Memories from South Africa: Olympia Cafe

One of our favorite cafes in Cape Town is Olympia Cafe, fantastic for coffee and a lovely croissant filled with brie and mushrooms, or spinach and feta, or simply plain with jam on the side...and also fantastic for some of the best seafood ever. They also bake all sorts of wonderful breads (in addition to their croissants). It is located in a little corner spot in Kalk Bay, a cool seaside town about 30 minutes down the Cape Peninsula on False Bay. You must go to Olympia Cafe if you are ever in Cape Town.

Family Time at Oak Island beach

Following the wedding - despite losing the newlyweds, P.O. Hawkins and two husbands (Jim and Craig) - the rest of us loaded up and headed down to Oak Island, NC for 6 days together at the beach. The 'beach house' (condo) was just the right size for the 10 of us, and the best part was that it was located on a quiet stretch of Caswell Beach in a small development that had 2 swimming pools and beautiful live oak trees lining the streets. A few days were very hot & humid, but we also had 2 or 3 days of clouds and thunderstorms. This section of beach is also a sea turtle sanctuary, and we were hoping to see some of the eggs hatching but had to content ourselves with gazing at the marked-off nests and hearing stories from the locals.

As you can gather...the kids feature most prominently in the photo-taking! But we also had a good time chowing down on all the great food that Mom brought (plus good melon and blueberries from a local farm stand); jumping & swimming in the waves (particularly on the windy days when the waves were bigger); besting each other in bocce games along the golf course in the fading evening light (once the kids were in bed); watching Lillian and Jack gain confidence in the water (not that Jack needed much help, he was a daredevil!) and seeing Lillian swim with her head underwater; and having afternoon naps. Well, that last one was a highlight for me anyway.

Even 4 month-old Asher liked his first time at the beach! Below: Lillian specifically asked to be buried in the sand, so of course Jack had to join in too.


We saw many brown pelicans, including when they flew over and dived into the waves to catch fish. Gulp.

An afternoon walk around historic Southport, along the Cape Fear River.

Lillian and Wes having some cuddle time.

Another favorite activity was to stick these two cousins next to each other and 'see' what they would do (i.e. whose hand or foot would make it first into the other's mouth). Wow, in this photo, Wes looks like he's actually trying to hold Asher's hand.

Storytime before bed with Grandpa.

Back from the beach...and a Sunday supper of chicken, biscuits, cajun fries and sweet tea at Bojangle's!! Since it was Lillian and Jack's first experience, I had to photo-document it. The Bo-berry biscuit was the most popular menu item with them.

Memories from South Africa: Seafood

Seafood, consumed on the southern tip of Africa and caught that very day, is a sumptuous treat!

Memories from South Africa: The Braai

Another important feature of any South African culinary experience is the braai. To braai is to barbecue, and it is a South African staple. Common meats: lamb chops, chicken, and boerwors, or "farmer's sausage," that is often sold in coiled lengths. It is unique to the country and, although I don't much enjoy sausage-type meats, such as hot dogs, frankfurters or bratwurst, I do miss boerwors desperately.

Family Time in Durham

In the midst of helping finish out wedding preparations (like getting the church & hall decorated) we also had some good times hanging out at Oval Park and of course at 1406. Here we are one hot afternoon cooling off at a nice hole along the Eno River - in between an afternoon rainshower. We also saw a lot of turtles in the water and one or two water snakes!

Kyle with 19 month-old Jack, whose eagerness in the water is evident in this photo.

And Hannah with almost-3 Phillip

A couple more from the rehearsal dinner: Jul with Grandpa and Gram

15 month-old Samuel, properly sweaty from hard work on the playground

Dad and his younger brother, Uncle Tim

Uncle Tim with his wife Carolyn, and Grandma, and four Hawkins cousins: Jackson, Ashley, Drew, and Rachel. And Lillian, who was warmed up quickly to Rachel and followed her around singing and dancing.

The boys LOVED to read with Matt:

We couldn't resist any opportunity to set down these 2 cousins (born 3 weeks apart) next to each other and see whose hand or foot would make it first into the other's mouth. (Asher on left, Wes on right)

And two more cousins, coming in September!

Jim holding a very happy Wes - with such big blue eyes.

Friday night before the wedding, Katie & Rachel & I somehow managed to make the corsages and boutonnieres (though none of us had any experience). Despite some hilarity and some frustration, I think they turned out well!

Food Memories from South Africa: Sharing

Part of the fun of food is making it. Another part of the fun is sharing is with others. These are pictures of various food-sharing moments, in our home and in the homes of good friends.
















Wonderful fellowship with wonderful friends!