tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17832361767789831822024-03-13T04:09:52.968-07:00Whadjagonnadue?Jocelyn Robertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06349625241845023725noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-37018150981351669232011-05-20T22:31:00.000-07:002011-05-22T22:46:27.809-07:00Gotta Just Love that Baby!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EnOZv-t4238/Tdn0YUZp7mI/AAAAAAAAAro/YVU1E68RqAE/s1600/IMG_4971.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609783509497015906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EnOZv-t4238/Tdn0YUZp7mI/AAAAAAAAAro/YVU1E68RqAE/s200/IMG_4971.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gGj78ZREC8/Tdn0M-X5qgI/AAAAAAAAArg/qx1y3BsdSXI/s1600/IMG_4960.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609783314605517314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4gGj78ZREC8/Tdn0M-X5qgI/AAAAAAAAArg/qx1y3BsdSXI/s200/IMG_4960.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOG32mTrJ6c/Tdn0ACCHO6I/AAAAAAAAArY/vlld9diKM4I/s1600/IMG_4944.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609783092249574306" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOG32mTrJ6c/Tdn0ACCHO6I/AAAAAAAAArY/vlld9diKM4I/s200/IMG_4944.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sor_3acSGPk/TdnziE1qh1I/AAAAAAAAArQ/LXH3gpFsVuU/s1600/IMG_4935.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609782577606592338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sor_3acSGPk/TdnziE1qh1I/AAAAAAAAArQ/LXH3gpFsVuU/s200/IMG_4935.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9D2fajDqA6U/TdnzT5cY5hI/AAAAAAAAArI/CHW_BFnu3zU/s1600/IMG_4929.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609782334029620754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9D2fajDqA6U/TdnzT5cY5hI/AAAAAAAAArI/CHW_BFnu3zU/s200/IMG_4929.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fG2MwRO7ZU/TdnzFMTeiiI/AAAAAAAAArA/Ul0NVdsqqiE/s1600/IMG_4923.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609782081394477602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fG2MwRO7ZU/TdnzFMTeiiI/AAAAAAAAArA/Ul0NVdsqqiE/s200/IMG_4923.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jX3Gu-lmS-M/TdnywKzvxRI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pZdHYYPOgTw/s1600/IMG_4861.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609781720215700754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jX3Gu-lmS-M/TdnywKzvxRI/AAAAAAAAAq4/pZdHYYPOgTw/s200/IMG_4861.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVLXRKG3diA/Tdnyg4BvHBI/AAAAAAAAAqw/RkajJWnXXKE/s1600/IMG_4834.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609781457476066322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVLXRKG3diA/Tdnyg4BvHBI/AAAAAAAAAqw/RkajJWnXXKE/s200/IMG_4834.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>My mother was right! It's great being a grandmother. So I'll just share a couple of pictures we took of our cutie pie while together last week in Utah and Nevada.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-632099771825420772011-05-14T22:24:00.000-07:002011-05-22T22:30:53.291-07:00Graduation Hurray!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5yCNP5qi3g/TdnwnHVWk7I/AAAAAAAAAqo/YKLY68i7Hhc/s1600/IMG_5003.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609779365640836018" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--5yCNP5qi3g/TdnwnHVWk7I/AAAAAAAAAqo/YKLY68i7Hhc/s200/IMG_5003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>So wonderful to attend Andrea's graduation at UNLV where she received her master's degree in education, emphasis in children's literature library science. She's been steadily working on this for three years while teaching first grade and then this last year starting over as the school librarian. Hats off to you, Andrea!!!</div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-15606632536800908042011-04-17T18:33:00.000-07:002011-04-17T18:36:15.067-07:00A Heart felt PrayerOne thing I love about being in Primary is the honesty of the children. Pure and simple honesty. One nine year old boy closed primary with his heartfelt prayer: "Thank thee that we can hear some of the stories about Jesus in Primary today, but we look forward to being with you again so we can get more details. I have a lot of questions!"Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-38012557561461400382011-04-17T18:27:00.000-07:002011-04-17T18:32:56.905-07:00Whew, I made it to the end of the internetI have not been keeping up with blogs or facebook for quite some time. Life is good but very busy. This Sunday afternoon I had some quiet time and decided to catch up on blog reading. What fun! I learned lots of new recipe ideas, caught up on nieces and nephews and their doings, learned great quotes and inspirational ideas as well as some funny ideas that didn't work so well (green food coloring in the toilet for a 3 year old was frightening on St. Patrick's day). So thank you everyone! But I am glad to be caught up with google reader (or whatever it's called) and reach the end of the internet (so it says).Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-20963310527519920392011-01-03T21:21:00.001-08:002011-01-03T21:21:06.908-08:00Carmela Day 3<p>At the request of family members, who don’t want to miss a minute of this little baby’s first days, and a Grandma who just can’t stop taking pictures, here are a few from Carmela’s third day after arriving home from the hospital. <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:fa62e475-05ef-4028-86dd-abb55482bdb0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:400px;border-collapse:collapse;' > <tr> <td colspan=2 style='outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:5px 0px 5px 5px;width:157px;vertical-align:bottom;' > <a href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!186&parid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24" target="_blank" border="0" style="outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;"> <img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" alt="View album" title="View album" width="157" height="157" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSKuPDnZufI/AAAAAAAAAqA/E8urdQdz6PI/101577079579779600.png?imgmax=800" /></a> </td> <td colspan=3 style='vertical-align:middle;margin:0px;padding:5px 5px 5px 0px;outline:none;border-style:none;width:223px' > <div style="margin-left:10px;top:-3%;" > <div style='width:223px;overflow:visible;'><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=5&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:1.26em;padding:0px;width:223px;font-size:26pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" defaultText="Enter album name here">Carmela</span></a></div> <div style="padding:10px 0px 0px 0px;margin:0px;"> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style="margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;border-collapse:collapse;width:auto;"> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:10px 15px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=5&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">VIEW SLIDE SHOW</a></td> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:10px 0px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=downloadphotos&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=5&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">DOWNLOAD ALL</a></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!187&parid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSKuPSGlLsI/AAAAAAAAAqE/G_sPDRANIdg/200955869924BC2D08.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!188&parid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSKuPm5NXDI/AAAAAAAAAqI/Vy0n04VG1yY/179977796352A97FC0.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!189&parid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSKuP6GscKI/AAAAAAAAAqM/cBDd64VoX90/153199786752A97FC0.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!190&parid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSKuQB1ryFI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/jbNVSq-FUjU/15300099040096D279.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!191&parid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSKuQRmQgtI/AAAAAAAAAqU/oh1dPzVps-Q/12622298080096D279.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 5px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' ><a href="https://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!192&parid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!185&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=tc55Q*9Dh0A%24" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" border="0" width="76" alt="View album" title="View album" height="76" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSKuQpOUwlI/AAAAAAAAAqY/iw38WIXaka4/2684419046BA55005.png?imgmax=800" /></a></td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' > </td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' > </td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' > </td><td style='vertical-align:bottom;outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px 5px 5px 0px;margin:0px;width:76px;height:76px;' > </td></tr></table></div></p> Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-11413623575441574702011-01-02T20:56:00.000-08:002011-01-02T21:09:22.711-08:00Carmela Day 2<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZ4AuqP6I/AAAAAAAAApM/Ye7lCJmbGac/s1600/IMG_4405.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557822233955155874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZ4AuqP6I/AAAAAAAAApM/Ye7lCJmbGac/s200/IMG_4405.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZswZXSjI/AAAAAAAAApE/jY2n9LDrj-0/s1600/IMG_4414.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557822040592304690" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZswZXSjI/AAAAAAAAApE/jY2n9LDrj-0/s200/IMG_4414.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZhuVnTXI/AAAAAAAAAo8/eLCBcmSCSDI/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557821851061144946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZhuVnTXI/AAAAAAAAAo8/eLCBcmSCSDI/s200/IMG_4406.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZabXoZ3I/AAAAAAAAAo0/PkT-9nWTsWg/s1600/IMG_4402.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557821725710247794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZabXoZ3I/AAAAAAAAAo0/PkT-9nWTsWg/s200/IMG_4402.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZRzndy0I/AAAAAAAAAos/iRt5jCgbme8/s1600/IMG_4404.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557821577600289602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TSFZRzndy0I/AAAAAAAAAos/iRt5jCgbme8/s200/IMG_4404.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Here are some pictures we took at the hospital in Phoenix last night. Mike, Brent and I drove out Saturday evening and went straight to the hospital. Tamara was discharged Saturday morning and Carmela was discharged today (Sunday morning). Her breathing was much improved last night and gradual improvement in eating. Today she has been eating better! She sleeps alot - important for her to conserve energy for eating. She just feels SO wonderful to hold. Mike and Brent returned back home tonight. Glad they got a little cuddle time in. We love being grandparents!</div></div></div></div></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-19126406528703735902010-12-09T22:52:00.000-08:002010-12-09T23:03:01.073-08:00Pearl Harbor DayWhen I walked into a nursing facility for work on Tuesday, December 7, I mentioned to a few residents sitting nearby that it was Pearl Harbor Day. Two men later came up and shared personal experiences they remembered on that day.<br /><br />One of the men was a boy living with his family in Navy housing near Pearl Harbor. His dad left for work down at the harbor not suspecting anything unusual. When the sirens went off, this man (then a boy) and his mother went into an underground bomb shelter. When all was clear and they returned to their home, they found that one side of the house had bullet sprays all across from the living room through the kitchen including through the refrigerator and into a bedroom. His father was safe but lost some of his friends.<br /><br />Another man, also a young boy at that time, told how during the week after the attack, his dad packed the whole family up and drove from San Diego up to Monterrey to enlist in the army. He was turned down because he had three children, so they returned back to San Diego. Many things were in short supply and couldn't be purchased, like shoes. His father would drive to Mexico and purchase huaraches (leather sandals) for his children. This little boy didn't have a pair of shoes other than the sandals until he was 7 or 8.<br /><br />Both were grateful for their dad's example of service and patriotism to their country and the freedoms we enjoy. What a great reminder of the American spirit on a tragic day years ago.Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-64290332918372736222010-10-09T09:35:00.000-07:002010-10-09T09:42:44.921-07:00Learning CurveMike came home from a buisness trip to LA and wanted something light to eat for dinner (having eaten out for two days). He suggested Cream of Wheat. Since only the two of us were home for dinner, he asked if the 4 portion serving was good to make (yes, because it was dinner). So, he measured the water and put it on the burner. While it was heating up, we took care of getting the trash out to the street. When we came back, the water was boiling. I double checked with him that he had done the recipe for four. So I measured the cereal and poured it in as I stirred. It got very thick, very quickly. Then I realized what I had done. I am so used to doubling everything for the family, that by habit, I doubled the amount of cereal for the serving of 4! So Mike whipped while I poured in more hot water! It may take time to remember to cut back on the amount of food to fix for two! Maybe I'll have to call the kids and ask them how much to fix - they are used to cooking for 1 or 2!Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-18238704755270829072010-10-01T20:04:00.001-07:002010-10-01T20:18:54.734-07:00Look! Our own little Pups!<div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TKahviHEFKI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/c5aKKPq8lmY/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523279830998848674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TKahviHEFKI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/c5aKKPq8lmY/s200/IMG_3998.JPG" /></a> Yep, our own little pups! Earlier this summer, we replanted the sego palm Mother gave us several years ago. We took it out of the large plastic pot to replant inside a plastic trash can (with the bottom poked out to allow drainage). We popped off the trunk about 5-8 of the pups. They didn't have any fronds on them but I decided to plant them and see if they grew. Well, 3 of them did! So are we going to end up propagating lots of segos like Daddy??? Mother told us there are plenty more pups up at her house!</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TKajqK_eAyI/AAAAAAAAAoY/Mwfua6IUKKY/s1600/IMG_3993.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523281937916887842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TKajqK_eAyI/AAAAAAAAAoY/Mwfua6IUKKY/s200/IMG_3993.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Oh, yesterday be<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TKakN5Qdu3I/AAAAAAAAAog/G6fzvCLqI1U/s1600/IMG_3995.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523282551631625074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/TKakN5Qdu3I/AAAAAAAAAog/G6fzvCLqI1U/s200/IMG_3995.JPG" /></a>fore our thunder and rainstorm, the large yellow epis blossomed - 3 blooms at once. They were beautiful in the morning and dead by the afternoon. So sad they are shortlived.</div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-89094002727941399842010-09-25T19:54:00.001-07:002010-09-25T20:32:18.915-07:00This Crop is for the Birds!Our apple tree has two crops each year, a crop ripe in July and then crabapples in December. However, this year, we have had an unseasonably mild summer with just a few heat waves in the 100s. Our apple tree started reblossoming in July before all the other apples were picked (or fell to the ground). The crabapples usually stay small, but this year they are bigger and are already ripe and have started to fall to the ground. We certainly are not going to pick and can these apples so we freely dedicate this crop to the birds - as if we have to give them permission! <br /><br />Well, I tried three times to upload a little video I took of a house finch chowing down on an apple up in our tree, but with no success. So imagine you saw this video and it made a nice little blog entry. Ha!Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-91333794794710388272010-08-15T21:53:00.000-07:002010-08-15T21:54:11.271-07:00LOLLast Friday night, we left our Nashville time share and stayed downtown Nashville in the Renaissance hotel. (Tamara's graduation was Friday night and the time share ended Friday morning.) Mother, Mike and I shared a room with two queen beds that night. At 3 am I woke up to go to the bathroom. I found it in the dark but wanted to find the toilet so I shut the door and turned on the light. When I left, I turned out the light before I opened the door so I wouldn't wake anyone up. I couldn't see a thing of course, as my eyes hadn't adjusted back to the darkness and so was groping around thinking there was a wall (where there wasn't). But all of a sudden I was startled and jumped and screamed! There was Mother standing all of sudden right in front of me. I told her, "I didn't see you there." She didn't say anything. I tried to move to one side to let her go into the bathroom but she moved the same way - several times. So, I reached out to hold her shoulders so I could step around her. But what I found was the closet door mirror! I had been seeing my own reflection in the dark. So I started laughing! And through all this, no one woke up.Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-59238616992167191602010-06-16T22:55:00.000-07:002010-06-16T23:00:33.652-07:00Some kind of BlessingThis morning, Mike asked me to sign my check from the church for Primary supplies. So, I turned it over, signed it and then decided to look at the amount. $532.00! Wow. They must have made a $500 mistake or there are more blessings to paying tithing and serving in the Primary than I realized! Mike took the check to look at "the mistake." The mistake was with me not putting on glasses! The 5 was really the $ sign! Oh well. I'll just count my many other blessings!Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-19004419832465375922010-05-19T20:37:00.001-07:002010-05-19T20:37:03.634-07:00Can eating vegetables get better than this?<p>Brent and I were hungry for lunch and discussed our options on our way home early this afternoon.  Tired of grilled cheese sandwiches (his specialty) I suggested trying to dip potato bread in our leftover pumpkin pancake batter and frying on the griddle like French toast. It turned out delicious! And I say, doesn’t that count for two vegetable servings! </p> <p></p> <img style="display: inline" src="http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/pumpkin_in_patch.jpg" width="98" height="137" /><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cobornsdelivers.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/potatoes-1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cobornsdelivers.wordpress.com/2009/11/05/potatoes-more-than-just-a-spud/&usg=__3xX0CAGFUKQF3PpFgxuAyla9fgI=&h=331&w=400&sz=43&hl=en&start=1&sig2=wHXr81GNtYe51fxBdNriWQ&itbs=1&tbnid=ux-F48PTyvg21M:&tbnh=103&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpotatoes%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dstrict%26client%3Ddell-usuk%26channel%3Dus%26gbv%3D2%26ad%3Dw5%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=HK70S5nTOI60tgPNvcmHBQ"><img src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ux-F48PTyvg21M:http://cobornsdelivers.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/potatoes-1.jpg" width="124" height="103" /></a> Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-42096959377177993512010-05-14T21:43:00.000-07:002010-05-19T21:44:28.878-07:00Going Stag<p> Today I spent several hours working out in the front yard. It looks much better but there is still another full day’s work to finish it up.  I cleared out the weeds in the front planter and had Brent dig some holes for me to plant some of our plants purchased almost two years ago for landscaping! Much better!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-G-HAaNI/AAAAAAAAAnM/IBv9kcjH13w/s1600-h/IMG_2658%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2658" border="0" alt="IMG_2658" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-HcfMrnI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/sGsk4ZEZIdE/IMG_2658_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>When I was finished for the day, I decided to take a few pictures. My favorite is of the staghorn fern.  My dad originally obtained some staghorn fern plants from a friend of my mother's. He took the old containers apart and replanted the ferns into 4 or 5 large hanging baskets. Mother gave us one of the baskets in October 2003 and we hung it from a tree limb.  It was heavy and not easy, but they did it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-Hsoa_LI/AAAAAAAAAnU/1Ip8MMCsll0/s1600-h/PA181337%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="PA181337" border="0" alt="PA181337" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-IFxBxiI/AAAAAAAAAnY/3o6uNO8yH_k/PA181337_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="147" height="217" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-IqGryQI/AAAAAAAAAnc/R0qH8Q4B87U/s1600-h/PA181353%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="PA181353" border="0" alt="PA181353" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-I1Fw51I/AAAAAAAAAng/rttUdjp6wUw/PA181353_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="186" height="143" /></a></p> <p>Then we decided to take that tree out since it was so messy and had to move the fern to the front yard magnolia tree.  While hanging there, the wire basket rusted through and the LARGE plant fell to the ground. It sat there for quite some time as it is too heavy for two men to move.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-JBXjcFI/AAAAAAAAAnk/LXUunyV8t1c/s1600-h/IMG_7268%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_7268" border="0" alt="IMG_7268" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-JoWwdLI/AAAAAAAAAno/Vqa1O98hy7c/IMG_7268_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Mike and I decided  last spring (2009) to make a macrame holder out of nylon rope for the staghorn to rehang it. After a botched attempt (wrong shape), Brent used his math skills to help us retie the knots in  a way to fit the plant. Mike had our fence guy build a metal post and cement it deep in the ground to hang the staghorn on. It was not an easy thing to drag the staghorn across the yard (sliding it on boards)  and then hoist it up onto the pole using Brent’s engineered rope pulley with Mike wrapped around the ropes pulling as he walked down the street!  But up it went last spring.</p> <p>The plant looked pretty sad after being shoved into a macrame net holder with leaves being squished here and there as well as the we<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-J3zyscI/AAAAAAAAAns/_66qQJjk94o/s1600-h/IMG_2664%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2664" border="0" alt="IMG_2664" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-KQSMeTI/AAAAAAAAAnw/q8AkYIVLD_c/IMG_2664_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a>ar and tear of the original fall and then travel across the yard. I watered and cared for it, gently pulling leaves through the woven macrame.  And voila! This spring it just took off and is full and beautiful!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-Ku50jdI/AAAAAAAAAn0/WGwo9Zaez0Q/s1600-h/IMG_2667%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2667" border="0" alt="IMG_2667" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_S-LICqUFI/AAAAAAAAAn4/9WfKBgxlRok/IMG_2667_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-9614480197261022002010-05-08T20:55:00.000-07:002010-05-19T20:57:03.640-07:00There is Plenty Indeed for my two Hands to Do!<p>This morning, we headed out to Lake Moreno to help clean up the campground as part of California’s Mormon Helping Hands day. The yucca were all in bloom, the hills still green and wildflowers spotted the landscape. We got our assignment and cleaned out a primitive campsite by shoveling out trash from the fire ring, sifting out broken glass and cleaning up the area. All went well until they fired up the wood chopper and began feeding in downed tree limbs, etc. and spewing it out like volcanic ash! My asthma pleaded for me to hide! We finished our one little area and then left as the boys had so much school work and projects and real work and lessons to prepare and …. But it was a lovely trip to the mountains.    </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_SzA7hTdMI/AAAAAAAAAms/DJQbhQdQQyw/s1600-h/IMG_2624%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2624" border="0" alt="IMG_2624" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_SzBOv-jcI/AAAAAAAAAmw/BdgvTkO0CGo/IMG_2624_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_SzBv5ddYI/AAAAAAAAAm0/OT4053UPuAA/s1600-h/IMG_2649%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2649" border="0" alt="IMG_2649" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_SzBzKpMNI/AAAAAAAAAm4/rPiYk-u8wvY/IMG_2649_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_SzCU5xTyI/AAAAAAAAAm8/sgztHuDbU_8/s1600-h/IMG_2641%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2641" border="0" alt="IMG_2641" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_SzCndEOhI/AAAAAAAAAnA/7SkIt4ne6cw/IMG_2641_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_SzDe3SsrI/AAAAAAAAAnE/QGp10wtrXrs/s1600-h/IMG_2642%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2642" border="0" alt="IMG_2642" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S_SzDhVvXPI/AAAAAAAAAnI/tnQSOfPr23U/IMG_2642_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-11453135544422362852010-05-02T22:01:00.001-07:002010-05-02T22:07:56.399-07:00A Nifty Little Trick – Maybe!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S95aKq7JATI/AAAAAAAAAmM/UHvXOkmDWWE/s1600-h/IMG_2622%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2622" border="0" alt="IMG_2622" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S95aKwmvSdI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/1T4__Sj1EEk/IMG_2622_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> This evening I discovered our first spring epi (epiphyllum) blossom in a pot tucked under our lemon tree. Since the blossoms don’t last long whether on the thorny plant or in a vase, I decided to cut the bloom to enjoy inside. By tomorrow night it will be limp and the beauty will be gone.  So, carefully I reached under the tree and across the big pot (the blossom of course was on the farthest side, difficult to reach) to cut the blossom off. But, not careful enough, with my other hand trying to pull away the lemon branch, my thumb brushed along the epi plant producing a thorn now stuck in my thumb.  The thorns are really a little spine that is clear and small and impossible to see –but definitely a bit painful. So, after placing the prized bloom in water, I went to relieve my pain.  </p> <p>There are two methods that I know of to remove this tiny thorn. 1. Use a roll of tape. 2. Spread a small amount of white glue across the area and after it dries, peel the thorn off with the dried glue.  Well, I didn’t have any white glue (after Brent’s escapade years ago using liquid glue to make mousetraps all over the family room, I switched to glue sticks), so I tried two kinds of tape (scotch and packing) and neither worked. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S95Ynp-KLjI/AAAAAAAAAl8/bv9R9ULTJFQ/s1600-h/IMG_2621%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2621" border="0" alt="IMG_2621" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S95YolaIwSI/AAAAAAAAAmA/gv6BAVgXLXE/IMG_2621_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> So, I searched through Chelsea’s desk drawer and found a bottle of white glue!!! But, as one might anticipate,  the glue was no longer runny but was rubbery. After all, the price sticker states I bought it from Thrifty’s which has been closed for many years!  I managed to wipe a damp spot of glue on my thumb and tried to wait until the glob dried. It was obnoxious and I pulled it off too soon with no thorn removed! Brent helped me try the glue one more time. So I’m trying to be patient in letting the glue glob really dry this time. Then hopefully rip and remove to a pain free thumb.  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S95Ypp_t3xI/AAAAAAAAAmE/SvfU8AcuQBg/s1600-h/IMG_2619%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_2619" border="0" alt="IMG_2619" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S95Yp52EyhI/AAAAAAAAAmI/Id8Et4wQ9eA/IMG_2619_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-17190766319891930502010-04-19T20:03:00.000-07:002010-04-19T20:13:33.543-07:00They got me!Tonight Mike told Brent, "Mom won't eat these leftovers tonight when she gets home." Brent said, "Well, there's nothing else, what will she eat?" Mike said, "the leftover chocolate cake!" I came home after they were done with their dinner and were studying for their test at school tonight. I opened the fridge and stared and decided I didn't want leftover crockpot scalloped potatoes with ham (it wasn't very good). Then I looked over at the counter and decided a slice of chocolate cake with a spoonful of peanut butter and a glass of milk would make a good dinner. They got me! MMMMmmmm good (ok not so healthy but very good).Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-23831177667020544532010-04-13T09:14:00.000-07:002010-04-23T09:33:32.217-07:00Come and See!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HLoeTDPfI/AAAAAAAAAjs/SXipU_ySYe0/s1600/IMG_2611.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HLoeTDPfI/AAAAAAAAAjs/SXipU_ySYe0/s200/IMG_2611.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463371719165296114" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HLXnTADHI/AAAAAAAAAjk/vNvZdgsHIZM/s1600/IMG_2607.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HLXnTADHI/AAAAAAAAAjk/vNvZdgsHIZM/s200/IMG_2607.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463371429523229810" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HLIer-xnI/AAAAAAAAAjc/JNlNJHQSRkQ/s1600/IMG_2591.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HLIer-xnI/AAAAAAAAAjc/JNlNJHQSRkQ/s200/IMG_2591.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463371169514047090" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HK5bKb_GI/AAAAAAAAAjU/dMRNpfnPjhs/s1600/IMG_2581.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HK5bKb_GI/AAAAAAAAAjU/dMRNpfnPjhs/s200/IMG_2581.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463370910870010978" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HKu2a9u7I/AAAAAAAAAjM/IiaexXAFAto/s1600/IMG_2579.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HKu2a9u7I/AAAAAAAAAjM/IiaexXAFAto/s200/IMG_2579.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463370729208527794" /></a><br />Chelsea, Grandma and I toured the newly remodeled and wonderfully updated Mormon Battalion Historic Site while Chelsea was home from school. The statue of the Battalion member is now out in front to greet you along with a cannon, a covered wagon to climb into and great rockers on the patio overlooking Old Town, San Diego. The story line is cute as you wender your way through different stops along the trail.<br /><br />And we learned a little more about our Harmon relative from Nauvoo and Carthage. Ebenezer Harmon was in Company C. He reached San Diego and re-enlisted in Los Angeles. However, we find out at the Mormon Battalion Site that he was courtmartialed for stealing a cow. There was no record of his death date. From other information, it appears he probably joined his brother in the gold rush and wasn't heard from again.Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-13472561949594514012010-03-26T09:34:00.000-07:002010-04-23T09:44:52.924-07:00March Flower Dilemma<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HOfIWUnWI/AAAAAAAAAkE/ur3VxR4Mjbk/s1600/IMG_2566.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HOfIWUnWI/AAAAAAAAAkE/ur3VxR4Mjbk/s200/IMG_2566.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463374857189498210" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HOU4HLBLI/AAAAAAAAAj8/j3RWNe-dqPc/s1600/IMG_2562.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HOU4HLBLI/AAAAAAAAAj8/j3RWNe-dqPc/s200/IMG_2562.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463374681032295602" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HNn4VucjI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CChMN55JOBY/s1600/IMG_2560.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9HNn4VucjI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CChMN55JOBY/s200/IMG_2560.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463373907999224370" /></a><br />I love flowers! For the first year my calla lillies bloomed. I can see them while I'm at the kitchen sink. I have such a dilemma. Should I cut them and bring them inside to enjoy or leave them on the bush where they will last longer and I can enjoy them from the kitchen window? How many blooms will there be? Enough to cut and leave on the bush? I look through the bush and see there are more buds starting to form. Ok, I cut three and enjoy them in a tall vase!Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-26501292442084635642010-02-03T18:09:00.000-08:002010-02-07T17:44:51.302-08:00The Sister Island to St. Kitts: Nevis<table align="right"><tbody><tr><th>Five-Mast Ship - AM<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wlOSGxDGI/AAAAAAAAAbo/cNwCZcRBygE/s1600-h/IMG_0787.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wlOSGxDGI/AAAAAAAAAbo/cNwCZcRBygE/s200/IMG_0787.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434759777637960802" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>St Kitts and Nevis<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wlpTGqxsI/AAAAAAAAAbw/7jqZuMWTGPI/s1600-h/IMG_0813.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wlpTGqxsI/AAAAAAAAAbw/7jqZuMWTGPI/s200/IMG_0813.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434760241762453186" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Charlestown - Nevis<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wmrI73crI/AAAAAAAAAcA/9oB92VGatJU/s1600-h/IMG_0972.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wmrI73crI/AAAAAAAAAcA/9oB92VGatJU/s200/IMG_0972.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434761372904157874" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wmzkuDvUI/AAAAAAAAAcI/LTwDCQuPYA4/s1600-h/IMG_0814.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wmzkuDvUI/AAAAAAAAAcI/LTwDCQuPYA4/s200/IMG_0814.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434761517801389378" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wnGAliA0I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/W0O-hfVBGa0/s1600-h/IMG_0819.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wnGAliA0I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/W0O-hfVBGa0/s200/IMG_0819.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434761834519462722" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wmI3oc91I/AAAAAAAAAb4/WVfPQibyKEA/s1600-h/IMG_0823.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wmI3oc91I/AAAAAAAAAb4/WVfPQibyKEA/s200/IMG_0823.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434760784143775570" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Primary School<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wn2AWfCQI/AAAAAAAAAcY/t7igH82kVXk/s1600-h/IMG_0838.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wn2AWfCQI/AAAAAAAAAcY/t7igH82kVXk/s200/IMG_0838.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434762659090073858" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Botanical Gardens<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2woFX0X-aI/AAAAAAAAAcg/xOazG45zhzY/s1600-h/IMG_0842.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2woFX0X-aI/AAAAAAAAAcg/xOazG45zhzY/s200/IMG_0842.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434762923087493538" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2woWdBC2qI/AAAAAAAAAco/MD_-fS2Xlx4/s1600-h/IMG_0849.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2woWdBC2qI/AAAAAAAAAco/MD_-fS2Xlx4/s200/IMG_0849.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434763216540588706" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wor_QsFuI/AAAAAAAAAcw/23kdFD8Jtys/s1600-h/IMG_0856.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wor_QsFuI/AAAAAAAAAcw/23kdFD8Jtys/s200/IMG_0856.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434763586510264034" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wo8Y5MVyI/AAAAAAAAAc4/NVtCOjplISQ/s1600-h/IMG_0865.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wo8Y5MVyI/AAAAAAAAAc4/NVtCOjplISQ/s200/IMG_0865.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434763868268943138" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wpKXWLvtI/AAAAAAAAAdA/4CPmDjp8v3A/s1600-h/IMG_0866.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wpKXWLvtI/AAAAAAAAAdA/4CPmDjp8v3A/s200/IMG_0866.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434764108371836626" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wpjKpgeuI/AAAAAAAAAdI/pM2de8yuZ34/s1600-h/IMG_0885.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wpjKpgeuI/AAAAAAAAAdI/pM2de8yuZ34/s200/IMG_0885.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434764534459955938" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wpvfISr6I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ux0Z9eqV0-8/s1600-h/IMG_0886.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wpvfISr6I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ux0Z9eqV0-8/s200/IMG_0886.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434764746116214690" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wqClkTX2I/AAAAAAAAAdY/ncQVkVr_DUg/s1600-h/IMG_0897.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wqClkTX2I/AAAAAAAAAdY/ncQVkVr_DUg/s200/IMG_0897.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434765074261827426" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wqQfKB1BI/AAAAAAAAAdg/aFrry0oJNlk/s1600-h/IMG_0900.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wqQfKB1BI/AAAAAAAAAdg/aFrry0oJNlk/s200/IMG_0900.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434765313059181586" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Montpelier Plantation<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wqjI43O5I/AAAAAAAAAdo/oBCyeuEnwKQ/s1600-h/IMG_0905.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wqjI43O5I/AAAAAAAAAdo/oBCyeuEnwKQ/s200/IMG_0905.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434765633499118482" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wqvitbwhI/AAAAAAAAAdw/bMr1B7wtJjs/s1600-h/IMG_0907.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wqvitbwhI/AAAAAAAAAdw/bMr1B7wtJjs/s200/IMG_0907.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434765846588932626" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wq-JNXwcI/AAAAAAAAAd4/1hEhKJgDwAk/s1600-h/IMG_0908.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wq-JNXwcI/AAAAAAAAAd4/1hEhKJgDwAk/s200/IMG_0908.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434766097441604034" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wrJyaZbjI/AAAAAAAAAeA/b48kVMj-Q_8/s1600-h/IMG_0910.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wrJyaZbjI/AAAAAAAAAeA/b48kVMj-Q_8/s200/IMG_0910.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434766297480654386" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Golden Rock Nature Trail<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wrnqhuPvI/AAAAAAAAAeI/cofdHcJuCCk/s1600-h/IMG_0922.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wrnqhuPvI/AAAAAAAAAeI/cofdHcJuCCk/s200/IMG_0922.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434766810759970546" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wr408HppI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/ejvfpSy7paM/s1600-h/IMG_0930.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wr408HppI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/ejvfpSy7paM/s200/IMG_0930.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434767105612818066" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Nevis Countryside<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wsNU4ehAI/AAAAAAAAAeY/b00WfFfkD4A/s1600-h/IMG_0943.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wsNU4ehAI/AAAAAAAAAeY/b00WfFfkD4A/s200/IMG_0943.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434767457784857602" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Tropical Ice Cream<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wsnM27KZI/AAAAAAAAAeg/h8HTr5OhH8A/s1600-h/IMG_0966.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wsnM27KZI/AAAAAAAAAeg/h8HTr5OhH8A/s200/IMG_0966.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434767902307461522" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Raising the Sails<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ws6RQOjaI/AAAAAAAAAeo/c_Yb3Faacws/s1600-h/IMG_0974.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ws6RQOjaI/AAAAAAAAAeo/c_Yb3Faacws/s200/IMG_0974.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434768229904846242" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wtEBckCMI/AAAAAAAAAew/ZaOJE6hrbRA/s1600-h/IMG_0975.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wtEBckCMI/AAAAAAAAAew/ZaOJE6hrbRA/s200/IMG_0975.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434768397460310210" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wtWAt-ikI/AAAAAAAAAe4/6YgzHzYPtaI/s1600-h/IMG_0978.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wtWAt-ikI/AAAAAAAAAe4/6YgzHzYPtaI/s200/IMG_0978.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434768706502560322" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Ferry<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wthHSuRvI/AAAAAAAAAfA/Gn2XeRgJrAw/s1600-h/IMG_0981.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wthHSuRvI/AAAAAAAAAfA/Gn2XeRgJrAw/s200/IMG_0981.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434768897245857522" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wtmtQwL3I/AAAAAAAAAfI/0rFJmAXc5Ic/s1600-h/IMG_0985.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2wtmtQwL3I/AAAAAAAAAfI/0rFJmAXc5Ic/s200/IMG_0985.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434768993337487218" /></a></th></tr></table></tbody><br />The Federation of St Kitts and Nevis constitute one country and share the same flag. "Nevis" is derived from a Spanish name Nuestra Señora de las Nieves which means Our Lady of the Snows. It is a reference to the story of a 4th century Catholic miracle: a snowfall on the Esquiline Hill in Rome. Presumably the white clouds which usually wreathe the top of Nevis Peak reminded someone of the story of a miraculous snowfall in a hot climate. (Source: Wikipedia) Nevis is just south of St. Kitts, a 45 minute ferry ride.<br /><br />The capitol of Nevis (pronounced knee vus)is Charlestown. We arrived there in the morning and checked out the main street and a few buildings and picked up stamps at the post office. The buildings are built of stone and are very British colonial. We checked out the grocery store on the main road. The outside architecture was great. We went to a few souvenir stores and Carmela bought a Caribbean cookbook and I bought a batik tablecloth. After Mike "interviewed" taxi drivers, we climbed in the taxi for our island tour.<br /><br />We drove through the small town of Charlestown and then headed out to the Botanical Gardens of Nevis. It was a surprise to see so many Asian statuaries throughout the garden. The orchids were beautiful as well as many other flowering plants.<br /><br />We left the gardens for Montpelier Plantation where we ate lunch. All of the sugar plantations on Nevis were closed long before those in St. Kitts. The original plantation home was built of stone and was right near their windmill (none of the windmills function anymore, but the stone towers are still there). The verandah of the plantation had a lovely view looking out over the island and the Caribbean ocean.<br /><br />Our next stop was one we had planned: a 30 minute nature hike at the Golden Rock Nature Trail near another plantation. It was up higher on the mountain into the rainforest so we thought we might see monkeys there. The hike was steep and the trail was rocky and the path not always clear. However, we had a trail map and there were markers for showing us different species of plants and trees. We were glad for the Tarzan like roots that we could hang onto to help us from slipping on the trail. It was a beautiful walk but we saw no monkeys! We thought we could hear their chatter in the distance.<br /><br />We had hoped to stop at a heritage village but it was too late in the day. We completed our drive around the island and had great fun watching the monkeys playing in the field. Back to Charlestown, we stopped to get some ice cream: tangerine, strawberry and other tropical flavors. Yum. It is always warm in the Caribbean and ice cream sure hit the spot!<br /><br />On the ferry trip back to St. Kitts, we saw in the distance a sailing cruise ship that started to unfurl their sails. There were 5 masts with 5-6 sails on each mast. They started unfurling at the lower end of the mast and worked up. It was beautiful to watch as the boat literally sailed off into the sunset!Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-51478855625819069392010-01-31T20:36:00.000-08:002010-01-31T23:27:54.876-08:00A tour of St. Kitts<table align="left"><tbody><tr><th>Basseterre<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zk3eZ2wwI/AAAAAAAAAXg/7lsSHIyXGpE/s1600-h/IMG_0189.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zk3eZ2wwI/AAAAAAAAAXg/7lsSHIyXGpE/s200/IMG_0189.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433140904686174978" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>National Museum<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZlAuJ9tFI/AAAAAAAAAXo/N7QSEA5EZUs/s1600-h/IMG_0191.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZlAuJ9tFI/AAAAAAAAAXo/N7QSEA5EZUs/s200/IMG_0191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433141063533311058" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Catholic Cathedral<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZlT1R8z_I/AAAAAAAAAXw/OG58zYbFgL8/s1600-h/IMG_0353.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZlT1R8z_I/AAAAAAAAAXw/OG58zYbFgL8/s200/IMG_0353.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433141391863369714" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Court House at Independence Square<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZlpZZuRzI/AAAAAAAAAX4/m2MZhE2OX50/s1600-h/IMG_0355.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZlpZZuRzI/AAAAAAAAAX4/m2MZhE2OX50/s200/IMG_0355.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433141762336900914" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Slave Auction Block<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZmCNPvpSI/AAAAAAAAAYA/mvZG8_rHvLA/s1600-h/IMG_1120.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZmCNPvpSI/AAAAAAAAAYA/mvZG8_rHvLA/s200/IMG_1120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433142188570551586" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Anglican Church<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZmzdwJSYI/AAAAAAAAAYI/137By_pgVI8/s1600-h/IMG_0561.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZmzdwJSYI/AAAAAAAAAYI/137By_pgVI8/s200/IMG_0561.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433143034815007106" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Fishing Villages<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZnYyMCgVI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/Y2hqjNZehVk/s1600-h/IMG_0585.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZnYyMCgVI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/Y2hqjNZehVk/s200/IMG_0585.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433143675955872082" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZnnLia_HI/AAAAAAAAAYY/0TXu89k1UC0/s1600-h/IMG_0586.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZnnLia_HI/AAAAAAAAAYY/0TXu89k1UC0/s200/IMG_0586.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433143923278806130" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Nesting Egrets<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zolq0WAVI/AAAAAAAAAYg/aBktgsHcCoQ/s1600-h/IMG_0592.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zolq0WAVI/AAAAAAAAAYg/aBktgsHcCoQ/s200/IMG_0592.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433144996827365714" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zo3WNAP5I/AAAAAAAAAYo/CfMbGTuZqBI/s1600-h/IMG_0594.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zo3WNAP5I/AAAAAAAAAYo/CfMbGTuZqBI/s200/IMG_0594.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433145300531298194" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Plantation Mill<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZpibdWl5I/AAAAAAAAAYw/YLO66fw37Zc/s1600-h/IMG_0595.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZpibdWl5I/AAAAAAAAAYw/YLO66fw37Zc/s200/IMG_0595.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433146040676423570" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Romney Manor/Caribelle Batik<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zpi_VhxDI/AAAAAAAAAY4/G9BNrVmZuTI/s1600-h/IMG_0603.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zpi_VhxDI/AAAAAAAAAY4/G9BNrVmZuTI/s200/IMG_0603.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433146050307277874" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zpjiom7HI/AAAAAAAAAZA/adpXfwBBnA8/s1600-h/IMG_0601.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zpjiom7HI/AAAAAAAAAZA/adpXfwBBnA8/s200/IMG_0601.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433146059782548594" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zp-v9uDhI/AAAAAAAAAZI/3p5EWAjQFYQ/s1600-h/IMG_0623.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zp-v9uDhI/AAAAAAAAAZI/3p5EWAjQFYQ/s200/IMG_0623.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433146527217225234" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZqiSzr0jI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/KWe3b5kHuD0/s1600-h/IMG_0634.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZqiSzr0jI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/KWe3b5kHuD0/s200/IMG_0634.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433147137865798194" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zq3WmJMEI/AAAAAAAAAZY/j8RQPuAbOdI/s1600-h/IMG_0647.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zq3WmJMEI/AAAAAAAAAZY/j8RQPuAbOdI/s200/IMG_0647.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433147499659997250" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Brimstone Hill Fortress<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zr6gFOfUI/AAAAAAAAAZg/GhH3heg8q9U/s1600-h/IMG_0672.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zr6gFOfUI/AAAAAAAAAZg/GhH3heg8q9U/s200/IMG_0672.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433148653257522498" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZsGbygbqI/AAAAAAAAAZo/ZDxMchYTAao/s1600-h/IMG_0665.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZsGbygbqI/AAAAAAAAAZo/ZDxMchYTAao/s200/IMG_0665.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433148858263695010" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZsQkOaeHI/AAAAAAAAAZw/uLuhnFMGu7g/s1600-h/IMG_0677.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZsQkOaeHI/AAAAAAAAAZw/uLuhnFMGu7g/s200/IMG_0677.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433149032326920306" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZsaLc-dwI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/-wDPdJYk17Q/s1600-h/IMG_0670.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZsaLc-dwI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/-wDPdJYk17Q/s200/IMG_0670.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433149197475804930" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZssuueK0I/AAAAAAAAAaA/iHm-DR9nFvs/s1600-h/IMG_0685.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZssuueK0I/AAAAAAAAAaA/iHm-DR9nFvs/s200/IMG_0685.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433149516182072130" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zs4eQdg5I/AAAAAAAAAaI/Q8ypv9cP5fo/s1600-h/IMG_0692.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zs4eQdg5I/AAAAAAAAAaI/Q8ypv9cP5fo/s200/IMG_0692.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433149717919662994" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Rawlins Plantation<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZtdYJSP5I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/OHjsAf1Tipo/s1600-h/IMG_0740.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZtdYJSP5I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/OHjsAf1Tipo/s200/IMG_0740.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433150351934111634" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZtraEv6WI/AAAAAAAAAaY/jck51PR66EY/s1600-h/IMG_0732.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZtraEv6WI/AAAAAAAAAaY/jck51PR66EY/s200/IMG_0732.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433150592970123618" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZtypVrsEI/AAAAAAAAAag/MI_h8R-ORts/s1600-h/IMG_0731.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZtypVrsEI/AAAAAAAAAag/MI_h8R-ORts/s200/IMG_0731.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433150717326766146" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zt8o8oySI/AAAAAAAAAao/mV-8pOtljOY/s1600-h/IMG_0744.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zt8o8oySI/AAAAAAAAAao/mV-8pOtljOY/s200/IMG_0744.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433150889020410146" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZuFxhykfI/AAAAAAAAAaw/o0Te_QqAhAw/s1600-h/IMG_0739.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZuFxhykfI/AAAAAAAAAaw/o0Te_QqAhAw/s200/IMG_0739.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433151045942546930" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Mount Liamuiga<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZuSn1nrDI/AAAAAAAAAa4/XxYRmg3NDxA/s1600-h/IMG_0747.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZuSn1nrDI/AAAAAAAAAa4/XxYRmg3NDxA/s200/IMG_0747.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433151266679663666" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Caribbean meets the Atlantic<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZuiNT0UXI/AAAAAAAAAbA/DVDPXJB-t_s/s1600-h/IMG_0749.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZuiNT0UXI/AAAAAAAAAbA/DVDPXJB-t_s/s200/IMG_0749.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433151534436471154" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zus4zRxtI/AAAAAAAAAbI/fR_qcp2aDJI/s1600-h/IMG_0754.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zus4zRxtI/AAAAAAAAAbI/fR_qcp2aDJI/s200/IMG_0754.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433151717909841618" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zu6sOARiI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/uyOun_V0ReI/s1600-h/IMG_0758.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2Zu6sOARiI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/uyOun_V0ReI/s200/IMG_0758.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433151955050448418" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>School Children<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZvW9nWlQI/AAAAAAAAAbY/UovqckCdlS4/s1600-h/IMG_0767.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZvW9nWlQI/AAAAAAAAAbY/UovqckCdlS4/s200/IMG_0767.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433152440756507906" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZvjtZ_zTI/AAAAAAAAAbg/AFNdfqG3z98/s1600-h/IMG_0773.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ZvjtZ_zTI/AAAAAAAAAbg/AFNdfqG3z98/s200/IMG_0773.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433152659743821106" /></a></th></tr></table></tbody>Our taxi and tour driver, Don, gave us a wonderful tour of the island of St. Kitts. The island's full name is St. Christopher, after Christopher Columbus who first landed on the island. The island's nickname is Sugar City as it once produced a lot of sugar. The cost of production became too high and 5 years ago the last sugar cane plantation was closed down. Many jobs were lost and the fields of sugar cane were left to grow wild. We drove by the vacant sugar cane plant in Basseterre and across the way were fields of sugar cane left to grow wild.<br /><br />We started off in the capitol city, Basseterre(where the Carnival was). The green clock tower is considered the center of the city. Independence Square is now a park but once was where slaves were auctioned. The big homes around the square housed in their basements the slaves waiting to be auctioned. The slaves were given their freedom in 1834. There is also a beautiful Co-Cathedral on this square as well as the current courthouse. We also stopped at the Anglican church in town.<br /><br />We stopped briefly at some other sights and views. One place was a memorial to the war between the British and the Carib indians where it was said the Carib blood flowed from the battle field. We also stopped to see the nesting egrets. There were juvenile egrets in the tree waiting for their parent to bring them back food. They lofted high in the tree so the mangoose wouldn't get them.<br /><br />Our first stop was at the Romney Manor, orignially owned by Thomas Jefferson's ancestors. It first was once a busy sugar cane plantation. It fell into disrepair post emancipation but in 1974 was purchased and repairs began. It now houses the Caribelle Batik business. There were many beautiful batiks displayed and for purchase. The manor also has lovely botanical gardens which are at the edge of the rainforest with Mt. Lumiagua nearby. The white flowered bush is named, "Snow on the Mountain." <br /><br />We then travelled on north to the <a href='http://www.brimstonehillfortress.org'>Brimstone Hill Fortress</a>, a UNESCO national park. It was built by the English and the African slaves using the volcanic stones from nearby Mt. Liamuiga. The fortress is on a prominent hill on the northwest end of the island. It has beautiful views of the towns below, the Caribbean Sea and the island of Saba. On a clear day you can also see the island of Eustatius. Due to the volcanic eruption on Montserrat, the island south of Nevis, there was ash in the sky and we couldn't see Eustatius or St. Marten on the eastern side of St. Kitts. The British and the French had many battles to occupy the island of St. Kitts. The French ran a blockade off the coast of Brimstone Fortress and starved the British who finally surrendered. However, the French occupied the fort high on the hill for only one year before giving it back to the British! The stone gate leading into the fort complex is on a steep hill and a sharp turn - very difficult to maneuver vans and busses through! Click the link above for more info.<br /><br />All along the route were small little villages. Some were fishing villages on the coast. We also saw goats everywhere! The goats go meandering off during the day to forage for food but know when to return home every evening. The villagers eat goat meat as a staple along with breadfruit, fruit (pineapple, papaya, mango, bananas) and garden vegetables. There are two schools in each village - the primary school for children to age 12 and then the secondary school from 12 to 18. The students in each school wear a school uniform. They looked very sharp! We enjoyed seeing the children walking home from school for lunch and after school.<br /><br />We ate lunch at Rawlins Plantation on the northeast end of the island. It also had been a sugar plantation. We were the only ones there for lunch (we were late since we took longer to explore the fortress) and ate on the verranda. We ate a buffet of wonderful authentic Caribbean food: jerked chicken, curried chicken, johnny cakes,rice, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, tropical fruit, mango sauce...<br /><br />We took two of the waitresses to their little villages after our lunch. At one village we could look out and see where the Caribbean Ocean met the Atlantic ocean. What a view.<br /><br />What a wonderful day. Warm and humid, tropical and breezy, sunny and cloudy and full of great people and interesting sites!Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-28854677907210149992010-01-31T12:15:00.000-08:002010-04-28T19:23:57.829-07:00Caribbean Chocolate<p>When we went to the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia on Jan. 14, 2010, we (I) really wanted to visit the Fond Doux Working Cocoa Plantation. I had, of course, read about it on the internet before our trip.  But what I hadn’t read was that even though the distance wasn’t far from the port, the roads were very windy, two lane only and very slow! The trip was a good hour or more through the mountains and tropical rainforest and </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUQP9XQRI/AAAAAAAAAls/xPdaJgPYpBQ/s1600-h/IMG_19958.jpg"><img title="IMG_1995" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="193" alt="IMG_1995" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUQepY_6I/AAAAAAAAAkU/T1Yx0r4jzFg/IMG_1995_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" border="0" /></a></p> <p>past banana plantations and </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUQ3LKb8I/AAAAAAAAAkY/DSUYKSiEYUU/s1600-h/IMG_20095.jpg"><img title="IMG_2009" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_2009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iURVjlAsI/AAAAAAAAAkc/Rb9KBkUkqYQ/IMG_2009_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>small villages </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUSB7uBqI/AAAAAAAAAkg/zCdi3Ofh2ws/s1600-h/IMG_20122.jpg"><img title="IMG_2012" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_2012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUSbBQJ2I/AAAAAAAAAkk/RV_nM9Dp_WI/IMG_2012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUQP9XQRI/AAAAAAAAAl0/MLAZgYTpXRs/s1600-h/IMG_19953.jpg"></a></p> <p>with a beautiful overlook of the Grand Pitons peaks and into</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUTUSHhQI/AAAAAAAAAks/5_XpZ5rH-mw/s1600-h/IMG_20742.jpg"><img title="IMG_2074" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_2074" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUTgS4_6I/AAAAAAAAAkw/w-1TOzAYj-I/IMG_2074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a>  </p> <p>the fishing town of Soufriere.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUUbcwNrI/AAAAAAAAAk4/RqaWxQbdFKI/s1600-h/IMG_20252.jpg"><img title="IMG_2025" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_2025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUUxLrsNI/AAAAAAAAAk8/KETTU1xqT5s/IMG_2025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p>After checking out the volcano and sulphur springs, we headed in our van tour to the Fond Doux estate.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUVaLehUI/AAAAAAAAAlA/VgvoE8Zgr-g/s1600-h/IMG_20555.jpg"><img title="IMG_2055" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_2055" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUVg_AmqI/AAAAAAAAAlE/KNd4nSNOomg/IMG_2055_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>  Whoever wrote the grand review for this estate, plantation and tour, ought  to visit again!   </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUWJ6zYNI/AAAAAAAAAlI/a5s4jjzlPFA/s1600-h/IMG_20482.jpg"><img title="IMG_2048" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="244" alt="IMG_2048" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUWkAs7PI/AAAAAAAAAlM/7U4lTU8a1C0/IMG_2048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>But we still got to see two cocoa trees with the cocoa pods growing from newly green to ripe red. The other trees on the plantation are planted under the tree canopy to protect them – so the trees are just scattered here and there, not planted in rows. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUXMHF7nI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/FewMR-sVPfU/s1600-h/IMG_20602.jpg"><img title="IMG_2060" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_2060" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUX5N7ZYI/AAAAAAAAAlU/K3FePnttgeA/IMG_2060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The pods are collected, split open where the seeds (or cocoa beans) are covered in a milky film.  The seeds are removed and washed and dried.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUYDPUHvI/AAAAAAAAAlY/wnX9XQSICUc/s1600-h/IMG_20632.jpg"><img title="IMG_2063" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_2063" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUYiwnVxI/AAAAAAAAAlc/7z7fe-TEizw/IMG_2063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>They showed us the washed and drying cocoa beans on large wooden trays. That was the tour!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUZOdWEhI/AAAAAAAAAlg/nq8ksELfgM4/s1600-h/IMG_20652.jpg"><img title="IMG_2065" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="184" alt="IMG_2065" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUZnfiyFI/AAAAAAAAAlk/-MbvMZe__jw/IMG_2065_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Then off to the side, Mike discovered an employee who was grinding the beans. First grind broke the beans into smaller pieces and the second grind into a paste like dough. This was then rolled by hand into small logs. We each tasted the cocoa paste and it was bitter and chocolaty. I bought one of the logs she made with a recipe book. The St. Lucians like to drink Cocoa tea with grated cocoa from these logs.  Still haven’t tried it out! Maybe today being a cool rainy day and I’m home with a cold would be a good time to give it a try! </p> <p>Most of their chocolate is sold to Hershey’s in Pennsylvania. </p> <p>Here is an album of our day in St. Lucia:</p> <div class="wlWriterSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:122a1015-64e8-4f58-8bb7-d227473b9322" style="padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><a style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" href="http://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!106&ct=photos"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" alt="View joarob@cox.net" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S9iUZ3yGgXI/AAAAAAAAAlo/qiSbZkphQxI/InlineRepresentation40ef0eff8f9444f6.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a> <div style="width: 400px; text-align: right"><a href="http://cid-8dd34f4d1477af88.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=8DD34F4D1477AF88!106&ct=photos">View Full Album</a></div> </div> Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-14466170745647583162010-01-30T20:37:00.000-08:002010-02-07T17:47:00.235-08:00How was the Caribbean Food?<table align="left"><tbody><tr><th>St Kitts Fisherman<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6Ho8qcTI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/ecIlwecXkM0/s1600-h/IMG_0149.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6Ho8qcTI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/ecIlwecXkM0/s200/IMG_0149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434993859487232306" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Sidewalk Market<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6SiM4_zI/AAAAAAAAAfY/sd8KhO-L-9I/s1600-h/IMG_0154.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6SiM4_zI/AAAAAAAAAfY/sd8KhO-L-9I/s200/IMG_0154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434994046654807858" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6agmajII/AAAAAAAAAfg/hrwLAzhOG4k/s1600-h/IMG_0155.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6agmajII/AAAAAAAAAfg/hrwLAzhOG4k/s200/IMG_0155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434994183663946882" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6iRj4b0I/AAAAAAAAAfo/hA1nPW6bIYg/s1600-h/IMG_0157.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6iRj4b0I/AAAAAAAAAfo/hA1nPW6bIYg/s200/IMG_0157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434994317065744194" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Frozen Meats at Grocery<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6qw0JexI/AAAAAAAAAfw/j89elpgDrqY/s1600-h/IMG_0161.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z6qw0JexI/AAAAAAAAAfw/j89elpgDrqY/s200/IMG_0161.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434994462894422802" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z63orzFaI/AAAAAAAAAf4/fDjPkUTeScg/s1600-h/IMG_0162.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z63orzFaI/AAAAAAAAAf4/fDjPkUTeScg/s200/IMG_0162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434994684050216354" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Coconut Tree<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z7m8TQezI/AAAAAAAAAgA/nbDjAzMz1qM/s1600-h/IMG_0465.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z7m8TQezI/AAAAAAAAAgA/nbDjAzMz1qM/s200/IMG_0465.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434995496769846066" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Banana Tree<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z72O6SYLI/AAAAAAAAAgI/LFhdg6ixK-g/s1600-h/IMG_0473.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z72O6SYLI/AAAAAAAAAgI/LFhdg6ixK-g/s200/IMG_0473.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434995759463424178" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Caribbean Buffet<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z8nWdH71I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/4Nem35HpOwU/s1600-h/IMG_0731.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z8nWdH71I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/4Nem35HpOwU/s200/IMG_0731.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434996603302178642" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Yams and Sweet Potatoes<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z86NzlqjI/AAAAAAAAAgY/_2NfNM-nk4A/s1600-h/IMG_0775.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z86NzlqjI/AAAAAAAAAgY/_2NfNM-nk4A/s200/IMG_0775.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434996927397997106" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z9WPEdSII/AAAAAAAAAgg/5uyLWsSEmlc/s1600-h/IMG_0778.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z9WPEdSII/AAAAAAAAAgg/5uyLWsSEmlc/s200/IMG_0778.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434997408773523586" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Caribbean Pumpkins<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z9m4vkY5I/AAAAAAAAAgo/O6u3EhYaIQo/s1600-h/IMG_0786.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z9m4vkY5I/AAAAAAAAAgo/O6u3EhYaIQo/s200/IMG_0786.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434997694838104978" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Nevis Bakery<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z-DE3QlRI/AAAAAAAAAgw/lIXFZZfXBKg/s1600-h/IMG_0988.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z-DE3QlRI/AAAAAAAAAgw/lIXFZZfXBKg/s200/IMG_0988.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434998179127923986" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Shipwreck Cafe - Ting<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z-Z6xGjuI/AAAAAAAAAg4/pjLpmdHoVSo/s1600-h/IMG_1108.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z-Z6xGjuI/AAAAAAAAAg4/pjLpmdHoVSo/s200/IMG_1108.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434998571554737890" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Conch Fritters<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z-h2LhUvI/AAAAAAAAAhA/oCCif67Q40Q/s1600-h/IMG_1112.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z-h2LhUvI/AAAAAAAAAhA/oCCif67Q40Q/s200/IMG_1112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434998707762320114" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Puerto Rican Appetizer<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z_Lj1TZaI/AAAAAAAAAhI/ROkcd6ml8tg/s1600-h/IMG_1400.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2z_Lj1TZaI/AAAAAAAAAhI/ROkcd6ml8tg/s200/IMG_1400.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434999424391800226" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Dominica<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20Ac0PRAhI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/ozbswbRLHTc/s1600-h/IMG_1671.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20Ac0PRAhI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/ozbswbRLHTc/s200/IMG_1671.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435000820365066770" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Emerald Pools<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20BK7fBdqI/AAAAAAAAAhY/BitPsAHWBks/s1600-h/IMG_1737.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20BK7fBdqI/AAAAAAAAAhY/BitPsAHWBks/s200/IMG_1737.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435001612584187554" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Star Fruit<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20BTBLqylI/AAAAAAAAAhg/WAJoQvfznMY/s1600-h/IMG_1738.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20BTBLqylI/AAAAAAAAAhg/WAJoQvfznMY/s200/IMG_1738.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435001751552576082" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Coconut Water<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20Baoa_6rI/AAAAAAAAAho/_zWjzxoCDNU/s1600-h/IMG_1739.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20Baoa_6rI/AAAAAAAAAho/_zWjzxoCDNU/s200/IMG_1739.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435001882344942258" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Bananas<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20BihFgVvI/AAAAAAAAAhw/yCadGPCDzgI/s1600-h/IMG_1741.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20BihFgVvI/AAAAAAAAAhw/yCadGPCDzgI/s200/IMG_1741.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435002017814697714" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20BqelcejI/AAAAAAAAAh4/raWJO1EdHHw/s1600-h/IMG_1742.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20BqelcejI/AAAAAAAAAh4/raWJO1EdHHw/s200/IMG_1742.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435002154582309426" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Sugar Cane<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20B5Ub_TjI/AAAAAAAAAiA/BPSZlvvh7PY/s1600-h/IMG_1743.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20B5Ub_TjI/AAAAAAAAAiA/BPSZlvvh7PY/s200/IMG_1743.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435002409556332082" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>St Lucia Market<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20C8LsJd7I/AAAAAAAAAiI/-qqy9sS7UFM/s1600-h/IMG_2000.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20C8LsJd7I/AAAAAAAAAiI/-qqy9sS7UFM/s200/IMG_2000.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435003558259423154" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20DrWsO7fI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/VfRGwSkPVGo/s1600-h/IMG_2084.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20DrWsO7fI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/VfRGwSkPVGo/s200/IMG_2084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435004368666422770" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20EIycltkI/AAAAAAAAAiY/hKNxoq4MrHc/s1600-h/IMG_2114.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20EIycltkI/AAAAAAAAAiY/hKNxoq4MrHc/s200/IMG_2114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435004874333206082" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Bread Fruit Tree<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20EY1LZ2lI/AAAAAAAAAig/iYU1QOe5azQ/s1600-h/IMG_2124.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20EY1LZ2lI/AAAAAAAAAig/iYU1QOe5azQ/s200/IMG_2124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435005149944339026" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Used to make Drink<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20FIOjnb8I/AAAAAAAAAio/H-D3P5n2JtY/s1600-h/IMG_2173.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20FIOjnb8I/AAAAAAAAAio/H-D3P5n2JtY/s200/IMG_2173.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435005964210630594" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Root Vegetables<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20FZvBoG4I/AAAAAAAAAiw/A_a5Zn01Qho/s1600-h/IMG_2183.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20FZvBoG4I/AAAAAAAAAiw/A_a5Zn01Qho/s200/IMG_2183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435006264984214402" /></a></th></tr><tr><th>Cinnamon<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20FqUUvxVI/AAAAAAAAAi4/J98XXuMRnxY/s1600-h/IMG_2186.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S20FqUUvxVI/AAAAAAAAAi4/J98XXuMRnxY/s200/IMG_2186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435006549874427218" /></a></th></tr></table></tbody><br />We loved the Caribbean food we had. Our first night in St. Kitts we ate at the Marriott's Calypso Restaurant which features local fruits, vegetables and fish. We enjoyed their buffet with pumpkin, fish and chicken dishes, and seafood soups. <br /><br />On Saturday morning, we found one grocery store open (all were closed for the holiday as Jan 2 is the last day of Carnival). Look at the frozen meat section pictures: ox tail, bull foot, pig foot, etc. The frozen beef and chicken didn't look like what we'd want to eat so we bought a ham to boil. We ate that ham almost every night that week. <br /><br />We enjoyed a very authentic Caribbean buffet meal at the Rawlins Plantation on St. Kitts. We ate jerked chicken, fish, curry chicken, fritters, johnny-cakes, rice, salads, pumpkin, tropical fruit, and more. We ate sitting on the verrandah overlooking the plantation gardens, pool and smokestack.<br /><br />Our guide told us that no one should ever have to go hungry on the island because food grows all year round. Many have breadfruit trees but these trees were pretty well picked by this time on St. Kitts (never saw one here with breadfruit). Breadfruit is a common food that they roast, boil and cook with stew (goat meat stews). Most every home has a small vegetable garden and many sell their vegetables at roadside stands. Also bananas grow well on the island. There are many coconut trees but apparently Kittitians don't use much coconut in their cooking (more so on other islands).<br /><br />There are many fishing villages and the fishermen come back to the shore with their catch and sell it right on the roadsides. After seeing these "cutting" tables, I was ok not buying any fish to cook!<br /><br />We tried conch fritters and Ting at the Shipwreck Cafe at So. Friar's Bay (where the monkeys were fed). The fritters were great and Ting is the island made grapefruit soft drink - it tasted good too. In Nevis we stopped at a bakery and bought a spice bun, a piece of chocolate cake (rather bread like), a cinnamon roll and something else. They were good, but not as sweet as we eat in the states. Bakeries were very small businesses with not much variety. They did sell pumpkin and sweet potato pies. <br /><br />A great treat when we were hungry (well we were never hungry really) after our little rainforest hike on Dominica, was the ripe bananas, candied coconut, chopped coconut pieces, sugar cane and plantain chips! They were also selling coconuts chopped tops of with a machete and with a straw to drink the coconut liquid. (We all had tried that in Hawaii and none of us liked it then).<br /><br />On our cruise port day back at St. Kitt's we went to see the Farmer's market but it was a Friday and not many were selling their fruits, vegetables or meats. I took lots of pictures on almost every island of the produce stands. The colors and sights were so intriguing. There were tiny green and red bell peppers (our driver said they were delicious), avocados the size of the small pineapples,ginger root, bananas, green onion bunches, actual yams as well as sweet potatoes, green pumpkins (insides were orange and pretty much tasted like pumpkin), onions, cauliflower, cabbages, and a green vegetable (can't remember the name). <br /><br />One disappointment was that the cruise ship didn't have a special meal based on traditional Caribbean foods. We would have preferred that over the Mexican buffet served late one night. I should have added that to our comment card! However, I am anxious for Carmela to share a favorite recipe from her little cookbook from Nevis and I found a great sounding Jamaican ginger cake recipe I'll have to try!Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-39870167820991202812010-01-30T11:29:00.000-08:002010-01-30T20:05:43.219-08:00You're A Monkey's Uncle<div>We kept on the lookout throughout our travels in St. Kitts to see the Green or Vervet monkeys. They were brought to the island by the French in the 1600's from South Africa. The monkeys have no natural predators on the island and are now said to outnumber the Kittitians by 3:1. One report said there are 36,000 people on the island - that would make over 100,000 monkeys - and we didn't see any! </div><br /><div>Until...</div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SP9A9lJyI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/uVt8VVhwFCo/s1600-h/IMG_0931.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432625328908740386" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SP9A9lJyI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/uVt8VVhwFCo/s200/IMG_0931.JPG" /></a> We took the ferry over to the island of Nevis (a 45 min. ride) on Wed, Jan 6. We took a tour of the island and stopped to take a nature trail hike in the rainforest- hoping to see the monkeys. We think we heard them, we saw empty banana peels and busted coconuts - but no monkeys.</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SQUlESZsI/AAAAAAAAAVY/cO4vteFFL1U/s1600-h/IMG_0952.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432625733737539266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SQUlESZsI/AAAAAAAAAVY/cO4vteFFL1U/s200/IMG_0952.JPG" /></a>But, later on our island tour, our taxi driver quickly pulled off the side of the road near a big field with some trees where he spotted monkeys. Sure enough! There were lots of them frolicking in the trees and in the high grassy fields. They were far away, but we managed one or two pictures. Pretty cool - nature in action! (Click on this picture to see the two monkeys- one is in the tree).</div><br /><div>The concierge at the Marriott told us about a place on St. Kitts where the monkeys are fed at noon. So off, we went to So. Friar's bay to a little beach shack called the Shipwreck Bar & Grill. The restaurant cooks take their leftovers out to a spot on the nearby hill and leave it for the monkeys. We saw the monkeys start coming down from the hill before she brought out the food. They were very engaging to watch. One little monkey, who spent his time at the restaurant tables, was not accepted by the other monkeys. When they felt he was taking their food they would hiss and charge at him. He would squat down flat to make himself look like a mongoose! We did see three different mongeese come to eat as well. FUN!</div><br /><table align="top"><tbody><tr><th><table align="top"><tbody><tr><th><table align="top"><tbody><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SVcmtLIVI/AAAAAAAAAW4/YAY17_57vz8/s1600-h/IMG_1110.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432631369174557010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SVcmtLIVI/AAAAAAAAAW4/YAY17_57vz8/s200/IMG_1110.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SVVNyZOlI/AAAAAAAAAWw/b5nLWBNBHG8/s1600-h/IMG_1105.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432631242226481746" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SVVNyZOlI/AAAAAAAAAWw/b5nLWBNBHG8/s200/IMG_1105.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SVNfHpl7I/AAAAAAAAAWo/by--a0MrikU/s1600-h/IMG_1090.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432631109440083890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SVNfHpl7I/AAAAAAAAAWo/by--a0MrikU/s200/IMG_1090.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SVEnVSMfI/AAAAAAAAAWg/nqRg_3T9dus/s1600-h/IMG_1084.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432630957025931762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SVEnVSMfI/AAAAAAAAAWg/nqRg_3T9dus/s200/IMG_1084.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SU77FL3WI/AAAAAAAAAWY/OBcf6L3Jn9s/s1600-h/IMG_1066.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432630807708294498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SU77FL3WI/AAAAAAAAAWY/OBcf6L3Jn9s/s200/IMG_1066.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUzaXN-0I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/onOAxyAyGOU/s1600-h/IMG_1060.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432630661486607170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUzaXN-0I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/onOAxyAyGOU/s200/IMG_1060.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUrj59d8I/AAAAAAAAAWI/yae21eMkY6c/s1600-h/IMG_1059.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432630526609291202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUrj59d8I/AAAAAAAAAWI/yae21eMkY6c/s200/IMG_1059.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUjGLsMOI/AAAAAAAAAWA/wM2Tc76Ff7o/s1600-h/IMG_1057.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432630381191639266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUjGLsMOI/AAAAAAAAAWA/wM2Tc76Ff7o/s200/IMG_1057.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUZiYnp0I/AAAAAAAAAV4/OXzJw-b1-mc/s1600-h/IMG_1055.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432630216963368770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUZiYnp0I/AAAAAAAAAV4/OXzJw-b1-mc/s200/IMG_1055.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUP4sIs0I/AAAAAAAAAVw/8hw45O4iYDw/s1600-h/IMG_1051.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432630051152114498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUP4sIs0I/AAAAAAAAAVw/8hw45O4iYDw/s200/IMG_1051.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUF7jIlsI/AAAAAAAAAVo/ftx7QpSQT0c/s1600-h/IMG_1050.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432629880120972994" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2SUF7jIlsI/AAAAAAAAAVo/ftx7QpSQT0c/s200/IMG_1050.JPG" /></a></th></tr><tr><th><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ST87oCKAI/AAAAAAAAAVg/CU1ga1XJNaI/s1600-h/IMG_1047.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432629725522700290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S2ST87oCKAI/AAAAAAAAAVg/CU1ga1XJNaI/s200/IMG_1047.JPG" /></a></th></tr></tbody></table></th><th></th></tr></tbody></table><tr><th><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw3CntsmJ-0m5RWJecyk6wI3w3d826xROvNY7vLAdniSbTIcAfN5GznrAW3yIMIaQNI_TU1Q4e-ySuEaGFdXQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></th></tr></tbody></table>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1783236176778983182.post-52983625075628762062010-01-24T16:17:00.000-08:002010-01-27T08:43:12.716-08:00Church on the Islands<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zwK0RVigI/AAAAAAAAAVA/jaH5-8G5WWU/s1600-h/IMG_1454.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430479319322692098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zwK0RVigI/AAAAAAAAAVA/jaH5-8G5WWU/s200/IMG_1454.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zvefos2HI/AAAAAAAAAU4/Wb4buK258cQ/s1600-h/IMG_0462.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430478557869299826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zvefos2HI/AAAAAAAAAU4/Wb4buK258cQ/s200/IMG_0462.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zuclaXWZI/AAAAAAAAAUY/E8rM6KgGF-0/s1600-h/IMG_0450.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430477425548417426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zuclaXWZI/AAAAAAAAAUY/E8rM6KgGF-0/s200/IMG_0450.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zvAhJ66eI/AAAAAAAAAUw/R3xaWNiohOw/s1600-h/IMG_0457.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430478042880993762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zvAhJ66eI/AAAAAAAAAUw/R3xaWNiohOw/s200/IMG_0457.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zu0lqdAVI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Kqmt00WMOA8/s1600-h/IMG_0469.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430477837932757330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zu0lqdAVI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Kqmt00WMOA8/s200/IMG_0469.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zunDeFBxI/AAAAAAAAAUg/QtAe75gRPxo/s1600-h/IMG_0441.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430477605415749394" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xn22MEA6M-A/S1zunDeFBxI/AAAAAAAAAUg/QtAe75gRPxo/s200/IMG_0441.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>There are many Christian churches on all of the islands we visited. The taxi drivers pointed out the churches and were proud that everyone goes to church on Sunday. Most of our taxi drivers knew about the white shirted LDS missionaries and if there was an LDS church (Mormon church) on their island.<br /><br />We had our LDS building address in Basseterre, St. Kitts with us and fortunately a phone no. as well. LDS.org had listed the worship service at 10:20 and church at 9:00. So Mike decided to call the phone no. listed to be sure it was Sacrament Meeting first. The phone is answered by a child. Mike asks. "Do you know what time church starts tomorrow? " Answer: "No." "Do you know if Sacrament Meeting is first?" Answer: "No." "Are you LDS, Mormon?" Answer: "Yes." "Is your mother or father there?" Answer: "Yes." Eventually Mike did find our answer - Sacrament Meeting started at 9AM.<br /><br />Our dependable taxi driver picked us up at 8 AM and dropped us off at the building (it was the building I had spotted the day before!) and then took Carmela to the Catholic church in town.<br />We were quite early and so enjoyed walking through the neighborhood. The senior missionaries arrived at 8:55 and unlocked the gates and doors. First thing is to turn on the AC and the fans! Slowly people began to arrive (it's called "island time"). We sat in folding chairs in a room just larger than our RS rooms and enjoyed the testimony meeting. </div><div></div><br /><div>We met a young couple with two small children who had arrived the same day we did. He was going to start at the medical school there. One of the missionaries might have been a son of Mike's former missionary companion. No time to check. We weren't able to visit much as our taxi driver had another committment and we had to leave by 10:15. We were afraid, since we were there on island time, that we would have to walk out before the meeting was over. The problem was, they locked the door we came in so everyone late (later than late) would come in through another back door. But all went well. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>The church in the upper right corner is the LDS building in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We were so thankful Mike knew Spanish to help ask directions from the taxi driver and people on the street as we drove along! We finally found the building and the taxi driver dropped us off and would come pick us up in 1 1/2 hours. We knew that the meeting would all be in Spanish (English is spoken in St. Kitts). We waited by the locked gate and no one ever showed up! It must have been stake conference day! We just waited over at the transit station across the way until our taxi driver returned! </div></div></div></div></div></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01776131717473072713noreply@blogger.com2