Johnny Cakes

With less than 4 weeks before returning to the states I decided Sunday that I better get with the talented women from church and learn how to make more ethnic food. Afterall, I haven't really mastered making anything but Mango Smoothies and fried plantains. :) Chad has done better at learning then I have, but he's more willing to experiment too. So my first lesson was today, Sister Yvette Farrell had me over to her house and taught me the art of making johnny cakes. This is one of our favorite things to have when we go out to eat. So hopefully I will be able to reproduce this recipe and make them turn out as yummy as the ones she made today.
Into the oil they go!
The finished product.

I was instructed to try and make these BEFORE I leave so that if I can't master this Sister Farrell can give me further instruction.

I got the low down on seasoned rice also, so that Jordan won't show me up on that one since she had Shaveti teach her.

Maybe next week will be pumpkin pancakes...any other suggestions girls?

25th Independence Day Celebration

This year was the Silver Anniversary of independence for St. Kitts and Nevis, so I decided that since I have lived here for 3 years of these celebrations it was about time I went to Warner Park to see what all the hoopla was about. Afterall, I was told this year would be WAY better then in the past. So I talked Jaimie into going with Morgan and I to see. We awoke early after a late night of watching fireworks to kick off the celebration at midnight. Braved the rain and got chewed out a few different times for sitting in the wrong place. But when it all started and the band came marching in, Morgan started to dance to the music and all was well. Prime Minister Denzil Douglas addressed the crowd and emphasized the importance of children and their role in the future of the federation.
I'm not sure what all the different groups were, but there was a large number of military personnel there.
The men in white are from the British Military, they brought in a battleship to port for the weekend. To see more on the inside of "Iron Duke" see here Our friends got to go on a field trip with their kids and tour the ship. I was VERY jealous! I only got to climb on some rocks at the port and take pictures from a distance.

Governor General in the feathery hat. Morgan thought he was the funniest guy there.
St. Kitts Police ForceThe helicopter that came out of no where was a huge hit with the crowd! I have video of it but that will have to be in another post due to technical difficulty with the video camera.
Morgan and I waiting for the march to begin.We didn't stay to the end, but there was a parade through the street afterwards.

In all it was a good experience. I was very impressed with the pride in the military personnel and the recognition of the federations independence. Made me think if all of us in the states treated our own military with such respect there would be alot more tolerance on everyone's part. It was nice to see that on independence day those who made it possible were recognized.

Marshmellows!!

"Look Mom! There are marshmellows growing in our lawn!" Morgan was so excited this morning when she saw these. Then I reminded her they are mushrooms and we shouldn't eat them because they may not be the edible kind. But she enjoyed taking pictures of them.

Morgan's counting down

Morgan has been hearing about all the fun her sisters are having at Grandma's and asks me almost daily "are we going to grandma's tomorrow?"

I just don't think she realizes that daddy won't be going with us and it will be another few months until we see him.

Morgan's chain is hanging from a curtain rod and she tells me everyday "when it's all the way to the top we are going to grandma's

right mom?"

Not sure who is more anxious, Morgan or

her sisters.

Agriculture Exhibit and Dog Show

While many of you back in the states are wrapping up State fair time, we here in the caribbean had our won little fair to attend.
Last weekend, we talked Chad into taking a break from studying and come with us to the mini-fair that St. Kitts was doing. It wasn't like a typical fair in the states but still really neat to see. There was a lot of plant exhibits and a few animals. Plus we caught the final minutes of the cricket match. Bought a few Christmas presents (to be revealed in December) and ate popcorn!

Looking out onto the field with all the exhibit tents.
Morgan and her popcorn at the cricket field. BUNNIES!!! Morgan was so excited to see the animals.
Dr. Utah's first theriogenology success story. He implanted the mother artificially and here is the result...this beautiful Senepol and Angus cross bull
Morgan being a turtle..is it a leatherback, hawksbill or green? We aren't sure.

In typical fair fashion...we enjoyed some nice cold, refreshing, soursop ice cream. Don't you all eat soursop ice cream when you go to the fair?
Morgan anxiously waiting for the dog show to start
Toy breed entries
Large breed entries. We thought it interesting that the dog who was trying to fight with all the other ones won! It's the dog in the middle who's owner has a striped shirt on.
Morgan got bored with the dogs and took over the camera. She's getting pretty good at those self portraits.

What's for dinner?

Lobster and fish served on a beautiful scallop shell!

Our fish are still swimming, just not in salt water

Our little fish have not been as deprived of water as they thought they were going to be upon their return to the desert of Nevada.

Lucky for them Grandpa Harris has spent the past few summers without us getting his boat up and running again. So this past weekend they went and spent a few hours on Lake Mead.

The water was crystal clear just like the ocean

Jordan and Tori had a fun time jumping off the boat and just swimming! Maybe next time they will get brave and have Grandma help them with kneeboarding. (HINT, HINT)

During the week they enjoy an afternoon dip in the neighbor's "little" swimming hole.

They have a fun time jumping off the water fall... slippin' down the slide...
and climbing on the rocks!
The first week they went Jordan had a little fight with the slide, but her head won.
Damon, don't worry...Jordan may have found another baby to hold but you will always be her first baby sitting job!