So it's been a little while since I've written in bloglandia. Our last pictures have snow and I'm now sitting in front of a fan. We've sure been keeping ourselves busy. In April we flew back to Greece; this time to Thesioniki and stayed in a small town a few hours south on one of the peninsulas. Let's just say that Greeks are the super friendliest of people, and that off seasons are wonderful. Our experience has been in April and October--the only substantial difference is that the sea is still warm in October, whereas in April, it's a bit frigid! This time we stayed in what was almost a ghost town...there were probably 100+ residents (I am not joking) and just a few open markets and restaurants.
This year I've really realized my true love for party planning, but mostly the food planning. I've already mentioned Ken's welcome home/Pi Day party where the theme was obviously circular and/or pie-related...I'm still hoping to come across my grandma's apple pie recipe that Uncle Jimmy L makes from time to time (add that to the mental list of things to do this summer!)
Then some friends and I threw a surprise baby shower the last day of April...well, a surprise "You're not Pregnant Non-Baby Shower Shower" for a dear friend who has helped with our two showers and those of many of her friends here. This one was great because she really had no idea that it was coming and she was shocked out of her socks. We had some fun babyesque games, some gag gifts, some great food, and of course reassured them that if they ever change their minds and decide to have kids, we'll gladly accept that decision too! She has similar tastes to mine so I knew that she would love the goat cheese/date spread and caramelized pears/onions and blue cheese filled crepes, plus veggies, a cream cheese dip and a picante/cashew dip, crackers and of course, more cheese!
May 5th marked both Ukrainian Easter and Cinco de Mayo, so we threw our last annual KIS Cinco de Pascua fiesta out doors. We had quite the turn out with over 40 people. I ran out of time and energy to make a giant pyanska (Ukrainian decorated egg) piñata, but I only had one complaint from an ornery guy (but that was to be expected!) There was an egg hunt for the little ones and then after they were done, we turned the big kids loose (no I don't mean adults:) and I think that most of the 100+ eggs were found. I made tres leches as usual, but used coconut milk instead of regular...it was a hit, although I must admit, just a tinnie, tiny piece is enough for me since it is so dense. I had wanted to write "Cinco de Pascua" in kewis, bananas, and strawberries...but the 10 min walk to the store wasn't enticing enough. So I left it as was and actually made it out of the house by 4:30. I'm trying to get ready for German time--which apparently is 1/2 before said time! Unfortunately I'd taken the camera out of my purse to snap some shots of the kids, so I didn't have my camera for the event.
In the classroom I love to fuse food culture into my lessons here and there...usually I end the year with a big food unit 1) because food is awesome and 2) because it's easy to plan for, though it takes a lot of outside time too. Well, we still have five weeks or so left, but my Spanish 2 classes have been studying celebrations and we had a reading about Three Kings's Day (when kids in Latin America/Spain get their gifts) and another one about El Roscón, a special bread eaten with hot chocolate on January 6. You can get the recipe here. Well, it's one thing to read about something, and another to experience it. So last Monday morning the kids and I were super productive and baked two yeast-free Rascas for my classes. The fun part about eating the bread is that there is a little plastic toy hidden inside, so the person who has the slice with the doll is king or queen for the day. Another tradition is that they have to buy dinner or another Rasca for the group...so I made construction paper and glitter crowns and the "winner" had to bring in food from his/her favorite celebration. Honestly I'd forgotten about the kids bringing food in, but was ecstatic yesterday when I came home with two heaping plates of hummus! Food, it's the gift that keeps on giving! R and Z had also helped me make enchiladas de manzana. We made our own apple filling and used less butter and more white sugar--they still don't sell brown sugar here :( I made them for a student moving to Canada, but had leftovers which worked out perfectly for my class of 8 year olds who are studying the five senses. I keep forgeting to make their "taste" lesson, but at least I had sweet and salty. I played Julio's song first and then made them all close their eyes, passed out the sweets to all except one who just got a plain tortilla (I couldn't help but see if my psychology classes were really correct about group pressure!) So I asked them if what they were tasting was salty or sweet...they all said sweet ;) No worries, I did end up giving the tortilla girl a sweet enchilada too.
Now the next big party we're planning for is an engagement party for a close friend who is engaged to a man from Tajikistan. They are working though the visa/marriage process with getting back to the states, so don't know when their wedding will be. We all want to celebrate with them, so we're having a fancy party with a surprise theme on Monday night...can't wait to celebrate life with such a great couple!
And last but certainly not least, today is my momechka's big 6-0...which means one thing...my big 3-0 is just around the corner! It is always hard being overseas, because there's nothing that I'd love more that throwing her a big 60th bash...but such is life...I guess we'll celebrate together this summer. And thanks to my helpful sister-in-law, Mom'll have a little something from us to keep her busy until her grandchildren arrive this summer! Happy birthday Mom, I wish you health, faith, and joy as your life's journey continues. ¡Te quiero mamita!
I just went to add pictures, and there are none on my computer...deep breath...they're hiding somewhere, right? We had some computer problems, but everything was restored, or so I thought. So no pics for now, let's hope that they truly are somewhere!
