Everyday Warrior
Wow!!! What a day we had at the Chicago Botanic Gardens! While my youngest and I were visiting with family we had the opportunity to spend time not only with great company, but also in a surprising place!
The day couldn’t have be better plan if we wanted to. Starting from home we all thought that maybe it would be just too hot to spend time at the Botanic Gardens.
It was 90 degrees and we knew that we would be out and about walking so we almost decided to not go. [Read more…]
“What is a S’more?? Lily’s question came right after Grandma came up with the idea of making s’mores during movie night.
My youngest had never had this treat before last night. Every kid should be able to say that they have enjoyed that chocolate, marshmallowy and graham crackerish delicacy.
So we paused the movie Brave
So, we rushed outside by the grill to get the marshmallows on fire! Once some of us had a charcoal colored marshmallows we constructed the graham cracker and chocolate like a sandwich. Oh so tasty!!!
The adventure in the United States is coming to a close. Soon my youngest daughter and I will be reunited with the rest of our family! Such a wonderful feeling to know that all 5 of us will be under one roof!
It has been 9 1/2 months since we have all been able to share stories, hugs, and even our disagreements together without having to use technology to communicate. It has been a long road but very productive.
I was able to work and provide for our family. Lily was able to attend 1st grade and learn English. Dad and our 2 older daughters have been able to manage the household without Mom – which I am told they will gladly give that job back. I will gladly take it back. I know that job I do best!!
I love living in Honduras! We live with less and that makes life simpler. I worry sometimes that we do without. What mother and wife wouldn’t?! However, that’s not what it’s all about.
I will wake up the morning of July 1st and make pancakes for the loves of my life. I will hug them and tell them how much each is loved. Our family will be together and that makes life “Simple” and very GOOD!!!
Wow!
It really has been awhile since I have given an update about our family. Life here in Honduras is never boring. We are all doing well thank goodness.
My time has been limited since I have been giving English classes. I am now giving less classes so I am going to dedicate my time to updating about life here. I think it will be theraputic in some ways! I for sure have been missing home.
So stay tuned to beans and tortillas. There are lots of exciting stories to come your way!
Yummy Soup
Yesterday I made a great vegetable soup! I thought maybe it would be fun to share.
My husband loves to eat soup. He always has and over the years I have learned many different ways to prepare a good soup. Sometimes I will make one I have learned from the States. Other times I will make one Honduran style.
Soup is just a great food. I try to make it at least once a week. The kids enjoy it as well, but maybe not as much as their parents do (they like their veggies raw more than cooked – go figure)!
When cooking many times I don’t measure. I know that can throw a lot of people off, but when I was first married that’s how I was taught. Just throw it in and taste. Plus receipts aren’t written down as much here in Honduras. It’s more by taste than by measuring cup. I will do my best to explain how to make this easy but yummy soup.
**First remember that in Honduras we do make food in bigger quantities. Usually we like to have left overs. Then we can have it for the next day too. However, one of the main reasons we cook like this is in case we have company over unexpectedly. The custom here is to offer something to eat if someone stops over for a visit. If we don’t have a meal then at least make sure you have some type of bread/cookie and a cup of coffee.**
When starting this soup I first begin to heat up water for the base. I add onions, green pepper, and tomatoes all chopped up. After that boils and cooks for a few minutes I add my flavor(s). Here we don’t have chicken stock or veggie broth already made to buy from the store. So we add consume (chicken bouillon), salt, adobo (I like the one with a red cap), and/or other flavors. Also one great way to add amazing flavor is by using cilantro. If you have never tried it then I suggest adding it to your soup only a few minutes (5 or so) before your soup is done cooking. The flavor will surprise you! My husband doesn’t like dreary looking food so I try to add flavoring that has color to it. He gets a bit sad when his food looks too “blah” to the eye. The quantities are to taste. We make a lot of soup at one time so I have to add more flavor than maybe what you would want to.
While that is boiling I am getting my veggies ready to add and cook. This time I added:
There are so many other things you can add or substitute for the above veggies listed. For some of the veggies I have listed look to a Hispanic food store or now days you can find them at some regular grocery stores as well. Just have fun with whatever veggies you want to add – all are game. Soup here is like a stew in the U.S. The veggies are cut into bigger pieces, but we use a lot more water to make it more soupy. Make sure you wash your veggies really well before adding them to your soup.
Be careful not to cook the veggies to long otherwise they get mushy. Use a fork to poke your vegetables – they should be tender. The cabbage I add last after I turn the soup off. I add the big pieces/wedges of cabbage and cover the pot. It cooks just fine with the heat of the soup.
Remember for a great tasting soup use a variety of good vegetables. They are what give the great flavor to a great homemade soup!
Enjoy!!!
“Mom, I want to eat beans.”
That is the response to my question from my oldest daughter about what she wanted to eat first upon arriving back home to Honduras. I definitely had a good laugh with that one! It really wasn’t the response I expected. She finally got sick of McDonald’s during our month stay in the USA. Big smile for that one!
Well, it has been about a week an a half since traveling back to our home and to rest of the family. Needless to say my husband and two younger daughters we extremely happy to see us both. We had a GREAT time in the U.S. but we were both ready to get back to our life in Honduras. We had been able to enjoy family & friends, lots of food we don’t get here, and tons of car rides that allowed for great conversation.
We are getting back into the swing of things here but of coarse we miss everyone that we were able to visit! We always wish we could have the best of both countries all wrapped up into one!
During our travel back home I gave Emily the opportunity to really share how the trip went for her. She explained how much she loved seeing everyone. I was able to see Emily’s eyes light up during her experience and when she talked about it with me. She had lots of fun; that made me happy! What I found surprising was how she also expressed wanting to go back home. I for sure thought getting her on that plane would be a fight. However, she was ready. She talked about how she missed her sisters, dad, school, and her home. As I mentioned she missed eating beans and the foods mom makes at home. I think my eyes lighted up when she shared that with me. It really gave me a sense of relief about our move to Honduras. It confirmed with me that our family united is really the best.
Thanks to all that made our trip so great! We all love you and hope to visit again soon!
For the last two weeks my oldest daughter and I have been in the States. Our travels began in Honduras on February 14th. We get the privilege of visiting family & friends until March 12th. A whole 28 day adventure for mother and daughter to share for years to come.
It has been two and a half years since Emily has been able to come back to see the other country she gets to call “home.” You can say we are living it up. Eating all the food (that is not good for us) that we want and then some. Visiting places that we have called home and still can call home in our hearts. Spending quality time with those that love and miss us. Not to mention staying up late playing games, watching movies, and chatting. I love to see her face light up while experiencing all these events. We are creating new memories that will last a life time.
Emily is missing a month of school. She will have a lot to make up when she gets back but the trip really is a classroom itself. We didn’t plan for her to miss that much school. The tickets were just cheaper for this time frame. We couldn’t afford the higher price to take a shorter trip, plus that just didn’t seem to make sense. My husband and I decided that each child needs to come back to the states to visit. Since it’s expensive to take all the girls at once, I am taking each daughter one by one. That way each girl gets their very own individual time with mom and with those we are visiting. You see they really are very special girls. They get to call two countries – HOME. I believe that they are lucky to love two countries and for two countries to love them!
The whole experience on this trip really has been great! We will be making the last two weeks just as special. There are still many more family and friends to visit, more great food to eat, and even more great memories to create.
San Pedro de Catacamas
This past Tuesday my husband and I went to run a few errands. He helps rent out apartments and houses here in Honduras. One of his responsibilities is to collect the rent. It’s not the same as in the USA. He must go and collect the rent money otherwise it’s never paid. In the States you can just mail your personal check or money order and “voila” the rent or mortgage is taken care of. Here going out to each renter is your best bet. I don’t know of many people that use the post office in Honduras. Sending your rent money will do no good – it will never arrive. He goes and collects it because no one is going to come by and pay it. So many people can’t afford to buy a car let alone pay the gas money, which is currently about $5.30 where we live. The trip to drop off the rent money is far for most by bicycle or walking. Sometimes it’s frustrating for him to take his own time to do this, but he has learned that this is the best way to get his job done. My husband asked me to go with this time. It gets me out of the house a bit and I learn where more places are. I meet new people along the way, and he and I can chat during the car ride about the day or how the kids are doing. It’s kind of a way to just check in with each other.
As my husband was collecting the rent at a particular house I decided to wait in the car. It was cool this evening. I think about 60 F. I looked out and thought, “This is the life. This is why I love it here”. Not only was it cool but there was a breeze. As I looked out I saw houses to my right and mountains to my left. Kids were out playing soccer and having fun. Adults were out doing their errands by walking or riding bikes. Yet others were sitting on their porches enjoying the same evening I was. One thought kept coming back to me – the mountains are such a beautiful & powerful sight; I feel so lucky to get to enjoy them. I see beauty in the mountains, families taking time for each other, and a stroll among the neighborhood, etc. I think not everyone stops to take time and enjoy such things. I know I didn’t do it enough before. Since moving I have had the time to enjoy where I live. I get to take a break and just “breath”. I know the fast pace of the U.S. can really take the life out of a person. Since the move I have been able to enjoy my surroundings and my family. I was so glad to take the time to run errands with my husband this particular Tuesday evening. While we got things done I was able to also marvel over where it is my family and I live.