Rest and relaxation
Frank, a blockman, can’t resist a good cut of meat, and little Ayla – on granny Gerda’s hip – can’t wait for the delicious food to be served.
An Oregon pine dresser in the kitchen is dedicated to storing all the grandchildren’s toys, most of which once belonged to their mothers.
After more than 35 years of marriage and raising three daughters, Gerda and Frank Halewijn still love spending time together. Every day, without fail, they take time out from their work at Frank’s Meat in Middelburg to catch up at a nearby coffee shop – once in the morning at nine and once in the afternoon at three. The only thing they love more than spending time together is spending time with their daughters, sons-in-law and four grandchildren – in fact, every day of the year, Gerda goes home to cook a big lunch for the family and more often than not, everyone who can take a break will pop in to share the meal. “Everyone in our family knows it: lunch is at noon every day and no one needs to make an appointment,” says Gerda. For a family so invested in the value of togetherness, Christmas is a big deal. It’s mostly celebrated at home in Middelburg; everyone is together on this special day and everything is just that much grander, that much shinier. Frank owns and, with Gerda’s help, manages the two popular branches of Frank’s Meat in Middelburg – both within five kilometres of their home. He and Gerda work until late on Christmas Eve to ensure that everyone in town has the meat they need for the holidays. The couple’s downtime only really begins on Christmas morning and they take full advantage of it with an early start.
“Every year, Christmas Day begins with all of us getting together for a breakfast of coffee and homemade rusks,” Gerda says. After that they’re off to an early church service, and then the remainder of the day is very relaxed with plenty of eating, drinking and “making even more memories together”.
After church, Gerda’s rich dark fruitcake topped with orange wheels, fresh figs, glazed cherries and nuts is served – it’s been ready and waiting since October! Then when the various meats go into the oven and onto the braai for lunch (“our sons-in-law can’t go without lighting a fire!”), a delicious starter of biltong, cheese and fruit, vegetables and nuts is brought out on a giant wooden platter.
“It seems like we eat all day. When lunch is ready, the table groans under the weight of it all and the eating and merriment continues!” Gerda says with a laugh. >>