Children's Clothing

Perhaps it was just the high of Outlet Mall shopping, but I fell head over heels in love with this store. You know how you see the adorable little French, Swedish and all together foreign kids in striped stockings, brightly colored Mary Jane's, little bobbed hair cuts and you think, "where do they get this stuff"? I have always wondered where the heck they get these adorable clothes. Surely not all Europeans get to shop at Oilily all the time. But I have now discovered Hanna Andersson and I know now where to get it. Being an aunt, I am in charge of fashion for FOUR children. FOUR of the most adorable, smart, precious, intelligent children in the whole wide world. It is becoming more and more difficult to find really great children's clothing. I refuse to buy them these skimpy, trendy, horrific fads that are out now for kids. They are just children and need not dress like adults or in tacky attire. The styles here are adorable. The baby clothes are just what little babies need to be dressed in, little onesies and crawlers in soft pastel colors. The toddler and children's clothing is comfortable, washable and colorful. And Hanna Andersson has SALES! The outlet store in Williamsburg had tons of racks of things for $5.00 and $10.00. They have stores in Phipps and Perimeter, in Atlanta. www.hannaandersson.com

Honey Dispenser

How cute is this? Mama Deane gave me one of these and I love it! I love the cute honeycomb design and it is perfect for messy honey in a jar. Simply pour into this adorable container. It looks so cute on the breakfast table. It's manufactured by Harold Imports. You can fill the little stand with hot water to keep your syrup or honey soft and warm! (Remember to plug the little hole while filling). I found them on www.amazon.com, www.gardenpartyteas.com and www.kitchenemporium.com

Tea Kettles

Hanging around my handful of European friends has made me appreciate the art of "taking tea". I love tea time! Hot tea is so relaxing and soothing and good for you. We should be doing this y'all. I am all for bringing it back and if you come and visit me, I will offer you proper tea. What a delightful excuse to always have cookies in the pantry. I have this Chantal Classic Tea Pot. It has a Hohner harmonica whistle. I love the sound of a kettle. It is also a necessity for making coffee with a French Press and I hear once you start making coffee this way, you'll never go back to the drip. I recommend a French Press too, just not sure which one yet. Perhaps a fully stainless steel one, and for sure not glass, so it will be more travel friendly. Oh! and I got a new omelet maker for Christmas, the review is forthcoming.

Salon

Aveda Institute Atlanta: http://www.avedainstitutesbb.com/atlanta-services.php

I am almost hesitant to recommend this place, as there are just certain things for which you do not want liability. A bad hair cut is one of them. But I went here and despite coming out NOTHING like what I wanted it to, I was constantly reviewing them in my mind and wanted to put the experience into words. As far as Salons go, I have done them all...the Ritz, Las Vegas, a spa in Arizona, Vidal Sassoon, Jamieson Shaw, Van Michael, Hair Cuttery, Cost Cutters, Miss Sarah the Lady's Basement, Joan's house in middle of nowhere Hart County...you get the picture. I have paid $100 and I have paid $4 (Harare,Zimbabwe- shampoo, cut and blowdry!). Yet, I never seem to find that perfect place, that always offers the perfect cut, the perfect experience or the perfect price. Van Michael was getting there, as they offer a New Talents salon, with young up and coming stylists at half the price. But then as soon as you would get settled into a stylist and cut that you liked, he or she (most likely he) would be off to "the floor" and you would start again with someone new. Then they started to build a new parking lot and getting in and out became a nightmare. Then they built a Whole Paycheck right next to it and I would spend $100 on goat cheese and pinot when I went it to "just look around"or wait on traffic to die down. So I can't go back there. Plus, they can be all pretentious, I don't like pretentiousness. It's a hair cut for crying out loud, not plastic surgery. SO! I have driven by the Aveda Institute a million and one times. It's in Buckhead in the same general area as the Disco Kroger AKA Fresh Fare Kroger where the Cost Plus World Market is on Piedmont. It is next to Chipotle. So I finally after some searching find their website and a services menu. I expect there to be a long waiting list and a need to make appointments months in advance. But this is not the case. You can call and most likely get an appointment that same week, within a day or two. Haircuts are $15.00 and Color for long hair is $35, short is $25. So the prices are amazing. And they use all Aveda products of course, so you know the product is good. It is the applier of the product that is the sketchy part. Even though I came out with Jet Black hair...yes, black, I still kinda recommend the place. They make attempts to make it pleasing and a good experience. I was greeted by a young student who wanted to show me a candle and give me a neck massage. It was nice. My student never told me her name, was awkward with small talk and seemed a little unsure of herself, but she appeared to follow all the steps that she had been taught in color application and in the basics of hair trimming. I believe most mistakes were mine, in not properly overseeing or explaining the exact color and using the word "darker" and not stressing my desire to not look like Elvira when I got out of there. I think I should have looked at the swatches with her and approved the color swatch rather than trust her to find something that would work for me. Also, note that you are gonna be in there forever and I do mean forever, take water, a snack, and a book with over 200 pages, because it will take 4 hours of your life. This is not fun. But there is considerable savings involved. And that's a good thing. My girl was also a little insecure and just not confident like the guys at Van Michael who tell you how beautiful you are and how they are gonna make you more sexy than ever. She didn't say any of that. She didn't ask about my love life or gossip about the tabloids...so I missed that. She made me nervous a couple of times when she would ask me about the cut and I had no idea what to tell her to do...that's her job? She also had to go get her supervisor once to make sure she was doing something right and scared me to death. So now I am not so sure I do recommend the place. BUT! if you need a cut, know exactly what you want, aren't too picky, or if you know your color recipe...this is a great place to go. They also offer other spa services (like 1 hour massages for $40!) that could also be really great deals. I came out looking a bit like this...and I am not kidding:

Brunch

Kathleen and I went here yesterday. Ria's Bluebird Cafe'. I've been so many times, and it is always good, warm, cozy, fresh and yummy. They must have known that I was coming because they served a tomato and goat cheese omelet as the Omelet of the Day! They serve this really good coffee by Batdorf & Bronson out of Olympia, Washington and they serve it in those small thick white Diner Mugs with real cream. You can order it here: http://www.dancinggoats.com/.

It really is good stuff. They serve soysage, my fav! And biscuits and sweet potato hash browns!! They have a lunch menu also, but their Breakfast is really where it's at. You can check them out at www.riasbluebird.com

They've been featured on Food Network and remain Atlanta's CitySearch Best Brunch.

421 Memorial Dr SE Atlanta, GA 30312-2207 Phone: (404) 521-3737

Photography

http://www.jillhiggins.com/

Amy and Doug used Jill Higgins this year for their Christmas card. It's adorable. I am assuming Jill's a Valdosta girl. Her website was on the back of the card. She's good. She has a blog. She travels. She was recently in France and Holland. She likes Pomme Frites (sans the mayo). I just HAD to post the honey picture, yum. And I can't post without plugging. She's good. I know I said that already. But, she is. I love this picture of the window...it's Paris. Mom & I have been there! Not just Paris, but this store, where the windows are decorated. It's so much fun. Oh! Here's their Christmas card:

Hair Products

Aveda, Fredrick Fekkai, Bumble & Bumble...Bumble Schmumble. These products are 99% cheaper than all of that and work practically just as good. I like the curl enhancing gel that comes in the pump. Malibu Surf Legend, Shelley Merrick taught me how to use it, so I have great hair right out of the ocean (after surf lessons). Go ahead and take the top off the pump, pour a dollop in your hand, after rinsing the salt water from your hair, rub it all in, and there you go! The stuff in the jar is good too. But remember, a little goes a long way.

Market

I am not sure why I am on this food kick lately, but I am going to have to plug of all things...a grocery store. Who doesn't love the Fresh Market or Whole Foods ie Whole Paycheck? We all do. I have to admit that Publix is becoming predictable and boring and I am switching to Kroger. I refuse to put a tag of any sort, for any store, no matter what the discount, on my key chain, but if you do this I will still love you and would never judge. It is just a quirk of mine. I don't know why. Some people I love the most in life, i.e. my sister, do this and my love is unchanging. So, since I don't make $100 million dollars a year and Whole Paycheck is for special occasions only and who the heck pays a dollar for a lemon anyway? Even if I had a billion dollars I still would never pay a dollar for a lemon! Crazy. So! I stumbled upon the "Fresh Fare" Kroger in Buckhead. You know it, on Piedmont, used to be the Disco Kroger back in the day? Well there. I went in just to get a few things while I was in that part of town. I was greeted by friendly people who welcomed me to the store! There were actually enough carts for all the shoppers and I didn't have to push the one with the race car attached because it was the only one left. Yes, I have done that. Sans kids! It was either that or the electric powered wheelchair one and I was not about to do that! So anyway, they get points for having carts, which apparently is a real problem for grocery stores these days, or at least the ones I frequent. They have a HUGE wine section, which is just fun for me. I might not buy anything, but I love to look and read labels, they make my mouth water. I admit that it is far from the best grocery store ever, and you would be greatly disappointed if you compare it to much of anything else, especially other stores with the word "fresh" in their name. This is no Harry's Fresh Market. This is a grocery store...with more than just jug wine (blech). They have that good organic section. They have a sushi bar, an olive bar, a salad bar and the like. It is convenient. They have cheese and stuffed olive samples! I am so easy to please. The people are friendly, at least 4 people spoke to me and were kind and said, "have a nice day". I am a sucker for the manger's specials. I found a big ole container of already cut, in water, celery for .99 cents that I snacked on while I shopped. I like that. And they clearance their stuff that is about to expire, Publix doesn't do that. I like that. Also, you don't have to have the silly little card, you can enter my sister's home phone number instead and get the discount! I recommend the Fresh Fare Kroger on Piedmont, so there.

P.S. I have no idea who this kid is, found the pic online and it made me laugh. Do kids get free balloons and sugar cookies???

Breakfast

Telecommuting has introduced me to a whole new world. My favorite new discovery...breakfast. Breakfast is typically, oatmeal at my desk or a breakfast bar. This luxury will end for me at the stroke of midnight Dec 31st :(

I could do a whole Favorite Things column on breakfast foods alone. For the oatmeal I have recently switched to the Kroger brand! I was a die hard Quaker girl, but the Kroger Active Lifestyle, both Almond & Cranberry and the Maple & Brown Sugar, at HALF the price, have won me over.

But the one morning a week I have been able to work from home, I can hardly wait to get up and cook breakfast. I love love love spinach and GOAT CHEESE and mini portabello mushroom omelets. I love 9 grain toast with Polaner's (or Kroger Brand) All Fruit blackberry jam. And I love Morning Star "Soysage". As a pescatarian, this stuff is amazing! I don't see how even meat eaters could ever go back to the real stuff after eating this. Yummy good. Also, if you are looking for a lucrative business, MorningStar has the market on vegetarian "meat". I even notice when dining out that most restaurants that offer "soysage" serve this MorningStar stuff and they could use some competition. So there is an opportunity here for a soysage making business and you heard it here first. Oh! And they go great with Starbuck's French Roast....

Beverage

Ok, this is about to get really corny. This one is a "where have you been all my life?" find. He's a Doctor. He makes me smile. He doesn't make me feel guilty. He doesn't keep me up all night. He is refreshing. He is Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper. I know this stuff has been around forever, but in my efforts to be completely soda free, and in banning all carbonated beverages, I overlooked this opportunity for sheer bliss. I finally just broke down and bought a whole case the other day. I can hardly wait to hear the fizz. It's that good. And since we are already on the subject of things that are questionably good for you, I must admit that I love these too..White Cheddar Cheez-Its. Rebecca Grizzle introduced us. Thanks Bec, you've brought new pleasure into my life. And a reduced fat pleasure at that!

Moisturizing Cream

This stuff really is the best. I loathe lotion. I do not like the act of having to apply lotion head to toe and I don't like feeling all greasy. I don't know when you are actually supposed to apply the stuff anyway. I am always cold and don't want to stand around nekkid waiting on lotion to dry. If it is actually hot out, you don't really have dry skin and need the lotion. It's really only in the winter when it's cold. So lotion frustrates me. If you get dressed too soon you get it all over your clothes, if you wait too long to get dressed, you freeze to death...it has happened. So given that application is important, and that lotion is at times a necessity, I recommend the oldest, most predictable, most reliable one out there...Eucerin. My eczema ridden friends, whose names I will withhold, all recommend it. This Eucerin in the little tub is the best ever. It is fragrance free and non irritating. I even use it on my face, now that I am using Retin-A as a self inflicted face peel. It is really thick and because I am obsessed with application I like the way you just open the jar, get what you need and immediately apply it to the desired area. With other lotions you squeeze or pump and a buncha not so thick COLD liquid comes out. And most of the time it can be irritating and has lots of chemicals and perfumes in it. As much as I love the soothing scent of cucumber or shea butter or rose petals or lavendar, most of the time it is just a buncha perfumes and junk. Yes, we all know Oprah doesn't wear perfume and she smells amazing because she coats her creamy chocolate skin in pumpkin ginger bread lotion every day and washes her hair in honey extract. But I say, stick with the Eucerin, it does the trick. If you wanna smell like Oprah, but some vanilla flavoring behind your ear.

Dessert- Laura's Skinny-ish Cake

I thought for sure I had already posted this. Laura and I made this cake during one of my visits. I think we ate the whole thing in just a few days, choosing it for breakfast too. It is lower in fat, contains zucchini and applesauce. It has a tofu topping that I love! But don't tell Catherine and Gracie, they won't eat it if they know it has tofu in it. This recipe recommends Cool Whip Lite. I don't. All Cool Whip products are made of hydrogenated fats. There are organic alternatives out there and even ReddiWhip is more "natural", containing heavy cream, nonfat milk and sugar.

The actual Recipe belongs to Sandra Lee. I don't know her, but Laura refers to her like a family friend. http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Ingredients
For Cake:
1 large zucchini, finely grated (about 2 cups)
1 (1-pound and 2.25-ounce) package chocolate fudge cake mix (recommended: Betty Crocker Super Moist
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 large egg
2 large egg whites
3/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt
3/4 cup applesauce
For Mousse:
1 (12-ounce) package soft silken tofu
1 (3.9-ounce) package instant chocolate fudge pudding (recommended: Jell-O)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (8-ounce) package whipped topping (recommended: Cool Whip Lite)

Garnish: Chocolate sauce, confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat with cooking spray the bottom only of a 9 by 13 inch glass cake pan.

FOR CAKE: Set grated zucchini in a mesh strainer over a bowl and lightly press with a spatula to release water. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, cinnamon, eggs, egg whites, nonfat yogurt, and applesauce. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl often. Fold in drained grated zucchini. Pour into prepared cake pan.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool completely. When cool, invert cake onto a large plate or platter, and cut cake into 12 large squares with a clean, sharp knife.

FOR MOUSSE TOPPING: While cake is baking, combine tofu, pudding mix and cinnamon in a bowl. Using an electric mixer beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping with electric mixer on low speed. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
To serve, cut each cake square in half diagonally to make 2 triangles. Use a spoon to decorate each plate with chocolate sauce, set 2 cake triangles on each plate, sprinkle generously with confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder, and dollop with chocolate mousse.

Dessert

Look what I found! Cupcakes with Goat Cheese and Chocolate Ganache! Can this be? I love this whole website and so will you. http://www.bakerella.blogspot.com/

Check out these cupcakes!! Oh, I am afraid I will have to break down and buy a muffin tin...or pan? I am gonna have to do a lot of runnin' to justify eating these...but oh how good they look!

Double Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes filled with Chocolate Ganache and Topped with Creamy Goat Cheese Frosting Double Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa, natural unsweetened

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 eggs, room temperature

1/4 cup oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup whole milk, room temperature

1 cup shredded zucchini

3.5 oz. Valrhona semi-sweet chocolate bar, chopped in chunks- I bet Lindt works well too
Preheat oven to 350º F
Line cupcake trays with 18 baking cups.
Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk. Set aside.
Cream butter with a mixer in a large bowl. Add sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla one at a time, mixing well with each addition.
Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions (flour, milk, flour, milk, flour)
Stir in the zucchini and chocolate chunks until combined.
Fill baking cups 2/3 full and place in oven immediately.

Bake for 15-18 minutes.

Creamy Goat Cheese Frosting

5 oz. Ile de France goat cheese- Sweet Grass might would be a good substitute

3 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

3 cups confectioner's sugar, room temperature1/2 tsp vanilla
Sift sugar and set aside.
Beat the goat cheese, cream cheese and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until creamy.
Gradually add the sugar, mixing and scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl in between additions.

Chocolate Ganache

2 oz. Valrhona semi-sweet chocolate bar, chopped in chunks

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

3/4 cup confectioners sugar

Place chocolate and whipping cream in the microwave. Heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted. Blend thoroughly. Add sugar and stir until thoroughly combined.
Pour ganache into a small plastic squeeze bottle.

To assemble:
Insert opening of squeeze bottle halfway into cupcake center and squeeze ganache until you see it start to surface. Then, spread creamy goat cheese frosting on top with a knife or small offset spatula. Use any leftover semi-sweet chocolate pieces to sprinkle on top of cupcakes.

Kitchenware

I love these Tervis Tumblers. They don't leave rings and "reduce condensation". They've been around for forever. I have the set of mugs with handles and I love them. You can get tops for them. They sell them all over, just look for them. I don't know who invented putting a patch between the layers of plastic and sometimes the patches themselves can be just plain ugly, but they are super functional. Most seem to be beach or collegiate themed. I have also noticed that they now produce company logos for corporate gifts and such. But the cup itself is my favorite part. They are lightweight, dishwasher friendly and much more.

Recipes

I adore Laura Steen, she sings messages to me on my voice mail and cracks herself up...and me too. She recommends The Skinny Chef as a great site for healthy recipes.














http://www.skinnychef.com/

Chocolate

It's not good if it isn't chocolate. I typically don't like any kind of dessert, ice cream included, if it is not chocolate. Why waste calories on baked apples or key lime pie when you can have chocolate!? There is one tiny exception and that is sweet potato and/or pumpkin pie. However, now that Thanksgiving is over, I recommend these...they are sooooooo goood.

I like the mini ones the best. They are a perfect, somewhat low calorie, bite of dark chocolate with a hint of mint. They are a little bit like a peppermint patty, but better! I tried putting them in the freezer, but much prefer them room temperature.

Point and Shoot

I love this little Point and Shoot Camera. I had the Canon S410 Elph and Upgraded to the Canon SD 750 after the 410 died in Africa. There are newer versions out there, but this one gets better reviews, better than the SD 1000 that has been out for awhile. I am sure you can find this one for less than $200. It has decent zoom, face detection, red eye and does that thing that picks out a color you choose and makes the rest black and white. It is sturdy and has survived being slung off the top of my car and bouncing down Meredith's driveway, and being covered in chocolate syrup when I threw it in the bottom of my wicker basket with chocolate cake on it's way to Betsy's New Year's Day Come and Eat Green's and Peas Party. I would love love love a big, nice, awesome, amazing camera, but since I have a tendency to leave them on cars and in baskets with food items, this one works for now, until I can learn to be more responsible. I also love being able to put it in my pocket and go. I don't like having to check bags at the airport and like to travel light. Maybe it will be my next investment, if I ever get that Apple Macbook Pro...

Tom's Shoes

help us reach our goal: 30k in 30 days

help us reach our goal: 30k in 30 days

Posted using ShareThis

The Antique Auction

Betsy, Susan and I used to have the most fun going to this! I have so many stories to tell as a result of my going there with my little blue number in hand on Wednesday nights right after work. I got a lot of amazing deals at this place. Glenda (for the longest time I kept calling her Dorothy by accident- so embarrassing) makes these amazing Southern Living recipe casseroles, salads and pies. A yummy good warm meal is about $6.00. They USED TO serve free beer, wine and cocktails. The beer and wine were completely free and obvious. The beer is Bud Light and the Wine is horrible Jug Wine, but the beer is in a large cooler and the jug wine on the counter, along with a stack of those little cups they use for punch at weddings, to help yourself. The Vodka was kind of hidden, but the regulars knew where it was and helped themselves and they had cranberry juice in the Fridge. So by 7:00 the auction was in full swing, the air thick with the smells of Glenda's casseroles and the ladies on the front row smiling and laughing with purple Jug Wine stained lips. It is fun just to watch the variety of people who go to this thing. You've got your standard junk selling people that probably came from ALA-BAMA! to buy the stuff no one else would want, to add to their Saturday morning jockey lot table where they also sell AKA registered Shih Tzu's. Then there is the way too Skinny Lady, whose head is too big for her body and smokes Virginia Slims with the hired help out front, in designer jeans buying sit-around stuff made in China for her interior design business. And then there is the lady who looks like a librarian (actually she looks just like Almonzo's sister on Little House on the Prairie) who buys the really old antique stuff, like Head Vases, hat pins and Depression glass for her antique store on the Square in Somewhere, Georgia.

Steve's the auctioneer and he makes Betsy laugh with his funny little comments about each item and subtle jabs at first time buyers. So, this place is great! It is so much fun! Food's great, people are fun, you get an amazing education on all things antique and some not-so-antique. Betsy used to whisper her own description of pieces even before he brought it up, with the type of wood and estimated era of production, and the like. She loved to use the word "demilune" every chance she got. Like the "Louis XVI Cabinet" seen here:

It was so so so much fun. Until!! One night we were there and the cops showed up...the ATL P.D.! This is getting to be a very long description so I will abbreviate by saying the next thing we know, Susan starts bringing a flask, no more alcohol. We deal with this with no complaints. Then, they move. The move was a good thing because it was a larger building. But the move didn't last. Soon it was shut down altogether! Now they are in Cumming, GA. It's just impossible to get to Cumming from Downtown in the afternoon, so I don't go anymore. But, they have weekend auctions and Estate auctions all the time, all over Atlanta! So if you are in need of anything, not necessarily antique, beds, lamps, furniture of any sort, rugs, paintings, dishes, this is the place to go! http://www.fsagallery.com/

Check their site for a detailed list with photos of auction items, dates, times and locations.

Running Shoes- Deux

In a bizarre way of rewarding myself for running the upcoming Thanksgiving Day Half-Marathon, I got new running shoes. These are Brooks Glycerin 6. They have lots of support and cushioning. I ordered them from www.amazon.com and they were $100.00, as opposed to $120 in Phidippides and The Big Peach Running Co. Running shoes are just pricey, but it is a fairly inexpensive hobby. I hope these will last me 300-500 miles, so the investment is relatively small and my feet thank me. According to Runner's World (the be all end all of all things Running): "The latest Glycerin is softer. First, there is a larger cutaway section of outsole under the heel for the foot to sink into just after impact. Also, Brooks added softer foam to the midsole directly under the heel. The improved cushioning was confirmed by RW Shoe Lab tests. Another cool feature is the forefoot, which is curved slightly upward for a smoother toe-off. Recommended for runners with higher arches who want a soft, stable, neutral shoe".

Ibo Island

So this is a very far away, almost impractical travel destination. It's not just a quick boat ride away. Actually, it's a flight to Paris, a flight to J'burg, a flight to Maputo, a flight to Berra, a flight to Pemba, a rental truck and a full days drive that may or may not include an overnight tent stay in a Bush village, a 4 hour boat ride in a dhow and you're there! I am sure there must be a better way. This is without a doubt one of my top 5 most amazing, incredible, most favorite places on Earth! I wanna be a Missionary to Ibo Island. They are all Muslim. It is described as: An island stopped in time; a throw back to a time of colonialism, slaves, exploitation and silversmiths.

So I went there...and despite the extreme embarrassment of this photo and about 100 others out there of me, with no make-up, hair uncombed, no bath in weeks (seriously) and pudgy from my high carb diet of rice and rice. Here it is, me on my way to Ibo Island in a tiny dhow with a boat full of other nut jobs just like me.

There is a really long story here about how we got there and how we got the "hook-up" by name dropping (it's universal) and all about the journey and getting stuck in the sand and Bush men digging us out and sleeping on a soccer field and so much more. But to make it a Favorite Things place, I must promote it as a destination. So, google this place and read about the history and look on http://www.flickr.com/ for photos and save up your money and Go! There is a beautiful little lodge on the island. I wanted to stay there, but couldn't ditch my dirty friends, so I slept on the ground instead of crisp, clean, white sheets in a canopy bed. http://www.iboisland.com/

If you did go, the Lodge would provide very comfortable accommodations, good food, a lovely pool, daily snorkel and SCUBA trips, fishing, tons of island exploration, and more. Go here to read about the history of the island...it will blow you away and just note, it is much more sad than they make it out to be: http://www.iboisland.com/content1.cfm?AgentsID=279&PageID=324

Jewelry

I can't believe I plugged GoGo and forgot to mention the jewelry of Ibo Island. This jewelry is amazing and you get to watch it being made by local artisans. Their website states, "Once lost in time...ancient traditions, dream-like designs. Handcrafted by artisans on a remote, long-forgotten island. Centries of Arabic, African, European and Indian influences exquisitely blended together to create intricate and sensual pieces, that remain virtually undiscovered, until now...".

I don't know about the senual part, but this jewelry is simply amazing. Go to http://www.ibosilver.com/ and read all about it and check out their catalogue. I got to watch men, squatting on the floor of little concrete houses, make these out of melted down coins with handmade blow torches. The backdrop of this island and this trade of making jewelry all just blew me away. Ibo Island used to be a major place of trade, of goods such as ivory... and of slaves. The island is now a ghost town, with crumbling buildings that goats now inhabit that you can tell were once grand and elaborate. It does have a very haunted feeling. The history, bondage, and cruelty that occured on that island is deep. Yet, it is surrounded by stunning crystal clear blue waters, sunsets that will make you cry, and a beautiful small village of smiling Mozambicans.

Okay, I think I get it now. If your jewelry comes with the man with this chest...it's sensual. Mine came in dirty newspaper.