Sunday, May 31, 2009

Week 22, Project 365

Technically it's Sunday, but barely (it's 1:30 a.m.). Since I'm having a hard time sleeping I thought I'd get a jump start on this week's Project 365 post. You'll notice I switched out my banner photo. It's fall here and it just seemed a good idea to use one of my colorful nature shots; this was taken by the river about a block from the house in Sta. Rosa.

Which is where we were last weekend and after the evening service at church we went to nearby Belgrano for dinner. As we walked back to our car at 11 p.m. the kiddie park was still lit up with wide awake munchkins running all over. This isn't the best photo (haven't quite figured out how to use the night time options), but this is one of those cultural differences I thought you'd be interested in...kids up and about at this time of night is very common here. In the summer when there's no school they typically stay up until 1 or 2 a.m. They also sleep in until noon the next day ☺ The hubby ran into an old friend who was having a get-together with other old friends and he invited us to stop by. This bunch of guys were from different places in Argentina, but would see each other every summer at youth camp. Can I just say crazy bunch?! It was fun meeting them and seeing them raz my hubby. Late at night the youth would gather around a big outcropping of rocks, drink máte and someone would play a guitar and they'd all sing. Very innocent and good clean fun, but the hubby wasn't allowed to be out that late. He was supposed to be in bed by a certain time. Once his mom caught him trying to sneak out and said, "Ivan, dónde crees que vas?"(which translates, "Ivan, where do you think you're going?!" She said it loudly enough that the others, waiting outside for him, heard and 35 years later every time we see someone from those long ago youth camp days we hear: "Ivan, dónde crees que vas?" followed by hysterical laughter ☺ This sign caught our attention, especially mine once the hubby explained that it's what they call a garage sale here. Garage sales are gaining in popularity but are still pretty rare. Someone was selling tools and furniture that had belonged to their abuelo. We did pick up a few things, most notably some antique woodworking tools that the hubby is carefully cleaning and polishing up, and a nice mirror with an oak frame that we put in the bedroom. Kicking ourselves for not getting a wooden storage trunk, brought to Argentina by this guy's great grandfather when he immigrated from Spain. The trunk held all their clothes. It was a beautiful piece but we didn't jump right on it and somebody beat us to the punch. Oh well. I know I posted this on Tuesday which was our 30th anniversary, but here it is again ☺ I'm just getting a kick out of seeing how young we were. LOL When I saw this incredible spiral of chocolate I immediately whipped out the camera. Now THIS is a photo op! But if you're worried about my diet, just take a gander at this little beauty. The peas are already 4" high! It just amazes me that we planted seeds two weeks ago and already everything is growing. Hopefully we'll harvest lots of peas (and other vegetables) in a couple months.
I mentioned receiving the bread book last weekend and today we finally got around to making our first batch. The process was SO EASY that I kept thinking there had to be a catch somewhere along the line. But you know what? It really is as simple and straight forward as the book says! Here's the dough when it's first mixed up. Takes like 5 minutes, hence the name of the book. What it looked like after rising for just over 2 hours on the counter. After this we put it in the fridge for 3 hours before taking it out and pulling off a hunk to make our first loaf. And finally here's the finished loaf which we've obviously already cut into. How could we resist?! I'm just beyond excited...I MADE GREAT BREAD TODAY! This is an historic moment, people. Let us pause in contemplation of the enormity of this miracle. Okay, now you may proceed. And shout a little gleeful whopdodewoop! with me. We had homemade potato soup with the bread for supper. Muy delicioso!

Now I suggest you follow me and let's go check out the others who are doing Project 365. Sara will be all ready for us with the nice Mr. Linky in place.

12 comments:

sara said...

so I guess sneaking out is just in the blood of boys? eh?! I wrote about my boy sneaking out on Sat!

that break looks AMAZING!!!! I may have to find that book, because I love break but am not good at making it! Why did you have to put it in the fridge..what does that do?

Great week, Kim!!! so hard to wrap my mind around the fact it is fall there and summer here!

Dena said...

My daughter visited Spain two years ago, and she also was amazed at how little children there were up till the wee hours of the morning. And that stores stayed open until at least midnite. Now that would be my kind of shopping place. LOL

What interesting (and yummy looking) bread! I'd never heard of that kind before.

Great pictures!

Mari said...

I think your new header photo is beautiful! It's not how I picture Argentina in my head.
Love the story of Ivan sneaking out and your deals at the sale. Too bad you missed out on the trunk though. And - I'm cheering about the bread. I'd be doing a little dance if I made good bread too!

beckyjomama said...

I am totally drooling over that bread - and knowing it was served with potato soup ... OH! Now I am hungry!!!!!

LOVE the garage sale pic, the story about the boys and the chocolate spiral!

GREAT pictures!

Skoots1moM said...

you had a great week
and the bread = yummy

i made brown sugar chewies (Paula Deen's recipe) and they were easy too!

enjoyed your evening

Amy said...

wow that bread looks delicious. i cant decide which i'd rather eat-the bread or the chocolate!!

Dawn said...

That bread looks delicious. I may have to put potato soup w/ bread on my schedule. Yum!

riTa Koch said...

I would eat the chocolate with the bread, like they do in Europe!Mmmmmmmm
So, who are the old amigos? I don't recognize ni uno.
Funny story, tho' :)
Love the Santa Rosa photo!!!
Just got back from WI, long day, soooooo much to do, Project 365 will have to wait :(

Lisa said...

Beautiful new header! Happy anniversary...30 years is definitely a testament to God's grace.

That spiral es loco! Someone has a LOT of patience!

Sharon said...

Before we left Argentina (1979), my dad held a garage sale on our front porch. I was sooooo.... humiliated! It's one of those cultural things that have changed drastically as the world gets smaller and different customs become accepted.

Becky said...

Beautiful header pic.

I love bread. It looks so good too.

LOL, about the name for their garage sales. Love it.

Lhoyt said...

The "where do you think you're going?" story has become a Brethren fellowshipwide joke in Argentina.
I, too would like to know who the friends are. I don't recognize a one of them, though one looks familiar.
As for the "venta Americana", we did one when we were quite sure we would not need baby clothers any more. Someone left us an anonymous note overnight "In Argentina we give away our used clothing". Ouch!