Wordless Wednesday, the one with the hen

Dwarf hen's nest

Meet me on Monday, the tenth!

I've had a really wild week so far, so now I want to relax and let you get to know me better. Java's got some juicy questions for us today, and I'm starting to think she has a sweet tooth! (So do I!) Check out Java's blog here, link up to her over there and come and meet some more bloggers! I'd like to know someday how many bloggers are from the US and how many are from the rest of the world:)


 Questions:

1. What is your favorite dessert?

I really like floating island, but any old ice cream or cake will do sometimes:)

(I think you can click on the picture for the recipe:)

2. What do you wear to bed?

An over-sized T-Shirt kind of nighty! Super comfortable!

3. Do you get regular manicures/pedicures?

I treat myself to a mani/pedi every few months.

4. Did you play any sports in high school?

I hated sports, but we did have to play volleyball.

 

5. Do you have an iPod?

No, but my sister brought me a new mp3 player from Canada in May. I love it and use it every day!

 

Our garage sale was a huge success! The stuff we didn't sell, we are sending to a Mission store in Asuncion. We had a lot of laughs along the way! My sister, my Mom and my friend Rosella are all great fun to be with:)

This coming week is our yearly rodeo and the kids can't wait to go. They each sold some of their stuffed animals and were allowed to keep the money from the sale of them. They were saving their money to buy rabbits at the rodeo, so we better get the cage cleaned and set up.

I might have a bit of news for you all this week, but I'm not telling yet! (No, Dani and Andrea, I'm not pregnant!)

Oh, I got a care package from my sister in Winnipeg today! THANK YOU, thank you, thank you. My tongue is all wrinkled already from the sweet tarts! Love them!

Have a great week!

Meet me on Monday, for the ninth time

Good Monday, everyone! I'll have to start "Meet me on Monday" on Sunday next time. When I checked in on Java's blog this morning, there were already 27 entries!:) So lets get right to it!

Questions:

1. Do you watch any Soap Operas?

Nope, we get Brazilian TV here, and it’s not worth watching. I am somewhat addicted to American sitcoms. Can’t wait for the fall season to begin; I can download some of them. (I love Castle!)

2. What appliance is used the most in your house?

My stove, every day, 3-5 times. And my washing machine, almost every day. (Um, do you count a laptop as an appliance?)

3. Do you wear make-up every day?

No, only if I leave the house to go into town or to visit a friend.

4. What is your worst pet-peeve?

I have a few:

I can’t stand someone (or myself) being late.

I can’t stand not being prepared (band-aids, hand lotion, safety pin in my handbag at all times) (Water bottle, picnic quilt and toilet paper in the car at all times) (written notes, if I have to speak in front of a bunch of people) you get the point.

I can’t stand it when the radio announcers pronounce the words wrong. (We have a German radio station, but when they can’t even say New York the right way, it gives me the heebie-jeebies){Heebie-jeebies (idiom), used to describe a feeling of anxiety, apprehension, depression or illness.}


I’ll stop now…. No, just wait; I have another one, just one word: CORNSTARCH!

5. What is your favorite lunch meat?

Smoked ham!

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I went to a concert in town last night with two of my friends and my oldest daughter, Amy. Anja Lehmann is in Paraguay and was giving concerts in the churches in our area. She has a beautiful voice, face and personality. I really enjoyed it! You can check out her website here.
 
This week is dedicated to cleaning up big bags full of clothing, stuffed animals and a mish-mash of dishes/cutlery/pots and pans, to sell at a garage/yard sale on Friday and Saturday. So, if you are in our area, your welcome to drop in at my parents house in Filadelfia. If you want more info, just call me or write a comment. Thanks for meeting me again this week, wish you all a good one and God bless each one of you!

Friday fragments, the first time!

I'm joining Mrs. 4444 for the first time today, to post something known as Friday Fragments. Let’s see if I'm doing this right.




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Last weekend the volleyball tournament from our area started in the village next to ours. I spent all Saturday night in a little wooden “Cantina” selling enpanadas, doughnuts, popcorn, etc to little kids, sweaty men and lovely ladies:)


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On Monday I was at the doctor’s office with Brianna, to fill her prescription. In January we get to start to wean her off the meds, I hope for a more normal life then!


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Tuesday morning, my friend Carola and I went to a ladies meeting at a church in town. We had a “book presentation” of our new recipe book there and sold some copies too!


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Wednesday started with ladies breakfast at the church in our village! Scrumptious, yet healthy food; and a great talk from a lady about marriage.


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Thursday, nothing much.


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Friday, today I started to price and sort the used clothing that I want to get rid of at a garage/yard sale next Friday. I really need a break from that. I also baked some homemade Pop-Tarts, because you can’t buy them here, and memories told me that they tasted really good growing up. (They weren’t lying, they are good!) Recipe here!


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I’m also baking some chocolate cake for a country fair kind of thing at the campgrounds close to our village. (Flor del Chaco) I was thinking of a 4-layer dark chocolate cake filled and topped with ganache and chocolate shavings. What do you think of that?


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That's all for today! Have a great weekend!

Meet me on Monday, the eighth

I'm linking to Java's with the answers to her cool questions for this monday. I'm trying to post this while washing dishes from our party last night. Everything turned out well! Almost everyone came, except for my 19 year-old nephew, wonder if he has a new girlfriend? :) (21 people in total)

Questions:

1. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas, hands down. I love that we can celebrate Jesus's birthday, I love the sunday school's programm on Christmas eve, I love that our first child was born a week before Christmas. It gives me a little understanding of Mary's firstborn baby so many years ago! The picture shows my daughters' programm a few years ago. The wise man with the turquoise dress is my youngest, Brianna. The dark haired singer with the green dress on the right is Cindy.

2. What color clothing do you wear the most?

Blue (as in jeans), sage green, dusty rose and brown.

I would totally wear something like this, but i'd close the front opening a little. No need to show everyone everything:)

3. What is your heritage?

My grandparents were german descendents living in Russia 80 years ago. They immegrated to Paraguay in 1930. My parents moved to Canada after they married. I was born in Winnepeg, Man. Canada. We moved back to Paraguay when I was 10 years, and have been here ever since. I am Mennonite by faith. This is the Heritage Park in my town.

4. What is your middle name?

Susan, after my Grandma Susa.

5. What is your favorite cookie?

Right now it would be Alfajores. But that could change:) I love all cookies!

Alfajores are two white cookies stuck together in the middle with Dulce de Leche and rolled in coconut.

Here's the recipe from About.com

Alfajores, a favorite South American pastry, are cookies filled with delicious caramel, dulce de leche, and rolled in coconut to make a buttery-rich for an afternoon tea, a special dessert or an anytime snack.

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Ingredients:

•12 tablespoons butter
•1 cup granulated sugar
•1 egg
•2 egg yolks
•2 tablespoons cognac
•2 1/2 cups cornstarch (corn flour)
•1 cup all-purpose flour
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•Zest of 1/2 lemon
•Dulce de Leche
•Grated coconut

Preparation:
To make cookie dough:
Cream the butter and sugar together, then mix in the remaining ingredients except the dulce de leche and coconut until well blended. Knead on a floured work surface until the dough is smooth and let rest for 15 minutes.

Make the cookies:
Roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1/4 inch and cut into 2-inch rounds. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 300°F oven for 20 minutes. When cool, spread some dulce de leche on the bottom of half the cookies and press another cookie on top, allowing some of the dulce de leche to squeeze from the sides. Roll the sides in the coconut until the sides are covered.

Makes about 12 delicious, definitely non low calorie cookies!

To make dulce de leche:

Method 1: Pour 1 can sweetened condensed milk into 9-inch pie plate. Cover with aluminum foil. Place the pie plate in a in larger shallow pan filled with hot water. Do not allow the water to cover the smaller pan. Bake at 425 degrees F for 1 hour or until thick and caramel-colored. Beat until smooth.

Method 2: Place unopened can sweetened condensed milk in a pot with enough water to cover the can. Bring slowly to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and let cook for 4-5 hours until the milk is caramelized. Be careful! Keep the can covered and simmering slowly to avoid the risk of the can exploding. Cool the can before opening.