100% occupancy @ Neita's Nest with a couple of delightful house guests who chose Jamaica for their vacation, research and writing! Ariane from the Canaries just ended her week of rest and relaxation. Our food writer/guest, Rachael Finn from Chicago has extended her stay using Kingston as her base as she explores the foods and flavours of our island. She is researching food linkages of the African Diaspora. Meanwhile, cherry tomatoes and papayas from our kitchen garden have been gracing the tables for our family and visitors.

Just as we say au revoir to the Christmas and New Year festivities, there is Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival on the horizon. Another great reason to be in Jamaica! The Greenfield Stadium in the north coast parish of Trelawny, is the venue this year, and for a whole week, January 24 - 30, 2010.

Why not include a little Kingston visit at the front and back end of the Festival? And at Neita's Nest, of course! While here on the front end just unwind from your trip and from the working world before heading down. Listen to some choice jazz from Hartley's personal collection. On the back end, yes, unwind.

Delicious home cooked meals on the scenic verandah or patio and spa treatments al fresco in the Tree House, or your room await at Neita's Nest. Take a city tour, check out the Bob Marley Museum and now legendary Legend Cafe, shop at Devon House, hang out at Molasses @ Bin 26, the new wine bar there. The beach is not too far, and neither is Castleton Botanical Gardens. http://www.moa.gov.jm/gardens/castleton.php

Closer home there is Canon Ball Cafe in Manor Park with its canons, sentry-like and silent, reminiscent of the histories we share.  Even closer home, stroll through the neighbourhood and visit the canons in private gardens, once the site of the Bridgemount Redoubt. When you come we will tell you more about the history of these canons and of the Fortifications of Jamaica in the latter 18th century.

If you wish to go to the Festival for just one night, a return trip on the Knutsford Express is just what you need, and we will get you on it. But, book early!

For more information on the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, tickets, and the full line-up of acts please visit the official website at Jamaica Jazz and Blues.com

The flora and fauna at Neita's Nest seemed the perfect setting for the flock to gather and celebrate. So when Love Birds of 40 years ushered their finely feathered friends and family to Neita's Nest, and Guest Chef Damieon Chen delivered par excellence, it was a symphony of music, love, laughter and the making of lasting memories.

Warmest congratulations to the loving couple. Continue to be a beacon for all with whom you share, and here's wishing you continued happiness in the years to come.

Cheers!

Oh, the Christmas breeze!!... Christmas puddings in the oven,... Poinsettias in full bloom,... friends and family coming home for the holidays,... The Nativity and Christmas decorations and that fresh smell of the pine Christmas Tree, and there is nothing like homemade sorrel. Yes, Christmas is in the air! Did I mention the Christmas Breeze?!!!

Here's wishing you all a Joyous and Blessed Christmas from all of us at Neita's Nest.

When the ackees are just a picking stick away from your verandah and the scotch bonnet peppers right at hand, it doesn't take much for us Jamaicans to lay out our National Dish, Ackee and Salt Fish. And so it is at home this morning, and we have invited friends, Errol, Sandra and Angela to come up for Breakfast at Neita's Nest and to just chill out in cool Stony Hills this Saturday morning. A great way for our guests to make new Jamaican friends.

Jamaica's October ritual of afternoon rains has done wonders for our new kitchen garden here at Neita's Nest Bed and Breakfast. Lemon basil, french thyme and black mint are all sprawling, while tomatoes, sweet peppers and onions are sprouting. As for the scotch bonnet peppers. Prolific!

And it's not just the herbs and vegetables. This morning, we served the sweetest, tree-ripened papayas for breakfast!

There is something special about serving home grown to our guests.

I'm so glad to have my website finally up and running. I'll be using this blog to keep friends and guests up to date with the latest happenings at Neita's Nest.