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"Dear Santa—All I want for Christmas is blue water, soft sand and warm weather." - Gracie
We started a new tradition last Christmas Day - going to the beach! It's summer in Uruguay and doesn't feel very Christmasy. However, give me a handsome guy, a furry Border Collie, some sand, and the ocean and I'm over snow and stockings.
Our Border Collie, Gracie, loves the beach and loves playing fetch in the water. She's no spring chicken, but the water seems to make her young in spirit. Sam, our Border boy, HATES all things beach. He walks in the sand like he's avoiding land mines. We just leave him at home...
Still no Christmas tree for me. That is a tragedy. I am a world-class lover of all Christmas decorations, but our fake Christmas tree remains buried somewhere in the barn loft. One year...
Our Border Collie, Gracie, loves the beach and loves playing fetch in the water. She's no spring chicken, but the water seems to make her young in spirit. Sam, our Border boy, HATES all things beach. He walks in the sand like he's avoiding land mines. We just leave him at home...
Still no Christmas tree for me. That is a tragedy. I am a world-class lover of all Christmas decorations, but our fake Christmas tree remains buried somewhere in the barn loft. One year...
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"My mother always said, life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." - Forest Gump (Tom Hanks)
Just a little something about the women in your lives - whether they are your mom or not!
Mother’s Day is Sunday. Recently, I've read several articles on the Internet portraying Mother’s Day as self-serving and even boring. The authors were mothers. Tell me it ain’t so!
I believe that many, many women, whether they have children or not, have attributes often used to describe motherhood – loving, nurturing, caring, compassionate, and wise.
Until I was 45 (when I gained a wonderful bonus-son), I went through many a childless Mother's Day and endured countless baby showers. Yes, it is difficult to be child-free on those occasions, especially when the subjects of childbirth pains and breast-feeding dominate the conversation. Spell A-W-K-W-A-R-D.
Once upon a time, as I was having my own personal childless Mother’s Day pity party, my sweet mama reminded me that - I was, of course, a mother. I questioned her statement, so she asked me to explain what I did every day at work as a teacher. I stared at her strangely, for she knew darn well what I did.
I thought about the question and realized the answers: I ask my "kids" (students) about their interests; I ask how they feel; I sympathize with some and laugh with others; I dry tears and shed a few; I find lost items before, during, and after the school day; I try to make them feel better when they are ill; I accept and give hugs; I lift up their spirits and confidence.
After contemplating my answers, I realized that Mama was right - I am a Mother. I also realized those same answers applied not only to my students at school, but to my nieces, nephews, my friends' children, and my pets. Oh yes!
Thanks to Mama, I rarely felt left out, jealous, bitter, or sad on Mother's Day. In fact, I love Mother's Day. I love my mother and remember with joy her last Mother's Day when she turned 100 (the same day!)
Happy Mother's Day to all those women who care for others - regardless in what capacity! Mothers or not, and no matter what your occupation, your age, or your life situation – you are a strong example to those who love you.
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We received a little more than expected for Christmas…
Merry Christmas! Thanks to Skype, we were able to watch our grandbaby open her present from us; watch our son assemble it, and view the end result of TK sitting in her little red wagon! Thanks to our daughter-in-law, for taking the pictures.
On Christmas morning we took a walk on the beach with Gracie. We ate grilled chicken, potato salad, and watermelon for dinner - after all, it is summer! We missed family and friends, but making new traditions and memories are nice.
- One baby armadillo walking in the driveway;
- Two tegus slinking by the garden hose;
- Three skunk family members climbing under the woodpile;
- Four parrots chattering all night;
- Five loose sheep...
Merry Christmas! Thanks to Skype, we were able to watch our grandbaby open her present from us; watch our son assemble it, and view the end result of TK sitting in her little red wagon! Thanks to our daughter-in-law, for taking the pictures.
On Christmas morning we took a walk on the beach with Gracie. We ate grilled chicken, potato salad, and watermelon for dinner - after all, it is summer! We missed family and friends, but making new traditions and memories are nice.
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"It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage."
- Raiders of the Lost Ark - Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)
Today I celebrated my first birthday in Uruguay! I have to say, we have partied like nobody's business this weekend. Thursday night was an impromptu party with a friend who stopped by, Friday night was a dinner party for another friend and his family, and Saturday was a double-doozy with a dinner party for a neighbor and then on to a big neighborhood gathering at 9:30. Yes, 9:30! I have to take naps and drink coffee before partying with these night-owl Uruguayans. Today a neighbor stopped by with a bottle of wine for me and an invitation for lunch tomorrow. Whew! Who knew other hemispheres could be so entertaining?
The rains that would not stop in January have led to much erosion and a large sinkhole on the road to our chacra. Since we are on a private road with 23 other chacras, all the neighbors are responsible for road maintenance. Last night was a neighborhood party/meeting to discuss the road work needed. We were able to meet most of our neighborhood. The warmth and kindness of Uruguayans never ceases to amaze me. Kisses and hugs all around, of course.
The meeting was better than a movie! There was much discussion about the road. (I love it when grown-ups raise their hands to talk!) One man seemed to be in charge, but every once in awhile the system broke down with people getting up and walking around for unorganized breaks. At that point, much clapping for attention and a little yelling got people back on track.
My Spanish is not good, but I kept hearing my name in the discussion. Finally, I asked a neighbor sitting next to me to translate. Seems like someone nominated me as bookkeeper for organizing the road work funds. Good heavens - what were they thinking? Thank goodness, the party host volunteered his services for that.
I am grateful beyond belief for the new friends and neighbors.
Today I celebrated my first birthday in Uruguay! I have to say, we have partied like nobody's business this weekend. Thursday night was an impromptu party with a friend who stopped by, Friday night was a dinner party for another friend and his family, and Saturday was a double-doozy with a dinner party for a neighbor and then on to a big neighborhood gathering at 9:30. Yes, 9:30! I have to take naps and drink coffee before partying with these night-owl Uruguayans. Today a neighbor stopped by with a bottle of wine for me and an invitation for lunch tomorrow. Whew! Who knew other hemispheres could be so entertaining?
The rains that would not stop in January have led to much erosion and a large sinkhole on the road to our chacra. Since we are on a private road with 23 other chacras, all the neighbors are responsible for road maintenance. Last night was a neighborhood party/meeting to discuss the road work needed. We were able to meet most of our neighborhood. The warmth and kindness of Uruguayans never ceases to amaze me. Kisses and hugs all around, of course.
The meeting was better than a movie! There was much discussion about the road. (I love it when grown-ups raise their hands to talk!) One man seemed to be in charge, but every once in awhile the system broke down with people getting up and walking around for unorganized breaks. At that point, much clapping for attention and a little yelling got people back on track.
My Spanish is not good, but I kept hearing my name in the discussion. Finally, I asked a neighbor sitting next to me to translate. Seems like someone nominated me as bookkeeper for organizing the road work funds. Good heavens - what were they thinking? Thank goodness, the party host volunteered his services for that.
I am grateful beyond belief for the new friends and neighbors.
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"You had me at hello." - Jerry McGuire - Dorothy (Renée Zellweger)
Yes, they do celebrate Valentine's Day in Uruguay. We spent in Montevideo, shopping for a front door. We forgot it was Valentine's Day until around noon; we celebrated with ham sandwiches. OK!
It does get better, my Valentine's Day gift was the perfect front door. Now some may say that is a utilitarian gift and in no way romantic. As one friend said, "Love is a threshold too carry your wife over."
It does get better, my Valentine's Day gift was the perfect front door. Now some may say that is a utilitarian gift and in no way romantic. As one friend said, "Love is a threshold too carry your wife over."
In Uruguay the doors are often custom-made for your specifications and measurements. Stay tuned for the finished product, ready in about 2-3 weeks. Valentine Doors - a new trend!
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“I love those moments. I like to wave at them as they pass by." - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest - Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp)
2013 ~ It was a year of milestones; Mom reached her 100th year on Earth and I completed 34 years of teaching. It was a year of farewells - to careers, to Texas, to family and friends. It was a year of separation, as my husband and I spent only four months together and eight months on different continents. It was a year of reflecting on the love of family and friends. It was a year of new life, as our first grandchild was born. It was a year of adjustment, as we moved to a new home. It was a year of tears - for doubt, frustration, and joy. It was a year of trust - building a new home with no Home Depot! It was a year of wonder, as we asked ourselves, “Are we crazy?” It was a year of accomplishment, as we met more challenges to even list! It was a year of caring, as new friends and “old” provided help, dried tears, and gave hugs. Lastly, it was a year of faith, as we placed our lives, fears, and dreams in the hands of God and Universe.
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"This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather." - Groundhog Day - Phil (Bill Murray)
Wouldn't you know it? - The first summer spent in Uruguay was the hottest summer in 30 years! My quest to buy an air conditioner is now EPIC. A neighbor bought several "splits" (air/heating units that hang on the wall). He liked them, so I asked him to contact the installer for me. Well, with flurry of Christmas preparations, that got pushed to the back burner.
The day after Christmas, I met up with said neighbor at a pool party and barbecue. It was about 95 degrees and I was not glowing as a righteous Southern Belle should. I was sweating like a pig. I'm afraid I grabbed him by the shirt and not thinking before speaking, I said in a very loud voice, "I am too old to be this hot!" That got lots of laughter all around and made my temperature rise even more due to the reddest face on Earth!
He whipped out his phone right then and there; hot and sweaty Southern Belles can be very scary. Two days later, I had an air conditioner installed for the bedroom. Very few private homes have central air and heat (unless you are very wealthy and can wait weeks for replacement parts). Growing up in the South, I had lived with central cooling and heating systems since I was a child. Old habits are hard to break, but being without has been a mostly pleasant surprise. I've learned to watch the skies and certainly talk about the weather more often. Of course the day after it was installed, the weather turned cooler for a week. Ahhh….nature.
The day after Christmas, I met up with said neighbor at a pool party and barbecue. It was about 95 degrees and I was not glowing as a righteous Southern Belle should. I was sweating like a pig. I'm afraid I grabbed him by the shirt and not thinking before speaking, I said in a very loud voice, "I am too old to be this hot!" That got lots of laughter all around and made my temperature rise even more due to the reddest face on Earth!
He whipped out his phone right then and there; hot and sweaty Southern Belles can be very scary. Two days later, I had an air conditioner installed for the bedroom. Very few private homes have central air and heat (unless you are very wealthy and can wait weeks for replacement parts). Growing up in the South, I had lived with central cooling and heating systems since I was a child. Old habits are hard to break, but being without has been a mostly pleasant surprise. I've learned to watch the skies and certainly talk about the weather more often. Of course the day after it was installed, the weather turned cooler for a week. Ahhh….nature.
Our new cooling/heating unit
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"Blast this Christmas music. It's joyful and triumphant." - How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Grinch
Uruguay suffers an identity crisis at Christmas. "Jingle Bells" plays through the sound system at Punta Shopping Mall. Not a version in Spanish, no - very high pitched children's voices singing in English with weird electronic/Euro techno music accompanying them. Not bad if you hear the song once, but it inspires wrist-slitting after hearing it on the 10 minute play loop they have.
Of course it's summertime here, making Christmas seem unreal, especially with beach balls and bikinis on one side of the store aisle - Christmas ornaments on the other. I always buy a new ornament every year to mark a special event. Even though I had no tree (in a box in the barn), I went on a search for an special ornament to commemorate my Christmas in Uruguay. Ja, Ja, Ja - every single ornament I found was made in China. My ornament quest lost its appeal very quickly. My enthusiasm suddenly returned when what to my wondering eyes did appear - Italian and German Christmas food! Yes, in the holiday food aisles of the stores were rows and rows of Italian panettone (sweet bread) and German stollen (cake).
It was my first Christmas ever to be alone - but not forgotten! There was one Uruguayan tradition that overwhelmed me with gratefulness - phone calls and text messages from new friends and neighbors, wishing me, "Feliz Navidad!" Uruguayans (native and new) are caring - now that's a tradition I can take to heart.
Uruguay suffers an identity crisis at Christmas. "Jingle Bells" plays through the sound system at Punta Shopping Mall. Not a version in Spanish, no - very high pitched children's voices singing in English with weird electronic/Euro techno music accompanying them. Not bad if you hear the song once, but it inspires wrist-slitting after hearing it on the 10 minute play loop they have.
Of course it's summertime here, making Christmas seem unreal, especially with beach balls and bikinis on one side of the store aisle - Christmas ornaments on the other. I always buy a new ornament every year to mark a special event. Even though I had no tree (in a box in the barn), I went on a search for an special ornament to commemorate my Christmas in Uruguay. Ja, Ja, Ja - every single ornament I found was made in China. My ornament quest lost its appeal very quickly. My enthusiasm suddenly returned when what to my wondering eyes did appear - Italian and German Christmas food! Yes, in the holiday food aisles of the stores were rows and rows of Italian panettone (sweet bread) and German stollen (cake).
It was my first Christmas ever to be alone - but not forgotten! There was one Uruguayan tradition that overwhelmed me with gratefulness - phone calls and text messages from new friends and neighbors, wishing me, "Feliz Navidad!" Uruguayans (native and new) are caring - now that's a tradition I can take to heart.
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"Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind ... and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here; maybe I can do something about it." - Miracle on 34th Street - Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn)
Thundershirts are like doggie blankets that wrap around a dog's midsection. The theory is that dear dog will feel safe and secure during thunderstorms, fireworks, or stress. Thundershirts work for Sam (pictured), but not so much for our girl Border Collie, Gracie.
In Uruguay, Christmas Eve is celebrated at midnight with many very loud and magnificent fireworks displays. Out here in the campo (countryside), I wasn't sure if neighbors would set off fireworks. I was prepared with thundershirts on both dogs, the TV blaring loudly with an old and forgettable U.S movie, and homeopathic relaxation drops for the dogs. Oh yes, and a wee bit of champagne for yours truly. As it turned out, no fireworks were heard, the stars were amazing, and I wound up singing "Silent Night" while star-gazing. My first Christmas Eve without family or friends and I survived! There were a few tears...
Thundershirts are like doggie blankets that wrap around a dog's midsection. The theory is that dear dog will feel safe and secure during thunderstorms, fireworks, or stress. Thundershirts work for Sam (pictured), but not so much for our girl Border Collie, Gracie.
In Uruguay, Christmas Eve is celebrated at midnight with many very loud and magnificent fireworks displays. Out here in the campo (countryside), I wasn't sure if neighbors would set off fireworks. I was prepared with thundershirts on both dogs, the TV blaring loudly with an old and forgettable U.S movie, and homeopathic relaxation drops for the dogs. Oh yes, and a wee bit of champagne for yours truly. As it turned out, no fireworks were heard, the stars were amazing, and I wound up singing "Silent Night" while star-gazing. My first Christmas Eve without family or friends and I survived! There were a few tears...
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“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go baste the turkey and hide the kitchen knives.” - The House of Yes - Mrs. Pascal (Geneviève Bujold)
It was my very first Thanksgiving to be away from the United States and my first to be with no family present. However, when life gives you opportunities, make blueberry cobbler!
Several friends and I went to a blueberry farm and went blueberry picking. The blueberries were as big as grapes and the sweetest I've ever eaten. I was over enthusiastic and picked 8 kilos - great until I got all those berries home and had to decide what to do with them.
Turns out champagne is very good with frozen blueberries floating in it! Just one of the creative uses I'm still finding for the 5 or 6 kilos still in the freezer.
It was my very first Thanksgiving to be away from the United States and my first to be with no family present. However, when life gives you opportunities, make blueberry cobbler!
Several friends and I went to a blueberry farm and went blueberry picking. The blueberries were as big as grapes and the sweetest I've ever eaten. I was over enthusiastic and picked 8 kilos - great until I got all those berries home and had to decide what to do with them.
Turns out champagne is very good with frozen blueberries floating in it! Just one of the creative uses I'm still finding for the 5 or 6 kilos still in the freezer.
Find my recipes with blueberries at my cooking website: www.MissCookbook.com
Blueberry Kuchen (Cake)
Blueberry Muffins
Poached Pears with Blueberries
Blueberry Kuchen (Cake)
Blueberry Muffins
Poached Pears with Blueberries
