Cynthia Nelson

I’m sure you’ve noticed it too: the tall trees in varying stages – some full of blossoms, some densely populated with young fruit and others with branches bowing with the weight of those signalling that they will soon be ready to be picked.

Do you find that unlike Christmas, there’s a certain ease at Easter?

We know that we mark our lives by rituals and traditions.

Guess what I had last weekend? Hassar curry, with hassar from Essequibo flown in within 48 hours of being caught!

I know you’ve had and like cow heel soup. And we know cow heel is a must-have for many of us when making Pepperpot.

Last week, after a couple meals of dhal, rice, and fried salt fish; okra, and fried salt fish; karaila and fried salt fish, I had had more than my fill of fried salt fish.

One of the things we all look forward to at the holidays, regardless of which religious holiday or festival it is, is the food!

It is that time of the year – Lent – the period leading up to Easter.

Sure, we can and do eat pancakes all year round but somehow when there is a designated day, it’s exciting.

In a couple of days it will be Valentine’s. As I thought of what to write about this week, I recalled my Love Letter to Guyanese Cuisine that I wrote last year.

I just heard of the passing of a dear friend this morning (I am writing this column on Thursday, Feb 2nd).

Please consider this week’s column a Public Service Announcement and an Appeal.

Isn’t it awesome that we live in a country that is culturally rich and ethnically diverse?

What have you been eating this past week? I ask because January is always a sort of weird month when it comes to eating and drinking.

Parents, do you realise that you are Influencers? Today I want to appeal to you to embrace your role as an Influencer.

Happy New Year Everybody! Yes, it is that time of the year and we must engage in certain routines even if they will last, at best, 2 weeks.

Merry Christmas Everybody! What have you been up to so far?

The year was 2006. My eldest cousin’s wife had cooked quite a spread for her family’s Christmas meal.

We know that holidays are all about tradition and rituals (as they should be), but they are also a time when we consider shaking things up a little from the routine.

Hard to believe, but it is that time of the year again.