Me the Extremist

Someone recently told me that I'm an extremist
It stopped me in my tracks!
What me an extremist? I literally laughed out loud!
But quietly I pondered on it for days…
I know I'm an all or nothing kind of girl
Either I'm in or out, no in betweens.
Also I do feel the need to stand up for what is right
Even if it goes against everyone’s norm
Even if it means standing alone
I believe that we are all created equally
And we all should be treat that way
So my response to her statement was:
It’s we extremists who change the world!

Denise Etienne

Yellow Walking Iris

An unopened  flower of Yellow Walking Iris 

Chocolate Making

Some folks on the island were either enjoying themselves in the Carnival celebrations, or in camp, on the beach, by the river, where ever you were I hope you had fun. Perhaps next year I may play mas you never know…

So I was feeling a bit adventurous today and I attempted to make some Dark Chocolate from the Cocoa beans(after researching it on the web) boy that was a lot of work! I got some dried Cocoa beans from Ms. Mary, roasted them in the oven, my mom assisted me with peeling/shelling the beans which took a very long time. After we both got some water bladder on our fingers, I decided to eventually crack the beans with a rolling pin, this made shelling a whole lot easier. Then I needed to blow out the shells, I had no blow dryer, so let’s just say I got a bit light headed for a while, luckily my brother gave me some help, lol!  Afterwards we placed 30% white sugar blended it finely then added 70% crushed up Cocoa beans, the texture was very powdery for a while. We then placed the mixture in the chopper it took a long time for it to start forming a thick paste, I guess the best piece of equipment to use would have been a a coffee grinder. Then we needed to use a mortar/pestle, didn't have any so we had to improvise some more. For our first attempt in Chocolate making and not having the right equipment I must say we were impressed with the end product, it was still a bit grainy but the taste was nice if you like Dark Chocolate. We hope to get the right equipment and try this again. Attached are some photos to show off our first time in Chocolate making! 

Happy Carnival!

Roasted Cocoa beans

Shelled Cocoa nibs

Cocoa nibs and sugar in chopper 

Chocolate paste

                         

End product Dark Chocolate