Cosmos

Every year around this time, the Highveld blooms in the most spectacular soft colours. This brings some nostalgia, since I spent my childhood in the old Eastern Transvaal (Now Mpumalanga), where the dull landscape was temporarily transformed by a lacy pink and white carpet. I remember sitting in the back of my parents' station wagon, mesmerized by these lovely flowers, speeding by in blurs of white and pink.

Today's photos were taken by my talented fiancée, Thys. Enjoy!

Kitchen tea

On Saturday my friends and bridesmaids hosted a kitchen tea for me. I have absolutely no words for how lovely the setting was, how exquisite the food was, what amazing gifts I received. (More on the gifts a bit later.) I felt absolutely spoilt and smitten. I'm truly blessed with beautiful friends, an amazing mom and a stunning future-mother-in-law.
Here are some snippets of Saturday:

These three ladies, Mila, Imke and Marinda, made most of the day possible. Mila folded hundreds of origami birds - it looked so beautiful. Imke baked the most amazing cakes. Marinda (their mom) did the rest of the food and a lot of the coordination. My other friends and bridesmades (Giselle, Anneke, Francien and Gratia) also did amazing jobs with sending invites and gift suggestions, raising funds for amazing prezzies, thinking of crazy activities and questions for the bride, making dishwater-punch (that actually tasted nice) and ensuring everybody has a great time. My mom also had a part in all of this - she brought more snacks and made a killer non-alcoholic green punch.

Some of the guests and bridesmaids. Bottom photo - my friend Giselle (right) who came all the way from Cape Town to enjoy the day with us.

There was a handbag weigh-in competition. The smallest girl won the prize for the heaviest handbag.

A view of the origami birds. The room looked amazing.

The food was absolutely gorgeous. One of my friends now have irrational cravings for red velvet cake since she had a taste of this on Saturday...

My mom and I sharing a hug

Do blondes have more fun?

The most beautiful vintage cups and saucers.

That afternoon definitely helped to calm some pre-wedding jitters. I am so thankful for great friends, new family and my mom!

Kook 'n tekkie

A couple of weeks ago we took a drive to the outskirts of the city. We drove out to the very very West, with Van der Hoff Road, and came across this race track. Love the signage, love the colours, love the nostalgic feeling that this place brings. I think it will be a good idea for a theme party or a fun day out in the sticks or just a good laugh...
Please note that I'm not supporting street racing or any other dangerous vehicular activities.

The entrance

Nothing like a good old-fashioned soft serve ice cream to end the afternoon.

Birthday at the bowling club

We had Thys' birthday at the Sunnyside bowling club on Friday afternoon. You sort of enter a time warp in that place - apart from the immaculate bowling greens and senior citizens there is Tom's -  a bar almost 100 years old with prices from the last decade and locals who seem like they're part of the furniture. Their opening times are a bit erratic and I really wish they had a proper kitchen. But we had an amazing time on the lawn outside with good friends and KFC.

The birthday boy on his last ever birthday as a single man!

All stars...

Grass - green and soft and good-smelling.

A few of the good friends

Cheap beverages

Benji the Easter Bunny

Benji without head

After 3 KFC wraps...