So in the last post I forgot to describe the dessert I tasted for the first time today. I thought you might be interested.
Think grits (or something very similar) mixed in a sweet slightly custardy pudding. Oh yeah, did I mention that it also has chunks of cheese in it? And it's served warm. Our friend served ours with chopped hazelnuts sprinkled on top with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream.
The first bite was not too bad. On the second bite, it was helpful to have a little ice cream with it. But by the third bite and so on, I started to gag. My wonderful husband picked up on the fact that I was struggling to eat it, but no way could we leave so much uneaten (it was a sweet treat "for the baby"). Somehow he managed to make a little joke out of how he ate his so fast and I was eating mine so slowly. And he scooped up the last few bits of mine for me!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Grand Opening
Last week I (Melissa) was visiting a friend, and while I was there, she stepped out for a few minutes to walk to a nearby furniture store to buy a set of table and chairs for her apartment. When she came back, she gave me an invitation (the card kind) to a furniture store's grand opening and explained that we could go together and eat there. Well, free food sounds good anytime, right? Other than knowing I would be with my friend and that we would be eating food, I didn't know much else.
Today was the big day, and while I wasn't sure what the proper dress code for such a gathering might be, I decided to go with a little more than casual look. Mark decided he was up for the adventure, too, and off we went.
When we got to our friend's studio, I was really thankful that I had gone with a little dressed up look because my friend was the most dressed up I think I've ever seen her. Then she told us that she and her sister had to go to a florist to look at some flowers to present to the new store's owners. At this point we still weren't sure what we were getting into. I was thinking, "What kind of gathering is this going to be? Small, intimate, and rather formal? Large, impersonal, and casual?" And I couldn't quite figure out if this was the kind of thing fellow business owners, good customers, or just anyone off the street got invitations to.
After our friends came back with a pretty (but somewhat different) arrangement of flowers, we walked around the corner and waited for the service "bus" to pick us up. We then learned that the new store was on the road that heads out of town - which means it was too far to walk - AND that because the same people that opened the new store have a smaller store around the corner from our friends - which makes them "work neighbors" - they got the invitation. And we just got to tag along as their friends from America.
When we arrived at the store, I couldn't believe my eyes . . . the parking lot was full of tables, plastic chairs/stools, and people! There was someone speaking into a microphone, and behind him was a steady stream of people entering the store. Our friends called someone they knew on the inside and got the OK to bypass the sitting and listening so we could go on into the store. We walked around 3 floors of furniture, appliances, rugs, linens, etc. All along the way, we kept meeting other store keepers/owners we know - who had all come to celebrate with this store owner. Can you imagine celebrating with your competition?!
We wound our way to the chocolate table and then ventured outside for the meal. Rice, stewed beef (kind of), a yogurt drink, and a dessert that I was fortunate enough to have tasted for the first time earlier in the day (that means, it made me gag once already today and I knew better than to push my luck a second time!). The rice, meat, and drink was rather filling, to say the least. Of course, after all of that, hot tea was served (in clear plastic party cups) and we just sat and chatted.
To get back into town we had to wait for the service "bus" again. We lined up on the side of the street and waited. The van drove up and rolled just past us in front of a group of about 6 other women. We jogged over to the van, hoping to get a seat. We were almost too late, but based on the "rules" regarding packing a vehicle here, we all managed to get in, with no room to spare. Mark ended up in the front seat between the driver and his gear shift on one side and a little old lady on the other side. I was the last one to get in the van, and thankfully, our friends made sure everyone else knew I'm pregnant and made a place for me on the corner of a seat. It was a wee bit crowded, but we all got home safely!
I don't think I'll ever think of grand openings in the same way again!
Today was the big day, and while I wasn't sure what the proper dress code for such a gathering might be, I decided to go with a little more than casual look. Mark decided he was up for the adventure, too, and off we went.
When we got to our friend's studio, I was really thankful that I had gone with a little dressed up look because my friend was the most dressed up I think I've ever seen her. Then she told us that she and her sister had to go to a florist to look at some flowers to present to the new store's owners. At this point we still weren't sure what we were getting into. I was thinking, "What kind of gathering is this going to be? Small, intimate, and rather formal? Large, impersonal, and casual?" And I couldn't quite figure out if this was the kind of thing fellow business owners, good customers, or just anyone off the street got invitations to.
After our friends came back with a pretty (but somewhat different) arrangement of flowers, we walked around the corner and waited for the service "bus" to pick us up. We then learned that the new store was on the road that heads out of town - which means it was too far to walk - AND that because the same people that opened the new store have a smaller store around the corner from our friends - which makes them "work neighbors" - they got the invitation. And we just got to tag along as their friends from America.
When we arrived at the store, I couldn't believe my eyes . . . the parking lot was full of tables, plastic chairs/stools, and people! There was someone speaking into a microphone, and behind him was a steady stream of people entering the store. Our friends called someone they knew on the inside and got the OK to bypass the sitting and listening so we could go on into the store. We walked around 3 floors of furniture, appliances, rugs, linens, etc. All along the way, we kept meeting other store keepers/owners we know - who had all come to celebrate with this store owner. Can you imagine celebrating with your competition?!
We wound our way to the chocolate table and then ventured outside for the meal. Rice, stewed beef (kind of), a yogurt drink, and a dessert that I was fortunate enough to have tasted for the first time earlier in the day (that means, it made me gag once already today and I knew better than to push my luck a second time!). The rice, meat, and drink was rather filling, to say the least. Of course, after all of that, hot tea was served (in clear plastic party cups) and we just sat and chatted.
To get back into town we had to wait for the service "bus" again. We lined up on the side of the street and waited. The van drove up and rolled just past us in front of a group of about 6 other women. We jogged over to the van, hoping to get a seat. We were almost too late, but based on the "rules" regarding packing a vehicle here, we all managed to get in, with no room to spare. Mark ended up in the front seat between the driver and his gear shift on one side and a little old lady on the other side. I was the last one to get in the van, and thankfully, our friends made sure everyone else knew I'm pregnant and made a place for me on the corner of a seat. It was a wee bit crowded, but we all got home safely!
I don't think I'll ever think of grand openings in the same way again!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Soul Food
In the year that we've been overseas, food has been the topic of LOTS of conversations and has been center stage in quite a few of our blog posts. Well, I must say that since my appetite has returned, food is once again something I'm spending lots of time thinking about. So I thought I would share with you some of the All-American favorites we've savored in recent days.
Vegetable soup and cornbread ("straight out of the oven" hot with butter).
"Pulled" (more like chicken in a pot that just fell apart) BBQ chicken sandwiches. (I even made coleslaw to go with!)
Spaghetti with a really meaty sauce. (Here, what they call spaghetti sauce is a watered down very bland tomato sauce - not even marinara.)
No-bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Some of you may remember that in a previous post I mentioned really wanting a Big Mac. I was hoping to stop at the closest McD's on a recent trip, but since we had to travel by bus, I could only wave (and maybe drool a little) as we bumped past it. No worries, though . . . one of our local grocery stores has started selling Thousand Island Dressing!!! I've decided to make my own version of the Big Mac - the Melissa Mini Mac! I'll have to let you know how that goes.
We got a special care package this week from some folks that we've never even met, and you wouldn't believe all the goodies they packed for us to enjoy!!! The most exciting treats were candy corn, a can of pumpkin, and a gingerbread scented candle. We got a little taste of fall in a bag!!!
Well, now with all that talk of food, I just might have to go find a snack (if I can keep my eyelids open long enough - it's Sun. afternoon nap time here!). Happy snacking to you, too!!!
Vegetable soup and cornbread ("straight out of the oven" hot with butter).
"Pulled" (more like chicken in a pot that just fell apart) BBQ chicken sandwiches. (I even made coleslaw to go with!)
Spaghetti with a really meaty sauce. (Here, what they call spaghetti sauce is a watered down very bland tomato sauce - not even marinara.)
No-bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
Some of you may remember that in a previous post I mentioned really wanting a Big Mac. I was hoping to stop at the closest McD's on a recent trip, but since we had to travel by bus, I could only wave (and maybe drool a little) as we bumped past it. No worries, though . . . one of our local grocery stores has started selling Thousand Island Dressing!!! I've decided to make my own version of the Big Mac - the Melissa Mini Mac! I'll have to let you know how that goes.
We got a special care package this week from some folks that we've never even met, and you wouldn't believe all the goodies they packed for us to enjoy!!! The most exciting treats were candy corn, a can of pumpkin, and a gingerbread scented candle. We got a little taste of fall in a bag!!!
Well, now with all that talk of food, I just might have to go find a snack (if I can keep my eyelids open long enough - it's Sun. afternoon nap time here!). Happy snacking to you, too!!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Holiday Rush
So after 30 days of fasting (explained in a previous post), our neighbors enjoy a 3 day holiday full of sweets, chocolates, coffee, and visits. We kept hearing about the holiday rush (similar in nature to the rush you are familiar with the week before Christmas). Last year we arrived just as this holiday started so we missed the days just prior to it. This year, we got to experience it first hand. Honestly, it lived up to its reputation! Normally, official offices, most businesses, and schools are closed for the 3 days. This year, because the holiday fell in the middle of the week, schools and official offices are closed all week. That means a 9 day holiday!
In preparation for the holiday, families buy brand new outfits that will be worn as they visit family and friends. Pans and pans of sweet treats are made to serve to guests. Vendors line the streets with tables overflowing with individually wrapped chocolates and other candy to serve to guests and children who come ringing your doorbell in search for sugar. Folks stock up on necessary supplies that they may not be able to get while shops as closed. And, of course, people wait until the last minute to get a lot of this done! What that means is super crowded streets and check out lines that wind through the aisles - a real holiday hustle and bustle. (Can you guess what holiday song I'm thinking of?)
Well, I, too, waited until the last minute to make a few purchases. Monday was considered the "eve" of the holiday, which means "last chance to get your shopping done because tomorrow your guests arrive!" Mark had to travel to a nearby city for work, and although he had invited me to ride along, I politely declined saying I didn't want to be rushed. Well, Monday morning we woke up to buckets of rain pouring from the sky. He again politely suggested I go with him so I could shop indoors, and that time I agreed!
I, myself, hardly ever, maybe even never, shopped at home on Christmas Eve, but I'm guessing I know what it's like after seeing the mall on Monday! Boy was I glad we got there before the big rush and got my shopping done before the check out lines stretched into eternity!!
Well, I got all the shopping done - gifts, chocolates, coffee. Mark swept and vacuumed the whole house Monday evening. I spent most of the day Tuesday baking so we would have something sweet to serve to all the guests we were expecting and something to take (as a gift) to the people we were expecting to visit. It's now Thursday and we've been able to visit one person and no one has been to visit us. You can imagine Mark's excitement over being able to eat all that food that hasn't been served to others!!
It turns out that all the people we were hoping to visit are all traveling - taking advantage of the extra long holiday. And we've ended up with a few extra days of R&R - a delightful surprise!
Other than a handful of children who have rung our doorbell, holding the plastic grocery bags that hold their sugary loot, and a couple of garbage collectors who go door to door asking for tips, it's been really quiet.
So it appears that (at least for this year) the holiday rush was the storm before the calm! And we may never pass this way again!!
In preparation for the holiday, families buy brand new outfits that will be worn as they visit family and friends. Pans and pans of sweet treats are made to serve to guests. Vendors line the streets with tables overflowing with individually wrapped chocolates and other candy to serve to guests and children who come ringing your doorbell in search for sugar. Folks stock up on necessary supplies that they may not be able to get while shops as closed. And, of course, people wait until the last minute to get a lot of this done! What that means is super crowded streets and check out lines that wind through the aisles - a real holiday hustle and bustle. (Can you guess what holiday song I'm thinking of?)
Well, I, too, waited until the last minute to make a few purchases. Monday was considered the "eve" of the holiday, which means "last chance to get your shopping done because tomorrow your guests arrive!" Mark had to travel to a nearby city for work, and although he had invited me to ride along, I politely declined saying I didn't want to be rushed. Well, Monday morning we woke up to buckets of rain pouring from the sky. He again politely suggested I go with him so I could shop indoors, and that time I agreed!
I, myself, hardly ever, maybe even never, shopped at home on Christmas Eve, but I'm guessing I know what it's like after seeing the mall on Monday! Boy was I glad we got there before the big rush and got my shopping done before the check out lines stretched into eternity!!
Well, I got all the shopping done - gifts, chocolates, coffee. Mark swept and vacuumed the whole house Monday evening. I spent most of the day Tuesday baking so we would have something sweet to serve to all the guests we were expecting and something to take (as a gift) to the people we were expecting to visit. It's now Thursday and we've been able to visit one person and no one has been to visit us. You can imagine Mark's excitement over being able to eat all that food that hasn't been served to others!!
It turns out that all the people we were hoping to visit are all traveling - taking advantage of the extra long holiday. And we've ended up with a few extra days of R&R - a delightful surprise!
Other than a handful of children who have rung our doorbell, holding the plastic grocery bags that hold their sugary loot, and a couple of garbage collectors who go door to door asking for tips, it's been really quiet.
So it appears that (at least for this year) the holiday rush was the storm before the calm! And we may never pass this way again!!
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