Sunday night I asked Naska if she would teach me how to cook. She looked very excited and answered with a wholehearted yes!
Yesterday we started by making Mish-Mash. It's basically fried peppers with some other seasonings. It was a great novice-learner meal to make.
Today we make пилe ориз. Directly translated, that is "chicken rice." Here is the recipe...
1 mug-full of rice (rinsed in hot water)
1 whole onion, chopped
1 carrot, grated
1/2 tomato, grated, without peel
a handful of fresh parsley, chopped
4 large spoonfuls of sunflower oil
salt to taste
3 mug-fulls of chicken broth
6 servings of chicken
Boil chicken until cooked. In an oven-safe pan, mix rice, oil, carrot, onion, tomato, and parsley. Place chicken pieces on top of rice mixture. Pour in broth. Bake at 200 degrees Celsius (just under 400 Fahrenheit) until chicken is browned on top. Then cover with foil and bake until rice is done.
Sorry I don't have precise measurements! Happy cooking!
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Tree-ripe figs
Joel 2:21-23 (New International Version)
Be not afraid, O land;
be glad and rejoice.
Surely the LORD has done great things.
Be not afraid, O wild animals,
for the open pastures are becoming green.
The trees are bearing their fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.
Be glad, O people of Zion,
rejoice in the LORD your God,
for he has given you
the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
Saturday ...when we take a detour from our normal routine in an attempt to keep the days from blurring together too much!
Sweltering ...a high of 37 degrees, or 98 degrees to most of you!
Swimming ...we wish. We have been to a pool here in Parvomai, just not today.
Salami ...we normally eat it everyday at breakfast atop buttered bread, but today there wasn't any in the fridge!
Shade ...oh wait, there isn't any from 11:30 to 3:30, when it's the hottest.
Settlers ...Jen won.
See you later!
Sweltering ...a high of 37 degrees, or 98 degrees to most of you!
Swimming ...we wish. We have been to a pool here in Parvomai, just not today.
Salami ...we normally eat it everyday at breakfast atop buttered bread, but today there wasn't any in the fridge!
Shade ...oh wait, there isn't any from 11:30 to 3:30, when it's the hottest.
Settlers ...Jen won.
See you later!
Nectarines, pears, and apples, also known as нектарини, круши, и яболки, are now in season! We're excited.
Notice Joe's fingers snatching a piece in the background
Notice Joe's fingers snatching a piece in the background
Today Joe and I had another kitchen adventure. We made pizza!
Most of the time, I cook and Joe helps. But with this meal, Joe is usually in charge. He often does everything himself and lets me relax! Today it took both of us - I made the sauce and he made the dough. Then, we worked together to get the toppings on.
Joe with the dough for the first of the two pizzas we made
We've been making our own from-scratch pizza dough since 2008. The recipe has undergone some adaptations, but overall it is the same.
In the US, we normally use store-bought pizza sauce, but here we made our own, completely from scratch! We used fresh tomatoes, garlic, sunflower oil, peppers, onions, home-dried spices, salt, and pepper.
There was no recipe! It's called, "If it sounds like it would be good in pizza sauce, chop it up and drop it in!"
We used кашкавал, which is the closest thing you can get to American-style cheeses
Jen adding the toppings
The pizza was a huge success, we're thankful to say! We were concerned that the dough would cook different in the pans that Leyla Naska had, but it worked out great! Everyone enjoyed the meal and said it was много вкусно (very tasty)!
Yum.
Most of the time, I cook and Joe helps. But with this meal, Joe is usually in charge. He often does everything himself and lets me relax! Today it took both of us - I made the sauce and he made the dough. Then, we worked together to get the toppings on.
Joe with the dough for the first of the two pizzas we made
We've been making our own from-scratch pizza dough since 2008. The recipe has undergone some adaptations, but overall it is the same.
In the US, we normally use store-bought pizza sauce, but here we made our own, completely from scratch! We used fresh tomatoes, garlic, sunflower oil, peppers, onions, home-dried spices, salt, and pepper.
There was no recipe! It's called, "If it sounds like it would be good in pizza sauce, chop it up and drop it in!"
We used кашкавал, which is the closest thing you can get to American-style cheeses
Jen adding the toppings
The pizza was a huge success, we're thankful to say! We were concerned that the dough would cook different in the pans that Leyla Naska had, but it worked out great! Everyone enjoyed the meal and said it was много вкусно (very tasty)!
Yum.
We brought a few games with us to Bulgaria, including Bananagrams. We've played it a couple of times since we've been here, and the other night Yoanna and Vania joined us.
Yoanna, Vania, and Joe
Jen and Yoanna were on the same team
Joe was pretty good competition!
Yoanna and I ended up winning, but we have played again since then, and Joe has won. So I think we're a pretty even match. The kids have English classes in school, so they know a few words. Yoanna is able to help with small words like pet, sleep, we, you, and so on.
Yoanna, Vania, and Joe
Jen and Yoanna were on the same team
Joe was pretty good competition!
Yoanna and I ended up winning, but we have played again since then, and Joe has won. So I think we're a pretty even match. The kids have English classes in school, so they know a few words. Yoanna is able to help with small words like pet, sleep, we, you, and so on.
Joe and I have been through Plovdiv before, but only to do a quick shopping run to Metro. This past Saturday we went with Vania to the old part of Plovdiv... and when I say old, I mean OLD!
These types of monuments are a common sight in Bulgaria
There are traces of an establishment from 6000 BC where Plovdiv now stands. The city has gone by many different names, but it has existed for a LONG time!
A monument atop the highest of Plovdiv's seven hills
The city was originally situated on seven hills, but apparently the seventh hill has "subsided" under buildings and pavement.
Yours truly
The steeple of a very old Orthodox church
One of the coolest things we saw was an ancient Roman amphitheater. It was built in the 2nd century AD under the orders of Trajan, the Roman emperor at the time. The whole thing is still pretty well intact. They even do performances and shows there still!
Plovdiv's famous amphitheater, built in the 2nd century AD
The view from the amphitheater
Vania and Joe walking through the streets of old town Plovdiv
Some artwork we saw
The side of this building reminded me of the sgraffito on the side of Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin, Ohio
Venders
A newer section of area of the city center.
We had a really great time in Plovdiv! We hope to be able to go back sometime to see a show at the amphitheater, but we'll see!
These types of monuments are a common sight in Bulgaria
There are traces of an establishment from 6000 BC where Plovdiv now stands. The city has gone by many different names, but it has existed for a LONG time!
A monument atop the highest of Plovdiv's seven hills
The city was originally situated on seven hills, but apparently the seventh hill has "subsided" under buildings and pavement.
Yours truly
The steeple of a very old Orthodox church
One of the coolest things we saw was an ancient Roman amphitheater. It was built in the 2nd century AD under the orders of Trajan, the Roman emperor at the time. The whole thing is still pretty well intact. They even do performances and shows there still!
Plovdiv's famous amphitheater, built in the 2nd century AD
The view from the amphitheater
Vania and Joe walking through the streets of old town Plovdiv
Some artwork we saw
The side of this building reminded me of the sgraffito on the side of Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center in Berlin, Ohio
Venders
A newer section of area of the city center.
We had a really great time in Plovdiv! We hope to be able to go back sometime to see a show at the amphitheater, but we'll see!
Yesterday, Mira picked the wrong playmate - a bee. It fell on the ground right in front of her and she pounced. As you may know, puppies her age don't just play with their paws - they play with their mouths. So, of course, she placed her nose right up against the bee's barbed stinger.
Mira
It stuck in her upper lip, and boy did she yelp! We felt so helpless because there was no way we could help her! I was able to get the stinger out, but she was still in pain.
All of this happened in the morning, and by lunchtime she was trembling all over and would randomly break out in episodes of loud crying. We were concerned about her because she is SO small, so we called Vania at work and she came and took Mira to the vet.
Mira ended up with an injection at the vet, and she whined non-stop the rest of the afternoon, but by the time it got dark last night she was back to her normal, playful self.
Mira
It stuck in her upper lip, and boy did she yelp! We felt so helpless because there was no way we could help her! I was able to get the stinger out, but she was still in pain.
All of this happened in the morning, and by lunchtime she was trembling all over and would randomly break out in episodes of loud crying. We were concerned about her because she is SO small, so we called Vania at work and she came and took Mira to the vet.
Mira ended up with an injection at the vet, and she whined non-stop the rest of the afternoon, but by the time it got dark last night she was back to her normal, playful self.
So, this one time in India, Joe and I had lamb lung.
Today, we had дроб, also known as chicken lung.
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No further comments.
Today, we had дроб, also known as chicken lung.
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No further comments.
How do I look?
Leyla Naska has these dresses that she wears during the day. They are simple, but awesome! They are great for keeping cool and looking cool at the same time! Last night - Note: LAST NIGHT - I told her that I liked hers, and she offered to make me one....
Leyla Naska measuring the fabric
After we got back from a quick adventure to the поща (post office) today, Leyla Naska told me that it was time to get to work on my dress. She let me pick out the fabric and everything!
It's like getting fitted for my wedding dress! ... kind of.... not
It's a treadle sewing machine... I've never seen one used before!
When we talked about making the dress yesterday, Leyla Naska said that she was as good a seamstress as anyone! I believe her!
Working on projects together!
When I first tried it on, it was WAY TOO BIG!!
The prototype of the dress was ready before lunch! It was a little wide, and according to Joe, "ballooned," so we decided to make a few alterations before calling it quits.
All done, and we match!
So what do you think? I'm feeling like I should adopt this new style of clothing into my own Ameri-garian culture. It's so comfortable!
In other news... Mira continues to entertain. Deb liked the pictures of her so much that we're adding MORE! (Notice what I'm wearing...!)
Jen, Mira
Joe, Mira
In Joe's words... Mira made her first look today... BLUE STEEL!
Until next time... довиждане!
...to the newest addition to the family, Mira!
Vania's daughter, Yoanna, got a puppy this past weekend. She is adorable, but SO tiny!
Mira
Playing
In Vania's words, "She is like a baby; she plays a lot, but she gets tired quickly."
Impersonating Yoda
Still asleep
Vania's daughter, Yoanna, got a puppy this past weekend. She is adorable, but SO tiny!
Mira
Playing
In Vania's words, "She is like a baby; she plays a lot, but she gets tired quickly."
Impersonating Yoda
Still asleep
Eggplant with a yogurt/garlic/mayo sauce, fried fish and green peppers.
Roasted chili peppers with a honey-based sauce.
Chicken with fried potatoes.
Bread, eaten plain at lunch and dinner.
"Milk salad"
Vegetables - lightly fried, then baked.
Pizza!
The famous shopska salad - tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, oil, salt, and cheese!
Joe and I have found that from 8-11am there is a nicely shaded area in the front courtyard. It stays much cooler there than anywhere else for most of the morning, so we've started taking advantage of it for language study, etc.
Today we decided to use the shade for a game of Settlers...
Before we moved, we made sure we were able to fit our Settlers game into our suitcase.
Joe played an intense game.
He won.
Cleo came along on her morning courtyard rounds, as usual, and encountered a new obstacle...
Turtle vs. Rubbermaid
She tried a few different options but ended up pushing the box out of her way and walking right past it. As for Joe and I, we ran away as soon as a the sun crept into our shade.
Today we decided to use the shade for a game of Settlers...
Before we moved, we made sure we were able to fit our Settlers game into our suitcase.
Joe played an intense game.
He won.
Cleo came along on her morning courtyard rounds, as usual, and encountered a new obstacle...
Turtle vs. Rubbermaid
She tried a few different options but ended up pushing the box out of her way and walking right past it. As for Joe and I, we ran away as soon as a the sun crept into our shade.
If you read a dictionary for too long it can make you crazy...
Joe is much more studious than I am... guess who was being ADD with the camera during study time...
аз съм, ти си, той е, ние сме, вие сте, те са...
Strawberries for snack! You better eat them before they are all gone...
Too late.
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