The Scribble Pad

Roses Hezekiah – Doing what she loves

Simona Taylor — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:30:14 +0000

“I believe in living life to the fullest. If you want to do something, do it; just try not to hurt people along the way. Enjoy friends and family and love the people around you.” Rosemarie Hezekiah, known to everyone as Roses, glows in the sunlight streaming through the plantation house-styled windows of Veni Mangé. The culinary landmark is on many foreigners’ must-try list because of its authenticity, warmth and simplicity. It’s also a draw for home-grown lovers of local cuisine. Hezekiah founded the charming little restaurant in 1980 with her beloved sister, the late Allyson Hennessy, in Lucknow Street in St. James. When the eatery outgrew its space in 1996, they packed up moved to Ariapita Avenue. “People thought we were crazy. We were the only business here other than Carvalho’s cafe and the Mas Camp Pub.” The astute businesswoman proved to have near-psychic abilities, predicting the booming, bustling hive that The Avenue was to become. “We kept the aesthetic of the place,” Hezekiah says, waving her arm to encompass the eclectic mixture of old photos, postcards, carvings and art, all in humming-bird colours. “Allyson and I wanted to bring a Caribbean feel to our business. We have so much to offer in terms of our culture, our energy, our music. Part of what we brought to Veni Mangé is an appreciation of what we have.”

Find out more about the dynamic and irrepressible Roses here.

Book #13 – E is for Fantastic as Usual

Simona Taylor — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:54:28 +0000

E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton. Okay, I admit it, I’m a Kinsey Milhone junkie.

I’m working my way through the series and am not afraid to say that I crave them so much I think it wise to spread them out a little so I don’t overdose.

But ooh, they’re sooo good, aren’t they?

Book #12 was, well, meh.

Simona Taylor — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:50:14 +0000

1,001 Facts That Will Scare the Shit Out of You bills itself as the ultimate bathroom reader. Maybe there were a few interesting titbits in there, but each one was followed by a trite and sarky comment that, frankly, got on my nerves after a while.

It took me about 3 months to get through this one, and I’m neither here nor there about it. I don’t even care enough enough about it to give it thumbs up or down.

Book #11 is Across from Lapeyrouse

Simona Taylor — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:45:41 +0000

Across from Lapeyrouse, by Nathalie Taghaboni. A lovely book from a good friend of mine. Across from Lapeyrouse is a true-true Trini book, full of surprises and lots of drama.

You can feel the Carnival brewing in the air, and hear the soca beat on every page. Great fun. You should get it.

Books #3-10 are TOP secret

Simona Taylor — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:41:58 +0000

Wish I could go into detail about books #3-10, but they were part of my RWA RITA judging, so, ya know, mum’s the word. I can say, however, that I read a broad spectrum of books, from historical romance to paranormal. Some were astounding well written and humbled me, some made me want to scratch my eyes out.

But it’s good to know what others are writing. I’ll definitely sign up to judge again next year.

Book #2 was pretty dumb

Simona Taylor — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:38:27 +0000

Book #2 in my 50 book challenge was Uncle John’s Book of the Dumb 2. A fair enough read, if a little trivial, but what do you expect from a bathroom reader, which is pretty much where you read it.

I thought the tone was a little smarmy, which is fitting for the type of book, but it’s a bit hard to stomach in the long run.

Nevertheless, entertaining reading. A good time killer.

Another UpMarket Soaper

Simona Taylor — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:05:12 +0000

Here’s a link to a cute website by soaper Shaddz, who was also at UpMarket.

Try her here.

Lost my virginity

Simona Taylor — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 01:00:56 +0000

My craft market virginity, that is! I set up my first stall to sell soaps at Up Market in Woodbrook on Saturday. I had a lovely time, sold a few soaps, and met lots of people. Nice to know my lovely soaps are being appreciated.

So where’s the next craft market at?

Simona’s Suds’ March catalogue is here!

Simona Taylor — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:45:29 +0000

The Soap of the Month for March is Maracas Bay. The brainchild of a raving lunatic, it’s made with coconut oil, sea water and sand, and scented with eucalyptus, rosemary, clary sage and sweet orange essential oils. You know a lil’ sea water good for your skin!

Check out all my latest soaps here.

How to tell if he’s wrong for you

Simona Taylor — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:39:33 +0000

A good man. That’s pretty much what we women want in our lives, someone who treats us well, makes his own way in the world, and is kind to puppies and small children. Doesn’t sound like a lot to ask, does it? But sometimes we get confused between ‘good’ and ‘right’. A man might merit a series of ticks all the way down our Good Man Checklist: Car… check. Home…check. Good in bed…check, check, check! And yet, he might be totally wrong for us. But how can we tell, before we find ourselves in too deep and cruising for an emotional bruising? Here are a few signs to pay attention to:

You don’t share any interests

Opposites attract, granted. He’s the Yang to your Yin? No problem. But what if your interests are so diverse that you can’t go out together without one of you being bored or feeling put-upon? He likes rallying, you’d rather sun yourself on the beach. He likes to walk home with 5:00 a.m. dew on his face… and that’s about the time you’re rolling over in bed for dream number three. That’s a problem. Add to that wildly diverging opinions on religion, politics, sporting teams, women’s rights, race issues and heavy pepper vs. slight… you’ll probably find yourselves bickering more than canoodling.

Your parenting styles are different

If your idea of discipline is a ten-minute time out and no dessert, and his is a solid cut-tail and a boof that will rattle the dishes in the cupboards, you are SO backing the wrong horse. The last thing you want is to simmer in resentment while he goes hunting for a slipper, afraid to contradict him in front of the kids. Furthermore, they’ll soon learn to play you two off each other in a game of good-cop/bad-cop, and you’ll both lose control, and their respect.

More good ways to tell if he’s not for you.