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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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"A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff." - George Carlin
Our new barn is jam-packed with all our "stuff." I've opened many boxes, but have topped out with no more room for things in our little house. So far, nothing from our shipment is damaged, which is a miracle.
The movers were not the professionals we expected; they were four 16 and 17 year-old street kids from the Montevideo port. One was homeless and none had eaten all day. We fed them and they did their best, but it was 95 degrees for the 7 hours it took to unload. They had no dolly, moving straps, or even a ramp for the truck.
Our wonderful Canadian friends stayed by my side the whole time. I have no idea what I would have done without them. At least everything made it here; that is a blessing. We will soon find a spot for things.
The movers were not the professionals we expected; they were four 16 and 17 year-old street kids from the Montevideo port. One was homeless and none had eaten all day. We fed them and they did their best, but it was 95 degrees for the 7 hours it took to unload. They had no dolly, moving straps, or even a ramp for the truck.
Our wonderful Canadian friends stayed by my side the whole time. I have no idea what I would have done without them. At least everything made it here; that is a blessing. We will soon find a spot for things.
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“Be excellent to each other.” - Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure - Rufus (George Carlin)
I went to my first Uruguayan wedding last night and it was fantastico! It was the wedding of Uruguayan friends. I'm guilty of being a true romantic, but it was honestly one of the nicest weddings I've ever attended.
The setting was outdoors at a chacra (a small farm), complete with peacocks, bougainvillea, bunnies, and a puppy! The food was out of this world. Dancing started at 9:00 and dinner was at 10:00 (Uruguayan style). My favorite appetizer was the seafood cocktail (ceviche style) and favorite beverage was champagne with crushed berries - yum.
I was told that it was not really a traditional Uruguayan wedding, however I did notice some unique traditions. The couple was married by an official who wore a Uruguayan flag sash. Many witnesses (family and friends) were called up during the ceremony and very formally signed a book. I love this one: instead of walking down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, friends and family went to the bride and groom for hugs and kisses!
I went to my first Uruguayan wedding last night and it was fantastico! It was the wedding of Uruguayan friends. I'm guilty of being a true romantic, but it was honestly one of the nicest weddings I've ever attended.
The setting was outdoors at a chacra (a small farm), complete with peacocks, bougainvillea, bunnies, and a puppy! The food was out of this world. Dancing started at 9:00 and dinner was at 10:00 (Uruguayan style). My favorite appetizer was the seafood cocktail (ceviche style) and favorite beverage was champagne with crushed berries - yum.
I was told that it was not really a traditional Uruguayan wedding, however I did notice some unique traditions. The couple was married by an official who wore a Uruguayan flag sash. Many witnesses (family and friends) were called up during the ceremony and very formally signed a book. I love this one: instead of walking down the aisle at the end of the ceremony, friends and family went to the bride and groom for hugs and kisses!
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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
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Never in my life could I imagine having a barn. I'm a town and CITY girl, not a country girl. However, needs must!
Our container of belongings is being shipped from the U.S. The estimated time was about 6 to 8 weeks. Whoops!! The shipping company called and the containers will be in the port in THREE weeks. It's not great news, as we haven't even started building the barn to store it all in.
So here we go - the builder has pulled all the workers off the house and by golly, we'll get that barn built in no time flat! In the movies, back in olden times neighbors and friends would come from all over the countryside to build a new barn. They'd do most of the work in a DAY. It's going to take us a bit longer.
The barn was still being built 20 minutes before the containers arrived in mid-December onto our property, but we did it!
Our container of belongings is being shipped from the U.S. The estimated time was about 6 to 8 weeks. Whoops!! The shipping company called and the containers will be in the port in THREE weeks. It's not great news, as we haven't even started building the barn to store it all in.
So here we go - the builder has pulled all the workers off the house and by golly, we'll get that barn built in no time flat! In the movies, back in olden times neighbors and friends would come from all over the countryside to build a new barn. They'd do most of the work in a DAY. It's going to take us a bit longer.
The barn was still being built 20 minutes before the containers arrived in mid-December onto our property, but we did it!
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“Don’t think and don’t worry.” - The Incredibles - Helen Parr (Holly Hunter)
"Don't worry…" seems to be the phrase most used in Uruguay.
"Don't worry…" seems to be the phrase most used in Uruguay.
- Building - Don't worry; it's not going to fall down.
- Window Purchasing - Don't worry; it's not going to leak. You have a porch.
- Roofs - Don't worry; it won't blow off.
- Septic Tanks - Don't worry; you won't smell a thing.
- Bees - Don't worry; they only try to build a hive in your house in May and possibly in September or October....
- GPS - Don't worry; you can't possibly get lost going to...
- Appliances - Don't worry; they will fix it when it breaks, if they can get the part.
- Horses - Don't worry; horse poo is good fertilizer, just step over it.
- Banks - Don't worry; the bank will open soon (3:00 p.m. in summer).
- Mud - Don't worry; it will wash out.
- Propane Gas - Don't worry; they will come to fill the tank in a few months.
- Electricity - Don't worry; you have a generator.
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An asado in Uruguay is an outdoor barbecue. It's a great idea to have an Asado to celebrate every now and then with your friends, neighbors, or workers. For our first one, my husband bought traditional Texas barbecue meat: steak, ribs, and sausage. Everyone loved it, but my hubs was informed that true Asado meat has bone, lots of fat, and gristle in it.
When it was my turn to host an Asado on my own, our friend bought the meat for me (bone and fat included) and I provided the side dishes (non-traditional.)
An Asado is a great deal of fun, as the meat cooks slowly all day. We had ours to celebrate laying the foundation for the barn. You don't need a fancy parilla (grill), just some charcoal and wood on the ground will do. No utensils are needed; everyone brings his own fork and knife in a holster. We're always ready to eat meat in Uruguay!
Plates at our Asado consisted of leftover pieces of wood cut to measure! Since it's spring and strawberry season, I made a strawberry shortcake with whipped cream (very American of me). Everyone was delighted and ate every bite, with one person taking home the leftover cake on his motorcycle. It was a lovely time, with the guests serenading me with songs at the end of the meal. Ah….Uruguay!
When it was my turn to host an Asado on my own, our friend bought the meat for me (bone and fat included) and I provided the side dishes (non-traditional.)
An Asado is a great deal of fun, as the meat cooks slowly all day. We had ours to celebrate laying the foundation for the barn. You don't need a fancy parilla (grill), just some charcoal and wood on the ground will do. No utensils are needed; everyone brings his own fork and knife in a holster. We're always ready to eat meat in Uruguay!
Plates at our Asado consisted of leftover pieces of wood cut to measure! Since it's spring and strawberry season, I made a strawberry shortcake with whipped cream (very American of me). Everyone was delighted and ate every bite, with one person taking home the leftover cake on his motorcycle. It was a lovely time, with the guests serenading me with songs at the end of the meal. Ah….Uruguay!
Here's a link to my STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE RECIPE at my cooking website: MissCookbook.com
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"From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties And things that go bump in the night, Good Lord deliver us!" ~ Traditional Scottish Prayer
I had alone in Uruguay for two months, while my husband was back in Texas taking care of business. I was fairly proud of myself, guiding the builder and his team every day and staying all alone at night - except for my two best buddies, our Border Collies!
I hadn't gotten spooked at night; it was supernaturally quiet and easy to sleep. Sam, the Border Collie, decided that our bed was his bed of choice the very night after Hubby left for Texas. Gracie slept on the floor at the foot of the bed, but Sam even claimed Hubby's pillow!
One night, we were all nearly asleep; the bedroom windows were open to let the cool spring breezes inside. All was peaceful, but THEN!!! I heard voices; it sounded like dozens of people were chatting. Sound traveled in the country, so I could not determine where the voices were. The dogs seemed undeterred...
I looked out the window and was greeted by thousands of tiny lights. I seriously thought the aliens had landed and they were all talking! After all, I was not much of a country girl. What do you think the mysterious voices and lights were all about?
FIREFLIES and PARAKEETS!!!
In my defense, I'd never seen fireflies but once, and then only about a dozen of them. Had I ever heard parrots chattering at night in the trees? No Siree! They honestly sounded very human.
The dogs slept through the entire near-abduction...
I hadn't gotten spooked at night; it was supernaturally quiet and easy to sleep. Sam, the Border Collie, decided that our bed was his bed of choice the very night after Hubby left for Texas. Gracie slept on the floor at the foot of the bed, but Sam even claimed Hubby's pillow!
One night, we were all nearly asleep; the bedroom windows were open to let the cool spring breezes inside. All was peaceful, but THEN!!! I heard voices; it sounded like dozens of people were chatting. Sound traveled in the country, so I could not determine where the voices were. The dogs seemed undeterred...
I looked out the window and was greeted by thousands of tiny lights. I seriously thought the aliens had landed and they were all talking! After all, I was not much of a country girl. What do you think the mysterious voices and lights were all about?
FIREFLIES and PARAKEETS!!!
In my defense, I'd never seen fireflies but once, and then only about a dozen of them. Had I ever heard parrots chattering at night in the trees? No Siree! They honestly sounded very human.
The dogs slept through the entire near-abduction...
