Chasing the Chicken Thief & Spaghetti

Last night I'm sitting on the terraza making sure all goes well as I feed the dogs.  I've had a few obstacles feeding 4 dogs a raw diet: 

1. Keeping the dogs separated.  Bruno, the oldest boxer, will eat all the food so the others can't have any.

2. Making sure they eat in the yard.  Otherwise they'll bring the raw food up onto the terraza and it'll leave greasy stains.(I think I've outsmarted them...if I hose down the terraza first, they'll eat in the grass.  They don't like eating on a wet surface.) 

3. Keeping the oldest hen from eating the food.  She is such a cannibal!  Most of the time I'm serving the dogs raw chicken.  

So I'm recording this last night and it was very entertaining to me.  I'm sorry I make so much noise with my hands touching the microphone.  I need to work on not touching it.

                                

boxer(9weeks) & toy poodle(18 weeks) pups...I think they love each other

beautiful evening in Chapala

whole wheat pasta

Lori's Marinara Sauce(click for recipe)

Spaghetti, that's what were eating this Friday ;)

Monday...I blogged for a week! Satisfied!

This last week flew by!  I can hardly believe I blogged for a week and yes, I'm satisfied, content, lacking in nothing!  How very grateful I am to God for bringing wholeness and completeness to my life.

This past week someone told me that God never intended for us to compare ourselves to another.  They also said that it's Satan that brings condemnation when we do.  Isn't that the truth?  So when I get those mixed up feelings that I'm not doing my part, not measuring up, not doing enough, it just isn't so.  I've learned to say no to opportunities that may seem like good ones but if I don't feel God asking me to do it, I don't move.  It took one season of answering every call, every crusade, every concert, every recording, every conference for me to get completely burned out and face adrenal exhaustion.  I'm more than grateful for every opportunity because through it, somehow it completed a longing within me.  Fortunately, Gary and I were able to evaluate our situation and let some things that although they were good, go.  It took me a long time to get over some of it.  It was a ride, it was exciting, it was amazing and it was exhausting.  God will not give us more than we can bear, or will He?  Not alone.  That I know to be true, but if your body and mind is telling you to rest, is speaking to you by becoming ill, than one must step back and evaluate their life.

Today I was able to ride my mountain bike for 40 minutes in our neighborhood over cobblestone roads, sat in a car for at least 2 hours round trip, knocking me this way and that because the Mexican highways are horrible.  Those two activities are hard on me with 3 herniated discs.  But someone sent prayers up to heaven on behalf of me today and I'm believing for my miracle!!

We did a little birthday shopping for our daughter's 2nd birthday coming up.  When we arrived home, it was so warm and I was so sleepy that I crawled into bed and took a nap.  We don't have central air or heat.  I'm going to grill some balsamic chicken and make paninis for dinner then hope to relax a little with my family before bed.  

The next few weeks will be interesting.  A couple birthdays, District Council, a 5th Sunday with very exciting guests coming and maybe eventually, I'll get to see the beach and swim.  

Heat + Sun = Water

Spanish worship with Sarahi

This morning's worship was so much fun!  I've really enjoyed getting to know our people and worshipping with my homegrown worship team is the best!  I was able to stay for worship in the Spanish service and was so surprised to see the new families that have joined!   It's finally growing again!  Sarahi, my oldest son's girlfriend joined us and that girl sings like an angel.  I hope Josh will be able to bring her often!  Gary took a picture using his cell phone and it's not clear but here it is.   His message, "Made in God's Image," was great!

5:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon.  It's about 82 degrees in the house, thank God we have fans but I sure would love to be in the pool right about now.   I've been evaluating myself this time of year and figured something out.  With this type of heat, my California nature tells me that I need to be at the lake, in the pool or somewhere where there's central air.  We don't have a pool yet but I'm hoping for one soon.  A girl can dream.

Holiday Harbor where my grandpa moored his houseboat.
Many wonderful summer days where spent here during my childhood.

I grew up with an inground pool in our yard & was a fish!  Could hardly wait for the winter algae to be removed so I could get in!  I also was privileged to grow up on Shasta Lake, California.  My grandpa had a houseboat and we spent a lot of our summer time on the lake as my grandpa loved to fish.  I was a swimmer and a shore explorer.  My family would drive that boat to the prettiest spot they could find.  Not having an appreciation of God's creation is unfathomable to me.  When I see creation, I think of Him and feel close to my Lord.  The McCloud arm is what is coming to mind.  The mountains majestic!  Covered with enormous tall green pines.  Hours passing time looking out for eagles nests, bears, turtles and fish!  In fact, no matter where my family traveled, we were always on the lookout for beautiful scenery & animals.

our youngest son caught this bass
3 times! 

Trinity Alps

Since I've gotten myself on this topic, of the beautiful place I spent growing up, I'd also like to remember camping at Squirrel Flat, Trinity Lake.  It is a special place that's very remote.  There are 2 miles of shoreline and forest roads for riding quads or mountain bikes.  Initially we went up there to ride quads.  But when we decided to get into shape, we sold the quads and road our mountain bikes.  Matt, our youngest, loved fishing.  He's always been the outdoors man.  Greatest fishing story you'll ever hear was the time Matt caught a bass 3 times!!!  He caught it and it got away twice.  The 3rd time he hooked it and the boys radio'd up to let us know.  We didn't believe it but when Gary cleaned the fish he found 3 new gold shiny hooks inside.  

mountains of Chapala during the rainy season
how I long for the rain now!

Chapala

Hawaii or Chapala? (Chapala from my house!)

It's actually overwhelming to me even today, that my family and I are privileged to live in the hills of Chapala.  I love my home country but it would not have been possible, to my knowledge, to have the casita with a view such as we have here.  We can see Lake Chapala if we stretch but my breath is taken away every morning as I look over & up the mountains of Chapala.  It's heaven on earth.  During the rainy season, I could be waking to the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, but no, I'm living in Chapala, Mexico.

Here, just this week I was saying to some lady friends that there's a time and place for looking back.  There are times that we don't need to look back.  Keep your hand on the plow and look forward.  Some reflecting needs to be saved for the time when you're old, lost your teeth, smack your gums, sit on the terraza and remember when with your spouse.  I can imagine Gary and I sitting on our terraza.  He'll have his version and I'll have mine.   He says his will be correct, but I know mine will really be.

Some things, it's just better to forget and think on good things, things that are above, not on this earth.  But these are good things I'm thinking on today.  Times of vacation as a child, when my sons were children and now where God has brought us today.  He knows how I tick.  He knows how much I appreciate His creation and need to see it and how close I feel to Him when I do.  I thank you God, for bringing me to Chapala.  I feel your love here with me.  You rescued me when I couldn't rescue myself.  You could see me and just as others have expressed to me about themselves, you plucked me out of a place and set me in another.

My Marinara Sauce from Lori's Kitchen

Lori's Marinara Sauce

Someone asked me for my marinara sauce...this is great for spaghetti, lasagna or pizza.  It will cover 2 cookie sheets for pizza to give you an idea of how far it'll go. (I'm guessing the best that I can on measurements)

1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1 medium size onion
3 large cloves of garlic
8 small chicken breasts
8-10 cups fresh ripe red tomatoes pureed (about 16 roman)
1 sprig fresh rosemary or 1 tablespoon chopped or 1 tsp dry
1 TBS fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 TBS fresh chopped basil or 2 teaspoons dry (i love basil)
1/4 tsp crushed dried red pepper (add more if you like it spicier)
1/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 tsp sea salt (sea salt has very low sodium & is more flavorful than table salt)
1 cup red cooking or dry table wine, optional (you can add another cup of fresh tomato puree)

1) finely chop or puree onion & garlic

2) sauté & caramelize in large frying pan in olive oil on med heat.

3) chop raw chicken into bite size, add to onion mixture and also caramelize on med heat.

4) add pureed tomatoes(feel free to puree fresh spices with the tomatoes) and add the remaining ingredients to pan.  Bring to a boil and simmer for up to 40 min. until mixture is a deep red color.

Lori's Homemade Pizza

FOR PIZZA:

I use a double recipe of whole wheat pita dough(substituting whole wheat flour for white)
http://www.dedemed.com/index.php/Breads-and-Dough/Pita-Bread-Recpe.html#axzz1MOBUXr3L

top w/1-4 cheeses:

fresh mozzarella, parmesan, feta, & fresh goat cheese

also chopped red bell pepper & sliced green olives

(generously grease pans w/extra virgin olive oil, spread rolled pita dough, add 1/2 the sauce and toppings.  Bake at 246 degrees celsius in pre heated oven, bottom rack for 15 min.)

Ugly Alligator or Lizard/Toad & cooking frenzy in the kitchen!

ugly plastic alligator 

Ugly on his hairbrush, hehe

ugly toy by kitchen sink! ugh!

Thursday a.m. I opened the refrigerator to find an ugly plastic dragon on our meat.  My oldest son had gone through his toys, that I made him save for his kids, and found it.  It's ugly.  So I put it in between his sheets by his feet that night.   He awoke around 1 a.m. to fear a huge scorpion was in his bed! hehe He put the thing near my pillow under the covers.   When Gary made the bed down that night he found it and put it on my night stand.  I found it and put it on Josh's hairbrush in the bathroom drawer.  Matt thought Josh put it on his hairbrush, since I put it in the wrong drawer and put it in Josh's bathroom drawer on his toothbrush.  This morning when Gary got his coffee cup out, it was in there!  I got up to find it by the kitchen sink & left it on Josh's keyboard.  Since that didn't seem to make a big enough impression, I put it deep inside something else rather useful but I'm not saying where! ;o)  (there's a surprise if you click the paragraph above) 

Being that it's Saturday, I thought it'd be a great idea to make enough food for tomorrow so I don't have to cook.  This girl has to have a day of rest.  Gary had mentioned Pasta E Fagioli earlier this week and thinking ahead I made a huge batch!  It can serve 12 people so surely it'll tie us over till Monday!  :))  Here's a few pictures of how I made myself productive today ;o)

pasta e fagioli

my whole wheat pasta

rolling a pasta sheet

cutting the pasta

rolling out whole wheat pita bread

cooling warm pitas to store in the freezer 

pitas & basil pesto mmm!

natural yogurt, raw honey & fresh frozen raspberries

sweet raspberry yogurt & honey smoothy ;)

2-4-1 French Dip Thursday...Am I Famous For My Pizza?

Yesterday the blogger was out so being I couldn't post about my Thursday, this is a 2-4-1 blog:

French Dip Thursday

garden planning 

This morning I woke to my daughter singing so sweetly in her bed as she often does.  The tune, familiar, "E, I, E, I, E."  Is there anything more precious than a nearly two year old trying to sing, "The B-I-B-L-E?" 

In the afternoon there was time for planning my summer garden.  Companion gardening can be mind boggling as you study which plants like the other.  One can help it grow while another draws the wrong types of bugs.   

Sirloin Tip Roast

 Gary's been craving French Dip Sandwiches.  Mexican beef cuts are not like the US of A and some can be very tough, including sirloin tip.  In the states I could serve a juicy tender roast from the oven but not here.  I opted to puree garlic, shallots & fresh thyme.  Smothered the mixture over the meat adding salt, pepper & 1 cup of water.  Next time I'll add 2 cups of water for more au juice.  Put that baby in the pressure cooker for 30 minutes and it was perfect for French Dip.

My next bread to try baking from scratch was French Bread.






The first time I'm always a little nervous because I'm not quite sure how long it's going to take me nor how well the bread will taste.  I substituted sugar with raw honey and was not disappointed.  The bread was called, "French Bread to Die For," and it did not disappoint.  I was very pleased.  

French Dip Sandwich

It makes me feel good that I was able to make this for my honey.  He liked it very much and even commented that he didn't think a lot of husbands would have homemade french bread.  Good job honey on filling my love tank((heart))

Am I Famous For My Pizza?

"Da-ddy. Da-ddy,  Mo-mmy, Mo-mmy"  was the little tune I woke up to this Friday morning.   Our daughter really is a bundle of joy to her parents.  We are delighted that she is ours.  Gary said to me the other day that he had no idea how much he'd enjoy her when she was born ;o)

I just can't believe how quickly this week has flown by!  Sunday is almost here again.  I always consider Sunday our biggest day of the week.  Mostly because the morning is the most difficult for me with a toddler but I know this won't last for very long.

My Pizza

Am I famous for my pizza?  It's a question that I'm wondering about.  Only because once you've tried it, guaranteed, you'll be asking to come back for more.   It's like Turkish Delight from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe :)   My mother asked me if we couldn't get good pizza in our area and the truth be known, the answer is no.  So, yes, my pizza is completely wonderful and that's without saying.  

Two years ago we used to get Domino's 2 for 1 pizza every Tuesday night.  That was replaced with this pizza that has evolved over time.  Whole wheat pita crust, marinara sauce from all fresh ingredients including herbs from my garden and stewed chicken, fresh mozzarella & goat cheese, parmesan & feta.  Personally I like the green olives but I'm the only one in my family of 5 that likes them.   I really wanted an octopus from the tianguis this week to top my pizza with but they didn't have any! *sigh* maybe next week.

A few days ago, a very kind lady in our church expressed to me her desire to have my recipe.  She let me know that she doesn't like pizza and made known back east in the states where she's from, that this is the best pizza she's ever had!  Thank you so much for those kind words Joanne.  It was cute how her and her husband ran into mine at the chicken stand one day.  They'd recently been to the house and I'd served them pizza.  At this point in time, pizza is easy for me to make, filling and serves a few people so it's been my choice for serving when having guests over.  If I haven't had you over for pizza yet and you'd like to come, let me know and we'll have an afternoon of it, I'd love to have you over!  Now back to this kind couple and my husband at the chicken stand.  My husband invited them to eat chicken at our house but Joanne said that she'd like to wait until I made pizza again.  She didn't know the chicken was just tying us over until the pizza was done.  It was a fun afternoon.  Don't you just love being spontaneous?

I've had guests from New York to Colima and they all say the same thing.  They love my pizza!  Some of them write and tell me they crave it, they tell their school cooking teachers about it.  Some teachers have wanted me to come to their class and teach them how to make it!  This all gives me the giggles but it's a lot of fun.  It is good but I'm sure another could knock my socks off....maybe???  The best thing about this pizza is that it's good for you!  There isn't anything in it that you shouldn't have.  :))

This afternoon I was able to have a nice visit with a lovely lady, who was willing to come to my home and see me while my daughter was napping.   When it cooled down, I did a little weeding in the garden and planted some seeds!  This is really exciting and I can hardly wait to see the results!  Here's a little brief garden tour:   

my square foot garden

at this end & still growing are serrano peppers,
eggplant, & basil all planted from seeds.  Also thyme & strawberries
and a little garlic is in there

serrano chili peppers make Mexican Salsa rock!

lettuce & carrots w/oregano growing on the side

raised bed gardening

our beautiful view although smoky this evening

a handsome carwasher

a red rose

Whew, Wednesday & Random Things

purchases from the "bulk" market:
hazelnuts, split peas, flax seed, sesame seeds
& wheat glutton(the wheat flour is already in the freezer

jicama snack

Last night my husband came home with the goodies I'd order from the bulk market in Guadalajara.  It's an interesting process there.  You pick a number, wait to be called, give your order, watch them bag your items, take your ticket & stand in line at the pay booth, then return with your paid receipt to gather your ordered items.  He also brought me 13 kilos of whole wheat flour in 1 kilo bags now stored in the freezer.  The amount of money we spend on food buying this way is a fraction of the cost we used to pay & we eat whole foods.


My youngest son found the jicama in the refrigerator last night and asked if he could eat it?  Of course I said yes and asked for a slice.   Jicama is a root vegetable that is eaten with squeezed lime juice, salt & spicy red pepper seasoning.  A favorite Mexican snack.


My morning started at 8:20 a.m. and you may think I slept in but that is not the case.  Between the hours of 1 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. all the outdoor security dogs in our neighborhood were barking.  One of our neighbors must have sheep or goats.  It sounded like a young kid crying while an older goat chimed in and I could not sleep through that.

We rushed around to get breakfast, almond pancakes topped with raw honey & a whole egg,  and headed out the door to the tianguis(outdoor market) for produce shopping.  This morning, as I shopped, my husband visited with another male friend.  They decided that the men were the mules for the wives.  This is so true!  We need to find a cart that can go over cobble stone roads because as it is, my husband hauls probably 50+ pounds of fresh produce plus our daughter from the produce "local" to the car.

typical weekly produce shopping in the tianguis

At least once a month we are asked if we own a restaurant because we buy so much fresh produce.  It's amazing how much money we save buying fresh and preparing our meals at home.  I realize this is not of interest to everyone as they do not want to take the time but it is thrilling to me to provide this service for my family.  I feel responsible for their health and knowing I can give them the best is very satisfying.

It bothers me that produce prices are so high in the states and from what I've heard from others, the selection isn't always available either.  Economical living & great variety is a huge benefit to living in Mexico.  On the other hand, is it possible for others that what proved to be true for us could be true for them?  That without buying processed food, we actually save money, are eating rich and living healthier?  For 20 years I did not provide a healthy diet for my family and I pray that with healthy eating now, we can possibly erase damage that may have been done.  That is my hope and prayer.   I can't control what my family may consume when they are not with me or away from the house and I hope they're are making good decisions but in our house, the best most healthiest meals are provided.  That brings me a lot of contentment.

After produce shopping, my husband, daughter & I headed out for a "hike" in our neighborhood with one of our dogs.  I knew this day was going to be full.  It was warmer than my husband thought it would be but I'm still glad we went.  A quick shower, a panini sandwich and off I was to our local Yada Yada ladies group.  This time it was more exciting for me than before as I arrived late.  Yes, late was great because I knew I could stay as long as I wanted to.   Kind of a deal I made with my husband for the late departure.

We have a great group of ladies who are interested in the things of God and I love their hearts.  It's been a slow process for me getting to know them.  In the past, as we pastored churches in the states, I did everything I could to quickly get to know the people.  An old saying is that an evangelist blows in, blows up and blows out.  I hope we never did that but the process was a quick one.  It was hard training for what laid ahead.  There was so much to learn and such little time.  I love the relationships that have lasted over the years and treasure each heart that connected to ours.  But let me say it again, it was fast!  Coming to Chapala was never in our plans, in fact, we didn't know it existed before moving to Mexico.  Now I'm glad that God opened this door and I hope and pray with all of my heart that this may be home till death do us part or Jesus comes back, which ever comes first.  I truly have prayed this many times.  22 moves in 22 years, I think it's time to have a nest until my heavenly home is given to me.  I've grown weary of moving.  The thrill of it has gone.  My adventure has changed and the desire to stay put has become my dream.

A trip to Walmart for fresh milk, oranges, and a little meat before I came home to my precious family.  My daughter slept through most of the afternoon while I was gone.  Our dogs were starving and ready for their fresh fish dinner.  Feeding a raw diet is just the greatest thing!  I have to laugh at myself because I actually look forward to picking up the presents to see how little there is out there, lol  Yes, I know that is tmi, but it's just me.

chicken paprikash

My oldest son was home and helped me with dinner.  While he peeled and diced potatoes I caramelized the onions and chicken breasts, added the fresh diced tomatoes, red pepper, salt, black pepper and of course lots and lots of paprika!  This is my very favorite childhood Hungarian dish.  I remember my grandma telling me she was cooking a good dinner tonight!  Our family often served it over mashed potatoes and that we did tonight.  Delish!

Tomorrow my agenda will hopefully allow me to finish a little laundry but most of all, I want to re plant my garden and put the flowers in the hanging baskets that I bought this afternoon.  Gary said he's been hungry for French dip sandwiches so I bought a top sirloin roast this afternoon.  Now my expat lady friends, being that cuts of meat are not the same in Mexico as they are in the states I'm thinking the crock pot or the pressure cooker may make that baby tender enough.

This is the day that the Lord has made!  I will rejoice and be glad in it!!!  It's been another full day...rest well.