African Vanielje on Sep 03 2008 at 7:41 pm | Filed under: my life
No, I have not been doing what our lazy cat, Blue, is so good at. Soaking up sunshine on a windowsill is her favourite pastime. I have also not given up cooking or eating, au contraire, I seem to have increased both of my favourite pastimes.
I just don’t quite know how all that time passed so quickly. I have let my first year blogaversary whip by un celebrated!
I have been working madly as my current contract finishes with the opening of the new Brasserie Blanc restaurant and function halls in Cabot Circus, Bristol. Official opening date is 25th September so it is all systems go to get everything sorted and properly handed over by then.
In between all the mayhem my daughter has been on holiday which means more time with her doing daughtery things, and as it is summer I have had several functions to cater for too. A christening for the cutest little baby boy, a 21st birthday barbecue in Hampshire, and a few dinners in between.
I missed Kit’s visit entirely, but hope to catch up with her on the other side of the pond. And I thouroughly enjoyed taking a break for Jeanne’s visit, rainy as it was. Her picture of Blue is much more dramatic than mine, but thanks to a lightning ‘Jeanne’s camera know how for extreme dummies’ tutorial, my photography skills are definitely improving.
I didn’t cook for Jeanne, but we did visit the Bath farmer’s market, followed up by lunch at Babington, both of which Jeanne will blog about long before I get there.
In the meantime, I have two wedding fairs and a photo shoot to prep for and some freezer meals for the family of a brand new mum who is still in hospital.
And is all this why I feel an impending sense of being buried alive in the shifting sands of a giant hourglass? No, no, no, no. The now familiar feeling of living inside a permanent tax ad has grown directly out of the fact that not 7 days after my contract ends, Kody and I are off to Africa for 6 months.
I am trying not to let the excitement overwhelm me as I have the world to prep, cook, tidy, pack, organise and list before I leave, not least of which involves the daily mugging of the postman. I have nothing against the man personally, apart from the fact that he drives a little fast. I mean, doesn’t he see the ‘free range children and animals’ sign? It’s just that I’m sure my passport should have arrived by now. It’s only a straight forward renewal.
I am also trying not to let my guilt overwhelm me. No, not my guilt at leaving my husband behind to hold the fort. My guilt at my complete absence from the blogosphere which I hope to make up for with prolific writing, cooking and eating when I get to Cape Town.
If I get a chance I’ll pop in a few pics of some of the things I have been cooking lately, just to tide you over until I’m back rambling messily all over Vanielje Kitchen again, from mid October onwards. This time from the other side of the equator. Bring on Summer!!!
You are busy, but its great to hear from you. Sounds like good things are happening with your work. Dont worry about us, but you are missed!
Sounds like life will be an exciting adventure in the near future Inge:D
Wow no wonder you’ve been away from your blog – your life sounds full to overflowing at the moment! I’m so excited that you’re going to be over here for a good long time – we’ll definitely have a chance to meet up again now! Glad your contract is going well and nearly all done. I hate that waiting for the passport thing – we still haven’t vot Youngest’s British one yet, though that is because we are still waiting on her SA birth certificate, having been to the UK and back – just hope we get another visit in before her passport expires now!
Thanks guys. They are Courtney, It is Valli, but I won’t deny that a little more time in each day will come in handy. I miss my early morning coffee with blogs, or my late night tea with blogs. But I promise to catch up soon. xxxx Inge
glad to hear from you. have a great trip back home.
I always say there is an inverse relationship between how exciting a blogger’s real life is and how frequently they blog
So clearly your daily life is a lot more exctiging than mine! It was so fab coming out to see you and I look forward to the next time, whenever that may be. Wildly envious of your extended stay at home but hope for regular updates here.
Glad the lightning-fast camera lesson helped, and did you get the high-res kitty pic I e-mailed you yesterday? Also, Babington House lunch now blogged – hurrah!
Such glorious adventures surround you! Sending plentiful good luck wishes for all the logistics that always come before the journey…
Jeanne, looking forward to more lunches, many, many more.
Astra, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you
Welcome back! It sounds like your summer has been on hyper-drive (much like mine). And how exciting that you are off to South Africa! Looking forward to stories, food, and photos from your trip.
Oh Bella, I have missed you, but I have been away from the blogosphere, too. Life has a way of filling us up easily.
I am soooo happy to hear you get to spend 6 months in Africa. I know how good it will be for your soul. Can’t wait to hear/read the stories.
Good luck with the passport, and check your emails every now and then! xxoo
Oh so nice to catch up with you. Buon viaggio and will enjoy what ever tidbit you toss our way! What a great adventure. Marla
Andrea, Jeni, Pasticcera (I finally spelled it right), thank you all. I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to re-immersing myself in all of your blogs. I have really missed it and take my hat off to all those who manage to sustain their blogs and their lives. What a pity we have to pay the bills. It would be so much nicer to be able to say : My life goals (for the next 6 months anyway) are COOK, EAT, LIVE!!!!!
Kit, maybe we’ll get to do that Nellie tea. Bee, thank you, it will be good to have more time and maybe I’ll even get a decent photo in to CLICK!. Stranger things have happened.
Ah…so glad you are “back” I was getting a bit worried.
The cake on the top of your page is beautiful, as always.
Bon Voyage and have a great time in SA
Your cat is gorgeous – is Blue a Cornish Rex?
My word very busy! Just met a great couple from South Africa who have moved to County Durham, pointed them towards your blog.
p.s. Sorry for being a dizzy thief, it was unintentional, I think I recall you saying something and me commenting that it was exactly how I described myself. Dizzy indeed, unfortunately more dizzy nowadays than with brain.
Have a superb trip back home, 6 months – FANTASTIC, all your mum’s magical things! Look forward to the updates.