How to eat a cacoa

           
CACOA

Theobroma Cacoa  or simply "cocoa" as it called in the Caribbean, is a yummy fruit in its original form.  And even more delicious when the fruits seeds manufactured into chocolate. For a moment let's ignore the fact that its end product is delicious dark choco............Let's stick to the fruit and how we eat it in the Caribbean.

How does it taste?
     Very much like most citrus type fruits.
Do you buy it?
      No.  It is common for locals to pick ripe fruit located at the edge of planations.
How do you eat it?
      Crack it open, suck the flesh of  the individual seeds, spit it out. Refreshing.

Summer! Ohh My Summer!

A Summer to REMEMBER!

Yes, we have spent every breathing moment together this summer vacation. And yes we all secretly pray for it to end. Indeed we had fun. Yes. We did all the things you do in the summer vacations, sun burns on top of sun burns, sleeping in, played video games lived in a crazy manner and as it goes "all good things come to an end". Yes, thank heavens it is coming to an end.

Bonding, memories, arguments about the size of a pea.  You must admit two months of vacation is unreasonably long. When its finally over you now need a vacation. Anyway here are some pics of some of our most enjoyable times.  Enjoy!

Sand Writing

Sand Writing

It's a fun way to remember the beach, create a custom photo or make others happy. And most of all you don't have to be an artist.

El-Lee writng : I Love Granny

DIY: Dinosaur Birthday Cupcakes

EASY DINOSAUR CUPCAKES

My son wanted a dinosaur cake for his birthday, 

so I tried and here's what i came up with.

What you will need:

Time: 2 hours

1 box cake

1 container of frosting

1 pk star sprinkles

12 pk cupcake liners

12 pk small dinosaurs

cupcake pan

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cupcake pan with paper liners, set aside.  In a medium mixing bowl, whisk batter, following instructions on cake box.

Step 2: Divide the batter among liners, fill liners about 2/3 full.  Bake on the middle rack for approximately 20 minutes.  Transfer to wire rack to cool.

Step 3: Make frosting from scratch or buy a ready made frosting. (Like I did).  

Step 4:  Use a piping bag with a star shaped tip.  Assemble bag and tip. Large tips make swirls, small tips are better for writing and decorating OR make your own bag by cutting a small hole at the bottom of a sandwich bag ( I always use a sandwich bag because you just have to toss it when you're through )

Step 5: Pipe swirls onto cupcake.  Position bag over the middle of the cupcake.  Then pipe a cone.  Start from the outside and move towards the centre. When you reach the top, stop and pull up slowly. Sprinkle on stars and place toy dinosaur on top.

Fun things you can do on the beach besides swimming:

Easter break. Everyone loves it! The Sun, the Wind and the Tides! Slashing in the sea, what not to enjoy?  Sun burn...hmm. 

Pigoen Point Tobago

 Here are some fun things you can do on the beach besides swimming:

1. Recently, my family and I experienced cooking and eating roast fish. 
    How it's done?

       Step 1.  Buy "fresh fish", off a fishing boat

       Step 2.  Make a bonfire, with beach twiggs and stones.

       Step 3. Clean fish

       Step 4. Roast and eat, absolutely no cutlery needed.

   After , your goning to wish you brought more fish.
2. Write a message in the sand.  Take a picture of it. And that how you make it lasts forever.
3. Classic beach  frisbee game.  Folks never get tried of this.
4. Meet new people. Kids do it all the time.
5. Take picture of historic sites along the coastline. (If there are any)
6.  Look for sea shells and colored glass.  Take them home, make jewelry or art.
7. Look for tiny sea critters, crabs, birds, chip chip, jellyfish.
8. Go fishing
9. Surfing, jet ski racing, kitesurfing, kayaking.  Have an adventure.  
10. Want a perfect tan....Go topless. Please, make sure that you're doing this at a nude beach.  Or you will         be in for an even bigger adventure.
11. Sit and relax, read a book..........not my cup of tea.
12. Watch the sunset.

    

How to make an Amerindian Costume for kids

Multi-cultural Day

My kids pre-school in a drive to increase the children’s knowledge and awareness of their heritage and culture asked parents to dress their kids in any traditional/ethnic wear.  We choose to do Amerindians. I must admit it the design does not totally follow our traditional wear.

Step1: Cut out the top and pants pattern on brown paper first (like I did) if you do not sew regularly.  Fit the kid’s then pin cut out onto khaki material then cut following the brown paper pattern. Remember to kept garments loose fitting, so it will easily pass over your kids head.

Step 2:  Next, cut out your strips. Cut approximately 12 ft of 4in strips of camel material.

Step 3:  Pin garments together and sew together.  Sew on camel fringes first. Also you can make any pattern you desire on the boy’s bodice.  I kept it simple for it was the first time for me sewing garments or anything for that matter.  I left openings on both sides of the boy bodice.

Step 4: The pants prove to be the most difficult to cut to sew but it turned out great.  Remember to leave enough space on the waist to run elastic through.

Step 5:  For the head piece, use remaining ends of the material and make a plait which is enough to fit around your kids head.  Attach feather to the back of headpiece.

And finally, prepare for hours and hours of howling and kids riding your couch like a horse

Easter Hats for Boys

Easter Hat for Boys

Step1: Get template and follow on your black Bristol board. The hat can be made days or even weeks before.

Step 2: Start to decorate and  get your kids involved. Remember they are the ones going to wear the hat. Let your kids crack open the eggs.

Step 3:  Measure and stick the blue ribbon around the bottom of the hat. 

Step 4: Time to stick the eggs.  Take one half of an egg, put glue around the circumference very lightly. Place on hat's exterior. It's a fun and funky hat so place eggs in a hap-hazard manner, mixing up the colour's.  And most importantly have fun.

Sorry, I did not take picture through out the enitre process.  But it is super easy, so I know you and your kids can do it.  Have fun.

Pierrot Greneda Costume

Pierrot Greneda

In Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is an annual event held on Monday and Tuesday, before ash Wednesday.  the Two day masquerade is known as a time to "free up"  and dress in colourful costume.  However, today many of the traditional costume and forms of celebration have became non-existant. Today, " bikini mas" has become the trend.  However, in an attempt to preseve the history of Carnival, it has been incorporated into the schools syllabuses.

Zara and El-Lee dressed as Pierrot Greneda's.

My son's class has chosen the tradition charater known as the Pierrot Grenada. It is the descendant of the Pierrot, he represents fighting prowess with his whip, he is followed by a band of female supporters who fight on his behalf...........Lucky guy.  He frequently quoted Shakespearean charaters. So, together we set out to make his costume.  Of, course we had to make one for his little sister.  I must admit the costume is the kiddie version to the real exotic costume.

What you will need?

Old cloth

Scissors

Glue sticks

Glue gun

What we did?  Remember "recycle, reuse, reinvent" then only if necessary hit the store.

Step 1: I used some left over material from a party.  Use a piece as long and wide as your kid when doubled.    Cut out head piece and arms. Glue sides together leaving a space for the arms. ( Inner piece should look like an adults sleeveless top )

Step 2: Cut out  4 inch strips, making sure that the it is as wide as the inner piece. How many strips? For two kids, cut until your tried.  Remember you have to cut enough to cover the back of the costume.

Step3:  Stick 4 inch strips onto the inner piece from top to bottom.  We alternated the colours as we stuck them.  Then give it to my kid to cut up the strips.  They can do it.  My son is five he did a terrific job, my daughter is three and she did great but got bored so I had to complete hers.

Zara admiring her cost

Step 4:   Let your kid's put it on and to finish the look put some baby powder on their face. And tie their heads with a  triangular piece of material.

Step 5. Upon reflection, I think this should be the first step.   Tell your kids about the history of Carinval and the significance of the Pierrot Grenade.  Most importantly, have fun, make mess and let your kids help.

Easy Banana Muffins - 5 Easy Steps.

Easy Banana Muffins - 5 Easy Steps

My kids and I make these quite often when our banana trees are bearing.  No matter how much you eat, give away and eat and eat, you usually have a bunch of over ripe bananas on the counter.  At, our home wasting is not an option, so we make banana smoothies, sorbet, and other snacks when we tried of eating bananas.  The recipe is very easy, healthy and freezes, well.  This blog will show you how to make one of our favourites alternatives, " Banana Muffins"

INGREDIENTS:
Serves: 12
3 large bananas/ 6 small bananas
2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
3/4 brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup water
2 1/2oz butter melted

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pre-heat oven 350 degrees F/ 172 degrees C.  Pick some bananas , or ideally use very ripe bananas.  Set aside flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

2. Cut it up place in blender  with 1 cup of milk, we used water [son is lactose intolerant].   Blend, or mash bananas with a fork.  Add sugar, eggs, butter. Consistency should be a bit chunky.

3.  Pour into mixing bowl.  Add flour, salt ,baking powder, and baking soda. Combine ingredients. 

4. Scoop into muffin pan.  Place in oven for 15 minute for small ones, 30 minutes for large ones.

  

5. Serve hot, room temperature, with cheese  however you like it.  Enjoy.

After my kids and I was finish, we realised we forgot to but in the baking powder............ Explains the flat appearance.  For those nut lovers out there......add nuts to this recipe and it decadent.