

I am truly grateful to have spent this very important day with them. Thank you Marko & Janine, may your marriage be blessed with love, magic, happiness, patience and a long life together.

 
 

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Number 1, here we go!

Xperience 1

So today was the BIG day, day one of 365 ones to come. I have to admit, this morning I had a daunting feeling that this might be a bit bigger (quite a bit actually) than I anticipated.

I drove back from town, as I slept over at friends’ house (too much red wine on their lovely patio) and it was a beautiful golden morning, the mountain was crisp (something I didn’t feel) and suddenly it was a bit overwhelming. I felt a bit lonely and missed my family, plus I made this stupid pledge…and I told everyone about it, so I can’t pull out now.

At home I threw myself back in bed for an hour or two.
I was woken by messages, texts and FB messages from friends and family. Even though my family was far away, I was blessed with the most amazing friends, right here.

After a good hearty breakfast, some coffee, the Sunday paper and a (somewhat) loving cat, I got excited, really excited…

A while ago I ran into an old friend. I’m sure all of us have a friend like this. Someone you always see at parties, have an awesome time with and promise to have dinner some time, but it never happens. This is Marianne and me, it took us about 8 years to do dinner and boy what a dinner it was, yummmm.
However, back to the story. At the last party I saw Marianne, she mentioned her new job as a manager at a restaurant in the Durbanville hills.

So when I was thinking of something to do for my birthday and xperience 1, I did consider something more action packed, more active, but wisely (I think) decided to rather do a civilised lunch. Marianne’s restaurant (Ke-Monate) was perfect.
I’ve never been there, in fact I’ve done none of the Durbanville Hills wine farms yet, perfect to start a new year.

What a lunch it was…
My closest friends, a bunch of crazy, great and downright adventurous ideas for the next 364 days to go, wonderful food- like the swordfish (pronounced with a silent w), a savignon blanc straight from heaven, phone calls from my parents and sister and I had a perfect birthday.

Thank you to everyone who was there today, in person and spirit.

(Please note I’m writing this on my BlackBerry, no spell check and with a good share of that sav blanc, I take no responsibility for vocab and general editing…)

 
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Posted by on April 10, 2011 in Taste

 

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