We Are The Littles

Sorry, I still don’t have any exciting news to share. Just another day in Nigeria. This morning went by nice and smooth. I was busy, but not too busy. Then one o’clock rolls around and all hell breaks loose. I didn’t have enough hands, phones, or computers to keep up. The madness finally ended about 4:15pm. By then I was worn out.

In other news, my tiny little netbook computer got a virus. I NEVER get those on my machines! However, I broke my code and used a thumbdrive from one of the mud engineers because I’d all ready shut down my work computer. Bad idea and I know better. Every single machine, memory stick, CD, hard drive, you name in our office and in the field are infected with a million viruses. I finally got rid of the stupid thing yesterday and now it’s running fine again.

I took a video on the way to work this morning. It has no entertainment value what-so-ever but I guess a crappy video is better than no video at all. This area is always congested with thousands of people buying who knows what. I call it the Port Harcourt Wal-Mart. I also took a picture of one the tanks that is being built in our yard at work. The picture was taken the day after the election. No, I’m not getting on my soapbox again! Just showing you who the Nigerians were rooting for. Big surprise.

Last but not least… It’s holiday time in Nigeria just like it is everywhere else in the world. In order to continue doing business in this wonderful place we have to give gifts to the communities. Otherwise they’ll hijack our trucks more than they all ready do and make life even worse. The particular community in the letter below just finished threatening to storm the base and shut us down… Violently! Luckily the powers that be came to a an agreement with these people and we continued business as usual. However, it’s time for their end of year celebration and we have to provide them with:

1. 5 Live Cows
2. 20 Live Goats
3. 100 Bags of Rice
4. 5 Cartons of Assorted Hot Drinks / Spirits
5. 10 Crates of Minerals and 5 Crates of Malt Drinks

It’s the cost of doing business I guess. I cropped the letter because I don’t want these volatile folks coming after me! The big red machete in the middle probably still gives it away though. We’re not giving them everything they want. The goats and drinks aren’t happening.

Oh, and did I mention that Gabby rolled over for the first time on 11/17/08? MBM put her to sleep on her tummy and when she went to check on her she’d done flipped over to her back! She has yet to do it again.

I don’t have much to tell other than I’m finally getting a treadmill here in Port Harcourt! It’s been a long time coming, and it won’t be here immediately but it will be here.

The boss left for his USA vacation trip on Saturday so I hit him up Friday night when he was all happy about leaving. When I get home, I’m going to buy one (the same model I got for us at La Casa de Little) and I’ll have to deliver it somewhere in Houston to an international shipper that will put it in a cargo container and ship it over the water.

Hopefully it will be here by the time I return for my next hitch in January. That means I’ll have my weights and I’ll have my treadmill. Now if I could just ship MBM and the kids over in a cargo container all would be perfect.

Okay, so I used to think that my husband only married me in hopes of having Mexican food cooked for him every day. Now, I know it is true. Unfortunately, my Mexican rice (not to be confused with saucier Spanish Rice) has not been up to par since I moved away from home. Yes, Wichita Falls is known for its superior Mexican Rice. Actually growing up with my grandma, I was able to observe how to cook a lot of Mexican dishes, or Tex-Mex meals. She really did not like us in her kitchen, much like me now, and I would have to watch, ask questions, leave, and experiment when she was away. Cooking Mexican Rice was one of the first dishes I learned to make. Of course like most of us, my first few attempts were bad. Then, I became the “backup rice maker” in our family, especially on Sundays, when everyone went to church,except for your’s truly, and I was expected to have something ready. I felt redeemed by doing it.
After moving to Houston, the mecca of cheap and scrumptions Mexican meals, I slacked off on cooking Mexican dishes, and relied solely on the good Hispanic tradition of older women cooking for us “young’ns”. In my case, it was my good friend and babysitter, Marina, who always made sure I was well fed. I miss the days of her having homemade breakfast tacos and Mexican hot chocolate or cafe’ waiting for me. Those were the days.
Okay, so now I am all married up and feel the instictive urge to cook for my man his favorite food. So, I went back to my inspiration, Marina, for her awesome rice recipe that she is so famous for. I hope you enjoy making this recipe as much as I did. The flavors are wonderful and a great aroma fills the entire house. It is an easy recipe. It is an easy clean up. It is also the perfect side dish or main dish for dinner or a light lunch. Now, if only I could learn to make her awesome beans!

Recipe

4 tbs of canola oil (or any light oil)
2 cups of Long Grain Rice
1/2 cup of diced onions (or to taste)
2 tsp of minced garlic (or to taste)
4 cups of boiling water
4 oz. of tomato sauce
2 chicken bouillions
2 tsp of grounded cumin (or to taste)
Optional add In’s (listed below)
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Optional to add at end (all or one of each):
2 cups of cubed cooked chicken, 1 cup of cooked mixed veggies, 1/4 cup of diced tomatoes

Boil 4 cups of water. In a skillet, heat oil on medium heat and lightly brown rice. Add onion, then garlic. Mix and for 2 minutes let rice brown some more. Next, mix in 4 0z. of tomato sauce. Then, pour boiling water on top of rice. Stir. Add chicken bouillons,cumin,and salt and pepper, and stir again. Note:at this step, my grandma used to add in small stalks of celery with leaves, for flavor and presentation.
After this step or adding in optional ingredients, cover your rice and allow to cook for apx 20 minutes, or when rice becomes fluffy. Here you could add in one cup of frozen veggies here and allow to warm in pan for a few minutes.

Buen provecho!

If you did not know it by now, one I am a carb junky and two I am a food blog addict! I found this great website hosted by Chef John through other food sources, and I wanted to share this recipe with you (check out embedded video). First, you will love it cause it is a video blog (yay!). Second, you will love it cause it is super easy and just in time for BAKING weather!
So, do not think of the overall time, but focus instead on the goal, which is great smelling, easy baking, no Knead bread, and it is Pumpkin!!! I hear the applause. Yes, you wonderful, beautiful people, bake until you drop! I will try this soon and as usual post it. I will also share the “leftover”tip Chef John gives on the recent blog;use the leftover bread to make French Toast. Heaven.

On another different, but same, note, Mrs. Angie and fam are coming in for the weekend. She does not know yet, but we will be catching up on our girl talk while we bake and cook for tomorrow’s dinner party! It is Mexican-themed, of course.
The menu:
Mini Empanadas for Apps accompanied by chips, salsa, and homemade guacamole
Enchilada Casserole as the main course with Mexican rice and Slow-cooked pinto beans for the sides
Chocolate Tres Leches for dessert
and Homemade Sangria to wash it all down with
I will let you know how it goes.

Happy eating!

Nah. I’ve just been internet-less or exhausted the last few days.

Like I said earlier, I didn’t have internet access on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Then Monday rolls around and it comes back. Problem was, I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t sleep one single minute Monday night. Don’t ask me why, because I have no idea. It just wasn’t happening. But, If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because I haven’t been exercising for the last few days due to the rain. So, maybe I just wasn’t tired enough. Who knows?

Tuesday was a whole different story. After being up for 40hrs or so I was more than ready to sleep. No problems that night. That brings us to Wednesday night. I just finished running (3mi), took my shower, and I’m settled in for the night.

I can’t say I have much news. I guess no news is good news. MBM is keeping busy with all of her cooking creations. The kids are still busy with school, karate, theatre, and playing outside. I’m still busy at work (no internet there for the last 2 days!) and the boss is heading out of town for a month on Friday. Bad news for me.

So, that’s about all I know. I did update Gabby’s site yet again tonight. Go see it and check out more funny pics of her Royal Hairness Heiness.

Ok, back to the fun stuff. Although, this is kind of election related. Do any of you remember the Princess Leia Hologram from the first Star Wars moive waaaaaay back in 1977? You know, the “Help me Obi Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.” Yea, you probably do. Then there were the holographic chess pieces when Chewbacca & C-3PO were playing chess on the Millennium Falcon. Then there were all of the holographic conversations between Darth Vader and the Emperor. Yea, I’m sure you all remember those. That was 31 years ago (same age as yours truly). Well, it looks like life-size holograms are now being used in the mainstream media.

If any of you watched CNN last night you probably saw this. I didn’t watch so I didn’t see it until now. A short video is below for your perusal. You know how cool this is? Think about it. Who needs Skype when you have holograms. I could have a life-size holographic family show up in my living room in Nigeria one day! I could have a holographic baby momma cooking dinner, a holographic James & Justin playing soccer, a holographic Savannah acting like the Little Mermaid’s sister, and a holographic Gabby being entertained by her own hands and feet. Life size. Moving & talking in the same room. Would be cool huh?

One day… Hopefully I won’t be working in Nigeria anymore when that special holographic day comes.

I’m off to bed. Check out the video. It’s cool.

I had just finished talking to Gabe and was about to go to sleep when I saw that McCain had already given his speech. After watching it, I am even more confused how my fellow countrymen could not see that he is a man of integrity and goodwill. He truly is an honorable man.

Thank you, Senator John McCain, for reminding us what a true American hero is and should be. Thanks for your service and genuine love for our Country. And I wanted you to know, that my grandmother who has voted Democratic all her life, voted for you, because she knows a true American hero when she sees one. I also wanted you to know that like you, my grandfather served this Country. He was the most patriotic person I have ever known. He only had a third grade education, but managed to become a foreman for the Railroad and raised 12 of us on his income, with my grandmother’s help. When I graduated college, I made more than he ever did (he was proud).

He worked hard and saved all his life. Never once did he or my grandmother ever need or ask for government assistance. They also never asked for money, for a hand out, from any one. It was just the way they were. They did not think they were owed anything from anybody. In fact, my grandpa would always tell anyone who would listen how much he loved his country and serving it. Lee Greenwood’s, Proud to Be an American, was his favorite song. One of his proudest moments ever was seeing my sister graduate from Basic Training and entering the Army. He never forgot to put out his American flag on holidays. And while he voted straight Democratic ticket his entire life, mostly because of the union, I am sure he would have voted for you, just as my grandma did. He would have seen the true love you have for our Country, just as I do, and he would have admired it.

Your legacy will be bigger than the Presidency. It will be that you actually fought and served diligantly for what most people take for granted and never truly appreciate, America. Land that I love. And all that she represents,or used to, and hopefully will again.

To my children, I hope that we will raise you to love your country and never be ashamed of doing so, to be hard workers, to never want to have anything you did not earn, and to be honorable, humble, and kind.

Note:Back to funny and light-hearted tomorrow.

Okay, so last night the kids and I used our imagination and had “Fancy Restaurant” Night. Even though, it was not that fancy, it was still fun to do with the kids. I will not say it did not have its moments. Unlike a real fancy restaurant, I had interruptions from the kids in and out of the kitchen and a demanding infant, so my Rachael Ray inspired 30-minute meal took more like one hour and a half. True to the cooperation of a baby, Gabby fell asleep before mealtime, so she did take not take part in this first event.

The menu was as follows:

App (somthing I threw together with the kids in mind)
Tortilla strips crisped with olive oil topped with diced grilled chix and bacon with cilantro lime salsa and lightly melted fresh mozarella tossed with olive oil and grilled tomatoes

Main Course
Turkey Thyme Meatloaf Patties with Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Everyday with Rachael Ray, November edition, pg. 106)

Dessert
Fresh Strawberries with cream lightly sprinkled with cocoa and drizzled chocolate, accompanied with glazed lemon biscotti.

Drinks
Sparkling Apple Cider

Of course, I have short cuts I will take next time to make the same meal, with a similar taste, without so many steps and ingredients. This meal would only take 30 minutes with no interruptions, prepped ingredients, and experience. However, the meal itself was very delicious and the whole house smelled of Thanksgiving. Another tip, next time, I will probably add dried cranberries to the sauce.
Of course, the critics had their say. The boys appreciated the attempt, but would prefer no onions next time. Other than that, they liked it.

As you can tell by the pics, Savannah really liked the meal. This means a lot, because she normally does not like Meatloaf. My secret, I left out the ketchup the recipe called for to take away some of the “meatloaf” taste. I also added in soy sauce with the Worcestershire sauce to add some sweetness to the dish. Since Savannah helped me with the prepping of some of the food, she found out the hard way, that sweet potatoes can be difficult to peel and cut. The secret, nuke four good sized ones for about ten minutes on high in your microwave. Then, you are in business. Another shortcut, buy canned and go from there. I think this is what the magazine must have done or used a different variety, such as a real YAM, because I did not achieve the same brick color as is expected by using the fresh sweet pots.

Okay, there are a few more shortcuts I could add, but it would make this blog too long. The kids did a great job playing along with mom and getting themselves all dudded up for the occasion. Next to Gabe, they are my favorite culinary guinea pigs! My friends come in a close second.

Don’t forget to scroll down and look at Gabe’s Culinary Creation and our Halloween Pics!

So, Friday I had a hankerin’ for some pancakes. I asked the cook to go to the store and buy some pancake mix and make’em on Saturday with some bacon and eggs. The store was out on Friday and Saturday was sanitation day which means nobody can be on the streets until 10:30am. So, he went back Saturday morning and got the stuff but by the time he returned the moment was gone. It was too late. No pancakes for me on Saturday.

I woke up this morning at my usual time, 5:30am, talked to MBM for a while and then decided to attempt my own pancakes (the cook has Sundays off). The result is below. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. The pancakes are just regular old pancakes. For the eggs I chopped up a FRESH clove of garlic, threw in some salt & pepper, and a little bit of cheese. Cheesy garleggs and pancakes.

Since it’s Sunday, the day of rest, I plan on doing as little as possible. I’m still on my push up quest and still trying to run as often as possible. I did a measly 2mi run yesterday, but I did a whopping 72 push ups on Friday! This Tuesday is my two week test to see how many I can do consecutively. Should be interesting.

That’s all I have for today. If you haven’t seen the Halloween pics MBM put up make sure to scroll down and check them out.

From POTD's

Okay, here are the pics from last night’s Halloween happening. Not much went on. The boys were grounded from trick o treatin’ and had to stay indoors to help pass out candy. They did a great cheerful job. Savannah helped me decorate outdoors and the cupcakes. Both were a lot of fun.  Even though we did not go trick o treatin’ we did manage to get dressed up. Gabby had a total of four costume changes, being the lil’ diva that she is.  We did watch some light scary movies, The Corpse Bride and Jaws.  It was a pretty tame night. Hardly any trick o treaters. Did anyone else get an unbelievable amount of high schoolers at their door? I mean I am a believer in being youthful and all, but 6-foot high school boys with “OMG”-girlfriends should really stick to their own crowd!  Although, I guess trick o treatin’ could be a creative, cheap date and it is better than drinking and driving! Okay, I have second thoughts. Maybe it is not so bad after all.

Speaking of teenage boys, Savannah’s sweetie surprised her again this week with flowers AND and an Easy Bake Oven.  He delivered the oven in a cute way by leaving it at the door and brought trick o treatin’ to her, or maybe he was just too scared to face me! Either way, I am so jealous. I have always wanted an Easy Bake oven. I think we will use it tonight or tomorrow.

Okay, well after an already busy day with still a lot more to go, I think I am going to go take a nap with hairball.  Tonight, the kids and I are having “Fancy Restaurant” night at home. Something new and CHEESY I thought we could try.  We are all going to get kinda dressed up (even Gabby) and eat at the rarely used formal dining room table.