Blown Out Of The Blogosphere

All the critters and I (obviously cuz I am typing this) survived. The roof stayed on but all the other damage has been too much for me to handle. Gonna have to step away from blogging, dont know if forever but maybe. Thanks for all the well wishes.

Preparing for Irma

It is hot and sunny here now, hard to believe we are supposed to get hit by Hurricane Irma on Wednesday, but that we are.

Cost U Less at 9:30 this morning. Was surprised by how many people were stocking up on sugary drinks - sodas and Powerade. Back in Virginia, everyone stocked up on milk, bread and eggs when a storm approached. Guess in Virginia, we prepared to hibernate and here they prepare to sweat.

I am in no danger of running out of food and we do have a generator, but I still stocked up on water and canned goods just in case (never thought I would ever shell out $6.50 for a can of Amy's Chili, but there werent that many canned goods I could think of to get).

Unless Irma blows them off the trees, there are fresh Guava Berries to pick as well.

Genip will be brought into the house on Tuesday.

The Mr. flew out yesterday, so Friday night we tried XO Bistro. The Bruschetta was decent...

my 'Linguini with Blackened Tofu and Vegetables' was also just okay. Service was great so, over all, I would rate the evening way higher than Havana Blue and Thirteen, but I still am searching for the perfect romantic restaurant on St. Thomas.

Keep the VI in your thoughts. Bye for now.

Living To Eat

Some pics from the Market Square Farmers Market on Saturday morning...

Thyme is such a popular herb down here...

Genips galore...

scary knife to have laying around...

Coconut Juice Man getting angry at me for taking his pic...

I have been having really bad luck with Avocados lately, so I just got a small one for $2...

this time I waited till Tuesday to cut it open, should have held out till Wednesday...

but it made for decent Avocado Toast...

'Tofu Fried Rice' carried out from Saki House...

few things better than driving around sipping a PB Banana Smoothie from Love Livin. Oh the pleasure!

A showy flower I pass on the road regularly. Thanks for looking. Bye for now.

33rd Annual Chili Cook Off

I regretted missing last year's event, so I made a concerted effort to get to the Chili Cook Off today....

starting out with a 'Walk The Plank' to help me cool off and enjoy myself...

it was so hot, between the sun and the hot sand, this guy in the water with the umbrella was a genius...

I tasted five Chilis. This was the first from Dog House Pub. Surprisingly good for a restaurant that specializes in meat.

next up, Prosolar's Vegan Chili...

this Chili was even better!

local icon, Betsy, from Betsy's Bar..

again, not a vegan friendly menu in her restaurant, but she knows how to make a killer vegan Chili!

The Rotary Club's Chili was so good...

it would be impossible for me to judge the best.

Only Lattes In Paradise' Chili was kind of 'eh'.

maybe because it was the fifth one I tasted and I was dying from the heat.

there was fantastic live music...

fun and games for all ages...

and exotic birds to lure you to the Margaritaville Time Share tent. Glad I went out of my comfort zone and glad to be back in it (in front of the fan). Thanks for looking. Bye for now.

Another Disappointing Meal

I am no longer sure what to make of TripAdvisor reviews. First, my dinner at Thirteen was a big let down...Saturday night I took the Mr. to Havana Blue for his birthday and that was even worse!

My "Pan Asian Risotto" ...Basically Rice in Coconut Milk with Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, Spinach and Fried Leeks. $28 for a pile of overly sweet Rice...

the only vegan dessert was 'Mandarin Sorbet' which turned out to be Orange-flavored dry ice that would absolutely not melt, not a tiny bit, even though the restaurant was sweltering. Fortunately, the 'Sorbet' only set me back $4...

the Mr., being Vegetarian, made a dinner of sides - Garlic Spinach, Manchego Potato Air, Citrus Jicama Slaw and Cuban Dirty Soba Rice - $28 worth of food that was really worth about $8...

The high cost is all for the ambiance. Two weddings were going on while we were there, so that was pleasurable to observe, even if the food and service werent pleasurable...

a wedding guest wandering off. Probably wondering where she can get something decent to eat...

This $7 Garden Vegetable Soup from Moe's Market had more flavor than my meal at Havana Blue!

But the most delicious thing I just discovered on Island is a 'Peanut Banana' Smoothie $5 from Love Livin. Activates all pleasure centers in my brain upon reaching my tongue. Before I go, I want to ask for anyone who has a few dollars to spare to donate to Norman. That is all. Bye for now.

Healthier Stuff This Week

On Sunday, I had this fantastic feta-less Greek Salad at Fish Tails...

tons of Olives (sorry, Sarah)...

but speaking of Sarah, after lunch, I was browsing a nearby boutique and met 'Ziggy'!

He looks just like one of Sarah's nephews, either TJ or Tyler, I dont know which. I could not get enough of the little guy, and he didnt seem to mind.

Anyway, back to the Greek Salad. The leftovers were even better yesterday with FYH Thousand Island Dressing and Croutons. 

Love Livin is hitting it out of the park these days. For $15 I got this huge order of Dal, BBQ Soy Chunks, Beans, Pasta Salad, Veggies and Kale Salad. Meals for days...

Today, the Mr. and I enjoyed a romantic lunch at the Twisted Cork. They had a Salad special of the day with Quinoa, Sprouts, Roasted Peppers, Apricot and Kimchi Vinaigrette. I thought they said 'Avocado' when they said 'Apricot', but it was still very delicious and satisfying. That's all I got, but it is more than I thought I would have. Bye for now.

Slow Week

There were some good eats this week, but the Miso Salad with Tofu at Lanai was pretty much the highlight ...

yes I ate the whole thing.

The 'Veg'd Out Quesadillas' at Shoreline Bar and Grille were the lowlight of the week. I have noticed that the food at Shoreline is not as good when the chef isnt there. Not sure how he would improve Hummus Quesadillas, but I dont plan to try and find out...

I am constantly checking bags of Croutons in hopes of finding vegan ones. Thought I hit pay dirt with this Reese brand...

but after rereading the ingredients at home, I noticed 'enzymes'. Wasnt gonna throw them out though...

this Salad Bar Salad from Moe's tasted awful for some reason, this has not been the best food week, but the Croutons were good. They will be eaten.

At $5/box, these Heritage brand burgers are the least expensive Veggie Burgers I have seen on the Island (Boca Burgers are outrageously expensive)...

These were tasty enough for the price (an actual Pea was inside, but not gross like Dr. Praeger's), so I guess I will start buying regularly. Should have left this meal in the toaster oven at least five more minutes...

The brothers taking in some sun. More to come. Bye for now.