Sunday, January 31, 2010

Project 365, Week 5

Project 365 button designed by http://richgift.blogspot.com

Enough about the heat already. No more posts about how hot it is. Unless it's still like this in March. Then you might hear about it again.

Anyhoo... despite the soaring temperatures this week we enjoyed a number of get-togethers with friends and that's reflected in this week's Project 365 photos. For a change there are more people photos than inanimate ones (although several also feature food).

Last Sunday we finally got our act together and Tina took a number of photos of us since we needed a new one to send to our home church. She had to take a lot in an attempt to get a decent shot. I cannot stress how much I hate having my picture taken. It's a genetic thing I inherited from my mom, along with the nervous tic that causes me to close my eyes right along with the shutter on the camera which results in me looking demented, drunk or just plain dumb. I think Sunday the count was 15 to 1.
Monday we changed the guys perception of sushi forever, adding two more converts to the cause. We just had so much fun creating our own sushi rolls!
Little by little the lake is rising. All that lush green next to the water extended completely across the lake bed just a couple months ago, creating a swampy field rather than the serene body of water you see now.
We stopped to see our friends in Cordoba this week. This was the first time since Ivan went to Juan's funeral on Christmas day. Although his wife Mirta and adult children, Lorena and Guillermo, miss him very much, they are thankful he is free of pain and with Jesus now. They and the rest of the family are going out to the house in Sta. Rosa this coming week. The first time without Juan; I'm sure it will be a time of rest but also remembering all the wonderful times they've gone there in the past with him.
When we stopped at their house, they didn't have power so not even a fan to help cool off in that awful 100+ temperature and there's not enough photo magic in the world to get rid of all the red in this picture without rendering them unrecognizable. 

Thursday night we had Nestor and Graciela over for asado. We joked that Ivan is Nestor's "asado disciple". Those two really enjoy preparing asado. And the rest of us enjoying eating it!
They brought the postre (dessert) which happened to be a kilo of ice cream from Venezia's. An interesting flavor combination of strawberry (real, whole strawberries included!), chocolate, fig with nuts, and kumquat with whiskey. Yes, a very interesting combination. Here's Ivan filling cones to order.
Friday I visited my optometrist since I couldn't see very well with my new glasses. NO, these are not the new glasses! Ivan snapped this photo of me while the optometrist was double checking his original measurements to make sure everything was right -- and it was.
Looks like the lab who made the lenses messed up so we took them back to the shop where we bought them and the woman there is sending them back to the lab. We'll find out Wednesday what they say. This pair is multi-focal and I could see fine out the very tippy top but when I looked through the middle or lower part it felt like I was in one of those mirrored fun houses at the fair, and I could not see clearly AT ALL to read. It's been a rather frustrating quest to get a pair of functional glasses. I'm ready to go back to regular old bi-focals and am hoping that's an option when we talk to them on Wednesday.

Cooler weather on Saturday meant we could actually enjoy sitting outdoors with friends for (yes, another!) asado. Our friend Abram invited us to join him and his kids, his neighbors, other relatives and friends...16 in all. We made new friends and had a great time.
As I sit here I can hear the pitter-patter of rain on the sidewalk outside. Not the huge torrential storm we expected but a nice soft, looks-like-it-might-keep-it-up-all-day kind of rain. I sure hope it does! We need the moisture along with the cooling effects.

While we contend with the summer heat, it'll be fun to read the winter adventures of other Project 365 participants. Maybe that will make me feel cooler too.

20 comments:

riTa Koch said...

Great photos!
So good to see you and your lovely smile. I lol at your photo-shoot story.
Loved seeing the Colles.
I will have to go back to remember who Nestor is.
Wonderful to see your circle of friends growing.
And also RAIN, and lake rising!
Asado, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm. We went to Applebee's to celebrate our 40th and I HAD to order steak, of course.
What did you think of that helado with all those sabores.

Mari said...

I really like the picture of you and Ivan. I can relate to you - I hate having mine done as well.
I remember when the lake was dry. It's really filling nicely.
The asado looks good - the ice cream, not so much!

Angie said...

If I could share the snow with you, I would! Although you can keep the 100+ temps. :)

Thanks for sharing the good pic of yourself! I have a few relatives with the same talent for closing their eyes.

The sushi making looks like SO MUCH FUN! I may have to look into doing that with my family.

Seems like you've gotten to enjoy people this week. Thanks for sharing them with us!

Have a great week!

Betty W said...

Interesting post! Looks like asado is as popular in Argentina as it is in Paraguay. We love it too!

beckyjomama said...

I think I have that same tick when it comes to pictures of myself! LOL!

I remember the pics of the dry lake bed last year, glad to see it coming back!

Skoots1moM said...

No more mentioning the H***...ok, can do. :)

get-togethers with friends are the BEST

attempt to get a decent shot worked wonderfully...GREAT PIC of you two!!

An old trick...if someone is counting down to take your picture, on the last number, raise your eyebrows...
it works, give it a shot...it helps me with my 'laff lines' :)

LOVE, LOVE ME some sushi

Your friends will enjoy Sta. Rosa, even if bittersweet...building NEW memories.

I like that "asado disciple"...new skills that will definitely come in handy...I think grilled food is my FAV, overall.

Would love to try the fig with nuts ice cream...

Your glasses should be free...

RAIN? AWESOME!!
Glad my ice helped you some to be a little cooler. We have sunshine today but still cold outside. I'm napping then finishing up my knitting project with some crocheted edging, hopefully.
Have a great Week 6, JubiSista+

LuAnn said...

O.k. I am in the same boat - not a fan at all of the picture thing. I am afraid when my children look back at pictures they will wonder what their mom looked liked.
I enjoyed all of yours.

Unknown said...

Great pics! Everyone looks so warm! I don't mind complaints about the heat as long as you don't mind them about cold!

sara said...

I was just telling my neighbor about your h*** issues yesterday (you said we weren't saying it again!), we were both thankful for our heaters and a/c.

that's a GREAT picture of the two of you...even if it did take 15 trys!

the sushi rolling looks SO FUN! that would be a great idea for a party...except I have no idea what you would need.

so glad to see the lake coming back up...after last year's pictures I wasn't sure it ever would!

so is there a recipe for Asado? special spices?

niiiice glasses. they are so you! :)

H-Mama said...

I've never tried sushi. I enjoy only cooked fish, but I hear that's acceptable as well. ;) I hear you on the heat... when summer gets here, we will be boiling! What a great group shot!

Willys and Elizabeth (Lizzie) said...

Love the picture of your "new" glasses...

I would love some good asado!

Amy said...

I love your pictures each week. You do take a good picture even if it takes a few tries. I am hungry for asada and sushi right now...very interesting combo!!

Great week

Amy

Kelly L said...

Love your post - I look forward to reaching people in the mission field and developing relationships - i hope the food is as good!

Love to you
Kelly
http://www.amazingsalvation.com

Robin Lambright said...

asado = dinner????

I think I may have missed that spanish translation some where in the mix.

I am so with you, I absolutely hate having my picture taken. I think I am possible the mot un-photogenic person on the planet. I have never been happy with any photpgraph of myself. Not to mention the extra 10 to 15 pound the camera adds. Jees could it be any worse????

Great pictures this week!

R

The Bug said...

I don't usually like them, but I actually love seeing pictures of myself ("oh THAT'S what the old witch looks like" LOL). Your picture, however, was fabulous.

I'm gonna have to try the homemade sushi one of these days...

Tori said...

Love the "glasses"! I have never had that happen when getting mine.
How do you do the sushi. I wouldn't know where to begin.

Darla said...

making your own sushi rolls? that sounds amazing! i would love to do that sometime.

The Davidson Den said...

I'm a sushi convert, thanks to my husband! And I have the same genetic disorder as you, also inherited from my mother. (I'm secretly afraid one of my children has it, too.) I really want to be photogenic. Perhaps I try too hard. Who knows?

Cathy said...

I tell you what....you send a little of your heat this way and I'll send a little of our cold your way. lol Don't you wish that were possible sometimes?

Lhoyt said...

Ivan and Kim, your picture tells me that you are doing great. You're looking GOOD! God Bless