I have not posted in quite sometime. I totally forgot about blogging for some reason. Not that I am not on the computer everyday.. or don't have the time for something.. it just sort of slipped my mind. Lately I have been all over the place with thoughts. How the kids are doing, what's for dinner, what new craft am I going to do, oh and the biggest one... what will I be packing vs leaving behind vs getting rid of vs what will I need for the new home... etc etc.
Once again 1 year to the date I will be again flying transcontinental with 2 kids, luggage, carryons and stress that goes with it.
When I came here I got rid of everything we owned, shipped over one box of books and school supplies, one box of tools and electronics, one computer and our large tv. With us we had 6 large suitcases and 3 fat carryons. Going back now.. after one year.. not only have we accumlated lots and lots of junk, but now have only 3 bags we get take back with us, plus stuff I want from here, blankets, pots, spices.. and gifts. And in all of this I am trying to get rid of what we brought that will not be used anytime soon. And sorting stained clothes vs clean ones vs too small or not practical for two kids.
I am a big believer now of less is more, and if I am not going to use it soon and someone else can use it now then by golly pass it on. I really hope I maintain this motto because the last two startovers have been a pain of the collassal portions. I want to keep the house, toys and clothes, and shoes simple.
With one week left before liftoff we are almost done. Just all the small stuff to ponder over and make decisions on.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Judging
So today I had this random thought while we were driving down the road. I saw this gentleman walking down the street very well dressed but just out of place to be walking down the street. And for some reason it made me think about how easy we are to judge people. The rest of the drive I was looking around at people and kept saying wow do we ever stop to think about how much we don't really know about people. Complete strangers could smile and you feel like you have known them forever... but we don't know what experiences people have lived, what good or bad they have seen. Right after seeing the man I saw two misfit kids on a bike cussing up a storm at all the drivers and I thought hmm did that man ever do silly stuff like that. We see a person in a suit and we think certain things.. but we don't think about the challenges they went through to get to that point in life. We don't know what good or bad they have done.. we don't even know this of our own family members. We only know what we have seen or "heard" and what has been selected for us to know.
It is easy to pass judgment, it is hard to read past the cover and the initial one paragraph summary. Just like a book, we decide if a book is good or bad based on the title, a skimming and reading of the back cover... but have you ever thought to read a book that seemed bad and find a treasure inside. Or gotten a good review of something from someone only to find out for yourself it was not how they described it at all.
Teaching kids not to judge and to give people a chance is very hard when as part of nature we select who we are going to sit next to based on what we see on the outside... who we will smile at, who we will talk to etc etc.
Yes we talk about judging and not judging in life.. but for some reason I could not shake that have we really sat and thought about how much we really don't know about people and the hidden stories they have to tell.
It is easy to pass judgment, it is hard to read past the cover and the initial one paragraph summary. Just like a book, we decide if a book is good or bad based on the title, a skimming and reading of the back cover... but have you ever thought to read a book that seemed bad and find a treasure inside. Or gotten a good review of something from someone only to find out for yourself it was not how they described it at all.
Teaching kids not to judge and to give people a chance is very hard when as part of nature we select who we are going to sit next to based on what we see on the outside... who we will smile at, who we will talk to etc etc.
Yes we talk about judging and not judging in life.. but for some reason I could not shake that have we really sat and thought about how much we really don't know about people and the hidden stories they have to tell.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Turkey Thighs and Rice
Tonight we opted for simple and scrumptious.
2 large turkey thighs or thigh meat. portion of one chunk per person the size of a deck of cards (4oz maybe)
1 cup rice long grain white (I prefer basmati, but brown rice would be good to if you know the water/rice ratios)
2 large carrots sliced on the round
2 large zuchinni sliced on the round
1 yellow onion finely chopped
1 red onion
garlic
chicken bouillon, smen bouillon
handful of cilantro/parsley finely chopped
pdr ginger, black pepper, turmeric for color, and sunflower oil or vegetable oil
3 or 4 cups of water
In pressure cooker put chopped onions, garlic, parsley/cilantro mix, and oil... saute slightley then add the meat and mix well. Add the water and lightley mix together then cook in pressure cooker until meat is fork tender. About 30 mins.. possibly 20 depending on your cooker and how much meat you put. Open the cooker and scoop out one cup of the sauce.. onion and garlic bits are fine and put them in a pot for your rice, then add your rice and one cup of water and cook as normal in seperate pot or rice cooker. To the meat add the carrots and zuchinni, stir slightly and repressurize for 5 minutes... open and stir again.. there should still be sauce in the pot, turn heat to low and cover but not pressure.. let some of the sauce cook off while the vegetables get soft.. cook to your preference. When rice is done you can serve it with the meat and veggie mix on top or family style with rice in a seperate plate and meat and sauce in large platter.
Depending on who is eating.. this dish is good if you put the rice in a large platter and lay the meat on it nicely and the veggies and sauce on top for serving.
This dish was well liked by all.. only one small hunk of meat leftover for morning breakfast!!
2 large turkey thighs or thigh meat. portion of one chunk per person the size of a deck of cards (4oz maybe)
1 cup rice long grain white (I prefer basmati, but brown rice would be good to if you know the water/rice ratios)
2 large carrots sliced on the round
2 large zuchinni sliced on the round
1 yellow onion finely chopped
1 red onion
garlic
chicken bouillon, smen bouillon
handful of cilantro/parsley finely chopped
pdr ginger, black pepper, turmeric for color, and sunflower oil or vegetable oil
3 or 4 cups of water
In pressure cooker put chopped onions, garlic, parsley/cilantro mix, and oil... saute slightley then add the meat and mix well. Add the water and lightley mix together then cook in pressure cooker until meat is fork tender. About 30 mins.. possibly 20 depending on your cooker and how much meat you put. Open the cooker and scoop out one cup of the sauce.. onion and garlic bits are fine and put them in a pot for your rice, then add your rice and one cup of water and cook as normal in seperate pot or rice cooker. To the meat add the carrots and zuchinni, stir slightly and repressurize for 5 minutes... open and stir again.. there should still be sauce in the pot, turn heat to low and cover but not pressure.. let some of the sauce cook off while the vegetables get soft.. cook to your preference. When rice is done you can serve it with the meat and veggie mix on top or family style with rice in a seperate plate and meat and sauce in large platter.
Depending on who is eating.. this dish is good if you put the rice in a large platter and lay the meat on it nicely and the veggies and sauce on top for serving.
This dish was well liked by all.. only one small hunk of meat leftover for morning breakfast!!
Friday, April 15, 2011
White Bean Recipe
One pound of white beans... soaked overnight.
1 large yellow.white. or red onion
2 cubes of garlic bouillon (I would use a whole head of garlic instead, but today do not have on)
1 cube of chicken bouillon
1 handful of chopped parsley/cilantro
2 tbs of tomato paste
2 tbs of dijon mustard
2 tbs of powdered ginger
1 tbs of paprika
1 tps of black pepper
salt to taste
1 yellow color dye pack or turmeric
Put all in a pot and cover an inch above beans with water.. stir well and let cook down, may have to add more water.
Would be good in a slow cooker all day... or used in the pressure cooker.
Serve with rice on the side, could also throw in a hunk of meat for taste.. or sausages on the side.
Very versatile recipe and delicious.
1 large yellow.white. or red onion
2 cubes of garlic bouillon (I would use a whole head of garlic instead, but today do not have on)
1 cube of chicken bouillon
1 handful of chopped parsley/cilantro
2 tbs of tomato paste
2 tbs of dijon mustard
2 tbs of powdered ginger
1 tbs of paprika
1 tps of black pepper
salt to taste
1 yellow color dye pack or turmeric
Put all in a pot and cover an inch above beans with water.. stir well and let cook down, may have to add more water.
Would be good in a slow cooker all day... or used in the pressure cooker.
Serve with rice on the side, could also throw in a hunk of meat for taste.. or sausages on the side.
Very versatile recipe and delicious.
Write what you Like
The other day I was reading this article and it made me realize how important the statement of writing what you like vs writing what you think other want to hear about. So this thought in mind over the next few posts as in the last few you will see more and more recipes. Why you may ask.. well I like food..I am a foodie and I love trying and experimenting with new flavors and smells. A lot of my recipes are really just throw in a pot with love, keeping in mind colors, tastes, smells and healthiness.
I will keep doing random thought posts but I do not have a cookbook I turn to. Yes I love cook books but rarely ever use the recipes. I usually take a them and look at like 5 recipes and then get the idea and make my own from there. If some of my recipes seem like out of a book it will because of past influences and I am not trying to steal or copy I am really just eyeballing it from my head. Now my measurements are not exact, I use spoons and bowls and cups lol. When I get my hands on measuring cups then my recipes typed will be more precise.
My husband has been for years telling me to write down my creations and now is the time.. one meal at a time!!!
I will keep doing random thought posts but I do not have a cookbook I turn to. Yes I love cook books but rarely ever use the recipes. I usually take a them and look at like 5 recipes and then get the idea and make my own from there. If some of my recipes seem like out of a book it will because of past influences and I am not trying to steal or copy I am really just eyeballing it from my head. Now my measurements are not exact, I use spoons and bowls and cups lol. When I get my hands on measuring cups then my recipes typed will be more precise.
My husband has been for years telling me to write down my creations and now is the time.. one meal at a time!!!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Beef and Potato pressure cooker Recipe
This recipe is one of my daughters favorites. If she had her choice she would eat beef and potatoes in any form for every meal. We bought half a kilo of beef chunks.. some with fat and grizzle and some just as is. Now normally for a large family that in itself would maybe serve one person. I actually divided it up into two parts and put one half in the freezer. I cut up the rest into decent hunks and we had just enough to taste but not enough that I would feel bad that we were "over" beefing our meal.
ingredients
1/2 lb to 1 lb cubed stew meat, some bones are great for flavor..
2 medium red onions
1 head of garlic
5 good sized potatoes (more for more people), peeled and cut into 4 long pieces or cut into laying the whole potato on its side and cutting thick hunks. Let sit in bowl of water until ready to add to the mix.
1tbs of paprika
1tbs of black pepper
2 tsps of vegetable oil
turmeric for color
2 tbs of chopped parsley and cilantro
1 cube beef bouillon
1tsp of salt
1 tsp of cumin
1 lt. of water
Dice up the onions and garlic and add to the pressure cooker all of the spices, bouillon, oil and cilantro/parsley. Saute until onions start to turn translucent.. stir so the mix does not burn or stick to the pot. Then add the beef cubes to the spice mix and stir to coat and let cook browning the meat. Add the water and stir picking up all the bits off the bottom of the pan. Seal the cooker and let cook until the meat is fork tender. Usually about 25 mins. Keep an eye on the meat and add more water if there was not enough. When the meat is tender add the potatoes to the sauce and mix into the sauce. Cover but do not put to pressure, turn to medium heat and let cook until the potatoes are finished and the water is a thick sauce. Serve family style with bread rolls to soak up the sauce!
ingredients
1/2 lb to 1 lb cubed stew meat, some bones are great for flavor..
2 medium red onions
1 head of garlic
5 good sized potatoes (more for more people), peeled and cut into 4 long pieces or cut into laying the whole potato on its side and cutting thick hunks. Let sit in bowl of water until ready to add to the mix.
1tbs of paprika
1tbs of black pepper
2 tsps of vegetable oil
turmeric for color
2 tbs of chopped parsley and cilantro
1 cube beef bouillon
1tsp of salt
1 tsp of cumin
1 lt. of water
Dice up the onions and garlic and add to the pressure cooker all of the spices, bouillon, oil and cilantro/parsley. Saute until onions start to turn translucent.. stir so the mix does not burn or stick to the pot. Then add the beef cubes to the spice mix and stir to coat and let cook browning the meat. Add the water and stir picking up all the bits off the bottom of the pan. Seal the cooker and let cook until the meat is fork tender. Usually about 25 mins. Keep an eye on the meat and add more water if there was not enough. When the meat is tender add the potatoes to the sauce and mix into the sauce. Cover but do not put to pressure, turn to medium heat and let cook until the potatoes are finished and the water is a thick sauce. Serve family style with bread rolls to soak up the sauce!
The Joy of Nothingness!
Wooohooo I got to put my feet in the Mediterranean Sea. Yeah just my feet... because wow it was cold. I did swim two times in the hotel pool, but me and beaches with waves slipping out under you... well lets just say I am scared of falling and not being able to get back up onto the shore. The kids played for a bit and were bored.. they wanted to go back to the pool, where they could be free to jump and dive and swim without the inherant fears the big open water brings. To them it was just another beach, but we did get to collect some cool shells. We were blessed enough to go during the off season and enjoyed an endless empty beach. For me this was great, not for walking or exercising.. but to without shame stand and just breath in the ocean air. No fumes of sunscreen around, no eyes looking at the big covered woman wondering why bother going to a beach if you are not going to crisp your skin... trust me I have had many interesting beach experiences due to my lack of conformity with the local beach attire. Yes I fully cover and most times where a long dress on top of my clothes.. even when I go to the beach. Most times I just wear a long sleeve shirt and pants and my hijab, usually one long enough to go to my elbows.
Back to what I was saying. After sending the kids back to the pool I walked down to the beach with my bag ready to relax for the day. Had a good book to read... I am reading the Voyages of Dr. Dolittle. Never read it and thought how perfect for the beach!, have my crochet ready, my notebook and pen, a light snack and water bottle and sheet for sitting in the sand. I was ready.
Once I walked back to the beach I realized that for once I did not want to do anything... absolutely nothing.. no reading, no crafting, no writing amazing thoughts on paper (which lately seems hard to do as it is). I just wanted to stand and breath and sit and stare. And for what seemed like an eternity I did just that.
I stared at the waves and let them suck my stresses away, I awed at the mountain rif that was jutting out into the water and the magnificence of this peaceful spot. I thought how horrible it must be during high season... yeah yeah all the people and excitement and towels and umbrellas.. but really I was just enjoying the simple nothingness that was around me.
I still don't really know how long I was standing there letting the water lick my feet and the foam tickle my toes, but I do know whether it was 10 minutes or an hour I am very very very Thankful to have had the opportunity to do nothing.
Overall our trip was amazing and I will sit soon and write more about this adventure we went on, but for now I am drawing back to that moment and just remembering the peaceful feeling I got when I stared out and heard nothing but the waves. What a great memory.
Back to what I was saying. After sending the kids back to the pool I walked down to the beach with my bag ready to relax for the day. Had a good book to read... I am reading the Voyages of Dr. Dolittle. Never read it and thought how perfect for the beach!, have my crochet ready, my notebook and pen, a light snack and water bottle and sheet for sitting in the sand. I was ready.
Once I walked back to the beach I realized that for once I did not want to do anything... absolutely nothing.. no reading, no crafting, no writing amazing thoughts on paper (which lately seems hard to do as it is). I just wanted to stand and breath and sit and stare. And for what seemed like an eternity I did just that.
I stared at the waves and let them suck my stresses away, I awed at the mountain rif that was jutting out into the water and the magnificence of this peaceful spot. I thought how horrible it must be during high season... yeah yeah all the people and excitement and towels and umbrellas.. but really I was just enjoying the simple nothingness that was around me.
I still don't really know how long I was standing there letting the water lick my feet and the foam tickle my toes, but I do know whether it was 10 minutes or an hour I am very very very Thankful to have had the opportunity to do nothing.
Overall our trip was amazing and I will sit soon and write more about this adventure we went on, but for now I am drawing back to that moment and just remembering the peaceful feeling I got when I stared out and heard nothing but the waves. What a great memory.
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