Every time I experience an instant manifestation, it always surprises me so much, even though it happens quite frequently.

Last Saturday was the Women’s Group I had mentioned attending. The meeting is held in Berg en Dal estate and the host’s home is right up at the top, backing onto the mountain. I was sitting in her lounge, listening to her reading and I glanced out the window and noticed a beautiful red protea tree. I thought about the last time I had seen a Cape Sugarbird. It was years ago at my friend Tass’s house. You can read about that experience here. I thought to myself ‘I would love to see one again’ and as I thought that, a sugarbird appeared in the tree in front of me. Instant manifestation and once again proof of my connection to my Creator.

Then this week I was standing on my hill praying and when I gave thanks in the East for the birds, a robin flew down and landed on a statue in front of me and looked at me. Then when I got to the North and gave thanks for my connection to the Creator and the knowledge it gives me, 4 little Swee Waxbills flew right past my face and landed in the tree right above me, chattering loudly.

These connections bring me so much happiness and comfort.

Last Sunday Norman and I met up with Caitlin, Wes and Bree for lunch at Ember & Oak, a restaurant located in Constantia Uitsig vineyard estate. The estate is huge with many different restaurants available to choose from. There is a beautiful garden in the centre of the estate and along one side of the gardens there are small cape cottage style buildings which house the restaurants. As we had never been there before we had no clue where to park or walk as there are no signs (or they were not visible to my nearsighted eyes). We parked the car and Norm spotted the venue and we wandered over. Cait and Wes had already arrived and the staff were organising our table outside on the covered patio. At first it seemed very crowded, sunny and hot, but it was actually fine. The tables are crowded but not on top of each other.

I tried to find their menu online ahead of time, but they change it frequently based on what is in season and what is available locally. It is Wes’ fave venue, so I knew it had to be exceptional to meet his very high food standards.

The waiter, Seth, brought us water and drinks and talked us through the offerings available and told us that many dishes can be served as vegetarian if required. I told him we are all carnivorous beasts, even though Caitlin could probably happily be vegetarian. Seth recommended that we each order 3 dishes and we all did. Several of us chose the Pulled Pork Lollipops. Caitlin and I both had the Mexican Street Corn. Everyone other than me had the Mushroom Arancini. The boys both had the Sausage. I had the Dirty Steak and Wes had the Sticky Asian ribs.

I took a pic of my dishes: from the upper left – the dirty steak, the pulled pork lollipops, and the Mexican Street Corn is at the bottom.

I also did a cute little Tik Tok of all of the pics if you want to see them, I hope you can view here.

All of these dishes were just exceptional! Such complex flavour profiles just bursting in your mouth. It was so delicious, I have not a single complaint! Well, one small issue, I detest mint but I could spot the leaves and remove them from my Dirty Steak so it was all good. Bree was served her lunch while we were eating but she rejected it in favour of bites from mom and dad’s plates. She even enjoyed the spicy stuff. We are going to have a little gourmet on our hands. She was so well behaved, she was smiling and charming everyone. Just like when Caitlin was a baby, we had people stopping us to tell us what a beautiful child she is. The Chef, Tim, even came to tell us that she was so well behaved.

Bree is now eating what Wes cooks for dinner each night instead of having a separate bland meal. She has quickly adapted to flavour.

After lunch we had a walk down the path to Kristen’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream. Norm did not fancy anything, Caitlin and Wes both had the pistachio, and I had the Sweet Cream Dark Chocolate and Honeycomb, described as ‘Sweet Cream flaked with Dark Chocolate and homemade Honeycomb that “melts” into the ice cream’. It was so gorgeous! I only had one scoop but afterwards I was stuffed to the brim. This is a really gorgeous treat.

We sat down on the patio to eat our ice creams then we had a wander through the Heritage Gardens in the centre of the estate.

I have never seen such a healthy, well cared for garden. There were all manner of plants and a lot of rose bushes. I have never seen so many roses without a single black spot or curled leaf! They had some beautiful cherry trees which were all blooming. It is so gorgeous but it was such a hot day we did not linger too long. We all headed off to our cars and trundled home.

Norm and I were still so full that evening we did not need to eat dinner.

We’ve had a few more things finished off with the house renovation. Nic, the builder came back with his team on Thursday. They did the snag list of all the last bits and pieces to finish off downstairs. They also fitted the panel and door to close in the understairs area. We store all of the cushions for the outside chairs as well as my yoga mats and now we can also store our suitcases in here.

They still need to come and touch up the paint but it looks so good and provides such practical storage.

On Friday the electrician came to change all of the plug covers. If you do a reno but leave up your knackered plug covers it looks dreadful. The plastic always gets discoloured and grimy. Now ours look all fresh and modern to match the rest of the house.

On Monday Norm hit the shops and we cooked. Well, he cooked and I made a salad. I love a bit of crunch in my salad so I topped it with crunchy fried onions, nuts, seeds and croutons. The salad was simple, just lettuce, avocado, cucumber, red onions, and baby tomatoes.

Norm fried halloumi and fillet steak. He cut my steak to see if it was cooked properly which upset me and caused a bit of drama but I calmed down once my hanger was assuaged. Even I never know what will set me off, luckily my drama just rolls off Norm like water off a duck’s back.

We also discovered a new food truck is available in Hout Bay. They are called ‘Render Smokehouse’. Anyone who knows me, or reads this blog knows that I am pulled pork obsessed and can imagine how excited I was when Norm told me. We both ordered ‘The Hogfather’, described as slow smoked pulled shoulder stacked with cheddar, crispy onion rings, creamy slaw and a lick of jalapeno jam mayo. We also both had a portion of chips and I had a portion of onion rings.

Those onion rings were the star for me, so divine and crunchy and light. The bun on the sandwich was cold and tough to bite, maybe the bun was not fresh or just that it was kept in the fridge? The pulled pork was delicious. I took the top off of the bun and ate the insides of the sandwich. I would have preferred just the pork and slaw myself. Saying all of this – we will definitely go back again.

One night Norm was busy so I had to get a takeaway for me and I chose the new spot in Hout Bay called “Curry Mafia“. I absolutely love their branding and have been excited to try their food, but Norm is not a fan of spices. I love that their dishes carry on the theme of mafioso.

I ordered the ‘Trigger Chick’ and their website menu description is: “This one pulls no punches. Chicken, slow-simmered in a deep, red Durban curry sauce laced with roasted spices, garlic, and that signature kick. It’s bold, it’s loyal, it’s a Curry Mafia classic.”

The menu on Mr D describes it as “chicken slow simmered with potatoes and peas.”

There were huge chunks of flavourful tender chicken breast and the aforementioned potatoes and peas. I did not enjoy the peas in the curry. I am not a huge frozen veg fan and I think these were frozen and tossed in after the simmer based on their texture. I enjoyed this dish but the sauce was a bit too pungent for my autistic sense of taste and smell. It almost tasted as if they had not properly fried off the spices long enough, despite the sauce being so richly flavoured. However, they indicate they are catering for that Durban style of cooking and I have never eaten curry in Durban, so maybe it is me and my white people tongue and taste buds.

This week Norman and Mzudumo put down some fertilizer and some ‘shade’ grass seeds.

I was so happy to see that my smaller air plant is also blooming now. I have about 7 or 8 different ones but only 2 are blooming.

My orchid inside the house is blooming so many gorgeous flowers! A few of the leaves were sunburnt and fell away when it was upstairs during the renovation but it is carrying on blooming regardless.

We have just finished watching the spy thriller ‘Black Doves’. I absolutely loved this series! It has the clever British sense of humour (and no American laugh track), a brilliant cast and an intriguing plot. Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, and Sarah Lancashire all did fabulous jobs. I adore Ben Whishaw and think he is one of the top UK actors. I loved everything about it, I especially loved the characters of the 2 female ‘triggermen’, played brilliantly by the lovely Ella Lily Hyland and Agnes O’Casey. I thought they were particularly hilarious and droll. I give this a solid 5 Kitten Stars.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Today I am off for a facial and I had booked to have dermaplaning. I have never had it before and I am a bit anxious about it. I am a wimp with sensitive skin. My friend has talked me out of the dermaplaning so I am not sure what I will have done yet.

Kim is here today working in the garden and painting my pots to get a second coat on them.

Tomorrow Norm and I are popping over to Caitlin to collect my sewing machine that she has in her garage. I bought it years ago and it never gets used, so I am giving it to my friend who makes her living sewing as hers has broken.

Yesterday a lovely young couple came to view one of the sofas we were selling and they ended up buying it. One down and one to go! Our new one arrives early next month and at least we now have space for it. Also I think the universe is giving me cash as a reward for giving my friend my sewing machine! What you put out to the world comes back to you tenfold.

On Monday I am getting my hair cut. I have not had it cut in a year and not cut by a professional in 2 years. I desperately need it. I have also booked in my end of year appointments. I am having a mammogram, bone densitometry and my annual gyne check up. I am going to have to find a new GP since mine has closed his practice and I will need new scripts in a few months.

In a few weeks Caitlin and I fly down to George for Lily’s baby shower for little Roo. I think one needs things to look forward to in life.

I hope you all enjoy your weekends and until next time, Kisses from the Kitten xoxoxox