Picture Day: Everybody Smile!

Let me introduce you to my children:

The newest addition to my little family is "Flaco" - named so because he is quite tall and lean. He is growing into his figure quite nicely. He is just 3 years old and I hope to have much success showing him at the largest cutting event in the world in December. 

The most energetic family member in the bunch is "Buster"- He is just a little over 6 months old and he already runs the ranch. He wakes up at ungodly hours because he is just so anxious to start his day. He never takes a break, vacations or complains about having to work overtime. He is just happy to be alive! 

This is the diva herself, "Miss Winnie" - I saved the best for last because she is just all that and a bag of chips. She deserves and recieves, the best of everything. She gets a double wide stall and a zebra print silk slinky just because she likes her mane to lie flat. She really is pretty special.

Creamy Crab Pasta

Scott and I stayed home for the Super bowl but invited Kat over to watch the game with us. Kat brought over some appetizers and I made dinner: Creamy Crab Pasta. I hope you enjoy the dish as much as we did, it fed us for a couple days!

• 1 1/2 lb shelled crab meat
• Pasta - your choice. Use just under one pound. I used that and I made too much for the amount of sauce this yields.
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• A couple pinches of hot chile flakes (depends on your heat level)
• 1 Tomato - diced
• Sea alt to taste
• 2 T brown sugar
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 3/4 cup fresh sweet peas
• 2 cups plus a pinch freshly grated Parmesan cheese 
• 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

Bring water for the pasta to a boil. Add salt. Cook the according to package directions for al dente. Drain. In a pan, heat the unsalted butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and chile flakes and saute until it becomes golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, sea salt, brown sugar, and freshly ground pepper to the pan. Cook for about 8 minutes, until the tomatoes begin to create a nice, light sauce. Add in the half-and-half and bring to a boil. The moment it starts to boil, turn the heat down to medium-low and add the sweet peas, Parmesan and a big handful of minced parsley. Stir and let it thicken for about 8 minutes. Mix in the crabmeat and heat through, about 2 minutes.

Using tongs, mix the cooked fettuccine and the sauce. Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and minced parsley.

Good bye St. James - Antigua

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Shirley Heights & Paparazzi - Antigua

 Our last night in Antigua was quite a special one. Benjie took us to one of the the highest spots in all of Antigua. It over looked the St. James and the beautiful bay. I love this photo of Scott and myself. 

Welcome to Shirley Heights - now home to sensational steel bands, libations and gorgeous views. It originally used as a lookout for who was entering the harbor: friend or foe.

Stunning view of the English Harbor.

The steel band rocking out. It really was an incredible sound.

For only $9.99 you too, could make music. Ya Mon'...

I felt so blessed to experience this whole trip. What a memory I will have of Antigua!

My date for the evening, Scott; deciding on what he might order at "Paparazzi" a Canadian owned Italian restaurant.

Grilled Shrimp with al dente rice served with marinated peppers, eggplant and mushrooms. Not nearly enough food for what it cost, but it beat the alternative of nothing at all!

Lady in BRIGHT red!

Of all things I order Veal! The color is a little grey but it did taste good. I enjoy lemon and capers on pretty much anything so this was the dish for me!

Tomorrow will be my last Antigua post... How sad!

Piccolo Mondo - Antigua

Just because we were on vacation I did not allow Scott off the hook for one of our "special" date nights. When we are at home we dress up and go out somewhere fancy at least once every couple weeks. So here we are dressed up and ready to go!

Piccolo Mondo was located at the St. James Club among the villas. It is an upgrade to our all-inclusive plan but we decided it was worth it!

For Scott's appetizer he ordered the Caprese Salad. The tomatoes did not impress but the cheese with olive oil and balsamic was amazing. The addition of cucumber was an interesting one. They added cucumber to a lot of dishes, quite randomly.

This is my date, he was suffering from a cold. Who gets sick in paradise? I guess we do!

These little bad boys were mine! Stuffed mushrooms on a bed of mashed potatoes? Yes, please! I practically licked the plate clean.

Hi, my name is Melissa Good Taste and I am addicted to food.

We both ordered the lobster and were so glad we did. It was fantastic, delicious and every other in between. It was probably the best lobster I have ever had. Good job Antigua!

I wanted dessert but Scott was done. What does that mean? More creme brulee for me! this was the cappuccino variety and I was not a real big fan. A couple bites and I was done.

So here we are, full and happy. This meal made my trip! And, my jumpsuit. That made my trip too. 

Slowing Down - Antigua

Day 5 in Antigua and we are pretty much relaxed as possible. We have read one book and well into another. We have eaten well, drank plenty and just starting to move according to island time. 

We hired Benjie, our driver for the week, to take us to some local spots that he loves. We drove through the countryside and came upon this little donkey. How cute is he?

This beautiful old church - there are so many and they all are stunning.

This is Half Moon Bay - not the one I am used to in California but the Antiguan version of course. Notice the horse shoe shape?

The beach was pretty awesome but we were not in the mood to hang out very long. We continued on our countryside journey.

A bit parched we stopped into "Smilin' Harry's" a roadside stop.

This is the actual Harry. Notice his resemblance to Samuel Jackson? I did. He was a really nice man who had a lot to say. He was probably the most friendly person we had met in Antigua.

This is what a typical Antiguan house looks like. Up off the ground, shaped in a box and laundry out on the line. Simple living.

The closest thing to cutting we did all week.

My daily bikini - Target is where I found the bottoms. Very cute. All 5'4 of me thinks I am a Hawaiian Tropic model, in my own mind I guess.

Another beautiful sunset, another beautiful day.

Island Fever made by Rum Punch - Antigua

Today is Sailing and Snorkeling Day on the vacation! I am dressed and ready to go, notice my cool Walden's Surf Shirt - Just a shout out to all you Venturians in the house!

This would be our boat. A small beauty.

 Pre-Rum punch and very excited to be out on the water!

Sailing into the English Harbor - This is where the yacht race is called. A man watches from the post and and calls the winner with the shot of a gun!

To get into the harbor you have to get by this fort first. Do you think we made it in?

In absolute heaven!

A few of these down the hatch and we started to get a little tipsy.

Snorkled. Meh, I think Hawaii has Antigua beat in this department.

The Rum Punch is in full effect!

Oh my! Needless to say we missed our dinner reservations that night and we slept in an extra hour or two the next morning! Yikes!