I have found myself walking from spot to spot in the house and yard the past few days. I am searching for sun to warm me up. Since most places here don't have heating, it gets a bit nippy during the winter.
I guess the reason most people don't bother putting heaters in the home is because winter is so short, and heating is so expensive.
I talked about showers in a previous post, so you can read about them there. My shower has gone out 2 times this winter and we are going to buy a new one tomorrow. The electric unit in this one burnt out because we were trying to get the water hot enough in that cold bathroom. The only setting on it that works is "warm" and that doesn't help when your whole bathroom is tile and freezing cold. We end up having to turn the pressure down so low that quite frankly I can spit more than comes out of the shower head at that point. So, tomorrow is payday and I am off to buy a new one.
By the time Christmas rolls around, I will be at the beach complaining that the water is too hot! :D
Where is my change?
I purchased my fresh baked bread from the "padaria" (bakery) yesterday. I gave the cashier a R$ 1.00 note and expected 17 cents back. What I got back from him were two small pieces of candy. I stuffed the candy in my pocket and headed back home. I am totally used to this by now, and receiving two pieces of candy is sometimes better than getting stuck with no change at all. In Brazil there is a coin shortage. The banks never coin enough change. So, a way that some merchants deal with the problem is by giving you back something of equal value thus the two pieces of candy, each cost 10 cents.
The one cent coin is the most scarce and the government stopped production of them and so most retailers just round up the price to the nearest .5 or .10.
Now, I don't know what you get if you are a diabetic, but something tells me, you don't get special treatment. It is generally accepted that you will get short changed at the market. It adds up though. My friend's father saved up all the pieces of candy he got from the padaria for 3 months and took them all back to the padaria and told the manager, ok, now here is your candy there is 15 bucks worth of candy here, I want my cash. The owner didn't accept them back, but ever since then, they have been very good about not giving him candy for change.
So, if you happen to be in Brazil and get a hand full of candy back as change, you know why.
The one cent coin is the most scarce and the government stopped production of them and so most retailers just round up the price to the nearest .5 or .10.
Now, I don't know what you get if you are a diabetic, but something tells me, you don't get special treatment. It is generally accepted that you will get short changed at the market. It adds up though. My friend's father saved up all the pieces of candy he got from the padaria for 3 months and took them all back to the padaria and told the manager, ok, now here is your candy there is 15 bucks worth of candy here, I want my cash. The owner didn't accept them back, but ever since then, they have been very good about not giving him candy for change.
So, if you happen to be in Brazil and get a hand full of candy back as change, you know why.
Comida Mineira
I don't know how she does it, but every once in a while Mariana is able to convince her Dad to cook according to her whim. This time it was Brazilian comfort food. Comida Mineira (Food from the region of Minas Gerais) is the beating heart of Brazilian cuisine.. Food from this region is considered comfort food for many Brazilians.
Here is a look at what we had this Sunday.
Virado: Prepared with beans that are cooked then recooked or refried with fat, salt, onions and garlic. You then add manioc flour until it absorbs all the juice.
In Brazil many dishes have a traditional day that they are served. This dish is usually served on a Monday. There are many variations to this dish.
Lombo de porco: There isn't much science to this dish, but if done right, you will end up with a delicious and tender meat. The dish is.. Pork loin, usually prepared with butter, salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice and potatoes.
(left) Farofa: Is a very popular Brazilian dish. It is used as an accompaniment to meat. It usually enhances the meat flavor as well as adds a toasted smokey taste to the meat. Farofa is mainly made with manioc flour, but is typically enhanced with bacon fat, bacon, sausage, corn, boiled eggs and onions.
The origin of the dish is registered as the colonial period about 1500 when the first people from Portugal started to arrive. The dish has remained a popular dish because of its great flavor. It is a very inexpensive and easy dish to make, as well.
(center) Linguiça Calabresa: Sausage, but not the breakfast ones we are used to in the states. This sausage to me is much more similar to pepperoni in texture but not taste. Calabresa is really difficult for me to describe the taste, but it tastes delicious. It is typically fried with onions and served as is or on bread.
(right) Torresmo: Fried pork rinds. It isn't typical to only fry the skin like it is in the states. Torresmo usually contains the skin, a layer of fat, some meat and more fat. It is deep fried and served up hot and crispy just like the British Pork Crackling.
Couve: This dish reminds me of the South in the USA and I love it! It is made of thinly sliced leafs of collard greens. The greens are fried in fat with bacon, salt and garlic. This is a very traditional dish and is normally served with any one of the dishes described above. It has a wonderful flavor that just enhances the whole Mineira experience.
Anyone want to come over for dinner next Sunday?
Here is a look at what we had this Sunday.
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| Left to right. Virado, Lombo de porco (top), Farofa (bottom), Linguiça calabresa,Torresmo, Couve (not shown here) |
In Brazil many dishes have a traditional day that they are served. This dish is usually served on a Monday. There are many variations to this dish.
Lombo de porco: There isn't much science to this dish, but if done right, you will end up with a delicious and tender meat. The dish is.. Pork loin, usually prepared with butter, salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice and potatoes.
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| Click here for larger image. |
The origin of the dish is registered as the colonial period about 1500 when the first people from Portugal started to arrive. The dish has remained a popular dish because of its great flavor. It is a very inexpensive and easy dish to make, as well.
(center) Linguiça Calabresa: Sausage, but not the breakfast ones we are used to in the states. This sausage to me is much more similar to pepperoni in texture but not taste. Calabresa is really difficult for me to describe the taste, but it tastes delicious. It is typically fried with onions and served as is or on bread.
(right) Torresmo: Fried pork rinds. It isn't typical to only fry the skin like it is in the states. Torresmo usually contains the skin, a layer of fat, some meat and more fat. It is deep fried and served up hot and crispy just like the British Pork Crackling.
Anyone want to come over for dinner next Sunday?
Walking update...
Ok... just to update you, I am still walking 3 times a week. Today was killer. I decided to do the body for life way, where you increase your speed for so many minutes. IT KILLED ME! It still feels good though. It is funny how I wake up and think, oh after I go for a walk, I will stop and McDonalds and have a drink. Once I get done walking, I want nothing to do with McDonalds. It happens almost every morning that I get up to go. I have not once stopped at McDonalds, but I totally go with that in my mind.
By the way... McDonalds is expensive here. I actually have to pay a lot of money to get fat. So, I have no idea how this happened ;)
By the way... McDonalds is expensive here. I actually have to pay a lot of money to get fat. So, I have no idea how this happened ;)
The Beast!
Yesterday I posted about laundry and I mentioned I wanted a dryer. It reminded me that my mom still has not seen a picture of "The Beast", so I will take care of that problem now. The Beast is what I lovingly call my washing machine. It is a nice little story about how I came to own it.
When I first moved to Brazil, I was not fully aware of how things worked here, despite having lived here before for a few years. There were still things I had never come across in the past. I had no idea that washing machines were sold by how many kilos of clothes they would wash. The washer I purchased seemed a bit small in size but I assumed it was just the brand. I didn't pay much attention to anything but the price of the machine.
I got the washing machine delivered and started my first load of clothes. It was only then that I noticed how small the basket really was, and that the center agitator was not there. I could only really fit about 2 pants and 3 or 4 shirts at one time. I took out the manual and started to read up. I noticed on the manual a giant 4 kilos in a big circle. I thought... wow that is one light weight washer. I asked myself...hum, does the machine really only weigh 4 kilos ? I went out to the machine, tipped it back on two legs and thought, well it is kinda light. Closed the manual and kept using the washer. It broke after a few weeks of use, I had it repaired and was told it was a broken spring. Well the same thing kept happening over and over. Then I pulled out the manual about 3 months into using the machine to look at some odd ball thing I was curious about. It was only then that Mariana pointed to the cover and said, wow it only washes 4 kilos of clothes at a time. Talk about a DOH moment. (insert sound effect) ;)
So, my new machine (now out of return date). was basically only good for washing a few items. I was trying to wash blankets and towels and jeans in the poor thing. I was stuck with it, because I had paid almost a grand for it. I used it for 4 years, it sat dormant for 1 year because I got to the point I could not stand it. I washed clothes by hand for a year before Mariana and I could get up enough money to buy an new one. It may not seem like a big deal, but it was a huge deal for me.
So, we took advantage of every cent we had to spend and we purchased "The Beast". She is actually a beauty but because she washes 15 kilos of clothes, I lovingly call her "The Beast". I was totally giddy when I got the machine home, I spent all week trying to overfill it. I can wash two massive blankets at one time, not that I needed to do it, I just did it because I could. Ha ha ha. I love it!
PS... don't make fun of the fact she is not a front loader... I worked at Sears and would never buy a front loader! :) Here she is...
When I first moved to Brazil, I was not fully aware of how things worked here, despite having lived here before for a few years. There were still things I had never come across in the past. I had no idea that washing machines were sold by how many kilos of clothes they would wash. The washer I purchased seemed a bit small in size but I assumed it was just the brand. I didn't pay much attention to anything but the price of the machine.
I got the washing machine delivered and started my first load of clothes. It was only then that I noticed how small the basket really was, and that the center agitator was not there. I could only really fit about 2 pants and 3 or 4 shirts at one time. I took out the manual and started to read up. I noticed on the manual a giant 4 kilos in a big circle. I thought... wow that is one light weight washer. I asked myself...hum, does the machine really only weigh 4 kilos ? I went out to the machine, tipped it back on two legs and thought, well it is kinda light. Closed the manual and kept using the washer. It broke after a few weeks of use, I had it repaired and was told it was a broken spring. Well the same thing kept happening over and over. Then I pulled out the manual about 3 months into using the machine to look at some odd ball thing I was curious about. It was only then that Mariana pointed to the cover and said, wow it only washes 4 kilos of clothes at a time. Talk about a DOH moment. (insert sound effect) ;)
So, my new machine (now out of return date). was basically only good for washing a few items. I was trying to wash blankets and towels and jeans in the poor thing. I was stuck with it, because I had paid almost a grand for it. I used it for 4 years, it sat dormant for 1 year because I got to the point I could not stand it. I washed clothes by hand for a year before Mariana and I could get up enough money to buy an new one. It may not seem like a big deal, but it was a huge deal for me.
So, we took advantage of every cent we had to spend and we purchased "The Beast". She is actually a beauty but because she washes 15 kilos of clothes, I lovingly call her "The Beast". I was totally giddy when I got the machine home, I spent all week trying to overfill it. I can wash two massive blankets at one time, not that I needed to do it, I just did it because I could. Ha ha ha. I love it!
PS... don't make fun of the fact she is not a front loader... I worked at Sears and would never buy a front loader! :) Here she is...
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| I love you! |
Dirty Laundry.
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| Yes Mom, I'm rockin' the ASU shirt!!! |
I don't mind hanging out the laundry. I find it fascinating that on a really hot day, my clothes are bone dry in about 20 min. The problem is, when my hips start hurting... I can't stand there long enough to hang it. I have to be moving this hip around or it locks up on me. I know, I know, I already sound like I am 75.
The other drawback to hanging out my laundry ... my socks! I swear that the manufactures of socks must assume everyone owns a dryer. My socks don't regain shape and just get bigger and bigger each time I wash them. I can't stand it! almost all of my socks are now considered "stay at home" socks. I have to buy new socks every few weeks, and they are not cheap.
So, if you think about the fact that most Brazilians don't use a clothes dryer, you can imagine that it is a fairly common sight to see clothes hanging from lines as you drive down the streets. However, in most areas, the clothes line has tactfully been hidden in the back yard, but you will on occasion see this...
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| Laundry Day |
Garden Update.
It has only been a week and I have some seedlings growing. When I go to the room and open up the windows to give them some light each morning, I am totally excited to see how much they have grown. Every day there are some new ones poking out of the dirt.
I have to keep the door to the room shut, since last attempt at growing things was a disaster when Sasha (the dog) would make a snack of the little seedlings.
Here they are...
Can you guess the plants from the seedlings?
I have to keep the door to the room shut, since last attempt at growing things was a disaster when Sasha (the dog) would make a snack of the little seedlings.
Here they are...
Can you guess the plants from the seedlings?
Water in Brazil, to drink or not to drink?
I have had a few people ask me if the water is OK to drink here. That question gets a bit complicated when you take into consideration that MOST Brazilians drink filtered or bottled water. It is rare that you will be offered water from the tap. I can't speak for the states in the north of Brazil, but I can speak for the region I have been living in.
One thing you will find strange is that "cold" water isn't really as cold as we like it in the USA. I was used to having a glass of water that was 90 percent ice cubes before I moved here. It took me about 2 years to get used to the temperature of the water served here. If you buy water from a street vendor and ask for it "Bem Gelado" (very cold). You will get a bottle of water that has been sitting in water that may have at one point in the day had ice in it.
Most people believe that drinking anything cold will cause you to get sick, so it isn't very common for someone to ask for "Bem Gelado". The first few times I purchased water from a street vendor it was warm. I could not stomach drinking warm water. Nowadays, I keep a bottle of water in my room and drink it warm most of the time.
Something that is very common is for a household to have a terracotta water filter. The clay base usually keeps the water at a cooler temperature. I have not gotten used to the water from these filters yet. There is a slight after taste of moss. I think the pots tend to grow a moss over time and the water then tastes a bit like pond water. One of my friends said that is why she loves the water from the clay pot, because it tastes earthy. I don't know about that, but the water from the clay pots does mess with my intestines, so I avoid it when I can.
We buy our water like most businesses do in the states, we spend about 4 bucks to get a 20 liter jug delivered every week. The water jug is more popular than the clay pot filter nowadays, because it is cheaper and more readily available than it used to be.
So, to answer the question , to drink or not to drink... It depends on where in Brazil you are, if you are in the São Paulo region, It is very unlikely you will be offered water from the tap. Even if you ask for water at a restaurant, you get charged for a bottle. So go ahead and drink and don't forget to ask for "Bem Gelado". Outside of this region, I can't speak for, so don't write me if your trip is spoiled by a bad case of the runs.
One thing you will find strange is that "cold" water isn't really as cold as we like it in the USA. I was used to having a glass of water that was 90 percent ice cubes before I moved here. It took me about 2 years to get used to the temperature of the water served here. If you buy water from a street vendor and ask for it "Bem Gelado" (very cold). You will get a bottle of water that has been sitting in water that may have at one point in the day had ice in it.
Most people believe that drinking anything cold will cause you to get sick, so it isn't very common for someone to ask for "Bem Gelado". The first few times I purchased water from a street vendor it was warm. I could not stomach drinking warm water. Nowadays, I keep a bottle of water in my room and drink it warm most of the time.
We buy our water like most businesses do in the states, we spend about 4 bucks to get a 20 liter jug delivered every week. The water jug is more popular than the clay pot filter nowadays, because it is cheaper and more readily available than it used to be.
So, to answer the question , to drink or not to drink... It depends on where in Brazil you are, if you are in the São Paulo region, It is very unlikely you will be offered water from the tap. Even if you ask for water at a restaurant, you get charged for a bottle. So go ahead and drink and don't forget to ask for "Bem Gelado". Outside of this region, I can't speak for, so don't write me if your trip is spoiled by a bad case of the runs.
Yards in Brazil
It has taken me a while to get used to the Brazilian yard. I grew up in a small city in Utah and am used to houses with a bit of grass and property that surround them. In Brazil you have to leave the city to find a house with some green surrounding it. Even though we live in a tropical environment, city living is anything but GREEN.
I wanted to purchase a house with a little plot of land for me to grow a small garden. When I started looking for something, I realized that the only option is something outside the city limits. Inside the limits you only find houses that have small yards and they are completely tiled. So, instead of watering the yard, you wash the tile (a big chore if you ask me). If you go outside the city limits it is beautiful and green and very tropical looking, however you have to give up a lot to move there. If you live in these areas, you don't really have access to internet or cable TV. There is also a lot of crime that happens in these areas.
It sounds a little backwards from the USA. In the USA if you live in the country you don't usually see as much crime. However, here in Brazil, the opposite is true, because most of the houses in the country side are owned by people who have money. So the criminals are attracted to these areas because they can invade a property and hold people at gun point and loot an entire house and there is nobody around to catch them. They can usually make a clean getaway before the police even arrive.
So, the next option if you want a house with some property, is to purchase one in a gated community. You will be locked into paying the security fee each month and that can be very expensive. When I lived in Sao Paulo, I lived in an apartment that had a security fee of 500.00 a month. It is an expensive alternative, but still an option. This is actually the most popular choice of living here.
So, I will settle for this city house I am in, with a small square in the front yard for planting. It isn't perfect, it isn't the dream home, but it will do just fine.
I wanted to purchase a house with a little plot of land for me to grow a small garden. When I started looking for something, I realized that the only option is something outside the city limits. Inside the limits you only find houses that have small yards and they are completely tiled. So, instead of watering the yard, you wash the tile (a big chore if you ask me). If you go outside the city limits it is beautiful and green and very tropical looking, however you have to give up a lot to move there. If you live in these areas, you don't really have access to internet or cable TV. There is also a lot of crime that happens in these areas.
It sounds a little backwards from the USA. In the USA if you live in the country you don't usually see as much crime. However, here in Brazil, the opposite is true, because most of the houses in the country side are owned by people who have money. So the criminals are attracted to these areas because they can invade a property and hold people at gun point and loot an entire house and there is nobody around to catch them. They can usually make a clean getaway before the police even arrive.
So, the next option if you want a house with some property, is to purchase one in a gated community. You will be locked into paying the security fee each month and that can be very expensive. When I lived in Sao Paulo, I lived in an apartment that had a security fee of 500.00 a month. It is an expensive alternative, but still an option. This is actually the most popular choice of living here.
So, I will settle for this city house I am in, with a small square in the front yard for planting. It isn't perfect, it isn't the dream home, but it will do just fine.
Christmas all year! Giant Poinsettia in the garden.
We have a poinsettia that was planted in the garden... the thing grew and grew and grew and now it is bigger than the azalea bush. It is visible from the living room window and I love how it reminds me of Christmas.
Thinking on... Italy
I love to travel and next year I have my eyes and heart set on seeing Italy. If I am able to get money saved up I might include a short side trip to another country. I love history and when I travel, that is what entertains me the most, I am for sure a museum and historical trail type of girl.
I have come across a few guides but have not settled on one particular one yet. I think I will wait a bit and buy next years updated guides. The guides in English here are a lot more expensive than the ones in Portuguese. I am looking at close to a hundred bucks for a guide with maps. It will be worth it though, I am sure.
I did come across a site called Booking.com, I am not sure how good they are, but I know someone who has used them before. Booking.com offers hotels at a discount. I wonder if there is another site that gives better discounts. Someone told me to wait and when I arrive, go to the local travel agency and they can book me a hotel for a fraction of the price. I am a spontaneous person and as disorganized as I am, I couldn't force myself to leave my home without knowing where I am going to sleep. This bum hip of mine can't be laid down just any old place. What if I got there and nothing was available? No, I can't do it. So, I will keep an eye out for something reasonable.
As always, if anyone has any suggestions or if you have traveled to Italy, and have advice or tips... let me know.
I have come across a few guides but have not settled on one particular one yet. I think I will wait a bit and buy next years updated guides. The guides in English here are a lot more expensive than the ones in Portuguese. I am looking at close to a hundred bucks for a guide with maps. It will be worth it though, I am sure.
I did come across a site called Booking.com, I am not sure how good they are, but I know someone who has used them before. Booking.com offers hotels at a discount. I wonder if there is another site that gives better discounts. Someone told me to wait and when I arrive, go to the local travel agency and they can book me a hotel for a fraction of the price. I am a spontaneous person and as disorganized as I am, I couldn't force myself to leave my home without knowing where I am going to sleep. This bum hip of mine can't be laid down just any old place. What if I got there and nothing was available? No, I can't do it. So, I will keep an eye out for something reasonable.
As always, if anyone has any suggestions or if you have traveled to Italy, and have advice or tips... let me know.
Miniatures out the ears.
Anyone who really knows me, knows that I love miniatures. I collect all sorts of miniatures, including Homies and Kinder Surprise (aka Kinder Ovo aka Kinder Egg), Glass animals, Mini wooden furniture... the list goes on. I don't know what it is about a miniature that gets me all excited, but I am sure it must have something to do with my childhood.
I have a memory of visiting my grandma one summer and seeing mounted on her wall a miniature collection displayed in an old printers tray (the trays that printing presses used to hold the little letters for typesetting). I was fascinated by both the collection and the tray. I remember seeing amongst her collection a miniature baby doll and I couldn't believe they could make a baby doll so small. I wasn't allowed to touch, but when grandma wasn't looking, I touched everything in the display case. When I got older I was given an old printers tray and I used that for my own miniatures collection until it outgrew the case. For the past 7 years my miniatures have been boxed away because I have had no place to display them.
I took them out the other day and started to put them on an empty shelf I have, I realized about an hour into it, that I will have to take them all back down when the maid comes to clean. I can't imagine having to do that every few weeks with a collection so large. So, I am starting my search for a great way to display my large collection without dust being an issue... Any suggestions are welcome.
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| Not a miniature but part of my collection. Ozzy! |
I have a memory of visiting my grandma one summer and seeing mounted on her wall a miniature collection displayed in an old printers tray (the trays that printing presses used to hold the little letters for typesetting). I was fascinated by both the collection and the tray. I remember seeing amongst her collection a miniature baby doll and I couldn't believe they could make a baby doll so small. I wasn't allowed to touch, but when grandma wasn't looking, I touched everything in the display case. When I got older I was given an old printers tray and I used that for my own miniatures collection until it outgrew the case. For the past 7 years my miniatures have been boxed away because I have had no place to display them.
I took them out the other day and started to put them on an empty shelf I have, I realized about an hour into it, that I will have to take them all back down when the maid comes to clean. I can't imagine having to do that every few weeks with a collection so large. So, I am starting my search for a great way to display my large collection without dust being an issue... Any suggestions are welcome.
When Faux Went Horribly Wrong!
We have a cracked and chipped white bowl that sits as a centerpiece to the dining room table. In this bowl is the remainder of what was once a beautiful (I am only guessing as to it's former charm) arrangement of some colorful fruit. I can only guess the age of this fruit to be older than 10 years. The age is not the problem, I could handle some vintage fruit in my house. The problem is the fruit was unwisely made of wax. Now, I know wax is typically a great medium for molding and coloring. I don't think the artist, nor the consumer thought about the fact we live in Brazil before making/buying it.
I don't really know how long the fruit lasted, I assume it made it half way through one summer here in Brazil and each year the fruit gets rotated and melts a little more to one side. The banana is a thin wavy strip of yellow, the apple has half melted, the pear looks like yellow ball of wax. The only partial save, are the grapes that are made of plastic, however they trap water and get moldy. I don't know what to do to revive it, I do know that it makes for the most awful centerpiece I have ever seen. Unfortunately it has "sentimental value" and the other occupants of the house don't see it as I do.
So that leads to my next thought... What items am I attached to, and could I bring myself to toss those items away if they were dust bin worthy. - faux fruit isn't one of them.
I don't really know how long the fruit lasted, I assume it made it half way through one summer here in Brazil and each year the fruit gets rotated and melts a little more to one side. The banana is a thin wavy strip of yellow, the apple has half melted, the pear looks like yellow ball of wax. The only partial save, are the grapes that are made of plastic, however they trap water and get moldy. I don't know what to do to revive it, I do know that it makes for the most awful centerpiece I have ever seen. Unfortunately it has "sentimental value" and the other occupants of the house don't see it as I do.So that leads to my next thought... What items am I attached to, and could I bring myself to toss those items away if they were dust bin worthy. - faux fruit isn't one of them.
Wifi Booster... crafty old me :)
The Wifi in the house was really weak because the main router is hidden in a corner office with outside windows. I get one bar of connection when I am in the small office at the back of the house. Since I spend most of my time in the back area of the house, I decided to try and find a way to boost the signal. I did a search and found this simple little parabolic antenna booster. It took me about 10 minutes to print out and make. I hooked it over the antenna and checked the signal around the house. I get double the bars in most areas of the house. I still have not gotten it to blast back to the back rooms at full strength but I figure a slightly bigger one will do the trick. I have plans tomorrow to get a bigger one built.
So, maybe it is coincidence that my signal has been stronger for the past week that I have had it up, but I would like to think this thing is working... because I felt all cool making it.
You can find the pattern for making it here... Parabolic Antenna
Germinating
In reality, this is my second attempt in the past 5 years to get things to grow here. You would think that things would just grow and grow in this tropical environment. I am here to attest that you MUST still have a green thumb in Brazil. My first attempt at planting was very disastrous and costly. If you believe in negative energy like most of the people (that I know here) do, then there must have been a bad spirit hovering around my plants, just waiting to suck the life out of them. There is a common belief here in Brazil (I talked about it in a previous post) that someone with negative energy can walk by a pepper plant and dry it right up. Well, I don't know if it is coincidence or not, but that very thing happened to about a dozen plants of mine. I had a visitor who came for a few hours and when she had left, the plants were dried up and my dog was vomiting. Who knows what that was... but it does make you raise an eyebrow. The plants that survived the ladies visit, turned to dust a few months later when a swarm of mites came down on them, then ants attacked them to have a mite lunch. Sad, Sad, Sad!
So, this time, it is a different house and there are already plants growing well here, so if disaster strikes again, we will see about placing some blame on me. It all depends on my mood though.
I planted: Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Okra, Onion (green), Garlic, several types of Peppers, Peas and a few flowers.
Now I need a lot of green luck!
Plastics in Brazil.
I can't find a decent squeeze bottle for my walks. I have always had this little pet peeve about plastics in Brazil. If you want cheap plastic (almost unheard of) you have to buy Brazilian made plastic and for some reason the plastic made here has this terrible smell. So, you either have to get used to water that smells and tastes like chemicals, or you spend a ridiculous amount of money on imported plastic.
When I arrived here, I went shopping for stuff to furnish my little place with and I was disheartened to find that a small plastic garbage can was going to cost me about 45 bucks. I ended up using a small bucket for that end, I found the bucket at a small local grocer for about 5 bucks. The smell can be nauseating sometimes, especially the cheap plastic bags used at some of the small mom and pop shops.
The list of alternative uses for things has become very large in my house. If I purchase tomato sauce, I look for sauce sold in a cup or a container that can be reused for another purpose. Everything from Ice Cream tubs to yogurt cups gets a second life in my house. This is the only way I have been able to overcome the lack of plastic containers for storage in my home.
So that brings me back to today, I looked at two stores to find a squeeze water bottle to take on my walks. The imported ones were 35 bucks and up, the ones made here were about 2 bucks but they had a very strong chemical plastic smell. I guess it is time for me to start an internet search for some ideas about how to remove the smell from plastic.
When I arrived here, I went shopping for stuff to furnish my little place with and I was disheartened to find that a small plastic garbage can was going to cost me about 45 bucks. I ended up using a small bucket for that end, I found the bucket at a small local grocer for about 5 bucks. The smell can be nauseating sometimes, especially the cheap plastic bags used at some of the small mom and pop shops.
The list of alternative uses for things has become very large in my house. If I purchase tomato sauce, I look for sauce sold in a cup or a container that can be reused for another purpose. Everything from Ice Cream tubs to yogurt cups gets a second life in my house. This is the only way I have been able to overcome the lack of plastic containers for storage in my home.
So that brings me back to today, I looked at two stores to find a squeeze water bottle to take on my walks. The imported ones were 35 bucks and up, the ones made here were about 2 bucks but they had a very strong chemical plastic smell. I guess it is time for me to start an internet search for some ideas about how to remove the smell from plastic.
I walk...
I went walking with some old folks today. If you know me, then you know that I prefer walking with the seniors than I do walking with a bunch of teenagers. I don't know what it is about these silver haired people that I love, but even as a kid I loved working at the senior citizen center. I guess I can thank my Grandparents (who ran the senior center) for getting me involved and making me feel comfortable around the older folks. I loved being around my Grandma and she was always at the "center" so, if I wanted to visit with her, the best thing to do was volunteer and work along side her. Anyway, so walking with the old folks, was a treat.
I am walking with a group from my health insurance company. My insurance company (Unimed) has a preventative medicine sector and I was given a referral by my cardiologist to take part in the programs they offer. After my evaluation by the physical therapist, I was invited to join the walking program at the park. The group of walkers meet every day at 7:30 in the morning, to go for a walk. There is also a program for physical therapy once a week (I am sure this is going to help build up my hip strength that I desperately need). I don't know why more insurance companies don't invest in things like this. I really hope the next step is them getting a giant swimming pool so I can take advantage of that on a hot day :)
So, I arrived at the park yesterday and was a bit shy at first. I tend to be painfully shy when I first meet people, until someone starts talking to me. The shyness soon fades with seniors because they are so funny and talkative that I get pulled right in. Anyway, I started my warm up with all of them and I was standing next to a lady who looked to be about 75 years old. The young trainer starts showing us what stretches to do. Arms above head, arms behind back... leg up on rail... my heart skipped a beat. Dread! How am I going to put my leg up on that rail? I looked to my left and Mariana (my friend who decided to walk with me) was struggling to put her foot half way up the fence because she could not reach the top rail. I looked to my right and the 75 year old had her leg up on the rail and nearly above her head. My jaw dropped! I could not believe it. I can't tell you how long it took me to wiggle my leg up half the way she had it. I can't believe I was showed up by a little old lady. I laughed about it several times yesterday, and my cardiologist was totally right when he said "you could really use some exercise."
I am walking with a group from my health insurance company. My insurance company (Unimed) has a preventative medicine sector and I was given a referral by my cardiologist to take part in the programs they offer. After my evaluation by the physical therapist, I was invited to join the walking program at the park. The group of walkers meet every day at 7:30 in the morning, to go for a walk. There is also a program for physical therapy once a week (I am sure this is going to help build up my hip strength that I desperately need). I don't know why more insurance companies don't invest in things like this. I really hope the next step is them getting a giant swimming pool so I can take advantage of that on a hot day :)
So, I arrived at the park yesterday and was a bit shy at first. I tend to be painfully shy when I first meet people, until someone starts talking to me. The shyness soon fades with seniors because they are so funny and talkative that I get pulled right in. Anyway, I started my warm up with all of them and I was standing next to a lady who looked to be about 75 years old. The young trainer starts showing us what stretches to do. Arms above head, arms behind back... leg up on rail... my heart skipped a beat. Dread! How am I going to put my leg up on that rail? I looked to my left and Mariana (my friend who decided to walk with me) was struggling to put her foot half way up the fence because she could not reach the top rail. I looked to my right and the 75 year old had her leg up on the rail and nearly above her head. My jaw dropped! I could not believe it. I can't tell you how long it took me to wiggle my leg up half the way she had it. I can't believe I was showed up by a little old lady. I laughed about it several times yesterday, and my cardiologist was totally right when he said "you could really use some exercise."
Cleaning Up.
One thing I am totally grateful for, is that having a maid in Brazil is a relatively inexpensive treat. For about R$50.00 we have a maid come and clean the entire place. She spends close to 8 hours cleaning this house, and it works out to be about US$25.00 or slightly more. Another treat I have come to love is the Ironing Lady. She comes once a week and irons all the clothes for R$20.00 or about US$10.00.
The price for house cleaning is reasonable enough that even low income families can afford to create an extra job for someone in need. I am really grateful we are able to afford these treats. I know it has saved me money on pain medication already. Lets be honest though, even if my hips were normal and pain wasn't a factor, I would still not pass up the opportunity to have it done for me.
The price for house cleaning is reasonable enough that even low income families can afford to create an extra job for someone in need. I am really grateful we are able to afford these treats. I know it has saved me money on pain medication already. Lets be honest though, even if my hips were normal and pain wasn't a factor, I would still not pass up the opportunity to have it done for me.
Back ...again
A whole lot has happened since I last updated this blog. Including but not limited to, a death, a birth, change of address, a few serious illnesses and lots of personal changes.
I can't even begin to start talking about all the stuff that has happened, so lets just make a deal and say we start again from now.
I am going to be making this blog a bit more personal and not just about Brazil, but also about me and the things I like. Or whatever in the world I think is interesting at the time I post. So, lets see what happens.
I can't even begin to start talking about all the stuff that has happened, so lets just make a deal and say we start again from now.
I am going to be making this blog a bit more personal and not just about Brazil, but also about me and the things I like. Or whatever in the world I think is interesting at the time I post. So, lets see what happens.
Sticky in the middle :)
A surprising little treat that I eventually grew to love is Pão de Queijo (cheese bread)
Pão de Queijo that is well made, has a crispy outside with a warm soft sticky center. At first it was difficult to swallow, as I was somehow raised with the idea that bread was undercooked and should not be eaten if the center was sticky.
I think the name "cheese bread" is a bit deceiving, I incorrectly though the center was going to be filled with cheese and that would have made sense as to why the center was sticky. It wasn't at all what I had expected when I first bit into one, it is actually the dough that is sticky and has a slight cheese flavor. I have to admit that it was only after I returned home to the USA the first time that I actually realized I liked Pão de Queijo and missed it. Now I consider it one of my favorite breakfast items.
It is one of those things that when I see it, it instantly reminds me of Brazil, like Carnival and Samba. Even though I eat mine in the early morning, Pão de Queijo can be eaten any time of the day.I see it the most in the mornings; many people will stop at a corner bakery and buy a freshly baked Pão de Queijo with a glass of juice for breakfast. It is a salty treat that to me should be listed as a national treasure :).
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