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Saturday, June 4, 2011

There is Nothing like Farm Food










The West Coast is well known for unique eating-out experiences. Some restaurants just offer a beach shelter commonly built from natural vegetation as protection from the elements; others offer equally rough-and-ready indoor experiences. One of the most popular is the Boesmanland Farm Kitchen on lovely Langebaan Lagoon. Good food is the main thing here, more important than any props, crockery or glossy interior design. We were lucky when our friends booked a Sunday lunch here. They live overseas and move in diplomatic circles. They have been everywhere in the world, but for them the true local and ethnic experiences are of primary interest.

We each found a sawn-off log with a piece of army blanket as seating, and were given a stack of paper plates and a plate holder. The idea is to go back for more food as many times you like. We started with the famous bread made from fresh homemade potato yeast and baked in the wood-fired oven. The food is made in the traditional way in large black pots over open fires. There are traditional snoek (fish) dishes available, but I had to skip those to indulge in "boontjie-bredie" with mutton as an ingredient.

A nice local touch was the singing duo who went from table to table, singing at the tops of their voices.The kids in the lounge were very thrilled to hear the popular local songs with the occasional Lady in R-edddddddd and other requests (and innovasions) thrown in.

My painting shows the preparations for true farm coffee which will be accompanied by koesister, (also called koeksister), a local sugar syrup-dipped plaited dumpling. I loved painting this blackened oven, it gives such an old atmosphere to the place.

16 comments:

  1. I love this painting,, I must tell you,, you have influenced me to paint a completely different subject matter tahn before.I have never had any formal art instuction,, mostly started painting because,, I like to draw and wanted paintings for my walls,, i couldn't afford to buy what I wanted,, thats why I started painting,, your paintings of everyday life intrigue me and have sparked a very strong desire for me to paint this kind of subjects,, I love your work and am so happy I have found you,,

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  2. I love this painting! Anything documenting life as it is, is such a beautiful way of immortalizing a specific snippet in time in your world. Love it!

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  3. Sounds like a fabulous and authentic experience. Bet the food was good.
    Your painting will be a wonderful remembrance of a great outing!

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  4. Laurie, thank you! Finding something in one's own vicinity is fun as I often have to squeeze a story from a rock!

    You express it so well, Sheila. My ideal is to chronicle a day in the life on the West Coast and to keep it plain.

    Thank you, Marian. I think once people have tasted the food, their tummies will lead them back!

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  5. That old time oven with the cast iron door is simply gorgeous, Marie. What a unique dining experience this is indeed! I love the painting and the photos and love hearing your words on the local color. That little girl with braids is a beauty too!

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  6. Thank you, Sherry, I wish I could find one of those ovens for myself, and yes, what a little darling! She would be so nice as model for a painting!

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  7. It's wonderful that you document these special people and places. Wish Langebaan had this type of place when we lived in South Africa. Your paintings really capture the spice of life in your world.
    Jean

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  8. Hi Marie - love your blog, I've just discovered it and have passed on the details to my artist friend who lives in Paarl as well. I look forward to reading your future posts - regards from a chilly Cape Town!

    emilene

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  9. Jean, I am so surprised, as I thought that this place was as old as Mykonos! Thank you for the lovely comments!

    emilene, thank you for the visit! I agree, the Cape is very cold now!

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  10. This is really lovely Marie. But wasn't it cold?? The West Coast is truly unique and your documentation of it is superb. And thanks for your comment on my blog - I am hoping I will get more time for me.

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  11. Hi Liz, thank you for those kind words! It was icy cold and I have never seen the lake so gray-looking! The fires and potjiekos compensated for the weather!

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  12. Oh my, the painting is just beautiful Marie! Love it, absolutely LOVE it. Hope you are doing well. Ilse

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  13. Your painting of the cosy interior with the pots cooking made me feel warm, even if it was cold outside. We have summertime here but it is raining hard outside and very chilly.

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  14. Thank you for your very kind comments, Ilse!

    Carolann, I love the old style of doing things and hope that generations to come will still appreciate it!

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  15. I love your painting of the stove and sounds like a wonderful place!

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  16. So kind of you to visit, Tracy! Thank you for the comments!

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I love your comments, they make my day!