A WEEK LATER

Palmetto, FL

Well.......we still love each other, the boat still floats, and there is MORE tinkering to be done!!

The boat will be in spit spot shape if Geoff has anything to say about it.  The  stereo played for the first time last night, the propane tank is full, our BBQ arrived, just a few more things to install, inspect, and imbibe.  Oh yes, when Geoff finally lets us rest about 7PM it's G&T, R&C, or W&B time!!

We have had a week of 85 degrees with winds out of the east/southeast (see how nautical I am!).  Today, you North-westerners sent some chilly air and rain.  I had to make sure I knew how to batten down the hatches correctly.  I am in my bunk right now as the boat sways a bit (thank you stern, bow and spring lines!)and the wind is howling.

I learned something new today.  While in the grocery store buying chicken breasts I realized that I also had the opportunity to purchase chicken paws.  Yes, I wrote it correctly, paws.  I asked the cashier, who looked at me dumbfounded and then said "oh you mean feet?" I said that the package said paws. She and the lady behind me felt that it must be to flavor soup and was told that mostly the Haitian families buy them.  I continued my research and learned from another woman from Oxford, MS that her mom would just trim the nails, fry them up with some gravy, put it over rice.  "Yes, You are basically eating grissle," she said.  Well Mama, (who is also from MS) here I used to complain about collards  and mustard greens when I could have been eating chicken paws!!!!

Winnie and Karen.....found Coco Lopez (actually another brand) in a squeezable plastic container instead of a can!  My Mississippi friend who's Mama cooks chicken paws and whose husband is Caribbean, cooks with it too.  She squirts it on her jasmine rice as it cooks and then adds pineapple and almonds.  Mmmmmm I have to try that.

Okay, all from the Southern Kitchen for today.  Stay in touch. Patty