Summer Dress

So, today i had some time to run up a cute summer dress for my daughter; i have to say that my sewing class is helping me a lot! I am finally gaining some speed in starting and finishing sewing projects. I have had this goal( learning to sew) for more than ten years, and i am finally close enough to say, cross it off my list and add a new goal. I hope that you are close to reaching your goals, whichever they may be, write them down and fight to attain them. Here is the picture of the dress i made in two hours. Have a wonderful and productive week.

Ripened Banana Vinegar

If you are having trouble eating all the bananas you purchase and you are short of time to whip up a delicious banana bread or cake, and so, your over ripened bananas are getting trashed; don't worry you're not alone. I try my best not to waste any food, and in reality with just the right information, most foods we throw out can be put to some good use. In the case of fruits, that are over ripened they can be fermented to make vineger; that can be used in the kithen. I remember how the old folks back where i grew up used to take over ripened bananas and turn it into a sweet and tangy tasting vineger. So, here is the process; i hope not another banana will get trashed from now on.

1- Over-ripened bananas

2-Glass jar

Procedure:

Peel the over-ripened bananas and place them in the jar; close the jar tightly and

Place it next to a window for it to get some sunlight. After 3-5 days open and pour off vinager.

Voila!

Now enjoy your homemade banana vineger!

Star Apple

The tropical regions of the world is a treasure for wonders, but it is particularly known for its exotic fruits with excellent health benefits. Chrysophyllum cainito, commonly known in many areas of the Caribbean as, Star apple and Caimito, is one of those jewels. I remember eating this fruit down the bank of the coastline where i lived as a child. The fruit that grows on a tall tree, is said to be originally for the Caribbean and Central America, but it does grow in other tropical areas of the world. On the outside is rounded with a range of skin color of greenish-yellow and purplish-red. The outside of the fruit shouldn't be eaten. On the inside, there are black flat seeds, and the part that is eaten is the very sweet- milky flesh . It has a good supply of calcium and other nutritional contributions. There are some researh that suggest that an infusion of the leaves of this tall tree can be infused and use for diabetes, as a replacement for insulin; but further studies are still needed. So enjoy this fruit whenever you can, and don't let the milky juice drop on your clothes because it does stain. I included a picture of few i bought today from a local farm in the area.

Floral Arrangement 1 2 3...

On the island, most playgrounds are visited after the sun goes down. On our way to the playground we can observe and admire the beautiful Caribbean colors of the neigborhood's gardens and sidewalks; we collected some tropical flowers and branches and we decided to make a wild floral arrangement . We found a branch of seeds from a palm tree and this was the center of the arrangement, along with a few Jasmine flowers from the sidewalk.

Fishermen Story

1. 
   
   Waiting, waiting , waiting by the shore, Waiting for them to bring some home, Looking at darkness, in its last course, Knowing that soon, the fire will show! Waiting, and waiting,- On the promise to bring what was needed most! Not knowing, yet knowing -It would probably be the same, So I waited quite patiently by that shore! Oh, there they are! One, two, three Dorey a shore! Get the pan, and ready to go;- One, two, three Dorey a shore! One, two , feet down the Bank! So fishermen, -What did y'all bring? Y'all promised to bring what was needed most Waiting quite patiently at that shore! One , two , three , Little pounds of what you needed the most! One, two , three and four more pounds Of nature’s reminder to treat it more kind! Five, six, seven more pounds of giving to nature- What it needs the most! Eight, nine and ten more pounds -To keep us reminded of nature in action; Giving the best! Remember, the beauty is not in receiving, -Giving and being with nature is what You need the most! Even when you don’t know it! So, while waiting for the fishermen at the shore, They showed me what nature needed The most! C.H.

Homemade Jasmine Infused Oil...

Here on the island is always the season for flowers, fruits and vegetables; we are so fortunate to live in the tropics. At this particular time of the year, Jasmine flowers are showing up and the scent is in the air, but you can catch it in a bottle and use it as perfume. I did this last year with my then 3 year-old daughter and we still have nice Jasmine-infused body oil this year. Here is the recipe: Materials: - Petals of about 10 Jasmine flowers -3 ounces of almond oil or any carrier oil - a wide-mouth dark glass bottle Procedure: -wash and gentle pat dry your flowers -put dried petals in the bottle -cover with the oil -close and store in your cabinet -let sit for 3 weeks and enjoy your homemade Jasmine body oil/perfume. Happy Experimenting!

Coconut Cod Fish and Cabbage

Cod fish is enjoyed on most of the Caribbean islands; it is prepared in a variety of ways. While growing-up on the Caribbean coast, i observed how salting fish was a practical way to preserve the leftover fresh fish the fishermen brought- in daily. It is also an economical way to eat deep water fish and stay away from the farm raised fish we are exposed to now-a-days. Here is the recipe : 1 pound salted cod fish fillet 1/2 pound shredded cabbage 1 medium carrot diced 1 small onion squared 1tablespoon minced garlic gloves 1 large riped tomato 2 tablespoon virgin coconut oil a sprig of fresh rosemary Procedure: wash you fish a lot or even soak overnight to get rid of excess salt. steam fish in hot water and let simmer for about 5 minutes; rinse and set aside. in a heated skillet add 1 tablespoon coconut oil and sautee garlic, onion ,tomato and carrots, add drained fish and cover for 5 minutes until carrots a tender enough. Add cabbage and rosemary cover for 5 more minutes turn off fire and add the other tablespoon of coconut oil. Serve over rice, and fresh watercrest,or over root vegetables like cassava , yam and even over pumpkin. Enjoy!

Homemade Vitamin C serum

Recipe: Vitamin C, is not only great for us to take internally, but is one of the leading anti-aging , collagen boosting agent for our skin. So i looked-up a couple of recipes; and ended trying this one, with some minor adjustments. Here is the recipe for the vitamin C serum i have been trying-out: First mix 1/4 teaspoon ascorbic acid ( vit c in powdered form/ from GNC) and 1 tablespoon distilled warm water( important step) next add 1 teaspoon jojoba oil and 1 drop carrot essential oil; mix well, and store in dark container in fridge; apply to clean face at night time and leave it on overnight.

Well, today my sewing class' assignment is to cut and sew a basic skirt for myself. It is a nice feeling knowing that i will be finally sewing something for myself. I will post a picture for sure... meanwhile; here is a picture of one of the tote bags i have been working on. Is made from a recycled tablecloth.

I finally got around making necklaces, i picked-up where i left over two years ago; but now, I was aiming for a more personal touch when creating my necklaces. Like always, there is a lot of room for improvements.

Birthday Dress

I have not been posting, but i have been busy trying to make life interesting creating little things here and there. I finally came up with a pretty decent dress for my daughter's birthday . I have to improve a lot, but it's much better than the one i made last year.