Saturday, August 21, 2010

Project 365, Week 34

This week went by very fast! I missed one day this week, but that's not too bad considering how busy it was, so I'm giving myself a pass :)  The main purpose for participating in Project 365 is to do a better job at documenting our life, and I'm okay with how that's going.

First up is a photo that might be off-putting for anyone not raised in the country -- or those who just have an aversion to raw meat. Last Sunday a friend dropped off a freshly butchered cow's leg...
The price wasn't too bad, and the meat was VERY tender. Ivan, with a dull knife and no clue, did a great job cutting the meat into sections we could freeze. We ended up with 15 freezer bags in the end, and some of those cuts (the roasts) will provide more than one meal.

Monday we went into Cordoba to have afternoon tea with an older couple we met a while back. It was fun getting to know Gene (a Texan) and his Argentine wife Nora. They decided to move to Argentina after Gene retired from a career in architecture, specializing in hospitals. I'm sorry to say I completely forgot to take a photo of them! We were too busy talking and enjoying a fabulous spread of finger foods with the tea. BUT we did take photos at Easy (like Home Depot) on the way home. We're pricing tile for the casita so that we'll be ready to go once the property is ours (hopefully soon!).
This tile is higher than we want to pay, but we did like the look.

Tuesday Ivan had to go to Cordoba again but I stayed home. I had hoped to get some sewing done but a bad head cold has kept me moving slower than normal this week and by the time I did the necessary cleaning and cooking, I only had time to cut the fabric. But I'm excited to try this new FREE pattern!
It's from The Quilt Show, a wonderful site for quilters and crafters. Basic membership is free and allows you access to a lot of stuff -- like this pattern.

Also on Tuesday we received the sad news that our niece's husband passed away very unexpectedly. Mike was only in his 40s! We grieve with Elizabeth and the family and pray for God's comfort and grace. On July 26 Mike's facebook status said: "10 years ago today - on our way home from work, Elizabeth and I pulled over inside the Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka, Florida...I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior" -- what a blessing to know that Mike went straight home to Jesus! The last time we had a chance to visit Mike and Elizabeth was in 2007 and I snapped this photo of Mike and their niece, Rachel.
Mike and Rachel

Wednesday we took a walk, the only one this week because of my poor feet. Periodically psoriasis rears its ugly head and this time the spot is right on the bottom of the tender part of my foot. We didn't get very far but happened to see this crane/egret (?) on the edge of the lake. I zoomed in as much as possible but this was the best I could do.
Missed taking a photo on Thursday :(

Friday we had to go into Cordoba again. When Ivan went in on Tuesday he found out that we could indeed get my permanent residency based on his permanent status. BUT once we arrived they told us they don't do that kind of paperwork on Fridays! Ivan was very polite but rather insistent and they eventually allowed us to file the application. We have to go back in a month to finalize it. Anyway, just a few doors down from where we had to go was this little place for sale.
If I had to live in the city, this is the kind of place I'd want...it's just oozing charm and character.

Christmas of 2008 we bought several peacock feathers from a little boy selling them at the park where we were having a picnic. But until now I didn't have any way to display them. I was waiting for just the right vase and this week I found it -- at Walmart of all places! It was made in Vietnam and is some kind of lightweight wood composite material. I knew it would go perfectly with the other things I have displayed in there. So finally my peacock feathers have found a home.
Thanks, as always, for stopping by. I started this blog to stay in touch with family and friends, but have made some new friends along the way -- and many of them have come through participating in Project 365!

13 comments:

Mari said...

I love the vase! And you are right about the place for sale. Very cute!
Thanks for posting the picture of Mike. What a blessing to know where he is now!

riTa Koch said...

Love the bird, the vase, the photo of Mike, especially.
Great news of permanent visa for you!
In REAL SIMPLE mag I found this website you might like: houzz.com where you can gather your own portfolio of home decor ideas.
Have fun with all your exciting projects!

Tori said...

I was so sad to hear about Mike earlier this week, but rejoice in knowing that he is home with our Savior!
The bag pattern looks adorable. I love the vase too!
I can't believe that piece of meat is a leg! I have only seen it after it has been cut, so the size is shocking! I am sure you will enjoy it.
Have a super week!!

sara said...

when I had a bigger freezer, we used to buy 1/4 of a cow..but I never had to butcher it myself...yikes!

Till praying for Elizabeth as she walks through this time of grief. I'm so thankful she knows without a doubt she will see Mike again!!!

maybe with this empty nest I will have time to sew again?

Betty W said...

I love the tiles you picked out. Would be my kind of choice as well. I really hope you can get your permanent residency. That would be huge relief, right?

Dena said...

Those tiles are lovely!

I agree with you regarding that place in the city. So much charm to it.

Good luck on getting your permanent residency soon!

The Bug said...

That backpack will be really cute - can't wait to see the finished product. Hope the residency process goes smoothly!

Skoots1moM said...

what fun...loved all your pics this week.
I was looking at them when CK called from college...she's adjusting pretty well...she went to church today(by herself!) yeah!!
The rain has finally subsided and she's getting out a little more.
LOVE the bag you'll be making
congrats on the permanency news...
hope you're feeling better

Rosalyn said...

I love that picture of Mike, Rachel and Daisy. I will have to see if Philip can pull it from your blog. Rachel is planning a scrapbook of just pictures with Uncle Mike in them. She was had amazing understanding through all of this. She says she feels saddest for Aunt Lizzie and just showered her with hugs and kisses this weekend.

He & Me + 3 said...

Wow that was alot of meat. Glad it tasted good. Yes, I was so very sad to hear about Elizabeth's husband.
That pattern is too cute. Can't wait to see how it turns out for you.

Robin Lambright said...

Oh my stars! I know your heart is hurting for your niece. The blogoshere is getting smaller all the time. I had popped over to her site after receiving the news at sara'a blog, our host for 365. I know it is hard to be away from loved ones during times like this!

You had a great week in pictures!
Can't wait to see you new project all finished.

Blessings
R

Please let your family know that they have many folks in blog-land who are lifting them up!

The Davidson Den said...

So sorry to hear about your niece's sudden loss. That's so sad.

I'm like you. I would totally go for that cute, little home in the city!!

And I love the peacock feathers, by the way.

sara said...

Kim, go check out Penny's blog:

http://thirstysouthernsoul.blogspot.com/2010/08/cooking.html

you will laugh. She gave credit to me, but I commented and gave credit to you!!