Burnt chicken nuggets

When we come to the capital, one of the treats we enjoy is frozen chicken nuggets... gourmet, I know! We got off the train, we arrived at the guest house, and my poor husband was starving. I, being the extremely helpful wife that I am, said, "Oh wonderful husband, I would be full of joy if I could humbly offer to you some chicken nuggets." I don't remember his exact words (like I remembered mine), but it was something affirmative.
So, I put the nuggets on the stove. Meanwhile, as I continued in super-helpful wife mode, I decided to start unpacking. In my super helpfulness I got a bit carried away with unpacking, and forgot about the chicken nuggets.

My poor, hungry husband wasn't able to have his hunger satisfied with tasty chicken nuggets. Instead he had maggi noodles (ramen noodles). Poor Franklin.

I cut off the worst of the burnt parts and that's what Ellie and I had. :)

Uh-oh...

We are in the capital for business meetings. Last night we went shopping before supper... Franklin stayed at the shopping complex to do things while Ellie and I came home. We bought a dozen eggs... I decided to use two of them to make fried chicken. Ellie seemed to be playing fine, so I went about my cooking duties . I walked out of the kitchen and thought it was slightly odd that there was only one egg left in the carton. Hmmm....


Then I noticed this cracked egg on the floor... was the fan on that high that it blew an egg out of the egg carton?


Then I saw this extremely happy little girl playing with some new toys.
Glad only one of the eggs broke... and glad it broke on the floor. The disaster could have been a lot worse!

Need an ego boost?

If you are in need of an ego boost, come and play hide and seek at our house. This is Ellie's favorite hiding place. I'm almost sure you'd be able to find her.

O Happy Day!

I was at a meeting recently. One of the things that was talked about was how to love living in the country we are in. One of the things that was mentioned was living seasonally. In the States it seems like food is available all the time. I can go to the store and get apples, tomatoes, grapes, etc anytime. There are some seasonal foods, like watermelon and corn, but most stuff is available.
Here it is different. Food is very seasonal.... no longer are brocolli, carrots, tomatoes, or cauliflower available.... but lychee and mangoes are! That's where living seasonally comes in... I could sit around moping because those other things I like aren't available. Or, I could celebrate because these sweet treats are available....

I had never had lychee until I came here. They are only available for a few weeks in the month of May. You can buy a bundle of 100 for about $3. I just read on the wikipedia page that nine fruits has enough Vitamin C for an adult's daily needs. Let me tell you, we are doing good in the Vitamin C department!
In the Solomons at Franklin's mom's village, a similar-ish fruit is available... rambutan. I think I have seen this in a grocery store in the States. If you see it, buy it... it's good!
It's just the very beginning of mango season. The best type of mango will be available in 2 weeks we've been told. Until then, though, we can enjoy these ones. I think mangoes will be around until about August. Our favorite type of mango only lasts until July, though.

Living seasonally can probably apply to weather, too.... it's super, super HOT right now... I'll just tell myself it's seasonal. :)

Mirror, mirror on the Almari

I can see my teeth.

And I can see you!

Weights and a Weightlifter

Franklin left the weights on Ellie's bed the other day. It took some explaining for her to figure out how to hold them. Here she is trying to be like Daddy.

Post-shower happiness

Ellie in Duplos

My husband is a creative photographer... if only he had a subject that would hold still for pictures!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that you aren't here to enjoy this fresh bread and butter with us.

Teddy Bears.

Ellie has learned to value a faithful teddy bear. Cider, the dog, is one of my old teddy bears... well, not that old... I got her in college. Anyway, Ellie loves her. She's holding Cuddles in these pictures, her new teddy bear that Hanna brought her. But as you can see, Cider isn't worried... there's enough love to go around! She'll get another hug soon enough.


In the meantime, poor Cider has to wear a diaper. Ellie felt that this was necessary today.

Peanut Butter

When Dad came in January, he brought TONS of gifts from the States... and by tons, I mean as much as could fit in suitcases. Anyway, one of the gifts was yummy JIF peanut butter. We have definitely enjoyed it, but alas, it is finished.


We are not without peanut butter, though. It's just not my favorite peanut butter with the flavor I had when I was growing up. We are currently using peanut butter that was made by some ladies in our country.


We have also finished the hot chocolate packets, the parmesan cheese, the cheddar cheese, and one can of pam cooking spray dad brought. They were all wonderful while they lasted.
There are still many gifts that keep on giving, though... my favorites are Ellie's books. :)