This was the most amazing and refreshing treat on the beach. It was shaved ice, candied pineapple, syrup and then topped with condensed milk. All for about $.50. I will definately be going back for another one of these.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Raspado
This was the most amazing and refreshing treat on the beach. It was shaved ice, candied pineapple, syrup and then topped with condensed milk. All for about $.50. I will definately be going back for another one of these.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Afternoon coffee anyone?
My afternoons consist of a good cup of coffee on the patio. My phone never rings......If you would like to have a virtual coffee with me, message me and I will send you my number. This is just way to nice not to share.
Eating out of a bag
As you can see, you can buy everything in a bag here. From ketchup, to milk, to sour cream, to oil, hot peppers, etc. The girls think it is the coolest to be able to buy water in a bag at the market, on the street, at the stop lights, etc.
This particular brand of ketchup actually has cinnamon in it. Definately an acquired taste, and not Heinz!
I have become very good at opening just a small corner of the milk so when we are finished we can fold the edge over and clip with a clothes pin and put it back in the fridge for the next time.
I wonder which affects are planet more, the bottles or the bags?
The story of La Purisima
Catholic celebrations are observed throughout the world, but the celebration is unique to the Nicaraguan people. The custom is to build private altars at individual homes, which will be visited by family, friends, and neighbors. The hosts offer gifts to the visitors who sing before them.
The Tradition in Nicaragua
Today, the population of Nicaragua is predominantly Catholic and devotion to the Virgin Mary is central to the Nicaraguan heritage. The Spanish colonizers brought Catholicism and traditional religious celebrations to Central America. With fervor and piety, the native populations embraced Mary as their Patron Saint and church ceremonies were adopted and modified to mix with the native culture. There does not appear to be any one definitive history of how the veneration of Mary became a cultural custom in Nicaragua. The story is pieced together from a variety of explanations but tells us that the veneration of Mary began in 1562. Her image came to the village of El Viejo, carried by Pedro Alonso Sanchez de Zepeda y Ahumada, the brother of Saint Teresa of Avila, while traveling to Peru. Forced to remain while a tropical storm passed, he placed the statue of Mary in the local basilica. News of the image traveled through the region and many natives came to see, pray, and worship the image. When Don Pedro departed, people traveled to the port to say goodbye to the beautiful image. A new storm forced his return, and the reappearance of the image of Mary was celebrated. Believing it was divine intervention that caused the return, the owner gifted the image to El Viejo.
La Purisima means "the purest one" and celebrates the conception of the Blessed Mother. There are different versions of its origins. One is a story of a miraculous journey of an image traveling upriver and across a lake to women who pulled her from the water on December 7. Another version is associated with the city of León at the beginnings of the 18th century. The story is that monks of the San Francisco convent used candy and fruit to attract children and believers to come and sing to the image of the Virgin. They were quickly overwhelmed and expanded the celebrating, singing, and praying to people's houses where they were encouraged to set up private altars. The tradition spread to other towns and soon to the rest of Nicaragua.
Purisima is a novena, or nine days of prayer and devotion. La Griteria is the boisterous and celebratory festival held on December 7th, the final day of La Purisima. During the novena, altars are built, visits to sing and pray occur, and singers receive gifts from the alters hosts. La Purisima culminates with La Griteria when fireworks, firecrackers, and shouting erupt throughout the country. The common shout is: "Quién causa tanta alegría?" (Who causes this happiness?). People answer with the massive response, "La Concepción de María". As the fireworks explode around them, Nicaraguans go to the streets to "shout" to the virgin. They walk the streets to visit and sing to each altar. House owners give a small gift such as fruit, candy, toys, noisemakers, or drink, and then the group travels to the next altar. This will go on until the gifts run out or there are no more singers.
The Tradition in Nicaragua
Today, the population of Nicaragua is predominantly Catholic and devotion to the Virgin Mary is central to the Nicaraguan heritage. The Spanish colonizers brought Catholicism and traditional religious celebrations to Central America. With fervor and piety, the native populations embraced Mary as their Patron Saint and church ceremonies were adopted and modified to mix with the native culture. There does not appear to be any one definitive history of how the veneration of Mary became a cultural custom in Nicaragua. The story is pieced together from a variety of explanations but tells us that the veneration of Mary began in 1562. Her image came to the village of El Viejo, carried by Pedro Alonso Sanchez de Zepeda y Ahumada, the brother of Saint Teresa of Avila, while traveling to Peru. Forced to remain while a tropical storm passed, he placed the statue of Mary in the local basilica. News of the image traveled through the region and many natives came to see, pray, and worship the image. When Don Pedro departed, people traveled to the port to say goodbye to the beautiful image. A new storm forced his return, and the reappearance of the image of Mary was celebrated. Believing it was divine intervention that caused the return, the owner gifted the image to El Viejo.
La Purisima means "the purest one" and celebrates the conception of the Blessed Mother. There are different versions of its origins. One is a story of a miraculous journey of an image traveling upriver and across a lake to women who pulled her from the water on December 7. Another version is associated with the city of León at the beginnings of the 18th century. The story is that monks of the San Francisco convent used candy and fruit to attract children and believers to come and sing to the image of the Virgin. They were quickly overwhelmed and expanded the celebrating, singing, and praying to people's houses where they were encouraged to set up private altars. The tradition spread to other towns and soon to the rest of Nicaragua.
Purisima is a novena, or nine days of prayer and devotion. La Griteria is the boisterous and celebratory festival held on December 7th, the final day of La Purisima. During the novena, altars are built, visits to sing and pray occur, and singers receive gifts from the alters hosts. La Purisima culminates with La Griteria when fireworks, firecrackers, and shouting erupt throughout the country. The common shout is: "Quién causa tanta alegría?" (Who causes this happiness?). People answer with the massive response, "La Concepción de María". As the fireworks explode around them, Nicaraguans go to the streets to "shout" to the virgin. They walk the streets to visit and sing to each altar. House owners give a small gift such as fruit, candy, toys, noisemakers, or drink, and then the group travels to the next altar. This will go on until the gifts run out or there are no more singers.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Mmmmmm Mangoes
We are nearing the start of mango season. As I am writing on my blog, I am sitting under the biggest mango tree ever. Some flowers are in bloom and others have already turned into small mangoes that seem to grow a little every day. Some are the size of a peanut and others are the size of a prune. My favorite snack is green mangoes served with banana vinegar and a little bit of chili seasoning. Very refreshing!
By Christmas time, we will be eating green mangoes and by the New Year we will have more mangoes than we know what to do with. The thought of a freshly picked mango for breakfast is making me hungry.
By Christmas time, we will be eating green mangoes and by the New Year we will have more mangoes than we know what to do with. The thought of a freshly picked mango for breakfast is making me hungry.
Learning a new language
Learning a new language!
For anyone who has or is trying to learn a new language you will understand what I am talking about. It is not easy! Especially, when you are an adult and are a little afraid to make a mistake. Being immersed is truly the best way to learn. The girls are continuing to pick up more Spanish and are definitely getting more comfortable with speaking. I am starting to wish that we had registered them in school when we arrived. They would have had 6 weeks of full immersion with the language and the opportunity to make more friends. School is now out for the 6 week break over the holiday’s, so we will just continue to home school and encourage the girls to make friends in the neighbourhood.
As for me I am learning it is okay to make a mistake. I tried to tell my niece that someone “plugged the toilet,” only to realize that they say “stuffed the toilet.” They plug something in to an outlet but they do not “plug a toilet.” Oh well! She got the point and soon realized what I was trying to say.
My mother-in-law just appreciates my attempt to try, so every day I challenge myself to speak a little more.
For anyone who has or is trying to learn a new language you will understand what I am talking about. It is not easy! Especially, when you are an adult and are a little afraid to make a mistake. Being immersed is truly the best way to learn. The girls are continuing to pick up more Spanish and are definitely getting more comfortable with speaking. I am starting to wish that we had registered them in school when we arrived. They would have had 6 weeks of full immersion with the language and the opportunity to make more friends. School is now out for the 6 week break over the holiday’s, so we will just continue to home school and encourage the girls to make friends in the neighbourhood.
As for me I am learning it is okay to make a mistake. I tried to tell my niece that someone “plugged the toilet,” only to realize that they say “stuffed the toilet.” They plug something in to an outlet but they do not “plug a toilet.” Oh well! She got the point and soon realized what I was trying to say.
My mother-in-law just appreciates my attempt to try, so every day I challenge myself to speak a little more.
Huembes Market
This is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. We go to the market about twice a week. They have everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to hammocks, to paint, to dishes, to meat, to cheese, piñatas, candy, clothes, shoes, etc. We have been here long enough to start to learn the market and where everything is. The smells of the market change as quickly as the shops and definitely take some getting used to. My oldest daughter tells me she holds her breath and only breaths through her mouth at certain parts. I will try to explain in words but this is something that needs to be experienced to fully understand. The fresh fruit and vegetables are amazing but it is fresh and some of it is over ripe. If you want something different this is where you will get it. At the edge of the produce section is a lady with 2 baskets of fish. They say fresh, but I am not sure how fresh it can be when it has been sitting in the heat all day. Now, this is where I am also guilty of holding my breath and not even breathing through my mouth. We just walk really fast. As soon as you enter the other side, there are the amazing smells of burlap sacks full of spices. Every spice you can imagine. And just around the corner from the spices is an entire section of fresh flowers. Your nose definitely gets worked over on just one trip to the market.
From past experience, I know that there is a meat section. We have been avoiding this area with the girls mostly because of the smell. Yesterday, my niece came with us and decided to take a short cut. Straight through the meat section! I am trying to rush the girls through the aisles in the hopes that they don’t really notice the raw meat hanging on the hooks above them, in the baskets beside them, or on the tables. Phew, we made it through! I can’t imagine myself buying meat that has been hanging on a hook in the open air all day long. So we finish doing what we came for and we are heading back the way we came. I am thinking that I have protected the girls from all the weird meat. We turn the corner and head straight for the meat section again. My youngest daughter turns to me and says, “Mommy, are we going past the eyeballs again?” I guess I should give them more credit. They saw every detail. As curious as kids can be, they were looking for the eyeballs in the plastic bags on the way back. We make it through the meat section a second time and the girls are still talking about the eyeball in the bag with whatever else is with it. Believe me! I didn’t stop to check it out! My oldest daughter as serious as she is, looks at me and says, “I am sorry, Mom, but if they serve me something with eyeballs in it, I am not trying to be rude, BUT I AM NOT EATING IT.” I reassured her that she would never have to eat eyeballs, no matter who cooked them. Now the curiosity has got the best of me! I asked my husband what they cook with eyeballs and he calmly replies, “I am not sure, but that is just gross!” So thankfully none of us will have to refuse eyeballs for dinner!
From past experience, I know that there is a meat section. We have been avoiding this area with the girls mostly because of the smell. Yesterday, my niece came with us and decided to take a short cut. Straight through the meat section! I am trying to rush the girls through the aisles in the hopes that they don’t really notice the raw meat hanging on the hooks above them, in the baskets beside them, or on the tables. Phew, we made it through! I can’t imagine myself buying meat that has been hanging on a hook in the open air all day long. So we finish doing what we came for and we are heading back the way we came. I am thinking that I have protected the girls from all the weird meat. We turn the corner and head straight for the meat section again. My youngest daughter turns to me and says, “Mommy, are we going past the eyeballs again?” I guess I should give them more credit. They saw every detail. As curious as kids can be, they were looking for the eyeballs in the plastic bags on the way back. We make it through the meat section a second time and the girls are still talking about the eyeball in the bag with whatever else is with it. Believe me! I didn’t stop to check it out! My oldest daughter as serious as she is, looks at me and says, “I am sorry, Mom, but if they serve me something with eyeballs in it, I am not trying to be rude, BUT I AM NOT EATING IT.” I reassured her that she would never have to eat eyeballs, no matter who cooked them. Now the curiosity has got the best of me! I asked my husband what they cook with eyeballs and he calmly replies, “I am not sure, but that is just gross!” So thankfully none of us will have to refuse eyeballs for dinner!
Fast Forward
Everything in life happens for a reason. We have long had a dream of taking our family to Central America for an extended holiday to expose the girls to their heritage. The events of December 4th 2009 pushed our family to realize that life was just way to short. So we began to plan our trip.
On October 1st we packed our car and headed south. Our road trip was a 2 week journey through the United States with a stop over at Mount Rushmore, a visit with my sister and the girls cousins, and a visit with my aunt. A great time for the girls to learn some geography, some history and most importantly bond with family.
On October 15th, we boarded the airplane heading further South to our final destination. This would be home for 4 months. The unknown awaits us and the learning begins.
On October 1st we packed our car and headed south. Our road trip was a 2 week journey through the United States with a stop over at Mount Rushmore, a visit with my sister and the girls cousins, and a visit with my aunt. A great time for the girls to learn some geography, some history and most importantly bond with family.
On October 15th, we boarded the airplane heading further South to our final destination. This would be home for 4 months. The unknown awaits us and the learning begins.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Proud Mama
As parents, we raise our children in the hopes that they take some of what they learned from us and do good with it. Often times, it is once they themselves become a parent that you see this. I was blessed to see this at the age of 8. My oldest daughter has a heart of gold and a very caring personality. The fire troubled her and it bothered her to see the devastation. She loves to draw so I encouraged her to sit down and write her thoughts on paper to help her get through the day. She came up with a beautiful picture that displayed what our neighborhood had become. Little did we know, this picture would do so much. A picture truly is worth a 1000 words. In this case over $4000. This picture touched the hearts of so many and allowed our 8 year old daughter to raise over $4000 for the families that were directly affected by the fire. We have a lot to learn from the people around us. If we have the ability to be a person of Influence at the age of 8, why is it that so many of us lose that ability as they become adults. Do we lose sight, do we lose focus, or do we lose touch with what is most important to us? Take the time to do good for someone, you will be glad you did.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Emotional Rollercoaster
The days following the fire were simply amazing. We celebrated the hero's from that night, we celebrated life, we experienced loss of pets and belongings and love from all around. A simple posting on social networking brought in a flood of offer's to help. The offer of a warm home for those who did not have one to go home to, home cooked meals to help them get through the day, clothing to keep them warm and household items. Complete strangers reaching out to help in any way that they could. Fire fighter's stopping by to make sure our home was safe to be in and to talk with the girls about that night. Only to leave after blanketing them with a fuzzy warm red blanket wrapped in the arms of a stuffed Dalmation dog. The range of emotions that flowed around us was almost hard to contain. And despite the feeling of relief to be standing in our home, every time we looked out our front window we saw sadness and devastation and the painful question of "Why?" Why does this happen to good people? Why are people so curious to see other's loss? Why do people experience loss? Why them, why us? And the bigger question, What are we to learn from this night?
In the Blink of an EYE!
In the blink of an eye, YOUR life can change. Many of us think we have control over how life will go day after day. On December 4th, 2009, after a fantastic visit with friends we brought our family home on a very cold and stormy night and settled in to bed. A little more than 4 hours later, we were awaken to some ominous sounds and lights that did not fit with the storm. As I peered out my bedroom window, the reality of life soon flashed before me as 2 of my neighbour's homes were in flames and the fire was spreading quickly. Within 10 minutes, we were advised to wake our 2young girls as they were unable to get in to put out the fire and they were not sure how they were going to put out "the perfect storm." We gathered the few things that we deemed important and left our home. Both of us thought to ourselves, this is going to be the last time that we see our home that we had called our home for the previous 7 years. We gathered at the nearby 7-11 and as the time faded in to the night, we were joined by neighbour after neighbour. We were embraced by the staff with warm drinks and a warm place to stay and were frozen in time. All control was gone! We talked, we cried and we searched for neighbours that had yet to appear, fearing that they had not got out. Word quickly came that 3, then 4, then 5 homes were engulfed in flames and a possible 6th was now at risk. It seemed like an eternity when we finally got word that the fire was under control and everyone had gotten out safely. We decided to return to the friend's home that we had left only a few short hours earlier to resume some sort of normalcy. Although we feared, that OUR "Normal" had changed. In the blink of an eye, OUR life had changed. This was the start of something new. Our purpose had changed.
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