Apron Strings

It was around the mid-1900s when young Michael Edwards of PE decided to leave the nest and build his own home down the road aways from his parents.  He used the limestone dug up from the land to build a cottage in which he could live and enjoy the company of his friends free from parental restrictions.  Every so often, though, as young men are prone to, Michael would pack up his laundry and take it "home" for his mother to do.  On these occasions his friends would tease poor Michael and tell him he was still "tied to the apron strings."  Thus began the tale of the famous Apron Strings Garden that owner, Ronnie Bird, told my husband and me after the Crawl on Thursday.

Meet the Owner
Ronnie Bird

The cottage

The fireplace

Ronnie continued with the history of the building and the land, the highlight of which was how the extensive strawberry fields on the property led to the evolution of the building from cottage to coffee house.  Ronnie, Lou and I sat in front of an impressive fireplace in the main inside dining room.  Lou and I looked at an old Apron Strings picture album while Ronnie explained how he and his wife, Nanette, acquired Apron Strings in 1989.  They have been running the coffee shop and the adjacent B&B ever since.  Ronnie then took us on a tour of the B&B.

The B&B

Located on Sardinia Bay Rd. in Lovemore Park, Apron Strings is close to town but feels like it's a world away with the fragrant tree-lined walkways, beautiful gardens, tons of open green space, and a play area for children.



Inside dining room



Outside seating



Last Thursday was a national holiday, Human Rights Day, in RSA.  With many people having the day off we ended up with 23 Crawlers, three of whom celebrate their shared birthday on March 22.  Happy Birthday to Crawlers Margaret and Fran, and special Birthday Wishes to first-time Crawler Arthur who turned 90 on Friday!

Happy Birthday to Margaret, Arthur and Fran!

When we all arrived Nanette was ready with tables set up for us in a large shaded garden area.  Kenna brand single-origin Kenyan coffee was available for everyone at a self serve table making for a bottomless cup for all the coffee drinking Crawlers.  Teas, cappuccinos, cakes and breakfasts were also served by our very hospitable barista/waitron, Taona.  Some Crawlers were so chilled out by the relaxed atmosphere that, by 1:00,  they ordered lunch as well.

Meet the Barista
Taona

Celebrating the holiday with coffee, tea, strudel and scones!

Apron Strings is open Wed-Sun and all public holidays from 9-5, serving breakfast and lunch.  The inside dining room seats about 50 while the outside gardens can accommodate about 100.  The venue is available for daytime private functions, teas and parties.  From the pics and what some of the Crawlers said it is also a wonderful setting for weddings.  Check out the amazing Ibhayi Sunshine Saunter map for contact details and more info about Apron Strings.

This Week's Crawlers
Beth, Stella, Beryl, Nomusa, Gail, Margaret Z.,
Megan, Jackie, Colleen, Howard, Jenny, Lou,
Linda, Les, Keith, Arthur, Dale, June, Margaret M.,
Fran, Audrey, Fr. Ashok

With 23 Crawlers sitting at numerous tables on Thursday it was tough for me to pick up on all the conversations going on.  However, besides stopping to sing "Happy Birthday" to our guests-of-honor, there was one topic that seemed to make it to all the tables, that being the Autimn/Spring Equinox (March 20, 11:02 a.m.)  While the Crawlers, Beth Vieira, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Nomusa Nkomo, Gail Darne, Margaret Zoetmulder, Megan and Jackie Snyman, Colleen LeRoux, Howard and June Nash, Jenny Beach, Linda Kensington, Les Baldwin, Fran and Keith de Beer, Arthur and Margaret Marshall, Dale Mitchell, Audrey Kerford, Fr. Ashok Brahmane, and my husband, Lou, welcomed in the Autumn season by enjoying the very warm and sunny weather, my family and friends in NY and PA were still experiencing cold, wintry conditions for their first full day of Spring.... guess the groundhog was wrong! .... and, so much for the "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" thing.  Let's just hope the snow is all melted by the time Lou and I visit in June!

As for returning to Apron Strings in the future.... I think Lou and I may make it a weekly event for an after Church breakfast on Sundays!

~Thank you to Ronnie and Nanette for the hospitality and an incredible story!
~Happy Birthday to my nephew, Brenden, in Binghamton, NY - March 28
~Happy Easter to All!

Until next week,

Ellen





3rd Annual St. Patrick's Crawl at Keg and Swan and Coffee Culture Barista Jam

On Thursday, March 14, the PE Coffee Crawl celebrated its 3rd Annual St. Patrick's Crawl at Keg and Swan in Sunridge..... looks to me like we've created a tradition!  For the third year in a row Keg and Swan has generously opened a smidge early for the occasion.  When I arrived on Thursday at 9:45 our hostess, Bonnie, had a table set and ready for the Crawlers to begin the celebration.  She presented me with a Keg and Swan shirt which I immediately changed into, crossing my fingers that other customers wouldn't stop me to place an order.  Love the shirt, Bonnie.... I wore it every day from Thursday to St. Patrick's Day on Sunday!

Ellen and Bonnie sporting our Keg and Swan shirts



The St. Patty's Crawlers
Colleen, Gail, Beryl, Margaret, Stella, June, Nomusa,
 Bonnie, Megan, Dierdre, Lou, Clary



Does green milk come from green cows?

The rest of the Crawlers, my husband, Lou, Margaret Zoetmulder, Colleen LeRoux, Dierdre and Clary Hurter, Nomusa Nkomo, June Nash, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Megan Snyman, Gail Darne, arrived at 10:00 wearing their green.  A round of Irish coffee, regular coffee and tea was delivered with a splash of green in everything!  Plus, Bonnie brought out plates of biscuits with green icing for us all to enjoy.  Of course, I had to have my Bailey's, then later in the morning imbibed in what has become our traditional  Irish Car Bombs with Gail and Megan.

Slainte!

Since last year's St. Patrick's Crawl I've added more Celtic music and Irish Pub Songs to my ipod... can't have a St. Patty's party without some good old-fashioned drinking songs.  The Kilrush Keltoi Anam CD is still my favorite.

Contrary to what it may sound like we did more than just drink and sing at the table.  We toasted to the new Pope who had just been elected the evening before.  We also toasted to past Crawlers who have moved away to places far and wide.  We then got to talking about geocaching.  My son, Jeff, told me about this global craze a few years ago.  So, while at the table Lou checked on his iphone and discovered that there are hundreds of little caches hidden all over PE including one that is located just a hundred meters from where we were sitting at Keg and Swan!  No one was up for going in search of it, though.  Perhaps the Crawlers should go geocaching after coffee every Thursday... there's an idea!

Barista Jam "Master of Ceremonies"
Shaun Aupaias

Barista Jam musical entertainer
Sean Sampson

Coffee Culture App developer
Ryan Le Roux

Another discussion topic at the table was the Barista Jam that was held at Friendly Stranger on Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m.  It was an event that featured baristas from numerous coffee shops in PE showing off their latte art skills.  Our PE baristas are phenomenal!  The Barista Jam was sponsored by the Coffee Culture App and was advertised on the app under the "Events" icon.  My husband, Lou, and I went to the Jam and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  There was coffee and coffee art, of course, along with food, musical entertainment and, best of all, chocolate covered coffee beans!  Coffee lovers of all ages attended.... a good time was had by everyone.  By the time the Jam broke up at around 9:30 attendees were already looking forward to the next one.  Definitely count me in.  How do you find out about the next Jam, you ask?  First, load the Coffee Culture free app onto your smartphone then check out the "Events" icon for all coffee related things going on in the area.  Upcoming Jams will be advertised there.

Barista Jam Team
Onismo, Tabita, Shaun, Byron,
Dameon, Phumelelo, Ryan

 

~Thank you to the staff and management of Keg and Swan for hosting, yet again, the St. Patrick's Coffee
  Crawl..... see you next year!
~A special thank you to our amazing hostess, Bonnie..... We Love You!!!!!
~Thank you to the Coffee Culture App group for the awesome Barista Jam.... keep them coming!
~Happy Birthday to Crawlers Margaret Zoetmulder and Fran de Beer - March 22

Until next week,

Ellen

Cafe Blend

On the corner of Russell Road and Lawrence St. in Central lies one of my favorite places in PE...Masterton's Coffee and Tea Specialists since 1924.  Lou and I make a trip there about twice a month to purchase coffee and to savor the aroma of freshly roasting beans.  Masterton's is a PE institution.... when getting or giving directions to anywhere in Central PE, residents will use Masterton's as the landmark from which to start.

So, from Masterton's, traveling one block up Lawrence to Parliament St. coffee lovers will find what is touted as Central's Best Kept Secret, that being Cafe Blend, 6b Parliament St.  Yes, that is exactly how I gave directions to Thursday's Crawlers.  Everyone found the place (and good parking spots) with no problem.

Cafe Blend has its group of regulars, so when the Crawlers showed up on Thursday en masse, the staff and patrons were stoked to see new faces!  What a friendly group.  As a matter fact I'll say that the shop is probably one of the friendliest we've visited.  Owner Mariana Uderman was not at Cafe Blend on Crawl Day but she left the shop in the very capable hands of Talent and Tabisa, both of whom were filling the roles of waitress and barista.

Meet the Baristas
Talent and Tabisa

According to the menu Cafe Blend has been open for business "Since Forever."  I guess that means then that they've been getting their coffee from Masteron's only since 1924?  Speaking of Masterton's coffee, Cafe Blend is the second shop in as many weeks to not only carry the Masterton brand but also to feature a Masterton "blend of the day" with Thursday's being Cameo on Black Velvet.  The coffee was so good that I popped into Masterton's after the Crawl and purchased 500g of Cameo and 500g of Out of Africa beans....my usual, though sometimes Masterton himself convinces me to try something he just "whipped up."

Besides a variety of hot and cold drinks and a full array of licensed beverages the Cafe Blend menu includes breakfast (served all day....yay, breakfast at 10 p.m.!), lunch and dinner.  Cafe Blend's hours are Mon-Fri, 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. and weekends 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m.  The shop is open long hours, has great coffee, a friendly staff and a fun atmosphere.  It truly is the Best Kept Secret in Central!  The only problem is that, as of this posting, the shop is still not on the Coffee Culture App...hope to see it there soon!





This Week's Crawlers
Margaret, Lou, Gail, Stella, Beth, Beryl
not pictured - Colleen



A Cafe Blend regular, Claire, with Crawler Colleen



Some of the Cafe Blend regulars just hanging around

Our conversations at the table lately have centered around technology and, more specifically, smartphone apps.  On Thursday, Crawlers Colleen Le Roux, Margaret Zoetmulder, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Beth Vieira, Gail Darne, and my husband, Lou, talked about the aforementioned Coffee Culture App.  Then Lou showed off his Night Sky App which, when the phone is pointed at the night sky, displays and labels all the stars and planets visible at that time.  Yes, it works during the daylight hours as well.  The funky ambient background music just adds to the fun!



 The discussion then turned to cruises and all the cruise ship problems that have made recent news.  Lou's cousin, Lou (yeah, really), and his wife happened to be passengers on the Carnival Triumph last month when a fire broke out on board.  All the news stories showed horrific conditions and miserable passengers.  Lou's cousin said that it wasn't all that bad.  In time they made it home safe and sound, no worse for the wear, and with a good story to tell....isn't that what vacations are all about?  I just wonder how the caffeine addicts on board managed without hot coffee for four days!

****A reminder to PE Coffee Crawl readers---join us this Thursday, March 14, for our 3rd Annual St.
        Pat's Crawl at Keg and Swan in Sunridge, 10:00 a.m.

~Thank you to Talent and Tabisa
~Thank you to Canadian Crawler Kathy Roppel for the R100 Cafe Blend coupon....coffee was on you this
   week!
~Happy Birthday to Crawler Mandy de Beer - March 15 - Beware the Ides of March!
~Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone and especially to my brothers and sisters and all the descendants of
  Buzz and Katie O"Hara - March 17

Until next week,

Ellen

Dish up and Serve

Friends Coffee Bar

There was "Friends and Blends" in May, 2011 and "Friends" in Jan, 2012.... and now, for Coffee Crawl #90, the Crawlers headed to "Friends Coffee Bar" on Thursday, Feb 28, 2013.  These three coffee shops share similar names but are otherwise unrelated.  Thursday's Crawlers, many of whom have lived in PE most of their lives, were unfamiliar with this shop that has been in operation for fifteen years.  Friends Coffee Bar is a cute little place located in the MetLife Plaza Shopping Centre next to Checkers in Kabega.  The shop just changed ownership in January, and new owner, Tanya Bekker, is very excited about her recent acquisition.  She has plans to redecorate and revitalize this 64 seat shop in the coming months.  So, when you're out and about doing errands in the Kabega area be sure to check out the changes she is making.




Meet the Owner
Tanya Bekker



Meet the Barista
Roxanne



Thursday's Crawlers, June Nash, Beth Vieira, Stella and Beryl Dawson, Gail Darne, Nomusa Nkomo, Margaret Zoetmulder, enjoyed speedy service and warm hospitality not to mention excellent food and coffee.  Each day Friends Coffee Bar offers a different Masterton's filter (with free refill!) and espresso coffee.  Barista Roxanne was whipping up Thursday's coffees of the day, Mocha Java filter and Italian blend espresso.  I was in an Italian mood on Crawl Day so I ordered a cappuccino followed by a latte.... more gym time for me!  A few of the Crawlers ordered breakfast which looked and smelled absolutely delicious.  Besides breakfast and specialty cakes, the Friends Coffee Bar menu includes lunches and light dinners.  A take away menu is in the works.... hopefully to be up and running shortly.  Friends Coffee Bar is available for special events and functions.  Tanya offers off-site themed kid's parties...check out www.monkeymagic,co,za  for more info.  The coffee shop's hours are Mon-Fri, 9-8, Sat, 9-7, and Sun, 9-5.

This Week's Crawlers
Stell, Nomusa, Margaret, June, Gail, Beth
not pictured - Beryl

A special mention must be made at this time to Tanya's and Friends Coffee Bar's support of the Bread Tags for Wheelchairs Project.  Tanya has posted at the shop a newspaper article of a child who recently was the recipient of a new wheelchair thanks to the donations from this project.  I have been placing my bread tags in a donation box for two years now and it it wonderful to see that every little bit helps.  Thank you, Tanya, for supporting and raising community awareness of this worthy cause.

So, with last week's post being all about the Coffee Culture App, the Crawlers were interested in seeing it in action.  Tanya had the app loaded on her Ipad which she generously allowed me to use as a visual aid in demonstrating the app to everyone.  The Coffee Culture App is a must for all PE coffee lovers.  After the technology lesson for the day we all discussed the Academy Awards that had just taken place the weekend before....now I have a whole new list of movies I need to rent.  Last on the list of conversation topics on Thursday was, yet again, the Pope's resignation....Crawl Day just so happened to be Pope Benedict's last day in office....and the world waits.

*Mark your calendars - the PE Coffee Crawlers will be celebrating the 3rd Annual St. Pat's Crawl on Thursday, March 14, 10:00 a.m. at Keg and Swan in Sunridge.  We would love to meet some of our faithful readers!

~Thank you to Tanya and Roxanne and best wishes on your coffee shop venture

Until next week,

Ellen