I REALLY love Fall

Remember how I was talking about autumn before? And how much I love it? Well, over the weeks between then and now, I've seen so many more beautiful images of fall (via internet of course) that I need to give it another shout-out. A photographer friend of mine has some shots that I just have to share with you all. Take a deep breath, imagine you're outside, it's just stopped raining, there's just a bit of sun escaping throught the clouds, and suddenly you see the fantastic wet scenery around you.

(Photos by Inga G.)

Can you smell that? Mmmm, I can. I love fall. Really, really.

Kiva

A few months ago, I was given the gift of a few certificates to use on Kiva. I was so impressed that I had to share it with everyone in my address book. Then I thought, even better, blog about it! Please check out their website. It allows you to connect with so many people around the world who are in need of small loans, loans that could drastically change their lives, and who cannot access them without the help of this non-profit organization. Here is the flow chart that illustrates how Kiva works.
What makes me so warm to this method of lending money is that it is a succesful way to help people lift themselves out of poverty. All by their own motivation and hard work, and by doing things that they are talented or trained in.

With Kiva, you can search for loans by gender, geography, or sector. Here is the first person I decided to support on Kiva.

Ofugho is a 30 year old married woman with a child.She has been working as a commercial-based tailor since 2004 to earn income to satisfy the needs of her child and husband. She is requesting for the loan amount of N50,000 to purchase tailoring materials to meet the requirement of her customers and make good income.She says thanks to all kiva lenders.

Her requested loan amount equated to $350 USD to be repaid over a period of 10 months. A person can loan as little as $25. I wanted to support Ofugho because this loan will help empower her to do and be more in her world. If she is sucessful, she can be a good example to other women in her community. My hope is that by helping this one person, it will have a small, but still very positive effect in that local community. I will keep you all updated on how her progress plays out. If you have more questions, go to the Kiva about microfinance page for more information.

Playtime

A few images of playtime around here.

Quickly, quickly now...

Life has been moving faster in several different ways for our family recently. The monkey has been sleeping through the night for about 2 straight months now. It has made a world of difference in this Mommy's energy levels. He's also begun walking, though he only turns 10 months next week. He gets around the house quite quickly now.

Can I use the vaccum?

I thought I'd rearrange the shelves for you, Mom.

Because of this energy gain, I've started running again, this time, with a new set of shoes that support me so much better than the last. I actually enjoy my runs now.

These aren't my size, Mom.

Also, since I bought all those cookbooks, I've been trying out all kinds of new recipes. A few days ago, I made this plum tarte with a flakey crust. It was supposed to make 6 rectangular pieces, but I decided to do it all as one when I realised the dough came shaped as a circle.

The afternoon that I made it, Alex came home early from work, allowing me time for a long run before dark. When I came back to the house, this is what the tarte looked like. And we were having people over that night!

How to make rum

Look at this bottle of white rum, it's just aching to be something more flavorful.

Hmmm, how about adding some fresh pineapple and vanilla beans?

Here's how to cut the pineapple:

Now cut it into quarters.

Viola! Pineapple Vanilla Rum!

Now let it sit for 4 to 6 months in a cool dark place, like the back of your food cupboard. Two weeks prior to consuming, add 2 or 3 spoonfuls of sugar and let sit. Enjoy in the following days/weeks/years, depending on how fast you drink this! THAT's how we make rum here in La Réunion!

Surprise! Someone's 30!

My wonderful husband recently hit that famous age marker: 30 years old. He accepted it with grace, and honestly, he doesn't even look it in my opinion! I wanted to host a big surprise party and go all out. Or, as "all out" as you can go with a small apartment, lots of friends with kids, plus your own 9 month old son, all on a quiet Sunday afternoon. And, being American, I wanted to make a birthday cake. But I opted for cupcakes instead because I didn't have a cake pan on hand. Nor did I have any cupcake liners, and couldn't find them in the grocery store the week before the party either. So I ended up using wax paper. Which worked just fine, but gave the cupcakes this sort of ruffled edge appeal to them.

I think they turned out kind of cool looking, but they weren't your traditional even surfaced cupcakes that you can easily write upon in frosting. They still tasted awesome and here is the recipe for both the cake and chocolate frosting.

The surprise!

All of our pictures ended up being of the kids, shocking, eh? What is it about adorable children that you just have to snap a bunch of pictures?

And I forgot to take a picture of the table BEFORE all the beautiful food was eaten, but here is the aftermath.

One happily surprised Papa.

book sale

So I went a little crazy recently. You know, in a shopping kind of way. You see, I got this flyer in the mail that advertised a book sale. Not just any book sale, but all kinds of books you might like, sold for 6.40 Euros a KILO! I couldn't pass that up. Luc and I set out for an afternoon book hunt. Though the sale was advertised as being located in Etang Salé, it really was another 10 minutes from the center of town which we never would've found without the help of a friendly pizza man. It ended up being housed in the back of a large, white warehouse partially shared with someone using a very loud electric saw. (At least, I think that's what it was, though I'm certainly no expert on tools). The books looked to be unsold extras from the past few years. Five and a half kilos later, Luc and I were in book heaven. We ended up only getting children's books (8), and cookbooks (4), because everything else just paled in comparison.
Here are my cookbook finds:

1. C'est le Sud by Guy Martin
The cover is a little battered, but the inside....oh my...

(doesn't that look almost like it's really sitting on my table?)

2. Cuisine épicée by Cornelia Schinharl

It was originally a German book that has been translated and it features cuisines from all over the world. Very fun. Adventurous tasters only.

3. Cuisiner pour le plaisir by Grund
Originally titled Easy Food and printed in England

(oh yes, this would please me!)

4. Huile d'olive by Clare Gordon-Smith

Originally titled Flavouring with Oil, it too, was a British book before being translated.

(I'm planning on make the above recipe soon)

Then a few days later, I found these 2 cookbooks, which I had to have, because Marabout's books are so beautifully photographed that I was drooling looking at the pictures. (Note to self: if I ever write a cookbook, invest in a good photographer!)

The first smaller book has recipes that are made for advance preparation, with the idea that you can finish off the recipe quickly at the last minute-perfect for this stay at home mom! The second is a book only about vegetables. It's not one of your run of the mill vegetarian cookbooks, but a more thoughtful approach in how to best take advantage of all the different veggie varieties, how best to cook these vegetables, some delicious sounding recipes, and of course, mouth watering photographs.

Of course they're all in french, but it's good practice for me, and I like to think that I'm brushing up on my nutrition vocabulary a bit too for whenever I get a job here. We're saving the children's books to give to Luc for Christmas and his birthday, plus a few to give to friends. I can't wait for more book sales like this. 36 Euros well-spent!

the simple life

Living in the middle of the Indian Ocean is nice, quite nice in fact. But sometimes, well, you feel a bit isolated. It's not the clear blue water you see EVERYWHERE that makes you feel that way. It's not the constant chatter in the french language either. No, it's the fact that La Réunion is a tiny forgotten little island that is difficult and expensive to ship certain products to. And don't get me wrong, I completely embraced the "simple life" mentality even before living here. It's just that sometimes, just sometimes, I'd like to be able to purchase reading materials in English. Or perhaps a specific cooking ingredient to make something not french or créole tasting. It's hard to get items like that here. Sometimes I have family or friends who kindly offer to send me something of whatever I'm missing. And usually my answer is peanut butter. Or that I can't think of something off the top of my head. Or, I don't want them to bear the crazy shipping expenses to send me something that might cost half as much. Or, I suddenly feel that "simple life" conciousness sitting on my shoulder scolding me for wanting more than what this beautiful island already offers. Point being, it's hard for me to decide which option is better; living simply, or satisfying my urge to make homemade hummus. (I can't find tahini here!)

Cake Pops!

I found this on Instructables a while back, and just remembered I bookmarked it. I love this website because you can find the quirkiest little DIY projects that sometimes don't even make sense. (How to make an art bowl from a pet bottle?) Or they are completely hilarious, a Yip-Yip costume anyone?

But this! This is such a fantastic idea! Cake? As a lollipop? Genius! With Halloween coming up, you could make cute little pumpkins, ghosts, or even zombie heads. Then, for the holiday season, you could do ornaments, a Santa head, and or presents. Why stop there? Go crazy and make them for every occasion, you could make little Thanksgiving turkeys, Valentine's Day hearts, and 4 leaf clovers for St Paddy's day. How about an adorable groundhog for Groundhog Day, which is everyone's favorite holiday and should definitely be celebrated by eating these cake pops. Just a thought. Send me pictures if you end up making these!



Cake Pops - More DIY How To Projects

I love autumn.... and mustard

This post is dedicated to all things lovely about fall. I could just eat up all of these images, since I come from living on the east coast, and truly miss my autumn season. Bear with me as I indulge in the scenes of fall and the rich colors which are missing here during ANY time of year.

Another thing I miss are the different foods fall brings. I can remember eating roasted, salted pumpkin seeds, thick soups and stews, candy corn, and apple everything.

Apart from the foliage and food, I also miss the cozy sweaters, long jeans, boots, and all things fall fashion oriented. I've been browsing the usuals, JCrew, Banana, and Gap, but I've really loved the fashion found on Etsy. Too bad it's too hot here to wear any of it.

Speaking of beautiful colors, I have this incredible love for mustard now. It's my condiment of choice alongside most meals now. I make all kinds of dressings, sauces, glazes, and anything else you can think of with this delicious gold-toned goodness. My favorite is this super simple recipe:

-olive oil

-red wine or cider vinegar
-good quality Dijon mustard

Combine all ingredients in a recycled jar and shake your heart out.

Notice I don't list any proportions, as I usually make it to taste, and if there's extra, it keeps in the fridge for several days. (Though usually, it doesn't last that long). I use it on green salads, tomato salads, fish fillets, chicken breasts, cold potatoes, etc. You could even use it as a dressing for a cold pasta salad....mmmm, that gives me ideas for dinner tonight.

PS-Obviously I had to find pictures via another source (SXC) than my own camara in order to share these visions of autumn, but it won't be a habit, I prefer to show our own photos.