Blue Cilantro Brunch

Last week our friends Steven and Emily came to visit.  It was sort of unfortunate timing because it happened to be one of Brent's busiest weeks at work.  The poor guy worked from 7am to 7pm, came home for an hour long dinner, then went back to work till midnight.  Luckily we got to spend lots of time with them over the weekend.  We decided to invite them to one of our favorite splurges on island - Sunday brunch.  In the past, we've always gone to Agua, but this time we decided to try a newer restaurant that just opened in December.  It was such a fun experience!  Most Sunday brunches are a big open buffet, but at Blue Cilantro you actually order from a menu.  You can order as many things as you like for one flat rate.  Fresh toast - yes, please.  Omelet - you bet.  Eggs Benedict - sure, why not?  Pancakes - keep them coming.  The service was amazing and the food presentation was beautiful.  After a three hour meal, we definitely got our money's worth!

Our wonderful guests

 

 Brace yourselves, there's a whole lot of food pictures coming up...

 

 Have you ever seen prettier little pancakes?

 Time for the main entrees

Dessert platter

More pictures from Steven and Emily's visit coming in the next post!

Photography Workshop

Around Christmas last year, Jenn, Sheena and I started talking about doing a photography workshop, and I mentioned that I have a good friend from college who is a professional photographer (check out her blog - she's seriously amazing). I was so excited when Holly said she would be willing to come and teach us a few things.  We organized a one-day session for a group of ten.  We got nine hours of Holly's brilliance and she got a vacation in Grand Cayman.  Win - win!

I especially enjoyed having Holly stay with us for a week.  She is such a fun girl, quick to laugh and full of wisdom on make-up, diet, skincare, photography, and all other kinds of great stuff.  In turn, I taught her how to relax and master the art of doing nothing.  There's nothing like learning from a pro :)

Here we are at Grand Old House's pasta night

The workshop was a success.  We had people with various levels of experience, but everyone took away something.  I'm proud to say that the rest of these pictures were taken in Manual, which was my big goal for the day (I had previously only shot in Av Mode).  They are nothing fancy, but at least the exposure is about right.  Now I just need lots and lots of practice!

Some of my fellow learners

During the practice part of the session, our friends Max and Angie agreed to be our models.  I don't think they knew what they were getting into!  It can't be easy to have ten people circled around you snapping pictures.  But they handled it like pros.  And how can you not get great shots when your model looks like this?

Practicing around the apartment.  Look at that face!

One afternoon Holly and I did a little photography walk around Lime Tree Bay.  It was fun to play with all her lenses!

LTB pool - a shot I could never get with my 50mm!

Thanks again to Holly for coming to visit and teaching us so much.  I love having you as my photography mentor and friend!

Easter Weekend

Last weekend, Brent had off work Friday and Monday for Easter. Four Day weekends are my favorite!

Friday morning:
Dunkin Donuts. One of the happiest places on earth.


Easter Sunday:
Easter wasn't very traditional this year - no baskets, dyed eggs, or big family dinner. We went to church in the morning, then played a game and went to the theater with Jeremy and Sheena (can't get enough Hunger Games). That evening, we met up with five of our friends for "breakfast for dinner." It was a fun day, even if it wasn't especially "Easter-y." We are very thankful for friends who can serve as our pseudo-family during these times.


Monday Afternoon
On Monday we went to Cemetery Beach for a bit. I love this blue, blue water!


Lotion up, buddy!


We headed to George Town in the afternoon. Poked around a few shops and got drinks at Cafe Del Sol.


Can't forget this guy!

Karma Restaurant and Lounge

Last weekend Brent and I had a wonderful dinner date at Karma. Our first trip to the restaurant was for our small group's Christmas party and I was eager to go back again.


There were so many intriguing items on the menu that we decided to do dinner in three courses. It was nice to take our time and just order the next item as we finished the first.

To kick this night off right...baked brie cheese with berry and sumac compote. Oh, you should have seen how the cheese oozed out of this pretty little thing.


I'm embarrassed that I didn't get a picture of our second course, a trio of kobe sliders. But believe me, when they came out, the camera was the last thing on my mind. Each burger had a different topping - blue cheese and balsamic caramelized onions, house smoked peppered bacon and avocado, and brie and truffle oil. Simply amazing.

Last but not least - togarashi seared diver sea scallops with sweet pea wasabi puree and apple cider bacon vinaigrette (whew, that's a mouthful).


I was very tempted by Karma's sticky toffee pudding, but opted for my favorite Haagen-Dazs instead. Which meant a bonus trip to Camana Bay. Oh how I love to stretch out a date night :)

Fish swimming in the harbor


Hanging out in the book store


Can you believe I'm all caught up on my pictures and blog posts? Wahoo - just in time for the holiday weekend!