All Hail the Queen (Conch)!!!!

One word: Conch (pronounced Konk…and we use that word in another context too… “to violently hit a person…preferably in the head eg. “Watch me ‘konk’ you” or “Watch out before that coconut ‘konks’ you!”) But SERIOUSLY….let’s talk CONCH…

"Shells on the Wharf" J. Christina Photography (c)2014

Maybe it’s because I’ve been craving this mollusk (YES! A really huge TASTY snail) for at least a week now…I have changed its presentation in my head from cracked (beaten, floured and fried), to frittered (placed in a batter and fried….something similar to hush puppies), to scorched (scored and seasoned with herbs and orange juice etc…maybe raw…maybe grilled…sigh)…and then I’ve really been thinking of a conch salad (raw and cut into manageable pieces with lemon juice, orange juice and  herbs like onion, sweet pepper, celery etc.) Yeah…I’m leaning more toward the salad because I can FINALLY try the tropical conch salad that is all the rage these days.  

Atropical conch salad would be prepared normally, but fruits such as strawberries and pineapples are added…this variation on the salad is a skill that has been honed by another family island and is becoming a big hit here…a hit that I haven’t tried yet.  And I’m not feeling pressured in any way, I think I’m a bit old school, and it isn’t just with my food…

• ·         Am I the only one who gets peeved when they realize that the Microsoft Word program now starts you up in the Calibri font? I’m a Times New Roman type gal…and I feel weird writing in a different font…

• ·         Do you think I’m going to be one of those older people who INSIST on calling establishments by their previous names? Eg. Telecoms (pronounced Telecalms by my grandparents) ---> BaTelCo (our generation) ---> BTC(…the sidekick must be the only person who calls it BTC in our home)…well I call it BTC when something goes wrong (does that count?)…they have this slogan that goes “BTC dun done it again” (BTC has done it again!) and it’s supposed to be a GOOD thing, (especially when they are mentioning how they have upgraded a cell phone package etc.)

See what I mean?!  (Let’s get back on topic though…)

I’m craving conch…

Known as an aphrodisiac for generations, the Strombus Gigas (Queen Conch), a simple, one-toed delicacy (sounds weird huh? LOL…but it has one nail that it uses to slowly pull itself across the ocean floor as it eats) is a staple in our diet and can be prepared in countless ways (I cannot complain).

So until I actually get it, in ‘some way, shape, or form’ I will dream about the many tantalizing ways I can prepare it, and OF COURSE nag my husband as subtly as I can until he craves it too (I think I will teach you guys how to do that in my next blog post, so stay tuned!) Ha!

Hands up in enthusiasm , heart full of schemes,

xoxo Jenna

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Bananas in their early stages.

 These past few months we have been backyard gardening...something that I never thought we would have been able to do, but after googling, researching, and speaking to gardening experts, we realized that it was in fact possible.

Backyard gardening is a fulfilling hobby that we are so glad that we got into. I won't jump up and say that it hasn't had it shares of ups and downs, but I would say that it has taught us so much about the environment, our personal temperaments (LOL!), and life in general.

Trial and error has taught me the patience of gardening and its soothing attributes.  I can not even explain how proud we are when we see the seeds and transplants that we have watered sprout green. (I'm literally dancing around the house singing "YAY!!!! It didn't die!!!!)

It has given me an added boost of confidence and now I'm looking forward to trying new things...it also liberates me by giving me options...

Green Onions!

We don't know how long we are going to be in our present location, but while we are there, we are learning more about the fruits and vegetables that we have planted and are maintaining.  Some of the plants have already produced, but we are looking forward to tasting our very own sweet potatoes (I'm thinking fried, mashed, and baked...twice-baked even...lol).

I can't even begin to explain how good it feels to look up and see my hubby and son in the garden doing their own thing...even better is watching my son pick cherry tomatoes straight of the vine and pop them like candy.

Cherry Tomatoes

I can't wait to start producing more fruits and vegetables on a larger scale...I want to be able to produce enough food to assist with a healthier alternative in a small neighborhood.  I feel that every child should have the opportunity to put their hands in soil and experience growing their own fruits and vegetables.

I'm looking forward to sharing seeds and stories this year!

Hands up in happiness, heart full of hope,

xoxo Jenna