Not to worry, readers, I'm not planning to start every posting with a birthday wish (see June 24 post) but recently I've had a few "big ones" that I wanted to acknowledge. In this case, my daughter (and youngest of my three children) just turned 21 on Wed., July 6. To celebrate this momentous occasion (the fact that Liz is now legal to drink and gamble in the U.S.), my sister, Elaine, took Liz and her friends, Becca and Jenna, to Atlantic City, NJ for a few days. The last I heard, they were on a winning streak at the blackjack tables. That's my girl!!! But, remember my last text msg, "know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em." Hope you bought something nice for yourself at the outlets.
I wish I could have been there to celebrate with Liz (though I usually get owned at the casino) but I did the next best thing....and that was to meet my friends (this week's crawlers) Beth Vieira, Fran de Beer, June Nash, and Stella and Beryl Dawson at "live EAT. love" for cappucinos and conversation.
I drive past "live EAT. love" every day on my way home from the gym, which is just around the corner. The shop, located on the corner of Centenary and Circular Drive in Lorraine has been open since February of this year. Using sights, sounds, and tastes from her international travels as inspiration, owner and chef, Inge Nel renovated and redecorated this already existing coffee shop. The fun logo, clean lines, and red-and-white decor make for a fresh atmosphere that every coffee lover in PE should experience. Inge studied at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town for three years. The display of cakes shows off her talent as a pastry chef... just check out the pic! I also hear that her wedding cakes are amazing!!! Pastry is not her
only forte, though, as she offers a full breakfast and lunch menu, and also caters small functions both on and off site. (I think I may organize a dinner party soon!!)
"live EAT. love" is open Monday-Friday, 8-4, and Saturday 8-2 with a pensioner's coffee/cake special on Wednesdays. Kind of makes me wish I was retired (well, I sort of am retired...unofficially...which doesn't count). So, Inge takes care of the cake part while barista, Jocelle, is the coffee expert. Jocelle uses Ciro brand for the filter coffees and LavAzza for the specialty beverages. My cappuccinos were tremendous, though after drinking two of them I ended up with caffeine jitters that I had to work off at the gym later.
"live EAT. love" is in a small plaza on a busy intersection, and shares limited parking space with two adjacent businesses. A visit to the shop is well worth the effort it may take to find a spot, though. Right, Fran?
So, in honor of Liz's birthday, this week's crawlers started off the talk at the table with our take on "Lady Luck." Who does she smile upon? Though no one at the table admitted to being very lucky (perhaps for fear of getting stuck with the bill!), we could all name numerous people who are... and they all seem to be related to us! Somehow this turned into a discussion about tattoos and body piercings..... this must have been quite entertaining to Jocelle who couldn't quite hide her amusement. Next, I posed a question that would stump even Ken Jennings. What is the capital of South Africa? I'd heard various answers to this question and wasn't quite sure (should have googled it). Anyway, a debate ensued, a final decision made, and an explanation followed. The answer in a nutshell.... South Africa has three capitals: Pretoria is the administrative capital , Cape Town is the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital. I must have looked somewhat bewildered because later in the day I received a phone call from Fran clarifying the answer for me......I googled it anyway......they were right.
And finally, I've had many talks with the crawlers over the past few months regarding South African culture. It being such a complex topic I've just scratched the surface and have probably only learned enough to pass a "100 level" course on the subject. We started on the "200 level" today. Thank you, ladies, for your insight and very candid answers to all the questions I threw at you.
More thank you's:
*Thank you to Inge and Jocelle....very cool coffee shop
*Thank you to Elaine for making sure Liz had a memorable 21st birthday
*Thank you to Fran and Keith for being my "go to" source for all things South African
All these thank you's......and who said I'm not lucky? (Right, that would be me)
Happy Birthday (July 8) to Marko, the ever-happy front desk guy at the gym...nothing beats getting thrown in a pool on a cold winter day!!!!!!
Until next week,
Ellen
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| This Week's Crawlers Beth, Stella, June, Beryl, Fran |
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| Meet the Barista Jocelle |
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| Meet the Owner Inge Nel |