Tuesday, November 29, 2011
So it's been a while since I posted something on the blog.
I could tell you it's because we've been out doing incredibly exciting things, but that's not the truth.
I could tell you it's because Jason needed a turn posting things, but we all know that will never happen. (nudge, nudge)
I could tell you it's because I suddenly forgot how to type, and that the injury to my fingers from the balloon part was fairly serious. This is a little truthful (my left index finger now feels stiff all the time), but not the real reason.
The real reason is...
I've just been incredibly lazy. RWA's Golden Heart contest entries were due this week, so I was hustling to finish up my entry, so when it was time to think up a good blog entry topic, I was tapped out.
But I'm back, and though I still don't have any good blog entry ideas, I will attempt to include some pictures from our last few weeks. Today's picture is from Thanksgiving day, in which I attempted to re-create some traditional American dishes with Indian ingredients. It was...interesting to say the least.
No turkey this year since it was just the four of us, so Sivithri (my cook) graciously agreed to get us a small chicken to cook in my tiny oven (if you remember, there aren't many houses with ovens here, and mine is a countertop, giant toaster version). And just FYI, this chicken was FRESH. No grocery store for us; Sivithri went to a stall and picked out a live one. The chicken walla killed and plucked it for us, so we didn't have to deal with all that thawing.
For those of you who don't know me, I am not a particularly good cook. But it wasn't fair to ask Sivithri to cook traditional American dishes, so I took the plunge. And learned something very important - Americans are spoiled. It really never occurred to me how many ingredients in a "home-cooked" Thanksgiving dinner came out of a can, bag, or refrigerator.
For chicken broth, I made my own (good thing we were cooking chicken). For the stuffing (dressing) I dried and toasted my own bread. For the green bean casserole I cut and boiled them myself. For the mashed potatoes - ok, these are exactly the same, nevermind. For the peach pies (no pumpkin to be found, I'm not brave enough to try with the small versions here) I made my own crust. And Jaria, I attempted your egg noodles and while they were edible, they weren't nearly as good as yours.
Anyway, by the time I was done, the kitchen was a mess. So we carried it out to the dining table for a picture instead. I'd prefer you to imagine my kitchen as clean and cozy instead of the war zone it actually looked like. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! (And Happy Birthday Dad)
I could tell you it's because we've been out doing incredibly exciting things, but that's not the truth.
I could tell you it's because Jason needed a turn posting things, but we all know that will never happen. (nudge, nudge)
I could tell you it's because I suddenly forgot how to type, and that the injury to my fingers from the balloon part was fairly serious. This is a little truthful (my left index finger now feels stiff all the time), but not the real reason.
The real reason is...
I've just been incredibly lazy. RWA's Golden Heart contest entries were due this week, so I was hustling to finish up my entry, so when it was time to think up a good blog entry topic, I was tapped out.
But I'm back, and though I still don't have any good blog entry ideas, I will attempt to include some pictures from our last few weeks. Today's picture is from Thanksgiving day, in which I attempted to re-create some traditional American dishes with Indian ingredients. It was...interesting to say the least.
No turkey this year since it was just the four of us, so Sivithri (my cook) graciously agreed to get us a small chicken to cook in my tiny oven (if you remember, there aren't many houses with ovens here, and mine is a countertop, giant toaster version). And just FYI, this chicken was FRESH. No grocery store for us; Sivithri went to a stall and picked out a live one. The chicken walla killed and plucked it for us, so we didn't have to deal with all that thawing.
For those of you who don't know me, I am not a particularly good cook. But it wasn't fair to ask Sivithri to cook traditional American dishes, so I took the plunge. And learned something very important - Americans are spoiled. It really never occurred to me how many ingredients in a "home-cooked" Thanksgiving dinner came out of a can, bag, or refrigerator.
For chicken broth, I made my own (good thing we were cooking chicken). For the stuffing (dressing) I dried and toasted my own bread. For the green bean casserole I cut and boiled them myself. For the mashed potatoes - ok, these are exactly the same, nevermind. For the peach pies (no pumpkin to be found, I'm not brave enough to try with the small versions here) I made my own crust. And Jaria, I attempted your egg noodles and while they were edible, they weren't nearly as good as yours.
Anyway, by the time I was done, the kitchen was a mess. So we carried it out to the dining table for a picture instead. I'd prefer you to imagine my kitchen as clean and cozy instead of the war zone it actually looked like. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! (And Happy Birthday Dad)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
It's less than a month before we travel back to the United States for the holidays, and I'm starting to make the lists for what goes in the suitcases. Our load will be much lighter this time, since we have no need of our summer clothes in snow-packed (or at least really cold) Oklahoma.
This means that I have room for presents. So, if there's anyone out there who's always wanted something special from India, now's the time to tell me in the comments. I'd like to add two caveats: #1 - that I know you (makes it easy to deliver the gifts) and #2 - that it will fit in a suitcase.
This means that I have room for presents. So, if there's anyone out there who's always wanted something special from India, now's the time to tell me in the comments. I'd like to add two caveats: #1 - that I know you (makes it easy to deliver the gifts) and #2 - that it will fit in a suitcase.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
I promised pictures, so here they are. Not much commentary, because my fingers hurt from tying knots (literally, my hands are bruised)
The room we stored the balloons until the kids were asleep.
After they'd been "loaded" into the room. Just FYI - the balloons are a little over waist deep at my 5'2". (I was impressed with our flash - the lights were off in this room)
After we played a little. Happy Birthday Tim!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tomorrow is our oldest son's 6th birthday, and I'm resting up while I have the chance, because I'm going to be super tired tomorrow morning.
You see, since Tim's a little bummed to have a birthday without his US friends (or Incredible Pizza), Jason and I have decided to make it as exciting as possible.
With balloons. Around 700 to be exact. The plan: put the kids to bed on the top bunk in their room, blow up the balloons, toss them in, and wait for the reaction in the morning. Oh, and pray they don't decide to jump off the bed - we're matressing the floor just in case.
We'll follow up the fun with (yet another) trip to the movie theater, since his response when asked "what do you want for your birthday" was to watch Ra One.
After the movie, it's swimming in the complex pool. (I mean, seriously, did you think we'd pass up the chance to have a swimming party for a November birthday? They're unheard of in Oklahoma.)
Pictures to follow tomorrow.
You see, since Tim's a little bummed to have a birthday without his US friends (or Incredible Pizza), Jason and I have decided to make it as exciting as possible.
With balloons. Around 700 to be exact. The plan: put the kids to bed on the top bunk in their room, blow up the balloons, toss them in, and wait for the reaction in the morning. Oh, and pray they don't decide to jump off the bed - we're matressing the floor just in case.
We'll follow up the fun with (yet another) trip to the movie theater, since his response when asked "what do you want for your birthday" was to watch Ra One.
After the movie, it's swimming in the complex pool. (I mean, seriously, did you think we'd pass up the chance to have a swimming party for a November birthday? They're unheard of in Oklahoma.)
Pictures to follow tomorrow.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Oh yes, it's official. I've fallen in love with the movie theaters here in India. I haven't made it to a Bollywood feature yet (though I have my eyes opened for any English-subtitled) but I'm certainly enjoying Hollywood's best.
Today, to celebrate Tim's birthday, we watched the 3D version of TINTIN. The movie wasn't showing in the Classic (read: regular) theater, so I went ahead and spend the rupees and got us Gold Level tickets. In my opinion, they were worth every cent (or paisa).
Tyler was too young to need a ticket, so they assigned us two seats. In this case, the "seats" were actually enormous leather recliners, complete with the tiny pillows available on first-class airline flights. The recline adjusted with a remote control, so with Tyler in my lap I was well on my way to sea-sick before the movie started. We love buttons.
Anyway, we had a waitress who took our drink and popcorn order, and the 3D glasses were actually shaped like glasses instead of goggles, so they were a lot more comfy on the bridge of my nose.
All in all, it was a great time, and I've told Jason from now on, we go gold!
And for you price lovers, two tickets to an after-noon showing was 1000 rupees (about $20 USD at the time of this posting)
Today, to celebrate Tim's birthday, we watched the 3D version of TINTIN. The movie wasn't showing in the Classic (read: regular) theater, so I went ahead and spend the rupees and got us Gold Level tickets. In my opinion, they were worth every cent (or paisa).
Tyler was too young to need a ticket, so they assigned us two seats. In this case, the "seats" were actually enormous leather recliners, complete with the tiny pillows available on first-class airline flights. The recline adjusted with a remote control, so with Tyler in my lap I was well on my way to sea-sick before the movie started. We love buttons.
Anyway, we had a waitress who took our drink and popcorn order, and the 3D glasses were actually shaped like glasses instead of goggles, so they were a lot more comfy on the bridge of my nose.
All in all, it was a great time, and I've told Jason from now on, we go gold!
And for you price lovers, two tickets to an after-noon showing was 1000 rupees (about $20 USD at the time of this posting)
Friday, November 11, 2011
So, I have a new software package called Artisteer that lets me design my own blogger templates, and I'm having way too much fun. Just a warning, this blog may look crazy for a while as I experiment.
Hair.
It can be beautiful. It can be long, short, spiked, shaved, and worn on your lip. I'm totally cool with hair. In fact, I have some of my own.
What I am NOT cool with is the practice of hanging somebody's hair from the mirror of your auto-rickshaw.
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