A plan is hatched!

Good morning world! Hope you are waking up on the right side of the bed today.  It's Memorial Day weekend, which means most of you have plans to veg til Tuesday.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I was at a loss of direction for this blog.  But fear not!  I have found it.  I created this blog to support my e-commerce business that I am about to launch, as soon as the site is done, but in the meantime I wanted ya'll to know what was going on.  So initially this was supposed to be a marketing tool, as they say in all the literature I have read.  But I have decided to take this a little further, or else I would have to create another blog just for the other stuff.

So at the Haitianista blog you will find interesting topics around Haitian culture.  We will talk about fashion, art, most importantly where to find these items.  We will interview artists and designers, and persons of interest that are involved in the promotion of Haitian culture.  NO we will not talk about politics.  The only mention of the current President would be in the context of when he was a famous singer.  Please don't expect an opinion or post any on this blog.

In addition to the topics mentioned above, I have decided to add a personal piece to it.  I will occasionally talk about my family life, how Haitianista was created and how hard/easy it has been to get this business started.  After all the research made, and start-up capital secured,  I discovered that it is actually very difficult to just make things happen because there is no real manual on how to make this work.  As a result, I will document on this blog the trials and tribulations of starting a business of this kind, so that you can also learn and hopefully benefit from it.

Lastly, I will always post a picture of one or more items that we are selling -- it is a business after all!  and where you can find them until the site is up.  Thanks

These necklaces are made in Haiti by very talented artists.  These are Roseau beads and cowhorn.

Overall Plan for this blog

Since this is my first time blogging, I have started "a@# backwards".  After reading other artful blogs and read up on blogging I realized that I did not outline the purpose and mission of this blog.  Zut alors!  So please bear with me while we are under construction.

I know you will be very pleased when it is done.  Have great weekend

Artisans event in Haiti

Just a quick note that there is a great event this weekend in Haiti. Tap Tap at Parc Historique de la Canne a Sucre is a great fair which allows Haitian artisans the opportunity to showcase their products.  Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

 This is why we exist! for beautiful, colorful pieces like these!

For those of you who couldn't make it to the event I have good news.  These items will be available for sale on our website shortly.  Please check back next week for a nice surprise.

Picklees

Now we're cookin'

I'd like to thank my guest blogger, Ms Mahalia, for holding the fort for me while I disappeared last week.  Planning my son's 2nd bday which turned out to be a four day fest. 

So apart from the delectable delights from Mademoiselle Mahalia, we will be feeding your mind with interesting facts and finds.  Like this beautiful cowhorn bracelet with painted design and a beaded clutch, which I like to call Peacock Paradise.  They are made in Haiti, believe it or not.

We will also post interviews of Haitian artists and designers, both in Haiti and in the States.  And best of all, where to find these treasures.

You can't handle the heat!

Give you heat? You can’t handle the heat! Among my varied international friends and acquaintances, Haitian coleslaw, ‘picklees’, has even my die hard Indian friends (the ones that don’t flinch when putting five jalapenos in a cup of guacamole) clearing their throats. Picklees, should be sprinkled on by the teaspoon as opposed to heaping mounds that smother hot dogs. So, when we have visitors over who say they ‘love spicy food’, the opportunity presents itself to slide the vibrant jar their way, giving sidelong glances as we snicker into our cupped palms at the oblivious, waiting for the ‘it’s not that bad’ comment to stop in mid-chew, knowing the volcano has erupted in the back their throat. It’s a creeper, I say.
One of the convenient things about picklees (peak-leeze) is that it is vinegar based, so one batch can last you through the summer into the winter. Some of us have had that jar in the fridge, pushed over by the ketchup, for at least a year now. However, summer is coming so bring it to the eye level shelf; it is colorful and you can test to see if your friends could handle the heat ( I wouldn’t suggest competitions among the male guests with it, but at least introduce it to the ones who claim they eat spicy foods).
Picklees is a slightly crunchy, spicy blast to your barbecue! What can you use it on? Well, let’s say you have a few slabs of skirt steak, after grilling them, spread a ribbon of picklees on it, and cut the slabs into 1-inch sections to serve as an appetizer. It’s just enough zing in a bite size portion without feeling overwhelmed. It’s great on fried plantains and grilled chicken too.

Rice and Beans