Thursday, March 11, 2010

A Laid-Back Breakfast at the Abaco Inn on Elbow Cay in the out islands of the Bahamas and visiting with friends at our old home on Lubbers Quarters


There’s no better way to start a lazy Sunday morning that to have breakfast at the laid-back Abaco Inn on Elbow Cay in the Bahamas with old friends. Judy, the manager of the inn and also a friend, greeted our group with steaming pots of coffee and seated us at a large table by the window overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.


Anyone for a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa? Or how about Abaco Inn’s house drink, a tropical rum punch called the Bahama Breeze.


Viola was custom making omelets on the breakfast buffet line and the special of the morning was Bahamian Chicken Souse. Souse is a favorite of locals made with chicken, potatoes or noodles, and celery in a spicy, soupy broth seasoned with fiery bird peppers, allspice, and native lime wedges. Here’s an authentic recipe for Chicken Souse.



Wednesday night we visited our old home on Lubbers Quarters where they had a big dinner in our honor. They say you can never go home, but thanks to our friends, we did. The owners of our old house Lazy Days had a big party for us and as you can see, everyone was having fun.


I want to tell you a story of going to dinner at our old house several years ago right after we sold it. When houses are sold in the islands, they are sold completely furnished and all the new owners have to do is bring their toothbrush and that’s how we sold our home Lazy Days. The new owners invited us over for dinner. As we entered the house, nothing had changed except it was no longer our house.

I asked Meakin later if he had a nice time. “No,” he said.

Shocked at his answer, I said, “Well, why not? They are lovely people and Patti cooked a fabulous meal.”

“He was sitting in my chair.”

“I can understand how you feel honey, it’s his chair now and David paid you plenty for it.”

Somehow the story of the chair got out and on this visit (remember, nothing is secret in the islands), David announced that tonight it was once again Meakin’s chair in honor of our visit. The whole evening no one dared to sit in the chair. Here’s Meakin enjoying “visiting” his chair.


44 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you are enjoying your island visit. The story about Meakin's chair is rare and really made me smile. It was a lovely start to my day.

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  2. What a lovely place to 'go home again' to. Loved the chair story and can understand the sentiment. Island life is very special and the few times we have spent weeks in the islands, we had a real sadness when we had to leave.

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  3. Chicken souse sounds terrific! Got to give it a try!

    Looks like you all are having a fine time.

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  4. Looks like you are having a blast and the setting is just amazing. I'll take a mimosa please :)

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  5. That would be so strange to see someone else at home with the things you once considered yours. I'm glad hubby got to visit his chair. I always feel like I've gone on vacation after one of your lovely posts.

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  6. I'm still hanging on custom made omelettes. I love those!

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  7. The view from my breakfast window this morning was of a downpour melting what's left of our snow. Joy! But, I really like your view. I've just discovered your blog and look forward to spending more time with you.

    Prior to moving to Chicago, we lived in Charleston, S.C.. Quite different!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  8. I am sure I must have told you that I spent most of my summers in the Caribbean as a child. So these posts have had a homecoming feeling to me. Thanks GREG

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  9. It's wonderful you felt so at home when it's no longer your home. That says so much about your friends! Your visit sounds delightful and I loved the photos.
    We have spent a great deal of time in the Caribbean and understand exactly how you feel. We love it and it's obvious you do too. It's island magic and if it were at all practical, I'd live there.

    Unfortunately, I learned a lesson from my sister in law who had a home on Harbour Island. She had a stroke and probably would not have been cripped the remainder of her life had she not been delayed in getting adequate help. It was over 2 days before they were able to get a medical flight to West Palm.

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  10. What a beautiful post. And such beautiful pictures too. The chair story really is adorable. Have fun for the rest of us. Oh, a Bahama Breeze-pleez.

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  11. Sam, Everything looks beautiful in the Abacos. I notice that everyone is wearing jackets and sweaters - don't tell me it is even cold there.

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  12. Sam, I am very much enjoying my vicarious visit to Abaco. big sigh.

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  13. Look at that spot!! Breathtaking..and how lucky you are to have such friends..The chair story is cute:) Welcome back!

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  14. I'll have a mimosa please.

    I gather from your comments on my blog that you also attended the UofA. Perhaps we were there at the same time. I graduated in 1968.

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  15. What a beautiful Island Paradise!!

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  16. Oh what sweet owners... friends,,, chair sitters! And i want to do the chicken but .... what's a bird-pepper?

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  17. I think if I got in My Chair...it might be hard to get me out of it!!! What beautiful pictures...I'm going to sit and stare at the first one all night!!!

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  18. Thanks for sharing such a lovely story with us Sam. It is sometimes good to go home.

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  19. And who would dare sit in his chair with a snarl like that (ha ha).

    I need a vacation, these pictures make me want sand in my toes.

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  20. Sam, that's funny about Meakin's chair. I understand about selling houses and visiting them again. The last two houses we sold we sold to friends and have been visitors in both. It's strange, though, when they redecorate and start changing colors and things to make it their own. They get almost apologetic. LOL!

    I sure hope you are feeling better. I've been thinking about you a lot and will miss you next week. Hope each day brings health and happiness...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  21. Bonjour Sam,
    What a marvelous time you all must have had. The chair story is so funny - that chicken souse sound delicious.
    All that sunshine and blue water looks so good!
    Happy Friday

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  22. I missed your posts Sam beautiful place

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  23. Funny story about the chair! I am fascinated with your journey to that part of the world that i know nothing about! Everything looks serene and peaceful and lovely and that beautiful sea ahead! what a dream to live with it!

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  24. Oh how cute! It's true everyone has their favorite spot at home, and it never changes even when you go away and come back to different circumstances. What a cute story!

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  25. What a hoot! Did Meakin take the chair home with him, LOL? It looks like you're in heaven there. We had snow again today.

    I tell you what: I'll trade you some duck confit for some sunshine. Whadda ya say?

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  26. So funny about Meakin's chair :) Looks like you guys had a fabulous time!

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  27. What a beautiful posting. Sure wish I could be there and enjoy the food, and fun, too. I always enjoy your postings.

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  28. Thank you, as always, for visiting Sam!

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  29. It seems you had a wonderful visit and it is so lovely that you can go back 'home' Sam. What a beautiful place...you must miss it, xv.

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  30. It sounds like you enjoyed a wonderful trip back home, Sam. I don't know how I would feel if I walked into what was once my home and saw others living there. Leaving all the furnishings would make for a very easy move.

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  31. Sam, thanks for visiting my blog. I see that you are no longer in Carolina! What a lovely spot! I look forward to "visiting" more of your blog to find out how you actually got to Abaco. Before moving to the Chicago area, we lived in Charleston, S.C. where I had the pleasure of directing a cooking school and teaching. Although I love Chicago, we longingly dream of retiring to North Carolina or to my native Virginia. In the meantime, I'm discovering my blogging "voice" and love meeting new people via cyberspace.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  32. What a perfect paradise and perfect holiday! What could be better than such a gorgeous place with a great group of friends - and great food to go with it!

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  33. It would be so hard for me to visit one of my home, especially one that I loved, and see someone else using my furniture! So I understand fully why your husband felt the way he did. So gracious of the new owners to throw a party for you and to reserve the "chair". LOL!

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  34. I cannot think of a nicer breakfast than the one you described. Also, a dinner in a well known and loved place with so many friends must have been quite a treat. Thanks for visiting my blog. I only placed the link to the seafood restaurant in West Palm Beach for you as I thought you might like to have lunch there sometime. It is very casual.

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  35. That place looks like paradise! And so many friends and happu faces.

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  36. What beautiful blue skies, Sam. After reading your post, I am hopeful that eventually the sun will shine again in the North East! I'm glad Meakin got his chair again - I understand completely!

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  37. Sam, Thanks for sharing your Abaco visit on your blog. I loved reading people's comments and especially how amused and touched they were by the chair story. You know it will ALWAYS be "Meakin's chair!! I read your chicken souse recipe and will have to give it a try. Patrick contributed his chicken souse to yesterday's second annual Lubbers Flea Market at the marina. I made gumbo and muffalettas (bread supplied by Vernon)
    Cheers to "Lazy Days"
    Patti

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  38. So glad to have "found" you through Rebecca's "Chow and Chatter" and appreciate your kind comments regarding my guest blog there (girlfriend network/banana bread). Both Elbow Cay and the Chicken Souse looked so appealing. I'd love to sample them both some day -- likely the Chicken Souse first, though!

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  39. Lunch at Wally's, fabulous Rock Point (breakfast included!)breakfast and dinner at Abaco Inn, boat trip to Pete's Pub all with wonderful friends. We loved travelling with rock stars!

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  40. Wow, great pictures...I am so happy that you are having a great time...very nice :-)

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  41. Sounds like you are having a wonderful visit. Enjoy your time in Abaco!

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  42. Wowie Gazowie! How on earth did you sell that house? I would still be in mourning.
    Lucky your still friends, you can visit that fabulous spot!
    Lucky You!
    Pam

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  43. Welcome back.....sounds like you have a most wonderful time! I'm still cracking up at the "my chair" story. That's such a man thing to say!!! HAHAHA

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