What's cooking at the Nest? 

That's a frequent question from my friends who wish they were here.  

Well, this morning's fare began with freshly perked Jamaican Coffee from Country Traders. To be honest, my guests often ask if what we are serving is Blue Mountain Coffee, but I have discovered that with Country Traders' high mountain coffee, it is all in the roast!   

This was followed by a Tropical Fruit Plate of otaheiti apples, ripe bananas and orange segments. Ortanique Juice accompanied the main meal of Escoveiched Fish Fillet topped generously with Onions, Carrots and Pimento grains sauteed in oil and vinegar, and served with Festivals. What is Festival you ask? Hmmm! Think of fried dumplings, but with a little cornmeal and sugar. Our Charmaine has it down pat, but if you are not quite sure of the proportions, the Grace brand also has the secret. 

Let's check with Olive Senior's Encyclopedia of Jamaican Heritage for the story behind this Jamaican accompaniment. 
"FESTIVAL - Fried dumpling of cornmeal and flour, associated with the famous Hellshire Beach near Kingston where the women there first cooked it to go with their fried fish. The name celebrates the Jamaica FESTIVAL, the big August INDEPENDENCE celebrations."

So, there you have it. Breakfast at Neita's Nest. As good as a day on the beach.

While every one of our bed and breakfast guests is special, Neita's Nest took time out to celebrate our 50th guest for 2012, LeCia Watts, in this the 50th year of Jamaica's Independence. 

And, how special is special? Well, LeCia is very special. First of all, having booked her 7-night stay with us, sent her straight to 7th Heaven. Our gift to her was a complimentary 3-course dinner, candlelight and all., which she chose to have on her last night with us. The fare? 

• A nutty, Green Salad with a homemade Orange Sesame Dressing 
• Garlic and Orange-Infused Pork Chops accompanied by Lightly Stir Fried Okras and Creamed Green Bananas. 
• For dessert we served Devon House Chocolate Ice Cream lathered with Chocolate Syrup and topped with more Coconut Macaroons 

During her stay she seemed inspired to take the 7th Heaven theme to another level by treating herself to a well-deserved Euphoria Caribbean Treasure spa package. The setting? Al fresco in The Tree House, of course!  

As you may know, Jamaica celebrates 50 years as an independent nation this year. Neita's Nest, in recognition of this special occasion  celebrates every 50 guests who stay with us. LeCia was our first. For being our 50th guest since January this year, hers was a guided tour of our beautiful city by night, and a tour by day, with special stops along the way. For brawta, we threw in the 31st renewal of the National Dance Theatre Company's "Morning of Movement and Music on Easter Sunday. 

Cheers, LeCia. Keep celebrating life and all its wonderful gifts.