Mornin'

We woke this morning to the sweet sound of Quelbe music in the distance as Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights did their early morning thing through Christiansted. Have a listen.

From what I understand, Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights pick random neighborhoods and start playing there early in the morning with their band set up in the back of a semi or something. They drive really slowly through the streets and people come out of their houses, not to curse them and call the police for a noise disturbance, but to actually dance behind the truck as the band makes their way down the street. Pretty awesome way to welcome the day if you ask me.


I haven't quite figured it all out. I can't fathom a band jamming through the streets of Indiana at the break of dawn and people loving it, so thankfully George is patient with me and does a lot of explaining. It's all is related to The Cruzan Christmas Festival, a mass time of celebration here which starts in December and continues past the New Year marked by pagents, culture, Calypso competitions, parades, tramps, J'ouvert, village, Carnival, food, etc. There is definitely a festive vibe in the air during this time of the year way beyond the Christmas, New Year's thing.

I couldn't get Elsa off the porch this morning, with a little bounce in her step, and Nyah was busy at work while we enjoyed the sweet music. So different from the Midwest in a such a lively way. And yes, I'm currently moving my hips to this locally grown music and its seven o'clock in the morning-what the ___? Hope everyone has a great day.

Holiday Chill

Life is moving slow around here and it's been just lovely. Essentially, there could be a blizzard outside, that is pretty much how we are behaving. Relaxing indoors with each other, skipping the gym, snuggling under blankets (thanks to the Christmas winds), indulging in good food and just enjoying our time post holiday mayhem. Just kidding, no mayhem here, our holiday was more than relaxing. 


Our first attempt hosting a holiday gathering was a mad success and was just an all around awesome night spent with family. I keep catching myself reminiscing about the night. This holiday was a pretty much perfect, more about love and time together than ridiculous onslaught of unnecessary gifts. Our love is not measured in gifts, our love for each other is way beyond that and it feels great.

In other big news: Nyah is protesting something major and is in the midst of a serious hunger strike. I think she is trying to convince us that a strict diet of only chocolate (pronounced in Spanish in our house) is all she needs to survive. Elsa has two new teeth, Nyah can now reach the bathroom sink to wash her hands with no stool and we were finally able to turn Elsa's car seat around, she is totally into her new view of the world and it is obvious that she is enjoying the ride. Nyah has learned to button her own shirts and we are expecting a new addition to our family this summer. I know, can you believe it? She can button, pretty awesome life accomplishment and we couldn't be more proud.


Hope everyone is enjoying this relaxing time of the year. Love.

Carribean Christmas

Graham Cracker House

Nyah and I decided to attempt a gingerbread house this year, actually a graham cracker house. I had a feeling building a gingerbread house would be a challenge so we decided for our first construction attempt would be in graham cracker. We added cream of tartar to a jar of store bought icing to make the icing dry hard. I know, I am such a cheater, I am just not into the raw egg thing in the royal icing because there was no doubt in my mind that Nyah would be sampling our creation. 


I am by no means an expert baker (if the looks of our graham cracker house doesn't make this blazingly obvious), in fact I am just a beginner but even I know the humidity here can make baking a challenge. Melting chocolate, nearly impossible. My first attempt making a pie crust was comical.  The dough was a gooey mess even after adding double the flour. Tasty. I wish high humidity instructions were included in recipes. By the way, I am open to suggestions to my baking problems if anyone has any ideas.


Back to the gingerbread house. We finally got the house standing after a little help from George and great frustration on my part. A little messy but standing, for now.

I felt like the graham cracker house was becoming a personal challenge. Me vs graham cracker house. The construction was not the most exciting part for Nyah, of course she just wanted to decorate. She stole samples of candy and icing during this stage. 

We then added the candy after the icing dried for a couple hours. 
Here is the finished product. Nyah was in charge of the path which of course looks awesome. 

As my finger lifted off the shutter to take the above picture, the house collapsed. The seams didn't break, the house actually caved in on itself because the graham crackers were soggy. Ugh, damn humidity. 

 Guess who was in charge of tree duty while we were working.

 Elsa can't get enough of the tree.

Nyah expertly handling the cleanup of the house post collapse, what would we do without her.

 Until next year graham cracker house. We will master you.

Christmas Comin'

Nyah is really getting into the holidays this year and I must say her excitement is contagious. We are really enjoying this holiday season together. St. Croix has some great activities during the holidays, festivals, Carnival, and my personal favorite, a boat parade. 

St. Croix even has their own Christmas carols, Cruzan Christmas carols, and we love them, especially when George sings them. Lyrics involving phrases like,"Mama bake da johnny cake, Chritmas comin', Christmas comin', New Year comin", and "If you wanna be merry, drink guava berry". So we have been jammin' out and getting ready.

The girls were such a big help decorating.

This angel now belongs to Nyah, of course.

She just loves her.

And Elsa, our little tree watch dog. 

She just can't seem to keep her sweet little paws off the tree. 


George is even in getting into the holiday spirit, using Santa as motivation for good behavior. I was never into Santa but now I get it, as horrible as it is the mere thought of Santa not visiting can turn an entire situation around.  George and I will obviously be getting coal this year. Hope you all are enjoying the season.