One year already!

I can't believe that an entire year has gone by since I started "So Very Very Thankful."

Today marks one year that I have been blogging. A year in my life that I will treasure forever. I've met such wonderful people, who have now become my friends and family, and I have learned so much.
It was exactly one year ago, that I timidly wrote my first post, just to test the water, and here it is:
"Life would not be life if we did not encounter both good and bad events. We however must never forget to give thanks...in everything give thanks."
 
I am much indebted to GB, a kind and caring fellow blogger, who left the first comment:
"I'm now consumed with curiosity as to what the next post will be about."
Still I did nothing.
Two weeks later, another comment:
"Still curious!"
Had it not been for those words, I may not have got my arse in gear and get going with my new blog.
Thanks for your inspiration GB!!
I have met so many nice people since I joined Blogland, it seems to me that I am now part of a special family.  Folks from all walks of life whom I have never met, but whose lives have touched mine in so many ways.
I never knew that anyone in their right minds would consider reading the ramblings and rants from a somewhat crazy woman in Barbados....but here we are.
I am thankful that I have you all in my life.
Every day I have traveled to many far-flung reaches of the world as I sit and read your life experiences and cry and laugh with you and gain strength, knowledge and experience from all of you as well.
I enjoy your comments and advice and good wishes, all meaningful to me in some way.
I have come to the realization that I have touched quite a few fellow bloggers as well, and I'm glad that I could do so. It's a two-way street.
It's always a learning experience for me when I see a new place pop up on my Feedjit Live traffic feed, a place which is unknown to me, and then I have to locate it on a map and learn all about it.

French is my second language, so it only seems fair to read about life in France from those living there.   
At one point in my life, I had wanted to be a Linguist/Interpreter....wonder what ever happened to that dream?


I don't know if you have realized, but my blog family seems to consist of all animal lovers, maybe a subconscious pull of the heart strings on my part. I love blogs with dogs, cats and horses, but also gardens, DIY projects and frugal living.


To all of my blog friends and family, thanks for hanging on for an entire year....I promise the next year won't be such a wild ride as the first.

My how the time has flown by.
Love you all very much!!!

An evening with friends

Yesterday was a holiday here...Whitsuntide bank holiday.
It rained most of the day, so I stayed indoors relaxing the day away. 
I didn't mind however, since we were having yet another get-together at my friend's house in the evening.
I love these get-togethers where we all hang out and have fun.  The past few weeks have been peppered with bank holidays, and we have made the most of them.
I baked another chocolate cake, since the hostess (Ms.Mixologist) did not have any of the last one, and I was forewarned that I could not show up to her house without chocolate cake....so I baked another chocolate cake just for her.
At the appointed time (6pm), we were all gathered, and the fun evening was on its way.
I had forgotten my camera, and only had my phone with me, so only managed a few photos of the incredible finger foods which she had prepared.

Potato balls, Savoury Meat Balls, Fish Fingers with a hot dip, Shish Kebabs, Meat Rolls, Miniature Party sausages, Cucumbers stuffed with tuna pâté, Miniature pizzas

Chocolate-dipped strawberries and fresh fruit cups

The orange skins from the sangria were used for fresh fruit cups

The above dessert photos were taken inside the fridge.

The "Jet Lee" shots

The "killer-miller" shots concocted by the hostess, Ms.Mixologist,....yes she of centipede foot fame.
Made with wild abandon: Courvoisier,  Hennessy, Tanqueray, Smirnoff and Absolut Vodka, Johhny Walker Black and Red Whisky and some others I don't want to remember.


The guys were welcomed with shots at the door to "make the hair on the chest grow" or to "kill off the worms inside".
And no, I did not partake of any of the "killer-miller" shots.  The other ladies and I stuck to wine, sangria  and other soft drinks.

Another wonderful evening with friends...another wonderful evening to remember.

Apocalyptic readiness

Surfing the channels over the weekend for something to watch, I came across the "Doomsday Bunkers" tv show on the Discovery Channel.
I had absolutely no idea that another reality show had been created around the doomsday prepping for life after the big nuclear holocaust/apocalypse.
I had viewed  "Doomsday Preppers" on National Geographic on several occasions, and found it quite interesting.
The company making the bunkers states on their website that "large bunker requests are backed up and a waiting list is being created for 2014/2015."
During the show I watched a very young boy learn to shoot a gun to ward off looters and intruders that may try to attack and steal the family's stash of food supplies if it came to that.
I knew that folks were spreading the word about the end of the world and basically using their scare tactics to hoard/store food, and ways to survive, if the world were annihilated by a nuclear bomb or even the end of the world apocalypse.
Online, I found a site where a guy was offering a guide with lists of everything you would ever need to survive the apocalypse. Interesting reading, but when you clicked to obtain the lists, there was a Cart and a price attached to a  Paypal invoice. Does he not realise that his bank will be no more? Why can't he do the humane thing and give the information to his fellowman for free? He doesn't really care at all, only for himself. Not surprising at all.

Total devastation all over the world. Think about it.
I don't know about you, but I don't think I would want to live in a world of nothing.

No electricity, no food, no medical supplies, no water, no clean air to breathe, no green grass, no trees....nothing left.
A world of nothing....no thanks.
Maybe like the ant I should be prepping as well.....

How much food and supplies could be stored, and to last for how long?  When everything is gone, you still have to emerge from the bunker and get back to the real world outside....a world of complete devastation.  Unclean air, no food, no power, just rubble and death everywhere.
Then what??

Don't get me wrong, I agree with preparing for disasters (like we do here for hurricanes etc.), but worldwide annihilation?
I must admit that I do store extra foodstuff "just in case" but not on such a grand scale. Maybe I am a budding prepper at heart and don't even know it. 

For more insight, have a read here and here.

A this and that Saturday

Yesterday was a day with a difference.  Even though we ventured out for our usual Saturday jaunt, we ended up doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that, and returned home even earlier than we normally do, since we had chores to attend to.
Surprisingly, there were no garage sales or "everything must go" sales, so we stuck to the west coast.
We stopped in at a local paint store that was having a 20% off sale and made a few purchases. Believe it or not the prices were way more than our favourite hardware store, and we mentioned this to the clerk, who then matched the price, so we left with enough paint to cover a small mansion.

We also visited a girlfriend who always has small palm trees growing under the shade of her fruit trees, where the birds drop the seeds in their excrement. Lots of small palms were available, but I was looking for one in particular with an open leaf frond. I found a small baby so it came home with me.

Potted it up right away and placed it among its new family members outside my kitchen door.

 

During the week I had cleaned up my "Palm Alley" and fertilized the palms as well.

My daughter had lodged a vociferous complaint about the fan palm in the middle which apparently was scratching her every time she passed.

You can see from the new cuts all the fronds that were removed to appease Daughter dear.

 

Next we went to the supermarket and did some shopping. I had forgotten my bottles for recycling, so I just topped up my cell phone, and bought some fresh vegetables and a few necessities, since Monday is a holiday.

It started to rain quite heavily all of a sudden, so much so that we arrived back home in a serious downpour.

Lunch for you know who was cooked hurriedly, and I also fixed a stir fry meal for myself.

 

Stir-fried cod fish with bok choy, squash, and broccoli made with fresh chopped garden herbs 

Served on a bed of rice

I also use  pre-made herbs in my cooking. I remember my Mum standing with fresh garden herbs on her chopping board making light work of them, adding salt and pepper, and then using to season whatever meat she was preparing.

Now, we can buy the already chopped herbs in the supermarket in either bottles or small refill pouches.

 The brand I purchased yesterday was Aunt May's (family business).

A Caribbean Chopped Seasoning blend with onions, chives, salt, hot pepper, thyme, marjoram, celery, parsley, black pepper, white pepper, ginger, oregano, nutmeg, garlic, cloves, and preserving acid.

I refilled my seasoning bottle (which I admit sheepishly is by another competitor) and replaced on the fridge.

Mr. Brownie ate his lunch, and then sauntered outside to do his business. It never seems as if he can avoid walking in the muddy areas after it rains. Back on the inside, paws were meticulously cleaned of all mud, (muddy floor) and then he settled down under the table to have his siesta at my feet.

In case you're wondering, yes, the secret melon was shared up. Here is my portion.

I had some for breakfast this morning, and it was quite tasty. Brownie was not enthused by its taste however, so he had a small sliver of cheese instead.

Yes, yesterday was a nice day. It was also the birthday of my dear friend who lives in VA, but was in London (shopping at Harrods I might add) on her way to Portugal.
Yes, a very nice day.
 

Shhhh!!

Can you keep a secret?
I hope I can trust you to keep my secret.
A friend of mine came by a few days ago, and gave me a large watermelon. According to my friend, "No one is to know that I gave you this melon, okay?"  "It's our secret."

Sounds all rather covert doesn't it?

The secret melon

 I will be sharing it up among my friends....they will all be sworn to secrecy.

Garden walk

Looking around in the garden today, I was amazed at how the grass is back up after a few showers. I was interrupted by a rain shower on Monday while I was cutting the grass, and since then we have been having quite a few intermittent showers.
Now today, the grass needs cutting AGAIN, so I'll have to start all over.
Remember it was I that pleaded for the rain to come and shower its goodness on my garden, now I'm not sure if I'm still on top of the world at its appearance or if I'm an ungrateful bastard.
I guess I'll be cutting grass every week from now on......can't wait.
But I love how the garden takes on a fresh glow after a nice rainy shower.

 

Potted fish tail palms settling in well after the rains.

 

New plantings along the back wall have all perked up.

  

My garden walk partner

Don't let him fool you, he is secretly eying that fresh pile of leaves by the garden gate.

Now that I have written the word "eying" it looks so strange.

That freaking monkey is around here somewhere.

 I CAN smell him in the air.

Show thyself you varmit!!

.

My fancy angelica and a West Indian holly (Leea) are also looking quite stunning.

 My old dog Snowy is buried under the angel statue.

 Portlandia in full bloom

Lots of unopened blooms as well

But the opened ones are the prettiest

Not wanting to be left out of the parade is my Grand Duke of Tuscany jasmine.

The first bloom after the dry season.

Thank heavens for the rain, my garden loves it.

I'm off to cut the grass.......

My BFF

I love you so very much Monkee....I love you, love you, love you

You are my Best Friend Forever

Mother's Day luncheon

I hope all the mums had a wonderful day yesterday.
Every year, my friends host a fantastic Mother's Day luncheon. The menu is carefully planned, and we all put our culinary skills to good use by preparing the best mouth watering meals available on the planet....I kid you not.
It was also the birthday of my girlfriend...yes, she with the centipede foot....remember her?
What made the day even more special is that one of my dear friends (the brother of the birthday girl), who resides in the US, is here on the island for a while, so we were able to get together and have a wonderful time. We are always happy to have him home. It's really his large crazy family that hosts the event. Over the years, I have been absorbed into his family and now they are my family as well.

Chocolate Cakes

I awoke early and baked two chocolate cakes and iced them for the occasion....and yes, I enjoyed the beaters afterwards.
 
We arrived early and some preparations were still underway in the kitchen.

Macaroni Pie ready for the oven and veggies for stir fry

Bajan Flying Fish being prepared the traditional way.

When everything was ready, what a feast......

Raw Veggie Salad along with Kidney Beans in a special dressing (chef would not divulge the recipe...said he'd have to kill us if he did)
Those kidney Beans were worth dying for..they were so GOOD!

Shepherd's Pie

My vegetarian plate - Savoury veggie rice, Macaroni Pie, Shepherd's Pie, Kidney Beans, Salad, Baked Chicken, and of course a small sliver of Roasted Pork for you know who.

There was also a Pepperpot made with various meats that everyone said was quite tasty.

Cakes Galore!

Mocha Chocolate, Fruit cake, CheeseCake, Chocolate, and Birthday Cake.

There were so many fun activities all around like karaoke and of course dominoes.

Forgot to mention that the birthday girl had to work, so she did not arrive until 5pm. She does not like the traditional Happy Birthday song, so we broke out into Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday to You!"
Imagine this: A house packed full of happy people jumping, waving hands in the air  and singing Happy Birthday to You! in a congaline style.
What FUN!


Of course I can't forget the bow wow of the house, who was so well-behaved for the event.

 Morpheus

Happy Birthday J, may you enjoy many many many more.  I'm glad you liked your gift.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Mother
A Mother’s love, is sure to find
A way to comfort, ease your mind

She knows just how, to build you up
When you’re so down, and can’t look up

You love the way, she makes you feel
Like you’re so special, her ideal

Her thought must start, with God above
To bring such caring, with such love

And as it flows, like gentle rain
It surely helps, when troubles pain

The love from mine, is oh so clear
I only wish, she was still here

Her warming glow, is missed each day
Even though, I seldom say

But she did leave, her gift behind
To help me through, when I may pine

And that’s the feel, known deep inside
Her faith and love, I still confide

by Roger J. Robicheau

Wishing all the wonderful mums out there a Happy Mother's Day!!!

I'm sad

Yesterday morning, when I walked the garden, I checked on the little nest that I'd found the day before.
Mama Bird was at home and doing well.
In the afternoon when I went out to check on her, this was what I found......

.....a destroyed nest

I feel totally responsible for its demise.
Maybe....if I had not trimmed the palm fronds so neatly, the nest would have remained completely hidden from predators.
I knew it was not Brazen that did the deed....it was probably the Gray Kingbirds that did the damage.  I seem to be seeing more of them in the garden, and they are exhibiting a higher level of aggressive behaviour.
I'm sad that Mama Bird's home is no more, and her eggs were eaten....and that she has moved on.
I had given her my word that no harm would come to her home and its contents, and yet......
I hope that she is okay, and that I will see her again someday.
I'm so sorry Mama Bird.

10 Quirky things about me and then some

I've noticed recently that many fellow bloggers have posted unknown facts about themselves, especially to fulfil an award requisite or for a survey.  I thought it may be fun to do the same.
You should all know by now that I'm a neat freak, Sometimes my daughter accuses me of living in a showpiece home, but "I like things a certain way."
She on the other hand has some semblance of order to the chaos in her room, I don't know how she manages...that apple did fall far from the tree in this case.
Okay, back to me....some of my friends will know a few details about me, but some not so much.
So here goes, in no particular order:

1.    Whenever I'm finished using a match to light a burner on the stove, I ALWAYS make sure it's fully extinguished by dipping it in a water puddle in the sink drain.

2.   When I'm about to turn my oscillating fan off, I ALWAYS make sure it is facing front before hitting the off button.

3.   I have  a thing for getting the first Word Verification codes that pop up for blog comments right the first time around.

I don't like to see the words in red above.

4.   I'm a stickler for time, and to this end, my friends call me a time management specialist behind my back...they think I don't know.
If we arrange to meet for 10am, then it's 10am in my book....call if you're running late.  Time is such a precious commodity, I hate wasting time.

When I worked in the corporate world, many employees took pride in their "busy work."

 5.  One of my pet peeves is leaving dirty dishes in the sink at night. I always think that the water supply may be off the following morning, so it's always best to go to bed with a clean sink. I like a clean sink.

6.  When using a bar of soap, I like to wash it off clean until there is no tell-tale lather left, that way it's nice and neat for when I use it again. I do prefer body wash, but sometimes I have to revert to a good soapy scrub after some serious gardening.

7.   When parallel parking in a spot, I like to complete it on the first attempt.

 

Park Assist would freak me out

8.   I can't lie in bed after the sun comes up.

 Hey the sun is up! So am I!

 I feel as if I'm missing out on life if I waste a day lying around being lazy.
If I'm in bed during the day, I am not feeling well.
My belief is that we can all sleep when we're dead.

9.   My analytical mind gets me in trouble sometimes, for I hate something to bug me whereby I can't solve a problem. I pick radios apart, fiddle around with my pc programs till they're working again, and generally play Ms.McGuyver.

 

 I like to know what makes things tick and tock, or NOT.

I have spent many a night in bed solving a problem in my head to work on next day.

10.  I don't care for rude people, and I don't hesitate to let them know it.

Life is too short to allow yourself to be bombarded with rude ridiculous people.

As an added bonus:

11.  I have never learned to curse.  My friends have told me I sound very "wrong" uttering profanities.

12.  All the hangers in my wardrobe face the same way.

Maybe now, after reading this, you are thinking I am too quirky to be your friend........but hey, most of my friends are quite quirky too, but that's why I love them.

Please note that all images above are borrowed from the internet.