After a storm there must be a calm
And in the calm you sound your alarm
-“The Israelites,” Desmond Decker and the Aces
You may have wondered what on earth happened to Chef and Steward over the past month or so or maybe you haven’t even noticed that we took a bit of a long break since our last post, either way, we are back! Let us hasten to add that we used the quote above poetically. We are not announcing a past tragedy. In fact, we have been missing in action because we had lots of amazingly wonderful things going on offline and sometimes, it is great to just live in the moment and be totally present in it.
Since we both believe it is never too late for a good wish, we wish you the best for 2013. Even though the year is underway and you may be caught up with the demands of daily life, try not to lose sight of the big hopes and dreams you have to accomplish and we hope that yours will be made into reality!
Here are a few of the amazing things that have happened to Chef and Steward since we last posted:
- We’ve been awarded the amazing trophy for The Best Jamaican Blog Overseas in the Jamaican Blog Awards held back home in Jamaica recently. This was quite an unexpected but really exciting achievement and we are humbled that we have earned the respect of our fellow Jamaicans!
- Chef Lij started an amazing job in which he will be opening two outlets (restaurants in hotel/hospitality industry speak) and is now busy with pre-opening hires and suppliers and all the good stuff. It is perhaps the most iconic luxury hotel brand. Can you guess?
- We left Dubai. Yup. We moved. It was rather quiet because we had so much going on at the same time and the time was too short plus we were not leaving the country so we decided not to make a big fuss about it. We are still in the UAE and visit Dubai at least once per month and actually see our friends more often now than when they were closer because they actually come to visit!
- On account of the second and third points, I , the Steward, left my full time job. This gives me the opportunity to concentrate on adapting to all the changes including my new environment as well as my own Food & Lifestyle Photography, Writing & Consultancy business.
- The book that I was commissioned to photograph should be published sometime this year.
- I have been ill so I have been more focused on my health.
- We have a smaller kitchen. If you knew all the kitchen stuff we have combined, you would understand how much of a conundrum this has presented.
- We now live by the sea- perhaps the best distraction God has ever created.
- We entertain every weekend. So much so that we are thinking of taking a break for a couple of weeks just to catch our breath.
- We have a large gas stove. Every genuine food lover understands how mega important this one is. After being stuck with strata-mandated electric stoves in the home for over a decade, we are pretty thrilled. There’s no more need to move pots off burners even after you’ve switched them off. Plus once I get around to it, I can really bake up a storm without waiting for one thing to finish!
Kari.. Dubai and Doodles and Me misss you….. be well…. xxx
Aww that is so sweet! Miss you too dear! Thanks much!
Best of luck with your move, Chef’s new restaurant venture and all the new ventures in your life.
Thanks much Sami for your well wishes.
Best of luck Kari and Chef Lij! I really thought that you have left the country…but I am glad that you are still just around the sandy corner 🙂 Awwwww…please do take care of your health. Love and light always my dears!
No for sure I would not leave the country without a big hurrah- we would have to have some big party somewhere! So yes, we are just around the sandy corner!
Glad to see you back – was wondering where you had gotten to. Take care of yourself and congrats!
So happy that you are still with us and wishing us well. It means everything to us.
So many wonderful things to celebrate! Wishing you lots of love and light. Also, sending you a virtual high five on that gas stove!
Dearest Sandra, you have been such a huge support over the years and we value your readership and comments…. and catching you on that high 5!
Best of luck with all your new ventures. Sounds like turning the page of an exciting new chapter.
Sally, the best is yet to come!
you were definitely missed , i was wondering where you had disappeared 🙂
Congrats to all the lovely updates above( apart from you being ill …hope you are feeling much better ) ….
Regards,
Lamees
Thanks for coming over Lamees and your warm sentiments!
Hey Kari, so pleased for you both on this new exciting chapter of your lives. A huge decision which Im sure needed courage, so well done, with Love xx
Dee, only you can understand the need for courage in the midst of such immense change. I think that is why we had to be quiet for a bit… to really just find and maintain our centre 🙂 Infinite blessings!
Kari, I am happy yo hear about your recognition from Jamaica. Wish I heard about it here. 🙁 From time to time I check in just to see how you are doing and to read about all the interesting things and food of course! I hope your health has already improved. Take care!
Shelly, I am so happy you came over to visit and have left such a warm comment. I am doing much better and we have a lot to be grateful for so we give thanks daily for our blessings.
You are missed here, but shifting focus off my selfish demands for you back here, I know you guys are in a good place right now and I could not be happier for both of you 🙂 I am extra happy about your stove bit, I know you will be baking a storm, I expect nothing less … take care of yous for me and Karma 😉 x
I miss you so much you don’t even understand! It sucks that I cant drive long distances on my own or I would be there like every 2days camping on your couch and playing with your kids!
Congrats on the blog awards win and on everything. Eat well.
Thanks Corve! We need to get our trophy now!
I love your blog. I am a Jamaican-American and I have been living in the USA most of my life. I moved from Jamaica when I was 11. I wish I had enough courage to travel to places like the UAE. I hope one day I will become more adventurous. Thanks for writing your blog. It reminds me that I need to live a lot more. In the USA our main focus is on working taking care of our children and not enough adventure.
You have left and we are thinking of going, hope to connect with you to talk